Bad Gear - Snow

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about TI Snow.

It is quite obvious why this menu-heavy, scaled-down and abandonware-reliant 2008 member of the otherwise revered Access Virus range made it onto this show but it also raises an unsettling question: has the market for electronic musical instruments become so irrelevant that this primordial Volca with a Napoleonic Complex is the final word in the history of one of the most successful synth families? Can it be that synths are over?


Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:56 Overview Virus TI Snow
01:42 The Total Integration Concept
02:21 The Problem with the Software and a possible Solution
02:42 Synth Engine (Oscillators)
04:04 Filter Section
04:24 Modulators
04:42 Arpeggiator, FX Section, Vocoder
05:09 Presets (and a very special surprise;), Thanks, Pricing, etc.
05:59 H*te Screen
06:22 Jam 1 ( Preset Techno )
07:10 Jam 2 ( Menu Diving Electro )
08:07 Finale ( Old School Trance )
08:35 VERDICT"

Cosmolab: Rapid audio hardware prototyping #faselunare

video upload by Floyd Steinberg

"The #cosmolab by #faselunare ( https://sndmt.link/cosmolab-fs ), based on the #daisyseed #mpu, is a development board for audio projects: synthesizers, effects pedals, sequencers, modular gear, samplers, groove boxes - whatever you can think of. In this video, I walk through the functions and features and create a mod reverb with this board.

Table of contents:

00:00 the problem to the solution
00:37 hi, what is this?
00:58 hardware overview
02:18 how to use: installing the examples
03:21 examples: euklidean drums
03:38 pluck echo
04:40 music box
05:18 physical modeling synth (strings)
05:49 single oscillator poly synth
06:14 the development environment
06:38 or use plugdata
07:23 creating and compiling a mod reverb effect
09:33 sound demo for my mod reverb effect
10:47 conclusion
11:20 liKE ANd sUBscrIBe

Links:
Web page: https://sndmt.link/cosmolab-fs
Plugdata: https://plugdata.org/

HÄLP ZIS CHANNEL
https://www.patreon.com/floyd_steinberg
https://floydsteinberg.gumroad.com/
https://floydsteinberg.bandcamp.com/"

Airwave plays with (almost) everything

video upload by ROLI

"When we first came up with Airwave, it was only intended to work with ROLI instruments — but you asked for wider compatibility, and we delivered. In this recently unearthed archive footage, our social media manager Omar sets out to prove the point with a conveyor belt of musical and (not-so-musical) items."

Bad Gear - This Time it's PERSONAL

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. There is no shortage of synth manufacturers offering costly top-shelf instruments: PolyBrutes, UDOs, all the old stuff but new and even Roland started channeling their inner Teenage Engineering.

Today, however, we are going to talk about Nord Modular. This range of digital high-end modular synths was introduced in 1998 and not only is there no modern successor in sight, they also made it incredibly hard to use the originals properly. This time it’s personal!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:56 Overview Nord Modular G1
01:12 The Nord Modular Range
01:17 The Concept, UI, Computer Integration
01:43 The Software Editor Situation
02:00 Freeware Editor ( Byte Order )
02:16 The Modules ( Oscillators, Drums, FM )
02:54 Generative Patches vs. Normal Synth Duties
03:04 Filters
03:40 Modulators
04:08 Using it as a Groovebox ( Clock Generator, Sequencers )
04:43 Effects (or lack thereof)
05:09 Features for Keyboardists
05:26 Even more weird Features
05:44 What else??? (Connectivity, Pricing,...)
06:10 H*te Screen
06:35 Jam 1 ( Techno Groovebox Patch )
07:29 Jam 2 ( Many, Many Patches Jam )
08:34 Finale ( 90s Psytrance )
08:46 VERDICT"

Bad Gear - NO ONE understands this! & It's UGLY

video upload by AudioPilz

"Today, however, we are going to talk about K2000. This range of Synth/ROMpler/Sampler hybrids was originally brought to the market in 1991 by Ray Kurzweil, a completely overpowered mega brain who went from being Stevie Wonder ’s custom shop to looking forward to merging with AI by 2045. No one understands this.


Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:04 Overview Kurzweil K-2000
01:19 Different Models, Sampling
01:41 What the Actual...?!? (The Samples)
02:17 Keygroups
02:31 Layers, Algorithms, Synth Architecture
02:59 Sync, FM, Complex Signal Chains
03:13 Filters
03:23 Modulators, FUN, Midi Control
03:48 Problems with the Aging Hardware
03:56 Programs, Presets (No, we're still not finished)
04:31 FX Section
04:48 Patches
05:08 What else? (Outputs, Sequencer, Thanks, Pricing)
05:48 H*te Screen
06:12 Jam 1 ( Techno Preset Surfing )
07:13 Jam 2 ( Tracker Drum'n'Bass )
08:13 Finale ( 90s Adventure Game OST )
08:46 VERDICT"

Bad Gear - It's UGLY!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:26 Overview Akai MPC Live III
00:37 The new fancy Pads
01:17 The Catch, Articulations
01:38 Built-in Mic, Speakers
01:45 Step Sequencer
02:22 Tech Specs
02:34 Arrangement, Clip Matrix
03:01 Ribbon Controller, Q-Link Knobs, Touch Screen
03:37 Instruments (Drums, Keygroups, Plugins,...)
04:11 More DAW-like Stuff, Time Stretch, Mixer
04:43 Pro Pack, Compatibility to other MPCs, Stems
05:07 What else? (Content, Hardware, Pricing, Thanks)
06:12 H*te Screen
06:40 Jam 1 ( EDM )
07:36 Jam 2 (Epic Lo-fi Type Beat )
08:42 Finale ( 90s FPS Style DnB )
09:14 VERDICT

And the Halloween episode:

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Florian Schneider Collection to Be Auctioned at JULIEN*S November 19

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via JULIEN*S

"THE FLORIAN SCHNEIDER COLLECTION

Auction to be held at Musician's Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville, on November 19

An incredible collection of more than 450 artifacts from the life and career of Florian Schneider, co-founder of the pioneer electronic band Kraftwerk."

Pics and videos featuring some of the gear below, and his Lederhosen for good measure (thanks greg!).

Update: the post has been fully updated with all the synth related gear. This may just well be the longest post to be featured on the site. I wanted to capture all the pics for all of the details including notes, scuffs, and of course serial numbers. It's an interesting look into what he used, the condition he keped his gear, in some cases, how he actually used his gear. Note the phonetics on the keys of the Casio CZ-101 and DX-100. Note the Midi Switch Box with a built-in speaker? What's that about? Note the camouflage key strap on the Korg RK-100 Remote Keyboard. Did he pick it out himself or did the keytar just come with it? Note the repeat midi controllers and the MIDI saxaphones. Wind was his primary instrument. You'll find a ton of the acoustic gear he used in the other listings. This is a fascinating insight into both what and how he used his gear.

Side note: there is no affiliate compensation for this post. The note at the top automatically shows for all posts with the Auction label.


Rack Mount Sennheiser VSM-201 Vocoder

Starting Bid $5,000

Estimate $20,000 - $40,000 USD

A late 1970s Sennheiser VSM 201 Vocoder with no serial number from the personal studio and collection of Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk (see images). While it’s said that only a few dozen of these Vocoders were produced, a few examples made it into the hands of forward-thinking musical artists including Herbie Hancock, Daft Punk, and of course, Kraftwerk, who used a VSM-201 like this on their albums Man Machine (1978) and Computerworld (1981). The VSM-201 has an intelligible sound that has not yet been bested by modern gear. Includes power cable. This VSM-201 has been removed from its wooden enclosure (which bears the serial number plate) and modified with a metal rack mount casing, presumably for live use. Requires 240v, IEC power cable not included.

Dimensions: 19 x 9 x 9 inches

Category: Kraftwerk, Equipment

Provenance: PROVENANCE From the Estate of Florian Schneider

CLICK FOR MORE »

Bad Gear - BORING!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

Verdict at 08:09.

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Sequential Prophet REV2.

This modern analog poly was originally released under the DSI moniker in 2017 and it is guaranteed to make your janky home studio seem like a professional working environment - and make it infinitely more boring.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:42 Overview Prophet REV-2
01:22 Interface, Bitimbrality
01:56 Oscillators
02:34 Curtis Filter
03:08 Modulations Matrix
03:23 Envelopes, LFOs
03:37 Clock, Tempo Sync, Arpeggiator, Sequencer
04:21 Unison, Chords, Pan Spread
04:45 FX Section, Outputs
05:02 Polyphony, Expansion Card, Pricing, Thanks
05:26 H*te Screen
05:49 Jam 1 ( Fast Techno )
06:39 Jam 2 ( Epic Synth Music )
07:39 Finale ( Gentrification Dance Music )
08:09 VERDICT"

This Episode DIDN'T AGE SO WELL

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. More or less all synth nerds have their own temporal demarcation line between 'awesome old school Roland' and 'corporate grave robbers squeezing the last penny from iconic IPs'.

For me, this turning point might as well be the release of the 1999 JV-1010. This obvious insult to UI design combined classic ROMpler tones of the 90s with a workflow so abysmal it helped pave the way for the DAW revolution - and things only went downhill from there.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:10 Overview Roland JV1010
01:38 Front Panel Controls
02:19 Roland JV2080 Heritage, Expansions
02:49 General Midi
02:59 Synth Architecture, Filter, XMOD
03:19 Software Editor, Midi Control
03:39 Available Software Options
03:58 Multi FX Unit, Multitimbrality
04:28 Patches
05:05 What else? (Connectivity, Pricing,...)
05:24 H*te Screen
05:51 Jam 1 ( Cheesy Techno )
06:43 Jam 2 ( Cheesy Electro )
07:46 Finale ( Cheesy Synthwave )
08:18 VERDICT"

"How to Orchid" by Telepathic Instruments

video upload by Telepathic Instruments

Featuring Matt Berry and Jemaine Clement.

"Ever wondered how to Orchid? Neither had Matt.

Orchid ships worldwide October 10, 2025.

https://telepathicinstruments.com
@telepathic.instruments

STARRING
MATT BERRY 
JEMAINE CLEMENT

WITH
Porcelain Dog
Gloved Hand
Multiple Synths

DIRECTED BY
Thomas Dunphy

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Sophie Lawrence Parker

CLICK FOR MORE »

Bad Gear - JUST SAY NO!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Staying away from Eurorack feels - at least in my case - like trying to stay healthy as a sommelier who likes to go on 72h benders in his spare time.

Today we are going to talk about MiniBrute 2s. This keyboardless successor to the original MiniBrute and hotchpotch of controversially discussed Arturia technology comes with JUST the right amount of non-modular synth facilities to make it interesting to “normal” people while - at the same time - opening the unholy floodgates to Eurorack hell. Just say no!!!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:58 Overview MiniBrute 2 s
01:16 Minibrute 2s vs. MiniBrute 2
01:40 Oscillators
02:32 Filter Section
02:55 Brute Factor
03:09 Is MiniBrute 2s fully analog???
03:17 LFOs, Envelopes
03:35 Sequencer , Aftertouch
04:38 Deep Sequencing Features
05:02 Arpeggiator
05:08 What else ( Form Factor, Connectivity, Pricing, Thanks)
05:54 H*te Screen
06:20 Jam 1 ( Fast Techno )
07:11 Jam 2 ( Crude Synthwave )
08:25 Finale ( Raw Electro )
08:58 VERDICT
10:08 Patreon Shoutout ( Elektron Tonverk )
08:58 Verdict"

Bad Gear - It's RAW!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-h*ted audio tools. THIS - is not the successor to the Octatrack we wanted!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:26 Overview Tonewerk (Rant No. 1)
01:15 End of Rant No. 1 , Engines
01:53 Rant No. 2 , What it can't do...
02:08 Filters, Envelopes, LFOs
02:31 The New FX , Inserts , Sends
03:15 Busses
03:31 Leave a Comment if you can explain Supertracks!!!
03:35 Sequencer , Keyboard , Step Edit Mode , Microtiming
04:29 New Workflow Stuff (Transposition, Transform, Perform)
05:05 Arpeggiator, Chords, Scales
05:24 What else??? (Connectivity, Rant No. 3 , Form Factor, Pricing)
05:48 H*te Screen
06:13 Jam 1 ( Post-Modern Dubstep )
07:16 Jam 2 ( Post-Modern Boom Bap )
08:20 Finale ( Post-Modern Epic Techno )
08:50 Verdict"

The Original Prodigy Keyboard

video upload by AudioPilz

"The Original Prodigy Keyboard

Hey everybody, in this video we are going to talk about the Original The Prodigy Keyboard, the Roland W30. This 1989 sampling workstation was the backbone of Liam Howlett’s setup both live and in the studio and we will take a look at its archaic workflows, the ways it was used by the master himself, we will try to make some music and find out that making beats was not for the faint of heart in the 90s.

00:00 Introduction
00:26 Why did Liam Howlett use the Roland W-30
00:58 What is the Roland W-30
01:54 Floppy Disks , Memory
02:40 The Sampling Workflow
04:17 How it was used in 90s Electronic Music
05:00 WTF? (Limitations, Sequencer )
05:48 Early The Prodigy Setups ( TR-909 , TB-303 ,...)
07:16 No Multitrack
07:56 Recreation of an early The Prodigy Studio Setup
08:41 Live Jam
09:13 Outro
10:06 Wanna use a W-30? Watch these Videos!"

Bad Gear - Why did they do this???

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-h*ted audio tools. In a time before Volcas, the Clone Wars and Moog becoming just another specimen in InMusic’s butterfly collection the granddaddy of synth brands brought an instrument to the market that can be considered the blueprint for the music tech landscape to come.

Today we are going to talk about Minitaur. This 2012 analog mono synth and domesticated modern take on the iconic Taurus bass foot pedals of 70s prog rock fame not only comes with the pitch range of a Bob Dylan harmonica solo, it will also keep you glued to your computer screen like their CPU-munching Mariana plugin. Why did they do this?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:03 Overview Mini Taur
01:40 The Taurus Legacy, Oscillators
02:19 The Dealbreaker, Moog Sirin
02:56 Ladder Filter
03:24 LFO, Envelopes
03:50 Minitaur App / Editor Software
04:10 Preset Management
04:23 What else? (Connectivity, Thanks, Pricing)
04:42 H*te Screen
05:11 Jam 1 ( Electronica )
05:59 Jam 2 ( Chill Electronica )
07:04 Finale ( Techno Electronica )
07:34 Verdict"

Weather is FAR TOO NICE for GEAR

video upload by AudioPilz

"Hey everybody, it is August 2025 and the weather here in Vienna is far too nice for gear. However, you wouldn’t be watching videos of me chilling at the local beer garden so I combined a few electronic musical instruments to three different setups for every budget and took them to some of my favorite places around here where there is no power outlet in sight.

The rules are simple: no iPads, no laptops and - most importantly - the setups need to be operable independent from the power grid. Diesel generators and solar cells aside, there are basically three ways to do that and I dedicated a setup to each of these methods.

00:00 Introduction and Beer Garden
00:22 The Rooftop (Rules)
00:39 Setup 1: The Double A
02:06 The Island
03:01 Setup 2: Planned Obsolescence
03:58 The Forest
04:56 Setup 3: The Power Bank
05:54 The Castle
06:45 Outro and Beer Garden 2
07:06 Patreon Shoutout ( Polyend Synth )
08:40 2004 ( Korg Volca Sample 2 )

CLICK FOR MORE »

Bad Gear - The One He FORGOT About

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-h*ted audio tools. Depending on whom you ask, we are either living in the golden age of music technology OR a dystopian hellscape in which true creativity is replaced with unabated consumerism. The answer is of course: YES!!!

Today we are going to talk about Synth and it might be a sign of the times that I completely forgot about receiving it as a long term loan from Polyend around 6 months ago.


Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:47 Overview Polyend Synth
01:39 Synth Engines
02:54 Presets
03:07 Filters
03:17 Synth Architectures, LFOs, Envs, Midi, Mod Matrix
03:48 FX Section
03:56 Multitimbrality, Polyphony, CPU Consumption
04:31 Arpeggiator, Sequencer
04:57 What else? (Build Quality, Connectivity, Pricing,...)
05:19 H*te Screen
05:40 Jam 1 ( Epic Techno )
06:29 Jam 2 ( Whateverwave )
07:31 Finale ( Old School Trance )
07:58 Verdict"

Bad Gear - Too Expensive to feel SO CHEAP

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. The analog tones of Roland’s SH-101 have been a staple in electronic music production since the 80s.

However, those who didn’t buy the dip in the 90s will have to make do with oversized fridge magnets, Uli’s homage to plastic, blasphemous plugins or - in this case - Donner’s brand-new L1 which has no reason to be that expensive while feeling so cheap.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:48 Overview Donner L1
01:29 Oscillator Section
01:59 Filter Section
02:14 Envelopes, Drone, Gate
02:44 LFO, Analog FM
02:59 Sequencer
03:20 Menus, Screen
03:35 Digital Bleed from the Screen
03:56 The Detachable Keyboard and its Limitations
04:07 Connectivity (or lack thereof)
04:17 Midi, Arpeggiator
04:42 What else? (Many weird Flaws,...)
05:12 H*te Screen
05:40 Jam 1 ( Techno )
06:26 Jam 2 ( Elektro )
07:31 Finale ( Techno - All Sounds including Drums )
08:00 Verdict"

Synthorama - Synthesizer Museum in Switzerland - the place to be!

video upload by Jürgen Moßgraber

"During our holidays in Switzerland I had the opportunity to visit Synthorama a must see synthesizer museum located in Luterbach. Many rare synthesizers ready to play!"

See the Synthorama labels below for additional posts including some from my own visit.

Bad Gear - 80s are for NERDS!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. The 80s are oftentimes associated with Hollywood-worthy heroism, impeccable style and epic synth music that aged great - as long as it was played on instruments designed in the 70s.

Today, however, we are going to talk about K4. This digital synth , Kawai’s answer to Roland’s answer to Yamaha’s DX7 and more upscale successor to the K1 demonstrates impressively that the 80s were - first and foremost - VERY, VERY nerdy.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:54 Overview Kawai K4 Synth
01:49 Oscillators, Waves
02:36 Drum Kit
02:47 Synth Architecture, Pitch Envelope, Ring Mod
03:14 Filter Section, Envs, LFOs
03:41 FX Section
03:54 Differences Keyboard vs. Rack Version
04:05 Sound Examples
04:43 Multitimbrality
04:56 Workflow, Pricing, Technical Background
05:25 H*te Screen
05:54 Jam 1 ( Nerd House )
06:47 Jam 2 ( Nerd Elektro )
08:53 Finale ( Nerd Techno )
08:17 Verdict"

Bad Gear - WHAT??? I actually have to PLAY IT???

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Elektron sequencers are the prime excuse for aging synth hipsters with weird accents to completely neglect any attempt to get good at playing keyboards.

However, today we are going to talk about the 2013 Analog Keys and although it might be the only keyboard instrument from Elektron’s product portfolio history that doesn’t lead to immediate design-induced retina burn, the keys is NOT the problem here.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:50 Overview AnalogKeys
01:33 Structure, Similarities to AnalogFour
01:59 CV/Gate and Midi Track (for e.g. Eurorack )
02:07 Oscillators, DCOs
03:17 Filter Section
03:33 Envelopes, LFOs
04:00 Oscillator Drift, Resonance Boost, Effects
04:12 Limitations, Challenges
04:25 Sequencer, Song Mode
04:45 Data Structure, Sound Pool
05:29 Multi Map
05:48 EVEN MORE Features, Arpeggiator
06:01 What else? (Workflow, Pricing, Thanks,...)
06:29 H*te Screen
06:53 Jam 1 ( Techno )
07:46 Jam 2 ( Elektro )
08:50 Finale ( Strange Dub Techno )
09:20 Verdict"

Bad Gear - At least it's FREE!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Mom, can we have Serum? No, there’s Serum at home! At home…

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:27 Overview VITAL
00:39 VITAL vs. SERUM
01:01 Things it doesn't have, Wavetables
01:43 Wavetable Editor, Text to Wavetable, Noise
02:05 Filters
02:42 Modulators, Midi, MPE
03:27 Mod Matrix, FX Section
03:48 What else? ( CPU Consumption , "Pricing",...)
04:31 H*te Screen
05:04 Jam 1 ( Epic EDM )
06:00 Jam 2 ( Electro )
06:56 Finale ( Drum'n'Bass )
07:29 Verdict
08:42 Patreon Shoutout"