Superbooth 2025 delivers exciting new gear from Moog, 1010 Music, Instruō, and more
Superbooth 2025 is underway, and the excitement among electronic music producers and enthusiasts is palpable, even from afar. While we attended last year's event in person, we'll be covering this year's releases remotely, ensuring you don't miss out on any of the latest and greatest gear. Below are details of the newest synthesizers, samplers, and innovative sound design tools making headlines. Keep checking back as we continue to update this article with new announcements throughout the event.
Moog Messenger monophonic analog keyboard synthesizer
Moog Music introduces the Messenger, a new monophonic analog synthesizer designed to blend classic Moog circuitry with modern sonic exploration capabilities. Priced at $899, the Messenger synthesizer aims to cater to electronic musicians, producers, and analog enthusiasts, featuring two oscillators with wavefolding capabilities and a sub-oscillator with continuously variable waveshapes. At its heart lies the iconic Moog transistor ladder filter, now enhanced with resonance bass compensation and multimode functionality.
Standout features include 32 semi-weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch, 256 onboard presets, and an innovative 64-step sequencer with probabilistic controls. Connectivity is robust, offering six CV patch points, external audio input, and MIDI through traditional DIN and USB-C. Messenger's design clearly positions it as a versatile instrument both in the studio and live performances, extending Moog’s storied legacy into contemporary sound design.
Highlights:
- Two oscillators with wavefolding
- Sub-oscillator with variable waveshapes
- Moog ladder filter with resonance bass compensation
- 64-step sequencer
1010 Music Bento sampling production lab
1010 Music unveils Bento, a compact, portable sampling workstation designed for music production without the need for a computer. Available for preorder at $899, Bento combines high-quality 24-bit audio sampling, a responsive 7-inch touchscreen, and 16 expressive pads to offer a dynamic performance and sequencing platform.
Bento allows users to sequence samples, multi-sample instruments, and loops across eight flexible tracks. Scene-based sequencing, extensive modulation capabilities, and built-in effects (including delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, phaser, and overdrive) give users extensive sound-shaping potential. Connectivity is comprehensive, with multiple stereo inputs and outputs, TRS MIDI I/O, USB-C hosting, and internal battery support offering up to three hours of mobile operation. Bento also features internal resampling, MIDI sequencing, and intuitive loop-recording functionality, ensuring it can effortlessly integrate into both live and studio setups.
Highlights:
- 7-inch touchscreen and 16 expressive pads
- Eight flexible sampling tracks
- Scene-based sequencing and modulation options
- Built-in effects and extensive connectivity
Instruō Seashell desktop semi-modular synthesizer
Instruō presents Seashell, an innovative desktop semi-modular synthesizer available for preorder at $799. Seashell pairs traditional analog synthesis with modern digital control through dedicated software, bridging hardware tactile performance with deep software integration.
Seashell features two sawtooth-core analog oscillators with extensive internal modulation options, including cross FM modulation and analog wavefolding. Its resonant low-pass filter, stereo diffusion effects, and a versatile modulation matrix with hardware macro control expand its sonic potential significantly.
Unique to Seashell is the included VST3 software plugin, allowing users seamless integration and total recall within popular DAWs like Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Bitwig. Digital controls manage parameters such as coarse tuning and envelope shaping, while analog controls retain classic, tactile immediacy. Seashell’s comprehensive connectivity includes CV inputs and outputs, TRS MIDI, and USB-C audio/MIDI interfacing, making it ideal for studio producers and live performers alike.
Highlights:
- Two analog sawtooth-core oscillators
- Resonant low-pass filter and wavefolder
- VST3 integration with DAWs
- Extensive modulation matrix
Vermona DrumDing hybrid drum machine
Vermona’s upcoming DrumDing introduces a unique approach to drum synthesis and sequencing by combining a single analog percussion voice with real-time sampling and a six-track sequencer. Instead of triggering analog circuits directly, users shape the sound in real time, auditioning through cue if desired, and commit it to a sample lane with a button press. Each track supports parameter and sample locking, A/B switching, and flexible sequencing features like probability and polyrhythms.
Per-track effects include dual delays, reverb, bitcrush, overdrive, filters, envelopes, and LFOs, giving each voice plenty of room for sonic shaping. The removable faceplate is a novel touch, intended for future feature expansion via hardware overlays. The design leans toward studio precision or live improvisation, though the 16-sample project limit may require careful planning or on-the-fly sampling in performance settings.
Allthatsgone called DrumDing their "pick for Superbooth best of show," praising the sound over classic DRM or even Elektron’s Rytm, while highlighting the cue-to-sample workflow and the deep yet intuitive FX section.
Synth Anatomy noted the originality of the concept, describing it as a "refreshingly different" hybrid approach and one of their personal Superbooth 2025 highlights.
Highlights:
- Sample-on-the-fly from a single analog percussion voice
- 6-track sequencer with sample locks, A/B modes, and polyrhythms
- Built-in FX: two delays, reverb, overdrive, bitcrush
- Removable faceplate for future hardware updates
- Praised by Allthatsgone and Synth Anatomy as a top Superbooth pick
Release expected end of 2025, price TBA