2026: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2026)

[Constructed Identity]

This arrived today:

TEO-5 module is more logical than the keyboard version, still sounds great.

image is on imgur, which now seems to be region-restricted, so i cant see it. (fwiw, that's now happening all over KVR)

It's just a picture of the module. The deciding factor was that it has a good, high quality cable and a universal power supply. HEAR THAT HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS Oh, and I know it sounds good.

[cryophonik]

This arrived today:

TEO-5 module is more logical than the keyboard version, still sounds great.

Nice! I had the keyboard version early on and I also upgraded to the module

But, seriously, I really like this module format - it’s slim, but not crowded and Tom didn’t cut any corners with the controls.

[kritikon]

Arrived 3 days ago but was on nights & not had a chance to play with it until today.



Haven't really got into serious programming with it yet, mainly ploughing through the presets and tweaking a bit to figure it out. First impressions are - WOW. Several levels more and better than I expected it to be. It fulfills the Juno thing obviously, but can do so so much more.

Second impression is the quality of the FX. Hadn't realised they were TC, Midas etc. It has a pretty darned good shimmer on it and the reverbs and rev/delays are stunning. The rest of them are equally good. I really like some of the recent Korg synth FX but I think these beat them. Really didn't expect that from Behringer, it sounds way above the class I think most people assume of Behringer. With headphones on - f**k me, they're stunning . Not bad for a 10yr old synth

Thirdly - I remember how awful the J106 unison was/is. So nice to be able to imitate the Juno with Deepmind but have a lovely proper unison. And 12 voice. I think I blew my eardrums .

The sync isn't what I'd call a class leader, but it can make some interesting vocal sounds - not what I usually associate with sync at all. It's a powerful beast, capable of some really intricate subtlety methinks. Had some nice clangs and bells etc too. TBH it feels more like a souped up Alpha Juno or Jupiter 6 kinda vibe rather than a bog standard Juno. But on steroids, obvs.

f**k it, I assumed as it was a Juno-based thing that it'd be pretty easy to patch - it kinda is but I think I'm going to have to d/l a manual. No fkn idea how to program the sequencer, but it obvs does some great things. So pleased I saw sense and bought Deepmind for the same price instead of the JN80 - this is more like a JN8000, only it's a JN12000.

Actually - best synth and value that I've bought for a long while. Really didn't expect it to be quite this good . And of course it comes with a shitload of warm fuzzy nostalgia from the Junos. Maybe I can throw away my old knackered 106 finally. Don't need to fix it any more...

[McLilith]

another shitty little shortwave receiver radio. with headphone socket this time :woohoo:
probably total shite, but it cost 8.50 worth a shot for some lo fi sampling

and a new duvet cover. not audio i know, but since the move, the studio is the bedroom is the studio...

Woohoo! Shortwave!

I've been wanting to record samples from radios, but I need to build some custom cables and some Faraday shielding for my Zoom H6 that will prevent RF noise from my Zoom H6 spilling into the radios and ruining the reception.

I hope you snag some really cool samples!

[kritikon]

Had a few days with the Deepmind now. Still wowed by it and finding new stuff - all 3 env can be looped, which is rare especially in this price range and I didn't know that before buying it. You'd think Behringer would shout that from the rooftops, as it's a quality feature? So it's effectively got 5 LFOs if wanted. All env stages can be custom-curved too. The mod matrix is huge...loving being able to speed up slow/down LFOs (or looped envelopes), again a rare feature.

It's still a Juno at heart, with core Juno sound so that's a plus or minus whichever way you look at it, but it really can do a shitload of stuff. Love it.
I think it must be the most feature-packed synth Behringer sell. Kinda wish they'd put some of this stuff in the UBXa, then I might like it a lot more (though it wouldn't be a UBXa clone then, I suppose). Probably I just like Roland and don't particularly like Obies, so more fool me for buying one

[justin3am]

Today is shaping up to be a big new gear day. Not much in the way of synths, mostly studio upgrades. I'll share some images tonight, if I have time.

[justin3am]

Geez, these things are heavy!

I'm not sure if I will be able to get them on their stands without moving my desk. That would require disconnecting a LOT of cables. If Brit and I can't get it done without moving my desk, I may need to ask one of my synth club friends for help.

AMS Neve 8816 and 8803 also arrived yesterday, and I'll pick up my Black Box HG-2 today.

[ghettosynth]

Ooooh, very nice. VERRRRRYYYY NNOOOIIIICCCEEEE!