You should mod it. It is ripe for modding, and hard to kill. Keys are alien to me still, but I am an idiot and don't even own a guitar (yet). Anyways, I started a thread on gearslutz about modding it and I have pictures, it is very simple to mod. I circuit bent mine in a semi-modular style with 11 patch points per each voice.
Thanks man, never heard of it before. Just looked it up and it kind of reminds me of a poor man's sh101, which in turn also was a poor man's synth itself when it was released 😁
Hey there, world! One of the most fun things while doing this channel has become diving through analytics data to see who (it turns out 99,5% guys my age and apparently 1,5 or so women) is watching this from where (anywhere in the world - woo hoo!). As this video has collected a fair number of views, I've got quite a bit of data to look at. One thing that really stands out with this video is that a lot of views seem to come from facebook. I tried combing facebook for the source of these views but that didn't lead me anywere (actually I discovered a lot of cool synth related groups but still...) Someone in one of these groups suggested to me that I should ask my viewers directly, so: Hello there anonymous spreader of my videos on facebook, thank you very much and who are you anyway?
Just about any synth can sound good. I have no problems with it in general, despite it being so limited. But remember the PRICE on this thing when it came out. If they had packaged it with a simpler case or something and pushed it out for cheap it would have been beloved!
LOVE the TW! Yep the tone shaping is pretty basic but the unit sounds great - and the old-school 4-track sequencer absolutely shines! For additional flexibility I sometimes run the individual outs through pedals (e.g. Waldorf 2-Pole).
I was impressed with the core sounds of this... no it isn't versatile but it is really quite nice. I like the 4 sequence lanes and I can add motion externally. Love this thing. Also very happy with my Tom Cat.
I believed the hate until I played one. I love the separate voices. You can create some interesting stuff with it. And a sequencer! I guess this is why these companies don’t take huge risks. Don’t want to go over peoples heads.
I have one of these and it has a lot of limits but there are much, much worse synths out there. At least this is analog and isn’t just a clone of another famous synth.
one of my bandmates has one and a Rhytm wolf this machine can produce some sick weird sound that some overpriced synths .. by the way I only use cheap gear because even if I had the money to get a Prophet that won't necessarily make me create better music ..
Bad things about that machine are: crappy filter, limited engine, rest is OK, good things are multi timbrality, sequencer, and oscillator sound. This synth had lot of potential, but was probably done by accountants and shareholders instead of musician and engineer.
I guess doing analog right was an art that was grossly underestimated by the guys at Akai at the time(especially as only very few companies did it back then) so at one point they simply ran out of development time/money and had to rush it out half done.
speaking of repurposing old parts, mpc one's body looks suspiciously close in dimensions to timbrewolf (though never saw them side by side) does it have same tuning issues as rw? i love rhythmwolf which i still have from release date, but tuning issue sometimes so bad what tune gets out of range of tuning knob, and could be restored only via connecting PC, and that happens sometimes just in few days if at least adjustment range of that knob would be wider - guitar tuner might save the day, but like that it's doomed to be studio-only device, not for gigs
Man I miss trading away my Timbre Wolf. As a consolation prize, I still have the Akai Tom Cat and Rhythm Wolf! But I blew the "collect the whole set"! arggghhh
People these days are so accustomed to perfectly tuned digital or VA synths that they seem to have lost the patience to bear a little drift. Funny enough as the classic synths VAs emulate often had serious tuning issues and had to be recalibrated continously 😝
The reason people ripped on it is because the timbre wolf lacked fundamental elements integral to a being good synthesizer. No LFO. No true envelope generator. Terrible tuning options. No footages; all BASIC elements of a synthesizer. Also, the poly mode is round robin, which is pretty crap. They also had the foolishness to call it 'Timbre' wolf, yet it has possibly to fewest timbres of ANY synthesizer... EVER MADE! And for £500... LOL! Compared to the Akai Miniak, this thing was a terrible synthesizer, regardless of its redeeming qualities, of which there are a few, unison mode being one of them, and the build is nice, too. It's fun to play with, but VERY limited.
@@thedefiantbeagle5557 Wow, that's quite spot on, TDB. Great write-up! ...And not only is the filter non-resonant, but there's no mod wheel, either. I still enjoy mine, having paid about $150 for it. Seems a right fair price for what it is.
@@keykrazy Ah yes, no mod wheel either. But as you say, for 150 bucks you really can't go wrong. However, I have both a Timbre wolf and a Miniak, and it really is a mismatch. Check out some of my vids and you'll see why.
Does this pull off deep bass? The bass you started with did not seem to have much punch. Also does it run on batteries? I looking for a synthesizer for my lap.
Internally, it's explained in the video from 6:25 on. Use mono mode and sequence the individual notes of a chord as single notes in the internal sequencer's four tracks
It's a miss understood synth I got one thinking it was a full on synth now iv realized it's more a bass 303 synth I can produce some nice 808 type bass and gfunk type leads so it definitely has its place the four track sequencer means you can make full tracks if u have a drum machine. I would not buy one brand new for the price but I got mine for 80 pound and two gram of weed ..
funnily enough.. circa 1986 another oddball analog machine was labelled as 'useless' what was it called again? oh yes ...TB303 by ROLAND ...wonder what happened to it ?
@@rejectedsynths okay...its bnib without power supply. It is mint so I just bought a power supply for it. 20 bucks and 16 for the power supply. Id post a photo of it if I could
@@rejectedsynths no not yet! That sounds wild! Ha ha! It is a wonderful machine for me since I dont care for having preset sounds on it as my other synth have that covered. It is nice to be able to manipulate the sounds so easily. I love the analog sounds it makes. I make sequences on it and improvise mixing and matching between the voices on all three.
A real polyphonic not paraphonic analog synth and everyone hates it because having separate filters for each voice sounds like garbage. Meanwhile virtually all digital “polyphonic” synths share the same filter and no one says boo about “paraphony” 🙄
Funny enough, the DB9 also seems to have been pushed out half done, it looks like Control Synthesis could have done much more with the hardware but instead opted for an easy cash in on the 303 craze back then
I'm pretty sure that'll be the price they go for now because people are realizing how special this synth is. I got rid of mine but always knew it was basically a very good synth, sounding more analog than just about anything I heard including Moog, Vermona, and DSI synths. I always wonder why that is, maybe because it's so limited in functionality. But actually the three different modes are killer. With pedals to supplant the lack of features (like autowah, reverb, delay, phaser for instance) this becomes an absolute gem sound-wise.
Know an underrated/rejected/terrible synth I should cover? Let me know in the comments!
You should mod it. It is ripe for modding, and hard to kill. Keys are alien to me still, but I am an idiot and don't even own a guitar (yet).
Anyways, I started a thread on gearslutz about modding it and I have pictures, it is very simple to mod. I circuit bent mine in a semi-modular style with 11 patch points per each voice.
Now that sounds interesting! Mind to share a link to your project?
Jen SX1000
Thanks man, never heard of it before. Just looked it up and it kind of reminds me of a poor man's sh101, which in turn also was a poor man's synth itself when it was released 😁
Korg Poly 800 was a much laughed at synth when it was released
AKAI created a completely unique synth. I own it, I’ve recorded with it, I’m keeping it. And it sounds great.
I have a strong feeling that it will some day be considered a cult synth
@@rejectedsynths jup i think the same :)
Timbrewolf owners are the new elite 😝
@@rejectedsynths wahahaha! :p
I'd like one myself
I think this is one of the best videos ever made about the Timberwolf! Good job man!
I still stand by my claim that the $200 that I paid for it brand new was a bargain.
Still one of fav channels - rewatch-a-thon incoming today
Hey there, world! One of the most fun things while doing this channel has become diving through analytics data to see who (it turns out 99,5% guys my age and apparently 1,5 or so women) is watching this from where (anywhere in the world - woo hoo!). As this video has collected a fair number of views, I've got quite a bit of data to look at.
One thing that really stands out with this video is that a lot of views seem to come from facebook. I tried combing facebook for the source of these views but that didn't lead me anywere (actually I discovered a lot of cool synth related groups but still...) Someone in one of these groups suggested to me that I should ask my viewers directly, so:
Hello there anonymous spreader of my videos on facebook, thank you very much and who are you anyway?
How many 55+ viewers do you get? I am firmly in that camp! Been synthing since 1977!
Let's say statistically, you shouldn't exist 😉
Happy to have you on board though, Mark. Really enjoy your vids, too 👍
Just about any synth can sound good. I have no problems with it in general, despite it being so limited.
But remember the PRICE on this thing when it came out. If they had packaged it with a simpler case or something and pushed it out for cheap it would have been beloved!
LOVE the TW! Yep the tone shaping is pretty basic but the unit sounds great - and the old-school 4-track sequencer absolutely shines! For additional flexibility I sometimes run the individual outs through pedals (e.g. Waldorf 2-Pole).
I was impressed with the core sounds of this... no it isn't versatile but it is really quite nice. I like the 4 sequence lanes and I can add motion externally. Love this thing. Also very happy with my Tom Cat.
A wolf howls alone
to gather others around.
Strong together they fare.
Crazy Frog rides bare.
This is him riding bare: th-cam.com/video/l_bTTUihfx0/w-d-xo.html
@@rejectedsynths Classic.
I believed the hate until I played one. I love the separate voices. You can create some interesting stuff with it. And a sequencer! I guess this is why these companies don’t take huge risks. Don’t want to go over peoples heads.
LOL
I have one of these and it has a lot of limits but there are much, much worse synths out there. At least this is analog and isn’t just a clone of another famous synth.
Thanks 5th video I’ve watched on timbre wolf and it’s the best one ❤
one of my bandmates has one and a Rhytm wolf this machine can produce some sick weird sound that some overpriced synths .. by the way I only use cheap gear because even if I had the money to get a Prophet that won't necessarily make me create better music ..
Hehe, yes I guess most Prophets, CS80s and the like live a life similar to many classic cars: not being used as intended 99.9% of the time
Bad things about that machine are: crappy filter, limited engine, rest is OK, good things are multi timbrality, sequencer, and oscillator sound. This synth had lot of potential, but was probably done by accountants and shareholders instead of musician and engineer.
I guess doing analog right was an art that was grossly underestimated by the guys at Akai at the time(especially as only very few companies did it back then) so at one point they simply ran out of development time/money and had to rush it out half done.
If this had a 64 step sequencer, it would be a legend.
speaking of repurposing old parts, mpc one's body looks suspiciously close in dimensions to timbrewolf (though never saw them side by side)
does it have same tuning issues as rw?
i love rhythmwolf which i still have from release date, but tuning issue sometimes so bad what tune gets out of range of tuning knob, and could be restored only via connecting PC, and that happens sometimes just in few days
if at least adjustment range of that knob would be wider - guitar tuner might save the day, but like that it's doomed to be studio-only device, not for gigs
Ok now I want one even more. Excellent video. It’s really an underrated synth.
Man I miss trading away my Timbre Wolf. As a consolation prize, I still have the Akai Tom Cat and Rhythm Wolf! But I blew the "collect the whole set"! arggghhh
That’s how I imagined their factory to look.
People hate it because of the the fact you have to tune individual voices?
Isn't that the reason the Oberheim 8 voice sounds like it does?
People these days are so accustomed to perfectly tuned digital or VA synths that they seem to have lost the patience to bear a little drift. Funny enough as the classic synths VAs emulate often had serious tuning issues and had to be recalibrated continously 😝
The reason people ripped on it is because the timbre wolf lacked fundamental elements integral to a being good synthesizer. No LFO. No true envelope generator. Terrible tuning options. No footages; all BASIC elements of a synthesizer. Also, the poly mode is round robin, which is pretty crap. They also had the foolishness to call it 'Timbre' wolf, yet it has possibly to fewest timbres of ANY synthesizer... EVER MADE! And for £500... LOL!
Compared to the Akai Miniak, this thing was a terrible synthesizer, regardless of its redeeming qualities, of which there are a few, unison mode being one of them, and the build is nice, too. It's fun to play with, but VERY limited.
@@thedefiantbeagle5557 Wow, that's quite spot on, TDB. Great write-up!
...And not only is the filter non-resonant, but there's no mod wheel, either.
I still enjoy mine, having paid about $150 for it. Seems a right fair price for what it is.
@@thedefiantbeagle5557 I keep wanting one, then I come to my senses.
@@keykrazy Ah yes, no mod wheel either. But as you say, for 150 bucks you really can't go wrong. However, I have both a Timbre wolf and a Miniak, and it really is a mismatch. Check out some of my vids and you'll see why.
Does this pull off deep bass? The bass you started with did not seem to have much punch. Also does it run on batteries? I looking for a synthesizer for my lap.
The bass is quite nice as long as you keep your fingers off that resonance knob and no, it looks portable but can't be run off batteries
Beautiful sounds from a very capable synth, don't belive the haters.
2 of these is an 8 voice polyphonic analogue with 8 individual outs with a 256 step sequencer.
Poor man's Oberheim 8 Voice 😁
I like, from a tactile live performance perspective, lots of user interacts possible.
Now I want one
How are you sequencing the poly parts? Internally or using a external sequencer?
You just have to separate the chord notes into single notes on the four sequencer tracks, that's how 😉
@@rejectedsynths but you are using the internal sequencer to play the poly sequences?
Internally, it's explained in the video from 6:25 on. Use mono mode and sequence the individual notes of a chord as single notes in the internal sequencer's four tracks
Wow this thing is actually really cool, provided it's in the right hands of course
Everyone can drive fast in a Ferrari, but only real drivers can in a golf cart
Great Video , thanks for your channel 👏🏼👏🏼🇬🇧👍🏻🔊🔊
Thank you for watching!!!
It's a miss understood synth I got one thinking it was a full on synth now iv realized it's more a bass 303 synth I can produce some nice 808 type bass and gfunk type leads so it definitely has its place the four track sequencer means you can make full tracks if u have a drum machine. I would not buy one brand new for the price but I got mine for 80 pound and two gram of weed ..
I kinda like it. S'on my wish list now, after your video. It's definitely not deserving of the abuse that it gets!
Wait, this can play 4 different timbres at once?!?
It's basically 4 monosynths, like the early Oberheims, each voice can be set up and tuned individually
Kommt da ein Video mit den Rhythm wolf und der Timbre wolf zusammen?
You can find one here: th-cam.com/video/ajCU3JcpSjg/w-d-xo.html
funnily enough.. circa 1986 another oddball analog machine was labelled as 'useless' what was it called again? oh yes ...TB303 by ROLAND ...wonder what happened to it ?
Even if it never becomes a cult classic, at least it will forever be known as the worst polysynth ever! ;)
@@rejectedsynths if i see one cheap im gonna buy one...i like runts of the litter Wolf Live Matter
Just got one for 20 bucks today....cant wait to use it.
Holy Moses, even for the internet's most hated polysynth, 20 bucks is a steal!
@@rejectedsynths okay...its bnib without power supply. It is mint so I just bought a power supply for it. 20 bucks and 16 for the power supply. Id post a photo of it if I could
How?? Where??
i love this sound
Sounds really muffled. Is that because the filter is cranked up? A filter sweep would be nice to hear.
That's kind of hard because you'd need four hands 😁
There is no sweep in the filter...
At first glance this channel is ticking all the boxes...
Also it's almost 3 weeks older than Bad Gear 😜
So if you are curious who did it first...
Very nice friend
It sucks that now its getting some love its long become super rare
I checked after I read your comment and wow, you are absolutely right. The ones I found had some silly price tags attached to them 🤯
I have 3 of them because I knew if EVERYONE hated it that it must be good for me!!!!!! Ha ha! It takes talent!!!!!!
Hey so you effectively have a 12 voice Timbrewolf?! Have you tried 12 Osc unison? Must be the fattest supersaw on earth 😱🤯
@@rejectedsynths no not yet! That sounds wild! Ha ha! It is a wonderful machine for me since I dont care for having preset sounds on it as my other synth have that covered. It is nice to be able to manipulate the sounds so easily. I love the analog sounds it makes. I make sequences on it and improvise mixing and matching between the voices on all three.
Imposible make a músic with this akai
A real polyphonic not paraphonic analog synth and everyone hates it because having separate filters for each voice sounds like garbage. Meanwhile virtually all digital “polyphonic” synths share the same filter and no one says boo about “paraphony” 🙄
Sounds fuckin awesome Id love one
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
One of the best demos for one of the worst synths!
Or it's just a ok demo for one of the most underappreciated synths 😉
The Control Synthesis Deep Bass Nine is way worse.
I actually own that too and it's not too bad actually, has some very nice deep, warm and full bass sounds
rejected synths i bought one new in 1994, I really like the Akai much more.
Funny enough, the DB9 also seems to have been pushed out half done, it looks like Control Synthesis could have done much more with the hardware but instead opted for an easy cash in on the 303 craze back then
Why best worse?
Google for worst synth, this will show up.
Its not bad I like it
fix for this synth: ehx mod-rex ...
I just bough one myself.
Congrats, you got one before they got cool 😉
£500, no saving of settings. Hmmm.....
I'm pretty sure that'll be the price they go for now because people are realizing how special this synth is. I got rid of mine but always knew it was basically a very good synth, sounding more analog than just about anything I heard including Moog, Vermona, and DSI synths. I always wonder why that is, maybe because it's so limited in functionality. But actually the three different modes are killer. With pedals to supplant the lack of features (like autowah, reverb, delay, phaser for instance) this becomes an absolute gem sound-wise.
It lacks presence.
Because it's flat ready for EQing. 😜
rejected synths: "C.....D...E.....FGAB" "Mom!? I got it, I finally remembered the 7 degrees of the C Major scale" 😂😂
bladerunnerish
I like it so much..only if it had a simple adsr... or, maybe ar🙄
There are a couple of videos floating around of people modding TWs. But if course a full adsr mod is rather tricky, I guess 😬
@@rejectedsynths maybe it will help the four outputs, you can put four pedals..
drop this on my volca and your wolf will be mine lol howwwwwwwwl
Except it has no MIDI.