5 recent tech releases you should know about — including the Behringer 2-XM synth, ReCycle and more

Welcome to Mixmag’s round-up of the best tech released in April

Behringer announces new polyphonic analogue synthesiser, 2-XM

After a lengthy wait, Behringer have announced the release of their new polyphonic analogue synthesiser, the 2-XM.

The new unit promises to bring Oberheim’s original SEM 2 voice circuitry into the “modern era”, giving “warmth and character” to your music.

The 2-XM has a dedicated 2-channel mixer, MIDI and USB functionality, and CV/Gate inputs and outputs, as well as two independent filters with low pass, high pass, band pass, and notch modes.

Price: £289. Pre-order here.

Arturia to release ‘80s inspired Drumbrute Impact 1984 drum machine

Arturia have unveiled a brand new ‘80s-inspired drum machine, the Drumbrute Impact 1984, fashioned on an old Roland X0X model.

The 10-voice drum machine comes complete with a “a plucky FM voice and built-in distortion”, combining “classic analogue percussion sounds” with a polyrhythmic 64-step sequencer.

“Designed for demanding musicians, it offers raw, reliable analogue sound with an old-school edge, allowing users to create, customize, and control rich rhythmic textures with ease,” reads a description.

Price: £249. Pre-order here.

Moog announces limited-edition update to iconic Minimoog Model D synth

Moog has joined forces with Geddy Lee, member of prog-rock group Rush, on a new version of its Minimoog Model D synth.

According to Moog it “combines the timeless analog sound of the original with updates designed to inspire musicians and fans alike.”

It comes in a signature red finish, and offers a hot-rodded VCA circuit, dedicated LFO controls, top panel CV jacks, spring loaded pitch wheel and MIDI integration.

The Minimoog was the first portable synthesiser when it was released in 1970, helping to transform contemporary music. It was discontinued in 1981, but brought back to life in 2016 in a limited edition release, before going back into production in 2022.

"It’s a thrill to see the Minimoog Model D in that stunning red, so representative of one of the most fertile periods in Rush’s creative history”, said Geddy Lee. “I’ve always been mad for custom color instruments, many inspired by automotive hues, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out—it’s just so beautiful. The Minimoog Model D was the first synth that made dreaming big accessible to a schlub like me. Its intuitive design lets you learn waveforms, blend sounds, and experiment with the modulation wheel. That’s its legacy: a fat, sophisticated sound in a package that’s not daunting to get your hands on."

Priced: £4,999, buy it here

Crows Electromusic releases small but powerful analogue synth Lore

Crows Electromusic has released a new synth called Lore.

The pocket-sized device is described as a “standalone all-analog tool for exploratory sound synthesis”, featuring the all-analog oscillators from the Canadian instruments producer’s OVUM synth, and adding FM synthesis for a new range of sounds.

It has a USB-C port for power and a single 3.5mm audio output jack through which you can connect headphones or line-out to an amp, speaker, audio interface or effects.

Price: $89 USD, buy it here; £43.75, buy it here

Iconic '90s sampling tool ReCycle relaunches as free download

The year is 1994. The pilot episode of Friends has just debuted on NBC, Nelson Mandela has been elected president of South Africa and you’re a young and aspiring producer who has just gotten your hands on ‘ReCycle – the perfect tool for sampled grooves," reads a description for ReCyle.

These days, it’s less ‘perfect tool for sampled grooves’ and more ‘old-school-tool for sampled grooves’. But back when it was originally released, this sample tool was the go-to for producing grassroots electronic genres of the 90’s.

Almost 30 years later Reason Studios have given it hi-res graphics, made it compatible with Apple Silicon and added some back-end stuff for performance. An ode to all the legendary producers and artists that kept ReCycle alive throughout the years.

Get it here for free via Reason Studios.