iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21h

I decided not to bother with this, because I'd rather not brick my beloved samples with some hallucinated code, and that's why I'm now making clanger noises in Pure Data.

A simple patch in Pure Data - a sine wave with controls for frequency and volume. We all have to start somewhere.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

youtu.be/v16v6CMg0YM?... This looks like a big upgrade to the Elektron Models of yonder - with the large glaring caveat that it was seemingly vibe coded. I might take one for the team and give it a go, because I am full of bad ideas.

youtu.be

I added a sampler to the Elektron Model:Cycles (and a lot more) | Model-TG

YouTube video by TinyGreg

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Turns out my Macbook is not a fan of Ironwail specifically (thanks Apple!) but Quakespasm works more than perfectly, so I can officially get my Quake on. Still need to get Quake II sorted, but that can wait till tomorrow.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Got Yamagi Quake and Quakespasm working this morning, though I'll be doing clean installs once I'm more familiar with installing through command line. The whole OS is indeed really snappy, although it struggled with YouTube

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Update: I'm in! And it's running buttery smooth so far, so that's nice.

Linux Mint, running on a 2014 Macbook Pro, now in 'actual hardware screenshot' o vision

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I used to be well good at FPSes with a 2014 MacBook Pro keyboard. So let's try that again.

A 2014 MacBook Pro with Linux being installed on it

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Sold a track on bandcamp for the first time in a century yesterday. Surprisingly, it was this one, which I had almost cast out of my memory entirely! syndication.bandcamp.com/track/pengui...

syndication.bandcamp.com

Penguin City, by Syndication

track by Syndication

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I've been hoping for a KO of this specific figure for ages, and it turns out this one has been doing the rounds for quite a while. It's a fairly basic action figure sure, but he *looks" the business.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Today's robot arrival is this neat KO of the Legends Fortress figure (the guy that becomes the big guy's head, for JP Headmasters shelf reasons.) Hips needed a little bit of sanding out the box, but otherwise fairly delighted!

The KO of Legends Fortress, in his 'head of Fortress Maximus' mode. No sound effects or lights, but I won't lose sleep about that.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I will have that Blitzwing eventually. The new colours pop a lot more

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Bought some bits and bobs on Cults3D and got them printed up. My reputation as the 'Sunbow Accuracy Madman' is one I am incredibly proud of.

Buzzworthy Bumblebee deluxe Cliffjumper, now equipped with some leg extensions (by Kayembi) and a chest spoiler (by Robots78). Studio Series 86 Bumblebee has also had some mods, including the head from Devastation Bee, a rounded off bumper, and blue window toyhax.

The Datsun trio (Earthrise Bluestreak, SS86 Prowl and Earthrise Smokescreen) with a variety of alterations. Bluestreak has some new paint and toyhax, Prowl has the Achai Studio head, and Smokescreen has the Nonnef shoulder cannons. All three also have the more accurate Datsun headlights (by LazyEyebrow)

The big four Decepticons on their shelf. Soundwave's blaster barrel is modded to rotate to its usual orientation, Starscream's eyes have been repainted, Megatron has the DNA Design Optimus Prime fusion cannon jury-rigged onto his arm, with the Yolopark mace plugging nicely into his hand's ball socket. He also has a cheapish upgrade face I bought on AliExpress - three were included, but the yelling is my favourite. Finally, Shockwave has some bigger feet, courtesy of David Willis. You can actually see him now!

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Reposted by Matthew Ashcroft

The Black Dog @theblackdog.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Very sad to hear that Martin (Vector Lovers) has passed away, he was a lovely bloke, many nights shared in Glasgow with the Soma Family. He'll be missed by many. R.I.P.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Rhyno by Travis Scott sounds less like it was made for GTA VI and more for a mid-to-late 90s shooter. This is a good thing.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Heartbroken to learn Vector Lovers has left us. An incredible tunesmith and a lovely guy to boot. youtu.be/rRXSYE3PVXA?...

youtu.be

Vector Lovers - Warm Launderette (Soma 363d)

YouTube video by OfficialSomaRecords

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This, the Fluffy Bagel mix of Superfly Guy by S’Express, and The Transformers: The Movie all in one day. Result!

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A grand week for new robot fellas. All bar two of whom have already been customised in some way. I can't be stopped!

Studio Series MTMTE Collection Starscream, armed with the pistol from SS86 Megatron and THAT SMIRK. I painted his eyes red and hit the face with a matte topcoat. That's about it.

Studio Series MTMTE Collection Prowl, with a custom head by Achai Studio. Someone's in the background, pointing a weapon-shaped object at him

The MTMTE Collection Insecticons 3 pack, from left to right: Bombshell, Shrapnel and Kickback. The only mod I did here was painting Bombshell's waist.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This is genuinely the hardest I've laughed at *anything* in years

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Hasbro clearly aren't liking the DHS' deranged racist Optimus Prime poster

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Here it is - it might just be me, and I figure they’re trying to keep things deliberately vague, but it looks… odd.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Why did that trailer for *New and 100% More Welsh* Casualty look like it was done with a boatload of AI

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Popped into that new Lefties shop in Liverpool One. They played Sebastien Tellier followed by In Love With You by The Paradise, so I guess they like the music of France a lot

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

In Liverpool again because my wardrobe is looking a bit rough. I am very glad I bothered.

The record sleeve for the KLF remix of 'So Hard' by Pet Shop Boys, in a paper Rough Trade bag

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Picked up this KO of MP-57 from PrimetimeToyz, and pretty happy with it overall. Definitely a bit sketchy QC wise (the wing fell out, and there's a touch of yellowing on the leg) but it does the trick as a lavishly cartoon accurate Jetf-Skyfire.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Today I realised my Siege Jetfire was packaged with four of the thin blast effects and none of the wide ones. I have owned that figure for five years. How.

The blast effects of Siege Jetfire. There should be three distinct blasts, but mine had four thin ones and two medium ones. Oops!

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Very nice! Although I’m surprised it doesn’t include a new fusion cannon - I think that was people’s biggest gripe with the original figure!

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Took a minute, but they finally got someone into the office.

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Reposted by Matthew Ashcroft

Chris DeRose @scratchyderose.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

“Be Strong enough to be gentle.” Peter Cullen tells the story of how his brother inspired the voice he would use to play Optimus Prime. It’s a simple yet poignant quote that sums up why Optimus and Peter are so beloved. Til All Are One. 💔

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Reposted by Matthew Ashcroft

Noppy @thomasnoppers.com · 27/08/2026

"Be strong enough to be gentle" Rust in peace Peter Cullen.

A colourful chill isometric drawing. hand drawn and coloured. Optimus is chilling, sitting behind a barn in a farmland. looking at the birds that just landed on his arm. It’s a nice summer sunset.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

We keep losing great people this week, and now someone whose voice, and whose stewardship of the character he was always associated with, had a colossal impact on myself and millions more, has left us. Farewell, Peter Cullen. www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

hollywoodreporter.com

Peter Cullen, Voice of Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers,’ Dies at 85

The theater-trained Canadian also created sounds for King Kong and the Predator and portrayed Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh's pal.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Remember when Syndication made music? Pepperidge Farm remembers. (Not an official remix, just something I wanted to do as soon as I got my grubby mitts on the stems)

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Plot twist of the century: he actually made it into the locker nearly a week after they first tried! Great news for everyone except the half paint stripped ER one, who's currently bathing in a tub of IPA.

Buzzworthy Bumblebee deluxe Cliffjumper, in all his anime blue windows and grey limbs-y glory.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Not Tim Curry too! What the shit is this week

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Inpost has still not delivered my Cliffjumper. I went to the depot today after being told by customer service it would be there, and whoops, the driver's taken it on his round without scanning it out. I am not confident I will ever own this guy

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

youtu.be/9govup-IG3c?... Just had to break the news about Dolly Parton to the whole house, and it feels like it knocked the stuffing out of all of us, which is a testament to how bloody incredible she was.

youtu.be

A Message from the Family of Dolly Parton

YouTube video by Dolly Parton

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Today's rather slapdash custom is some additions to Wheeljack! Repainted the windows a bit and lobbed on the Go Better Studio upgrade kit, although I'm too fond of my bizarre kitbashed rocket launcher to swap that out just yet.

Selects G1 Wheeljack, with additional paint on the chest to make it more curved, new back wings and filler pieces from Go Better Studio, and a cannon hacked together from a Nonnef set and Siege Sideswipe's missile.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

When I painted the waist on Bumblebee, I actually removed the plastic around the waist to reduce the likelihood of it chipping. A good few layers of topcoat certainly helped too!

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Brb, making the 12 minute deconstructed dub version of this my brain is convinced the world needs

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I have the terrible feeling that Inpost have lost the Buzzworthy Cliffjumper I got on eBay. Not fun, despite their genuinely helpful customer service folks

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Blimey, that looks nice! I was going to go this route myself, but I was a bit wary of the grey chipping off the legs due to joints and clearances. Definitely an improvement though

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Sprayed my Earthrise Cliffjumper with a fresh coat of shiny red paint today, only for the custom to become entirely pointless when I won the Buzzworthy version, which I was trying to recreate, on t’eBay. …Time to research obscure Cliffjumper redecos!

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Shameless plug, but most of this record I did's sound was down to the Samples. Its deceptively deep and lets you rearrange sounds to extremes. Literally my favourite piece of music equipment ever. syndication.bandcamp.com/album/advent...

syndication.bandcamp.com

Adventures in Procrastination, by Syndication

8 track album

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Reposted by Matthew Ashcroft

Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Elektron's more expensive gear get all the attention, but beginners shouldn't overlook the company's underrated bargain grooveboxes.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Bought a couple of @nonnef.com upgrades at TFN. They were out of the bigger Wheeljack sets, so I kitbashed the G1 toy one with a Siege Sideswipe missile for cartoon-grade artillery. Very happy with how it came out!

Earthrise Smokescreen and Selects Wheeljack, upgraded with shoulder cannon upgrades by Nonnef Productions. Both have been painted white, and Wheeljack's cannon has been modified using the missile from Siege Sideswipe.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I'm putting together a tea- sorry, a website. I will hopefully have it up soon and it will discuss the many things that fascinate me in life. In other words, records and transformers. It also has a agonisingly laboured pun for a domain. SOON!

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I constantly forget the stems format is even a thing. I know I almost exclusively buy old vinyl these days but good grief.

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I feel like seeing these Marvel customs on my feed all the time was a major factor in my own customs. Except mine went full Sunbow, so from one extreme to the other!

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Happy birthday, hope you had a cracking day in spite of the possible con crud

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Matthew Ashcroft @syndication.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

The 84-85 Autobot shelf has been reassembled, and the inhabitants are looking a lot more... Sunbow-y. More to come on the ones I customised soon!

A shelf including the complete lineup of Autobots from the 1984-1985 seasons of The Transformers. A lot of the figures have been customised - some very subtly, and others getting a complete overhaul

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