Synth Geekery 321
In episode 321 we talked about a new synthesizer inside the 1010music Bento with firmware 1.3. We also show a whole bunch of synths, eurorack, sequencers, drum machines, samplers, effects and software! Plus all the usual segments! Funny Side, News from the Geekery, Price Watch, Name that Synth …
Show contents:
- About
- Guests
- Video replay
- Funny Side
- News from The Geekery
- Price Watch
- Name that Synth
- Saturday Sonority
About the Synth Geekery Show
Synth Geekery is a weekly podcast/live stream (YouTube) show about everything synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, sequencers, eurorack and music technology. We take the “one of the masses” viewpoint, where we are also users of gear just like you (read: we’re not influenced by commercial product placement).
The show relies on the generous contributions of the synth community. You can contribute in many ways including supporting us via our YouTube Channel Membership or Patreon. We also have regular and special video guests: if you would like to take part in future shows – please contact me via email on the about page here.
Your Host
Ranzee (Ranz Adamson) is your show host. He’s based in Perth, Western Australia and has been a hobbyist musician and technologist for most of his life. More information can be found about him here.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ranzee
BandCamp: https://ranzee.bandcamp.com
Guests
This week’s video guests are:
Daren T. Housse
Bandcamp Link: https://darenthousse.bandcamp.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLPHxpZgFKKE1wkG9ndto3A
Daren resides in the UK and is one of the first video guests on the show since 2019. He has a large amount of tracks on his youtube channel plus a great album collection over on BandCamp.
SynthAddict
Andy is a musician and technologist from the bay area in California. He has an amazing collection of music tech gadgets and a large knowledge of synthesizers.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUtABvP7q29uvLKi73zIjFQ
Ian J. Cole
Ian is a musician, composer, sound designer and producer currently producing solo ambient electronic music. He also runs Sinners Music which is a Record Company and Online Music Retailer in East Yorkshire, England
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IanJCole
Chris – Maikshifter
Chris is a musician and technologist from Perth, Western Australia. He’s always had a love for creating and tinkering with music electronics and has recently embarked on a new journey creating eurorack modules.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Maikshifter
Video replay
Funny Side
The funny side segment is a collection of memes that are somewhat relevant to the synth geekery community. Some of these images are taken from Facebook, Instagram and other social media sources. Please respect the creators. Hope you enjoy this week’s selection:
News
1010music Bento firmware 1.3
The Bento will get the fireball wavetable synthesizer from the firmware on the nanobox and a preset preview feature will be available on the new 1.3 firmware from 1010music.
Check out the fireball synth in action here:
Price: FREE (for owners of the Bento)
Link: https://1010music.com/product/bento
Get a Bento here (affiliate link): https://clickfi.re/2vfGeimT
Ranzee’s Blog Article: https://ranzee.com/bento-1-3-firmware/
Behringer BQ-10
Analogue step sequencer based on the Korg SQ-10 with 24 steps and 3 rows.
Price: $149 MSRP
Link: https://www.behringer.com/behringer/product?modelCode=0718-ABC
Ranzee’s Blog Article: https://ranzee.com/behringer-bq-10/
Roland Project LYDIA
Roland Project LYDIA is a collaboration partnership between Roland and Neutone, makers of next-generation AI tools for musicians and artists. The project is based on the Raspberry Pi 5 platform and contains the Neutone trainable AI software. The package is enclosed in a hardware pedal format designed by Roland.
Under the hood and loaded on the rPi is Morpho, a Neutone technology optimized for low-latency tinkering and live performance. Morpho learns the tonal qualities of a user-defined sound and applies them to an input signal as a creative effect.
Video:
What’s special about neural sampling is that users can capture sounds from the world around them, train a model on these sounds, and perform with it on stage. Not only that, but the choice of what to train Project LYDIA on is not limited to conventional instruments. Indeed, any sound can be made musical by morphing it in real time with an input carrier signal. Human heartbeats can become kick drums, birdsong and whale calls can become melodies, and your noisy coffee machine can become a breakbeat—if that’s where your creativity takes you.
Project signal flow roadmap:
You’ll be able to preview LYDIA at Audio Developer Conference in Bristol, UK (10-12 Nov 2025). In our current mockups, Project LYDIA houses the Raspberry Pi computer running the special version of Morpho and our latest ideas for a simple physical control panel. Audio I/O is managed by a USB-connected Roland Rubix interface. In the next version of hardware, we plan to fully integrate the audio I/O, making Project LYDIA completely self-contained.
Link: https://articles.roland.com/introducing-project-lydia/
more info on Roland Future Design Lab: https://articles.roland.com/tag/roland-future-design-lab/
more info on Neutone: https://neutone.ai/
Make Noise MultiWAVE
This is the module we’ve been waiting for. It’s an 8-channel, DUAL wavetable oscillator. Yes, that’s 16 oscillators in a single 26hp module, designed to be the polyphonic heart of their new N.U.S.S. system.
It’s built to create vast polyphonic textures from simple monophonic sequences, and it’s loaded with custom Make Noise wavetables and it’s WaveEdit compatible.
More info here: https://ranzee.com/makenoise-multiwave/
Pricing
| Currency | Price (MSRP) |
| USD | $529.00 |
| EUR | €529.00 |
| GBP | £472.00 |
| AUD | TBA (Check with local dealer) |
Link: https://www.makenoisemusic.com/modules/multiwave/
Buy a MultiWAVE here (affiliate link): https://www.perfectcircuit.com/make-noise-multiwave.html
5 Step Seq – DIY Project by Hogawi
Today we’re diving into another brilliant and budget-friendly project from the prolific HAGIWO: the 5 step seq. It’s an Arduino-based sequencer inspired by the unique, groove-making modules from the legendary Buchla Easel.
More info: https://ranzee.com/5-step-seq-diy-project-by-hagiwo/
Price: This entire module can be built for approximately $11!
Link: https://note.com/solder_state/n/nf6c29a7075cd
New Software and Firmware
- Elmyra 2 – Firmware 2.4 Video
- Polyend Play+ – Firmware 1.3 Video
- Roland release Zenology GX Video
- Roland Play 4 Life – offer ends 31 Dec 2025
Other product news
- Dreadbox to re-release NYX
- Expressive E to release Osmose 61 – more keys!
Black Friday Deals!
- 40% off Izotope Music Production here: https://ranzee.com/black-friday-deals-izotope-music-production-suite-40-off/
Price Watch
Find below images and links to the items we showed for the price watch segment. Links include affiliate links that do not change the price – but provide my channel with some commission – call it a finder’s fee!
| Univox SR-95 | https://ebay.us/VeL7Ga |
| ARP 2600 Service Manual | https://ebay.us/LYzdzw |
| Korg M-500 Micro | https://ebay.us/EB8jfw |
| Yamaha DX-200 | https://tidd.ly/4pax3Al |
| Yamaha RX-17 | https://tidd.ly/3LFksXw |
| Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-2L | https://ebay.us/x9h8Ff |
Name That Synth
No name that synth this week – send one in!
If you are after more information about Name that Synth – please check out this page here.
Saturday Sonority
This week’s Saturday Sonority we might talking about …..
