Listen to the analog BBD sounds of Morphor; Echon 6 poly is shipping

You know what would be a crazy idea? Making a polysynth out of analog BBD (bucket brigade delay) chips. Well, Morphor has been doing just that with the polyphonic Echon 6, building on their work on modules like the ultra-lovely Plectrum. And it’s worth just listening to the music flowing out of this device — now shipping.

Waldorf’s Protein: soul of Microwave in an 8-voice wavetable synth, €329

It’s Thanksgiving in the USA, but Germany’s got your Protein, and what a surprise. The classic Microwave 1 wavetable sound meets a tweakable, compact desktop housing and 4-layer, 8-voice architecture. A Keto diet has never sounded more appetizing. Price? €329 in Europe intro, incl. VAT (€379 after the end of the year.) Out now.

Peter Kirn - November 27, 2025

New, playful arpeggiator features for Sequential Take 5, Oberheim TEO-5

The 5-voice Sequential and Oberheim hybrid analog/digital synths each got an OS update last week, and their playful new arpeggiator features are a reminder of why we love both brands. Think ten new arp modes and a dizzying new feature called “whiplash,” plus other new firmware features.

Peter Kirn - November 10, 2025

Oberheim TEO-5: Tom’s legacy, now on desktop, $1399

Peter Kirn - July 1, 2025

Sequential Take 5: Dave Smith’s legacy, now on desktop, $1299

Peter Kirn - July 1, 2025

endorphin.es Ground Control is now standalone, desktop MIDI+CV+gate sequencer, too

Peter Kirn - February 22, 2023

With svelte new Mac Studio, Apple again has a desktop workhorse – here’s what to know

Peter Kirn - March 9, 2022

Those new Sequential Prophets just got desktop versions

Peter Kirn - January 12, 2021

Apple has a AV studio desktop again: power, speed, and cheese graters

Peter Kirn - June 3, 2019