Despite the lukewarm reception, it sounds like this box is giving the Model:Cycles a run for the money. I really liked the timbres it made. The engine sounds much better, closer to the other guys’ next level up FM box. Maybe clean up the UI & effects chain on version 2 and you got a winner.
Look how many people are just bashing Sonicware now, however. I really feel he was not fair to XFM. It's a far cooler piece of gear than he gave it credit for... I'm an an owner since the start, and I love my quirky but powerful Liven's. Music gear is such a popularity game, sometimes, with certain people. (Especially with people who see themselves as elitists) It's stunning how many comments I have read on this video now, of people just spewing hatred for this synth, and I would just about bet that most who shit-talk about it, and Sonicware, have ZERO experience with actually playing/owning any of the Liven's. ...Yet, they make it a point, to show their disdain (Which is very much misplaced)
@@Roboprogs Model:Cycles sounds bland, and starchy, like old DX7 presets....But for hipsters of a few years ago. I have both machines. Model:Cycles also isn't as fun to jam on.
@@DetroitMicroSound I agree with you on the M:C sounds - it's way too limited, and I don't care for it. (I got the Model:Samples, instead, as I already have other FM gear) What I was trying to get across is that the sound engine on the XFM sounds much more like the DigiTone, which costs more than twice as much. (though DT is 8 notes polyphony, rather than 6 - still not enough).
Mr Pilz, thank you for the weekly reminder that my creative block has nothing to do with the equipment that I am using and that I need to STFU and make some excellent beats. My limitations are those that I set for myself in my own mind. Please keep reminding me. You inspire me regularly.
I have 80 thousand drum samples to sort out before I write a Beat. And that's just my 303 kit!! Ill be ready soon, Four years maybe a bit longer and I'm ready.
The XFM has one significant feature that this video overlooked. Whereas most FM synths work with a set of fixed modulator/carrier algorithms, the XFM allows users to route the 4 operators which ever way they choose. Each of the four operators can be both a carrier and a modulator and/or feedback onto themselves.
@@dinogoldie9716 I guess it's not so "common" as of last year - when they discontinued it because no one bought it - but the Korg Opsix does this. (With six operators rather than four, and ring modulation, filter FM, wavefolding, and audio-rate FX modulation available as alternate modes for each operator.) Native Instruments' Maschine+ also has it, and I believe it has no limit for number of operators. (If you count VSTs, then FM8, which is what Maschine+ uses, was out for a while before they made the standalone Maschine+.
I think the XFM is fantastic. It might take a while to get used to, but that's not the point - beginner's bias and all that. For example, 4 independent tracks with different lengths and time values make polymeters a cinch. Then there's some powerful probabilistic tools for generative music. And loads of other great stuff. I agree the FX aren't the best, but they are not terrible either. For the price it's amazing, IMO, and competes on several points with more expensive devices.
@@AudioPilz I remember seeing it in the 150-200€ range too, and IMO its limitations were way more palatable at that price range. I had to do a double take when you showed the current prices in the video lol
Completely agree. Cheap molded plastic, with standard plastic shaft pots as controls, so that you can get a lot of fun for cheap. I've been on Yu Endo's side, since the start. I've had the 8bit warps, and the xfm since new. play them nearly every day still. Both are holding up fine, except some labeling is wearing away, because I play them both every day. They are mechanically noisy in the plastic button department, but anybody who's played any Yamaha, and many others machines in the 80's can tell you, they are all plasticy, and mechanically noisy. Special shout out to all the Suzuki stuff. 😄 XFM, and 8bit warps, are something you have to really mess with, but rewards you with amazing sequences. Now it has pattern chaining, which is pretty useful, even at this very early stage of development. Playing the noisy keyboard without velo grows on you. It's part of the Liven's charm. Tupperware-like. 😄
@@torino1138 Those of us who have, and who use the XFM, know how fun XFM is, and what kind of cool (also very original) sounds, and sequences, it can actually produce. 4 4OP synths, each with it's own advanced, and polymetric sequencing, in one box. I used a Nord Mod G2 for about a half decade. I've also fkd with like 11 other FM synths, as well as Casio's Phase Distortion, with the CZ-101. It was my first FM-like synth, used, in 1989. It was a cheap synth, with noisy buttons, and lame preset sounds........that's super deep, sound-wise. Just like XFM.
@@AudioPilz of/c there must be a vinyl version :) Album cover is an atomic mushroom with text Audio above or below. Back side has track list on your Glatze :)
@@DetroitMicroSound Not always...I consider myself as a bad musician but some of my music is not so bad. However, my gear isn't expensive, otherwise it wouldn't be so frequently featured on "Bad Gear" ;-)
I've used my XFM, and 8bit warps, nearly daily, since both were brand-new, and the only thing wrong with them, in the long run, is control markings getting worn off. The wobbly knobs all work fine, including the filter knobs, which I use heavily. they are not encoders, but simple tough plastic shafted pots. They both have some bugs here and there, and many of the example presets are like stuff from an old video game, instead of music intending to be more. For example, you can basically play the xfm like 4 303ish acid-like monosynths, with advanced sequencing, and complete with built-in distortion. The way 4 synths interact, panned, going into the same stereo distortion, is really badass. Don't feel like you really captured many of the great sounds possible in it, when you played preset stuff. (These have affected how a lot of people perceive this, and the 8bit warps, but it doesn't represent the real potential of either instrument, in a current musical way) Maybe you need enough time to get more from it. Many things you didn't cover. There are also two control pot settings. (One that jumps immediately when you twist, the other latches onto your movement, smoothly picking up where the current parameter setting is. Jumping is cool for parameter sequencing knob movement recordings. Extra glitchy goodness gets recorded to sequence, similar to the great tweaky noises we used to get from Electribe sequencers, and now also Volcas.) The Livens are made like plastic dishware. That's how they can sell powerful machines, at low prices. I don't judge my Livens by their cover. Your tunes are always great, never the less. Because you made this video, a lot of people are going to check it out, and find out how awesome it is, and Yu Endo will be forced to keep working on the firmware until it's perfect. 🤣 Thanx dude!!!! I said a lot, I know, but I love my cheap, quirky Sonicware machines. I believe they are legend-destined....
I feel that in 20 years they may re surface as a lost treasure from the 2020’s… kind of like a WASP or some other synth that was sold as and largely dismissed as a toy in its day but then one day someone started reminiscing about how to get “that sound” and Uri Behringers frozen decapitated head in a jar starts ordering the Behringer Moon Colony into production via 10G networking
@@PostingCringeOnMain 😁🤣 Could be. Mine's nuts. I have two effects I use constantly, in xfm. Distortion, and Insert Delay. when working with all kinds of waveform complexities, distortion can add a lot of punch, or a really nice organic fuzzy sound. I'm not sure what kind of distortion it uses, but it has a really pleasing compressive quality to it. Then the I delay.. Combined with things like playing with stutter in a sequence, or tweak the cutoff knob, or any number of controls, while simultaneously tweaking the delay amount control, produces amazing delay trails that are in sync with the tempo, if you use delay speed numbers like 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64..... Can also apply those same delay trails, to external hardware, on the audio in. ..xfm is a treasure. I think Sonicware are legend destined. I believe in them. Fun hardware, with it's own sounds, without spending a fortune.
I don't understand the vitriol in these comments for sonicware and their instruments. It's really backwards and gross to see such hateful discouragement and I'd be surprised if even 2% of people writing nasty comments have ever played the instruments they're admonishing. Sonicware is not some huge company, it's a handful of dedicated people who are putting their all into putting tools of music-making and sound design in the hands of a wider group of people. Nothing is perfect, there are always sacrifices in design, but they're here in the comments looking for feedback, because they give a shit. I don't know, it's just very discouraging and unfortunate. I appreciate your work greatly, Mr AudioPilz, you've helped me grow as a musician and that's invaluable, I know I'm not the only one. People listen to you and they take what you say to heart, it would be very impactful if you were to address the issue in a short video. Expressing your opinion exclusively, of course, I'm not asking you to take my side or assuming you agree with me. Either way, thanks again for your work and I hope you're enjoying a wonderful day!
My compliments on the audio production on your jams. The Liven-only jam sounded great IMO and I always enjoy how immersive and spacious your DAW jams sound (this one was stellar). Love your work.
I love this show. The minibrute 2 and liven xfm are the main features of my budget set up. Paired with my sp404mk2 they pack a lot of power. I prefer a deeper dig with fire power over convenience of the parameters. You did an amazing job of illustrating the pros and cons of both thank you!
Funny thing, both this and the liven lofi were actually my dream synths couple of months ago, the workflow seemed really nice to me haha Maybe you'll roast the lofi 12 next?
The lofi-12 is really good tho. The workflow works great with samples. I can see how doing FM with a display like that is bad though (look at the VOLCA FM it's pretty much the same issue)
@@nkszjfhngznkszjfhngz The Lofi12 is definitely Bad Gear material even if it has some good features. Data transfer only possible via sysex, crappy FX, questionable build quality
@@rorz999 build quality is per price of the machine which is sold at 239 dollars. The FX fit the lofi vibe tho some are better than others for sure. Data xfer by sysex, yes because you're supposed to sample directly onto the thing using the line in. It even features resampling and chop mode and has 10 voices polyphony. Now compare that to the model:sample which is 400 hundred dollars, strictly monophonic, cannot sample, cannot resample, has 2 FX, no chop mode, no arpeggiator, no slide, and very little option for sound design. Now that's actually bad gear.
@@rorz999 why do people like you waste time seething with little petty gripes just stfu, sell the damn thing and move on? I’m genuinely curious. I’ll buy it off you for $50 if you hate it so much. It would be even worse if you sold it months ago and are still complaining about it
I own this as well as the Lofi and 8 bit also from Sonicware. First time I've seen something I have on your channel since the Timbrewolf!! I'm honored. I use a key step pro to control all three so it works for me with certain things. I always look forward to Fridays at noon, here in the US for your videos. It's like waiting for the latest episode of Seinfeld in the 90's every week!! That last track you did was really awesome I thought!!
‘BSYNTH Instinct’ and ‘DX and the City’ are Moovies my ears are itching to experience, my eyes have seen it before. This piece of bad gear provides the soundtrack to a bad remake direct to VHS.
I tried the 8 but warps, and I have to agree with Bad Gear that it needs a better ui and some kind of indicator what is HAPPENING. I also hated the way the sequencer only allowed one sound to be triggered per track? Just not a great tool. Maybe the next version!?
I loved the Synthstrom Deluge cameo at 9:53. That might be a good candidate for a video - I definitely have a love/hate relationship with mine. On the other hand, it does EVERYTHING, so might be difficult to boil down to a 10-minute video...
I paid £170 mine delivered for what it can do it's great. The trade off is the cheap plastic build but it sounds great and you made it sound greater. 😊
Thanks, Florian. Very much enjoyed this, as I have had this gameboy in my Amazon "save for later" list for the past six months - never so excited by it to move it to the cart. Digitakt saving continues!
I had to decide between a Novation Circuit or XFM for my 1st synth. Used Circuit prices were much cheaper so I didn’t get an XFM. This video helps support my decision. Thanks!
I nearly got one of these when they came out, I live in a remote little African town and sonicware was even willing to help specifically getting one here but after some deeper research and demos I just wasn't feeling it. Shout out to their awesome customer service though 🎉
One Cubic Metre of Sound What puts you off buying this? The Korg OpSix is arguably better but it's double the price. The Elektron Digitone is thrice the price of the XFM just for 2 more voices of polyphony and an additional LFO. Florian did omit one huge selling point of the XFM in this video. Whereas most FM synths use a set of fixed modulator/carrier algorithms, the XFM allows users to modulate the four operators whichever way they choose.
I kind of like the sounds that this makes. Especially for the cost. I probably wouldn't buy one, because I have better gear already, but this would be good for a beginner on a budget. It would also be good for traveling. The guiro comment made me lol irl. That was pretty good.
So glad you finally got a Sonicware unit on the show!! The company have tragically always had terrible product demos of their synths, the third jam is honestly the best sound I have ever heard anyone produce from an XFM, they should pay you & use it as an official demo! I would love to see you explore some of the others in the range, the Bass&Beats is probably the most meme liven unit (loaded with brostep sounds) I'm sure you could get some great jams out of it. lastly, I suggest the Roland SH-32, i honestly think it was the last good, quirky, unique synth they made, It gets a lot of online hate ( I love mine ). I get the feeling you may have already been looking for one a while.....
Great show ! Fm doesn't tempt me in this format .... but sampling does . I'm all in for the lofi 12 sampling groovebox . I gotta say though , that intro tune was absolutely one of the best up to date . This liven fm box may be a bit of a beast to wrestle with , but the sounds are definitely kind off nice (as good as blipblox ???? Maybe.)
I have the 8-bit warps and I dig it, though it has many similar limitations. I haven't tried the bass+beats or lofi, but the xfm and 8-bit I use as sound modules. I don't care though, Yu Endo of Sonicware is making things at a great rate and I anticipate they'll continue to get better
Happens when you try to morph two completely different sounds. Try morphing two completely different types of sounds on any FM synth capable of morphing between patches. I have a lot of experience morphing on the Nord Mod G2, and the same is true there. Patches that are completely different tend to have a notch in the center. The more different the sound the wider and deeper the notch. The actual morphing takes place to either side of center. Morphing between 2 patches that are more similar in characteristics, on the other hand will have a very smooth curve. (violin to horn, for example) It's how FM synthesis works. There's no way around it.
When can we hear it cant wait till you use this. 😂 I laugh begore I click your videos. And you make great stuff with everything. Bad Gear is Good Gear. Your greatest lesson.
Haha, another fantastic episode! I'm still enjoying the Liven Bass And Beats and LoFi 12, the XFM is still on my list of portable FM options too. Even as someone who gets a lot out of these it's easy to see why people might be put off, definitely a learning curve when it comes to all the multi function parameters.
Yup....Gotta take Sonicware instruments seriously, and really dig in, even though they appear to be made like Tupperware, and seem convoluted and weird at first....... Hey, wait! 💡Tupperware....... Don't be fooled by wobbly knobs, either, right? They are standard shaft pots, not encoders. ABS, or polyester-based tough plastic. Wiggly, but tough. And value jump, or latching on knob movement, to create great glitchy parameter sequence recordings, or keep everything smooth. .
It's not often that a synth scares me off on aesthetics alone, but here we are. Florian Oberhauer? You mean there is more than one Florian out there? Good lord.... Great vid as always.
The Jupiter 8, Juno 6, 60 and 106 also didn't have a touch sensitive keyboard. Are these deified classics too holy to get the Bad Gear treatment sometime in the future?!
I have the 8 Bit Warps and love it. The Liven UIs are a bit overwhelming at first but once you get used to it, it's pretty intuitive. And it's a nice light device you can take anywhere and play around or make patches with. I also have Sonicware's SmplTrek which is like a very limited Akai Force. Speaking of, I know the Akai Force has to have enough hate posts to cover way more than just one page now! You need to make a video on it. And try out the Mockba mod for it too. ;-)
Interesting review. I personally LOVE The Liven XFM and its workflow/UI. Very intuitive and immediate (both the sequencing/performance and patch editing modes). I disagree with you re the "mortal Kombat key combo" UI criticism. It's shift to access knobs' secondary controls and Function to access buttons' secondary roles. They're all clearly labelled and I easily navigate the thing purely on memory. Plus, shift+func locks the knobbs into their secondary roles so you can operate it one-handed. I do agree with you about the limited polyphony (it should, ideally, have been 4 tracks of 6 voice polyphony rather than 6 voice polyphony shared between 4 tracks). As is though, it's so much better than the Korg Volca FM2 or the Elektron Model Cycles (between whom it sits in terms of price). The elektron Digitone is so much more expensive than this and for what? An additional LFO? re build quality? The knobs are pretty good (again, better than Volcas or the Model Cycles) and I use it with a keyboard controller or the Circuit Tracks (reserving the clicky keys for settings). All my livens are happy beneath their Decksaver hard covers. So far, the only Liven that's failed to capture my heart has been the Liven Bass & Beats (combined wavetable monosynth & PCM drum machine).
It's an interesting company I had overlooked. I am wary of their bass machine because to me, dnb and acid are worlds apart--but of course I am always curious as to how it behaves in the 303 role. The FM sounded classic here and the price is reasonable, if that's what you are looking for. Four parts is technically enough.
Don’t waste your money. You really get what you pay for with this. Buy a MegaFM or a Digitone for a few hundred bucks more, it’s worth the investment, and the time you’ll spend with them will be musical as opposed to brain rot.
Had one. Sold it a month later. How you wrought so much music out of it is mind boggling. You're approaching interstellar realms Bud! As always... I'm amazed by your creativity.
I have a real soft spot for the xfm. For a few years it was a great cheap source of sample fuel for industrial fm noise and bizarre undulating patches and happy accidents with the LFO patch cycling (x-form i think). Nowadays, it's often a dedicated battery powered *generative* sequencer with plocks and a free delay effects pedal at same time for my other synths, thanks to midi out and line in! That's a lot of bang for buck for 210$ USD I got it for new a few years back. As a groovebox, it's lacking, but for some individual tasks, it hits way above its weight class.
In case of build quality... have 8bit warps n i think it is not so bad. When compared to a Volca, Craft synth 2.0 or model: Cycles it is more or les the same. Just do not throw it out from window n it will be all good :)
Not feeling this synth at all. Almost every show you've done, the synths always bear some sort of worth, this just doesn't seem like it has any character at all.
Audiopilz: *slaps roof of YT channel*
Full Tracks, Extended Jams, Sample Packs: www.patreon.com/audiopilz
is there a way to submit bad gear memes/images?
did you do the push 3 yet?
You’re extremely talented.
We are very honored to be featured by you!
Thank you so much🥰
Hey, pleasures to have you around! Thanks!
Despite the lukewarm reception, it sounds like this box is giving the Model:Cycles a run for the money. I really liked the timbres it made.
The engine sounds much better, closer to the other guys’ next level up FM box. Maybe clean up the UI & effects chain on version 2 and you got a winner.
Look how many people are just bashing Sonicware now, however. I really feel he was not fair to XFM. It's a far cooler piece of gear than he gave it credit for... I'm an an owner since the start, and I love my quirky but powerful Liven's. Music gear is such a popularity game, sometimes, with certain people. (Especially with people who see themselves as elitists) It's stunning how many comments I have read on this video now, of people just spewing hatred for this synth, and I would just about bet that most who shit-talk about it, and Sonicware, have ZERO experience with actually playing/owning any of the Liven's. ...Yet, they make it a point, to show their disdain (Which is very much misplaced)
@@Roboprogs Model:Cycles sounds bland, and starchy, like old DX7 presets....But for hipsters of a few years ago. I have both machines. Model:Cycles also isn't as fun to jam on.
@@DetroitMicroSound I agree with you on the M:C sounds - it's way too limited, and I don't care for it. (I got the Model:Samples, instead, as I already have other FM gear)
What I was trying to get across is that the sound engine on the XFM sounds much more like the DigiTone, which costs more than twice as much. (though DT is 8 notes polyphony, rather than 6 - still not enough).
Mr Pilz, thank you for the weekly reminder that my creative block has nothing to do with the equipment that I am using and that I need to STFU and make some excellent beats. My limitations are those that I set for myself in my own mind. Please keep reminding me. You inspire me regularly.
Thank you so much!!!
I have 80 thousand drum samples to sort out before I write a Beat.
And that's just my 303 kit!!
Ill be ready soon, Four years maybe a bit longer and I'm ready.
@@harrisbeatsfrankou6304 i just pick randomly and then use similarity search
Well done bringing the obscure pieces of plastic back to the show! We all knew you could do it.
Thank you so much!!!
@@AudioPilz speaking of obscure pieces of plastic, I don't remember seeing anything by MFB on the channel
@@thepauloapo good call
The XFM has one significant feature that this video overlooked. Whereas most FM synths work with a set of fixed modulator/carrier algorithms, the XFM allows users to route the 4 operators which ever way they choose. Each of the four operators can be both a carrier and a modulator and/or feedback onto themselves.
Matrix FM synthesizers are common enough. This may be the cheapest hardware matrix FM device on the market and I can commend it for that.
@@matthewgaines10 what are some of these "common" hardware FM matrix synths currently on the market?
@@dinogoldie9716 I guess it's not so "common" as of last year - when they discontinued it because no one bought it - but the Korg Opsix does this. (With six operators rather than four, and ring modulation, filter FM, wavefolding, and audio-rate FX modulation available as alternate modes for each operator.)
Native Instruments' Maschine+ also has it, and I believe it has no limit for number of operators. (If you count VSTs, then FM8, which is what Maschine+ uses, was out for a while before they made the standalone Maschine+.
@@iishirasu So not "common" but in fact "non existent." VSTIs don't count.
Yeah it is quite cool. I find it really tough to make patches though. Over all I'm glad I bought it but damn it is frustrating to use sometimes.
I love my XFM and I am IN ROMANTIC LOVE with my LoFi 12. I’m here for anything Sonicware produces*.
*Except the Bass’n’Beats I’m not messing with that
Should I do the Bass’n’Beats?;)
This man can play any instrument. Very good jams, always.
Gifted for sure
Thank you so much!!!
I think the XFM is fantastic. It might take a while to get used to, but that's not the point - beginner's bias and all that. For example, 4 independent tracks with different lengths and time values make polymeters a cinch. Then there's some powerful probabilistic tools for generative music. And loads of other great stuff. I agree the FX aren't the best, but they are not terrible either. For the price it's amazing, IMO, and competes on several points with more expensive devices.
👍👍👍
That final jam - the effect of the music and visuals together was perfect!
Thank you!!!
Word!
I really love it too! 😍
... that doubles as a guiro - I died of laughter.
😂😂😂
@@AudioPilz After watching the whole video, it does sound like it would make for a decent sampler fodder (including the guiro sound ;)
That Virgin Digitone VS Chad DX100 meme killed me. Great Job!
Thank you!!!
DX200 is the groovebox - DX100 is the drexciya box that goes for too many dollars.
That electro Sega Genesis jam was lit AF tho 👌
Thank you so much!!!
@TheFileFox ooo spicy comment! 🥵
Yea that jam at 6:56 got me good
the most played midi file in history.....ITS A BANGER
😀
I paid $200 for this thing brand new. With all it can do and it's inputs I don't know if this deserves to be on the show. Does more than most Volcas.
Wow, it was really cheap in the beginning!
@@AudioPilz I remember seeing it in the 150-200€ range too, and IMO its limitations were way more palatable at that price range. I had to do a double take when you showed the current prices in the video lol
Completely agree. Cheap molded plastic, with standard plastic shaft pots as controls, so that you can get a lot of fun for cheap. I've been on Yu Endo's side, since the start. I've had the 8bit warps, and the xfm since new. play them nearly every day still. Both are holding up fine, except some labeling is wearing away, because I play them both every day. They are mechanically noisy in the plastic button department, but anybody who's played any Yamaha, and many others machines in the 80's can tell you, they are all plasticy, and mechanically noisy. Special shout out to all the Suzuki stuff. 😄 XFM, and 8bit warps, are something you have to really mess with, but rewards you with amazing sequences. Now it has pattern chaining, which is pretty useful, even at this very early stage of development. Playing the noisy keyboard without velo grows on you. It's part of the Liven's charm. Tupperware-like. 😄
Have you ever tried literally any other FM synth in hardware form
@@torino1138 Those of us who have, and who use the XFM, know how fun XFM is, and what kind of cool (also very original) sounds, and sequences, it can actually produce. 4 4OP synths, each with it's own advanced, and polymetric sequencing, in one box. I used a Nord Mod G2 for about a half decade. I've also fkd with like 11 other FM synths, as well as Casio's Phase Distortion, with the CZ-101. It was my first FM-like synth, used, in 1989. It was a cheap synth, with noisy buttons, and lame preset sounds........that's super deep, sound-wise. Just like XFM.
I love seeing the emotional responses you draw. You help determine who’s fun to have a drink with.
Thank you!!!
This is proof of what should be obvious, a good musician makes good music, no matter how bad the gear he uses is. Time to make an album, Florian.
Thank you so much!!! Let's see if I can find the time for that
A bad musician definitely makes terrible music on really expensive gear, all the time.
@@AudioPilz of/c there must be a vinyl version :) Album cover is an atomic mushroom with text Audio above or below. Back side has track list on your Glatze :)
@@DetroitMicroSound Not always...I consider myself as a bad musician but some of my music is not so bad. However, my gear isn't expensive, otherwise it wouldn't be so frequently featured on "Bad Gear" ;-)
Watching these videos is like watching a synth review and browsing Reddit at the same time.
Well, when you put it that way, it makes me wonder why the hell we do this to ourselves...
That sums it up pretty nicely;)
I've used my XFM, and 8bit warps, nearly daily, since both were brand-new, and the only thing wrong with them, in the long run, is control markings getting worn off. The wobbly knobs all work fine, including the filter knobs, which I use heavily. they are not encoders, but simple tough plastic shafted pots. They both have some bugs here and there, and many of the example presets are like stuff from an old video game, instead of music intending to be more. For example, you can basically play the xfm like 4 303ish acid-like monosynths, with advanced sequencing, and complete with built-in distortion. The way 4 synths interact, panned, going into the same stereo distortion, is really badass. Don't feel like you really captured many of the great sounds possible in it, when you played preset stuff. (These have affected how a lot of people perceive this, and the 8bit warps, but it doesn't represent the real potential of either instrument, in a current musical way) Maybe you need enough time to get more from it. Many things you didn't cover. There are also two control pot settings. (One that jumps immediately when you twist, the other latches onto your movement, smoothly picking up where the current parameter setting is. Jumping is cool for parameter sequencing knob movement recordings. Extra glitchy goodness gets recorded to sequence, similar to the great tweaky noises we used to get from Electribe sequencers, and now also Volcas.) The Livens are made like plastic dishware. That's how they can sell powerful machines, at low prices. I don't judge my Livens by their cover. Your tunes are always great, never the less.
Because you made this video, a lot of people are going to check it out, and find out how awesome it is, and Yu Endo will be forced to keep working on the firmware until it's perfect. 🤣 Thanx dude!!!! I said a lot, I know, but I love my cheap, quirky Sonicware machines. I believe they are legend-destined....
Always a pleasure;) Thanks!
I feel that in 20 years they may re surface as a lost treasure from the 2020’s… kind of like a WASP or some other synth that was sold as and largely dismissed as a toy in its day but then one day someone started reminiscing about how to get “that sound” and Uri Behringers frozen decapitated head in a jar starts ordering the Behringer Moon Colony into production via 10G networking
@@PostingCringeOnMain 😁🤣 Could be. Mine's nuts. I have two effects I use constantly, in xfm. Distortion, and Insert Delay. when working with all kinds of waveform complexities, distortion can add a lot of punch, or a really nice organic fuzzy sound. I'm not sure what kind of distortion it uses, but it has a really pleasing compressive quality to it. Then the I delay.. Combined with things like playing with stutter in a sequence, or tweak the cutoff knob, or any number of controls, while simultaneously tweaking the delay amount control, produces amazing delay trails that are in sync with the tempo, if you use delay speed numbers like 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64..... Can also apply those same delay trails, to external hardware, on the audio in. ..xfm is a treasure. I think Sonicware are legend destined. I believe in them. Fun hardware, with it's own sounds, without spending a fortune.
Handlungs-dreh: er genießt diese Kisten so fickungs sehr, dass er sie auf dem gebraucht markt nicht hochtreiben möchte
Let's bash the little guys bringing out powerful machines that are cheap as chips. Bravo
A multi timbral FM synth with a powerful sequencer for 200 bucks is a pretty good deal imo
👍👍👍
Liven boxes are perfect for this show ❤
True that!
They really are! Ambitious and interesting synths that fall short in several ways
@@inthefade you're being really charitable lol. They are generally trash 9/10 😅🤣
I came across this series recently. Your reviews are very informative and entertaining with a side of class!👍
Thank you so much!!!
@TheFileFox I have a few songs, yes.
His subscribers are a mostly decent group of people too. Add yourself to the list if you haven't already.
class? rofl
Bad Gear is now my Friday upbeat moment of the week. Keep it up. Love it. 🎉🎉
Thank you!!! Have a nice weekend!!!
I don't understand the vitriol in these comments for sonicware and their instruments. It's really backwards and gross to see such hateful discouragement and I'd be surprised if even 2% of people writing nasty comments have ever played the instruments they're admonishing. Sonicware is not some huge company, it's a handful of dedicated people who are putting their all into putting tools of music-making and sound design in the hands of a wider group of people. Nothing is perfect, there are always sacrifices in design, but they're here in the comments looking for feedback, because they give a shit. I don't know, it's just very discouraging and unfortunate. I appreciate your work greatly, Mr AudioPilz, you've helped me grow as a musician and that's invaluable, I know I'm not the only one. People listen to you and they take what you say to heart, it would be very impactful if you were to address the issue in a short video. Expressing your opinion exclusively, of course, I'm not asking you to take my side or assuming you agree with me. Either way, thanks again for your work and I hope you're enjoying a wonderful day!
Thank you so much! Well spoken!
I love my anti hippster anti snobby livens 🤚🙂👍🏼
My compliments on the audio production on your jams. The Liven-only jam sounded great IMO and I always enjoy how immersive and spacious your DAW jams sound (this one was stellar). Love your work.
Thank you so much!!!
That first jam sounds the most like a forgotten Megadrive / Genesis track I’ve heard on this channel and I absolutely love it
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I love this show. The minibrute 2 and liven xfm are the main features of my budget set up. Paired with my sp404mk2 they pack a lot of power. I prefer a deeper dig with fire power over convenience of the parameters. You did an amazing job of illustrating the pros and cons of both thank you!
Thank you!!! Nice setup!!!
Funny thing, both this and the liven lofi were actually my dream synths couple of months ago, the workflow seemed really nice to me haha
Maybe you'll roast the lofi 12 next?
Great suggestion, thank you!!!
The lofi-12 is really good tho. The workflow works great with samples. I can see how doing FM with a display like that is bad though (look at the VOLCA FM it's pretty much the same issue)
@@nkszjfhngznkszjfhngz The Lofi12 is definitely Bad Gear material even if it has some good features. Data transfer only possible via sysex, crappy FX, questionable build quality
@@rorz999 build quality is per price of the machine which is sold at 239 dollars. The FX fit the lofi vibe tho some are better than others for sure. Data xfer by sysex, yes because you're supposed to sample directly onto the thing using the line in. It even features resampling and chop mode and has 10 voices polyphony. Now compare that to the model:sample which is 400 hundred dollars, strictly monophonic, cannot sample, cannot resample, has 2 FX, no chop mode, no arpeggiator, no slide, and very little option for sound design. Now that's actually bad gear.
@@rorz999 why do people like you waste time seething with little petty gripes just stfu, sell the damn thing and move on? I’m genuinely curious. I’ll buy it off you for $50 if you hate it so much. It would be even worse if you sold it months ago and are still complaining about it
I own this as well as the Lofi and 8 bit also from Sonicware. First time I've seen something I have on your channel since the Timbrewolf!! I'm honored. I use a key step pro to control all three so it works for me with certain things. I always look forward to Fridays at noon, here in the US for your videos. It's like waiting for the latest episode of Seinfeld in the 90's every week!! That last track you did was really awesome I thought!!
Thank you so much!!! Stick around!!!
You have a timbrewolf? Obscure AF at this point
Have the tomcat too. won't get rid of them. The sequencer on the timbre wolf is actually really good.
Now THAT'S an honor - to be compared to Seinfeld, or even the anticipation of... and I completely agree!
Audiopilz saves me soooo much money.
Thank you ,Audiopilz. 😂👍
Always a pleasure;)
‘BSYNTH Instinct’ and ‘DX and the City’ are Moovies my ears are itching to experience, my eyes have seen it before.
This piece of bad gear provides the soundtrack to a bad remake direct to VHS.
I almost always leave an episode of Bad Gear wanting that piece of "bad gear." Not this time😂
You dodged that bullet;)
@@AudioPilz Are you going to do the 8bit Warps and/or LoFi? Different synths, same box and workflow, so if you're not a fan...
I tried the 8 but warps, and I have to agree with Bad Gear that it needs a better ui and some kind of indicator what is HAPPENING. I also hated the way the sequencer only allowed one sound to be triggered per track? Just not a great tool. Maybe the next version!?
The ELZ_1 is a joy IMO if you can find one. All fun their other products (basically) but with a screen.
Hahaha.
one of the last pure zones on the internet, thank you bad gear
Thank you so much! Stick around!
I come for the bad gear but re-watch a hundred times for the memes. Can't hit that space bar fast enough! Keep it up!
Thank you so much!!!
Seeing that Deluge pop up at the end has me hopeful you were teasing a future episode :P
Maybe;)
I loved the Synthstrom Deluge cameo at 9:53. That might be a good candidate for a video - I definitely have a love/hate relationship with mine. On the other hand, it does EVERYTHING, so might be difficult to boil down to a 10-minute video...
Yeah, this one is moving up my list!
I paid £170 mine delivered for what it can do it's great. The trade off is the cheap plastic build but it sounds great and you made it sound greater. 😊
Great price!
6:56 Absolutely sounds like an OC remix of an old Sonic song.
Mega Drive/Genesis is strong with this one
Thanks, Florian. Very much enjoyed this, as I have had this gameboy in my Amazon "save for later" list for the past six months - never so excited by it to move it to the cart. Digitakt saving continues!
Thanks!!! Digitakt is definitely worth saving for
I had to decide between a Novation Circuit or XFM for my 1st synth. Used Circuit prices were much cheaper so I didn’t get an XFM.
This video helps support my decision. Thanks!
Circuit is really nice!!!
The intro tune freaking jams today!
Yup, strange but nice!
I nearly got one of these when they came out, I live in a remote little African town and sonicware was even willing to help specifically getting one here but after some deeper research and demos I just wasn't feeling it.
Shout out to their awesome customer service though 🎉
Wow, that's probably the best customer support I've ever heard of
I must say that I do love my Liven XFM. Pairs really nicely with my Model Cycles.
👍
it is very megadriveish which tickles a nostalgic part of my brain very nicely but christ the menu diving looks like hell
If it was only menu diving;)
FMDRIVE VST with an external groovebox?
The Jam 1 was sick! 😎👍
There is no such thing as bad gear in your hands. 💪
❤️❤️❤️
You have developed deep skills my friend. Deep skills of patience.
Thank you. Lol
Me: "It's too quiet in here, I wish there was an AudioPilz episode I haven't watched yet." AudioPilz: "Hold my Ya Ma Ha!"
Lol
My Yamaland or my Rolahaha?
My favorite film and favorite YT channel finally MORPHED into a golden egg. Goodness, sweet goodness!
Happy to hear that!!! Thanks!!!
I thought about buying this one, but I felt like there are better FM synth options out there. Great video, as always!
Thank you!!!
Most FM options available cost far more than this does, and some of those don't even do everything this does. 😄
One Cubic Metre of Sound What puts you off buying this? The Korg OpSix is arguably better but it's double the price. The Elektron Digitone is thrice the price of the XFM just for 2 more voices of polyphony and an additional LFO. Florian did omit one huge selling point of the XFM in this video. Whereas most FM synths use a set of fixed modulator/carrier algorithms, the XFM allows users to modulate the four operators whichever way they choose.
Jam 2s filtered backing synth (the rhythmic one) reminds me of the russian space club remix of PPK Ressurrection. Thanks for the nostalgia!
I kind of like the sounds that this makes. Especially for the cost. I probably wouldn't buy one, because I have better gear already, but this would be good for a beginner on a budget. It would also be good for traveling. The guiro comment made me lol irl. That was pretty good.
Agreed!!!
So glad you finally got a Sonicware unit on the show!! The company have tragically always had terrible product demos of their synths, the third jam is honestly the best sound I have ever heard anyone produce from an XFM, they should pay you & use it as an official demo!
I would love to see you explore some of the others in the range, the Bass&Beats is probably the most meme liven unit (loaded with brostep sounds) I'm sure you could get some great jams out of it.
lastly, I suggest the Roland SH-32, i honestly think it was the last good, quirky, unique synth they made, It gets a lot of online hate ( I love mine ). I get the feeling you may have already been looking for one a while.....
Thank you!!! Great suggestions!!!
Great show ! Fm doesn't tempt me in this format .... but sampling does . I'm all in for the lofi 12 sampling groovebox . I gotta say though , that intro tune was absolutely one of the best up to date . This liven fm box may be a bit of a beast to wrestle with , but the sounds are definitely kind off nice (as good as blipblox ???? Maybe.)
I really have to give that one a try!
I have the 8-bit warps and I dig it, though it has many similar limitations. I haven't tried the bass+beats or lofi, but the xfm and 8-bit I use as sound modules.
I don't care though, Yu Endo of Sonicware is making things at a great rate and I anticipate they'll continue to get better
That one is super interesting!
Should give the LoFi a try!
3:02 “Lets you morph between two patches” - I hear a full-on switch with absolutely no morphing whatsoever 😂
Happens when you try to morph two completely different sounds. Try morphing two completely different types of sounds on any FM synth capable of morphing between patches. I have a lot of experience morphing on the Nord Mod G2, and the same is true there. Patches that are completely different tend to have a notch in the center. The more different the sound the wider and deeper the notch. The actual morphing takes place to either side of center. Morphing between 2 patches that are more similar in characteristics, on the other hand will have a very smooth curve. (violin to horn, for example) It's how FM synthesis works. There's no way around it.
Seems like that's not so simple to do
I was going to suggest the Liven LoFi 12, but this pretty perfectly covers it 🤔
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When can we hear it cant wait till you use this.
😂 I laugh begore I click your videos.
And you make great stuff with everything.
Bad Gear is Good Gear.
Your greatest lesson.
Thank you!!!
If it's worth anything the bell preset was quite nice sounding
Agreed!
wow, from the intro im just going to say this might be a legit episode of BAD gear
Hell yeah;)
Came for the synths, stayed for the memes
😀
The first jam gave me real "Toe Jam and Earl" vibes.
😀
Haha, another fantastic episode! I'm still enjoying the Liven Bass And Beats and LoFi 12, the XFM is still on my list of portable FM options too. Even as someone who gets a lot out of these it's easy to see why people might be put off, definitely a learning curve when it comes to all the multi function parameters.
Thank you so much!!! Yeah, the learning curve can be quite brutal
Yup....Gotta take Sonicware instruments seriously, and really dig in, even though they appear to be made like Tupperware, and seem convoluted and weird at first....... Hey, wait! 💡Tupperware....... Don't be fooled by wobbly knobs, either, right? They are standard shaft pots, not encoders. ABS, or polyester-based tough plastic. Wiggly, but tough. And value jump, or latching on knob movement, to create great glitchy parameter sequence recordings, or keep everything smooth. .
"Unpretentious filter" ...you are the master of precise adjectives!
Thank you!!!
I can't imagine the world where I'd choose this over Model: Cycles...
Same here!!!
My portmony say xfm ,,,240eur 🤣
It's not often that a synth scares me off on aesthetics alone, but here we are. Florian Oberhauer? You mean there is more than one Florian out there? Good lord....
Great vid as always.
Thanks!!! Plenty of Florians around here. Classic latin name
@@AudioPilz I did not know that.
The Jupiter 8, Juno 6, 60 and 106 also didn't have a touch sensitive keyboard. Are these deified classics too holy to get the Bad Gear treatment sometime in the future?!
Let's say I'd have to come up with a REALLY good excuse for these;)
Just got my Volca FM 2 this week for my 50th b-day- not looking back!
Nice!
It took me several minutes to recover from laughing at the guiro bit 😂
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My bag gear on this show (i have 8-bit warps) (im not into 80s fm, more into the late 90s trance fm).
90s trance fm for life!!!
That smile with: welcome to the show does it for me :). I know this going to be painful by seeing that smile :)
The memegame is strong with this one.
I'm Gear-Harold;)
I have the 8 Bit Warps and love it. The Liven UIs are a bit overwhelming at first but once you get used to it, it's pretty intuitive. And it's a nice light device you can take anywhere and play around or make patches with. I also have Sonicware's SmplTrek which is like a very limited Akai Force. Speaking of, I know the Akai Force has to have enough hate posts to cover way more than just one page now! You need to make a video on it. And try out the Mockba mod for it too. ;-)
Mockba mod sounds interesting!
As far as I'm concerned, this is could be the ONLY youtube channel.
Thank you so much!!!
Interesting review. I personally LOVE The Liven XFM and its workflow/UI. Very intuitive and immediate (both the sequencing/performance and patch editing modes). I disagree with you re the "mortal Kombat key combo" UI criticism. It's shift to access knobs' secondary controls and Function to access buttons' secondary roles. They're all clearly labelled and I easily navigate the thing purely on memory. Plus, shift+func locks the knobbs into their secondary roles so you can operate it one-handed. I do agree with you about the limited polyphony (it should, ideally, have been 4 tracks of 6 voice polyphony rather than 6 voice polyphony shared between 4 tracks). As is though, it's so much better than the Korg Volca FM2 or the Elektron Model Cycles (between whom it sits in terms of price). The elektron Digitone is so much more expensive than this and for what? An additional LFO? re build quality? The knobs are pretty good (again, better than Volcas or the Model Cycles) and I use it with a keyboard controller or the Circuit Tracks (reserving the clicky keys for settings). All my livens are happy beneath their Decksaver hard covers. So far, the only Liven that's failed to capture my heart has been the Liven Bass & Beats (combined wavetable monosynth & PCM drum machine).
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Nothing compares 2U! I never saw the Bond movie featuring Bond, M and the DX7. I'll have to see if my local video store has VHS copy.
thanks for cheering me up in this terrible weather 🙂
and for the CATSIO of course 😂😻
❤️❤️❤️CATSIO❤️❤️❤️
I need that on a t-shirt.
Does anyone have a link to the image or anything?
And as always, a great Episode of Bad Gear!
Thank you!!!
It sounds good when you play it !
I personnaly stick to my beloved M:Cycles. It is a bit of a shame that prices rose recently though...
I prefer the M:C as well!!!
I don't plan on buying a piece of gear unless Florian goes over it. Not because it's "bad", but because he's so good at reviewing things
Thank you so much!!!
It's an interesting company I had overlooked. I am wary of their bass machine because to me, dnb and acid are worlds apart--but of course I am always curious as to how it behaves in the 303 role. The FM sounded classic here and the price is reasonable, if that's what you are looking for. Four parts is technically enough.
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Don’t waste your money. You really get what you pay for with this. Buy a MegaFM or a Digitone for a few hundred bucks more, it’s worth the investment, and the time you’ll spend with them will be musical as opposed to brain rot.
@@torino1138 Great suggestions, for sure!
Had one. Sold it a month later. How you wrought so much music out of it is mind boggling. You're approaching interstellar realms Bud! As always... I'm amazed by your creativity.
Me too, sold it very soon after buying it. It was only $200, but I just couldn't invest the time to figure it out
Thank you so much!!!
Your demos are always epic.
Thank you!!!
Thanks Florian! Have a brilliant weekend!
Have a nice one too!
I have a real soft spot for the xfm. For a few years it was a great cheap source of sample fuel for industrial fm noise and bizarre undulating patches and happy accidents with the LFO patch cycling (x-form i think). Nowadays, it's often a dedicated battery powered *generative* sequencer with plocks and a free delay effects pedal at same time for my other synths, thanks to midi out and line in! That's a lot of bang for buck for 210$ USD I got it for new a few years back. As a groovebox, it's lacking, but for some individual tasks, it hits way above its weight class.
These were really cheap in the beginning!
Pretend it's 4 TB-303's all into the distortion effect. 🤯
@@DetroitMicroSound heh, I actually made a video of me pretending it's a Lyra-8, so im right there with you on synth roleplaying 😉
Everyone wonders, though, how are the keys and the knobs on M-Audio Oxygen 8?! So fun to see this one!
UV light leads to a European smile on some keyboards;)
ah my weekly dose of fresh screenshots none of my friends understand
Lol
Thank you for this dose of Bad Gear, Dr. Pilz!
Always a pleasure;)
In case of build quality... have 8bit warps n i think it is not so bad. When compared to a Volca, Craft synth 2.0 or model: Cycles it is more or les the same. Just do not throw it out from window n it will be all good :)
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*sees thumbnail* : it can’t be that complicated, i grew up with an mc303…
*watches video* : i take that back 😂
😂😂😂Lol
All the bells and whistles haa
😂
Cool jams! LOL at the Cuckoo meme. Essential weekly viewing every time. Maybe could feature the Roland SH32 if you haven't done already.
Great suggestion, thank you!!! These have become quite difficult to come by though
Not feeling this synth at all. Almost every show you've done, the synths always bear some sort of worth, this just doesn't seem like it has any character at all.
It might work if you are into that dark kind of FM sound
Finally some audio tool hate ! 😮
Yeah normally I can see some sort of redeeming factor in a piece of gear, even the very bad ones. This synth just comes across as soulless
AudioPilz Stan checking in! 🔥
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I don’t like the instrument, but I loved listening to it!
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+1 for working in a little Faltermeyer 🔥
Thank you!!!
Another great review, Florian. Well done, always looking forward to your amazing and very original jams. Will you do another live session? :)
Thank you!!! Let's see what happens at 100K;)
You really hit the PIPE in the intro this time! 🔥 Thank you for introducing us to another work of love 💕
Thank you so much!!!
Have you done Beat thang ? Big love to you and the show.
Yeah, Beat Thang episode is out there! Thanks!!!
Meme of Jordan Rudess high/low pass makes me rolling😂
That one had me ROFLing too!!!
The LoFi 6 and 12 are dope though
The même of Jordan Ruddess killed me!🤣4:06
😂😂😂
Never, ever move glass figurines if you're trapped in a house. It's for the best.
Wise words!!!
When your hands went up presenting it was priceless. Must be added in future music video lol
😀