The interview features Casio’s Rich Formidoni, who talks about the fun retro design of the new Sampler, its capabilities and more.
Video Summary:
“Casio offers a sneak peek at the SX-C1 Sampler, a portable standalone sampler currently in the concept phase. Featuring 16 pads, a built-in mic and speaker, USB-C audio and power, and battery operation, the SX-C1 is designed for instant, hands-on creativity anywhere. It draws inspiration from Casio’s iconic SK-1, including classic sounds and a fast, fun sampling workflow. With onboard sequencing, sample editing, and massive internal storage, the SX-C1 blends nostalgia with modern functionality in a playful, approachable design.”
Casio hasn’t announced pricing or availability for the SC-C1 Sampler – they mainly seemed to be gauging interest in the device at the NAMM Show.
Are you interested in a new Casio Sampler? Leave a comment and let us know what you think!
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.
