My Highlights of the Year 2025: When Boredom Suddenly Turns Into Excitement!
There was Endless G.A.S., Meet-ups, and News From the Studio - That was my Year!
My personal highlights of the year 2025: The last year flew by for me, and to be honest, it started off pretty unspectacularly. As a synthesizer nerd, I had hoped for more. There were hardly any fresh ideas; instead, there were the umpteenth emulation of a classic – and sometimes even emulations of emulations. The scene seemed tired; the euphoria of previous years was barely noticeable. But then, sometime in the summer, everything clicked again. Suddenly, there were new things to discover: tools that really made a difference and sounds that kept me in the studio longer than planned. And yes, my G.A.S. struck again – or maybe it was just my curiosity, which never lets me rest.
My Personal Highlights of the Year 2025 – Marcus
Software Highlights of the Year 2025: Serum 2
After eleven years, Xfer Records finally released Serum 2, and for me, that was one of the year’s highlights. The legendary wavetable synthesizer has been not only modernized but also completely reimagined in terms of sound and functionality. The update includes everything one could want after such a long wait: new oscillator models, revised effect routing, an arpeggiator, and a clip sequencer that instantly brings creative ideas to life. I’m particularly impressed that Serum 2 retains its clear, powerful sound and has expanded it while becoming more versatile with new engines and routing options. Best of all, the update is free for all existing users – perfect for my gear acquisition syndrome (G.A.S.), and even better for my bank account.
Serum 2 shows me once again why software instruments can be fascinating in 2025. While many manufacturers chase old concepts, Xfer Records has proven that true innovation takes time. The new multisample oscillator, granular engine, and spectral oscillator aren’t gimmicks; they’re genuine enhancements that inspire me as a sound designer. Suddenly, I can create sound textures that lie somewhere between organic instruments and futuristic sound design. Serum 2 feels like a tool that is open in both directions to me: familiar and new at the same time, which is exactly what makes it one of my highlights of the year 2025.
Hardware Highlights of the Year 2025: Elektron Tonwerk
When a manufacturer like Elektron announces something new, I always sit up and take notice. But with Tonverk, it was different. The device arrived without much marketing fanfare, and then it quietly crept into my setup months later. It took a few sessions before I realized how cleverly designed this instrument is. It’s as if Elektron understood that it’s not about having more features but finding the right balance between sound, workflow, and playing enjoyment. The Tonverk is not just another groovebox clone; it’s a musical instrument that adapts to your creative flow instead of slowing it down.
I was particularly impressed by how Elektron bridges the gap between classic step sequencing and modern sound architecture with the Tonverk. The combination of the new Grainer granular engine and the flexible Shape Machine creates a raw, detailed, and lively sound. Added to this are the regular updates Elektron releases, most recently version 1.2.0, which introduced new effects, expanded modulation options, and the ingenious Random Arp. These updates provide the kind of controlled chaos electronic music producers love.
Tonverk is special to me not only because of the sound but also because of the integrated auto-sampler. When analog synths, drum machines, or even software powerhouses like Serum 2, Pigments, and Diva (via USB!) are connected, Tonverk automatically records all the notes of the entire keyboard, including various velocity values.
Perfect! This allows me to save every preset and run it through Elektron’s high-quality machinery. That’s creativity 2.0! This is exactly what makes Tonverk one of the biggest highlights of the year 2025 for me.
Amsterdam Dance Event 2025 – My Personal Highlights of 2025!
The Amsterdam Dance Event 2025 was once again one of those magical moments when everything comes together: music, people, and the unmistakable Amsterdam vibe. As soon as you arrive, you can feel the excitement in the air, as if the whole city were made up of clubs, studios, and conversations about kick drums. Between the big showcases and small label parties, I had countless memorable encounters. You meet friends and acquaintances, discover new artists, and constantly feel like you’re in the middle of something significant. For me, this year’s ADE felt less like a festival and more like a big family reunion of electronic music enthusiasts.
What makes ADE so special is its balancing act between being a professional platform and a creative state of emergency. During the day, you discuss AI-generated music, new distribution models, and the future of live performances on panels. In the evening, you stand in the club and feel how all of this transforms into energy. 2025 was a strong year in this regard. At the same time, there was a sense that the scene had grown closer together again – less elbowing and more genuine support and exchange. Perhaps this is because many realized that electronic music should move back toward the underground so as not to be swallowed up by the big players.
Of course, countless musical moments stuck with me. From intimate live sets in small venues to massive techno nights in large halls, the spectrum was huge. The spectrum was huge, and some events were enormous. There was also a lot to discover outside the clubs, such as exhibitions, sound installations, and spontaneous jams in cafés and on boats – just my thing.
When you get on the train Sunday morning with tired eyes but a head full of ideas, you remember why you love it all. The Amsterdam Dance Event 2025 wasn’t just an event; it was a reminder that electronic music is more than just sound. It’s passion, community, and a piece of home. Definitely one of the bigger highlights of the year 2025.
I’m already looking forward to the 30th anniversary of ADE in 2026 – and I’m reminding myself to book a hotel and travel soon, as prices will surely rise quickly again.
Conclusion: My Highlights of the Year 2025 and Outlook for 2026
When I look back on 2025, one thing stands out above all else: how inspiration can arise in different ways. It could be in the studio with Serum 2, which reignited my creative flow; at the Elektron Tonwerk, which makes every jam an adventure; or in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the 2025 Amsterdam Dance Event, where music came to the forefront again. These moments all had something in common: they reminded me that music is about more than technology or sound design; it’s also about emotion, connection, and the search for authenticity. 2025 was a year when many things felt more alive, honest, and courageous again, and that gives me hope for the future.
2026 can continue like this, only more intensely. The signs are good: new generations of synthesizers, exciting software developments, and a creative self-image that focuses more on individuality once again. At the same time, the scene seems to be reorganizing itself beyond trends and hype. For me personally, 2026 will be the year when studio work, live performances, and sound experiments become more closely intertwined.
It’s about thinking ahead but also enjoying the present. The most important insight from my highlights of the year 2025 was that the best ideas don’t come from pressure, but from passion – and passion lasts.
More on the Topics
- Articles written by Marcus
- Serum 2 Released: The Legendary Wavetable Synth Gets a Major Update!
- Serum Alternatives – The best Free and Paid EDM VSTs
- The Best Synths for Techno Productions in 2025: Powerful, Flexible and Creative
- Techno Rumble in Ableton Live – Made Easy!
- More highlights of the year 2025 from the editorial team
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