Bought one, in my opinion its better than the udo super gemini as its significantly more flexible and is the dream synth, and ive heard they are industry leading in updating their gear.
Thanks man, I haven't watched your channel before but this has to be the most comprehensive synth of the year guide I've ever seen. It looks like you've pretty much got everything covered at every price point. I'll definitely check out more of your channel and at the very least I'll be back next year to check out what's the best of the best. Great job.
I have the Typhon and I love it. Sounds like you were lucky and didn't get the USB noise issue? I have seen tons of complaints on forums from people saying they were forced to return or sell theirs, and I suspect this benefitted me in getting a returned open-box from a store for only £220. Turns out Dreadbox sells a splitter cable that puts the data and power down different lanes, which completely solved the problem for me (I run the power side from a USB power port in my desk lamp).
Well I am a guitar player learning synths and this past year I bought a Donner b1 bass synth a Yamaha modx+7 and a moog grandmother .. a Roland tr-8s drum machine now to figure out how to make it all work …
Imagine if Roland released a proper analog modern Juno 60/106 in the same spirit like when Sequential released a proper analog modern Prophet-5/10. I think Roland would sell quite many of them.
Great job on this video! Favorite recommendation - Studiologic SLEDGE!! YES!! That thing sounds fantastic, and the FEEL is AMAZING. Thank you so much for that one! Keep up the good work here on your channel. 😀
Fatar rules Synth key beds. I can’t seem to part with my Kawai 5000s which I almost hate but it has midi and can run a Blofeld desktop which is also hate worthy. I have thought of gutting the Kawai and plopping the Keybed in an old Akai AX60 but realized I could find simple controllers with Fatar keys and gut those.
Greetings to all!🤝👋 Tell me please your impressions of the Roland SH4D groovebox? To what extent does it allow you to enjoy the process of instantly creating beats, rather than digging through endless instructions and submenus, as Roland themselves like to do. To what extent did the SH4D meet your expectations? I would be very grateful to you for your feedback. Hello from Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
Welcome to the channel Aleksei! 🇪🇪 I've had several comments speaking on the SH-4d reaching cpu overloads quicker than it should so I won't be recommending it next year. That doesn't mean they're all bad, just something to be aware of. Let me know which groove box you end up going with!
That was an excellent run down thank you. In defense of Roland's new offerings Roland has some of the most musical for lack of a better term synths on the market. Do they sound like a vintage Juno? Probably not but who cares if it's in a track with a bunch of other sounds only purists will be able to say "that doesn't sound like Juno!" I make songs, I care about the "song" first and foremost so for me personally what makes a better song is what I try to use.
Nothing wrong with liking that modern Roland sound. For me, it's a little to close to that JP-8000 sound and less of the Jupiter 8 sound, if that makes sense.
@@VultureCulture I wasn't specifically talking about their modern sounds but in general their synths have a musicality to them that is apparent to me. I've owned a Pro One, Virus, Nord, Novation, AN1X, Waldorf and a few others they all have a sound signature.
Hi!There is an unsurpassed, already vintage DSI rev 5 synthesizer. It's amazing that he was pushed into a corner. As for the digital synthesizer, which will be very popular after decommissioning, it is worth taking a look at the secondhand market and it will be the Roland system 8.
I must say, Behringer did an amazing job with JT4000. They've managed to create a little polysynth that sounds really good, and it only costs 49 bucks! The build quality is fantastic, and the navigation is so easy and intuitive. The screen is also worth noting, even though it's tiny, it's so clear and crispy (oled). Behringer really nailed this tiny form factor (same size as korg nts1).
I actually usually do include Behringer every year: th-cam.com/video/kRn5TSi94nw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=p7JyuP2jsndMD7Ja th-cam.com/video/94mbeYF8JKs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=e1I8h7nSxiNuSZua
Thank you for letting me know! I was very very close to adding the JT to the list - I was worried about the build quality but it sounds like I shouldn't have been.
The only thing I don’t like about the jt4000 is when trying to use a midi keyboard with it. You’ll need a usbc splitter for power and then a usbc to 5pin din adaptor, since most midi keyboards don’t have midi host function. I think it’s a great and fun little synth, but if you want to play with it with a midi keyboard and no computer, it’s a pain in the bum.
@teamphil that sucks! Thank you for the info! That's part of why I didn't mention it as the choice for beginner synth, although the price point is stellar.
You can make a very strong case for the Sequential Pro 3 being the best monosynth on the market right now. It's got a ton of killer features and it sounds absolutely wicked.
Wow @vultureculture that is a comprehensive look at all the categories one could be interested in! Great job, and I definitely wasn't so familiar with many of these, so it'll be a good reference for me moving forward this year. Personally, I have the 3rd Wave in my sights, but I need to make room in the studio and budget first!
This is an excellent list of a lot of synths work trying. I do not need anymore gear, but it’s time to add a Dreadbox piece to my set up sometime this year.
My favorite synth gear: Studio centerpiece: Akai Force. Polysynth: Hydrasynth (any). Monosynth: Sequential Pro 3. Acoustic / expressive instrument: Expressive-E Osmose. Portable: Dirtywave M8. Best way to start a song: hum a song idea into a phone. Notable mentions: Boss RC-505 Mk2, Novation Peak/Summit, 3rd Wave, PWM Malevolent, Arturia Microfreak / Minifreak / Minibrute 2, Haken Continuum, Nonlinear Labs C15.
@@VultureCultureIn addition to my music production desk, I'd love to set up a practice / performance / meditation area with an Osmose, RC-505, mic, and Wavedrum. But not until/unless I somehow end up with lots of free time and cash. 😅
I only have vintage synths, because I like their quirks and character, and generally sound good. However, I do live near (like an hour away) from a good synth technician, and if you live anywhere near a city you probably do too, but if I was in a truly rural area I probably wouldn't want to buy vintage just because repairs can be needed. Usually less of an issue of failing parts and more the condition you bought it in. Just bought a JX-10, for instance, that seemed fine until you solo'd just the second layer and one of the voices was dead. Very easy to miss. Luckily the seller refunded me the repair costs, but it's a good cautionary tale.
@ Thanks a lot. Excellent point, wasn't thinking about it from a repair pov. I'd love to own vintage and get the legacy/historical significance as a bonus but if all of that is to amount to a headache, modern does make a whole lot of sense. Anyway, love your content as always -sad you parted with the K5000, was looking forward to you working it inside out! Cheers
@@VultureCulture The Taiga models from Pittsburgh Modular are super tempting. The Matriarch is pricey, but I loved the Moog Grandmother so much, I had to upgrade and I legit love it twice as much. Also Prophet Rev2. It’s features and sound definitely make it still hold up 8 years later
Thanks for taking the time man. Very informative! I've been out of the synth game for decades, I probably have had all the vintage analog stuff You can think of, but I sold almost all of it and my focus has been on the piano. I am overwhelmed by how many companies are making the stuff now and what all the stuff is capable of. I can't say that you've made diving in any easier, but I've certainly got a lot of information to evaluate. It sucks that there are no music stores in my area that carry any of it to try it out.
31:07 yes, by replacing the pots with rotary LED (like Hydrasynth), so you can see all settings at a glance and in low light. I dont care too much about losing the force feedback (e.g continuous vs step knobs).
I was interested in the synths, but sorry: the unnerving background elevator music somehow ruins it. Why not play a few patches (even demo patches from the manufacturer) of each synth in order to get an idea?
Awesome video. On a slight tangent. I have never gotten a beringher product. Recently I needed a mini mixer. Got 2 mackies and they were doa. Got a beringher that was cheaper, working like a charm and build quality is decent. My only experience with them and it was good. Can't say anything about the keyboards though.
Great video. I am brand new ro the world of synths. I already have a lower end yamaha workstation for piano. I like the idea of consructing and manipulating sound in teal time like a synth can do. Of course i love playing 80s, 90s etc stuff too. Would you consider the hydrasynth as too much for a first synth in my case? I kind of want to buy the right one the first time Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks - great to hear your take on all these synths. Sh-4d might be the value buy for me but you introduced me to synths I did not know existed like the Nina. Good stuff.
Thanks for the list! 👍🏻 The MiniFreak is already on my short list after using it in V Collection X… that sold it for me right there… seeing it talked about here means it’s being ordered tonight 😂
@frankstetka7206 0 seconds ago Oh yeah I am probably going down that road by also picking up the mini. At first I thought the micro was a bit shrill and thin on some factory patches but I dig in and it turns out to have some heft for what it is. I love my old Arturia mini brute duo but one bad pitch wheel pot and all decomposing rubber knobs are beyond irritating. I’m replacing all of them and feel that same fate will occur to the Freq’s.
As a beginner with serious intentions and or potential consider the Roland Fantom 06, Korg Nautilus 61 and Yamaha MODX6 they go between €1250-1750 and are great bread butter synths to have as a basis of your set up. To later add water with FM, wavetable, VA, analog etc. Owning a synth like this is fundamental to me. If you're not into bread or butter but wanna play the "I am different" part I'd check on the GAIA 2 from Roland and KingKorg NEO. Got a Jupiter 50 (bread & butter), a KingKorg 61 keys (VA) and Roland SH-4d as a TR-8s. Total damage about $ 3250 with a Tascam 24 track mixer/recorder and monitors.
That's a very different (but very valid) approach than what I would consider recommending - do you think most beginners would find the workstations challenging?
@@VultureCulture Workstations with lineair sequencer are challenging I think. As a beginner a step sequencer would be in general a better approach (for me). What was missing when I started was information that was correct, even subjective information can be helpfull if interpreted the right way. It boils down to two things. Do you want to play or want to learn synthesis and make a choice based on that.
the one machine I think you should really have included was the Synclavier Regen- it is an extraordinary machine (with poly pressure) and is insanely flexible as a synth.
This was the first year I covered drum synths - next year the category will be more expanded likely (idk this video ended being an hour long). Cells looks great but is probably too modular for the scope of this video.
Thanks so much for this video! I have a neice and nephew who are both budding synthesists, and I was looking for a good synth to send them that wouldn't break the bank. So they each got a Cobolt 5s. Both of the units work perfectly and both of them love it. I was considering the Donner B1 because it's so cheap, but the Cobolt was cearly a much better choice. You made a couple of young kids very happy.
This is my favorite synth rundown video ever. You covered a lot of ground, and the video had a snappy good pace to it. The best part is that you covered plenty of the synths I’ve had my eye on, which was nice to see all in one place, and there were good surprises. Now I gotta get more work so I can try to get a little something here and there. Thanks, and for me, this was a nicely produced video.
Thank you so much for the positivity 🙏 I'm glad you found this video helpful and invite you to check out one of the live streams I do every Wednesday at 9 pm est - we've got a really awesome community over there 🍻
I am sure glad I found this video! Great presentation! I have the Prophet Rev 2 and I do prefer analogue over digital. I would like to add a synth for ambient sounds. I welcome your thoughts on the Studiologic Sledge or the Minifreak. Thank you
For experimenting with modern non-traditional synth sounds ( wavetable, formant, and “vowel” for example ), the MicroFreak is a great low cost synth( again 4 voice limitation, and smaller touch surface keyboard ), and in the latest firmware update you can now indirectly add samples ( record or find a sample and add it on your computer into the free software called midi control center, then plug in MF to computer and add them in ). It has an arpeggiator and sequencer, also vocoder ability by plugging a mic with TRRS ( 3 black bands, even a phone headset with mic will work ) into the mini headphones jack ( crank up the mic gain in MF settings ). Sounds improve going through external FX boxes ( or FX in a DAW ) like reverb and delay. Firmware updates are free BTW.
Great video, thanks! You say the debate between digital and analogue is officially over yet I sense you leaning towards a preference for analogue, particularly when it comes to filters. So am I imagining this or do you think there's still some secret sauce in analogue that's (currently) unmatched by digital?
Very perceptive of you! I think it's a matter of implementation. Certain synths have such wonderfully modelled analog filters that I don't think it even matters anymore (modal). Although I mention how great the filters sound on the Hydra, I do think it embraces its digital side. Certain Hybrid's or even analog's filters are not setting my world on fire either.
Thanks for your reply! Yes I agree, I tried out the Hydra instore and while I was greatly impressed, I was immediately thinking how I might be able to "analogue-ise" the sounds a bit more. I must check out the Modal you mentioned. 👍
Love this video am looking for a decent synth my budget is between £1500 to £1800 av got my heart set on an Arturia matrixbrute what's your opinion on them?
Just found your page and subscribed right away. I had a D50 for over 25 years until its demise due to a power supply failure. The funny thing is, losing it is what brought me into the modern world of VSTs. I am about to sign up for Roland Cloud and will be picking up your D50 library when I do. I can't wait to see what treasures your video archive has in store for me. :)
This is a very helpful video. Not that I'm in the market to buy anything, but it's great to get the comparisons between the synths and better understand how each one shapes the landscape. Can I suggest two more categories for you to consider?: 1) Synth which best (or worst) defines a characteristic sound, thinking of the "dystopian" Jupiter 6 or anything else which tends to lean toward a particular sound style. 2) Synth which would most easily be part of a sound bank rack for greater polyphony. ie: I might buy 3 Hydrasynth desktops to work with my Hydra keyboard, instead of upgrading to the Hydra deluxe. Synths which makes that an inexpensive option (edit in the keyboard version then send sounds to the sound rack units) could be good to mention.
@@VultureCulture Hmm... I'm not sure, as I don't know much of the terminology yet. I'm coming from a different musical background, and trying to learn what's possible with MIDI. The only explanation I can think of is this example: Pretend for the moment that Ashun released a very inexpensive Hydra that's rackmounted, but has a severely reduced interface and is a real pain to create patches on. So I'd create patches on my Hydra Keyboard, then send those through midi to the midi slaves. With two or three of these midi slaves, I'd get a lot of layered sounds for a lot less money than upgrading my 49-key to the Hydrasynth Deluxe. However, in order to get 32-note polyphony from my midi rack, I'd have to get some controller that could take my crazy arpeggios and round-robin assign those notes to my keyboard as well as my midi rack. Or I could stick with lower polyphony so I could layer a lot of different patches. Basically, how easily this ecosystem supports such operations and how much money you could save by choosing a rack of less expensive models instead of buying their flagship model, all that would be the subject of the review/rating. (If such midi systems are even possible. Like I said, I'm still learning what's possible with midi) This idea came from the fact that I'm thinking I'll buy a Hydra desktop to go with my Hydra keyboard and get many of the benefits of the Hydra deluxe for a lot less than the cost of the deluxe. It would be nice to hear about some cost/benefit analyses regarding that kind of approach, as well as highlighting synth model families which better support such midi systems. Then again, maybe my idea is too far out there to be practical now? Hey, thanks for your reply, and for the education you provide through your videos!
@@VultureCulture I'll look into that, thanks! My original intent was to beef up and layer the sound of my Hydra without springing for the Deluxe, but that got me thinking about the approach of multiple smaller units rather than one huge and expensive unit as a general practice. Thanks for the tip!
Hi! I would like to buy my first synth. I used since now a controller into my daw but I need something I can play live without the PC. I’m very basic in skill and play just for fun at home or with friends at rehearsal. I like analog stuff (all my gear) but for poly synth maybe is too much money. Under 500 which is your suggestion? Maybe with arpeggiator or some drums or pattern I can play with just one hand (I also play guitar) Compact size for sure and with integrated keyboard Thanks a lot for the help
Minifreak is compact, integrated keyboard and has an analog filter. Only variable it doesn't cover is it's $600, not $500. Dreadbox Nymphes is $500 but doesn't have the integrated keyboard, but is all analog and full of character.
@@VultureCulture in Europe the mini freak I can have it for 359 euros, is a big deal. The other one I can buy a midi controller but the integrated stuff live is better imho
Found it! Haha... I seem to be going back to this video. Leaning hard on a Deluxe - just sort of curious on how it works with a DAW like Live. I realize, its not a controller replacement
Super 6 is awesome! I simply reserved talking about Udo until the Gemini. Agree about Behringer but the effect is at least debatable. There are cheaper synths than ever but also much more expensive synths than ever. You could say it's done more to assassinate the mid-range lol.
@@VultureCulture I see your point. But not even an honorable mention? It's a smaller company and for the work they did, I feel they should be on everyone's list. 😁
Great video with some cool choices. On the B Pro 800, I think it is fantastic. Most of the people who bash them, and claim poor quality likely have never even tried one. I have a lot of stuff in the studio, including a load of the Behringer stuff. It all gets heavy use and I’ve personally never had an issue. Given your reasons for leaving Behringer out I was VERY surprised to see the Donner in there.
I have yet to have a single comment about build quality from Donner on my channel. It's a stark contrast to the amount I've gotten from Behringer owners, although to be fair this video gets a lot of comments from Behringer owners saying they've never had a problem.
Great video. Recently got my second Access Virus ti2 and it is just one amazing synth. Got the Korg Minilogue XD today and love it with my Korg Monologue. Ordered the small Behringer JT4000 and waiting for it but did not think I would buy a Behringer again after I bought a Wasp about a month ago and returned it cause 3 of the rotary knobs did not even turn and broke the plastic rotary knobs. Two of the step knobs also did not match the settings and positions on the plate. Other than that it was a great looking unit. The RD9 drum machine was a great unit without any problems so let's see about the JT4000.
What do you think about the roland S-1 ? Just bought one (125€ used), and I'm very impressrd by what you can do with that little thing ! The behringer model D also seems to excell, on my list !
I've been enjoying the S-1 quite a bit, mostly as a travel synth. The ACB SH emulation is quite good (See the video for a description of the differences a bit when he's razzing the Roland Juno-X). It's definitely portable and it's not my main keys as a player, but it's fun! As a small synth, I dare say I prefer it to the Moog Mavis, although that's a great little guy too, if a little less useful for my workflow. (I have 2 of the larger synths in his list - Wavestate, Hydrasynth - among several others; the S-1 has a place for sure!) I'm tempted by the Dreadbox line right now. Lol.
@Modem5052 thank you for the feedback! I've gotten a few comments on how good the S-1 is as of this video. I played one at Knobcon and moved on, but maybe I need to revisit it.
@@VultureCulture when you get below the top level, the interface is a bit fiddly, but the constraints somewhat are what they are, given the size and sheer number of features. The top level controls keep the main synthesis controls easily in reach and the sequencer is easy enough to use. I’d have made some different trade offs (I used to design synths professionally!), but it definitely feels like a good outcome for the price and size.
The s1 is killer. Doesn’t use the zen core crap, and is kinda like a more tweakablr sh101. The algorithm in these super tiny synths - and boutiques are awesome. It’s so dumb they don’t use those algorithms in their other synths.
I've already heard the UB-Xa coming from just regular people. I've even heard blind tests with the OB-X8, OB-6 and UB-Xa. I saw people fail that blind test miserably, including myself. The UB-Xa really does sound great. The build quality is solid by all accounts. Metal and wood, plastic pots similar to a Nord Lead and It's got some weight to it. The keybed has been described as something like the OB-6, but with PAT but keybed feel is subjective so who knows how it will feel to you. The weakest part of the build that I can see is the detachable knobs imo. They're just plain plastic, nothing fancy but they work. If you want fancier knobs that's easy to acquire online and it's not much money at all. Given how the rest of the synth is built I'm surprised they cheaped out on the knobs. Maybe they had tons of them, I don't know. Surprisingly no one has yet complained about any bugs. Usually that comes right away. Someone over at GS replaced the screen already, multiple times, in multiple colors. There's pictures and an explanation how to. It came out really nice. The GS user went with white on black which imo looks the best and fits the UB-Xa's look better than the stock red screen. Weird choice that. I've very patient when it come to buying synths. Truth is I just don't need any more, but I gotta say the UB-Xa has exceeded my expectations, build wise, sound wise, and feature wise. I'll likely pick it up because as far as can tell it's a steal. I also really like the way it sounds and I don't have that color in my palette currently. Does it sound exactly 1:1 like my favorite synth of all time, the Oberheim OB-Xa? Flat out NO, but neither does the OB-X8 or OB-6 which are the other options, both of which Ive owned. It comes just as close as either of these imo. The blind test certainly suggest as much. Bias is a tricky mofo.
I think the OB-X8 nails the OB-Xa sound, Marcus Ryle's video comparing the presets is pretty insane. Thank you for your input! Looking forward to trying out one myself.
@@VultureCulture The price for the UB-XA is totally insane. It is 1275 Euros in germany... Thats about 1400 in Dollars, i think. But too expensive for me...
@@VultureCulture I saw that video. He kept it petty simple and yes the simpler stock presets matched pretty well, but not all of them. It's easier to tell in the heavily modulated sounds. Every comparison I've seen so far I've noticed the presenter will say something along the lines of: I could have matched it or gotten closer if . . . and then they move on. Honestly that was my experience as well, only I did try and never quite got there. Maybe that's just me and they could. Maybe it doesn't matter to some people. But that's thing, you don't have to try with an OB-Xa. It's naturally wild like that, and the X8 is very controlled, as it should be imo. At least in my experience and from what I've seen in others. I toss it up to different times, different tech, plus those 40+ years. Whatever it is, I personally love it. Also, is it just me or does anyone else notice the X8 has this, for lack of a better description, hi-fi sheen to it? I think so. Great sounding synth regardless but in the end I couldn't stomach the premium knowing what I know. Kinda felt like how things are in the fashion world, if you catch my drift. 😉 Branding baby.
@@VultureCulture also loved your personal recommendations. Didn't even know about the sledge but will check it out...I'm a big fan of the Wavestates & Hydrasynths, also the Terra looks interesting although I just picked up a Plinky synth which has that expressive touch vibe too ( very lucky to get hold of one with the demand /supply situation around it)
Very nice chart, thanks a lot for it 👍👏 I was just surprised a bit that I did not see there Gaia 2 or MC-707 of Roland, since they are very famous among music creators if I am not wrong. Actually I am deciding between Arturia MiniFreak and Roland Gaia 2... 😉
In the if your patient you can get it for under $100 category, I recommend the Uno Synth - on sale now brand new for $129..99 and hence no worries about if the software editor (which is pretty awesome) code has already been used.
Minifreak seems great but why spend 600 when the vst version is included in the V Collection which is only 500 plus you get all the other stuff with it 🤷🏾♂️
New subscriber here, and I have to hand it to you that you are really on point with your suggestions and observations. Great content and I stayed awake through the whole program 😆
I think you mean '...of 2023' There will surely be new releases in most of these categories in the other 51 weeks of 2024. Also the Sledge 2.0 is basically a Blofeld. It literally works with the same editor.
That's a fair list... I would have just seen the modwave, iridium, prophetX somewhere... Modwave for beginners, prophetX because it's a very special kind of synth, and Iridium, because, man that synth is so deep !!!! As for MPE, owning both a seaboard and osmose, osmose is great, but there's a bunch of things I can do with the seaboard and not with osmose... Maybe a soft synth section, workstation section, and controller section some day too :) But you sir deifinitely know what you're talking about...
Fascinating watch, thank you! Gotta say that the Terra has been my revelation, using it for industrial and IDM styles, as it has reminded me that so many synths disconnect me from actually listening to the music rather than looking at the interface. Has made me play so differently, more about the tactile guitar expression...helps that it can sound utterly filthy and has some of the best reverb and delay on a synth I’ve heard in some time
Great job, as always. I agree with everything (that I've played). I own the Nina and the Roland SH-4d. Very glad to see them on the list. And yes, the Roland Juno X could have been so much better (like analog?) for the price. Would have liked to have seen the Osmose in there somewhere, but can't have everything... Thanks for the show, man!
I own a Sledge and use to own a hydrasynth and was very pleased the sledge picked up a recommendation as it's a very versatile amazing sounding synth. I sold my hydrasynth despite having the absolute best time programming it for one reason. Only. It didn't sound like anything to me. The sound despite its best attempts didn't sound analog and it didn't sound ice pick digital either. After months of using it and programming and enjoying it, I found I couldn't use it in my songs because it didn't really stand out as anything. So I sold it. I do miss it it from time to time though. Now the sledge, that is not going anywhere. You can legit make it sound indistinguishable from a real moog. I had a basic moog bass set up on the subsequent and the same on the sledge, identical. Honestly don't know how they pulled that off. The Sledge is staying forever or until it catches on fire.
Everyone who has a Sledge says something similar! You're not the first to point out the Hydra's "neutral" sound - not everyone's cup of tea. Virus's kind of have the same issue.
Yeah synths with any kind of VA labeling like the Blofeld engine sound better than straight up digital polys for classic subtractive sounds. Nord Lead A1 and 4 sound way, way warmer/analog.
Absolutely agree with you about the Studiologic Sledge. The initial sound engine (Waldorf Blofeld) has been a little restricted but it's incredible what we can do with it, in all kind of sounds. What is more, there are some hidden specs accessible through Midi CC (as PPG filter for example). It's a good idea to mention it. Thank you.
Excellent run through. Have to say, I love the sound of the Nymphes every time I hear it. Dreadbox seem to be very good at getting grit and character. Tempting. I already have the Take 5, and it always sounds gorgeous. That Nina would also be awesome. It’s got the sound and the power. As far as a good groove box, the Synthstrom Deluge is a monster. Various synth engines, incredible workflow. It also has a sanctioned open source version now which has been adding some crazy features. Everything unlimited, only bound by CPU.
I definitely need to expand my horizons when it comes to groove boxes. I think next year I'll have a more nuanced take on the subject - need to check out Deluge because it looks insane!
Happy New Years to you Maladar! Thank you for being a part of the community 🍾🥂 I use Standtastic 103-KS's. Not the cheapest but are awesome and can handle my 45+ lb vintage keys
@@VultureCulture Thanks a lot, I was just looking at them on Sweetwater now, so they are 3 tier stands, but I suppose for the 4th tier u got the optional tier kit? I see they can hold a ton of weight on each tier, as opposed to the Jaspers, where only the bottom tier can hold 45 lbs. How was the setup? Because the Jaspers setup makes u wanna hate life lol
@MaladarGaming I love them! I haven't watched jim danekar's new video but he's who recommended the stands to me but apparently there's a new, even better stand in town
@@VultureCulture I think they have their listing incorrect. Perfect circuit has it listed right. Also the manual references it throughout. Not trying to be a smarty pants haha, I enjoy the videos. Let me know if you find it.
Maybe I should have featured the Liven instead! The Lemon drop has more memory for sampling versus 32 6 second slots, but the Liven really is an incredible value granular synthesizer!
Awesome list ! I know its a hardware list but I really got to throw one sleeper softsynth in and that's the GForce OB-E V2 that came out in 2022 and I've slept on. Do not sleep on this monster it easily one of the best sounding softsynths ever made and is officially supported by Oberheim . I bought it and my jaw dropped .
Great video!!!! and I have to agree with all you views shared on your picks. I am glad you shined some light on the Sledge, I felt the same way, about how it's got a very "Iridium-ish" vibe. Again great video and definitely doing a solid service for your fellow artists of all degrees. Just me going on about my Sledge ;) (figure you can read when you have time) Seriously though, I've really gotten a lot of out of the Sledge. As I work with it I have discovered the individual parameter knobs take on different characteristics at extremes; the effects for example, from the surface seem very straight forward and they are when you use them in their normal ranges. Where it goes into 'other' teritory is in the extreme low and high settings. Chorus with a speed of 1 and depth set to what ever you want creates this binaural audio experience. Reverb again same tricks and you get these wide spaces that preserve the dryness of the foreground sounds. The interplay between the Envelope Amount and the Velocity amount completely change the behavior of both envelopes depending on the settings of the two amount knobs in relation to eachother and the identical parameters knob for knob in a ratio sense affecting how much velocity affects one envelope over the other. It's like the more you work with the Sledge you see how this front panel has layers of functionality meant to extend the possibilities beyond what you see on the panel, that when you play it and tweak and just barely move something the feedback is as good as analog and best of all it will behave the same regardless of the room temperature or if venus is rising next time you do it. Then when you consider you can import samples into it really means that one doesn't have to tire of its fare. I am going to be sampling the ulra low oscillators from the K2000 Synth engine using a high resolution sound card and then export it into the format the sledge will like. I am going to sample the Lo-SAW, Lo-SQR blocks to see how they sound on the Sledge. Since thats what I used to do to thicked up my bass sounds on the K2K. I will share it with you once it's done. Hey thank you again man for doing such solid for us. Peace out!
Great video, Arent the plugins of Roland, zen core? Man saving up for years to get my dream synth Jupiter X, and then I came across your substantial critics.
Don‘t be fooled - the Jupiter X is an excellent synth. I own the Xm and I love it, it sounds really awesome. I even don‘t understand why Roland is criticized for their very understandable behaviour: they spent lots of money in developping their custom chips and the Zen-Core platform that kind of connects the plug-in-world with their latest hardware-synths. This is their business model - digital synths that incorporate their whole synth history from analog to digital. Not for collectors or nerds, but for the average producer that needs best value for money. If you‘re looking for analog ‚purity‘ - look somewhere else…there are lots of offerings. I am not an analog hater, I love my Moog Matriarch as much as the Jupiter Xm, but simply for different reasons. If I had to choose only one synth - it would be the Roland for sure.
@bat-powmusic4925 I totally get where you're coming from. I think it's the branding, that they're trying to make their synths look like their old analog ones. It's like when a bar refills their grey goose with skol vodka. Ironically System 8 has the opposite problem. It's the most sonically accurate but in a cheaper enclosure that looks like it powers a late 90's VST. If Juno-X looked like a suped up System 8 I wouldnt have as much of a problem. But Roland knows that they won't sell unless they play off the nostalgia, even if they don't use their ACB for the sound. Just my opinion of course. Thank you for your comment 🙏
@VultureCulture Yes, you‘re right - they use nostalgia to sell their stuff. But: Who has the right to copy the styling of the original Junos/Jupiters if not Roland? And in contrast to your vodka-comparison, they are outspoken about the digital nature of Zen-Core. I agree, that the nostalgia-driven styling goes too far in some regards. The displays for example are a joke. But otherwise I have no complaints - built-quality is excellent and those machines really look sleek. So I really don‘t understand the hate, Roland gets from parts of the community…
I must agree that the Hydrasynth Deluxe rules them all. I have the original Hyrdasynth and keep considering upgrading. The Hydrasynth can also emulate most analogue sounds of the 70's and 80's. I think my ultimate stage setup would be my Korg SV-1 for digital piano paired with the Hyrdasynth Deluxe for two layers of synthesizer awesomeness.
I was expecting there be a category for a multi-engine digital workstation type synth, such as the Yamaha Montage M8x with its state of the art AN-X VA synth engine, Extended LFO functionality that is likely beyond what most (if not all) synths can do for LFO speeds, and its PAT capable keybed of which no other synth in that category does..!?
For me, workstations are their own category that would require their own video. They certainly can be very powerful VA engines - but they're not for everyone who's into knob-per-function synthesizers
Great list with lots of nice surprises! I have to give my 2¢ on the Juno-X, though. I was one of those that rode the hype wave when it came out and bought one the first moment I was able to (~Feb 2023). I had it for 2~3 months and loved certain aspects of it (my 7-y-o daughter loved the vocoder 😍, the "M" filter was a super nifty alternative, &c) but ended up selling it because, with _ALL_ that other stuff (like you were saying!), it just did _NOT_ have the Juno-106 mojo that I was looking to recapture (that was my first synth, ~1986). But now I find myself missing the -X for several reasons. Philosophically, I realised that Roland was selling - and I had bought - something it would never be. So, adjusting that understanding and expectation made me realise all the things that it actually _is_ . Thus, pragmatically, it turns out to be a really useful and practical "all in one" synth that I intend to buy again (unless I find a better alternative) because of the following features: - Built-in speakers. Yes, they sound like crap. Yes, they are not loud. I dig the philosophy of putting them in (an "instrument" should "make sound" without external amplification and because of the haptic feedback they provide) but practically, it's just super convenient, as a keyboardist, to be able to bring a full-featured synth to a a buddy's house or a jam session or whatever and not have to bring a PA with it! - Build quality: It really feels like a $2k synth. It's solid without being unnecessarily heavy, fantastic keybed, all the controls feel solid and premium, &c. - Yes, playing a RD-Piano on a Juno-shaped box is weird. But same as above; being able to bring a decent sounding piano to a jam session or whatever without lugging the other 27 keys plus 27 lbs (plus PA…), or a separate sound module &c, is just super handy. - The foregoing arguments would generally lead one toward an arranger-style keyboard and that's not the wrong conclusion. But I have yet to find an arranger that has the right combination of features at the right price that I would _also use anywhere else_ , like back in my studio! Even if it just sat there doing nothing, the -X is a nice piece of eye candy for current and prospective clients (this is a similar argument for my Moog Subsequent 37). But it _wouldn't_ just sit there because (like the '37) it can not only bring its own unique voice to the table but (one of the under-rated features of both of these examples) it has a _lot_ of juice as a MIDI controller! Not to mention the tons of effects, external audio input/processing, USB audio, class-compliant interface, &c &c &c. - And, of course, I just can't deny the emotional connexion to "the Juno look". I mean, it's just one of those ultimate examples, like a Minimoog or Prophet 5, of "this is what a synth looks like"! All that said, there are definitely some things that still piss me off about it: - Where are the freakin' D-50 patches / Model Expansion, Roland?! - The Roland Cloud has yet to make the world a better place. - Menu-diving colour-coded button programming nightmare when not in "Juno mode"… where 90% of the instrument's potential is "not Juno mode". I was constantly having to re-learn how to interpret which mode I was in and how to get anywhere therein and being colour-blind only made it ten times worse! In fairness, I was thinking of it, again, in terms of being "a Juno". I don't think the workflow would be so difficult if I thought of it in terms of a "do-it-all" synth (or, at least, the difficulty would be more justified! ;). - The I-Arp and step sequencer are cool but it would be _really_ nice to have a more fully-featured sequencer or song recorder, especially since it's 5-part multi-timbral!
Fantastic comment 👏 I wonder if you'd prefer a fantom 6 over the Juno x. I think I'd prefer the additional controls you get with the fantom over the restrictive UI of the X. But I understand the nostalgic connection to the Juno look. Let me know how it goes and what you end up purchasing!
@@VultureCulture Thanks! Yeah, the Fantom is really nice, great feature set, &c. For me, though, it's too much overlap with my K2700 and - I know it's silly - but I'm really stuck on the built-in speakers thing! The best alternative I can think of is the Korg SP2-73SP, which is definitely a strong contender for the purposes. But I'll let you know how it plays out! :)
I guy I know just listed his Avalon Bassline (another 303 clone) for $2500... It can do a little more, and has a lot more I/O and so on... but man, you could buy something like 27 Donner B1 for the price of that single Avalon...
I have the pro 800 and its actually amazing. It sounds incredible. Its also been updated so all those early issues are gone. Also have you tried a quantum/iridium. Its probably the one of the best synths ever made. The 3rd wave is also very pricey at 5000 dollars and also the OBX8 oberheim. Id rather have a roland SE02 over any of the mono analogs you mentioned. And its very affordable with patch memory.
I didn't recommend the 3rd Wave OB-X8 keyboards for that reason. I'm sure the Quantum is great but at what cost 😂 Also, what are your favorite things about the SE02?
@@VultureCulture its just sounds huge and it has patch memory(which is a huge win), analog delay and a sequencer. And the quantum is more of a synth then the 3rd wave or the OBX8. It has a touchscreen for starters. Its a high quality instrument(I have an iridium desktop). 3rd wave doesn't have poly aftertouch either. My point was you could have used those two for a pricey synth instead of the quantum.
Ahh I see what you're saying, my bad. I see where you're coming from. I think the Iridium desktop is probably the way to go with that line - all of the power of that incredible engine at the best price.
@@VultureCulture I mean its all subjective ofc but if you havent tried a quantum/iridium you might change your mind. They have that little one now too which is a great deal imo.
The Roli Seaboard 2 might take a while to get used to.....and talking from experience, it really does take a long time to get your hands and head around this thing, but after having it since launch (i was an early backer) some the the stuff you can do with acoustic style instruments including El electric guitars etc this thing is unbeatable and there's things you can do that you simple cant on the osmose. Want to take a C minor chord and hold all 3 fingers on the synth, slide your hand down or up , then slide left or right and drop it into another chord like a g major or literally anything you want, and you can do it, and while you're doing the sliding with your hand it's morphing the chord from c minor to g major. Speaking of Equator the software that comes with it, some of the sounds you can get out of equator are just absolutely insane. I have a 12" sub and 10" monitors......and holy crap the neighbours must think i have Hanz Zimmer in my room.....this thing creates some beastly sounds. Or, you want to play a fretless sounding bass, or acoustic guitar, amazing. You should google the guy playing purple rain on the original seaboard (and check his other songs, cant remember his name) and it sounds wild that he's able to get such expression from a synth. As for the Nina, defo a cool bit of kit, but the Polybrute 'morph' control IS actually moving each knobs "value" on the entire synth to go from patch A to B just like Nina, except with Nina, the knobs move, the Polybrutes don't. It's not morphing, or 'merging' the actual sound output together if you get my meaning. It's like someone with 100 hands moving all the knobs to a different setting at the rate(s) you choose, pretty cool stuff. I wish they moved like Nina so you can see what's happening but it's definitely the same thing and you can do it with polyphonic aftertouch in multiple ways , from the morphee to the keyboard or program it into the matrix and have that trigger a bunch of other things. My own take, I prefer the Brute, but would be much cooler if it had Nina style nob control, especially that notchy feeling it can produce etc, very versatile and you can see exactly where its set.
noticed the Freak, monologue and DM12d are around the same price... arrg. I can only afford one otherwise I'd just get the hydra and call it a day. I really should go hunt these down and test them out .. thanks for the help!
Very informative. 2024 is off to a great start with a lot of new offerings, especially from Korg. They've been quite busy it appears, but one disheartening fact is they're getting a little greedy with the pricing on the new products. Anyway, keep up the good work, I'm enjoying the page.
Great video! I would just include brief sound demos while deacribing each one. As long as this video is, theres time for snippets even if its just quick factory settings. Beats the same repetetive song playing here.
Very true and always wanted to do that! Maybe next year. Biggest thing is sourcing the video (I obviously don't own all of these synths) Also great screename 🗡️
@@VultureCulture After finishing this video I realized I may have a problem. I own 4 synths on your list. lol I really want a sequential pro 3 and an arturia polybrute. Neither are in the video but 2 synths I've been wanting for awhile.
@SumnSumnSumnHTK they're both incredible synths that I never find a place to mention in these videos unfortunately. That "middle upper premium" synth range is harder to quantify than "best value" or "dest overall" lol
@@VultureCulture lol. Apparently it was released on 2015. And black edition on 2016. I got really excited when I saw it on your list, almost bought it back then and I thought it was a new version. But no. same same. It’s an almost 10 years old synth 😅🫣
4:50 For this price you can get the Behringer Neutron, keep 150 dollars in your pocket and still have a way more capable synth that does also do nearly everything this does.
I have mentioned it in previous years videos. I think it's a great synth but it's not as impressive now that there are so many affordable VCO synths out there.
I went back and watched this again. I agree with you regarding the Sledge 2.0. It's definitely a sleeper, and has provided endless inspiration for me over the last few years. There's plenty of used ones out there now and it would be a nice addition to someone's synth collection. I bought a used yellow one ($600) because I was reading a lot of posts regarding issues with the black one, and I'm not a fan of the gray/black keyboard. Regarding best buys, you can't beat the VST collections available now. For under $1000, you can grab the Arturia V Collection, which includes the MiniFreak, and Korg Collection, and have 52 classic and modern synths at your beck and call. Endless inspiration!
@@VultureCulture I’m a member of a few Sledge groups on FB, and the problems posted were OS boot up issues, the LCD screen blanking out and dead keys on the key bed.
Thought maybe you would have mentioned the Gamechanger Audio Motor Synth. Just as it being a unique synth is all. But what a great video. Love how you give an honest opinion on the products. Its super refreshing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for including us on your list! We're honored. We love what we're doing and your support means everything to us!
Really excited about what you guys are doing! Thank you for giving the world the 3rd Wave! 🌊
Bought one, in my opinion its better than the udo super gemini as its significantly more flexible and is the dream synth, and ive heard they are industry leading in updating their gear.
Thanks man, I haven't watched your channel before but this has to be the most comprehensive synth of the year guide I've ever seen. It looks like you've pretty much got everything covered at every price point. I'll definitely check out more of your channel and at the very least I'll be back next year to check out what's the best of the best. Great job.
Thank you very much and welcome! I always do a livestream every Wednesday so please stop by if you can and say hi 👋
Thank you for such a perfect and clear analysis. A hug from Portugal👌👍🎹
You sold me the dread box and the Korg monologue xd and I’m happy as hell. Subscribed and liked
Awesome and welcome!
I have the Typhon and I love it. Sounds like you were lucky and didn't get the USB noise issue? I have seen tons of complaints on forums from people saying they were forced to return or sell theirs, and I suspect this benefitted me in getting a returned open-box from a store for only £220. Turns out Dreadbox sells a splitter cable that puts the data and power down different lanes, which completely solved the problem for me (I run the power side from a USB power port in my desk lamp).
Well I am a guitar player learning synths and this past year I bought a Donner b1 bass synth a Yamaha modx+7 and a moog grandmother .. a Roland tr-8s drum machine now to figure out how to make it all work …
Imagine if Roland released a proper analog modern Juno 60/106 in the same spirit like when Sequential released a proper analog modern Prophet-5/10. I think Roland would sell quite many of them.
They would murder it. I think the problems they had with the JD-Xa turned them off from trying analog again.
@@VultureCulture still love the XA
JDXA is an under-looked upon monster
If Roland released a new version of the JD-XA with 10 analog voices. It would be game over for a lot of other synths
@@chokocat9064 Yup..100% true.
Great job on this video! Favorite recommendation - Studiologic SLEDGE!! YES!! That thing sounds fantastic, and the FEEL is AMAZING. Thank you so much for that one! Keep up the good work here on your channel. 😀
Love to hear from the Sledge people! 🖤
Fatar rules Synth key beds. I can’t seem to part with my Kawai 5000s which I almost hate but it has midi and can run a Blofeld desktop which is also hate worthy. I have thought of gutting the Kawai and plopping the Keybed in an old Akai AX60 but realized I could find simple controllers with Fatar keys and gut those.
@@frankstetka7206 - DUDE just spend the $900, get the Studiologic Sledge, and be done with it! 😀
❤ for the Waldorf sound!
What synth would you recommend me between a Roland Jd Xi and a Korg Wavestate mkII?
WaveState all day
JD Xi has a very very fragile keyboard. Not a good idea.
@francksimon7077 good info to know
Great list. I got a juno ds 61 used for about 500. Did i make a mistake? I'm looking for more of a synth than an aranger keyboard.
I don't think so! That's a cool digital synth, I only recommend buying something else if you feel like it's not meeting your needs
@VultureCulture thanks man. I got some more time with it, and it realy does kick ass for the price.
Greetings to all!🤝👋 Tell me please your impressions of the Roland SH4D groovebox? To what extent does it allow you to enjoy the process of instantly creating beats, rather than digging through endless instructions and submenus, as Roland themselves like to do. To what extent did the SH4D meet your expectations? I would be very grateful to you for your feedback. Hello from Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
Welcome to the channel Aleksei! 🇪🇪
I've had several comments speaking on the SH-4d reaching cpu overloads quicker than it should so I won't be recommending it next year. That doesn't mean they're all bad, just something to be aware of.
Let me know which groove box you end up going with!
That was an excellent run down thank you. In defense of Roland's new offerings Roland has some of the most musical for lack of a better term synths on the market. Do they sound like a vintage Juno? Probably not but who cares if it's in a track with a bunch of other sounds only purists will be able to say "that doesn't sound like Juno!" I make songs, I care about the "song" first and foremost so for me personally what makes a better song is what I try to use.
Nothing wrong with liking that modern Roland sound. For me, it's a little to close to that JP-8000 sound and less of the Jupiter 8 sound, if that makes sense.
@@VultureCulture I wasn't specifically talking about their modern sounds but in general their synths have a musicality to them that is apparent to me. I've owned a Pro One, Virus, Nord, Novation, AN1X, Waldorf and a few others they all have a sound signature.
Hi!There is an unsurpassed, already vintage DSI rev 5 synthesizer. It's amazing that he was pushed into a corner.
As for the digital synthesizer, which will be very popular after decommissioning, it is worth taking a look at the secondhand market and it will be the Roland system 8.
DSI Rev 5?
@@VultureCulture Ha ha ha! Of course rev 2! Even
and I don't know how it happened.Rev 5 is this a monster from a dream?))
I must say, Behringer did an amazing job with JT4000. They've managed to create a little polysynth that sounds really good, and it only costs 49 bucks! The build quality is fantastic, and the navigation is so easy and intuitive. The screen is also worth noting, even though it's tiny, it's so clear and crispy (oled). Behringer really nailed this tiny form factor (same size as korg nts1).
I actually usually do include Behringer every year: th-cam.com/video/kRn5TSi94nw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=p7JyuP2jsndMD7Ja th-cam.com/video/94mbeYF8JKs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=e1I8h7nSxiNuSZua
Thank you for letting me know! I was very very close to adding the JT to the list - I was worried about the build quality but it sounds like I shouldn't have been.
The only thing I don’t like about the jt4000 is when trying to use a midi keyboard with it. You’ll need a usbc splitter for power and then a usbc to 5pin din adaptor, since most midi keyboards don’t have midi host function. I think it’s a great and fun little synth, but if you want to play with it with a midi keyboard and no computer, it’s a pain in the bum.
@teamphil that sucks! Thank you for the info! That's part of why I didn't mention it as the choice for beginner synth, although the price point is stellar.
@@jocee2257what’s with the hostility? No one is forcing you to watch this channel.
You can make a very strong case for the Sequential Pro 3 being the best monosynth on the market right now. It's got a ton of killer features and it sounds absolutely wicked.
Yes, but it is very expensive, almost 4x the Malevolent.
Wow @vultureculture that is a comprehensive look at all the categories one could be interested in! Great job, and I definitely wasn't so familiar with many of these, so it'll be a good reference for me moving forward this year. Personally, I have the 3rd Wave in my sights, but I need to make room in the studio and budget first!
Good to hear from you homie! 🍾🎇
3rd Wave is insanely powerful but *not cheap*!
This is an excellent list of a lot of synths work trying. I do not need anymore gear, but it’s time to add a Dreadbox piece to my set up sometime this year.
I think it would be worth it - Dreadbox stuff sounds so feral lol
My favorite synth gear: Studio centerpiece: Akai Force. Polysynth: Hydrasynth (any). Monosynth: Sequential Pro 3. Acoustic / expressive instrument: Expressive-E Osmose. Portable: Dirtywave M8. Best way to start a song: hum a song idea into a phone. Notable mentions: Boss RC-505 Mk2, Novation Peak/Summit, 3rd Wave, PWM Malevolent, Arturia Microfreak / Minifreak / Minibrute 2, Haken Continuum, Nonlinear Labs C15.
Great list! C15 is an awesome muscle car of a synth!
@@VultureCultureIn addition to my music production desk, I'd love to set up a practice / performance / meditation area with an Osmose, RC-505, mic, and Wavedrum. But not until/unless I somehow end up with lots of free time and cash. 😅
Budget considerations aside, would you rather get a vintage synth (as in 2000 and before) or a new synth? Am not locked on a particular sound
I only have vintage synths, because I like their quirks and character, and generally sound good. However, I do live near (like an hour away) from a good synth technician, and if you live anywhere near a city you probably do too, but if I was in a truly rural area I probably wouldn't want to buy vintage just because repairs can be needed. Usually less of an issue of failing parts and more the condition you bought it in. Just bought a JX-10, for instance, that seemed fine until you solo'd just the second layer and one of the voices was dead. Very easy to miss. Luckily the seller refunded me the repair costs, but it's a good cautionary tale.
@ Thanks a lot. Excellent point, wasn't thinking about it from a repair pov. I'd love to own vintage and get the legacy/historical significance as a bonus but if all of that is to amount to a headache, modern does make a whole lot of sense. Anyway, love your content as always -sad you parted with the K5000, was looking forward to you working it inside out! Cheers
@@taxmoneyyyPlenty of great, modern analog synths that are soaked in vintage sound and vibe. Great time to be alive, honestly.
What would your pick for the modern synth with the most vintage vibe?
@@VultureCulture The Taiga models from Pittsburgh Modular are super tempting. The Matriarch is pricey, but I loved the Moog Grandmother so much, I had to upgrade and I legit love it twice as much. Also Prophet Rev2. It’s features and sound definitely make it still hold up 8 years later
16:25 Didn't Korg basically kill the Prologue series for some reason? But a Minilogue 8voice would be the dream...
Too many microprocessors. In a post COVID chip supply shortage it just wasn't feasible anymore
Thanks for taking the time man. Very informative! I've been out of the synth game for decades, I probably have had all the vintage analog stuff You can think of, but I sold almost all of it and my focus has been on the piano. I am overwhelmed by how many companies are making the stuff now and what all the stuff is capable of. I can't say that you've made diving in any easier, but I've certainly got a lot of information to evaluate. It sucks that there are no music stores in my area that carry any of it to try it out.
Yeah I wish there were stores by me to play synths at too!
Which synths are you looking at getting?
31:07 yes, by replacing the pots with rotary LED (like Hydrasynth), so you can see all settings at a glance and in low light. I dont care too much about losing the force feedback (e.g continuous vs step knobs).
Fair point!
I was interested in the synths, but sorry: the unnerving background elevator music somehow ruins it. Why not play a few patches (even demo patches from the manufacturer) of each synth in order to get an idea?
If I got the opportunity to play all of these synths, trust me, I'd love to play some in these videos lol
Cool vid. Best mult-timbral synth?
That would be a good category! I guess that's the workstation category people have been asking for lol.
Korg Kross 2 looks promising!
Awesome video. On a slight tangent. I have never gotten a beringher product. Recently I needed a mini mixer. Got 2 mackies and they were doa. Got a beringher that was cheaper, working like a charm and build quality is decent. My only experience with them and it was good. Can't say anything about the keyboards though.
Great video. I am brand new ro the world of synths. I already have a lower end yamaha workstation for piano.
I like the idea of consructing and manipulating sound in teal time like a synth can do. Of course i love playing 80s, 90s etc stuff too.
Would you consider the hydrasynth as too much for a first synth in my case? I kind of want to buy the right one the first time Any advice would be helpful.
Not at all! The Hydra is an amazing synth that will never bottom out with possibilities.
Thanks - great to hear your take on all these synths. Sh-4d might be the value buy for me but you introduced me to synths I did not know existed like the Nina. Good stuff.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Nina is a beast! 🙏
Thanks for the list! 👍🏻 The MiniFreak is already on my short list after using it in V Collection X… that sold it for me right there… seeing it talked about here means it’s being ordered tonight 😂
I wish Arturia would pay me a commission for the number of synths I've sold 😂
A very cool choice 😎 👌 👍🏽
@frankstetka7206
0 seconds ago
Oh yeah I am probably going down that road by also picking up the mini. At first I thought the micro was a bit shrill and thin on some factory patches but I dig in and it turns out to have some heft for what it is. I love my old Arturia mini brute duo but one bad pitch wheel pot and all decomposing rubber knobs are beyond irritating. I’m replacing all of them and feel that same fate will occur to the Freq’s.
As a beginner with serious intentions and or potential consider the Roland Fantom 06, Korg Nautilus 61 and Yamaha MODX6 they go between €1250-1750 and are great bread butter synths to have as a basis of your set up.
To later add water with FM, wavetable, VA, analog etc.
Owning a synth like this is fundamental to me.
If you're not into bread or butter but wanna play the "I am different" part I'd check on the GAIA 2 from Roland and KingKorg NEO.
Got a Jupiter 50 (bread & butter), a KingKorg 61 keys (VA) and Roland SH-4d as a TR-8s. Total damage about $ 3250 with a Tascam 24 track mixer/recorder and monitors.
That's a very different (but very valid) approach than what I would consider recommending - do you think most beginners would find the workstations challenging?
@@VultureCulture Workstations with lineair sequencer are challenging I think. As a beginner a step sequencer would be in general a better approach (for me).
What was missing when I started was information that was correct, even subjective information can be helpfull if interpreted the right way.
It boils down to two things. Do you want to play or want to learn synthesis and make a choice based on that.
the one machine I think you should really have included was the Synclavier Regen- it is an extraordinary machine (with poly pressure) and is insanely flexible as a synth.
Can't believe I missed that one! You're totally right!
What
No kurzweils?? Pc4 or k2700?
I definitely want to try out a K2000 at some point!
@@VultureCulture You should. It's also slept upon and underrated, while simultaneously being the most powerful architecture :P
No mention of the Destiny+ Czochralski Cells....?
This was the first year I covered drum synths - next year the category will be more expanded likely (idk this video ended being an hour long). Cells looks great but is probably too modular for the scope of this video.
Thanks so much for this video! I have a neice and nephew who are both budding synthesists, and I was looking for a good synth to send them that wouldn't break the bank. So they each got a Cobolt 5s. Both of the units work perfectly and both of them love it. I was considering the Donner B1 because it's so cheap, but the Cobolt was cearly a much better choice. You made a couple of young kids very happy.
Awwww that warms my soul! I'm so glad you shared the gift of synthesizers with them! 🎹🎹
@@VultureCulture Thanks! although at times I feel a bit like a drug dealer "sharing the gift" of heroin with them....
@geoffk777 hahahahahahahaha
Minilogue XD or Nord lead A1? Who wins?
At 1/3rd the price I know id go for the Minilogue XD
thanks for making this. Great lighting in your studio. makes the video even better.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and the lighting!
Any synths you're looking to buy?
This is my favorite synth rundown video ever. You covered a lot of ground, and the video had a snappy good pace to it. The best part is that you covered plenty of the synths I’ve had my eye on, which was nice to see all in one place, and there were good surprises. Now I gotta get more work so I can try to get a little something here and there. Thanks, and for me, this was a nicely produced video.
Thank you so much for the positivity 🙏
I'm glad you found this video helpful and invite you to check out one of the live streams I do every Wednesday at 9 pm est - we've got a really awesome community over there 🍻
Will check the live stream out! Thanks!
I am sure glad I found this video! Great presentation! I have the Prophet Rev 2 and I do prefer analogue over digital. I would like to add a synth for ambient sounds. I welcome your thoughts on the Studiologic Sledge or the Minifreak. Thank you
I think the minifreak will give you a greater range at a cheaper price point but they're both amazing.
For experimenting with modern non-traditional synth sounds ( wavetable, formant, and “vowel” for example ), the MicroFreak is a great low cost synth( again 4 voice limitation, and smaller touch surface keyboard ), and in the latest firmware update you can now indirectly add samples ( record or find a sample and add it on your computer into the free software called midi control center, then plug in MF to computer and add them in ). It has an arpeggiator and sequencer, also vocoder ability by plugging a mic with TRRS ( 3 black bands, even a phone headset with mic will work ) into the mini headphones jack ( crank up the mic gain in MF settings ).
Sounds improve going through external FX boxes ( or FX in a DAW ) like reverb and delay. Firmware updates are free BTW.
I didn't know all of that! Any other synths you'd recommend?
Great video, thanks! You say the debate between digital and analogue is officially over yet I sense you leaning towards a preference for analogue, particularly when it comes to filters. So am I imagining this or do you think there's still some secret sauce in analogue that's (currently) unmatched by digital?
Very perceptive of you!
I think it's a matter of implementation. Certain synths have such wonderfully modelled analog filters that I don't think it even matters anymore (modal). Although I mention how great the filters sound on the Hydra, I do think it embraces its digital side. Certain Hybrid's or even analog's filters are not setting my world on fire either.
Thanks for your reply! Yes I agree, I tried out the Hydra instore and while I was greatly impressed, I was immediately thinking how I might be able to "analogue-ise" the sounds a bit more. I must check out the Modal you mentioned. 👍
Love this video am looking for a decent synth my budget is between £1500 to £1800 av got my heart set on an Arturia matrixbrute what's your opinion on them?
Very cool monosynth but expensive for one voice, especially when you have options like Malevolent for half the price and Typhon for about 1/4
Just found your page and subscribed right away.
I had a D50 for over 25 years until its demise due to a power supply failure. The funny thing is, losing it is what brought me into the modern world of VSTs. I am about to sign up for Roland Cloud and will be picking up your D50 library when I do.
I can't wait to see what treasures your video archive has in store for me. :)
Awesome! Welcome to the community! 🙏🙏
This is a very helpful video. Not that I'm in the market to buy anything, but it's great to get the comparisons between the synths and better understand how each one shapes the landscape.
Can I suggest two more categories for you to consider?: 1) Synth which best (or worst) defines a characteristic sound, thinking of the "dystopian" Jupiter 6 or anything else which tends to lean toward a particular sound style. 2) Synth which would most easily be part of a sound bank rack for greater polyphony. ie: I might buy 3 Hydrasynth desktops to work with my Hydra keyboard, instead of upgrading to the Hydra deluxe. Synths which makes that an inexpensive option (edit in the keyboard version then send sounds to the sound rack units) could be good to mention.
That idea of genre specific synths is a great idea! The second idea I think I'm a little lost on. Are you talking about polychaining?
@@VultureCulture Hmm... I'm not sure, as I don't know much of the terminology yet. I'm coming from a different musical background, and trying to learn what's possible with MIDI.
The only explanation I can think of is this example: Pretend for the moment that Ashun released a very inexpensive Hydra that's rackmounted, but has a severely reduced interface and is a real pain to create patches on. So I'd create patches on my Hydra Keyboard, then send those through midi to the midi slaves. With two or three of these midi slaves, I'd get a lot of layered sounds for a lot less money than upgrading my 49-key to the Hydrasynth Deluxe.
However, in order to get 32-note polyphony from my midi rack, I'd have to get some controller that could take my crazy arpeggios and round-robin assign those notes to my keyboard as well as my midi rack. Or I could stick with lower polyphony so I could layer a lot of different patches. Basically, how easily this ecosystem supports such operations and how much money you could save by choosing a rack of less expensive models instead of buying their flagship model, all that would be the subject of the review/rating. (If such midi systems are even possible. Like I said, I'm still learning what's possible with midi) This idea came from the fact that I'm thinking I'll buy a Hydra desktop to go with my Hydra keyboard and get many of the benefits of the Hydra deluxe for a lot less than the cost of the deluxe. It would be nice to hear about some cost/benefit analyses regarding that kind of approach, as well as highlighting synth model families which better support such midi systems.
Then again, maybe my idea is too far out there to be practical now?
Hey, thanks for your reply, and for the education you provide through your videos!
Have you considered something like a vintage korg triton rack? You can get one from Music Sound Tokyo for $320 and it has 60-voice polyphony.
@@VultureCulture I'll look into that, thanks! My original intent was to beef up and layer the sound of my Hydra without springing for the Deluxe, but that got me thinking about the approach of multiple smaller units rather than one huge and expensive unit as a general practice. Thanks for the tip!
Hi! I would like to buy my first synth. I used since now a controller into my daw but I need something I can play live without the PC. I’m very basic in skill and play just for fun at home or with friends at rehearsal. I like analog stuff (all my gear) but for poly synth maybe is too much money. Under 500 which is your suggestion? Maybe with arpeggiator or some drums or pattern I can play with just one hand (I also play guitar)
Compact size for sure and with integrated keyboard
Thanks a lot for the help
Minifreak is compact, integrated keyboard and has an analog filter. Only variable it doesn't cover is it's $600, not $500. Dreadbox Nymphes is $500 but doesn't have the integrated keyboard, but is all analog and full of character.
@@VultureCulture in Europe the mini freak I can have it for 359 euros, is a big deal.
The other one I can buy a midi controller but the integrated stuff live is better imho
Found it! Haha... I seem to be going back to this video. Leaning hard on a Deluxe - just sort of curious on how it works with a DAW like Live. I realize, its not a controller replacement
Many plugins are now MPE compliant and you would be able to use the poly at with them. Such an incredible instrument!
Sledge is truly slept on you can get crazy nice sounds and it just looks cool af
For sure! Any other faves?
No mention of the Udo Super 6? I'm shocked. That synth is pure art. And we can absolutely thank Behringer for all these cheaper synths these days.
Super 6 is awesome! I simply reserved talking about Udo until the Gemini.
Agree about Behringer but the effect is at least debatable. There are cheaper synths than ever but also much more expensive synths than ever. You could say it's done more to assassinate the mid-range lol.
@@VultureCulture I see your point. But not even an honorable mention? It's a smaller company and for the work they did, I feel they should be on everyone's list. 😁
Oh, I was actually referring to the super Gemini. 😁
I did mention the Gemini lol
@@VultureCulture oh my God. Lol. Im an idiot. Sorry dude. Haha.
Great video with some cool choices. On the B Pro 800, I think it is fantastic. Most of the people who bash them, and claim poor quality likely have never even tried one. I have a lot of stuff in the studio, including a load of the Behringer stuff. It all gets heavy use and I’ve personally never had an issue.
Given your reasons for leaving Behringer out I was VERY surprised to see the Donner in there.
I have yet to have a single comment about build quality from Donner on my channel. It's a stark contrast to the amount I've gotten from Behringer owners, although to be fair this video gets a lot of comments from Behringer owners saying they've never had a problem.
When was the Cobalt 5s on sale for $300?
When the video was released (early January 2024)
Looks like the Korg drumlogue is not available anywhere.
Great video. Recently got my second Access Virus ti2 and it is just one amazing synth. Got the Korg Minilogue XD today and love it with my Korg Monologue. Ordered the small Behringer JT4000 and waiting for it but did not think I would buy a Behringer again after I bought a Wasp about a month ago and returned it cause 3 of the rotary knobs did not even turn and broke the plastic rotary knobs. Two of the step knobs also did not match the settings and positions on the plate. Other than that it was a great looking unit. The RD9 drum machine was a great unit without any problems so let's see about the JT4000.
Here's to hoping the JT4000 will be in pristine condition!
My dream synth is still the Iridium (keyboard). It not only sounds from another world, but also looks great and that's an understatement.
Iridium is the price point I like Waldorf at
It does have its glitches though.
What do you think about the roland S-1 ? Just bought one (125€ used), and I'm very impressrd by what you can do with that little thing ! The behringer model D also seems to excell, on my list !
Price is great and if it fits your workflow then it's awesome!
I've been enjoying the S-1 quite a bit, mostly as a travel synth. The ACB SH emulation is quite good (See the video for a description of the differences a bit when he's razzing the Roland Juno-X). It's definitely portable and it's not my main keys as a player, but it's fun! As a small synth, I dare say I prefer it to the Moog Mavis, although that's a great little guy too, if a little less useful for my workflow. (I have 2 of the larger synths in his list - Wavestate, Hydrasynth - among several others; the S-1 has a place for sure!) I'm tempted by the Dreadbox line right now. Lol.
@Modem5052 thank you for the feedback! I've gotten a few comments on how good the S-1 is as of this video. I played one at Knobcon and moved on, but maybe I need to revisit it.
@@VultureCulture when you get below the top level, the interface is a bit fiddly, but the constraints somewhat are what they are, given the size and sheer number of features. The top level controls keep the main synthesis controls easily in reach and the sequencer is easy enough to use. I’d have made some different trade offs (I used to design synths professionally!), but it definitely feels like a good outcome for the price and size.
The s1 is killer. Doesn’t use the zen core crap, and is kinda like a more tweakablr sh101. The algorithm in these super tiny synths - and boutiques are awesome. It’s so dumb they don’t use those algorithms in their other synths.
I've already heard the UB-Xa coming from just regular people. I've even heard blind tests with the OB-X8, OB-6 and UB-Xa. I saw people fail that blind test miserably, including myself. The UB-Xa really does sound great. The build quality is solid by all accounts. Metal and wood, plastic pots similar to a Nord Lead and It's got some weight to it. The keybed has been described as something like the OB-6, but with PAT but keybed feel is subjective so who knows how it will feel to you. The weakest part of the build that I can see is the detachable knobs imo. They're just plain plastic, nothing fancy but they work. If you want fancier knobs that's easy to acquire online and it's not much money at all. Given how the rest of the synth is built I'm surprised they cheaped out on the knobs. Maybe they had tons of them, I don't know. Surprisingly no one has yet complained about any bugs. Usually that comes right away.
Someone over at GS replaced the screen already, multiple times, in multiple colors. There's pictures and an explanation how to. It came out really nice. The GS user went with white on black which imo looks the best and fits the UB-Xa's look better than the stock red screen. Weird choice that.
I've very patient when it come to buying synths. Truth is I just don't need any more, but I gotta say the UB-Xa has exceeded my expectations, build wise, sound wise, and feature wise. I'll likely pick it up because as far as can tell it's a steal. I also really like the way it sounds and I don't have that color in my palette currently.
Does it sound exactly 1:1 like my favorite synth of all time, the Oberheim OB-Xa? Flat out NO, but neither does the OB-X8 or OB-6 which are the other options, both of which Ive owned. It comes just as close as either of these imo. The blind test certainly suggest as much. Bias is a tricky mofo.
I think the OB-X8 nails the OB-Xa sound, Marcus Ryle's video comparing the presets is pretty insane.
Thank you for your input! Looking forward to trying out one myself.
@@VultureCulture The price for the UB-XA is totally insane. It is 1275 Euros in germany... Thats about 1400 in Dollars, i think. But too expensive for me...
@@VultureCulture I saw that video. He kept it petty simple and yes the simpler stock presets matched pretty well, but not all of them. It's easier to tell in the heavily modulated sounds. Every comparison I've seen so far I've noticed the presenter will say something along the lines of: I could have matched it or gotten closer if . . . and then they move on. Honestly that was my experience as well, only I did try and never quite got there. Maybe that's just me and they could. Maybe it doesn't matter to some people.
But that's thing, you don't have to try with an OB-Xa. It's naturally wild like that, and the X8 is very controlled, as it should be imo. At least in my experience and from what I've seen in others. I toss it up to different times, different tech, plus those 40+ years. Whatever it is, I personally love it.
Also, is it just me or does anyone else notice the X8 has this, for lack of a better description, hi-fi sheen to it? I think so. Great sounding synth regardless but in the end I couldn't stomach the premium knowing what I know. Kinda felt like how things are in the fashion world, if you catch my drift. 😉 Branding baby.
A very cool wise person
Nice guide, at the end of the day, choose well what you can afford and what suits your needs and you can't go wrong
Agreed! So many incredible options out there nowadays!
@@VultureCulture also loved your personal recommendations. Didn't even know about the sledge but will check it out...I'm a big fan of the Wavestates & Hydrasynths, also the Terra looks interesting although I just picked up a Plinky synth which has that expressive touch vibe too ( very lucky to get hold of one with the demand /supply situation around it)
@enochroot9438 I need to check out the Plinky! Haven't heard of it!
Very nice chart, thanks a lot for it 👍👏
I was just surprised a bit that I did not see there Gaia 2 or MC-707 of Roland, since they are very famous among music creators if I am not wrong.
Actually I am deciding between Arturia MiniFreak and Roland Gaia 2... 😉
If it was my money I'd go Minifreak all day - those analog filters are gamechangers at that price
In the if your patient you can get it for under $100 category, I recommend the Uno Synth - on sale now brand new for $129..99 and hence no worries about if the software editor (which is pretty awesome) code has already been used.
Minifreak seems great but why spend 600 when the vst version is included in the V Collection which is only 500 plus you get all the other stuff with it 🤷🏾♂️
It's for people who want a hardware synth with analog filters. If that's not your thing then V Collection it is!
I’m looking for a all in one synth to replace my Roland JDXI but havnt found anything with vocoder, drum machine, 4 track sequencer with effects?
Have you checked out the Roland FA-06?
@@VultureCulture I will now.
@@VultureCulture looks sick. But those damn red knobs and gloss black with tiny writing again.
Remember when synths were easy to read? Lol.
First video of the Donner I see that makes me think I should get it.
Yeah it's freaking good.
New subscriber here, and I have to hand it to you that you are really on point with your suggestions and observations. Great content and I stayed awake through the whole program 😆
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Any synths you're looking at?
I think you mean '...of 2023'
There will surely be new releases in most of these categories in the other 51 weeks of 2024.
Also the Sledge 2.0 is basically a Blofeld. It literally works with the same editor.
I didn't know that!
I could of course wait until the last day of the year to post this video but then it would be outdated the next day lol.
😂😂@@VultureCulture
It seems you ignored the Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave. This became my dream synth at this moment, but I have the Gemini on my list as well.
I covered the 3rd Wave in the vintage recreations category.
That's a fair list... I would have just seen the modwave, iridium, prophetX somewhere... Modwave for beginners, prophetX because it's a very special kind of synth, and Iridium, because, man that synth is so deep !!!!
As for MPE, owning both a seaboard and osmose, osmose is great, but there's a bunch of things I can do with the seaboard and not with osmose... Maybe a soft synth section, workstation section, and controller section some day too :)
But you sir deifinitely know what you're talking about...
I've gotten quite a few comments saying the seaboard is superior! So I'll take that into account for next year's video
3:02 thats so funny how this Donner device is cheaper than the Aturia Soft synth equivalent. I'd take the hardware over the vst for sure.
It is so crazy when you phrase it that way
Fascinating watch, thank you! Gotta say that the Terra has been my revelation, using it for industrial and IDM styles, as it has reminded me that so many synths disconnect me from actually listening to the music rather than looking at the interface. Has made me play so differently, more about the tactile guitar expression...helps that it can sound utterly filthy and has some of the best reverb and delay on a synth I’ve heard in some time
I really hope I get a chance to play one sometime! Such a one of a kind instrument! Any other favorites for industrial and IDM?
@@VultureCulture I thought the MegaFM was going to be a gimmick...that thing has become a fantastic little box of raw edged, hands-on FM joy!
Two of my friends have the Osmose…the expression is unparalleled but the sound engine is just ok IMO.
Great video but why do you never mention anything from behringer? You did the donner
I explain in the video at the end why I didn't mention Behringer this year. I've mentioned Behringer in years past.
Great job, as always. I agree with everything (that I've played). I own the Nina and the Roland SH-4d. Very glad to see them on the list. And yes, the Roland Juno X could have been so much better (like analog?) for the price. Would have liked to have seen the Osmose in there somewhere, but can't have everything... Thanks for the show, man!
It's in there in the poly after touch / expression category!
I own a Sledge and use to own a hydrasynth and was very pleased the sledge picked up a recommendation as it's a very versatile amazing sounding synth. I sold my hydrasynth despite having the absolute best time programming it for one reason. Only. It didn't sound like anything to me. The sound despite its best attempts didn't sound analog and it didn't sound ice pick digital either. After months of using it and programming and enjoying it, I found I couldn't use it in my songs because it didn't really stand out as anything. So I sold it. I do miss it it from time to time though. Now the sledge, that is not going anywhere. You can legit make it sound indistinguishable from a real moog. I had a basic moog bass set up on the subsequent and the same on the sledge, identical. Honestly don't know how they pulled that off. The Sledge is staying forever or until it catches on fire.
Everyone who has a Sledge says something similar!
You're not the first to point out the Hydra's "neutral" sound - not everyone's cup of tea. Virus's kind of have the same issue.
Yeah synths with any kind of VA labeling like the Blofeld engine sound better than straight up digital polys for classic subtractive sounds. Nord Lead A1 and 4 sound way, way warmer/analog.
Absolutely agree with you about the Studiologic Sledge. The initial sound engine (Waldorf Blofeld) has been a little restricted but it's incredible what we can do with it, in all kind of sounds.
What is more, there are some hidden specs accessible through Midi CC (as PPG filter for example).
It's a good idea to mention it. Thank you.
I didn't know that about the PPG filter!
Excellent run through. Have to say, I love the sound of the Nymphes every time I hear it. Dreadbox seem to be very good at getting grit and character. Tempting. I already have the Take 5, and it always sounds gorgeous. That Nina would also be awesome. It’s got the sound and the power.
As far as a good groove box, the Synthstrom Deluge is a monster. Various synth engines, incredible workflow. It also has a sanctioned open source version now which has been adding some crazy features. Everything unlimited, only bound by CPU.
I definitely need to expand my horizons when it comes to groove boxes. I think next year I'll have a more nuanced take on the subject - need to check out Deluge because it looks insane!
Only thing blown me away since the octatrack is the erica perkons. i am selling my hole modular for financing two of them. :)
Awesome video, happy new year man! I always wanted to ask, which keyboard stands do you use?
Happy New Years to you Maladar! Thank you for being a part of the community 🍾🥂
I use Standtastic 103-KS's. Not the cheapest but are awesome and can handle my 45+ lb vintage keys
@@VultureCulture Thanks a lot, I was just looking at them on Sweetwater now, so they are 3 tier stands, but I suppose for the 4th tier u got the optional tier kit? I see they can hold a ton of weight on each tier, as opposed to the Jaspers, where only the bottom tier can hold 45 lbs. How was the setup? Because the Jaspers setup makes u wanna hate life lol
@MaladarGaming I love them! I haven't watched jim danekar's new video but he's who recommended the stands to me but apparently there's a new, even better stand in town
fantastic detail and coverage - unfortunately for me the mix of your voice was a little low compared to the background music
I will certainly turn it down in future videos! Thank you for your comment! 🙏
The quantum does have 16 analog filters. It’s just two per voice which cannot be split to make make one per voice stereo
Can I get a source on that? Sweetwater says 8x analog and 8x multimode
@@VultureCulture I think they have their listing incorrect. Perfect circuit has it listed right. Also the manual references it throughout. Not trying to be a smarty pants haha, I enjoy the videos. Let me know if you find it.
@6195ryan you're correct! I cannot understand while they're dual but not stereo
@@VultureCulture it is strange… I thought the same but due to the architecture it can’t be done. At least that’s what Waldorf has said.
@6195ryan incredible
Why the lemon drop and not the the liven texture lab?
Maybe I should have featured the Liven instead! The Lemon drop has more memory for sampling versus 32 6 second slots, but the Liven really is an incredible value granular synthesizer!
Awesome list ! I know its a hardware list but I really got to throw one sleeper softsynth in and that's the GForce OB-E V2 that came out in 2022 and I've slept on. Do not sleep on this monster it easily one of the best sounding softsynths ever made and is officially supported by Oberheim . I bought it and my jaw dropped .
GForce leads the race with vintage recreations and OB-E is their magnum opus. Totally agree!
Hey guys - can you pls recommend a VST or another synth like the Solar 42?
I don't know a good one off the top of my head unfortunately!
Great video!!!! and I have to agree with all you views shared on your picks. I am glad you shined some light on the Sledge, I felt the same way, about how it's got a very "Iridium-ish" vibe. Again great video and definitely doing a solid service for your fellow artists of all degrees.
Just me going on about my Sledge ;) (figure you can read when you have time)
Seriously though, I've really gotten a lot of out of the Sledge. As I work with it I have discovered the individual parameter knobs take on different characteristics at extremes; the effects for example, from the surface seem very straight forward and they are when you use them in their normal ranges. Where it goes into 'other' teritory is in the extreme low and high settings. Chorus with a speed of 1 and depth set to what ever you want creates this binaural audio experience. Reverb again same tricks and you get these wide spaces that preserve the dryness of the foreground sounds. The interplay between the Envelope Amount and the Velocity amount completely change the behavior of both envelopes depending on the settings of the two amount knobs in relation to eachother and the identical parameters knob for knob in a ratio sense affecting how much velocity affects one envelope over the other. It's like the more you work with the Sledge you see how this front panel has layers of functionality meant to extend the possibilities beyond what you see on the panel, that when you play it and tweak and just barely move something the feedback is as good as analog and best of all it will behave the same regardless of the room temperature or if venus is rising next time you do it.
Then when you consider you can import samples into it really means that one doesn't have to tire of its fare. I am going to be sampling the ulra low oscillators from the K2000 Synth engine using a high resolution sound card and then export it into the format the sledge will like. I am going to sample the Lo-SAW, Lo-SQR blocks to see how they sound on the Sledge. Since thats what I used to do to thicked up my bass sounds on the K2K. I will share it with you once it's done.
Hey thank you again man for doing such solid for us. Peace out!
Awesome and thank you for sharing that information!
great video, thanks for diving into different brands, I didn't know what I was missing
I'm glad you found it helpful! 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks. Whats with modwave
ModWave is awesome. Just didn't have room for it in this video behind WaveState.
Great video, Arent the plugins of Roland, zen core? Man saving up for years to get my dream synth Jupiter X, and then I came across your substantial critics.
There's both Zencore and ACB which is their most accurate recreation of their synths. Zencore is more approximate.
Don‘t be fooled - the Jupiter X is an excellent synth. I own the Xm and I love it, it sounds really awesome. I even don‘t understand why Roland is criticized for their very understandable behaviour: they spent lots of money in developping their custom chips and the Zen-Core platform that kind of connects the plug-in-world with their latest hardware-synths. This is their business model - digital synths that incorporate their whole synth history from analog to digital. Not for collectors or nerds, but for the average producer that needs best value for money. If you‘re looking for analog ‚purity‘ - look somewhere else…there are lots of offerings. I am not an analog hater, I love my Moog Matriarch as much as the Jupiter Xm, but simply for different reasons. If I had to choose only one synth - it would be the Roland for sure.
@@bat-powmusic4925 then I will have the buy one. Thanks for the reminder.
@bat-powmusic4925 I totally get where you're coming from. I think it's the branding, that they're trying to make their synths look like their old analog ones. It's like when a bar refills their grey goose with skol vodka. Ironically System 8 has the opposite problem. It's the most sonically accurate but in a cheaper enclosure that looks like it powers a late 90's VST. If Juno-X looked like a suped up System 8 I wouldnt have as much of a problem. But Roland knows that they won't sell unless they play off the nostalgia, even if they don't use their ACB for the sound.
Just my opinion of course. Thank you for your comment 🙏
@VultureCulture Yes, you‘re right - they use nostalgia to sell their stuff. But: Who has the right to copy the styling of the original Junos/Jupiters if not Roland? And in contrast to your vodka-comparison, they are outspoken about the digital nature of Zen-Core. I agree, that the nostalgia-driven styling goes too far in some regards. The displays for example are a joke. But otherwise I have no complaints - built-quality is excellent and those machines really look sleek. So I really don‘t understand the hate, Roland gets from parts of the community…
I must agree that the Hydrasynth Deluxe rules them all. I have the original Hyrdasynth and keep considering upgrading. The Hydrasynth can also emulate most analogue sounds of the 70's and 80's. I think my ultimate stage setup would be my Korg SV-1 for digital piano paired with the Hyrdasynth Deluxe for two layers of synthesizer awesomeness.
That would be one helluvah setup! And an AX80 on the side for resonant screams?
@@VultureCulture yeah!
To me the best value is with the Behringer pro-800 (but your what you said about build quality makes sense).
It was a toss up between Nymphes and Pro-800. At only $500 I think the Nymphes is going to go on to be considered a classic.
How much does one make holding some random equipment into a camera?
I don't know if I understand this comment but if you're asking how much I make off of videos like these it is very, very little.
you mention analog oscillators on the Summit. it's digital though.
I prolly misspoke. The filters certainly are digital
I was expecting there be a category for a multi-engine digital workstation type synth, such as the Yamaha Montage M8x with its state of the art AN-X VA synth engine, Extended LFO functionality that is likely beyond what most (if not all) synths can do for LFO speeds, and its PAT capable keybed of which no other synth in that category does..!?
For me, workstations are their own category that would require their own video. They certainly can be very powerful VA engines - but they're not for everyone who's into knob-per-function synthesizers
Great list with lots of nice surprises!
I have to give my 2¢ on the Juno-X, though. I was one of those that rode the hype wave when it came out and bought one the first moment I was able to (~Feb 2023). I had it for 2~3 months and loved certain aspects of it (my 7-y-o daughter loved the vocoder 😍, the "M" filter was a super nifty alternative, &c) but ended up selling it because, with _ALL_ that other stuff (like you were saying!), it just did _NOT_ have the Juno-106 mojo that I was looking to recapture (that was my first synth, ~1986).
But now I find myself missing the -X for several reasons. Philosophically, I realised that Roland was selling - and I had bought - something it would never be. So, adjusting that understanding and expectation made me realise all the things that it actually _is_ . Thus, pragmatically, it turns out to be a really useful and practical "all in one" synth that I intend to buy again (unless I find a better alternative) because of the following features:
- Built-in speakers. Yes, they sound like crap. Yes, they are not loud. I dig the philosophy of putting them in (an "instrument" should "make sound" without external amplification and because of the haptic feedback they provide) but practically, it's just super convenient, as a keyboardist, to be able to bring a full-featured synth to a a buddy's house or a jam session or whatever and not have to bring a PA with it!
- Build quality: It really feels like a $2k synth. It's solid without being unnecessarily heavy, fantastic keybed, all the controls feel solid and premium, &c.
- Yes, playing a RD-Piano on a Juno-shaped box is weird. But same as above; being able to bring a decent sounding piano to a jam session or whatever without lugging the other 27 keys plus 27 lbs (plus PA…), or a separate sound module &c, is just super handy.
- The foregoing arguments would generally lead one toward an arranger-style keyboard and that's not the wrong conclusion. But I have yet to find an arranger that has the right combination of features at the right price that I would _also use anywhere else_ , like back in my studio! Even if it just sat there doing nothing, the -X is a nice piece of eye candy for current and prospective clients (this is a similar argument for my Moog Subsequent 37). But it _wouldn't_ just sit there because (like the '37) it can not only bring its own unique voice to the table but (one of the under-rated features of both of these examples) it has a _lot_ of juice as a MIDI controller! Not to mention the tons of effects, external audio input/processing, USB audio, class-compliant interface, &c &c &c.
- And, of course, I just can't deny the emotional connexion to "the Juno look". I mean, it's just one of those ultimate examples, like a Minimoog or Prophet 5, of "this is what a synth looks like"!
All that said, there are definitely some things that still piss me off about it:
- Where are the freakin' D-50 patches / Model Expansion, Roland?!
- The Roland Cloud has yet to make the world a better place.
- Menu-diving colour-coded button programming nightmare when not in "Juno mode"… where 90% of the instrument's potential is "not Juno mode". I was constantly having to re-learn how to interpret which mode I was in and how to get anywhere therein and being colour-blind only made it ten times worse! In fairness, I was thinking of it, again, in terms of being "a Juno". I don't think the workflow would be so difficult if I thought of it in terms of a "do-it-all" synth (or, at least, the difficulty would be more justified! ;).
- The I-Arp and step sequencer are cool but it would be _really_ nice to have a more fully-featured sequencer or song recorder, especially since it's 5-part multi-timbral!
Fantastic comment 👏
I wonder if you'd prefer a fantom 6 over the Juno x. I think I'd prefer the additional controls you get with the fantom over the restrictive UI of the X. But I understand the nostalgic connection to the Juno look. Let me know how it goes and what you end up purchasing!
@@VultureCulture Thanks! Yeah, the Fantom is really nice, great feature set, &c. For me, though, it's too much overlap with my K2700 and - I know it's silly - but I'm really stuck on the built-in speakers thing! The best alternative I can think of is the Korg SP2-73SP, which is definitely a strong contender for the purposes. But I'll let you know how it plays out! :)
Great list and channel. I never wanted a donner b-1, but for $90, you can’t go wrong, so I just ordered it…
Nice! It's a crazy value synth!
I guy I know just listed his Avalon Bassline (another 303 clone) for $2500... It can do a little more, and has a lot more I/O and so on... but man, you could buy something like 27 Donner B1 for the price of that single Avalon...
@GizzyDillespee hahahaha yeah that's the world we're living in
@@VultureCulture it arrived today. Sounds pretty good so far. It’s not the prettiest, but fun for $90.
I have the pro 800 and its actually amazing. It sounds incredible. Its also been updated so all those early issues are gone. Also have you tried a quantum/iridium. Its probably the one of the best synths ever made. The 3rd wave is also very pricey at 5000 dollars and also the OBX8 oberheim. Id rather have a roland SE02 over any of the mono analogs you mentioned. And its very affordable with patch memory.
I didn't recommend the 3rd Wave OB-X8 keyboards for that reason.
I'm sure the Quantum is great but at what cost 😂
Also, what are your favorite things about the SE02?
@@VultureCulture its just sounds huge and it has patch memory(which is a huge win), analog delay and a sequencer. And the quantum is more of a synth then the 3rd wave or the OBX8. It has a touchscreen for starters. Its a high quality instrument(I have an iridium desktop). 3rd wave doesn't have poly aftertouch either. My point was you could have used those two for a pricey synth instead of the quantum.
Ahh I see what you're saying, my bad.
I see where you're coming from. I think the Iridium desktop is probably the way to go with that line - all of the power of that incredible engine at the best price.
@@VultureCulture I mean its all subjective ofc but if you havent tried a quantum/iridium you might change your mind. They have that little one now too which is a great deal imo.
The Roli Seaboard 2 might take a while to get used to.....and talking from experience, it really does take a long time to get your hands and head around this thing, but after having it since launch (i was an early backer) some the the stuff you can do with acoustic style instruments including El electric guitars etc this thing is unbeatable and there's things you can do that you simple cant on the osmose. Want to take a C minor chord and hold all 3 fingers on the synth, slide your hand down or up , then slide left or right and drop it into another chord like a g major or literally anything you want, and you can do it, and while you're doing the sliding with your hand it's morphing the chord from c minor to g major.
Speaking of Equator the software that comes with it, some of the sounds you can get out of equator are just absolutely insane. I have a 12" sub and 10" monitors......and holy crap the neighbours must think i have Hanz Zimmer in my room.....this thing creates some beastly sounds. Or, you want to play a fretless sounding bass, or acoustic guitar, amazing. You should google the guy playing purple rain on the original seaboard (and check his other songs, cant remember his name) and it sounds wild that he's able to get such expression from a synth.
As for the Nina, defo a cool bit of kit, but the Polybrute 'morph' control IS actually moving each knobs "value" on the entire synth to go from patch A to B just like Nina, except with Nina, the knobs move, the Polybrutes don't. It's not morphing, or 'merging' the actual sound output together if you get my meaning. It's like someone with 100 hands moving all the knobs to a different setting at the rate(s) you choose, pretty cool stuff. I wish they moved like Nina so you can see what's happening but it's definitely the same thing and you can do it with polyphonic aftertouch in multiple ways , from the morphee to the keyboard or program it into the matrix and have that trigger a bunch of other things. My own take, I prefer the Brute, but would be much cooler if it had Nina style nob control, especially that notchy feeling it can produce etc, very versatile and you can see exactly where its set.
Thank you for this in-depth comment! I'm hoping one day to get my hands on a seaboard
noticed the Freak, monologue and DM12d are around the same price... arrg. I can only afford one otherwise I'd just get the hydra and call it a day. I really should go hunt these down and test them out ..
thanks for the help!
You're welcome 🙏🙏🙏
@@VultureCulture can you recommend a sequencer for the Hydrasynth? I'm seeing a lot that dont support polyphonic after touch
Very informative. 2024 is off to a great start with a lot of new offerings, especially from Korg. They've been quite busy it appears, but one disheartening fact is they're getting a little greedy with the pricing on the new products. Anyway, keep up the good work, I'm enjoying the page.
Thank you! Any synths you're looking at this year?
@@VultureCulture Behringer announced a PPG clone that’s in beta right now. I’ve always wanted one, so that’s at the top of my wish list.
@keytronek Waldorf Microwave (a rackmount PPG Wave with analog filters from 1989) is available on reverb right now for $1700
Great video! I would just include brief sound demos while deacribing each one. As long as this video is, theres time for snippets even if its just quick factory settings. Beats the same repetetive song playing here.
Very true and always wanted to do that! Maybe next year. Biggest thing is sourcing the video (I obviously don't own all of these synths)
Also great screename 🗡️
I absolutely shouldn't get any more synths this year yet here I am thinking about what synths I'm going to get this year... 😂
😂😂😂😂 same!
What's caught your eye this year?
@@VultureCulture After finishing this video I realized I may have a problem. I own 4 synths on your list. lol
I really want a sequential pro 3 and an arturia polybrute. Neither are in the video but 2 synths I've been wanting for awhile.
@SumnSumnSumnHTK they're both incredible synths that I never find a place to mention in these videos unfortunately. That "middle upper premium" synth range is harder to quantify than "best value" or "dest overall" lol
Sledge 2.0 came out like 3 years ago right?
Found a video from 2016 on Sledge 2.0 - can it really be that old?
@@VultureCulture lol. Apparently it was released on 2015. And black edition on 2016. I got really excited when I saw it on your list, almost bought it back then and I thought it was a new version. But no. same same. It’s an almost 10 years old synth 😅🫣
4:50 For this price you can get the Behringer Neutron, keep 150 dollars in your pocket and still have a way more capable synth that does also do nearly everything this does.
The Neutron is an awesome synth, no doubt, but it does not have an effects section like the Typhon does, so I don't think that's a fair comparison.
Ok, Korg 37 wave state mk 2 vs Mini freak 37 ?
Comes down to if you want to go digital insanity vs hybrid analog simplicity
Hello, you could speak of the Behringer Deepmind 12. Its a really great affordable synth.
I have mentioned it in previous years videos. I think it's a great synth but it's not as impressive now that there are so many affordable VCO synths out there.
I went back and watched this again. I agree with you regarding the Sledge 2.0. It's definitely a sleeper, and has provided endless inspiration for me over the last few years. There's plenty of used ones out there now and it would be a nice addition to someone's synth collection. I bought a used yellow one ($600) because I was reading a lot of posts regarding issues with the black one, and I'm not a fan of the gray/black keyboard. Regarding best buys, you can't beat the VST collections available now. For under $1000, you can grab the Arturia V Collection, which includes the MiniFreak, and Korg Collection, and have 52 classic and modern synths at your beck and call. Endless inspiration!
I have both Korg and Arturia's collections and they're insanely good! I hadn't heard of issues with the black sledge, what kind of issues?
@@VultureCulture I’m a member of a few Sledge groups on FB, and the problems posted were OS boot up issues, the LCD screen blanking out and dead keys on the key bed.
I think the economy is pretty ok! :) I'm shopping for synths!
What synth are you looking to get?
@VultureCulture - I own nothing from Dave Smith / Sequential...so I may dip my toes in the water with the Take 5. :)
Thought maybe you would have mentioned the Gamechanger Audio Motor Synth. Just as it being a unique synth is all. But what a great video. Love how you give an honest opinion on the products. Its super refreshing. Keep up the good work.
Motor Synth is so cool! There's just so many synths to cover this year and Terra had to be the pick for most unique.
Thank you very much 🙏🙏🙏
I love my motor synth so much sound it should be illegal