Bad Gear - Roland JDXA

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 the Roland JD-XA hybrid synthesizer. Is this analog and digital flagship synthesizer fail the last analog Roland synthesizer and is the Roland JD XA worthy of the legacy of 80s classics like the Roland Jupiter-8?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:54 Overview Roland JDXA
02:06 Overall Structure, Synth Engines
02:56 Analog Oscillators
03:23 Envelopes, LFOs
03:29 Analog Filter Section
04:04 Analog/Digital Routings
04:10 Digital Supernatural Engine, Waveforms
04:39 Supernatural Structure
04:43 FX Section
04:48 Vocoder
05:01 Sequencer
05:18 Arpeggiator
05:25 Presets
05:49 What Else??? Pricing, Thanks
06:11 Hate
06:39 Jam 1 (Analog Bass)
07:34 Jam 2 (Digital Bass)
08:36 Finale (Worst of Both Worlds)
09:07 Verdict
10:08 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout"

Bad Gear - 1010music nanobox Fireball

video upload by AudioPilz

"Become a Patron and get access to music clips from the show, additional content, Bad Gear samples and even more AudioPilz madness

https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the 1010music nanobox Fireball wavetable synthesizer. Is this ultra-compact digital synthesizer just another lifestyle accessory or can it keep up with its big software counterparts like Serum VST? Is it a better choice than its granular (nanobox lemondrop) and FM drum machine siblings (nanobox razzmatazz). Is it too smol to be a performance synth???

Thanks to Tomeso for sending me this nanobox as a long term loan:
https://www.tomeso.de/

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:04 Overview Nanobox Fireball, Knobs, Touchscreen
01:59 Wavetable Oscillators
02:28 "Normal" Oscillator, PWM, Unison, Visualization
02:46 Envelopes, LFOs, Modulation Sequencer
03:05 Filter Section
03:16 FX Section (Modulation FX, Reverb, Delay, Compressor)
03:31 Card Reader (MicroSD), Wavetable Import, Recording
03:45 Performance Features (Grid Keyboard, X-Y Pad)
04:16 Presets
04:55 Limitations, Pricing, Thanks
05:25 Hate
05:48 Jam 1 (Drum'n'Bass)
06:42 Jam 2 (Electro)
07:39 Finale (Techno)
08:09 Verdict"

Bad Gear - Bass Station 2

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 Novation Bass Station 2. Has the immensely popular successor to the original Bass Station from the 90s become a classic in its own right for a reason? Should you get the AFX Station? That's no moog, it's a...

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:10 Overview Novation Bass Station II
01:44 DCO Section
02:13 Filter Section, Acid Mode
02:42 Envelopes, LFOs
02:57 Effects
03:15 Arpeggiator, SH-101 Style Sequencer
03:34 Updates, Additional Features (Paraphony,...)
04:19 AFX Mode (+ Aphex Twin Heresy)
04:48 What else??? (Compontents, UI, Pricing)
05:10 Hate
05:33 Jam 1 (Dirty Bass)
06:29 Jam 2 (Novation should give me Money - Jam)
07:31 Finale (Less Musically Challenging Music)
08:01 Verdict"

Bad Gear - Casio RZ1

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 the Casio RZ-1. Is this classic 80s drum machine and sampler the holy grail for nailing the vintage sound of early De La Soul (Three Feet High and Rising), Wu Tang Clan (The RZA), Daft Punk and the Chemical Brothers or is it just a corny lofi beats maker? Can it stand it's ground when compared to the Roland TR-707 or lofi sampler instruments like the Roland SP-202 or Roland SP-303?

Thanks to Levni for lending me this beautiful antique:
https://levni.bandcamp.com/

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:59 Overview Casio RZ1
01:25 Drum Sounds
01:54 Limitations
02:06 Faders
02:20 Multiple Outputs
02:34 Choke Groups
02:42 Sampling Functionality
03:15 Sampling Process (+ More Limitations)
03:33 Sequencer
04:06 Even More Limitations (the Big Ones)
04:11 Backups (SysEx, MT Port)
04:34 Pricing
04:43 History of the Instrument, Famous Users, Thanks
05:16 Hate
05:39 Jam 1 (Old School House)
06:32 Jam 2 (Old School Dub Techno)
07:32 Finale (Boom Bap x Downtempo)
08:04 Verdict"

"Lanky Nerd Reveals All" (about Midicake) 😲❗

video upload by midicake

"'The inside scoop. Midicake ARP maker, reveals the gritty details of ARP's journey from humble beginnings to MIDI Sequencer notoriety!'

I chat about ARP, why it exists and why it's my life now. :)

Just a bit of fun. Enjoy!"

Bad Gear - Roland V-Synth

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 Roland V-Synth. Does this highly misunderstood former Roland flagship synth deserve the online hate and why did it fail back in the time when it was released? Is it on par with other classics like the Roland Jupiter-8, Roland D-50 or Roland JP-8000?

Thanks to Mario Reithofer of TSAMM for this synth from his great collection:
https://www.tsamm.com/

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:55 Overview Roland V-Synth XT
01:34 Virtual Analog Oscillators (Juno, D-50, SuperSaw, HQ,...)
02:33 Ext. Input, PCM Waveforms (Samples)
02:53 VariPhrase (Elastic Audio)
03:25 Patch Modes (Ring Modulation, FM)
03:33 Filter, COSM FX (Waveshaper, Resonator,...)
03:57 Structure Modes, TVA (Amp), Multi FX
04:15 Multitimbrality, Arpeggiator, Modulation Sequencer, Virtual TTP
04:40 Presets
04:54 V-Cards (pre-installed on the XT): D-50, Vocal Designer
05:32 Limitations, Loading Times,...
05:54 V-Synth Range (Original, V-Synth XT, V-Synth GT)
06:11 Rear Panel, Pricing, Thanks!!!
06:21 Hate
06:47 Jam 1 (Bassline)
07:38 Jam 2 (Patch Overkill)
08:41 Finale (Techno Anthem)
09:11 Verdict
10:29 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout"

Bad Gear - Korg OpSix

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 Korg OpSix. Is this next level frequency modulation synthesizer with its faltered FM synthesis a Yamaha DX7 on steroids or is it just another Korg 'OopsSix' with its build quality issues and plasticy enclosure? Is it the best FM synth for beginners???"

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:11 Overview Roland Korg OpSix
01:45 UI Concept
02:13 Synth Engine & Algorithms
02:32 Operators
02:40 Complex Waveforms
03:03 Subtractive Operators with Filter
03:09 Filter FM
03:15 Ring Modulation
03:20 Waveshaper
03:25 Additional Parameters, Oscilloscope
03:34 More UI, Envelopes
03:43 V-Patch, Modulation Matrix
03:54 Filter, FX
04:07 Arpeggiator, Sequencer, Motion Recording, Limitations
04:30 Global Parameters
04:40 Multitimbrality (or lack thereof), Groovebox Features
05:01 What else??? (Random, Limitations, Pricing History, Thanks)
05:32 Hate
05:57 Jam 1 (Techno)
06:52 Jam 2 (Synthwave)
07:50 Finale (Progressive House)
08:20 Verdict

Bad Gear - Roland S-1

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 Roland Aira Compact S-1. I this super compact virtual analog synth inspired by the legendary Roland SH-101 and striking sonic similarities to the Roland Boutique SH-01A and Roland System-1 made for Bad Gear?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:59 Overview Roland S-1
01:39 ACB Synth Engine
02:13 Oscillator Section, PWM, Noise
02:27 Updated Oscillator Features, Draw, Chop
03:10 Filter Section, Self Oscillation
03:24 Envelope, LFO
03:37 D-Motion (The New D-Beam)
04:05 FX (Reverb, Delay, Chorus)
04:19 Polyphonic Sequencer, Motion Recording
04:35 Arpeggiator
04:42 Riser Functionality
04:52 What else??? (Shortcuts, Connectivity, Battery, Pricing)
05:18 Hate
05:45 Jam 1 (EDM Workout)
06:36 Jam 2 (Synth Funk)
07:39 Finale (Robot Dance)
08:10 Verdict"

The Wiggler II & The Truth about Super Booth 2023

video upload by AudioPilz

"Taken from the @AudioPilz @superboothberlin 2023 coverage:"

The Truth about Super Booth 2023

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to the AudioPilz SuperBooth 2023 special. Will it provide The Truth about Super Booth 2023 ??? Including Borat - like encounters with Tatsuya Takahashi of Korg Berlin, marketing-meetups in the Teenage Engineering bus, my failure of getting a Yamaha representative in front of the camera, my lost Elektron brother, we will find out about how Polyend deals with trolls, whether Arturia people actually like the Drumbrute, there's plenty of meme goodness and I will jam on all the synths that I'm otherwise not allowed to put on Bad Gear. Finally and most importantly: does Nick Batt of Sonic State know about all the memes about him?

@superboothberlin @sonicstate

00:00 Introduction
00:16 Bad Gear???
00:20 Teenage Engineering 1 (TE TP-7)
00:45 Nick Batt #1
01:01 Tatsuya Takahashi (Korg Berlin) #1
01:51 Nick Batt #2
01:57 Arturia #1
02:30 Nick Batt #3
02:36 Sinevibes x True Cuckoo, Bad Gear Intro Tune
02:54 Tatsuya Takahashi #2
03:01 Nord
03:16 Sorry for deleting the Elektron Footage 😔😔😔
03:25 The Teenage Engineering Bus Incident
04:00 Nick Batt #4
04:13 Arturia #2 (DrumBrute Discussion)
04:53 Polyend #1
05:01 Nick Batt #5
05:25 Sinevibes #2 (huh, huh, huh,...)
05:32 Waldorf Confessions
05:51 Wiggler V2 (Hainbach approves)
06:08 Tatsuya Takahashi #3
06:34 Novation
06:42 Polyend #2
06:49 Yamaha
06:55 Nick Batt #6
07:03 FL Studio
07:12 Jam Part 1 (Schmidt Synthesizer)
07:29 Jam Part 2 (UDO Super Gemini)
07:44 Jam Part 3 (Waldorf Quantum MK2)
07:59 Jam Part 4 (Oberheim OB-X8)
08:14 Jam Part 5 (Mayer EMI)
08:30 Nick Batt #7 (Outro)"

Clown Challenge #5: Circus Challenge (for Clownfest URL)

video upload by SynthAddict

"For the Clownfest URL.
Lots of clowny/circus samples including animals and wacky
sound FX. This went a very diff. direction than I planned...

only custom samples and Maschine+"

Bad Gear - Roland System-8

video upload by AudioPilz

"Become a Patron and get access to music clips from the show, additional content, Bad Gear samples and even more AudioPilz madness

https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about Roland System-8. Is this soon abandoned flagship synthesizer, little sibling of System-1, part of the Roland Aira range, virtual analog synth, Roland Cloud plugout host and overall eye-sore a future classic or just another expensive plastic toy? Is it worthy of the rich Roland Jupiter-8 and Roland Juno-106 legacy?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:58 Overview Roland System-8
01:35 System-8 vs. System-1
01:43 Native System-8 Engine, ACB Models
02:00 Main Oscillators (SuperSaw, PWM, FM, Cowbell)
02:37 Sub Oscillator, Noise, Sync, Ring Mod
03:00 Filter Section, Self-Oscillation, Filter Types
03:40 Modulators (Envelopes, LFO)
03:55 FX Section (Reverb, Delay, Modulation, Distortion)
04:15 Vocoder
04:26 One-knob-per-function UI
04:41 Vintage Emulations (Jupiter-8, Juno-106, JX-3P)
05:06 Roland Cloud, Boutiques, Polyphony
05:26 Condition, Polyphonic Sequencer, Parameter Automation
05:57 Arpeggiator, Multitimbrality, Performance Mode
06:22 What Else??? (Pricing, Thanks)
06:48 Hate
07:13 Jam 1 (Futuristic Bass)
08:04 Jam 2 (Vintage Drum'n'Bass)
09:02 Finale (Synth Rock)
09:31 Verdict"

synthesizer to put children to sleep sound demo

video upload by the VAPE

And a creepy AI generated album cover from the VAPE:

music for AI generated LP cover 1

Bad Gear - Oberheim Matrix-1000

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 Oberheim Matrix 1000. Is this 80s analog synth in the compact 19" rack format and little sibling of the Oberheim Matrix-6 on par with timeless classics like the Oberheim OB-X. Are you willing to enter the matrix of arcane sysex midi commands?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:58 Overview Oberheim Matrix-1000
01:14 Front Panel Controls (or lack thereof)
01:33 Presets
02:06 Programmability, Parameter Access
02:44 EPROM Update, Software Editors, Programmer
03:00 Synth Engine, DCOs
03:22 Filter Resonance
03:37 Filter FM
03:44 Modulators (ADSRs, LFOs, Tracking)
03:57 Modulation Matrix
04:09 Midi CC Control (or lack thereof)
04:26 What else??? Thanks!!!
05:04 Hate
05:28 Jam 1 (Downbeat)
06:21 Jam 2 (Analog Filter Workout)
07:17 Finale (80s Trancewave)
07:43 Verdict
08:39 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout"

Superbooth 2023: Theresyn - Theresyn - Les DiffYUseurs

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Nori Ubukata from Theresyn at Superbooth 2023 where he showcased his updated Therasyn instrument. The latest version has a more refined look than its predecessor with a different wood finish and is more aesthetically pleasing. The basic functionality of the Theresyn remains the same, however, some improvements have been made, such as the addition of pulse waves and the ability to choose the percentage of the pulse.

Theresyn's second model is Les DiffYUseurs, designed to simulate the sound system of an Ondes Martenot, it is a handcrafted instrument with a metal diffuser with two gong modes; one small and one larger gong, which have a different frequency response. The Diffuser also includes a reverb with tremolo effect that work together.

Les DiffYUseurs Price: €399,

Theresyn Price: €2,800.

https://theresyn.com/"

Bad Gear - Waldorf Pulse 2

video upload by AudioPilz

"Become a Patron and get access to music clips from the show, additional content, Bad Gear samples and even more AudioPilz madness

https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about Waldorf Pulse 2. Is this recently discontinued modern analog synth ticking all the boxes? Was it discontinued for a reason?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:02 Overview Waldorf Pulse 2
01:38 Oscillator Section (Sync, PWM, APW, X-Mod, Unison)
02:16 Paraphonic Mode
02:24 Oscillator 3 Shenanigans
02:39 Modulators (Loopable Envelopes, LFOs)
02:58 Arpeggiator
03:06 Filter (Sorry for the VERY long tweak)
03:32 Drive, Fuzz
03:46 Mod Section
03:58 Display Limitations
04:21 Patch Memory, Presets
04:50 Additional Features (Glide)
04:58 What Else??? Pricing
05:34 Hate
05:59 Jam 1 (Bass Meditation)
06:54 Jam 2 (Waldorf Party)
08:04 Finale (German Trance)
08:31 Verdict"

Bad Gear - Not the 80s

video upload by AudioPilz

"Become a Patron and get access to music clips from the show, additional content, Bad Gear samples and even more AudioPilz madness

https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Roland Boutique JX-08. Is this digital recreation of the classic Roland JX-8P from the 80s up to the job of creating classic vintage synth sounds? Is it not the 80s?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:00 Overview Roland JX-08
01:20 Synth Engine, ABM vs. ACB Technology
01:59 Oscillator Section, X-Mod, Sync, Unison
02:23 Filter Section, Filter Type Comparison, High Pass
03:05 UI vs. Stock vs. PG-800 Programmer, Modulators
03:23 Compatibility to the Original (or lack thereof)
03:49 Additional Features, FX Section
04:13 Clock in, Arpeggiator
04:20 Bitimbrality, Sequencer, Motion Recording
04:58 Polyphony
05:12 Does it sound like the original?
05:41 What else??? Pricing, Thanks,...
06:05 Hate
06:32 Jam 1 (80s Chord Progression)
07:32 Jam 2 (Synthwave)
08:20 Finale (Deep House)
08:50 Verdict"

Bad Gear - Pioneer Toraiz AS-1

video upload by AudioPilz

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:04 Overview Pioneer DJ Toraiz AS1
1:29 Oscillators
01:50 Filters
02:07 Modulators (Envelopes, LFO)
02:16 Prophet 6 Synth Engine, Menu Diving
02:31 Modulations, Touch Slider
02:52 FX Section
03:15 Sequencer (Menu Diving again)
03:40 Arpeggiator
03:51 Restart, Midi Clock, Timing Issues
04:13 Front Panel Design Quirks
04:24 Presets
04:50 Build Quality, Pricing, Thanks,...
05:05 Hate
05:29 Jam 1 (Bassline)
06:22 Jam 2 (Mellow Tones)
07:23 Finale (Proto Bass Music)
07:52 Verdict
08:59 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout

Make Noise SUPERBOOTH Promo

See you at Superbooth!

Make Noise will be at @Superbooth_Bln starting on Thursday, May 11th! Stop by our Zone and see what we've been working on!

Happy patching!#modular #modularsynth #eurorack #eurorackmodular #makenoise #superbooth pic.twitter.com/VgiDcSTM3T

— Make Noise (@makenoisemusic) April 27, 2023

Bad Gear - Elektron Syntakt

video upload by AudioPilz

"Become a Patron and get access to music clips from the show, additional content, Bad Gear samples and even more AudioPilz madness

https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about Elektron Syntakt. Is this member of the Elektron Dark Trinity just a rehash of recycled technologies taken from instruments like the Digitakt, Digitone, Model:Cycles, Octatrack, Analog Rytm and Analog Four? Does it provide real innovation?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:07 Overview Elektron Syntakt
01:27 Analog vs. Digital Voices
01:36 Analog Voices 1-3, Synth Functionality
02:15 Analog HiHats/Cymbals/Metallic Stuff
02:25 Analog Filter
02:36 Digital Engines (Drums, Claps, Percussion, FM, Chords)
03:07 Polyphony (or lack thereof)
03:15 Workarounds
03:32 Analog FX Block
03:46 LFOs, Envelopes
04:01 Reverb, Delay
04:06 Workflow, Philosophy
04:17 Probability, Parameter Locks, Retrigger, Fills
04:44 Song Mode, Unquantized Rec, Microtiming, Trigger Modifiers
05:04 UI, Lack of Velocity, Outputs, Overbridge
05:18 Midi
05:26 What else??? Pricing! Thanks!!!
05:56 Hate
06:23 Jam 1 (Downtempo)
07:19 Jam 2 (Hard Synthwave)
08:20 Finale (Tech House)
08:50 Verdict"

Bad Gear - Sonicware Liven XFM

video upload by AudioPilz

"Become a Patron and get access to full tracks from the show, additional content, the Bad Gear sound library and even more AudioPilz madness

https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about Sonicware Liven XFM. Is this 2022 FM groovebox able to compete with the big players in both, the groovebox game and field of FM synthesis like Elektron, Korg and Roland?

Thanks to Florian Oberhauser of Studio Deep Space 199 for sending me this XFM.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:07 Overview Liven XFM
01:36 FM Sound Generator, Presets
02:54 The Twist: X-LAB
03:15 XFORM
03:31 X-LFO
03:42 Sounds
03:56 Resonant Filter
04:14 Filter Envelope Presets and Filter Shapes, LFO
04:30 Polyphony, Sequencer
04:58 Program Locks
05:12 Voice Management, Arpeggiator, FX Section
05:38 UI Structure, Deep FM Editing
06:02 Shift/Func Operation, Build Quality
06:15 What else??? Pricing, Thanks
06:31 Hate
06:56 Jam 1 (Groovebox Solo)
07:55 Jam 2 (DAWless setup)
08:48 Finale (Sega Genesis Electropop)
09:15 Verdict"