Hardware

Synths, drum machines, controllers, and studio gear.

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Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums sampling drum machine top panel with seven voices and step buttons
Hardware

Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums: A Sampler Built to Teach

Erica Synths' Bullfrog Drums is a sampling drum machine with a built-in mic, 64-step sequencer, and CV/gate. Full specs, price, and Model:Samples comparison.

Priya RamanJul 13, 20267 min read
Korg NTS-4 Nu:Tekt performance mixer kit with six channels and effects
Hardware

Korg NTS-4 Review: A DIY Mixer for DAWless Rigs

Korg's NTS-4 is a $249 build-it-yourself performance mixer with per-channel send FX and a master FX engine. Full specs, price, and Volca Mix comparison.

Elena MarshJul 12, 20267 min read
Akai MPC 2026 lineup comparison showing MPC One G2, MPC Live III, MPC Key 37 G2, MPC XL, and MPC Sample standalone workstations
Hardware

Which Akai MPC Should You Buy in 2026? Complete Lineup Guide

Which Akai MPC should you buy in 2026? We compare the MPC One G2, Live III, Key 37, XL, and Sample by price, specs, and workflow to find your best match.

Elena MarshJul 11, 202612 min read
Lineup of the best hardware synthesizers of 2026, including the Korg Minilogue XD, Moog Messenger, and Sequential Take 5
Hardware

Best Hardware Synthesizers 2026: Top Synths for Every Budget

Best hardware synthesizers 2026: 10 verified picks from €249 to €2,555, with live Thomann prices, honest trade-offs, and the right synth for every budget.

Theo NakamuraJul 11, 202612 min read
Polyend Drums hybrid analog and digital drum machine in black aluminum chassis
Hardware

Polyend Drums Review: Analog and Digital in One Box

Polyend Drums review: an 8-track hybrid drum machine with four analog SSI voices, four digital tracks, deep sequencing, and $2,699 price. Full specs inside.

Elena MarshJul 8, 20267 min read
AlphaTheta CDJ-1500X DJ multi player with 10.1-inch touchscreen and mid-size jog wheel
Hardware

AlphaTheta CDJ-1500X: The Flagship Player, Shrunk to Fit

The AlphaTheta CDJ-1500X brings the CDJ-3000X's 10.1-inch touchscreen, streaming, and new CoBeat feature to a smaller, booth-friendly DJ multi player.

Elena MarshJul 7, 20268 min read
Novation FLkey 2 49 MIDI keyboard controller for FL Studio, top view
Hardware

Novation FLkey 2 Review: FL Studio Gets a Screen

Novation FLkey 2 adds an OLED screen, semi-weighted keys, USB-C, and four sizes for FL Studio. Full specs, pricing, and how it compares to the MiniLab 37.

Elena MarshJun 27, 20269 min read
Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II sampler running firmware 2.5
Hardware

EP-133 K.O. II Firmware 2.5 Adds USB Audio, Free

Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II firmware 2.5 is a free update adding USB audio in/out, sample reverse, an arpeggiator, 40-second recording, and auto-chop.

Elena MarshJun 26, 20263 min read
Akai MPC One G2 and MPC Key 37 G2 standalone grooveboxes
Hardware

Akai MPC One G2 & Key 37 G2: 8-Core, New Synth Engine

The Akai MPC One G2 and Key 37 G2 bring an 8-core CPU, 64GB storage, and the MPC 3.9 OS synthesis engine. Specs, prices, and who should upgrade.

Elena MarshJun 22, 20263 min read
Korg phase8 acoustic synthesizer with steel resonators
Hardware

Korg phase8: The Synth That Plays Real Steel Resonators

Korg phase8 is an 8-voice synth that makes sound by physically driving real steel resonators. What acoustic synthesis is, who it's for, and the price.

Theo NakamuraJun 22, 20262 min read
u-he CVilization eurorack module running the new free Quad VCO mode
Hardware

u-he CVilization Gets a Free Quad VCO Mode: What It Does

u-he added a free Quad VCO mode to CVilization, turning the eurorack module into four virtual analog oscillators with chords, PWM, and a sub. Here's how.

Theo NakamuraJun 17, 20263 min read
Arturia MicroBrute compact analog mono-synthesizer
Hardware

Arturia MiniBrute & MicroBrute RED: Same Synth, New Look

Arturia MiniBrute RED and MicroBrute RED wrap the analog Brutes in striking red. Same 100% analog engine, cosmetic-only change, and who should buy.

Elena MarshJun 16, 20264 min read

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