Friday, March 20, 2026
F͠o͠r͠w͠a͠r͠d͠s͠ a͠n͠d͠ B͠a͠c͠k͠w͠a͠r͠d͠s͠ i͠n͠ T͠i͠m͠e͠ /// Ambient Improvisation w/ Polygene II
video upload by Somnambule
"Hi folks!
In this piece, sound is not simply performed — it is discovered, shaped, and gently guided through shifting layers of time.
'forwards and backwards in time' is an ambient improvisation created with the Polygene II by Gene Synths.
The instrument itself feels less like a machine and more like a crafted artifact — a delicate fusion of art and sound design. Its finely detailed structure, almost ornamental in nature, reflects the sonic worlds it reveals: intricate, fragile, and deeply expressive.
Textures emerge like fragments of a submerged civilization, or like transmissions from a distant future. Each movement carries a sense of both memory and anticipation, as if the sound exists outside of linear time.
This improvisation embraces that ambiguity.
There is no fixed destination — only evolving patterns, subtle shifts, and moments that appear, dissolve, and reappear in altered form. The Polygene II becomes a medium rather than a tool, allowing intuition to lead the process.
What unfolds is a quiet exploration of atmosphere and detail —
a space where sound feels suspended, moving simultaneously forwards and backwards in time.
Ambient improvisation with the #polygene by @genesynths .
Experimental ambient, chill out soundscapes, evolving textures and modular-style synthesis.
Live ambient performance focused on atmosphere, time and sonic depth.
Best sound with headphones"
Minimal Electronica with Softball MIDI and Digitone | Extra Ball 2026-03-20 by atnr
video upload by atnr
"A minimal electronica piece where MIDI from @noine-giron Softball https://store.noine.net/softball.html is sent to Digitone for sound generation.
Softball by noine runs on a Mac and sends MIDI sequences to the Digitone via USB MIDI, triggering the sound.
On the Digitone, the knobs are used to shape and modify the sound of each track in real time."
Some info on Softball, Google translated:
"A macOS MIDI sequencer that is simply fun to use—featuring the playful motion of a bouncing ball. It is currently available for purchase on Payhip.
・Simple ・Highly expressive ・Fun to use
These three principles form the core of its design. While I do plan to add more features in the future, I intend to remain steadfast in upholding these three fundamental pillars.
DAWs like Ableton Live consolidate almost every conceivable function into a single package, allowing you to do just about anything; I rely on them heavily myself.
However, isn't there also a unique joy in treating individual applications on your computer as distinct modules—combining them in various ways to create something new? This very concept is why I chose to handle MIDI directly rather than developing this as a standard plugin. And, of course, sending MIDI signals out to trigger external hardware instruments is a delight in its own right!
I have intentionally designed the interface to avoid the need for precise note-by-note (Do-Re-Mi) input via a traditional piano roll. Instead, I encourage you to experiment with different keys and scales to find the perfect musical balance that feels right to you. My hope is that you will feel free to create and play sounds in a way that feels natural and accessible.
But why the bouncing ball?
Aren't you a little tired of watching static step sequencers or piano rolls scroll endlessly across the screen?
I felt that the dynamic motion of a bouncing ball had a wonderful synergy with musical rhythm and beat. Plus—let's be honest—it just looks adorable as it bounces along!"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Elektron, New Soft Synths, New Tools, News, Soft Synths
LABELS/MORE: Elektron, New Soft Synths, New Tools, News, Soft Synths
KORG Wavestation - A brilliant Digital Synth that wasn’t just a Rompler - first thoughts
Modal Electronics Carbon 8 Synthesizer
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Modal Electronics, Valhalla
LABELS/MORE: Modal Electronics, Valhalla
Telepathic Transmission: Sound Creation & Saving
video upload by Telepathic Instruments
"In this transmission we look at Orchid's onboard sound presets and how to make and save your own."
ARTURIA ASTROLAB 37 DEMO
video upload by elz production
"AstroLab is less a synth and more an idea machine—a source of instant inspiration, perfect for grabbing a sound and running with it. The lack of deep editing is a trade-off for speed and variety. If you’re the type who wants to modulate an LFO with another LFO, look elsewhere. But if you want to make music now and worry about the details later, the AstroLab 37 is a serious contender. As always, the real magic—and a few quirks—are best experienced., let the jams and sound demos do the talking."
Thursday, March 19, 2026
How to approximate a VHIKK X with Magerit Laniakea and Befaco Oneiroi
video upload by Cinematic Laboratory
"Yeah, I FHIXXED IT. I own a VHIKK X. I had to have one, and waited for it for six months. But I completely overlooked the powerhouse I had lying around, gathering dust. Laniakea is a relatively cheap 220 euro module, and I guess - not sure - many of you have an Oneiroi - or an eye on it. If you'd combine those two, you'd open a SuperCluster and sometimes it will make the VHIKK X blush. Again, this proves for me that the best sounds you can imagine may already be hiding in the gear you already own. Next time you hear a 'must have', you may already have it."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Befaco, eurorack, Forge TME, Magerit, Make Noise
LABELS/MORE: Befaco, eurorack, Forge TME, Magerit, Make Noise
iDance RM-808 Groovebox Controller for iPad
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by idanceaudio idanceaudio
Somehow missed this one. Thanks goes to M Me for spotting the listing below and sending it in. A quick search brought up the video above.
via this eBay listing
Google translated from the listing in German:
"This is an extremely rare toy from 2023—one that, for some reason, seems to have been on the market for only a very short time—yet it is anything but a mere toy.
The controller pairs via Bluetooth with an app called X808. This app runs exclusively on iPhone or iPad. There is a stripped-down freeware version (featuring limited synth and effect parameters) and a full version available for 8 euros. Both versions provide access to a few acoustic kits as well as ALL THE ESSENTIAL ROLAND drum machines—specifically the 808, 909, 606, 707, 626, 727, CR78, and CR80. Furthermore, it includes a full-fledged bass synthesizer and *two* full-fledged Kaoss Pads!
I tested the device using only the freeware version, and even that alone is absolutely incredible.
Naturally, you can program beats, basslines, and even full songs; moreover, the controller features an extremely intuitive design—well, as one would expect, since it *is* designed for children.
Something seems to have gone wrong with the marketing, however, because a unit this powerful really shouldn't be classified as a 'toy' anymore.
The device is brand new and has been tested just once.
The internal batteries are charged via USB.
Incidentally, the user manual translates the term 'mixer' as 'stirring device.' Got it?"
w/ Original Box
video upload by idanceaudio idanceaudio
Somehow missed this one. Thanks goes to M Me for spotting the listing below and sending it in. A quick search brought up the video above.
via this eBay listing
Google translated from the listing in German:
"This is an extremely rare toy from 2023—one that, for some reason, seems to have been on the market for only a very short time—yet it is anything but a mere toy.
The controller pairs via Bluetooth with an app called X808. This app runs exclusively on iPhone or iPad. There is a stripped-down freeware version (featuring limited synth and effect parameters) and a full version available for 8 euros. Both versions provide access to a few acoustic kits as well as ALL THE ESSENTIAL ROLAND drum machines—specifically the 808, 909, 606, 707, 626, 727, CR78, and CR80. Furthermore, it includes a full-fledged bass synthesizer and *two* full-fledged Kaoss Pads!
I tested the device using only the freeware version, and even that alone is absolutely incredible.
Naturally, you can program beats, basslines, and even full songs; moreover, the controller features an extremely intuitive design—well, as one would expect, since it *is* designed for children.
Something seems to have gone wrong with the marketing, however, because a unit this powerful really shouldn't be classified as a 'toy' anymore.
The device is brand new and has been tested just once.
The internal batteries are charged via USB.
Incidentally, the user manual translates the term 'mixer' as 'stirring device.' Got it?"
w/ Original Box
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Auctions, iDance, iOS, New Controllers, New Makers, Roland
LABELS/MORE: Auctions, iDance, iOS, New Controllers, New Makers, Roland
Analogue Solutions AS100 Colossus Classic
video upload by CTRL MOD
"A quick demo video of the Analogue Solutions AS100 Colossus Classic. Recorded onto phone with phone microphone."
http://ctrl-mod.com/
Sequential Fourm - it's definitely not a toy! #sequential #fourm #customsound
video upload by Scott McAuley Sounds
"Patches will be available at https://www.orano.co.uk/shop or http://www.synthsounds.co.uk
© Scott McAuley. All rights reserved.
#customsounds #sequential #fourm"
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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








































