PERKONS KEYS Auction & Superbooth 2026 Eurorack Highlights

TL;DR: Erica Synths is auctioning the one-and-only PERKONS KEYS, turning an April Fools joke into a charity fundraiser for a Latvian animal shelter. Meanwhile, Superbooth 2026 delivered a treasure trove of Eurorack modules — from Mylar Melodies and Befaco’s RANDOM8 random voltage generator to Instruo’s versatile interface module íre, Joranalogue’s compact Flow 3 filter, and a major firmware update turning u-he’s CVilization into a quad VCO. If your wallet isn’t trembling yet, you haven’t read the specs.

• Erica Synths PERKONS KEYS is a real, one-off drum machine with a keyboard, auctioned on eBay starting at $2,300 — all proceeds go to a Latvian animal shelter; auction ends 11 May 2026.
• Mylar Melodies and Befaco’s RANDOM8 is an 8-channel random voltage generator in 8 HP with looping and evolving modes, priced at €275, available from 15 June 2026.
• Instruo íre is a Eurorack interface module with a transformer mic preamp, FET instrument preamp, envelope follower, and comparator, costing £319.
• Joranalogue Flow 3 is a 6 HP state-variable filter with self-modulation via decay generator and envelope follower, available now for €215.
• u-he CVilization receives a free firmware update adding a Quad VCO mode with detuned saws, chords, PWM, sub-oscillator, and LFO — available for download now.

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PERKONS KEYS: The April Fools Drum Machine That Refuses to Stay a Joke

We at Noxal have a soft spot for gear that starts as a punchline and ends up as a collector’s holy grail. The Erica Synths PERKONS KEYS is exactly that — a drum machine that, until recently, existed only as a doctored photo and a collective chuckle from the synth community. But there it is, sitting proudly at the Erica Synths booth at Superbooth, real as the coffee stain on my desk.

This isn’t a production run. It’s a single unit, the only one ever built, and it’s being auctioned on eBay with a starting bid of $2,300. Developer Girts Ozolins has confirmed that all proceeds will go to the Latvian animal shelter “Ķepu Ķepā”. The auction ends on Monday, 11 May 2026, at 11 PM CEST. If you’ve ever wanted a drum machine that only you — and your cat, presumably — will ever own, this is your chance. If you prefer the standard PERKONS without keys, it’s available from Thomann. But where’s the fun in that?

RANDOM8: Mylar Melodies and Befaco’s Random Voltage Revolution

YouTuber Mylar Melodies has a reputation for turning chaos into music. His collaboration with Befaco, the RANDOM8, is an 8-channel random voltage generator crammed into just 8 HP. According to Mylar Melodies, the module was born from a desire to improvise better on modular systems — and honestly, who among us hasn’t stared at a patch and wished for an invisible pair of hands?

RANDOM8 offers eight independent random voltage generators that can operate in stepped or smooth modes. Feed it a trigger, and you get random voltages at the outputs. Channels are normalized, so triggering one channel cascades to the others unless something is plugged into their inputs. Each channel has a button that toggles between looping — repeating the last 32 steps indefinitely — and evolving, where voltages change slowly over time. Double-tap to return to full randomness. It’s the kind of module that looks unassuming but can transform a patch from predictable to mesmerizing. Available June 15, 2026, for €275. I’d already have one pre-ordered if my bank account didn’t have a sense of humour.

Instruo íre: Bridging the Gap Between Eurorack and the Outside World

Instruo’s new module, íre, is a versatile interface that lets you connect microphones, instruments, and line-level sources directly to your Eurorack system. It features a high-quality transformer-based microphone preamp with phantom power and a tube-like FET preamp for instrument and line-level sources. There’s also an 80 Hz high-pass filter for cleaning up the low end — because no one needs sub-bass rumble from a vocal mic.

But íre doesn’t stop at audio input. It includes an envelope follower and comparator, turning incoming audio into control signals. This is the kind of module that makes your Eurorack feel less like a closed system and more like a conversation with the outside world. At £319, it’s not cheap, but if you’ve ever wanted to run a field recording through your modular and have it modulate a filter, this is your bridge. I’d call it a Swiss Army knife, but that would undersell it.

Joranalogue Flow 3 and u-he CVilization: Compact Power and Firmware Magic

Joranalogue’s Flow 3 is a compact 6 HP filter that sounds bigger than it looks. It’s a variation of the classic state-variable topology with simultaneous lowpass, bandpass, and highpass outputs. The resonance is exceptionally smooth and can reach self-oscillation — a feature that filter nerds will appreciate. But Flow 3’s secret weapon is its ability to modulate itself via a combined decay generator and envelope follower circuit. You can trigger it externally or activate auto mode to follow the incoming audio signal. Available now for €215 from Thomann.

Meanwhile, u-he has announced a free firmware update for CVilization that transforms it from a CV manipulation tool into a quad VCO. Four independent virtual analog oscillators with low aliasing, a wide frequency range, stacked or detuned saws, chords, PWM, a sub-oscillator, and an LFO — all in a module you probably already own. The update is available for download now. It’s the kind of firmware update that makes you wonder why other manufacturers don’t follow suit. But then again, u-he has always been generous with their software updates. Pass the coffee.

Vostok Instruments Halo: Multi-Channel Complex Modulator

Vostok Instruments’ Halo is a multi-channel modulator that generates up to 16 simultaneous signals in just 10 HP. At its core are four channels of complex modulation, each capable of producing a variety of waveforms and control voltages. While details are still emerging from Superbooth, the module appears to be designed for those who want to add movement and unpredictability to their patches without sacrificing HP. We at Noxal will keep an eye on this one — it might just be the modulation hub your rack has been missing.

As I finish this article, my third cup of coffee has gone cold — a fitting tribute to the gear that never sleeps. If you’ll excuse me, I need to explain to my wife why a one-off drum machine with keys is a sound investment. Wish me luck.