Chinese Synths, New Analog Drum Machine, Breakcore Eurorack: Synth Journal
The best of the rest of this week’s synth news.
Learn all about Chinese synths, including ASM, discover the world’s first generative analog drum machine, turn your Eurorack rig into a breakcore studio with EZEPTOCORE, and much more.
Synth Journal
Infinite Digits EZEPTOCORE
Something amazing about Eurorack is that whatever you’re into, there’s probably a module for that. Like crazy modulation? Covered. How about polyphonic sounds? Covered. Dig generative ambient? So covered. There’s even breakcore now, thanks to Infinite Digits and EZEPTOCORE.
Based on the open source handheld Zeptocore sample player, EZEPTOCORE from Infinite Digital is an algorithmic, breakbeat-focused, sample-mangling synthesizer that streams audio directly from an SD card to chop and process samples in real time. The 8HP module has 16 onboard effects with CV-controllable intensity, but the real power comes from the AMEN knob, which gives you access to an internal rungler/Turing-machine-inspired looping random sequencer. Samples are automatically pitched to stay in time, and you can also control slicing via CV.
Infinite Digits EZEPTOCORE is currently available to preorder for $429 via the company site (link below).
- Infinite Digits EZEPTOCORE product page
ALAN Instruments SpaceDrum
I’ve been following development on SpaceDrum from ALAN Instruments for a while now, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why I haven’t covered it yet. I guess I’ve been waiting for an official announcement or YouTube demo video to show you all. But since ALAN was at both NAMM and Buchla & Friends 2026, I guess the time has finally come.
So, SpaceDrum is a very, very beautiful analog drum machine with an old-school sound (think classic organ-top rhythm machines) but with modern generative accompaniment functionality. ALAN Instruments is calling it the “world’s first smart drum machine” because it has real-time audio reactivity, making it an ideal jam companion, or so the Chicago-based company says.
And then there’s the industrial design. I have to say, I am here for all of the recent 1970s hi-fi equipment-inspired design choices companies are making. It takes me back to my youth and the hours spent playing my dad’s records in the living room. Ah, analog days of yore.
You can hear SpaceDrum in action on the company’s Instagram page. Visit the website (link below) to join the mailing list.
- ALAN Instruments SpaceDrum product page
Chinese Synths on TEDx
Have you ever wondered why an electronics powerhouse like China doesn’t have many synthesizers? You may be surprised to learn that ASM’s Hydrasynth was the very first Chinese synth to be designed and released in the country. I know I was.
Shanghai-based Chinese traditional instrument player and synth guy Yukes recently gave a TEDx talk on this topic, and I found it so interesting I thought I’d share it here. In the video, he talks about the relatively young history of synths in China, highlights ASM, and mentions some new companies doing interesting things that I’m hoping to feature in Synth Journal someday.
In this video, he explores some other electronic instruments that he found in China.
Hear the Dianzi Qin, a Chinese synth designed by Tian Jin Qin and inspired by the traditional instrument Erhu, in action here.
If you want to know more about Yukes, he did an interview with Soma a while back.
- Yukes Bandcamp
Benge Self Playing Patches
From Shanghai to London and Memetune Studios, the home of mad synthesist Benge. For his latest endeavor, he’s created an album of pieces comprised of self-playing patches recorded from various modular systems like the Buchla 100 and 200, Serge Paperface, and Moog Modular 3C.
The pieces follow the theme of Cybersynthesis, which “involves programming self-contained patches on various modular systems which, once set in motion, will produce dynamic, evolving soundscapes, sometimes purely abstract in nature, at other times veering towards the more melodious,” according to the video description.
It’s fascinating and beautiful stuff. Turn it on and let it run while you go about your day, reading or cleaning up or just staring off into space.
- Benge’s Bandcamp
Matthias Fuchs Vintage FX 2nd Edition
This one isn’t really synth-related; it’s more synth-adjacent. But it is about vintage effects units, and that’s something that I’m sure we all love just as much as synthesizers.
Vintage FX, the stunning coffee table book from Matthias Fuchs about (you guessed it) vintage effects, now has a second edition out. The new version has been revised and adds over 30 pages of new content.
What can you expect to find in the book? It covers 75 classic studio effects devices, including devices from manufacturers like Eventide, Lexicon, Roland, AMS, EMT, Publison, Dynacord, AKG, MXR, Ursa Major, and more, with 328 full-color pages packed with 400 illustrations.
If you can’t afford the book but want to hear the units in action, check out this page on the book’s website, with audio examples of machines covering delay, pitch-shifting, reverb, modulation, and more.
- Matthias Fuchs Vintage FX product page
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