Author | Lightnews

Matthew Ashcroft

@syndication.bsky.social

69 followers 78 following 320 posts

Made music. Builds #gunpla. Increasingly morphing into a Luddite. syndication.bandcamp.com https://youtube.com/@syndicationbuilds?feature=shared

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 1h

Off to go get my brain rearranged by Autechre once more!

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 4h

I have found a Force Tracks 12” whilst record hunting in Leeds. This entire trek was worth it

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 1d

I’m in the place at the time at the time at the place. And I need some food.

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 1d

I’m off to Leeds this morning. I fear how much I am about to spend on vinyl

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 3d

The Cube Guys remixing Talking Heads wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025, but it exists I guess!

music.apple.com/gb/album/psy...

Psycho Killer (The Cube Guys Remix Extended Mix) by Talking Heads on Apple Music

Song · 2025 · Duration 5:56

music.apple.com

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 5d

I’ll have it when it hits outlet prices in a year or so

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 5d

The new Seaspray figure from the Retro line arrived - first impressions are that I’m a big fan, but gobsmacked at how much taller he is, even if that’s the way mini-vehicles have gone in recent years. Time to give the transformation a go!

The Transformers Retro line deluxe Seaspray figure, on its cardback, which recreates the red grid pattern of the original Transformers packaging. The figure has a yellow head and legs, blue arms and feet, and a white body with black highlights across the figure.

The Transformers Retro line deluxe Seaspray figure, next to the much smaller Titans Return legends class figure from a while ago. Both figures have a yellow head and legs, blue arms and feet, and a white body with black highlights across the figure.

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 7d

Never a dull moment in Scottish football is there

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 11d

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Reposted by Matthew Ashcroft

The Quietus @thequietus.com · 12d

'#SoftCell bandmate, Marc Almond, said: "Thank you Dave for being an immense part of my life and for the music you gave me. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”'

R.I.P. Dave Ball

buff.ly/M52snfB

Black and white image of Soft Cell's Dave Ball.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 14d

Trade and Play is a cracking shop, so I’m not chuffed to see grifting morons badmouthing them.

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 18d

I had the greatest chicken sandwich of my life in here the other week

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 18d

Beat Quake II! Had a cracking time with it, even if the final level was a bit forgettable. Lots of fun finding the secrets in this one, although I think the original is a bit more memorable level-wise.

A CGI picture of a clenched fist raised aloft, from the ending video of Quake II for PC.

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 20d

I should buy one of these to have another crack at the G1 colours I painted my OG into. Then again, I’d probably ‘crack’ the plastic after 20 seconds

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21d

Last night I dreamt I’d ordered the LG-EX Big Powered boxset, and woke up in a cold sweat this morning thinking I’d actually ordered the thing irl. Curse you, Transformers in my subconscious!

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21d

(In general the tweakability of samples is fairly exceptional - there’s some strange omissions (no attack!?) but I’ve never found it too much of a problem in practice. Heck, I made an entire drum kit out of Pingu going ‘noot noot’ on the thing!

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21d

I haven’t used the Digitakt but from what I can tell it’s not *as* menu divey. Still a bit of stuff hidden away, but it’s always felt quite immediate and live-recording friendly to me. Per step parameter locks are a doddle and all 👍

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21d

The TR samples on my unit were recorded from Rebirth for iPad - with it being sample based, parameters like decay might not sound as true to the OG, but they’re very useable and you can do retrigs and fills too

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21d

Shameless self promotion, but it’s used on every track here - mainly to do the percussion, but also bits and bobs like the Miku in ‘Presto’ and the plucky synth in ‘Apollo’

syndication.bandcamp.com/album/advent...

Adventures in Procrastination, by Syndication

8 track album

syndication.bandcamp.com

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21d

I cannot overstate how important the Model:Samples is to my music these days (when I remember to make any!) bit of a learning curve, but deceptively complex and fun to use

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21d

Beat Quake. Again. This time on hard mode, which despite the name I got through surprisingly fast. It was also a lot more fun compared to the normal skill, which I wasn't entirely expecting. Great game! Now onto the second one.

The Ranger from Quake stands on an island in a pit of fire, surrounded by gibs. The text reads:
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations and well done! You have beaten the hideous Shub-Niggurath, and her hundreds of ugly changelings and monsters. You have proven that your skill and your cunning are greater than all the powers of Quake. You are the master now. Id Software salutes you.

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 22d

Ever since reading this (a good while back!) it’s all I can think about when I see anything Dragon Ball related

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 24d

Been playing Quake for the first time this week, and having a good amount of fun. That soundtrack is definitely ‘the stuff’

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 25d

Possibly the best thing that happened today was ‘Se A Vide E’ by Pet Shop Boys blasting out in Tesco. I was utterly baffled and delighted in equal measure.

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 27d

Booked to see Kraftwerk in Liverpool next June. I’ve been waiting for this day for a frankly terrifying amount of time