▶ Subscribe: th-cam.com/users/limbicbits ▶ Purchase Link* Sonicware LIVEN Mega Synthesis (Thomann): www.thomann.de/intl/sonicware_liven_mega_synthesis.htm?offid=1&affid=397 ▶ Sound Packs for Synths: limbicbits.com ▶ Book "Electronic Music Production": limbicbits.com/book-electronic-music-production/ For more information ▶ sonicware.jp/pages/liven-mega-synthesis
My 2 cents and a short disclaimer: Since I had been asked to be a part of the sound design team for this synth, I'm quite familiar with it. However, I might be too close to the project to provide an objective opinion. With an attractive price, FM synthesis, lo-fi sampling, and chiptune charm, the LIVEN Mega Synthesis offers an intriguing package for fans of arcade and retro gaming sounds. Using the Mega Synthesis alone, one could potentially create an entire chiptune live set. In the everyday studio environment outside of this genre, I primarily see the MEGA Synthesis as a complementary device for exploring different sonic nuances. I would have appreciated additional individual outputs, especially to process drum groups and PSG synthesizers separately with effects. However, this, like with other LIVEN models, seems to have been sacrificed for the budget-friendly concept. Nevertheless, it's a well-rounded product worth trying out.
Seems to me like a cool device for on the go fun & play. How does one design the FM sounds on this? I don't see an interface for that, is it possible without a computer? Does it come close to Twisted MegaFM in this regard? Or do you have to rely on the presets here?
If I'd known this was coming a year ago, I would've got this instead of the LOFI12. Haha. The Genesis was my console growing up, so this sounds amazing. Thanks for the demo.
This is a beautiful thing and it's so great you were involved with it. When I was a kid, the mega drive arriving was just mind blowing. All of these games that normally required coins in the arcade were suddenly available in my friends living room. These sounds to me are the sounds of an extravaganza of gaming abundance. Pure dopamine! Great compositions too.
Just placed an order on this. The first time ever since the dawn of internet that an advert got me. Instagram suggested this and I bought one within 20 minutes. I’ve spent the last year searching for keyboards that replicate the mega drive sound like the PSR series, but none come close to this. Amazing!
I have no base of musical knowledge to pull from but I put an order in for this thing after a day or two of seeing vids. I love that Sega sound and want to tinker with it. It just looks fun. I’m curious if I’ll be able to export to GarageBand or something. No idea what I’m getting into but I’m excited!
Just ordered one & i haven't got a clue about music ot how to use it😂...but I absolutely adore the Sega Megadrive & what the games & music meant to me, & still do!
cool! i'm definitely in favour of style-specific instruments, i think there's a place for them in the hardware market. having tactile control over equipment that's made to make a very specific sound or type of sound is a good thing. i'm just waiting for someone to make a Hoover synth/module.
thanks for the nice demo. had been wanting to get a megaFM for a long time and but never pulled the trigger in spite of really liking the sound. This looks a bit more approachable as a standalone device and the price seems very good too. Maybe not 100% the perfect sound but still very good IMO.
Excellent work as ever sir 😁 Looking forward to checking out which of the presets and patterns onboard are yours. There's some super tight stuff on there 👌 Edit: so VOID is yours then, nice!
I would love to see a LIVEN voice synth 8-bit! Or, maybe they can just do a sample back add-on? Although, still rather a dedicated kit with sick about of 70's-80's old school voice syntheses, custom phrase enabled. !
No need to. Both units sound surprisingly different given that they are partially using the same fm synthesis. They can complement each other quite well.
@@IgnacioChavez agreed! I have 2...but this still has me very excited as I have grown to love the Liven units and this just looks a dream for sound design
Polyphony? Are the drum parts seperate from the melodic parts? I mean, could I have a drum kit(at least 4 parts), then have at least 4 voices on top of it?
according to the manual the manual the FM tracks (1, 2, 3) are 6 voice each, then the PSG tracks (4, 5) are 4 voice polyphony. The PCM track (6) is 3 voice polyphony.
Actually, I tried. But I was really struggling and what you can hear in the "CLUB" pattern was my closest attempt. With enough outboard, you can get there but I find the MEGAfm to be better for these sounds. The MEGA Synthesis is great on its own, though.
Completely different things. XFM is just a 4 OP FM synth with some almost wavetable like morphing between sounds. While the Mega is an emulation of the sound hardware of the SEGA Mega genesis console
@@tudorcris4953 I watched a video demo of the XFM is also 4 OP and it also plays those 16/8 bit tones pretty well. So just confused if this is a rebrand with Yamaha chip emulation.
I cant unsee the keys anymore the way i see them 😂.. There is 2 person kissing or 2 kissing middle ones cheek. And the last one in right is alone shoulders down :
despite both are heading in a similar direction just looking at the FM synthesis part, they still sound quite different. In a nutshell: In the MKI version, the MEGAfm one used two original YM2612 chips, which were replaced in the MEGAfm MKII version by the YM3438s due to scarcity; the latter is also found in later SEGA Mega Drive consoles. The MEGAfm sounds even grittier, but at the same time, it appears more studio-friendly due to its processing and professional connections. This is also due to the rather particular VCA section of the MEGAfm, which adds more artifacts and overdrive, something that you might have to appreciate (I definitely do). In terms of genres, I would generally prefer the MEGAfm for (Dub) Techno, IDM, and Ambient over the MEGA Synthesis. When producing Chiptunes, the MEGA Synthesis takes the lead for me. However, both can complement each other excellently. But since most people will probably only bring such a special chip sound into the studio once, the genre classification might serve as an indicator.
Funny thing is that despite both are heading in a similar direction just looking at the FM synthesis part, they still sound quite different. In a nutshell: In the MKI version, the MEGAfm one used two original YM2612 chips, which were replaced in the MEGAfm MKII version by the YM3438s due to scarcity; the latter is also found in later SEGA Mega Drive consoles. The MEGAfm sounds even grittier, but at the same time, it appears more studio-friendly due to its processing and professional connections. This is also due to the rather particular VCA section of the MEGAfm, which adds more artifacts and overdrive, something that you might have to appreciate (I definitely do). In terms of genres, I would generally prefer the MEGAfm for (Dub) Techno, IDM, and Ambient over the MEGA Synthesis. When producing Chiptunes, the MEGA Synthesis takes the lead for me. However, both can complement each other excellently. But since most people will probably only bring such a special chip sound into the studio once, the genre classification might serve as an indicator.
the unit runs standalone, meaning, that if you want to play it via Ableton Live and record its sound you'll need a MIDI interface and an audio interface. @@mantistobbogan6728
If I’m not mistaken by the demo, this seems very similar to the Twisted Electrons Mega FM in sound programming capability but operates more akin to an Elektron Digitone…?
The MEGAfm is specifically using just the YM2612 FM synthesis chips used in the Megadrive, and it uses the real chips for the authentic sound. The Liven Mega seems to use emulations of three classic chip synthesis methods, a broader but perhaps less deep approach.
Funny thing is that despite both are heading in a similar direction just looking at the FM synthesis part, they still sound quite different. In a nutshell: In the MKI version, the MEGAfm one used two original YM2612 chips, which were replaced in the MEGAfm MKII version by the YM3438s due to scarcity; the latter is also found in later SEGA Mega Drive consoles. The MEGAfm sounds even grittier, but at the same time, it appears more studio-friendly due to its processing and professional connections. This is also due to the rather particular VCA section of the MEGAfm, which adds more artifacts and overdrive, something that you might have to appreciate (I definitely do). In terms of genres, I would generally prefer the MEGAfm for (Dub) Techno, IDM, and Ambient over the MEGA Synthesis. When producing Chiptunes, the MEGA Synthesis takes the lead for me. However, both can complement each other excellently. But since most people will probably only bring such a special chip sound into the studio once, the genre classification might serve as an indicator.
@@limbicbits you're right..! The Mega FM has metallic distortion. I saw it inside. There is very less components than you expect. Only 2 big OPL3 and nothing. 😂😂😂 But the sounds are unique. And the musician pay this..😜 Cheers!
![Ambient Ø Beginner's Guide [#1 Basic Operations & Playing Techniques (without using the sequencer)]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3glp_V_lfTQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Ambient Ø Beginner's Guide [#1 Basic Operations & Playing Techniques (without using the sequencer)]](/img/tr.png)
▶ Subscribe: th-cam.com/users/limbicbits
▶ Purchase Link* Sonicware LIVEN Mega Synthesis (Thomann):
www.thomann.de/intl/sonicware_liven_mega_synthesis.htm?offid=1&affid=397
▶ Sound Packs for Synths: limbicbits.com
▶ Book "Electronic Music Production": limbicbits.com/book-electronic-music-production/
For more information
▶ sonicware.jp/pages/liven-mega-synthesis
My 2 cents and a short disclaimer: Since I had been asked to be a part of the sound design team for this synth, I'm quite familiar with it. However, I might be too close to the project to provide an objective opinion.
With an attractive price, FM synthesis, lo-fi sampling, and chiptune charm, the LIVEN Mega Synthesis offers an intriguing package for fans of arcade and retro gaming sounds. Using the Mega Synthesis alone, one could potentially create an entire chiptune live set. In the everyday studio environment outside of this genre, I primarily see the MEGA Synthesis as a complementary device for exploring different sonic nuances.
I would have appreciated additional individual outputs, especially to process drum groups and PSG synthesizers separately with effects. However, this, like with other LIVEN models, seems to have been sacrificed for the budget-friendly concept. Nevertheless, it's a well-rounded product worth trying out.
I don't know why they didn't do 6 tracks of FM and 4 tracks of PSG like the original chipset
Seems to me like a cool device for on the go fun & play. How does one design the FM sounds on this? I don't see an interface for that, is it possible without a computer? Does it come close to Twisted MegaFM in this regard? Or do you have to rely on the presets here?
you can create your own FM presets by entering an "edit mode". The parameter can be seen by using an overlay sheet
@@RadekPilich
@@limbicbits wow, that's actually a pretty cool idea .
Multitimbral??,, can be sequenced each track by external sequencer?
If I'd known this was coming a year ago, I would've got this instead of the LOFI12. Haha. The Genesis was my console growing up, so this sounds amazing. Thanks for the demo.
So glad I skipped the LoFi and preordered this 😂
They’ll play together brilliantly...you made the right choice...now youve just got to make another 😂
Actually adding this next to the LoFi-12 would make a fun combination like a ghetto Digitakt / Digitone
@@skrapadelix Bitcrushing and sampling isn’t really my thing so…
@@skrapadelix I use the Liven's for working remotely or on the move and that "ghetto" Elektron vibe is 100% why I love them and use them a lot
This is a beautiful thing and it's so great you were involved with it.
When I was a kid, the mega drive arriving was just mind blowing. All of these games that normally required coins in the arcade were suddenly available in my friends living room.
These sounds to me are the sounds of an extravaganza of gaming abundance. Pure dopamine!
Great compositions too.
Just placed an order on this. The first time ever since the dawn of internet that an advert got me. Instagram suggested this and I bought one within 20 minutes. I’ve spent the last year searching for keyboards that replicate the mega drive sound like the PSR series, but none come close to this. Amazing!
Ambient may have just sold me on this, great work there
I have no base of musical knowledge to pull from but I put an order in for this thing after a day or two of seeing vids. I love that Sega sound and want to tinker with it. It just looks fun. I’m curious if I’ll be able to export to GarageBand or something. No idea what I’m getting into but I’m excited!
Just ordered one & i haven't got a clue about music ot how to use it😂...but I absolutely adore the Sega Megadrive & what the games & music meant to me, & still do!
thats so cooool, how's your experience going?!
That first track has heavy Tyrain 2000 vibes.
Mega Turrican inspired :)
best game
Lovely full bass sounds
cool! i'm definitely in favour of style-specific instruments, i think there's a place for them in the hardware market. having tactile control over equipment that's made to make a very specific sound or type of sound is a good thing. i'm just waiting for someone to make a Hoover synth/module.
I'm not one to comment on every video I see, but your demo is really inspiring, beautiful to listen to and useful. congrats
thanks for the nice demo. had been wanting to get a megaFM for a long time and but never pulled the trigger in spite of really liking the sound. This looks a bit more approachable as a standalone device and the price seems very good too. Maybe not 100% the perfect sound but still very good IMO.
One of my favorite Turrican 3 / Mega Turrican tunes! Nice!
The sounds at third minute i love and at the end the bell sounds
I just bought mine today! Can't wait to send my mind and ears away into this!
Love the sega sounds. If I had a liven mega I would first try to cover some songs of the game Biohazard Battle.
The bassline from the ocean stage would sound brilliant on this thing 🪼🦈🪼
Grew up with a Sega Genesis... my life is not complete without this device!
Good for Old School Techno with the basses and what not. Its Pads are not great. Thanks for the demo.
It also delivers great pads, but I'd strongly recommend to use external effects in addition.
8:44 nice pads :)
Definitely buying one of these next month, i got vegas this month but this with lofi 6 and KO II i can do some fun stuff
Excellent work as ever sir 😁 Looking forward to checking out which of the presets and patterns onboard are yours. There's some super tight stuff on there 👌 Edit: so VOID is yours then, nice!
3:47 thats great lead keys sound very cool sounds like FM
This video is interesting cause it's coming from a much more experimental angle.
This one got me in surprise. Seems to be a great all-in-one Lofi / Retro Groovebox. Great patterns!!!
Looking forward to getting my hands on one. 😊
3:00 … sounds like Ewoks rapping .. Yub-yub! Yep!
Wow this sounds nice
I'd like a video of you or someone just playing each individual patch. I wanna hear what presets come loaded on this thing
This is why it keeps selling out, demos like this.
soil & void !! yeah !! an alternative Ecco The Dolphin OST !
That ‘Ambient’ instru >>>
I would love to see a LIVEN voice synth 8-bit! Or, maybe they can just do a sample back add-on? Although, still rather a dedicated kit with sick about of 70's-80's old school voice syntheses, custom phrase enabled. !
Sonic liven 8bits warps ?
@@ClaudePN ? Don't know. Thinking Speak and Spell type sampled stuff. Circuit bend mods and such. Or maybe hawking in a box, LOL>
My MegaFM’s broke a sweat after hearing this
No need to. Both units sound surprisingly different given that they are partially using the same fm synthesis. They can complement each other quite well.
They aren't identical engines. Mega FM sports the actual chips. Liven is software emulation.
megaFM is amazing
@@IgnacioChavez agreed! I have 2...but this still has me very excited as I have grown to love the Liven units and this just looks a dream for sound design
It has no right to be this retro :D
Impressive!😮
Don’t know why I read that in the green goblin’s voice
Amazing 😮
....... 'Mission accomplished Earthling. Please insert more kronk tokens to continue mission objectives at next level. '
Already ordered mine. Trouble is, now I also want Sonicware to bring out a Liven Gameboy, Liven SID chip and a Liven Fanicom.
It seems out of stock. It's planned for a regular release ?
I hope this has better quality than MegaFM, I bought two Twisted Electrons and both had quality problems.
Really? My MEGAfm is working like a charm since day one and is solidly built. What's been the issue with yours?
@@limbicbits power button broken, lack of frontal screw ..
Great box, with an Elektron model cycles it will be amazing..
Never thought about that combo but you're right - that would make a great pair
That was exactly what I thought. I got a M:C and ordered this box last week. Can't wait to let them play together. ;-)
Polyphony? Are the drum parts seperate from the melodic parts? I mean, could I have a drum kit(at least 4 parts), then have at least 4 voices on top of it?
according to the manual the manual the FM tracks (1, 2, 3) are 6 voice each, then the PSG tracks (4, 5) are 4 voice polyphony. The PCM track (6) is 3 voice polyphony.
@@cybermortal1983 Thanks!
Reminds me of the Dune music.
hello, does the rythm machine comes from the unit ? is it a sample ? Or an external drum machine plugged into the "line in" ? Thanks.
All from the unit itself. It has a small but fun sample player (you can load your own samples via MIDI sysex)
I don't think so, but do you know if an export to VGM/GYM is possible ?
It's not possible as far as I know but maybe in future? (3rd party / sonicware)
Sweet
no dub chords Limbic ? =) would love to hear from this machine
Actually, I tried. But I was really struggling and what you can hear in the "CLUB" pattern was my closest attempt. With enough outboard, you can get there but I find the MEGAfm to be better for these sounds. The MEGA Synthesis is great on its own, though.
@@limbicbits aha good to know :) thnx for answering man !
In all modes, when sound designing or otherwise, does it save and return to where you last were when it turns off then back on?
You always have to save your work. There is no autosave if you’re wondering
🎉
Does this have a DC in jack? I saw it can run on batteries, but I prefer plugging stuff in to the wall.
It does but it comes without an external PSU
@@limbicbits Fair enough 👍
@@limbicbits I actually just checked the website, they have an option to buy it with or without the PSU now.
difference between this and the liven XFM sound engine?
Completely different things.
XFM is just a 4 OP FM synth with some almost wavetable like morphing between sounds.
While the Mega is an emulation of the sound hardware of the SEGA Mega genesis console
@@tudorcris4953 I watched a video demo of the XFM is also 4 OP and it also plays those 16/8 bit tones pretty well. So just confused if this is a rebrand with Yamaha chip emulation.
@@playeveryday01 6 tracks. 3 FM. 2 track PSG. 1 track PCM
I cant unsee the keys anymore the way i see them 😂..
There is 2 person kissing or 2 kissing middle ones cheek.
And the last one in right is alone shoulders down :
So glad I didn't get a mega fm now
Different sound in my opinion and hard to compare. In a lot of cases I prefer the MEGAfm but would use the MEGA synthesis for chiptunes-in-a-box
How does this sound when compared to the MegaFM?
despite both are heading in a similar direction just looking at the FM synthesis part, they still sound quite different. In a nutshell:
In the MKI version, the MEGAfm one used two original YM2612 chips, which were replaced in the MEGAfm MKII version by the YM3438s due to scarcity; the latter is also found in later SEGA Mega Drive consoles.
The MEGAfm sounds even grittier, but at the same time, it appears more studio-friendly due to its processing and professional connections. This is also due to the rather particular VCA section of the MEGAfm, which adds more artifacts and overdrive, something that you might have to appreciate (I definitely do).
In terms of genres, I would generally prefer the MEGAfm for (Dub) Techno, IDM, and Ambient over the MEGA Synthesis. When producing Chiptunes, the MEGA Synthesis takes the lead for me. However, both can complement each other excellently. But since most people will probably only bring such a special chip sound into the studio once, the genre classification might serve as an indicator.
Is the synthesis FPGA based?
❤❤❤
How does this compare to the Blast Beats?
Different concept and a different sound
How do I learn to use it tho 😂
Instead of the megafm? Lets see ...
Funny thing is that despite both are heading in a similar direction just looking at the FM synthesis part, they still sound quite different. In a nutshell:
In the MKI version, the MEGAfm one used two original YM2612 chips, which were replaced in the MEGAfm MKII version by the YM3438s due to scarcity; the latter is also found in later SEGA Mega Drive consoles.
The MEGAfm sounds even grittier, but at the same time, it appears more studio-friendly due to its processing and professional connections. This is also due to the rather particular VCA section of the MEGAfm, which adds more artifacts and overdrive, something that you might have to appreciate (I definitely do).
In terms of genres, I would generally prefer the MEGAfm for (Dub) Techno, IDM, and Ambient over the MEGA Synthesis. When producing Chiptunes, the MEGA Synthesis takes the lead for me. However, both can complement each other excellently. But since most people will probably only bring such a special chip sound into the studio once, the genre classification might serve as an indicator.
@@limbicbits wow. What a reply to wake up to. Thank u for taking the time to give the details
Are these all presets?
Yes, I have been part of the sound design team for the MEGA Synthesis. All presets are included (but not all pattern as shown in this video)
@@limbicbits I'm planning on buying one soon. It will be my first synthesizer. Could I use the Mega on Ableton?
the unit runs standalone, meaning, that if you want to play it via Ableton Live and record its sound you'll need a MIDI interface and an audio interface. @@mantistobbogan6728
@@limbicbits Thank you for the reply. Much appreciated
If I’m not mistaken by the demo, this seems very similar to the Twisted Electrons Mega FM in sound programming capability but operates more akin to an Elektron Digitone…?
The Mega FM is awesome compared to this box...
but it cost around 550€.
The MEGAfm is specifically using just the YM2612 FM synthesis chips used in the Megadrive, and it uses the real chips for the authentic sound. The Liven Mega seems to use emulations of three classic chip synthesis methods, a broader but perhaps less deep approach.
@@GurtTarctor ah ok...yes..the Mega FM contains two OPL3 Yamaha chips.✌🏻
But sound amazing...compared to this..😜
Funny thing is that despite both are heading in a similar direction just looking at the FM synthesis part, they still sound quite different. In a nutshell:
In the MKI version, the MEGAfm one used two original YM2612 chips, which were replaced in the MEGAfm MKII version by the YM3438s due to scarcity; the latter is also found in later SEGA Mega Drive consoles.
The MEGAfm sounds even grittier, but at the same time, it appears more studio-friendly due to its processing and professional connections. This is also due to the rather particular VCA section of the MEGAfm, which adds more artifacts and overdrive, something that you might have to appreciate (I definitely do).
In terms of genres, I would generally prefer the MEGAfm for (Dub) Techno, IDM, and Ambient over the MEGA Synthesis. When producing Chiptunes, the MEGA Synthesis takes the lead for me. However, both can complement each other excellently. But since most people will probably only bring such a special chip sound into the studio once, the genre classification might serve as an indicator.
@@limbicbits you're right..!
The Mega FM has metallic distortion.
I saw it inside.
There is very less components than you expect.
Only 2 big OPL3 and nothing.
😂😂😂
But the sounds are unique.
And the musician pay this..😜
Cheers!