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"

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"

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"

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"

Bad Gear - Why did I BUY THIS???

video upload by AudioPilz

[Side Note: The main reason to get a DX200 is for how the knobs are mapped to multiple parameters. Each FM synth maps their controllers differently. You can morph sound in ways you can't easily with other FM synths. The DX200 makes for some intersting Buchla-esque sound morphing and exploration. The groovebox rhythm section is just a distraction, but neverless a tool if you choose to use it.]

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. As a professional music technology clown I have become immune to gear acquisition syndrome, all my purchases are meticulously planned out, based on quantifiable parameters like resale value, repairability and actual utility in music production.

However, today we are going to talk about the 2001 Yamaha DX200, an overpriced contraption notorious for its questionable build quality, sonically surpassed by freeware plugins and riddled with more UI limitations than a Volca. Why did I buy this?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:59 Overview DX200
01:29 Yamaha DX200 vs. Elektron Digitone, DX7 Patches
01:52 Front Panel UI
02:54 A DX7 with a Filter ???
03:12 FX Section, Distortion
03:26 Scenes
03:47 Software Editors
03:57 Sample Player, AWM Engine
04:27 Groovebox Functionality
05:09 Free EG (Automation)
05:35 Build Quality Issues, Workflow Quirks
06:12 DX200 vs. AN200 , Pricing
06:28 H*te Screen
06:56 Jam 1 ( Microhouse )
07:51 Jam 2 ( DnB )
08:53 Finale ( FM Organ Funk )
09:21 Verdict"

Bad Gear - The Monster

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-h*ted audio tools. Arturia doesn’t get enough credit for creating what is probably THE most relevant analog poly of the 21st Century, the Arturia Polybrute .

Today, however, we are going to talk about its similarly oversized, far less universally acclaimed and much more archaic cousin, the 2017 Matrixbrute WHICH didn't age so well.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:44 Overview Matrix Brute
01:17 Oscillator Section
01:57 Filter Section ( Steiner-Parker & Moog Filter )
02:47 Oscillator Bleed, additional Filter Features
03:17 Envelopes, LFOs
03:29 Analog FX Section
03:54 Modulation Matrix
04:46 Preset Selection, Sequencer, Arpeggiator
05:18 What else? (Connectivity, Pricing, MatrixBrute Noir , Thanks)
06:02 H*te Screen
06:25 Jam 1 ( Techno )
07:21 Jam 2 ( Industrial )
08:23 Finale ( Fast Techno )
08:51 Verdict
09:59 Bloopers
10:21 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout"

Bad Gear - OverPriced-1

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. In light of recent events we are going to talk about OP-1 Field.

While other manufacturers either “pass on savings from process optimization” or relentlessly jack up prices once people are actually buying their music making toys, our favorite interior design company/copyright agency/nepo baby cult just flexed their monstrous marketing muscle and - did both at the same time.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:50 Overview Teenage Engineering OP1
01:09 Choose your Price ( $ 1399 or $ 9999 )
01:45 Teenage Engineering OP-1 vs. OP-1 Field
02:13 The Synth
02:36 Drum Sampler / Drum Synth
02:45 How to play the OP-1 Field ( Sequencers )
03:30 LFO
03:37 Tape Machines , Upgrade to 32 Bit Stereo
04:14 New Reverb
04:20 Mixer, Master FX, Output Options ( Radio Transmitter , Bluetooth )
04:51 Build Quality , Thanks
05:03 Hate Screen
05:28 Jam 1 ( PostModern Jam )
06:25 Jam 2 ( Analog Drums Jam )
07:35 Finale ( LoFi 2-Step )
08:05 Verdict"

Bad Gear - Expensive and Noisy

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Although this channel is often associated with enervating noise , my work environment is so calm I can tune a vintage synth to my tinnitus and I stick to low mixing volumes to avoid ear fatigue.

However, a few days back I received this Audio Motor Synth MKII directly from Gamechanger as a long term loan and believe me - the peace and quiet is gone.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:48 Overview Motorsynth MK2
01:04 Historical Background and Technical Principle
02:05 DCO (or whatever this thing is)
02:25 Filters, Drive
02:49 Modulators
03:02 Accelerator & Break
03:23 Drift, Detune, Cross Mod
03:41 Clutch
03:52 Latch, Arpeggiator
04:14 Sequencer
04:44 Input Section
05:04 More Noise and Sleep Mode
05:12 Power Consumption, Pricing, Connectivity
05:24 Hate Screen
05:53 Jam 1 ( Cinematic Sounds )
06:47 Jam 2 ( Hard Techno )
07:52 Finale ( Expensive Sounds )
08:22 Verdict
09:25 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout

Was this the WORST PURCHASE ever???

video upload by AudioPilz

"A few years back I reviewed what was probably the most underwhelming piece of gear at the time - the original Arturia Drumbrute. This 2016 drum machine seemed like a dream come true: fully analog, great sequencer, one-knob-per-function UI and a design that pleases the eye of normal people and satisfies the basic instincts of synth nerds.

The problem with this instrument: it sounded almost comically bad and might be the only Bad Gear protagonist I didn’t make any real music with.

Although I sent it back after reviewing it, this cursed drum machine kept on haunting me and when I found one on Reverb for the price of a Volca I might have been hovering over the BUY button a little too hard. Was this the worst purchase ever?

00:00 Introduction
00:53 The underwhelming Sounds of the Drum Brute
02:24 Filter, Outputs
02:50 Sequencer, Step Repeat ( Fills ), Midi Control Center
03:33 Analysing the Drum Sounds
05:54 Jam without Effects
06:38 My attempt to make the DrumBrute sound decent
07:41 Jam with Effects
08:12 Outro"

Bad Gear - Multi/Poly

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. When taken out of historical context it might currently seem like a bunch of big companies are stealing the ideas of a Swiss/German/Chinese innovator and trying to amateurishly emulate them in digital form to make a quick buck.

Today we are going to talk about Korg multi/poly. This virtual analog synth and Raspberry Pi in disguise asking you politely to take it out of its misery not only looks like an AI-generated picture-to-CAD rendering conversion process gone wrong, it also comes with more features than a marketing blurb can handle.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:59 Overview Korg Multi Poly
01:44 Keyboard Version
01:58 Classic Oscillators ( VA Synth )
02:17 Wavetables
02:37 Waves Folding Oscillator
02:50 Mixer, Sync, XMod
03:10 Filter Section
03:40 VCA Emulations, Drive
03:51 Envelopes, LFOs
04:03 Mod Matrix, Mod Proc
04:18 FX Section
04:34 Layer Rotate , Arpeggiator
05:03 Controllers , Kaoss Pad , Motion Sequencing , Random
05:36 Software Editor , Korg Multi/Poly Native , Pricing
05:46 Hate Screen
06:07 Jam 1 ( Downtempo )
06:59 Jam 2 ( 140 Bpm Stuff )
08:02 Finale ( EBM meets Techno )
08:32 Verdict"

Bad Gear - SUBSEQUENT 25

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Around 10 years ago a company - that is of course identical to the inMusic-owned Moog brand we know today - released what is probably THE ideal synth keyboard for aging bald guys who really love techno.

Today, however, we are going to talk about Subsequent 25. This recently discontinued analog mono synth comes without all the features that made its bigger sibling usable for actual musicians which turns it into the dream instrument for financially reckless internet posers.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:55 Overview Moog Subsequent25
01:14 Oscillators
01:37 Moog Ladder Filter
02:13 Envelopes
02:28 LFO ( Difference Moog Subsequent 25 vs. Subsequent 37 )
03:02 Patch Memory
03:22 Hidden Features
03:59 Paraphony
04:15 More Differences between Subsequent 25 and Subsequent 37
04:29 Side Panel, Midi Implementation, Thanks
04:48 Hate Screen
05:12 Jam 1 ( Electro )
06:10 Jam 2 ( Epic Synth Sounds )
07:26 Finale ( Meta Meme Techno )
07:56 Verdict"

Bad Gear - SERUM for OLD PEOPLE

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. In times like these when normal people try to steer clear of questionable spending habits, true synth nerds are still stockpiling esoteric Eurorack modules, vintage restoration projects and overpriced VST plugins in a box.

Speaking of which, today we are going to talk about the Waldorf Iridium range. While young producers with an actual history of releasing music are currently benchmarking a Serum 2 torrent, these futurist top shelf instruments based on German technology seem to be the last missing piece in every middle-aged synthesist collection before their careers are destined to take off.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:03 Overview Waldorf Iridium Core
01:59 Iridium Core vs. Iridium Desktop vs. Iridium Keyboard
02:22 Wavetable Synth Engine
02:32 Virtual Analog Synth Engine
02:49 Particle ( Sampler , Granular Synth )
03:15 Resonator ( Physical Modeling Synth Engine )
03:26 Kernel ( FM , Modular )
04:05 Filters, Digiformer
04:43 FX Section
04:52 LFOs, Envelopes, Mod Matrix
05:20 Bitimbrality, Touch Screen, Buttons
05:53 Sequencers, Arpeggiator
06:05 Connectivity, Pricing
06:25 Hate Screen
06:51 Jam 1 ( Fast Techno )
07:43 Jam 2 ( Drum'n'Bass )
08:52 Finale ( Melodic Techno )
09:23 Verdict
10:34 Patreon Sound Design Shoutout"

Bad Gear - The END of Maschine+ ???

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Presumably I’m not the only one who made a handful of Native Instruments “backup copies” a core part of his personality back in the zero years so it goes without saying that my mid-forties self is yearning for an overpriced yet tangible take on these plugins for the sole purpose of reminding me of a time when all it needed was sleep deprivation and a PC from Aldi.

However, all we got was Maschine+. This 2020 standalone version of NIs software MPC ripoff ecosystem offers DAWless access to a small selection of these now-iconic plugins, it boasts the processing power of the aforementioned Aldi PC and will disappoint you with more broken promises when it comes to major updates than the GTA franchise.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:12 Overview Maschine+
01:21 How Standalone is Maschine+?
01:50 Current Update Situation ( April 2025 )
02:18 Included Instruments, VST Integration (or lack thereof)
03:10 Workflow, USB Midi
03:46 Ribbon Controller
03:59 NO TOUCHSCREENS!!! (and UI Concept)
04:22 Internal Structure, Hierarchy
05:08 Sampling , Sample Chopping , Autosampling
05:23 What else? (Pricing, CPU Consumption, Workflow Hacks,...)
05:53 Hate Screen
06:22 Jam 1 ( Techno )
06:49 Jam 2 ( Electro )
08:25 Finale ( Dubstep / Brostep )
08:53 Verdict"