วีดีโอ

The negative aspects were hard to listen to I'm sorry you had to experience that. The piss whiskey is so vile and evil. Someone asked why autism and transness appear together snd i feel like when you can step out of societal norms you can start to see how artificial it is. Its like being aboe to do kung fu once you realize you're in the matrix.

How do you handle all the assigns for the programs that aren't installable?

I found it odd that he was criticising some synths that have complex analogue components and sturdy built instruments that are not cheap to produce unless you're a huge company like Behringer, and after labelling them as scam products because they demand a higher price (ok there are some that are too expensive imo), recommends the Hydrasynth which is a great synth, but since it it's digital (VST in a box) much easier to replicate within the digital domain. I dunno, it just seemed none of his arguments made any sense. The big takeaway from it for me was "VST's sound just as good as hardware, so do you really need hardware?" which has been done to death already, we all know (and have known it would get to this point for years) that analogue modelled VST's sound amazing, so it comes down to a matter of preference (and budget I guess) but what happened to good old "bit of both"? The majority I would imagine use VST's along with maybe one or two or more pieces of hardware, and are happy with this.... so can we just get on & make music now? He's the one saying all the guys with a room full of synths don't even make music, yet he's sitting obsessing about an argument that shouldn't even be a "One or the other" argument. Life is more nuanced than that, it's not just a case of "You've got 2 options......go with VST's or buy hardware"

I just finished your video and I completely loved it. Let's get the Drumlogue update and try those synths! The last part is mind-blowing. Subscribed already ;)

Great content! What firmware are you running?

Dope. Would you mind if I were to sample some of the grittier/nastier/noisier bits of this just for some Jungle DnB SFX to layer into stuff? (One man's trash is another man's treasure, right?)

The only ones who got upset over Espen Kraft's video were the equipment hoarders who cannot write a single song to save their lives.

Thinking... shit.. i feel like this is happening to me too. Just alot of things, but its so hard to find and finance a psychologist... thanks for exposing... p

40's is a wonderfull age where you grow more and more balanced despite your traumas... plus you're still young and beautifull looking. I was thinking of Sting and his song "Moon Over Bourbon Street" ( check the Live In Amhem, 1985 version ) His lyrics are revealing. You're so brave to reveal yourself , just as much your talents and your flaws...

Espen chose the word "scam" because he knew it was a trending word on YT and would garner more views. Almost like he's just discovered how YT works.

I agree with what you said. Basically saying that only a 'professional musician' can have an opinion on this topic would be an 'Appeal to authority fallacy". At the same time I also agree with you that Espen's arguments were flawed.

Really very interesting sound set

My main objection about Espen’s video was him using the word scam which imply the intent to deceive or defraud people which I don’t think is true. As an electrical engineer who specializes in hardware design, I can tell you that manufacturing anything electronic in North America or Europe will cost about twice as much as if it was made in Asia. And surprisingly it’s not mainly because employees salary are higher here but because the electronic parts supply chain in North America and Europe is geared towards serving the aerospace/military industrial complex which is not as price sensitive as the consumer electronics sector. This said, I haven’t bought a new synthesizer in the past two years, not because I think they’re a scam but because for me with the price hikes we had in the last couples of years they are not worth it for me. I settled to using more plugins instead. Personally, I still like Espen’s work, I still watch his videos and I have zero problems not 100% agree with all what he’s saying. I don’t agree with people who start flexing their professional status or how much money they make to win an argument. And I disagree even more when people starts personal attacks against their opponents in order to win an argument.

Good point - I actually do believe that the opinions of passionate amateurs are the most useful when it comes to needing a second opinion on a (potential) purchase. When someone must save money for a few months to afford a synth, he will be much more critical on the price-performance ratio than an endorser who got that device for free or someone rich and famous who doesn´t need to look at price tags. The latter two may just, and justifiably so, say "That synth makes great pads. I love it.", but not "That synth makes great pads, but plugin x gets you there 99% at 3% of the price and you could buy a used car instead". On topic though - just like you, I know quite a few folks who work at synth companies and distributors, and while there are a few whose businesses took off further than originally expected, none of them is a millionaire, none of them drives a Porsche or owns a fully paid house. This is mostly, but not exclusively, true for modular manufacturers most of which seem to make a lot less money than people in regular industry/office jobs. They make gear not as a "get rich quick scheme", but it is their JOB and they must make money, and when they are designing/engineering something for a year fulltime, that time goes into the unit price as well. Niche product = low projected sales = higher development cost share per unit. (And when you are a company at the size of Roland, then even the cost for your HR and IT and financial departments go into the unit prices. Unless one expects the people at Roland to work regular day jobs elsewhere and then after work convene at Roland HQ to "work on their passion as an HR secretary at a music gear company" for free)

The one thing I know that I agreed with Espen on was his comments about the Hydrasynth. And for the record I'm fine with the entire Internet disagreeing with me on that. (Fortunately, no one on the Internet has ever cared about my opinions, and I honestly like it that way.) As for the "luck" thing, well hard work (relentless tenacity?) and talent can open a few doors maybe, but only if you were lucky enough to be near those doors to begin with. If you are working full time and maybe several jobs at that just to survive, it's extraordinary difficult to make it in any aspect of the music business -- this I know all too well. That said, maybe our definition of what success truly means needs reevaluating. The algorithm is unfair, more than a bit rubbish, and of course it wants you to court controversy. I have never seen your channel before today (have watched you on Sonic State livestreams a few times though, and of course I have known about you for a long time from various forums). I'm going to have a bit of a root through your channel and see what you've been up to. But I have heard others say that if they don't make new content every week, TH-cam's algorithm punishes their channels. Is that true? I don't know.

Espen Kraft gave the synth community a Red Pill. They are never easy to swallow.

Well said. Honestly, my initial reaction was that in the case of some of the really expensive synths, there's a grain of truth to the idea that there's some markup based on brand name. It's not that different than Gibson's "aspirational brand" pricing. When brands are engineering new keyboards, they have a target market in mind and a target price range. I think Yamaha does a great job of offering keyboards that start at the beginner level and go up to their latest flagship model. I think that's great. I think where Espen really got in trouble is finger pointing. Usually finger pointing happens when you want to make yourself look or feel superior. I don't care how much profit that Company X makes on their $5,000 synth. I'm not the target audience.

People that consider a successful person to be also wise and knowledgable make a mistake, but we see that all the time in marketing…use a famous/successful person to market a product they may not be an expert user in…I support your statement: I know amateurs that are way more knowledgable than some professionals. Furthermore, I did not agree to Espen’s statement that some gear reviewers are not professional musicians because they did not release a lot…that is not a criterion to be knowledgable…imho…

I personally don’t believe it’s about amateur V professional. My argument against Espen is that his just plainly wrong because… not for costs in manufacturing a synth but… if a person can afford to buy an expensive synth (or not so expensive synth) it’s not a scam for them! People pay a couple to millions of pounds to hang up a piece of art on their wall, or buy a piece of glass, pottery or whatever. It brings something in their life that brings enjoyment, makes their life better and maybe at the same time the maker/artist will gain a little satisfaction that their work is appreciated. Same with Synths if it brings a person enjoyment, even if they never switch it on, make no music or make music with it, then it’s worth the cost to them.

Well spoken. The internet and the world needs nuance. And amateurs 🙂

I think the image of the lone guy in the little rowboat says it all for me. I uderstand how these boxes arent exactly Nick's cup-o-tea, but i LOVE them. Ive never even heard of these boxes before, so i found it very interesting and you did well explaining the various evolutions as you tweaked. Many great patches / tracks in this video - for lack of a better word. I can see how easy it would be to get very lost in sonic dreamscapes with these machines. Really good video Paulee. Well done. PS: the graphics are perfect.

In 24 hours this quick video (60min work) has overtaken my new retrospective (3 weeks work) - Does the algorithm not want us to make art & instead court controversy? Thoughts?

I like Espen and his tastes in music. Unfortunately, yelling scam is very on trend for clickbait. Imagine at the launch of the Jupiter 8 in 1981 telling onlookers that in the future there would be a similar machine, comparatively affordable, considerably more reliable and containing every Roland sound of the following four decades, all on an actual blimmin' computer, squeezed inside the synth. How many would scream 'scam'? We're living in a world where the incredible is underappreciated.

Hey Paulee, it's Mikki here (Mikaela). Just dropping you a friendly 'hello' as I know we've not connected in a while. I hope you're keeping well and keep up the great work. "Mwah!" x

You are one of the smartest and well spoken people on TH-cam. Great video, with an arc to the point.

Anyone here just for the Amiga 3000 in the background? 😁

I'll do a troll video about how great Espen Krafts music is "better than Pet Shop Boys"

Well said. Everyone has the right to voice their opinion and furthermore, when people attack the messenger rather than the message they undermine their own aim.

Nicely put, Paulee. Let us all remember that just because it's on TH-cam does not mean it is *important* . That includes not only posts, but comments as well. However, not being "important" or decisive does not make it uninteresting, or not worth mulling over. And that too includes not only posts but comments. All of that, for me, implies that anything on this platform should strive, and be shaped to be, inviting such that it prompts consideration. Consideration, in turn, doesn't mean one is obliged to accept it, but to at least give it a moment's thought, and wonder if it deserves a little more. I think your post here, Paulee, does a nice job illustrating that. Kudos.

People can talk soft and cushion the blow all they want, it doesn't take away the fact that Espin is all ego. And that video wasn't a troll, he was dead serious, it's very obvious he's serious. He's just another "synthfluencer" on TH-cam, which people should not take seriously since they always have an agenda. And i find it laughable how he disses these expensive synths, all with a $20,000 Jupiter-8 to his right. I'd take a Prophet-10 over the overhyped Jupiter-8 any day.

If making and selling expensive hardware synths were a "get rich fast" scam, those companies would be rolling in money. AFAIK most are barely getting by.

I personally remember you from when we fought Fenrir at the foot of Galdhopiggen. We lost but Fenrir was really nice about it.

Espen Kraft has been negative and gained more attention.

cool talk, just to add i think he's a hypocrite. Sits talking sh*t about companies yet the main he stabs at he has there gear. and when he says your getting the exact same thing with a plugin is also a load of nonsense, its impossible to be the same. Hardware and Software will never be identical even if a spectrum analyser is showing it's close there are other factors within a system that make it differ. i'd like to add, i enjoyed his earlier videos, but to act how he has is very rude.. and obviously for troll/ youtube number purposes. Just, Sad.

I'm so out of whack with reality I thought it was a joke when I watched it... until I saw all the reactions. Then it just felt bitter and a bit too contrived. Very good clickbait Mr Kraft!

I didn't watch that video because I'll swerve any hint of click bait so it's interesting to hear your thoughts on it. Absolutely agree that amateurs should have the right to an opinion. "Everything is difficult until it's not" or whatever the phrase is, we all start off as amateurs 🤜🤛

Thank you, that was well thought and interesting take. I'm well overdue subscribing to this channel, since you've had interesting discussions on other people channels. For my part, I feel that it's a shame to see some of the rancor and discord that's endemic in the guitar communities creep into the once more positive and supportive synth community.

Well, nuanced opinions work to bring people together, and in the world of social media and hyper capitalism, you make way more money by forcing people into boxes, in to opposed groups. "Team Roland" vs. "Team Korg" or "Team Green" (Nvidia) vs. "Team Red" (AMD) etc. The market forces actually want us to have extreme opinions and gather around "our" brand of choice, because it breeds brand loyalty, which is good for business. And you find this everywhere in modern society, and especially when you venture out onto the internet and social media in general. But in reality, there are nuances to every opinion. Nothing is black/white or a binary choice. You can like a product from a manufacturer, while also being critical of that manufacturers business practices for example. The whole idea of "either your with us, or your against us" is ridiculous. And yes, you are absolutely right. There's pretty much no relation between skill/talent and success. Success comes from being marketable, and being marketable has little to do with skills or talent, but rather about having the right looks, the right story (i.e. a life story that can easily be leveraged to gain people's admiration/sympathy etc.) or other similar things. Some times, sheer luck or persistence can also provide success of course, but there is no guaranteed path to become successful. And especially if there's nobody else but yourself who stand to make a profit from you, then there will always be people trying to prevent your success.

He didn't even get the technical details of his complaints right. There are many reasons people prefer hardware synths over software, one being that people got sick of staring into the computer screen getting lost in way too many choices. That's the background of the brought movement of people going back to hardware. His reaction to questioning his assessment was simply hostile.

The video is not purely EK's opinion, it is a product which EK produced and released into a marketplace. this is true of this response video, and to some extent, even my comment. it's difficult to bring meaningful critique to market-incentivized extremes. if it becomes his most-watched video, you can likely expect more of the same (with the wildcard that he is purposefully contrarian). my opinion? there is a terrible and distributed price to pay for extracting value from discord. I think we have quite enough of that in the world for the moment.

"maybe the Internet isn't the place for nuanced discussion" never has a truer word been said!

Well spoken. Great video. Love and respect x

thank for chiming in. I certainly take no issue with passionate amateurs having an opinion (guilty as charged), my problem with Espen's video is that it's misleading, and that he knows better. It's just trolling for engagement. And it worked!

Appeals to authority/credentials/accomplishment/etc.. are logical fallacies.

I 100% agree with you Paulee. He didn't help his cause by making a second TH-cam channel (apparently) mocking the naysayers. I don't speak his native language, but I'm guessing it wasn't good when reading that book. I've watched Espen for years. I'm sorry he thinks some of the new synths are scams, but technology catches up, and that comes at a cost. Would I rather own an OB-X, or an OB-X8? I'd rather own the latter, because I wouldn't have to deal with the cost of keeping an old synth running. And I'm an amateur, I've never released anything, and I don't intend to. I just like to play and have fun. There's a lot of us out there, who don't care about the fame and fortune, we just like to make music and have fun.

People need to stop giving trolls attention. They feed on it. Stop feeding them, they go away.

You're not a nobody. When it comes to music production that places the Amiga front and centre you are THE premiere vlogger in that space.

I am prepared to believe that there are people who make music as a hobby. But I can't fully understand what that is like. As someone who makes music without being paid, I'm an amateur. But this is my life. My life is not a hobby. It is all I have; it is me.

Of the responses I've seen to Espen's video I think this is the best one. Having enjoyed watching Espen for years as he released a video a week detailing a new piece of classic gear he had acquired I think his take is at least as relevant as any other. I also think he desecrated a sacred cow for a lot of gear-heads. I don't really have a problem with that as I think gear-heads have used expensive synths as a way of 'gate-keeping' authenticity from people who either cannot afford them or choose to work with software plugins. I think the comparison of the new Microwave VST at $150 versus the 3rd Wave at $5k is apropos. Nobody who spent 5k on one of those is going to accept that a $150 software plugin does the same thing. Is it a scam? I dunno. Maybe spending 5K on a shiny new toy just feels good. And they certainly look cool on TH-cam. But it's a lot of money to part with over some 'feels' when an inexpensive (or free) plugin would've probably done the trick. To each their own.

Ethics in consumerism (because that's exactly what the topic is about) is a talk we must have. my culture is from free partys and elegal raves, so i personally know you dont need to be famous to be a fucking good at taking people in an other world using sound. do you know who ixy is? i bet not for most of you, well in her realm she is a godess, and you wont understand by watching her play on youtube from home. i dont give a damn what a hollywood geezer living in a bubble has to say when it comes to ethics regarding markets, and the reason is pretty obvious imo... And that materiialistic consumerist culture is making me uncomfortable at least and sick at most. Is it more expensiv to build synths in 2024 compared to 82? was it more complicated to design a prophet 5 at it's time or to design those new mega units? i'm a builder, and i know you know the answers to those questions let's be honest... What about how workersa are treated in china (anybopdy heard of the "help us we're enslaved" tags on clothing?). why are all the power supplys switching instead of copper coils? limits to growth maybe, or maybe it's just an easy way to make money with cheap not durable stuff (if it switches it will let you down, copper coils wont ever). how can moog give all those 3k5 synths to youtubers? well that, to me is pretty obvious aswell ... and why are the angrys avoiding those questions??? Espen is a youtubber, he knows how to get you to clic and react, and i think this time the motivation is good, and the talk healthy... i bought a pair of focals lately, first one i had to send back after two weeks, and when it came back (after a month) the second one stopped giving the high range, so it has to go back aswell, seriously when you buy 10 things in nowadays, at least 3 will have issues, so i dont know if we are in a golden age of synth but imo if it was the case shouldnt we be able to do better than that??? shall we compare the prices for components in 2024 compared to 1980? ha! most youtube reactors wont talk about the importanty matters because a big bunch of them are hopping those hedgefunded synth compagnys notice them and send them stuff...