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At the 2026 Buchla & Friends show, Make Noise has announced the New Universal Skiff System, the MultiWave MIDI Inlet Module and more.

The New Universal Skiff System is a compact modular music synthesizer devoted to multi-channel modular synthesis, using control voltages to create ‘poliphonic’ sound events.

The MultiWAVE provides eight dual wavetable oscillators, the PoliMATHS provides eight complex function generators, and a pair of QXG modules combine for eight channels of low pass gate with stereo mix animation. Together, these three modules enable poliphonic patching from a simple set of controls.

In addition to the 8 channels of Polimaths for modulation, the MultiMod creates eight time-shifted variants of a single control signal, for deeper modulation capabilities within the New Universal Skiff System.

QPAS provides Multi-Mode Multi-Peak Stereo Filtering, and the XOH provides a final stereo mix and line-level or headphone outputs for monitoring and/or performance.

The system also includes a USB-C input that can be used for Activation of MultiWAVE channels via MIDI or MPE signals from a USB MIDI host (such as a computer running a DAW or MIDI sequencer).

Features:

• The New Universal Synthesizer System modules come together in a unified system!
• Voltage controlled eight channel dual wavetable oscillator: MultiWAVE
• Voltage controlled eight channel complex function generator: PoliMATHS
• Voltage controlled low pass gate/mixing: QXG (x2)
• Voltage controlled flock of inter-related modulators: MultiMod
• Voltage controlled Multi-Mode Multi-Peak Stereo Filtering: QPAS
• Stereo Mixing and Final Outputs: XOH
• Activate MultiWAVE via MIDI/MPE using USB-C input with a USB host
• 3U Skiff outfitted with USB-C input and our new 2-Zone Bus Board
• Ships with 15 patch cables

Pricing: $2399 (Retail value: $2681)

The MulitWAVE MIDI Inlet music synthesizer module is a passive expansion module that adds USB MIDI access to the MultiWAVE. It enables Activation of MultiWAVE channels via MIDI signals from a USB MIDI host (such as a computer running a DAW or MIDI sequencer).

The MultiWAVE MIDI Inlet is required for MIDI control of MultiWAVE outside of the New Universal Skiff System.

Features:

• Activate MultiWAVE via MIDI/MPE using USB-C input and a USB Host
• Easy access to MultiWAVE USB functions (firmware updates, custom wavetable uploading)

Pricing: MSRP: $35

The N.U.S.S. Bundle presents the core modules of the New Universal Synthesizer System at a special price for installation into a Eurorack case of your choice.

Features:

• Voltage controlled eight channel dual wavetable oscillator: MultiWAVE
• Voltage controlled eight channel complex function generator: PoliMATHS
• Voltage controlled low pass gate/mixing: QXG (x2)
• Voltage controlled flock of inter-related modulators: MultiMod
• USB/MIDI integration for MultiWAVE: MultiWAVE MIDI Inlet

Pricing: MSRP: $1669 (Retail value: $1850)

The 2-Zone Skiff is an updated take on original Make Noise Skiff, introduced in 2009.

The Skiff has been updated to meet more demanding power standards, with a 2-Zone Bus Board providing nearly double the power of its predecessor, plus the multi-zone design making it easy to isolate noise-susceptible or noise-causing modules from each other.

The low-profile power headers are shrouded for easy and efficient module installation.

As before, the Skiff’s powder-coated aluminum construction is extremely durable.

Features:

• Black Powder Coated Aluminum
• 2-Zone Bus Board provides ample power and module isolation
• 16 Shrouded Power Headers
• 40 Sliding Square Nuts, 40 Black M2.5 Screws
• Side Mounted On/Off Switch
• 5V Power included
• Select Bus and Eurorack Bus Compatible
• Universal AC Power Adapter works worldwide
• Pricing: MSRP: $349

Visit the Make Noise site for details on the New Universal Skiff System and all their modules.

Randomwaves shared this sneak preview of Drumboy Pro Edition, a new, open-source workstation design that they say will be available to pre-order in mid-March for about $240 USD.

The describe Drumboy Pro Edition as ‘studio quality’ hardware, with a large screen, lots of hands-on control, flexible input/output, and a rechargeable battery for portability.

It’s designed to be hackable and modifiable, with complete source code to available on Github.

Detailed specs are to come.

Production of the Drumboy Pro is being funded via a Kickstarter campaign, which is expected to launch March 15, 2026. The Drumboy Pro will be available to project backers for $239 USD.

2026 NAMM Show: Casio SX-C1 Sampler has been spotted on the NAMM Show floor. The fun-looking handheld device is attracting plenty of attention on the show floor.

Casio is making waves with another fun-looking sampler – could it be another budget classic?

With its D-pad and creamy grey case, there’s definitely a bit of a Game Boy vibe going on, and the old-school number styling on the 16 pads is another retro nod. Current specs – which we’re guessing are subject to change – include 16-bit/48kHz sampling (from the built-in mic, line input or transferred via the USB-C port) a sequencer, and hopefully some effects. A built-in speaker is the agenda, too, and power can come from either three AAA batteries or via USB.

As things stand, you’ll be able to save up to 10 banks of 16 samples, and there will be 64GB of internal memory. Some of this will be filled with presets, some of which are expected to be sounds from Casio’s archives. There’s a dinky 1.3-inch OLED display that’s flanked by the aforementioned D-pad and four buttons, and a slightly unusual looking configuration of sliders and rotary dials below. How intuitive this setup will be for editing and programming remains to be seen.

For now, though, let’s enjoy the fact that, with a fair wind, this fun-looking handheld sampler is going to exist. We should say that a release hasn’t yet been officially confirmed, but the fact that Casio is creating some buzz around the product by showing it at a trade show suggests that it’s serious about taking this device into production.

In these days of smartphones and apps such as Koala Sampler, there’s an argument that products such as this aren’t really necessary anymore, but if the workflow is good and it has some decent performance features, we reckon Casio could be onto something.