Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave 8M Review & Demo | Compact Synth Powerhouse

video upload by Starsky Carr

0:00 All 3rd Wave intro (not drums or vocals!)
2:13 Doing that PPG Thing
4:07 It's SOOOO much more than a PPG
6:33 Creating the Different Styles of Tones
14:00 Putting Them All Together
16:15 Demo Track - Rain or Shine

"The Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave 8M is here – the compact desktop module with huge power. From classic PPG tones to modern wavetable magic, this demo shows why it could be your next dream synth.

In this video I put it through its paces with a full demo and review, showing how it stacks up against the bigger 3rd Wave keyboard and even the Behringer Wave – a clone of the classic PPG 2.2.

With 24 voices, wavetable creation, sample import, and a deep sequencer, the 8M delivers the lush PPG tones we know and love – but it also goes far beyond, opening up new creative possibilities for sound design and performance.

If you’ve seen my earlier videos on the 3rd Wave , you’ll know how close they get to that classic PPG sound. But the 8M adds serious flexibility: multi-timbrality, modern workflow, and the ability to create wavetables from audio. This isn’t just a clone – it’s a synth that pushes forward while staying true to the heritage.

Whether you’re a fan of vintage digital synths, wavetable synthesis, or just looking for an inspiring new instrument for your studio, the 8M is a fascinating option.

👉 Check out my 3rd Wave Playlist - everything you could ever want to know!"

Going Dark and Moody with the Hologram Chroma Console Matte Black Edition

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The Hologram Chroma Console has had a gothic makeover with the brand-new Black Edition. It’s the same inspiring multi-effects pedal, but dressed in black — and I had to see if the darker look matches the moody, atmospheric sounds it creates.

In this demo I build tones step by step: starting from a simple sawtooth and layering drive, pitch modulation, drift, reverb, and interference. Before long, the Chroma Console takes us into gorgeous, complex, and sometimes unsettling soundscapes."

0:00 Watch out for Vampires.. This is what it does...
2:39 Why Lo-Fi is Soooo vibey & atmospheric
4:24 Quick Intro
8:28 Secondary Functions
11:06 Recording Automations (Gestures)
13:13 Changing Module Order
14:05 Sonic Experiments - putting it all togegther
18:35 Demo Track

Classic Jupiter 8 using the Novation SUMMIT

video upload by Starsky Carr

See How to Make Your Synth Sound Like a Roland Jupiter-8 (Summit & Peak Tutorial and patch bank)

How to Make Your Synth Sound Like a Roland Jupiter-8 (Summit & Peak Tutorial and patch bank)

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Ever wished your synth could sound like the legendary *Roland Jupiter-8*? In this video, I’ll show you how I built over 80 authentic Jupiter-8 style patches—from lush pads to classic leads and basses —and how you can design your own vintage synth tones step by step.

In this I use the Novation Summit*, and my patches also work on the *Peak
Get the Patches here:
https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p...

*What you’ll learn in this video*:
How to create Jupiter-8 inspired patches on Novation Summit & Peak
Tips for getting authentic vintage analog tones
Tricks to restrict modern features for a true retro sound
Ways to shape oscillators, LFOs & envelopes for classic synth vibes"

0:00 Intro - taking things a little futher
1:23 You don't need a clone clones
4:01 Cross Mod/FM - They're not the same Linear vs Exponential
5:25 PWM - Check the LFO range
7:54 Sync - The SUMMIT & Peak are unique here
9:59 LFO - Don't go too fast!
12:58 Don't worry about the Cross Mod
13:48 Keep the filter within limits and you'll be fine
20:50 A Patch Form Scratch
22:16 A Word on the Envelopes
24:32 Adding Performance Features
30:15 Some Thouhgts
31:54 A QUICK JAM

Trying the Novation Launch Control XL3 as a Hardware Hub in a Dawless Setup

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Discover the power of the Novation Launch Control XL3 — the ultimate Ableton Live controller and a flexible standalone MIDI controller for the Arturia AudioFuse 16 In this video, I’ll show you how to use the XL3 in a hybrid studio setup including the Dreadbox Nymphes and *Erica Synths LXR02*, giving you full hardware mixer control over up to 24 channels and a synth.

✅ Seamless integration with Ableton – plug it in via USB and Live recognises it instantly.
✅ Control up to 24 channels on the AudioFuse Rig 16 + X8 setup.
✅ Flexible setup options: USB or MIDI DIN for a fully computer-free rig.
✅ Real-world mixing example: faders, pans, sends, and mute/solo control at your fingertips.

Whether you’re a producer, live performer, or looking for hands-on hardware control in your hybrid studio, the Launch Control XL3 is a compact powerhouse."

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: What is the Launch Control XL3?
2:23 – Quick Ableton setup demo
5:00 – Intro Demo Hardware Setup Explained
9:05 – Setting up MIDI Control
14:03 – Minor Niggles
15:21 – Hardware Connections
17:38 – Final thoughts

https://us.novationmusic.com/products/launch-control-xl

Classic House on Hardware (TR-909, Dreadbox, Nymphes) // Cirklon Demo and Tutorial

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Making a Live Jam using 2 dreadbox synths and a drum machine sequenced by the sequentix Cirklon

In this video, we dive deep into the legendary Sequentix Cirklon sequencer and show how to build a classic house track on hardware step by step. From programming kicks, bass, and synths to using advanced Cirklon features like probability, accumulators, and aux events, you’ll see how to create a live jammable house groove with real gear.

Gear Used in This Demo
Sequentix Cirklon Sequencer
Roland TR-909 (drums)
Dreadbox Nymphes & Nyx (synths)
OTO BIM delay
Arturia Keystep (for note input)

What You’ll Learn in This Video:
How to set up the Cirklon with multiple hardware instruments
Creating patterns, muting parts, and arranging sections
Using probability & fills for dynamic grooves
Deep-dive into exotic Cirklon functions (accumulator, aux events)
Building a classic house track for live jamming"

I hope they're not all like this! // Behringer vs Moog MuRF

video upload by Starsky Carr

"No prizes for guessing what's going on here.. a comparison of the Behringer BM-15 MURF BOX and the classic MoogerFooger MIDI MuRF

How does the Behringer stack up against the Moog? ... there's only one way to find out :)"

Never Expected This... Jupiter 8 vs System 8 (Roland Cloud & JP08 Boutique) Deep Dive

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Just how close is the Roland System-8 to the classic *Jupiter-8 * - I'm finally able to take a look at them side by side.

The System 8 uses Roland's ACB technology - analog circuit behaviour - it's component level modelling that creates the sounds based on what the voltages electrons would be doing bouncing around those old circuits. It's the same as used in the Boutique JP8 and in the Roland Cloud VST plugins. ... so if you've got either of those this shows how they all stack up versus the real thing.

0:00 Demo Track
1:00 About the System 8
5:07 Pacific 8
5:38 Matching Patches
11:21 Oscillators
15:25 Circuit Mod/Detune/Slop
18:11 Binaural Demo 16 Voices of Jupiter
19:32 Sync
20:43 Filters
28:02 An Interesting Thing
29:45 A bit on the LFO
31:29 And... what do I think?"

Analog Multitimbral Marvel - 6 Synths... Simultaneously

video upload by Starsky Carr

"In the V1.3 update we can have upto 6 different synths in the same machine

The Redshift 6 is based on the Supercritical Demon Core Oscillator and Neutron Flux Filter eurorack modules.. both of which offer a huge amount of flexibility for analog oscillators and filters. Supercritical have been able to do this through designing a system where they can control the character of the filters and oscillators under digital control."

0:00 Getting Into the Groove
0:30 What's So Special About the Redshift?
3:55 Multitimbral Modes
4:39 Demo Track Set-Up
5:50 Paraphonic - lots of oscillators in ONE oscillator
7:24 Binaural - Poly & Unison Combined
9:02 6 Monosynths - with 6 Outputs

TR-808 Shootout // Can they live up to the LEGEND??

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The legendary Roland TR80*8 up against the *Roland TR-8S and the Behringer RD-8 Looking only at the sounds - or listening to them! - do they come anywhere close?

The TR-8S uses Roland's ACB technology, which is the same as the TR-8, Roland Cloud plugins and the Boutique TR-08 - so this has you covered for all of those. I'm using the RD-8 Mk2 - you cna tell because its got the black buttons, Mk1 had white.

I've gone through all the sounds (forgot the maracas in the demo bit) and showed how they differ. Taking into consideration no 2 808s will be identical I think they both stand up very well to the orginal TR808.

But if you want the exact sounds...

Buy my 495 samples here - every position on every knob!
https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p..."

Polyend Pedals // MESS Step and Press

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Some things ooze quality ... welcome to the Polyend MESS, Step and Press guitar pedals. But just like my MoogerFoogers I'm not going to be stomping on them any time soon!

The MESS is a Multi Effect Step Sequencer with 4 tracks containing one of 74 on-board FX and sequenced in 16 steps.

The Step is a beats machine. Filled with 50 kits and 2000 samples and room for 1000 songs. With per step parameter setting and onboard FX, limiter and saturation it's much more than a simple drum machine.

Press is an ANALOG stereo VCA compressor (everything else I've used from Polyend has been digital), with a sidechain input, LP and HP for the sidechain plus a dry/wet mix knob and a tilt EQ. A super little desktop/stompbox compressor."

0:00 What's all this then?
1:10 Demo - under PRESSure
1:27 Press... it's a comPRESSor
6:14 Step .. it's a beats machine
8:38 Demo - Musical Interlude
9:18 Back to the Step
15:06 Demo - time for a miniCHILL
15:58 Per STEP parameters
19:51 MESS Demo - Getting Glitchy
20:55 MESS.. it's a Multi Effects Step Sequencer
24:49 Demo - Huge and Spacey
25:34 MESSing it up from scratch
30:08 Demo - More Glitches
30:21 In a Nutshell...

Novation SUMMIT // A 2025 Synth from 2019... and beyond!!

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Sonically we're in control iykyk :) .... Coming out of Leftfield - was the market ready for the Novation SUMMIT and PEAK FPGA oscillators back in 2018? Did we really understand what they were? .. digital .. yes, but not as we knew it, not old school tech type of digital.

Get my SUMMIT and Peak Patches here:
Vintage Classics https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p...
Oberheim https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/p...

Clocking at 24MHz these were something new. Bringing out a hybrid when everyone was going analog crazy was a brave move, but one that's still paying dividends.

Building on ideas from vintage classics, it seems to have come from the future... well ahead of it's time - it's always been a 2025 synth but was originally released in 2019.

AND - it's packed full of features...

In this I look at some of the more overlooked features, and the flexibility.In my previous demos i've showed how it can emulate the functions of loads of classic synths, so in this i take it a little further. Looking at binaural mode, complex modulation, 3 distortions, dual filter modes and wavetables.

... and a big thanks to ‪@AlexBallMusic‬ for his cameo :)"

Donner Essential L1 vs Roland SH101

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Well this was a surprise... and what a pleasant surprise it is!! The DonnerMusic Essential L1 is an analog synth based around the vintage Roland SH101 with a few modern extras and additional functions, like an extra ADSR envelope, triangle wave, syncable LFO and storage for 128 64 step sequences.

Here I demo it paired with the Donner KB 32M magnetic keyboard which simply clips on and works a treat. So you have the option of a desktop unit or a full synth.

I put it up against my vintage Roland SH101"

Donner L1 Essential // A New Take on The SH101

video upload by Starsky Carr

Additional Donner L1 posts.

"Well this was a surprise... and what a pleasant surprise it is!! The DonnerMusic Essential L1 is an analog synth based around the vintage Roland SH101 with a few modern extras and additional functions, like an extra ADSR envelope, triangle wave, syncable LFO and storage for 128 64 step sequences.

Here I demo it paired with the Donner KB 32M magnetic keyboard which simply clips on and works a treat. So you have the option of a desktop unit or a full synth."

0:00 What's the L1 Essential?
1:22 Demo vs SH101
2:08 How to Create Sounds
9:55 Arpeggiator and Sequencer
12:28 MIDI
13:40 Global Menu and extras
14:25 Overall then...

My Head's About to Explode! // OB-6 vs TEO-5

video upload by Starsky Carr

"More choices.. too many choices? So many great synths from the Sequential/Oberheim folks alone. Now I've finally got the Oberheim OB6 and TEO-5 together and loads of you have asked if I've ever demo'd them both and which one would I choose... here's an in-depth look at the differences.

The TEO-5 has a more modern and flexible approach, whereas the OB-6 gives more of the vintage experience. Full mod matrix vs Poly-Mod style section should give a good idea of what I'm talking about. But other additions to the TEO-5 like DADSR and loop-able envelopes, LFO skew, LFO retigger, all give a more comprehensive sound design tool.

Sonically they are very close. The OB-6 is a brighter, the TEO-5 has more resonance if you want it. The FX on the TEO-5 also outstrip the OB-6. SO on paper it's a no brainer... the TEO-5 specs win the day. BUT what are they like to use, and which. would you pick if you had the choice?"

0:00 Intro track - 2xOberheim in an 80s frame of mind
2:50 Main Differences - Interface and Functions
6:20 X-Mod/FM
8:07 Effects - Modulatable and Modern
12:40 Oscillators - Discrete vs SSI2130
17:31 Filters - Super Similar

Behringer Syncussion SY-1 // A Pleasant Surprise

video upload by Starsky Carr

"I wasn't expecting much... but wow! The reason I've not demo'd the Behringer Syncussion SY-1 earlier is because it never really appealed to me - mainly I think because the drummer in my band at school had one and all i ever heard from it was a range of sci-fi laser blurps... turns out it does alot more.. and those kicks - amazing."

0:00 What is It?
3:24 Modes A-F
4:04 Hats & Claves
5:25 Kicks
7:14 Sample & Hold
7:41 Tuning with MIDI
8:40 LFO
10:50 8 Bit Burbblrbopples

Sequential Introduces the Take 5 Desktop Module

video upload by Sequential

"Take Your Music to the Next Level

The Sequential Take 5 desktop module brings the legendary Prophet-5 sound to your mix, featuring the analog oscillators and filter that transformed electronic music. Compact and powerful, it fits seamlessly into any studio and is easy to transport for live performances. Modern effects and a powerful modulation matrix deliver sounds to transport you.

Soundtrack exclusively by Take 5. Yes, even the drums! Composed by Peter Dyer.

For more information on Take 5 visit Sequential at: https://sequential.com/hybrid-analog/..."

Sequential Take 5 Module Demo (no talking) - Presets for Ambient, Melodic Techno and Electronica

video upload by Limbic Bits

0:00 Pads
13:09 Bass
16:25 Leads and Arpeggios
20:57 Misc, SFX and Percussion

Sequential Take 5 Module Demo (no talking)

video upload by Bonedo Synthesizers

Hurray... Take 5 and TEO 5 Desktop Units

video upload by Starsky Carr

TEO 5 announced here

"The Take 5 and Teo-5 from Sequential and Oberheim make fantastic desktop units. They feel like they were made for this form factor - no compromises, simply great sounding synths in a high quality enclosure. The keyboard versions may have felt lacking in keys (even though they have a great keybed) - just a bit too short for some. I found it was quite handy having one that could fit on my rack! But with these the only decision you have to make is which one is best for you.

Luckily I'm here to confuse you further (they both sound great)! The decision will be whether you prefer the Oberheim or Sequential style of VCO programming, the filters, and the X-Mod/FM. And these just so happen to be the bits I look at in this :)"

0:00 Whoo Hoo!!
2:36 The Hardware
4:37 Quick Overview - What Are They?
6:58 Oscillators
10:20 Sync
12:31 Filters
21:08 X-Mod/FM



Press release follows:

Take Your Music to the Next Level with the Sequential Take 5 Desktop Module

San Francisco, CA – [July 1, 2025] – Sequential, a leading innovator in synthesizer technology, today announced the release of the Take 5 Desktop Module, bringing their legendary analog sound to a more compact and accessible form-factor.

Building on the success of the Take 5 keyboard, the desktop module offers the same powerful analog oscillators and filters that capture the iconic warmth and depth of the Prophet-5, enhanced with modern modulation and digital effects. The module delivers this sought-after sound in a space-saving design, perfect for studio setups and live performances where portability and efficiency are paramount.

"Ever since we launched the Take 5 keyboard, we’ve gotten repeated requests for a desktop module version, " says CEO David Gibbons. "And more recently, it seems that modules have really shot up in popularity. So, we're very excited to offer the Take 5 sound in a format that everyone seems to want."

The Take 5 Desktop Module provides the same hands-on, knob-based experience as its keyboard counterpart, allowing for intuitive sound design and real-time parameter adjustments. Users can delve deep into sound creation with controls that are simple and direct, making it fast and easy to polish your sound.

This synth fits perfectly in smaller studio or bedroom setups, and is easy to transport for live gigs, positioning The Take 5 desktop module to bring its signature Sequential sound to a wider audience than ever before. It's an instrument designed to make life easier and streamline the journey to making music and having fun.

The Take 5 desktop module is available now, with a US MAP price of $1,399.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Acustica Expanse 5 meets the Prophet 5?

video upload by Starsky Carr

"An old school comparison - function by function how does the Acustica Audio Expanse 5 plugin stack up against a hardware *Prophet 5*?

Lucky for you I've got both here, and made a quick runthrough of the main functions."

0:00 intro and tuning issues
5:50 Oscillators
7:48 Sync
8:47 Poly Mod
11:53 Filter
16:37 Modulation
18:24 Extras

20 voice UDO Super 8+ // How to Upgrade Your Super 8

video upload by Starsky Carr

"4 extra voices for your UDO SUPER 8 to bring the total count to 20 voices, or 10 binaural voices to give it the same as the SUPER GEMINI It's a simple procedure if you follow the instructions:

Undo the crews at the back,
Under the front lip and
All but one at the sides (leaving one as a hinge),
Then a couple from the bottom.

Open the lid, and pop in the boards - just like memory boards in a PC. Then screw everything back together.

Upload the latest firmware
Calibrate the new voices

then you're good to go."

GS Music Bree6 // Small Simple and Sublime

video upload by Starsky Carr

https://www.gsmusic.com/

"Sound is everything... and the GS MUSIC Bree6 doesn't fail to deliver. There's an intangible quality to the tone of their synths. The GS MUSIC e7 bing their first offering, that bowled me off my feet when I first got my hands on it.

This was first announced in NAMM 2024, so it's took a while to get to me - and it was worth the wait. Its a single VCO 6 voice polysynth with a 24dB LP filter and all analog signal path ... so it's in the same ball park as Juno's except this is a VCO, not a DCO, and has a different flavour.

Importantly for a boutique synth manufacturer, this feels great to use - its got a knob per function interface thats so intuitive and easy to navigate you'll be an expert in minutes!"

CLICK FOR MORE »