Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Serendipity L-Thing vs D-Thing+: Upgrades for Moog DFAM & Labyrinth
video upload by Noisegate and Sam Stosuur
"We patch both modules together, sync them via Mother-32, and explore how they interact with DFAM, Labyrinth, and Teenage Engineering Rhythm for a wild semi-modular jam.
The D-Thing+ transforms the Moog DFAM, adding reset, swing, step control, micro-timing, shuffle, reverse, random modes, and MIDI/CV clocking — turning a brilliant but limited sequencer into a powerful performance instrument.
The L-Thing is built to pair with Moog’s Labyrinth, providing dual clocks, polymeter and polyrhythm modes, Euclidean rhythm options, and generative sequencing that pushes Labyrinth far beyond its stock behavior — while still working with any CV-capable synth.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — Intro: Serendipity + what we’re testing
0:23 — Why DFAM needs this (no reset, studio workflow)
2:23 — D-Thing+ reset explained (DFAM’s biggest quirk)
2:52 — Step length control (1–8 steps)
3:43 — Multi menu: step loops beyond 8 steps
4:58 — Micro menu: per-step microtiming / swing feel
5:02 — Sequencer modes overview (normal, reverse, bounce, odd/even, shuffle)
6:34 — Random mode + MIDI/CV modes
8:35 — L-Thing intro + what it unlocks on Labyrinth
10:03 — Patching L-Thing to Labyrinth (clock + bit flip)
11:06 — Sync setup: D-Thing+ clocking L-Thing + reset in sync
11:34 — LFOs + using it with other Moog (Grandmother/Matriarch)
12:44 — Polymeter setup: beats/bar + length tricks
13:42 — Polyrhythm mode (firmware note + chaos)
14:59 — Fast performance tweaks / weirdness
17:56 — Wrap-up: who these are for + closing
👉 Check out Serendipity Synths for more: https://thewessens.net/Serendipity/ma..."
The D-Thing is a device that adds significant capabilities to the DFAM (or Edge) sequencer, such as:
MIDI integration — clocking and individual step play,
Reset — manual, via CV or via MIDI,
Variations in the step order — Forward, Reverse, Bounce, Odds & Evens, Shuffle, Random and Custom,
Changing the sequence length — 1 to 8 steps (up to 16 steps for a custom step order),
Step repeat — assign a play count of up to 8 times to any step,
Off-grid timing — swing beat as well as arbitrary shifts away from the beat.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, MOOG, New Modules, New Tools, News, Serendipity
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, MOOG, New Modules, New Tools, News, Serendipity
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Roland Announces ZENOLOGY GX for iPad
Press release follows:
The Acclaimed ZEN-Core Synthesis System Captured in a Powerful Standalone Instrument for iPad
Anaheim, CA, January 20, 2026 — Roland announces the upcoming release of ZENOLOGY GX for iPad, the first flagship Roland instrument designed for Apple’s tablet platform. Delivering the core feature set of the recently introduced ZENOLOGY GX for macOS and Windows, this new version brings Roland’s acclaimed ZEN-Core Synthesis System to a standalone instrument for iPadOS.
ZENOLOGY GX for iPad puts thousands of genre-defining Roland sounds at the fingertips of performers and creators, complemented with a modern high-definition UI, an advanced sound browser, integrated creative tools, and much more. ZENOLOGY GX for iPad is scheduled for release in early 2026 as a free download with all features unlocked for a limited time. After the debut period ends, the instrument will be available through free and premium Roland Cloud memberships or a Lifetime Key purchase."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: iOS, New Mobile Apps, New Soft Synths, News, Roland
LABELS/MORE: iOS, New Mobile Apps, New Soft Synths, News, Roland
Introducing the CR-78 Software Rhythm Composer
video upload by RolandChannel
"The CR-78 Software Rhythm Composer brings an iconic Roland instrument into the future. Designed for modern production, it delivers expressive rhythm programming with unmistakable analog character. Introduced in 1978, the CR-78 was the world’s first computer-controlled programmable drum machine, shaping the sound of pop, post-punk, disco, and electronic music with its distinctive tonal signature and human feel.
Recreated using component-level modeling, this plug-in delivers the authentic sound of the original along with modern sound-shaping and advanced sequencing tools. The CR-78 is available now with a Roland Cloud Ultimate membership or Lifetime Key purchase.
To learn more about the CR-78, please visit: https://www.roland.com/global/product..."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: New Soft Synths, News, Roland, Soft Synths
LABELS/MORE: New Soft Synths, News, Roland, Soft Synths
Touché: Don Buchla’s Rare Polyphonic Keyboard Instrument
video upload by Sarah Belle Reid
Follow-up to Sarah Belle Reid plays the Buchla Touché
"In this video, I explore an extremely rare electronic instrument called the Touché, created by Buchla and Associates in 1980. Filmed at the Buchla Archives in Vancouver, this is a rare opportunity to hear and see an instrument that very few people have ever encountered firsthand. Only around five Touchés are known to have been built, and very few remain functional today. Because of this, the instrument has remained largely absent from public performance and documentation. This video helps bridge that gap by sharing the Touché’s sound, design, and historical context.
While Don Buchla is best known for his modular synthesizers such as the 100 and 200 Series, he also created a number of non-modular, computer-based instruments that explored new relationships between performance, software, and sound. The Touché is one such instrument. Conceived by Don Buchla in collaboration with composer David Rosenboom, it is a bi-timbral, eight-voice polyphonic keyboard instrument that combines digital sound generation, analog processing, and computer-mediated control.
The video begins with a historical overview of how the Touché grew out of Buchla’s computer-controlled instruments of the 1970s, including the 300 Series systems. From there, the video moves into a detailed walkthrough of Touché’s sound architecture, including many musical demos.
This video was created in collaboration with the Buchla Archives, an organization dedicated to the thorough and thoughtful documentation and preservation of Donald Buchla’s work.
Special thank you to Ryan Gaston and David Rosenboom for research assistance."
Timbre & Digital Nonlinear Waveshaping (Buchla Archives): https://www.buchlaarchives.com/blog/t...
Nova Wind (1983)
video upload by David Rosenboom
"This video, shot informally in the Ensemble Room at Mills College in 1983, contains the only footage known of David Rosenboom playing his 1981 composition Nova Wind from Future Travel. In it, he plays the legendary Touché—digital/analog keyboard instrument produced in collaboration with Donald Buchla in 1979-1980—, violin, piano, and ancillary electronics. A complete studio recording of Future Travel was released first on a vinyl LP by Street Records in 1981 and later on a double-CD from New World Records in 2007."
Circuits and Fingers – Composer-Performer Convergence in Electronic Instrument Designs, Oct 5th
Shasta Cults - self titled album: https://shastacults.bandcamp.com/albu...
Future Travel (David Rosenboom): https://blacktruffle.bandcamp.com/alb...
Daytime Viewing (Jacqueline Humbert & David Rosenboom) https://jacquelinehumbertdavidrosenbo...
Zones of Influence (David Rosenboom) https://davidrosenboom.bandcamp.com/a...
Exploring the 1st Buchla 100 Modular Synthesizer
The Electric Music Box: Exploring a Vintage Buchla 200 Modular System
Free Intro to Modular Synths Course: soundandsynthesis.com/firstsynthpatch
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Buchla, exclusive, exclusive2026
LABELS/MORE: Buchla, exclusive, exclusive2026
On Being Invisible, David Rosenboom at Western Front, Vancouver, 1977, Part 1
video upload by David Rosenboom
"David Rosenboom, On Being Invisible (1977), video documentation part 1. 58 min. 28 sec. Courtesy of Western Front. ID# WFVDN_7702_03-1."
On Being Invisible, David Rosenboom at Western Front, Vancouver, 1977, Part 2
video upload by David Rosenboom
"David Rosenboom, On Being Invisible (1977), video documentation part 2. 44 min. 35 sec. Courtesy of Western Front. ID# WFVDN_7702_03-2."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Buchla, exclusive, exclusive2026
LABELS/MORE: Buchla, exclusive, exclusive2026
Alessandro Cortini - SOLE.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Baloran, Linn, Superlative
LABELS/MORE: Baloran, Linn, Superlative
Details on the New Knif Audio BBD
You might remember the quick demo of the Knif Audio 5U BBD Delay Demo posted back in September. New details are in:
BBD The analog delay to rule all analog delays
-Stereophonic analog bucket brigade delay with
-precision analog clock generators,
-variable frequency anti-alias and reconstruction filters for wide frequency response and -advanced companders and careful clock signal handling for high signal-to-noise ratio
-Superb-sounding tube distortion stage for the delay path with four NOS SQ pentode tubes
-Six 4096-step BBD ICs for 20ms-600ms (1200ms in mono) delay time
-Seven different operational modes, including X-fed feedback signals
-Versatile LFO
-Tempo divisions
-Tap tempo and external sync
-Beautiful, solid walnut housing and engraved and color-filled panels
Overview
Knif BBD is a stereophonic analog bucket brigade device (BBD) delay. It is a no-compromise device rich in features. What sets it far apart from any other device in the market are the unique self-adapting anti-aliasing and reconstruction filters which provide the widest possible frequency response for any given delay time setting without any aliasing.
The unit features in total six 4096-step BBD ICs which results in maximum delay time of 600 ms for a stereo signal and 1200 ms for a mono source. The device has got seven operational modes for different effects and comes with a wide range of control signal inputs and internal control possibilities. The unit features a microcontroller for relay switching and timing tasks such as tap tempo and time division. However the signal chain and clock generation are fully analog and built using state-of-the-art components.
The other very unique feature to the device is a vacuum tube distortion stage located before BBD circuits. It consists of four NOS Special quality pentodes in total. The amount of distortion is continuously adjustable without affecting the overall signal level. In addition to this, the spectrum of the distortion can be selected.
https://www.knifaudio.com/bbd
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Knif Audio, New Modules, News, synth guts
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Knif Audio, New Modules, News, synth guts
Polyend Synth Firmware 2.0 / Dirt Synth & Quickselect Feature
video upload by Polyend
"Polyend Synth 2.0 has arrived with the Dirth Synth engine and Quickselect scene loading.
Update Synth here - https://polyend.com/downloads/synth-d..."
Polyend Synth / Quickselect Feature
video upload by Polyend
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: New Updates, News, Polyend
LABELS/MORE: New Updates, News, Polyend
Jamuary 2026 - 18 - Nocturnal Canine Emissions - Sequential Fourm Bedtime Vibes
video upload by Pork Chop Synthesizers
"I'm a few days late sharing this fun little sonic adventure created from the comforts of bed, surrounded by a couple of sleeping, farting dogs.
This was played on my Sequential Fourm"
PREVIOUS PAGE
NEXT PAGE
HOME
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH








































