Alex from Vulture Culture returns to TDL Synhat to talk Leviasynth, factory patch design, FM architecture, and the strange life cycle of iconic presets. This episode mixes hands‑on sound design stories with broader questions about what makes a synth feel unique — and whether any preset can still define an era.

• Leviasynth first impressions — why it's more FM‑adjacent than a straight virtual‑analog and where its strengths lie.

• Factory patch workflow — what it's like to design presets for unreleased hardware and the surprises that show up during development.

• Preset reception — why some factory banks divide listeners and how curation choices shape public opinion.

• Iconic presets debate — why 80s era presets (DX7, D‑50, Wave Station) became cultural signposts and whether modern synths can still produce that effect.

• Studio highlights — DMX lighting, prototype quirks, and the joy of rotating hardware to stay inspired.

Join me for a deep‑dive conversation with Espen Kraft — musician, producer, YouTuber, vintage‑synth aficionado, and creator of some of the most authentic '80s‑inspired music on YouTube. We talk early musical beginnings, vintage gear, sampling, YouTube controversies, creativity, and the realities of making music today.

Espen shares stories from door‑to‑door organ sales in Norway, his first synth (the Akai AX80), his journey into production, and how his channel evolved from music uploads to full‑blown synth tutorials and gear deep‑dives. We also explore the "synth scam" video, dealing with online backlash, and why modern plugins can absolutely rival vintage hardware.

Whether you're into synth history, production talk, or just love hearing musicians geek out, this is a great one.

This week's episode dives deep into synth nostalgia, rare gear, and the birth of a brand-new UK synth event — Synth Southwest. I'm joined by Peter James Steven, co-host of Process Network and the driving force behind the new show happening in Dawlish on March 21st, 2026.

We talk emulators, Yamaha CS-series synths, the legendary Chroma Polaris, and what it takes to build a synth expo from scratch — complete with live performances, vintage gear, and a seaside vibe.

www.synthsouthwest.com

• The Emulator Legacy: Peter shares stories from Brronica 2024, including getting his Emulator 2 signed by Dave Rossum.

• Process Network & Synth Culture: How their Friday night YouTube show brings together synth lovers from around the world.

• Synth Southwest Origins: Why Dawlish is the perfect spot for a synth show — and how Peter rallied the local Chamber of Commerce to make it happen.

• Live Acts & Rare Gear: Performances from Dave Bessell (NODE), Tai Winstanley, Dr. Mike Metlay, and more. Plus hands-on access to vintage synths like the ARP 2600 Tonus and possibly a Rhodes Chroma.

• Community & Nostalgia: From the synth that got away to the one you'd rescue in a fire — we swap stories and celebrate the gear that shaped our musical journeys.

• Date: March 21st, 2026

• Location: Dawlish, UK

• Tickets: £10 per show or £18 for both (available at synthsouthwest.com)

• Charities Supported: Alan R. Pearlman Foundation & Bob Moog Foundation