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

[McLilith]

A new Year of Gear is coming soon. So, it's time for new thread.

Even though it's not 2026 yet, we can still start this thread by discussing what we hope to get in 2026.

Last year, I achieved my goal of building a new custom computer. Thankfully, I got that done in the spring, before the stupid "Tariff Wars" kicked off, and before greedy AI corporations started hoarding computer parts and made prices skyrocket. For example the 64GB of RAM I bought last spring now sells for triple the price!

For 2026, I plan to upgrade my computer's audio interface to something with more channels. The Arturia 16Rig looks really nice. I might save up for one of those.

I also plan to keep adding more colorful synths to my "A Synth for Every Color" collection. A lime green Behringer TD-3 will probably be next in that series, unless I happen to spot a great deal on some other green synth first.

I'd like to add a decent multipattern microphone (or two) to my collection. I'm interested in adding omni, hypercardioid, and figure-8 patterns to my list of mic options. So far, all my mics (other than my contact mics) have a basic cardioid pattern.

What do you hope to acquire in 2026?

[vurt]

preprdered a recoder pedal from game changer

[cryophonik]

Nothing specific planned for 2026 at this time (but subject to change at a whim), since I’ve spent the last few years curating my hardware lineup. The only item that keeps piquing my interest is an OB-6 module, which I sold last year and now wish I had again.

[McLilith]

preprdered a recoder pedal from game changer

Wow, I just checked out their webpage, and that pedal is pretty freaky!

[vurt]

preprdered a recoder pedal from game changer

Wow, I just checked out their webpage, and that pedal is pretty freaky!

yup, thry do some cool stuff, but this is my first purchase, although the sustain pedal is on my forever list the list thst things get added to, but never get around to picking up, due to something slightly cooler taking my funds

[kritikon]

PWM Mantis
PWM Malevolent
Behringer Neutron
Behringer Proton (maybe, possibly, not sure)
A big mixer, maybe Mackie 24 channel if I get my new studio built this year.
Behringer whatever tasty item they release in 2026 - JT16, Neptune, VCS3. All 3 if I'm lucky.

[foosnark]

I've decided that 2026 is a No New Gear Year for me. (Terms and conditions apply.)

GAS for me isn't a problem, but I decided it's time to settle down with what I have. My hardware rig is full of favorites and things that warrant a lot more exploration. My software collection is full of awesome things and some of them have only got a tiny amount of play and deserve more. So it's time to put the brakes on gear churn.

Eurorack:
- I preordered Joranalogue Walk 4 and Fancy Synthesis K-Accumulator, and Aodyo Loom which looks like it's back on.
- I already have RYK Algo and Auza Wave Packets up for sale.
- Other than that I am going to allow myself to buy, at most, ONE new module in 2026. I'll allow myself to sell ONLY Xaoc Katowice to make room for that if needed. With just one shot, I need to make it count so I'll have to consider carefully.
- I won't say no to beta test opportunities.

Other Hardware:
- No. Not buying, trading, or selling anything in 2026. No controllers, pedals, desktop synths, basses, toys, etc.

Software (I know it's the hardware thread):
- Maximum of ONE new software synth in 2026.
- Maximum of THREE new FX plugins in 2026.
- I'll resist grabbing free plugins, but allow a little.

[sin night]

I'm looking at getting a TR-1000 (maybe in 2026, maybe later, depending on availability, bugs and actual sound), maybe I'd buy a really good pair of headphones... a good poly analog would be cool too (I'm thinking about the Muse and the Trigon6... I already own a OB-6 module btw), but I don't have any room for that.

I have no room for more hardware and there are still a few projects I'd like to build (and I already have a decent amount of electronic components at home to build a few things). If I decide to buy a TR-1000, it won't be easy to find a place for it (I would retire my TR-8S, but the TR-1000 is heavier, so I'd need to rearrange things anyway).

I'm not rushing to buy anything now. I may consider getting that new midi host / interface by CME, which is set for release in early 2026, if I determine that I need a few more midi ports in my setup (but I already have a lot of them).


Currently, my priority is to set up a few missing bits and then make music with what I have, avoiding new purchases / changes to the setup as much as I can.


edit: by the way, the Perkons Voice module and that kick drum module by Ohm:Force are intriguing... but I already have a few other toys which I need to explore, so I hope I won't go down that rabbit hole... they are not in my "want to buy" list yet.

[whyterabbyt]

A Minifreak. Technically, it will probably arrive before 1st Jan (because I needed to cater for delivery availability), but its 'for' next year ...

[seafire]

Will be getting a TD3 for my birthday ( January) not sure if I should go for the MO version.

[kritikon]

Nice! That is a great b'day pressie.
I'm the same - got a TD3 but every now and then toy with the idea of an MO version as well. If I ever get one it absolutely has to be the acid yellow version. There was a thread recently where Cryophonik (I think? might have been someone else?) recommended the TD3 over the MO if he had to have only one, though was difficult choice. I played with both and the distortion is a different flavour on MO and a few extra options but TD3 distortion seems to sit just that little bit better with the sound (IMO obvs). The prices have come down recently and not that much extra for an MO, so kinda makes sense to get the extras with that one.

Either way - I wholeheartedly recommend using either midi export from something like ABL3, or the dinky little app sequencer that Behringer has with the Synthtribe app (some limitations, sadly). Either one is ten thousand parsecs better than using that fkn awful onboard 303 sequencer. IMO. But I'm right

[Aloysius]

Will be getting RealiTone Hip Hop Creator for my birthday (also January).

[Constructed Identity]

Ordered an Oxi One mkII as a Christmas present to myself and it will arrive in 2026.

[seafire]

I'm very keen to get the Cre8audio ASSEMBLER, as my hardware will hopefully be expanding in 2026. Seems very favourable for the price

[vurt]

I'm very keen to get the Cre8audio ASSEMBLER, as my hardware will hopefully be expanding in 2026. Seems very favourable for the price

the mixer? yeah ive been after one for a while, they're always on back order, which now xmas is over, i may just do, then it will just eventually turn up