The synth that shapes SCALER’s sound

video upload by Novation

"*This video contains flashing images that may affect photosensitive viewers.*

We caught up with Bristol-based band ‪@SCALERBAND‬ to find out more about their sound and the workflow behind their live session.

We collaborated with SCALER to bring you performances of Broken Entry, Mirage, and Cold Storage from their latest record; watch via the link below.
But after the band’s live session, we spoke with Alex Hill and James Rushforth about their live electronic setup. In this video, the band explain in depth how they brought together this live setup and how it all works in unison, blending electronics, metal inspired guitars, and dreamy vocals. Featuring Peak as the beating heart of their live synth sounds, alongside the Launch Control and Launch Control XL they take you through their unique live session setup.

Watch the live session here: • Scaler - Endlessly Live Session" [below]

Discover the Peak: https://novationmusic.com/products/pe...
Explore our Launch Control range: https://novationmusic.com/launch-cont..."

Chapters:
0:00 - Introducing SCALER
0:23 - Alex from SCALER's Electronics rig
1:57 - Cold Storage Synth Sound
3:38 - How the Cold Storage arpeggiator line is made
4:46 - How the Novation Peak's Animate drives the performance in Broken Entry
6:47 - Using the Peak's oscillators and effects for Mirage's sound
8:47 - Blending the Peak with the Oberheim TEO-5
10:10 - Building SCALER's live rig

Scaler - Endlessly Live Session

video upload by SCALER

"This video contains flashing images that may affect photosensitive viewers.

Scaler live in session performing tracks from their second full length, Endlessly.

Tracklist:
00:00 Cold Storage
05:08 Mirage
08:46 Broken Entry"

Morphor ECHON 6 #2 | Winterdagen

video upload by Winterdagen

"This is one of the most beautiful synth sounds I've ever heard.

For this patch on the amazing ECHON 6 synthesizer by Morphor, I'm not using its exciter/synth section at all. The sound comes from its 6 BBD delay lines feedbacking indefinitely. The fact that the people at Morphor got to make BBD delay chips track pitch this well is already wild, but how they also managed to implement the super special glide you're hearing in this patch is beyond me. It sounds so alive!

I made use of ECHON 6's super intuitive and extensive mod section to give this patch some movement; with some LFOs I'm slowly opening and closing the filter in the feedback path and moving the voices in the stereo field. I applied keytracking to the LFO speeds making sure that each voice has different movements and a different place in the stereo field. I love that you can route keytracking to anything on ECHON 6.

I did use a fair bit of Valhalla Vintage Verb for this patch as the synth doesn't have an internal reverb. A gliding patch like this really benefits from some time based effects.

Every time I sit down with ECHON 6 for a bit, a new sound that I've never made on any other synth arises, it's so cool! I've made a lot more music with it and I'm super exited to show you.

I'm off to Superbooth now, I''ll be back with a new video next week! If you happen to be at Superbooth as well and want to say hi, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram."

Announcing Mesa! New Reverb Module from 4ms Company

video upload by 4ms Company

"We're excited to share our new reverb module Mesa with you! Mesa, based on the Valley Plateau, brings everyone's favorite VCV Rack reverb to the hardware world. Endless tails, heavily modulated chorus, and glitchy delays are at your fingertips. $399, available August 2026 from your favorite synth retailer."

10 Years of SuperBooth Berlin

video upload by Superbooth Berlin

"In anticipation of this year's SUPERBOOTH26, which officially starts tomorrow and is our -- tenth! -- anniversary edition, we have compiled a little trailer looking back at the last decade of SooperBooth, going all the way back to the first edition at the Funkhaus back in 2016. See you at the FEZ, and to another ten Sooper years!"

For tickets and further information, visit Superbooth.com
https://www.superbooth.com/en/
https://www.superbooth.com/de/

ArpoLoop Raw Circuitry & Repetitive Bliss #arpoloop

video upload by LepLoop

"No microprocessors, no screens, no menus. Just the raw beauty of discrete synthesis. Where electricity becomes rhythm.

https://www.leploop.org/2024/05/14/th...

#generativemusic #hardwaremusic"

TBD 16 teaser #superbooth26 #dadamachines #tbd16 #dsp #esp32 #groovebox #electronicmusic #synth

video upload by dadamachines

"Get ready for Superbooth 26! 🚀

Here's a sneak peek at the TBD 16 from https://dadamachines.com/ , a powerful new DSP-based groovebox and synthesizer powered by ESP32.

Come see us at Booth Z385 to see the TBD 16 in action. You won't want to miss this!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

1010music Introduces Blackbox 2 - Back in Black Compact Sampler Sequencer

video upload by 1010music

Two user videos further below. Press release follows:


"NEW blackbox 2 – Next Generation of a Compact Sampler Classic with 2X the Power

May 7th, 2026: 1010music unveils new blackbox 2 with features fueled by user requests and the development of the flagship bento sampling production lab.

A new high-resolution color touchscreen lets you load up to four Tracks where each Track can host Loop, One-Shot, Slicer, Shredder or Multisample Instruments. Record sequences in real time by using the touchscreen to finger drum on one-shots or play notes using a virtual keyboard with multisampled instruments like pianos. Or quickly create and edit sequences by drawing notes into the Piano Roll. Plus there’s a new Step Sequencer if that’s your preference.

CLICK FOR MORE »

BefacoxTesseract Coming to Superbooth

via Befaco:

"Superbooth is coming and this year we are coming in full force!! Apart of the goodies we already introduced, we have a bunch of new modules that will be on display, like our new stereo filter, a new member on the ST mix family and a small and mega compact headphones module..... well and 1U Midi thing is closer than ever!

But the big thing is our collaboration with Tesseract modules. A monster Full ON sequencer with synth engines, smaple play and CV generation. We are proud to present you ARK: A collaboration with one of our dearest friends from the eurorack scene!

Aiming to release before christmas seasson, with a target price of 666€ Tax included. Unless some new apocaliptic shit is brought to us by the usual suspects, of course.....

CLICK FOR MORE »

Superbooth 26 - Xaoc Devices Introduces Skopje & Budapeszt

Superbooth 26 - Xaoc Devices Skopje & Budapeszt

Xaoc Devices proudly debuts two new products at Superbooth 26: Skopje 1988 Dual Quantizer and Budapeszt 1972 Exploratory Stereophonic Spectral Lattice Network. Here is some information on the modules.

On the surface, Skopje is a seemingly simple compact (6HP) dual quantizer with two independent channels. However, some clever features coupled with high-precision A/D and D/A converters make it a complex (though extremely easy to use) compositional tool suitable for all kinds of musical outcomes. The user interface is similar to Zadar with frontpanel labels clearly indicating the features available for adjustment. No menu diving as the small OLED display is only used for selecting banks and scales. Each channel is able to quantize its input to a different scale from a different bank (up to 100 banks each containing up to a 100 scales - if you're deranged enough to need as many... ;-). Skopje stores its data on a regular microSD card. The module supports its own very simple scale format (a straghtforward TXT file you prepare on your computer), as well as any of the abundant SCALA files you throw at it. You can mix and match different scale format files in one bank. Various tuning systems and description formats supported. Microtonality galore! Our own scale programming system additionaly includes a few clever features, e.g., various voltage limiting settings. But there's more.

Got a lovely sounding VCO, but with volt/octave tracking leaving something to be desired? Skopje to the rescue - you can quickly calibrate any of its channels to fit your VCO like a glove for precise tracking! Other notable features include: glide, scale switching via triggers or CV (great as a performance/compositional tool with your own scales/note combinations), and transposition (including unquantized for vibrato).

Skopje is in production and will be available in June 2026.

PS Yes, this is a game of life screen saver on Skopje in one of the photos :-)

MAIN FEATURES:
- dual quantizer with precision A/D & D/A converters
- highly customizable
- compatible with microtonal scales
- OLED display for ease of use
- up to 100 banks, each with up to 100 scales
- VCO calibration feature
- data stored on microSD card
- SCALA file support
- 6HP

BUDAPESZT — 1972 Exploratory Stereophonic Spectral Lattice Network

Budapeszt is a stereo dual spectral processor built around the interference of resonant structures. It features two independently tunable comb-type filters with six distinct modes. Each filter has its own set of controls, with two separate triangle LFO's providing internal modulation (with free and synced operation, and an envelope follower mode on top). The real magic happens in the interference between two stereo filters though. The overlap of two resonant structures weaves a spectral lattice: a complex grid of peaks and voids. The final geometry of that lattice is determined by the relationship between the channels rather than by either one in isolation. To encourage experimentation and for even more sonic flexibility, multiple feedback paths are available, including cross-coupled feedback between the filters. There's also a feedback phase inversion switch for each filter.

Filter modes include delay-based, phase-based, and filterbank-based approaches to shaping the frequency domain. The first mode draws on a signal model inherited from Xaoc Devices Samarkanda, enabling artifact-free pitch behavior across the full frequency range. The remaining modes distribute resonant energy in ways ranging from the mathematically orderly to the perversely irregular. That being said, more familiar results, like flanging and chorus, are also easily attainable - delivered by Budapeszt with unusual precision.

Budapeszt is equally at ease processing oscillator waveforms and complex samples. It eagerly responds to short triggers with percussive transients whose character depends entirely on what the two channels are doing to each other. The interaction between the two channels is the instrument. Two channels agree, and the result is color. Two channels disagree, and the result is stormy weather. The space between agreement and disagreement is where Budapeszt lives.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Filter Anime by Max for Cats

video upload by max forcats

"Max for Cats crafts Software Instruments, Effects, MIDI devices, Sound Design and Samples for Ableton Live."

via max forcats

"An animated 8-band resonant filter bank inspired by the classic Moog MuRF, reimagined for Max for Live. Rhythmic pattern morphing, stereo motion, analog-style PWM sweep modulation, and dynamic envelope response transform any input into evolving spectral movement — from subtle animated filtering to deeply expressive rhythmic textures.

The device combines a playable pattern engine with touch-responsive filter animation, per-band drive, analog drift, and performance-oriented controls. Designed as both a creative sound shaper and a musical modulation instrument, it turns static audio into living motion with character, depth, and groove."