Synth Chat Podcast – Episode: Marc Barnes on Sound Design, Sampling & Vintage Synths

This week on the Synth Chat Podcast, Ian catches up with Scottish sound designer and musician Marc Barnes.
Marc returns to talk about his latest Korg Multi/Poly and Wavestate sound packs, programming tips, and his thoughts on the creative process. We dive deep into sampling workflows, vintage synths, and even the challenges of producing other artists’ music.

From the underrated DW-8000 to the TX7, from SampleRobot tips to full album mastering, this is a wide-ranging discussion packed with useful insights for musicians, producers, and synth enthusiasts.

🔹 In This Episode

• Marc’s new sound packs for Korg Multi/Poly & Wavestate

• Multi/Poly vs. Wavestate – how programming differs

• Vintage synth chat: DW-8000, TX7, string machines & more

• Sampling workflows and looping techniques

• Producing & mastering Graeme Sloan’s guitar instrumental album

• Sharon’s trance track hitting 1 million streams

• What synth Korg should release next

🕒 Timestamps

• 00:00 – Marc Barnes returns

• 01:33 – New sound packs for Multi/Poly & Wavestate

• 03:33 – Multi/Poly vs Wavestate – which is better to program?

• 07:44 – Why the ARP 2600 software is a favourite

• 10:18 – Modular hardware vs software workflow

• 11:13 – How Multi/Poly nails Virus, Moog & JP-8000 sounds

• 12:57 – Wavestate wave sequencing for instant inspiration

• 15:04 – Should Korg bring back physical modelling?

• 18:37 – Vintage string machines & Behringer Solina

• 22:00 – DW-8000 – underrated vintage gem

• 26:42 – Using DW-8000 wavetables in modern synths

• 27:54 – Sampling hardware into Wavestate

• 31:31 – Sample looping secrets with SampleRobot

• 36:41 – Sampling unusual sources

• 37:44 – Producing Graeme Slo