This could be the easiest and most inexpensive way to put the epic 1971 semi-modular synth in your rig. Cherry Audio has a killer ARP 2600 recreation – and it costs only US$25.

We may be unable to go anywhere this year, but the Moog synth class is coming to us. Moog’s Werkstatt-01 analog synth kit packs a ton of analog sound capabilities into a $199 package.

Understanding modulation allows you to explore a new synth as an instrument. We invited artist Lars Hemmerling to patch Moog’s Matriarch – both as a showcase for what it can do, and to see techniques that can apply to electronic performance in the broader context.

The Moog Matriarch is a unique encapsulation of Moog’s modular history in an instrument. Following up on our conversation with the engineers, here’s a guide to getting its capabilities underneath your fingers.

Xquisite Force began as what happens when an audiovisual thread is woven from collaborator to collaborator, exquisite corpse style. The resulting images and music have produced a stunning, futuristic compilation – and a benefit for Beirut.

Teenage Engineering has been teasing the OB-4 – sparking speculation that they might have a new instrument. Instead, we get a radio/boom box. But in typical Teenage fashion, it’s not quite what you’d expect.

Moog’s patchable Grandmother and Matriarch just got black-panel makeovers, so they look like the historic 900-series modules that inspired them. And today, we kick off a series that uses this instrument to teach modular synthesis as musical technique – for beginners and advanced players alike.

It’s a great feeling to support good causes – and, if you’re lucky, walk away with a prize. Let’s use the excuse to marvel at some lesser-known vintage design and queue up some Moog videos. Hey, there are no new shows right now, so here’s our kind of “M”TV.

Experimental, “chaos”-driven, West Coast synthesis is now delightfully popular. And the creative folks at Newfangled Audio have developed a monosynth – free, and they’re quick to add, without iLok.

From Reason Studios comes a new physical modeling instrument, Friktion, focused on bowed and plucked strings. The twist: it lets you push the envelope sonically, but never loses its cool.