Friday, May 29, 2026
Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave — The COMPLETE Review (Every Feature Explored)
video upload by Scott's Synth Stuff
"The Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave is a 24-voice wavetable synthesizer with real analog filters, three oscillators per voice, and a 6-stage wave envelope that can independently sweep each oscillator through 64-position wavetables. It's built as a modern successor to the PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3, carrying the original PPG wavetables alongside 56 high-resolution modern wavetables, analog-modeled waveforms, and — as of OS 1.8 — a built-in sampler. In this review, I go through every major feature of the 3rd Wave in detail: the four oscillator types (PPG legacy, modern user wavetables, analog-modeled, and samples), the dual filter architecture (4-pole analog low-pass plus 2-pole zero-delay state-variable), all four envelopes, the four LFOs, the 16-slot modulation matrix, 11 built-in effects, the arpeggiator, the pattern-based sequencer with parameter automation, 4-part multitimbral layering and splits, the Wave Maker custom wavetable tool (including Serum wavetable import), unison with chord memory, MPE support, and more.
Whether you're considering buying one, comparing it to other hardware wavetable synths like the Waldorf Iridium, Modal Cobalt, or ASM Hydrasynth, or just curious what a modern PPG-inspired instrument sounds like in 2025/2026, this is the full picture. I cover every section of the signal chain with sound demos, explain what makes the wave envelope system unique, show how to build patches from scratch, and give my honest take on where the 3rd Wave excels and where it falls short. Timestamps for every section are below — jump to whatever interests you."
Torso S-4 2.2 Beta: The Revamped MOSAIC Engine (Deep Dive Tutorial & Demo)
video upload by Andre Bregegere
"Following up on my previous improvised jam (Torso S-4 Explorations Vol. 30), this video is a dedicated deep-dive tutorial and demonstration of the newly revamped MOSAIC engine introduced in the 2.2 beta firmware update.
The Torso S-4's granular engine has received a massive overhaul, and in this guide, I break down exactly how it works so you can get the most out of your sound design sessions.
What I Cover:
• Detailed Scan Mode and Parameter Walkthrough: An in-depth look at how the different scan modes behave under the 2.2 beta firmware, and at the interface changes and new parameters.
• The 'Fox.wav' Demo: To clearly demonstrate these technical changes, I put the engine to work using a single vocal sample (the legendary 'fox.wav' sample from CSound history), allowing you to clearly hear how each parameter shapes the texturing, time-stretching, and cloud generation.
Whether you're looking to update your hardware or just curious about the direction Torso Electronics is taking the S-4 sampler, I hope this helps guide your workflow!
--
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
00:23 - MOSAIC engine overview
01:07 - Granular synthesis explained
01:52 - Scan modes
03:10 - Page 1 parameters
04:31 - Page 2 parameters (randomization)
05:31 - Let's play! (sound demo)"
Hello Darkness My Old Friend - Arp Of Darkness v1.4.0 Free Firmware Update & Features
video upload by FlatSix Modular
"Arp Of Darkness firmware v1.4.0 is here, and it's a significant one. Three new features that change how you interact with the Arp Of Darkness on the fly — here's what's new.
CV Keyboard Mode — Hold the High C (Shift) button at boot and you drop into a full monophonic CV keyboard, complete with gate output and portamento via the pot. No need to swap firmware just to play a few notes. It's the same keyboard mode from Shroud Of Turing, now living inside the Arp Of Darkness.
Remix Buffer — A short dual-tap of Octave Up + Octave Down shuffles your note buffer order on the next clock. The notes themselves stay the same — only the sequence changes. It's a quick, surgical way to break out of a pattern without losing the phrase you built.
Auto-Remix — Want the buffer to shuffle itself? Auto-Remix does exactly that, automatically reshuffling every 2, 4, or 8 loops. Activate it queued (waits for the end of the current loop) or immediate (fires on the next clock) — your call. Deactivate with the same dual-tap that triggers a manual remix.
Together, these features make the Arp Of Darkness significantly more alive in a live performance context. You can let it breathe and evolve without ever stopping the clock.
Full documentation + free firmware download: https://www.flatsixmodular.com/firmware
Each module in the Nocturne Alchemy Platform shares the same hardware — so if you own any FlatSix module, this firmware is already yours. Swap away."
The Ritual the flame in a sequence
video upload by errorinstruments paul tas
That's a candle on the The Ritual. See this post for details.
PGB-1 + Volcas + modular 3D stands
video upload by Wee Noise Makers
"PGB-1 + Volcas + our modular stands = amazing dawless setup! More info at weenoisemakers.com"
And a dancing cat.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Korg, Synth Cats, Wee Noise Makers
LABELS/MORE: Korg, Synth Cats, Wee Noise Makers
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Syntovox 221 Vocoder - One of the Coolest Vocoders Ever?
LARKING — Quantized Ambient Drone Instrument
video upload by recoverysounds
www.recoveryeffects.com
"Larking is a 4 voice ambient drone synthesizer that redefines what a playable synth can be. Pitch is quantized, with each voice locking to a selectable key and one of eight musical modes for consistent harmonic control.
A standalone instrument for immediate tactile performance and tonal exploration, Larking functions as a sound design tool, performance instrument, or central voice in effects based setups. It integrates easily into pedalboard systems and complex signal chains.
Without traditional keys, it shifts focus from fixed patterns to guided harmonic discovery. Voices can be triggered via onboard controls, gate inputs, or MIDI, supporting hands on playing, modular systems, and sequencing.
Each voice features independent pitch control that snaps to scale degrees, enabling open ended melodic movement within a stable musical framework.
At its core is a morphing tonal engine. The Shape control moves each voice from a warm sine like foundation into harmonic saturation with analog style overtones, grit, and complexity, delivering a deep resonant low end with strong weight and bass response. Attack and Decay shape voice response from percussive rhythmic strikes to slow evolving swells that dissolve into space.
A global LFO modulates pitch across all voices, from subtle drift to extreme instability. Onboard reverb expands everything into a deep spatial field and atmospheric wash. The result is an instrument between a melodic synth, drone machine, and experimental performance tool, grounded in musical structure and open to pitch based exploration."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: New Synth Effects, News, Recovery, Sequential
LABELS/MORE: New Synth Effects, News, Recovery, Sequential
Prophet 10 and MIDI MORPHEUS - an LFO generator for the Prophet 10
video upload by MIDERA
"When I was playing around with the Roland MKS-80, I kept thinking "My Prophet 10 sounds soooo much like this, do I really need to spend $$$ on getting an MKS?" The things I loved so much about the MKS (and actually the Kawai SX-240 which I sold) related to the LFO. I love a good reverse saw LFO and a random LFO. Notably, these are absent from the Prophet 10.
I started building another device I haven't showcased yet, and I realized I could repurpose that work to make an LFO module, which is what you're seeing here. So what can it do? It currently targets multiple CC destinations with adjustable depth, speed, and waveform shape.
Been having a lot of fun with it so far, creating sounds the Prophet 10 could not do unless I had a Yorick LFE, which is no longer made and was a little too expensive for me to justify purchasing. This is far cheaper (although I don't want to think about how much I've spent in parts/time building this!).
Cheers
NI RAUM used for reverb
#nativeinstruments #raum #sequentialprophet10"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, Midera, New Makers, News, Sequential
LABELS/MORE: DIY, Midera, New Makers, News, Sequential
Katla 1 - First Soundtest
video upload by verstaerker
"Katla arrived and i'm getting to know him
@genkiinstruments
playing it with the Oxi One sequencer wich also sends aftertouch to modulate filter and Katla-params"
5/24/26 EML 200 + Metasonix TM-3 & TM-1 & TM-7 + Lower West Side Studios CGS01 + Alesis MIDIVERB II
video upload by Cfpp0
"The ElectroComp EML 200 master triangle is feeding the Lower West Side Studios CGS01 Sub Oscillator module, which is producing a sequence. The positive output of that sequence is modulating the Metasonix TM-3 gas-tube dual VCO, which runs through the Metasonix TM-1 SE waveshaper. The positive sequence from the CGS01 is also modulating the VCA input on the TM-1 SE. The negative output of the sequence from the CGS01 is sequencing the two VCOs on the EML 200, through its VCA, and with its internal spring reverb. The TM-1 SE audio output runs through the Metasonix TM-7 ultra-distortion scrotum smasher, which is being modulated by the EML 200 envelope output. From 1:49, the TM-3 suboctave and oscillator sync are creating some cool percussive spasms. Some reversed reverb is applied from the Alesis MIDIVERB II."
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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























