I know we’re probably all tiring of holiday music, but I will make an exception for Julie’s original compositions.
Synthesizers
Miss Little Star with Korg microKEY and Akai MIDIMix
The adorable Miss Little Star steps onto the Korg microKEY for her co-producer debut.
From Martyna Basta (@martynkabasta on Instagram).
warning 2026 my co-producer is about to detonate
You can see a short video of Miss Little Star on the microKEY here
Composer Cat with Sibelius
This cat seems to really want to “compose” music as they paw at a Sibelius score on the screen.
From harrison_j_collins via Instagram.
Haku and Infinite Machinery modules
Haku helps his human pal Erik Ribeiro (@eriksuperlazy on Instagram) unbox and set up new modules from Infinite Machinery. Erik got these back when we were all at Knobcon. I, too, am still setting up some of the modules that I acquired there.
It appears the Infinite Machinery modules in question are the TZ (thru-zero) Dual VCO and Low Road filter.
And here they are installed and set up to make some noise.
George and Casio keyboard ambient track
A soothing ambient track by George on his trusty Casio keyboard. Check out his Instagram for more performances.
He seems to really be relaxed and enjoying himself, too.
Chichiro and Doepfer Dark Energy Mk1
Chichiro inspects a Doepfer Dark Energy Mk1 synthesizer. Submitted by our friend Erik Ribeiro (@eriksuperlazy on Instagram).
The Doepfer Dark Energy was built around the Curtis CEM3394 “synth on a chip”. Curtis filter chips are well known and prolific in analog synthesizers, but this chip also includes a VCO and VCA – in short, a full synthesizer voice. It would definitely be fun to get hold of one of these, either packaged like the Dark Energy or on its own to experiment with.
Astro, Roland TB-03, Polyend Play, Meris LVX
Dahlia and GR-1 Granular Synthesizer
The beautiful Dahlia returns once again, this time with a GR-1 granular synthesizer from Tasty Chips Electronics. From our friend Rob Robinson (orderofthestatictemple on Instagram).
The GR-1 is relatively new to me, but I do know that granular synthesis is in right now. Here is some more info from Tasty Chips’ website.
The GR-1 is massively polyphonic: It’s capable of 128 grains per voice, which can add up to a total of 1000+ grains simultaneously. Playing rich chords to create granular harmonic clouds is an easy task for the GR-1. Hook up your (USB or DIN) MIDI keyboards and you are ready to go.
The GR-1 is a sample-based device. Load in your own samples or feed live audio through it using a class-compliant interface and you are now ready to granulate all your source samples into countless variations. Anything is possible, ranging from subtle changes that still represent the original sample to a completely mangled and scattered manipulation of the original. Imagine what it would sound like if you hear thousands of little sound particles (grains) swarming around to reconstruct any sample you present it. Depending on what source sample you want to use, results can be lovely, soft, and soothing but also chaotic, aggressive and unpredictable and everything in between.
Stray cat and (Boxed) Roland Fantom 7
Ringo and Waldorf Blofeld Soundscape
Ringer creates a soundscape with the Waldorf Blofeld. Submitted by our good friend Damien Olsen.
We also see a Line 6 delay pedal, Korg M50 and TR61 keyboard synthesizers, a Roland SP-404 SX sampler, and more.