- SynthFest France 2026 takes place from April 17 to 19 at the Centre de Congrès de la Fleuriaye in Carquefou, near Nantes.
- Woodbrass is one of the exhibitors with a booth worthy of the show: Elektron, Teenage Engineering, ASM, Sequential, and many more.
- Two exceptional concerts on Saturday night: Berlin-based composer Hainbach and French thereminist Charlotte Dubois.
- More than 80 exhibitors, music production workshops, a 32-prize raffle, and a new venue able to host 1,500 people.
Let’s be honest: here at Woodbrass, SynthFest is kind of our Christmas. Every year, we load up the truck with gear and head off to meet France’s most passionate community. This 2026 edition is shaping up to be especially wild: a new venue, an incredible lineup, and a booth we’ve carefully prepared so you can play synths for three days. Let’s take you behind the scenes of what awaits us from April 17 to 19 in Carquefou.
A new venue worthy of the event
SynthFest France is leaving the Théâtre de l’Odyssée in Orvault and moving to the Centre de Congrès de la Fleuriaye in Carquefou. Why? The festival has simply grown too big. With record attendance in 2024 and 2025, it was time to think bigger. The new venue has a capacity of 1,500 people, an 800-seat auditorium, flexible spaces, and better public transportation access—just 20 minutes from downtown Nantes.
SynthFest France is organized by a volunteer association (under the French 1901 law). It is a unique community gathering in France that brings together brands, collectors, artists, and enthusiasts of electronic instrument making. The atmosphere is warm, accessible, and firmly focused on sharing.
The Woodbrass booth: a playground to explore
We’re not coming empty-handed. Our booth is designed as a true playground for synth lovers. We wanted to cover as much sonic territory as possible, from the compact groove box to the polyphonic stage beast. Here’s what awaits you:
The complete Elektron wall
The entire current range will be available for demo: Tonverk, Analog Rytm, Analog Four, Digitakt II, Digitone II, Syntakt, Model:Samples, and Model:Cycles. Whether you’re a fan of the Elektron sequencer (that famous conditional-trig workflow) or just curious to understand the hype, this is the perfect opportunity to get your hands on them.
This is THE release everyone has been talking about since NAMM 2026. Ashun Sound Machines’ Leviasynth is a 16-voice algorithmic hybrid synth, with 8 oscillators per voice and a mix of analog and digital filters. At our booth, you’ll be able to try both versions: the Leviasynth Keyboard (61-key Polytouch keyboard with 4-octave ribbon) and the Leviasynth Desktop paired with an Arturia Keystep. The Hydrasynth’s successor has plenty to impress.
Teenage Engineering and compact machines
Fans of minimalist design are in for a treat. We’re showcasing a great selection of Teenage Engineering gear: the OP-1 Field, the OP-XY, the EP-133, EP-1320, and EP-40/2350, not to mention the tiny TX-6 mixer and the CM-15. Alongside these, you’ll also find the Synthstrom Deluge, the Bento with Blue Box from 1010music, and the Nano Tang.
And more…
The booth will also feature the ASM Hydrasynth Black, the ASM Explorer, and the Nano Lem. A counter will be available to chat with the team and ask your questions! In short, there’s plenty to enjoy.
SynthFest is also the best place to compare machines side by side in one space. Take advantage of the Woodbrass booth to compare the Elektron workflow directly with a Deluge or an OP-1 Field—nothing beats hands-on experience when choosing your next machine.
Hainbach and Charlotte Dubois: two worlds in concert
On Saturday, April 18 at 9 p.m., the Fleuriaye auditorium welcomes two artists who perfectly embody the spirit of SynthFest.
Hainbach (Stefan Paul Goetsch) is the Berlin-based composer who transforms Soviet measuring instruments and vintage medical equipment into hypnotic soundscapes. Known for his YouTube channel, where he explores unlikely machines—nuclear oscillators, repurposed piano tuners, wire recorders—he has collaborated with Spitfire Audio and AudioThing to create virtual instruments. His live set, built around German test equipment from the 1950s and a Hohner Electronium tube synth, promises an extraordinary sonic journey.
Charlotte Dubois is a thereminist and sound explorer based in Lille. After eleven years of piano, she discovered the theremin (the first electronic instrument in history, played without physical contact) in 2018 and made it her main instrument. Her compositions blend theremin, piano, synthesizers, and looper in a dreamlike, immersive universe. She performs regularly at the Musée de la musique de la Philharmonie de Paris and has released two albums: A mi-chemin and Gamme de couleurs.
The concert ticket is 15 €, separate from the festival pass. We really recommend not missing this evening.
Want to dive into synthesis after SynthFest? Check out our complete selection of synthesizers on woodbrass.com, from entry-level models for beginners to the most advanced machines. We also offer a wide range of analog synths and modular synths for the more adventurous.
Vintage synths, rare machines, and a giant raffle
Beyond the manufacturers’ booths, SynthFest is also a haven for collectors. You’ll come across legendary vintage synths, prototypes, and rare machines you never see in stores. It’s one of the only events in France where you can get your hands on a period Minimoog or a Roland Jupiter-8 on the same day.
The program also includes modular workshops, classrooms and masterclasses (Ableton, Beatsurfing, Bleass…), the UNAC/SynthFest Trophies, and a raffle with 32 prizes worth more than 22 000 € in total. Prizes include a SynTesla DecaHertz Hans Zimmer Signature module, an Expressive E Osmose 61, a Korg Phase 8, a Sequential Forum, and many other gems.
Raffle tickets (10 € each, 2 500 in total) are sold online only on the SynthFest website and go fast. The drawing takes place Sunday at 16h30 — if you’re not there, your prize will be sent to you (shipping costs at your expense). Don’t wait around: previous editions sold out before the event!
See you in Carquefou?
SynthFest France 2026 is shaping up to be the most ambitious edition since the event was launched. A new venue, double the capacity, more than 80 exhibitors, and a program combining discoveries, concerts, workshops, and meetups. At Woodbrass, we can’t wait to see you at our booth, share our passion for synths, and let you try out the machines that matter in 2026. Whether you’re a modular veteran or simply curious and have never touched an oscillator, SynthFest is for you. See you from April 17 to 19!
