In this week's TDL Synth Chat, I talk to Remco Khman — musician, sound designer, and Roland D-70 enthusiast. Remco shares his deep knowledge of this often-overlooked synth, from its rushed development and marketing quirks to its fascinating sound architecture and legacy.

We also discuss how the D-70 fits between the D-50, U-20, and JV-80, and how it inspired later Roland instruments. If you've ever wondered why the D-70 is considered a flawed genius or want to hear from someone still programming new sounds for it, this is the chat for you.

Gary's back! In this week's episode, we catch up on smart home gadgets, MIDI gear, automation tools, and even dive into the world of AI and home assistants. Ian shows off the U6 MIDI Pro, Gary reviews Sonoff's latest smart home gear, and the pair talk about AI voices, Wi-Fi presence detection, and much more.

👉 Subscribe for more weekly episodes covering smart home tech, MIDI, EVs, synths, and all things digital lifestyle!

00:00 – Introduction & Gary's return 00:50 – Catching up on Ollie Freke's vintage drum machine chat 01:40 – Ian's new gadget: the U6 MIDI Pro router and filter 03:20 – Hands-on demo: routing, mapping, and filtering MIDI 06:00 – Real-time synth control setup with TX7 and Cubase 07:43 – Gary's latest smart home projects 08:20 – Sonoff ZB Mini Extreme switch overview 09:50 – Sonoff Wi-Fi wall switches and setup tips 11:00 – Zigbee presence sensor and performance review 13:35 – NS Panel Pro control display and Home Assistant integration 17:10 – Using NS Panel as a family control hub and intercom 19:15 – Smart thermostats and underfloor heating setup 22:18 – AI-controlled heating and predictive automation 22:58 – Wi-Fi-based motion detection with Project Tommy 24:36 – Philips Hue motion area detection and Bridge Pro 25:51 – Ian's latest synth sound packs and tutorials 26:49 – Monthly newsletter and how AI helps write it 28:13 – AI-generated thumbnails and artwork 29:44 – Channel 4's AI presenter and deepfake voices 30:14 – Voice cloning experiments and AI narration 31:06 – Scams, cloned voices, and digital safety 32:27 – Where to find Gary's and Ian's channels 33:22 – Wrap-up and next week's special guest

In this week's episode of TDL Synth Chat, I talk with Oli Freke, author of the acclaimed Synth Evolutions book, about his new project — a deep dive into the world of vintage drum machines.

From the Korg Mini Pops and Roland TR-606 to the Boss DR-55 and Yamaha RX17, Oli explores how these classic rhythm boxes shaped the sound of pop, synthwave, and electronic music.

We also hear demos, rare stories, and insights into how drum machines evolved from the 1960s through the 2000s — and how their influence can still be heard in today's music production.

If you're a fan of vintage gear, synth history, or just love the warm, gritty sound of classic analog beats, this episode is not to be missed.

00:00 – Introduction 00:37 – Oli Freke returns to TDL Synth Chat 01:02 – New drum machine book project 02:05 – Why drum machines define entire eras of sound 03:06 – Researching over 1,000 drum machines 04:23 – Demonstrating five classic drum machines 05:01 – Korg Mini Pops Junior (1971) 10:01 – Famous uses: R.E.M., Echo & The Bunnymen, Jean-Michel Jarre 12:27 – Boss DR-55 demo 20:07 – Roland TR-606: programming the legend 28:02 – Korg DDM-110 sound demo 34:03 – Yamaha RX17 demo and programming 41:04 – How drum machines shaped music history 42:04 – Where to find Oli's books and posters

Welcome to this week's episode of TDL Synth Chat! In this episode, I'm joined by Gilles Coudert, who takes us through his incredible synth journey — from his first keyboard in the late '70s to modern classics like the Korg Kronos and Prophet-5 Rev4. We dive deep into the Yamaha DX7, Roland D-50, DW-8000, and many more, sharing stories, regrets, and nostalgic memories from decades of synth exploration.

🎹 Gilles talks about the synths he loved, the ones he regretted selling, and how the DX7 changed his musical direction. We also discuss the evolution of FM synthesis, the return of vintage hardware, and why modern musicians still turn to classic gear for inspiration.

⚡ Don't miss this jaw-dropping story: Gilles reveals how he once traded a mint Roland JX-8P with programmer and a pristine Korg DW-8000 — both with hard cases — for a broken Korg M1! It's one of the biggest synth trade regrets you'll ever hear, and his reaction says it all. If you've ever sold a synth you loved, this story will hit hard!

⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Gilles joins the show 02:31 Early influences and first instruments 04:04 Discovering synths through Jean-Michel Jarre and ELO 05:21 First synth – Roland Juno-60 06:49 Discovering (and initially disliking) the DX7 07:54 TX81Z and moving to the UK 08:24 Rediscovering the DX7 through live bands 10:52 TX802 and FM synthesis in the '80s 12:11 Comparing DX7 versions and sound differences 13:18 Using the Kronos to emulate DX7 sounds 14:09 Falling back in love with the DX7 17:46 Programming FM sounds and the Howard Massey book 20:26 Adding effects to bring old synths to life 22:36 Roland D-50 memories and reverb overload 24:08 Limited storage and patch cartridges 27:04 Upgrading to the SCR7 ROM 32:02 Prophet-5 Rev4 – why it's a desert island synth 33:42 The Jupiter-X experience and Roland's "abandonware" 36:22 Hardware vs software – why tactile synths still matter 39:05 Comparing OP-6, DX7, and Kronos FM engines 41:16 The TX7 workflow 41:47 DW-8000 and classic Korg sound design 43:25 Synth regrets – swapping a JX-8P and DW-8000 for an M1! 46:05 The M1 and D-70 debate 48:19 Dream synths and the Fairlight CMI 50:45 Desert island synth choice 52:26 The limitations that shaped 1980s synth music 54:03 Creative workflows and restricting synth choices 56:01 From Atari ST to modern DAWs 57:29 Wrap up and where to find Gilles online

🎧 Guest: Gilles Coudert – [The 80s Fan on YouTube] 🎙️ Host: Ian Dixon – The Digital Lifestyle / TDL Synth Chat

Subscribe for more weekly synth conversations, tutorials, and sound design stories from the world of vintage and modern synthesizers.

🎙️ This Week on The Digital Lifestyle Show

Gary's back from IFA 2025 in Berlin, and we've got a packed episode full of the latest in consumer tech, smart homes, and gadgets! 🚀

We dive into the biggest trends at the show – from robot lawnmowers and smart glasses to portable projectors and next-gen smart home tech. Gary shares his highlights from the event, including some fascinating innovations from smaller tech companies that are shaking up the market.

Ian also gives updates on his latest synth sound packs, new tutorials, and the classic CS-80 recreations he's been working on. Plus, we chat about EV charging in Europe, travel tips, and plenty more along the way.

📌 Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Gary's return 01:00 – What is IFA? 02:30 – Robots everywhere: lawnmowers, vacuums & more 08:00 – Smart glasses with live translation 12:00 – Portable projectors and clever new gadgets 20:00 – The rise of smart home tech at IFA 27:00 – Locks, sensors & AI-powered devices 33:00 – Philips Hue's surprising innovation 39:00 – Ian's synth sound packs & tutorials 44:00 – EV charging in Europe & travel stories 46:40 – Wrap up & where to find us

🔗 Links & Resources 🌐 Blog & sound packs: https://thedigitallifestyle.com 📺 YouTube channel: [Your Channel Link] 📱 Follow Gary: Fascinating Tech YouTube + EV Owner channel

👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly episodes on consumer tech, music gear, and smart home innovation!

🎹 Welcome to this week's TDL Synth Chat! In this episode, I talk to Daniel from Chalkwalk Music about his journey into synthesis, sound design, and creating inspiring YouTube tutorials. We dive into his background, favorite gear, live improv sessions, sound design philosophies, and even DIY Eurorack projects.

Whether you're into the Korg OP-6, Hydrasynth, MicroFreak, or modular gear, you'll find loads of insight into sound design, improvisation, and the creative process.

👉 Check out Daniel's channel here: Chalkwalk Music YouTube 👉 Follow me for more synth chats, tutorials, and sound packs: [Your Channel Link]

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Meet Daniel (Chalkwalk Music) 02:22 How Daniel got into music & synthesis 05:04 First synths and live improv experiences 07:51 Discovering sound design as performance 10:00 Breaking down sound design mindset 12:03 Favorite synths & workflow 15:50 Playing live vs online improv sessions 18:43 Music styles and jam sessions 21:04 Daniel's portable hardware setup 23:19 DAWs: Linux, Bitwig & Reaper workflow 25:01 Limiting gear & avoiding "more is more" trap 27:04 Hydrasynth, OP-6, and software vs hardware 33:00 FM synthesis approaches & user algorithms 37:01 Teaching sound design on YouTube 40:00 Creative challenges & video series ideas 43:09 DIY Eurorack modules & rhythm design 47:25 Building a modular system 48:55 Expressive controllers: Osmose & poly aftertouch 52:00 AI tools in music & coding experiments 55:52 What's next for Chalkwalk Music 56:49 Daniel's YouTube channel & music links 58:03 Wrap-up & final thoughts

✨ If you enjoy these chats, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more synth discussions, tutorials, and sound design tips!

#synth #sounddesign #hydrasynth #opsix #eurorack #chalkwalkmusic

The Yamaha DX7 is one of the most iconic synthesizers of the 1980s, shaping pop, electronic, and film music with its groundbreaking FM synthesis engine. In this video, I sit down with Rob Puricelli (Pro Synth Network, Gear News) to explore the history, legacy, and lasting influence of the DX7 and its family of FM synths.

We cover everything from the origins of FM synthesis at Stanford University to Yamaha's early GS models, the launch of the DX7, and how it changed the sound of an era. Rob shares insights on programming, presets, and why the DX7's electric piano patch remains legendary. We also dive into later FM classics like the DX1, DX5, TX7, DX100, TX81Z, SY77, SY99, and the rare FS1R, as well as modern FM instruments like the Korg Opsix and Yamaha's Montage/ModX.

Whether you're a synth enthusiast, music producer, or just love 80s sounds, this deep dive will give you a new appreciation for one of the most influential instruments ever made.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & guest: Rob Puricelli 05:25 – What is FM synthesis? 12:29 – Arrival of the DX7 14:40 – Why the DX7 changed everything 21:03 – The famous electric piano sound 23:36 – Other DX models 30:18 – Presets & programming 36:41 – The SY series 40:32 – FS1R & modern FM synths 47:43 – FM today & final thoughts

This week, Ian sits down with Alex Dalliance (aka Vulture Culture) to shine a light on the analog synths that deserve way more love. From the gritty charm of the DW-8000 to the overlooked brilliance of the Alpha Juno 2, we dig into the gear that delivers serious tone without the boutique price tag.

If you're tired of hearing about the same five synths over and over, this episode is your antidote. We cover real-world usability, sonic character, and why limitations can be a creative superpower.

⏱️ Timestamps – Synth Spotlights & Deep Dives 00:00 – Intro: Why underrated synths matter 01:46 – Matrix 12, Andromeda, Monopoly, Juno 6: Big names, mixed feelings 07:01 – DW-8000: Digital oscillators, analog soul 13:25 – DW-8000 vs Modwave: Warmth vs modern emulation 14:20 – Envelope programming tips for DW-8000 16:23 – DW-10,000 fantasy patches & filter resonance 18:05 – DW-8000's built-in delay: A secret weapon 19:44 – Behringer Pro-800: Prophet clone or missed opportunity? 24:18 – Korg Poly-800: Vintage value vs modern clones 27:38 – Dreadbox Typhon: Analog mono with digital FX 29:36 – Polyox: Soviet snarl and unique character 32:08 – Gen SX1000: Simplicity, nostalgia, and raw tone 34:02 – DCO synths: Avoiding redundancy in your rig 36:59 – JX-8P: Warm analog tone on a budget 38:05 – Matrix 6: Deep architecture, great value 40:07 – JX-10: Worth it with mods and programmers 46:00 – Alpha Juno 2: Bright, brassy, and criminally underrated 47:22 – Retroactive programmers: Unlocking hidden potential 49:20 – DW-8000 programming with Full Bucket emulator 50:36 – Poly-6 vs Juno 6: Surprising poll results 53:11 – Poly-6 battery leak warning & buying tips 54:33 – Why vintage synths still matter 56:03 – Synth golden eras: What makes a classic?

🎹 Join the conversation: What's your favorite underrated synth? Drop it in the comments—we might feature it next time!

This week on The Digital Lifestyle Show, I'm joined by Microsoft Surface MVP Rob Quickenden to dive into the latest Surface devices and what they mean for users.

We cover the new Surface Pro 12 and Laptop 13 models, Snapdragon vs Intel processors, Copilot+ PCs, and what it's like using these devices for music production, video editing, and day-to-day work.

00:00 Introduction 00:25 Welcoming Rob Quickenden back 01:00 AI features in Windows 11 (Recall, Copilot, Studio Effects) 03:00 How AI is rolling out in Windows Insider builds 05:20 The shift from Windows 10 to AI-powered Windows 11 06:00 Overview of new Surface Pro 11 & Laptop 7 07:00 The new Surface Pro 12 and Laptop 13 explained 08:10 Design changes – ports, keyboards & pen storage 12:00 Battery life on Snapdragon devices 14:00 What happened to Surface Go? 16:00 Performance of ARM vs Intel devices 20:00 Naming confusion & processor choices (Intel, AMD, Snapdragon) 24:00 App compatibility on ARM (Adobe, Cubase, plugins, Korg drivers) 29:00 Using Surface for music production setups 30:20 5G Surface Laptop – antennas & connectivity 33:20 Will there be a new Surface Go? 36:00 Ideal form factors & personal device stories 40:00 Tablets, pen support, and where Microsoft went with Surface 42:30 Innovation, Surface's role in Windows hardware 47:00 What's next for Surface? Studio, accessories & naming 50:00 GPU options, performance devices & niche power users 55:00 Why Microsoft's focus is business and productivity now 57:00 Copilot identity crisis vs ChatGPT awareness 58:45 Wrapping up & where to find Rob

Rob shares his first impressions of the new Surface devices, design changes like the redesigned keyboards and pen storage, and what it's like to live with ARM-powered hardware. We also talk about compatibility for creators using apps like Cubase, Camtasia, and plugins on the new Snapdragon-based Surfaces.

If you're thinking of upgrading to a new Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, or Copilot+ PC, this conversation is packed with insights from real-world use.

🔗 Connect with Rob: robquickenden.blog

👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more deep dives into Windows, Surface, and music tech.

#MicrosoftSurface #SurfacePro12 #SurfaceLaptop13 #CopilotPlusPC #Windows11

Coming Up This Week on The Digital Lifestyle Show 🎧

This week, Ian and Garry catch up on the latest in gadgets, smart home tech, EVs, music projects, and more. From new portable chargers and Surface devices to custom synth sound packs and Ian's brand-new album, there's plenty to dive into!

📌 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment if you're enjoying the show.

00:00 – Introduction & what's coming up 01:06 – Testing new portable chargers 08:07 – Smart sensors & lighting projects 13:33 – New power banks & charging tests 16:15 – Remembering the Surface Neo & Duo form factor 19:42 – Ian's new album Sunset Memory 🎶 22:45 – Sampling the Yamaha TX7 & recreating CS80 sounds 26:03 – Smart home automation & voice assistants 30:03 – Home Assistant AI integration 34:30 – Bluetooth setups & portable devices 38:48 – Smart lighting fun & home projects 41:23 – Plans for smart studio YouTube videos 42:04 – Garry's EV channel updates 43:14 – Charging test wrap-up & next week's preview