Five12 Vector Sequencer Review

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In: Reviews, Sequencer

Vector is a Eurorack sequencer from Five12 – it’s a digital sequencer that lets you sequence up to 8 parts (tracks) simultaneously, with either a monophonic melody, chords or drums – both over control voltage , and also thru multiple MIDI outputs. Vector doesn’t do everything, but it does quite a few things other sequencers just can’t. In this video I take a look at the things that make it special, what its workflow is like and of course pros and cons: TIMELINE  0:00 Intro  0:45 Overview  2:00 Inputs and outputs  3:00 The basic workflow  5:05 Sequencing  8:00 Lane types  11:40 Sequence controls  13:40 ChordRead More →

AKAI MPC ONE Review and full workflow tutorial

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In: Uncategorized

The Akai MPC One is a music production sampler, synth and sequencer that works both standalone, as well as a controller for Akai’s MPC Music Production Software. MPC One has a lot of the capabilities of its bigger brothers, the MPC X and MPC Live, in a much more compact and affordable package, though with some tradeoffs which I’ll cover. In this video I’ll focus what MPC One can do standalone, without a computer attached to it, compare it to MPC Live, go over its entire production workflow including all the ways you can sample and sequence, and of course discuss pros and cons comparedRead More →

Faderfox EC4 review

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In: Reviews

EC4 from Faderfox is a MIDI controller for hardware instruments, DAWs and software instruments, and the reason it’s worth taking a look at is this screen, which lets you label each knob on the controller so that you know what it actually does across multiple setups or controller groups.  In this video, I review EC4’s pros and cons, explore  how to use it and look at some alternatives: TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 1:55 Alternatives 2:35 Overview 4:10 Ableton Live 6:05 Hardware control 8:20 Display modes 9:00 Programming 9:35 Edit mode 12:25 Name mode 13:00 MIDI learn 13:20 Setup mode 15:00 Browser editor 16:20 Monitor 16:35 ProsRead More →

Korg OD-S test drive

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In: Demo, Reviews

OD-S is an analog overdrive pedal kit from Korg’s NUTEKT brand.  It was announced at Winter NAMM 2020 and was available as part of several DIY workshops at the Korg booth, where I built it. It’s based on Korg’s new analog triode vacuum tube, designed to give the same performance as conventional vacuum tubes in a more compact and stable form. In this video I quickly walk you through the build process and run synth and guitar sounds through it (with the kind help of Static from Korg): TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 0:30 The Build 1:25 The Controls 2:10 Synth test 4:15 Wide on/off 5:10 GuitarRead More →

Moog Subsequent 25 Review Loopop

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In: Reviews, Synthesizer, Tutorials

Moog’s Subsequent 25 is an update to their analog monophonic Sub Phatty, now with 2 note paraphonic support and an updated sound engine. Unlike many analog monosynths, Sub 25 can store presets and be digitally controlled, which means a few extra benefits. Here’s an in depth review, tutorial and quite a few patch ideas: TIMELINE:0:00 Intro 1:15 Duophony 2:10 Overview 4:25 Hidden params 7:10 The filter 10:20 Oscillators 14:45 Mixer 15:45 Envelopes 17:20 LFO 20:35 App ——— PATCH IDEAS 22:10 Chords 23:30 FM Bells 24:15 Duo tips 25:30 Bi-timbral duo 26:35 Arpeggiator 27:35 Randomizer 28:55 Pros & cons 30:40 Outro jamRead More →

Korg Wavestate Review and Tutorial

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In: Reviews, Tutorials

Korg’s Wavestate is a new take on their original WaveStation from the 1990’s. It’s not a reissue, but rather a completely new synth with a much bigger sample library, more user friendly interface and modular style sequencing options, and it also has vector synthesis engine built in. In this video, I take a look at whether it’s easy to use, and of course explain both Wave Sequencing and Vector Synthesis: TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 1:00 What is Wave Sequencing 2.0? 3:00 Vector synthesis explained 3:50 Overview 7:10 Navigating the interface 10:40 Timing lane 12:35 Crossfade 13:45 Sample lane 14:20 Probability 15:15 Pitch lane 16:20 Shape laneRead More →

polygogo polygonal synthesis

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In: Reviews

It’s not every day that a new form of synthesis is invented. ERM’s Polygogo is a stereophonic, single voice Polygonal Synthesis based Eurorack module. Polygonal synthesis was invented by ERM, and the basic idea behind it is to generate two separate stereophonic waveforms based on a circular XY scan of a two-dimensional shape. Various manipulations on these 2D shapes, like morphing the number of vertices, bending them inwards or expanding them outwards, change the harmonic structure of this module’s sound in interesting and sometimes surprising ways.  In this review I explore the various timbral components of Polygonal Synthesis and give a few patch idea examples thatRead More →

Behringer K-2 and MS-20 tutorial and review

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In: Reviews, Tips and tricks, Tutorials

K-2 is Behringer‘s clone of Korg’s MS-20. Aside from screeching filters, K-2 also includes MS-20’s unique and quirky features, so this tutorial applies to both synths alike. In this video, I explain everything from the intricacies of hz/v and s-trigs, through to K-2/MS-20’s ESP and Track & Hold circuit behavior. The second part of the video includes 18 patch ideas, including a hidden third oscillator in the patch bay, creating a bitcrush/downsampling effect and a few ways to play the K-2 and MS-20 paraphonically TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 1:00 Overview 2:40 Filters 4:40 Layout 5:30 Oscillators 8:15 LFO/Mod gen 10:05 Envelopes 14:15 Hz/v, v/oct 15:45 S-trig, v-trig 16:30 Patch bay 18:05Read More →

Modal Argon8 Review and full tutorial

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In: Reviews

Argon 8 from Modal is an 8 voice, digital wavetable synth, with virtual analog, waveshaping and FM thrown in for good measure. It has plenty of hands on controls, a nice selection of on board effects and an arpeggiator and sequencer. It’s competitively priced but is it worth it? This video takes an in-depth look at its capabilities and compares it to its other recently announced peer – Hydrasynth. TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro  0:55 Overview  2:45 Screen  4:05 Knobs  5:30 Joystick  7:10 Connectivity  7:30 Oscillators  8:55 Wave banks  12:50 Spread  14:00 Wave mods  16:50 Osc mods  21:00 Filter  23:40 Envelopes  26:00 LFOs  29:10 Expression  29:55 Mod matrix  31:00 Effects Read More →

Plus Pedal vs Superego

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In: Uncategorized

The two leading “infinite sustain/freeze” pedals on the market today are Plus Pedal from Gamechanger Audio and Superego+ from EHX.In this video, I look at the similarities and differences between the two, and also compare how they perform with a broad range of sounds: electric guitars, pianos, synth waveforms, cellos, a trombone, saxophone, and even tubular bells. TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro  1:05 SIMILARITIES  2:30 Alternatives  3:10 Timing  3:55 Sends  4:20 DIFFERENCES  4:25 Effects  5:25 Connectivity  6:20 Expression  7:20 Layering  10:55 Sustain  12:40 Gliss  13:30 SOUND TEST     13:40 Electric  15:25 Pianos  16:55 Synth  19:55 Cellos  22:00 Trombone  22:55 Saxophone  23:35 Tubular bells  24:30 Pros & cons Read More →