The End of Lofi (Bad Gear - SP-404 MK2)

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 SP-404 MK2. Is this creative sampler, successor to the Boss SP-303 used by famous artists like J Dilla and Madlib and competitor to modern groovebox es like the Elektron Digitakt or Akai MPC ONE the end of lofi?"

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:01 Overview Roland SP-404 MKII
01:14 Classic Boss SP Workflow
01:46 Sequencer, TR Mode
02:15 Resampling
02:28 Additional Features
02:51 Display, Waveform Editing, More Features
03:15 Skip Back
03:22 Sequencer Features, DJ Mode
03:33 FX Section, Vinyl Effect
03:53 More FX, Input FX
04:20 Specs, SD Card, Limitations
05:03 What Else??? (Pricing, Custom Skins)
05:13 Hate
05:35 Jam 1 (Lofi House)
06:32 Jam 2 (Lofi RnB)
07:31 Finale (Lofi Jungle)
08:01 Verdict

When you’re pure evil but you need love too

video upload by Jay Diggs Music

See the Halloween label below for more synth-o-ween goodness.

Roland GAIA 2 (Bad Gear)

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 GAIA 2. Is this virtual analog and wavetable synth, successor to the controversial Roland Gaia SH-01 and Korg Minilogue lookalike truly bad or just mediocre? Are The Horrors of Mediocrity of the Roland Gaia 2023 enough for a Halloween episode?"

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:53 Overview Roland GAIA2
01:29 Wavetable Oscillator, Phase & Shape Modulation
02:00 VA Oscillators
02:22 Filter, Tone Knob
02:37 LFO Routing, Lack of Mod Matrix
02:47 XMOD, Ring Modulation, Sync
03:01 Amp & Filter Envelopes
03:08 Menu Diving, UI, Oscillator Envelope
03:36 FX Section
04:05 Patches
04:28 Models (or lack thereof), SH-101 Emulation
04:48 Motional Pad
05:10 Sequencer, Chord, Arpeggiator
05:23 What else??? (Integration, Build Quality, Pricing, Thanks)
05:48 Hate
06:10 Jam 1 (Electro)
07:04 Jam 2 (80s Stuff)
08:06 Finale (Danceable 80s Stuff)
08:36 Verdict
09:35 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout

NPC ONE (Bad Gear)

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 Akai MPC ONE. Is this groovebox, music production platform and successor to legendary instruments like the Akai MPC 60 and MPC 2000 and sibling to the more upscale models Akai MPC Live and Akai MPC X on par with its competitors like the Elektron Octatrack and even software solutions like Ableton Live or FL Studio? Is it NPC ONE???"

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:55 Overview MPC ONE
01:57 Is it still a real MPC??? (Old School Workflow)
02:09 Sampling
02:16 Ratchets
02:20 Keygroups
02:28 MPC Structure (Sequences, Tracks, Instruments)
02:50 Midi Out, CV, Audiotracks, Timestretching, Looper
03:09 AutoSampling
03:14 Software Instruments, Limitations
04:02 Midi, Arpeggiator, Step Sequencer, Piano Roll
04:31 Many, many Windows... (Tracks, Mixer, FX)
04:53 More Limitations
05:10 Differences to other MPCs
05:22 What else??? (Pricing, Thanks)
05:41 Hate
06:04 Jam 1 (Dytopian Beat)
07:02 Jam 2 (Hardware House)
08:08 Finale (Rave'n'Roll)
08:40 Verdict

Bad Gear - Mother-32

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 Moog Mother-32. Is this semi-modular synth and ultimate gateway drug into the world of Eurorack really Bad Gear-worthy or am I just trying to find a way to make my post inMusic takeover purchase tax deductible? Is it really a one-of-a-kind analog synthesizer or should you get the Behringer Crave or Behringer Model D?"

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:56 Overview Bad Gear - Mother-32
01:26 Oscillator
01:47 LFO
02:04 Ladder Filter
02:18 High Pass Mode and Workarounds, Self-Oscillation
02:42 Envelope
02:53 Architecture, Patches, Routings
03:29 Midi, Sequencer, Ratchets
03:55 Integration into Modular Setups
04:20 What else??? (Build Quality, Pricing)
04:34 Hate
04:59 Jam 1 (Techno)
05:48 Jam 2 (Ambient with Drums)
06:45 Finale (More Techno)
07:17 Verdict

Bad Gear - It's really Bad?

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 SH-4d. Is this groovebox and multitimbral synthesizer based on subtractive synthesis, wavetable, FM synthesis, ring modulation and vintage synths like the Roland SH-101 or Roland Juno-106 the missing link between synth and drum machine. Can it keep up with competitors like the Elektron Syntakt or Teenage Engineering OP-1? Does it play in the same league like the new Roland Jupiter-X or even its conceptual predecessor, the Roland SH-32? It's really Bad?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:59 Overview Roland SH4d
02:15 Synth Engines, 4D, Fat, 3D, Sync
02:47 Vintage Emulations (Roland SH101, Roland Juno106)
02:56 FM/Cross Mod, Ring Mod, Wavetables, Chord, Draw
03:18 Sample Player & Limitations
03:30 Filter, Envelopes, LFO
03:46 Drum Section
04:08 Tone Parameters (Analog Feel,...), Mod Matrix
04:26 FX (EQ, Reverb, Delay, Modulation, Multi FX)
04:48 Groovebox Functionality, Sequencer
05:12 Arpeggiator, D-Motion, Visual Arpeggiator
05:45 Limitations (many, many Limitations)
06:27 What Else??? (Features, Pricing, Thanks)
06:52 Hate
07:17 Jam 1 (Tech House)
08:17 Jam 2 (Downtempo)
09:20 Finale (Epic Synthwave)
09:50 Verdict"

Bad Gear - SERUM

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 SERUM. Is this cpu hungry software synth released by Steve Duda s company XFER the industry standard for wavetable synthesizer s, dubstep wubs & wobbles, EDM synth donks or are there better alternatives out there when it comes to modern VST instrument s. Is it too hard-sounding for analog synthesizer aficionados? Can it keep up with its competitors Phase Plant or Vital?"

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:45 Overview XFER SERUM
01:29 Wavetable Oscillators
01:57 Wavetable Editor
02:10 Wavetable Warp (Sync, FM, Stretch)
02:27 Unison
02:32 Sub Oscillator, Noise (Samples)
02:43 Filter Section
03:06 Envelopes (Drums)
03:11 LFO Section (Dubstep Sounds)
03:23 FX Section
03:32 Mod Matrix (Drag & Drop Modulations)
03:52 Modulation Sources (MPE, Macros, Chaos Generator)
04:05 Patches
04:32 CPU consumption, Limitations
04:51 Where does SERUM come from? Pricing, Alternatives
05:20 Hate
05:45 Jam 1 (Analog Techno)
06:40 Jam 2 (Outboard Industrial)
07:38 Finale (Hard Psytrance)
08:06 Verdict
09:13 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout (Ableton Live Vocoder x SERUM)

Bad Gear - The 90s called...

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 Korg Electribe EM-1 Music Production Station. Can this all-in-one music production tool from the year 2001 give us the sound of the 90s??? Is it on par with its more famous sibling, the Korg Electribe ER-1 rhythm synthesizer and can it keep up with contemporary grooveboxes like the Korg Electribe 2, Akai MPC One, Roland MC-101, Elektron Digitakt or Teenage Engineering OP-1??? The 90s called... they want their crunchy lofi samples back."

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:54 Overview Korg Electribe EM1
01:43 Drum & Synth Voices
02:02 Samples
02:21 Differences to the Korg Electribe ES-1
02:28 Sound Design Facilities (AD Env, Filter, Drive)
03:02 FX Section, Delay
03:28 Sequencer, Drum- & Synth Modes
03:44 Additional Features (Roll, Transpose, Accent)
03:58 Motion Recording
04:07 Limitations, What else??? Pricing
04:55 Hate
05:18 Jam 1 (Drum&Bass)
06:14 Jam 2 (LoFi House)
07:09 Finale (Techno)
08:42 Verdict

Bad Gear - Roland MC-101

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 MC-101 Groovebox. Is this youngest member of the Roland Groovebox family and little sibling of the Roland MC-707 on par with competitors like the Teenage Engineering OP-1, Elektron Digitakt or Korg Electribe?"


Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:04 Overview Roland MC101
01:45 Engines (Drums, Drums+Comp, Tone, Looper)
02:03 Sounds, Presets, Patches
02:35 UI, Filter, Partial Editor, Unison
03:27 Clip Matrix, Sequencer, Workflow,
03:52 Polymeters, Substeps, Probability, Motion Recording
04:13 Effects Section (Reverb, Delay, Multi FX), Scatter
04:43 Sample Management, Time Stretch
05:05 Sampling (or lack thereof)
05:18 What else??? Pricing, Thanks!!!
05:53 Hate
06:16 Jam 1 (Tech House)
07:12 Jam 2 (Boom Bap)
08:10 Finale (80s on Steroids)
08:42 Verdict

Synthesizer for $10?! Why The World's Cheapest Keyboard Is Better Than Others - DENN DEK37 Review.

video upload by LFOstore

"Introducing the DENN DEK37 mini duophonic keyboard, the world's cheapest sound extraction device. The device has 37 keys, 8 tones, 8 rhythms and 8 separate sounds. During the second week of operation, the right audio speaker failed; the buttons and keys are still working properly."

Bad Gear - cre8audio West Pest

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 cre8audio West Pest. Is this affordable semi modular analog synthesizer and hommage to Don Buchla 's West Coast synthesis The Pest? Can it keep up with competitors like the Korg Volca Modular, is it worth it without adding even more Eurorack modules and can it create the strange sounds of the antithesis to Bob Moog 's East Coast synthesis? Should I get the cre8audio East Beast instead?"

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:52 Overview cre8audio West Pest
01:36 Oscillator
01:53 FM
02:03 Wave Folder
02:23 Dynamics Controller (Buchla Low Pass Gate)
02:48 LFO
03:02 Arpeggiator, Sequencer, Midi
04:00 UI Quirks and Limitations, Multi-Function Modulation Generator
04:25 4 Bit "Display"
04:35 What else??? Pricing, Thanks
05:02 Hate
05:27 Jam 1 (Techno)
06:16 Jam 2 (More Techno)
07:18 Finale (Drum'n'Bass)
07:50 Verdict

BASTL Made Him Do This

video upload by Red Means Recording

"I can't stop thinking about Bowser."

00:00 intro
02:03 delay panel walkthrough
07:30 delay for rhythmic interest
10:10 delay on percussion
13:02 delay as a voice
16:13 terrible lizard

Habanera by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..."

Bad Gear - Tracker Mini

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 Polyend Tracker Mini. Does this successor to the original Tracker and compact sampler, sequencer, groovebox and dawless centerpiece with its gameboy controls and compact form factor even make sense or is it another hipster toy with its field recording features? Is it the "Tracker Field" as Teenage Engineering might have called it?

Thanks to Polyend for sending me a demo unit as a long term loan.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:00 Overview Tracker Mini, Original Tracker vs. Mini
01:31 Built-in Microphone, Internal Battery, Stereo Sampling
01:46 Tracker Workflow #1
02:18 Sequencer Features
02:34 Tracker Workflow #2 (Step Jump, Fill, Scales, Euclidean, Random)
03:23 Synth Features (Filter, Overdrive, Bitcrush, Modulators)
03:44 Sample Playback Modes (Slicing, Wavetable, Granular)
04:08 FX (Reverb, Delay, Master Bus FX)
04:22 Mixer, Performance Mode
04:35 Non-realtime FX (Sample Editor)
04:44 Instruments
04:50 Micro SD Card, Loading Times, Additional Features
05:02 Playing Nintendo NES Games
05:12 What else??? (Connectivitiy, Build Quality, Pricing)
05:34 Hate
05:58 Jam 1 (Walk in the Forest)
06:49 Jam 2 (Bedroom Studio Setup)
07:46 Finale (Foley Artist Techno)
08:16 Verdict"

Make Noise Introduces 7U 4 Zone CV Bus Case

Zones of Power video upload by MAKEN0ISE

"'A decade has passed. The synthesists of the world have developed an insatiable hunger... for power! And we are going to give it to them!'

ZONES OF POWER chronicles the development and features of the Make Noise 4 Zone CV Bus Case.

Our 104hp x 7U 4 Zone CV Bus Case arrives ready to use. Just add modules, patch cables and inspiration. The powder coated metal construction offers excellent mechanical durability. The lid is removable and can be closed with the system fully patched. The sleek matte black finish was selected to match our line of Black & Gold modules, and it looks great with just about any module installed. This finish will show the story of your modular synth's travels over the years.

The Make Noise 4 Zone Power Bus Board is a new approach to accommodating the ever growing universe of Eurorack modules. The multi-zone solution is like having 4 independent bus boards in a convenient single bus board package. Each Zone features isolated +12 VDC and -12VDC supplies and a dedicated ground return path. The +5VDC supply is shared amongst all 4 zones.

For more information visit https://www.makenoisemusic.com/cases/..."

And the press release:



Make Noise is proud to announce our new 208hp 7U 4 Zone CV Bus Case! It arrives ready to use. Just add modules, patch cables and inspiration.

The powder coated metal construction offers excellent mechanical durability. The lid is removable and can be closed with the system fully patched. The sleek matte black finish was selected to match our line of Black & Gold modules, and it looks great with just about any module installed. This finish will show the story of your modular synth's travels over the years.

The Make Noise 4 Zone Power Bus Board is a new approach to accommodating the ever growing universe of Eurorack modules. The multi-zone solution is like having 4 independent bus boards in a convenient single bus board package. Each Zone features isolated +12 VDC and -12VDC supplies and a dedicated ground return path. The +5VDC supply is shared amongst all 4 zones.

This new version of the CV Bus also includes useful modular utilities:

The Voltage Math is found at the left end of the CV Bus. Like the similar circuit on the 0-Coast, it is a small collection of universally useful modular utilities. The two inputs are summed at the output, one at unity and one adjusted by the input attenu-verter. The attenuverted input is also normalled to a DC offset, for purposes of level shifting, voltage mirroring etc. The output strength and polarity is indicated by the Green and Red output LEDs.

A high quality Stereo Line Driver converts powerful modular synthesizer signal levels to the commonly used Line Level. There are mini-jack inputs for Left or Mono, and Right for Stereo sound, a single master volume control, as well as a stereo line output pair, and finally a TRS line/headphone out on a single jack. This output is capable of driving a long cable out to a PA System or a set of Headphones. It is AC coupled with a built-in limiting circuit (with visual indication) that prevents damage to ears and PA system when the patching gets experimental.

Total HP: 208 @ 3U, 104 @ 1U
Power: +12VDC @ 4A, -12VDC @ 2.4A and +5VDC @ 1A

For more information, head to our website.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Bad Gear - Roland Boutique SH-O1A

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 Boutique SH-01A. Is this digital synth clone of the iconic Roland SH-101 analog synthesizer still up to the job or is it surpassed by the Behringer MS-1 or the even more compact Roland Aira Compact S-1?"

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:00 Overview Roland Boutique SH-O1A
01:47 Oscillator
02:18 Filter, Aliasing
02:35 Envelope, LFO, FM
02:50 Polyphonic Modes (Chord, Unison)
03:18 Arpeggiator, Sequencer
03:36 Limitations, Classic Sounds
04:03 What else??? Pricing, Thanks!!!
04:45 Hate
05:10 Jam 1 (Funky Bassline)
06:00 Jam 2 (80s Poly Synth)
07:03 Finale (Dark Techno)
07:33 Verdict

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!"