SYNTRX full review

On:
In: Reviews, Synthesizer

SYNTRX from Erica Synths is inspired by the interface of the legendary EMS Synthi AKS, a modular synth with a pin matrix designed to overcome the hassle of patch cables. SYNTRX however has one major difference, and that’s a digitally controlled patch matrix with presets. This video contains a detailed review and feature walkthrough for this synth, including multiple patch ideas and sound examples: TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 1:00 The matrix 5:10 Overview 6:35 Connectivity 8:20 Oscillators 12:15 Sample & hold 14:25 Filter 16:25 Output filters 17:20 Ring mod 18:30 Spring reverb 20:40 Trapezoid 24:30 Joystick 25:25 Meter 25:55 Speakers 26:55 Input channels 28:15 PATCH IDEASRead More →

Disting EX Thumb

On:
In: Modular, Reviews

Disting MK4 is one of Eurorack’s most popular modules, and now, two of them have been fused together and improved in the form of Disting EX: a module from Expert Sleepers that can work in one of two modes – either Dual Mode – a bundle of two Disting MK4’s with a high res screen and a few improved features, and in Single Mode, where the entire set of jacks and controls serve a new set of algorithms that only exist on Disting EX, and can take advantage of a bigger canvas of six inputs instead of three, four outputs instead of two, four knobsRead More →

MPC LIVE II vs MPC ONE

On:
In: Live looping, Reviews

This video explores three main topics: How MPC Live II compares to MPC Live I and MPC One How good Live II’s speakers are, and… What’s new in MPC version 2.8 in particular in light of the cons in my quite comprehensive MPC version 2.7 tutorial video. TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 0:30 Live II vs I vs One 2:15 Buttons 3:30 Connectivity 5:45 Size 6:50 Storage 7:30 Speaker test 9:50 Version 2.8 10:15 “Cons” fixed 10:25 Track select 10:35 Q-link overlay 11:45 Pad perform 12:35 Timestretch 14:30 Retro record 15:25 Custom chords 16:10 Other misc 16:25 Multi MIDI 17:30 MIDI settings 18:45 Config & arm 21:00Read More →

Moog Subharmonicon review and tutorial

On:
In: Reviews, Synthesizer, Tips and tricks

Two years after I built the workshop edition of the Subharmonicon, Moog is releasing a new mass-production version. It’s better in several few ways – here’s the full review, including quite a few patching and pairing ideas: TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 0:50 What are Subharmonics 3:20 Overview 5:40 Oscillators 7:30 Quantization 8:15 Tunings 9:40 Assign & Seq Oct 11:05 Filter & VCA 13:30 Sequencer 16:40 Hidden features 17:45 PATCH IDEAS 18:00 EnveLFO 18:45 Sequence anything 19:55 PAIRINGS 20:00 LFO 20:30 Rhythm & bypass 21:30 External sequencer 21:50 Paraphony 23:40 Polyphony 24:15 Transpose seq 26:00 Effects (Hainbach!) 29:40 Pros & consRead More →

Make Noise 0-CTRL review, 0-Coast patch ideas and module pairings

On:
In: Reviews, Sequencer

0-CTRL from Make Noise is an analog, touch sequencer and controller. It’s in the same form factor as the 0-COAST, pairs well with it but also with any semi-modular or eurorack gear. In this video I go over what 0-CTRL does in detail, and look at a few patching and pairing ideas for it, both with 0-COAST as well as with other eurorack modules TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro0:50 Overview3:30 Strength5:05 Time5:50 Inputs, outputs7:00 Basic patches7:10 Keyboard “mode”8:45 Sequence control11:10 Gate-time trick12:20 Analog quantizer?15:10 0-CTRL sub osc17:25 Subharmonics20:00 Module pairings20:15 Quantizer21:00 Slew limiter21:45 CV to sample23:25 Glide sequencing24:20 Misc tips24:55 Clock mix26:15 Pros, consRead More →

Bitbox Micro vs Bitbox MK2: Review, tutorial and detailed comparison of 1010music's new samplers

On:
In: Uncategorized

1010Music just released a new MK2 hardware version of BitBox and a new “mini-me” version of it – Bitbox Micro – two of the most powerful and flexible eurorack samplers, sample players and loopers. In this video, I take a look at what they can do in detail, the differences between the two and pros and cons for each. TIMELINE: 0:00 MK2 vs Micro 0:25 Stress test 1:50 Main differences 2:40 Inputs and outputs 6:20 Using the screen and knobs, overall workflow 7:20 Editing pads 9:00 Home and Tools screens 9:55 Playing onscreen keys and scales 10:30 Mixing pads & Effects 12:15 Sample options 16:35Read More →

loopop room treatment and correction tutorial

On:
In: Uncategorized

There’s a good chance your studio is lying to you, meaning that it’s adding and removing sound levels at different frequencies due to reflections and room modes. So, if you create music based on the raw audio coming out of your studio monitors, your hearing things other people may not. The purpose of this video is to raise awareness to this issue and discuss different solutions to the problem. TIMELINE: 0:00 The problem0:10 Simple test1:35 Why it happens2:00 A better test3:30 Speaker test4:20 Positioning5:25 Room treatment6:30 Headphones7:05 Correction7:30 Room EQ Wizard10:05 Creating filters12:30 ARC 3, Sonarworks13:40 Does it work?17:45 Important!18:05 Summary Here are all theRead More →

KeyStep Pro Review

On:
In: Reviews, Sequencer

KeyStep Pro from Arturia is a MIDI keyboard controller with 4 built in sequencing tracks – each capable of acting as a polyphonic sequencer, or alternatively, a drum sequencer in the case of track 1 and three arpeggiators in tracks 2 thru 4. It can control MIDI instruments – software or hardware, or modular synths with control voltage. In this video I go over what it can and can’t do and compare it to a few competing products: TIMELINE: 0:00 Overview 3:20 Connectivity 4:30 The setup 5:15 Arpeggiator 8:05 Time divisions 8:30 Step Sequencing 10:05 Track polymeter 10:20 Live record 11:45 Step edit 12:25 SeqRead More →

Aeros and BeatBuddy Review

On:
In: Reviews

This video is a double feature – a review with pros and cons of both Aeros Loop Studio and the BeatBuddy drum machine from Singular Sound. Each can be used independently, but they can also sync with each other over MIDI. Aeros is a multi-track, multipart stereo looper: Multi-track means it can record up to 6 different-length layers in parallel, and multi-part means you can record several parts of a song, like a verse, chorus and bridge. Beat Buddy is a pedal-based drum machine designed to make fills and part selection easy with a single tap of your foot or hand. Here’s the full reviewRead More →

Launchpad Pro MK3 vs Launchpad X

On:
In: Reviews, Sequencer

Launchpad Pro MK3 and LaunchPad X are the newest iterations of the large and medium-sized, grid-based MIDI controllers from Novation. They don’t make any sounds on their own, but rather are designed to play and control other software or hardware instruments and are also deeply integrated with Ableton Live. This video is an in-depth comparison, review and tutorial of both controllers: TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 0:55 Main differences 3:45 Live session 4:30 Mixer controls 5:40 Track selection 6:25 Device controls 7:30 Misc Pro features 8:45 Note mode 10:30 Custom layouts 14:15 Chord mode 17:00 Sequencer setup 18:30 Step sequencing 20:35 Automation 21:15 Probability 22:05 Mutation 22:55Read More →