don't miss out on my FREE sample pack that I just released: www.gumroad.com/bobeats - Crunchy Drums (NEW) and Sonic Solitude are both free/pay what you want. Maybe time for a Pulsar-23 sample pack?!
I've seen several reviews of this today. Everyone seems just blown away at the possibiities of this instrument. Head bobbing and groove faces all around!
Proud owner of black model #27; originality is pre-programmed, because of how the Pulsar encourages experimentation, and how it's nearly impossible to duplicate anything you've done. I hope people don't sleep on the Pulsar's sequencer--it is super high resolution, and encourages bizarre, broken beats (quantizing can be boring). You made some wonderful sounds here, too. I have video or two (also not sponsored) on my channel if you're curious. Cheers to Vlad--he's made one of the most static instruments in electronic music anything but.
yeah, quantizing CAN be boring, so why not add it as an OPTION? this was the only thing that made me pass on this...can´t believe it have a quantizing option
@@BoBeats in terms of functionality-price ratio it isnt anywhere close to the best computer ever, but if it works for you thats what matters. Also apple sort of has a monopoly over a lot of really cool music software, which sucks but does artificially add some pros to apple and cons to windows from a music perspective.
@@BoBeats well whatever it was I liked it hah. Maybe I just prefer this type of messing about with lots of great sound examples. I also think you got better/more interesting sounds out of this box than most of the other TH-camrs. Well done well done.
Thank you! And thank you for telling me. There is definitely a demo-focused culture on synth youtube and I battle with that with every video. This video is more -me- and I do prefer not to focus on demoing every aspect of something. But its also something people critique: ”you missed X or Y”. So your comment is helpful in pushing me more towards these more spontaneous videos.
This thing looks incredible. I was just thinking about how few interesting drum machines have come out recently and, whoops, I just had my head up my bum. Great video!
wasn't expecting such a complicated thing to sound so sick immediately. i'll never afford something like this tho lol, will probably just get a volca drum which can do some similar stuff.
Volca drum is incredible. It's digital, but you can get a lot of these sounds and more. The menu can be a little overwhelming, but once you get the hang of it there are hundreds of sounds at your disposal. The delay section helps shape sounds quite a bit too. I never use it as traditional delay haha
i would like to watch more of you live performing it. raw, unplanned, off the grid, just going mayhem, not giving f, then becoming slower and quiet, then slowly going mayhem again. 30min or 40. i think the pulsar comes best at that. not the preplanned, cautious preparation. i see the pulsar as helping to become free from trying-to-controll-everything-mindset. would really like to watch an uncut performance from you like that. you got my encouragement 😀🤙🏽❤️
I know they’re not comparable but...compared to the 808 or 909 the sound design potential on this machine is vast. And it sounds crazily good. Hope you enjoy it Bo!
oh man i love to feel your eager cluttered fussing at 3:45 - the excitement getting out ahead of the cool and collected bo-pro (as sometimes it should) :D:D:D
Hey Bo, how you finding the Pulsar? I have one eye on it but given that I have a Rytm mk2 I'm not sure if I want another deep machine. How quickly can you get a pattern going with it? Seems with this the pay off is in the patience :) Thanks
Finally, the 1st artist that makes really good grooves/beats out of Pulsar 23! In previous reviews all I've heard did made me think "is it that difficult to use that you make it sounding so... weird" :)
I mean... I'm not about weird drums myself, but I guess it's a stylistic choice, depending on your style of electronic music. I fall somewhere between Berlin school and synthwave and see limited use for this, but lots of artists could do cool stuff.
It would be interesting if you could put the first video of showing in detail from start to finish all connectivity possibilities with Keystep pro instead of just just reviewing the product since there are reviews of it out there. Especially the ones from Vlad the inventor. How to connect drum gates, midi, and cv would be interesting to explore. For Keystep Pro users and Pulsar users.
Great video. Thanks! Question: Do you know how you can make the Pulsar forget learned Midi keys? I'm using a keystep. I want to start a new session with different learned keys.
Not my personal cup of tea but still an impressive device. You got some great stuff out of it near the end, I can see for real “modular sound designer-types” this would fantastic.
I love the sound and the potentiality of this drum. I think that a jam with the Lira 8 will give a full impression of the sound that Soma have in mind when create this 2 monster in the synth industry. I believe some techno ambient en experimental electronic noise. I can't wait to be able to use them in combination with a small eurorack system such as the makenoise tapemachine. I need just somethink like 4500 grant !!!!!
You wouldn't need stackables, would you? Point A to B with one alligator clip cable. Point A to C with another, etc. Limited only by how much space is on the post to fit more clips. I think that's how it goes. I've seen some patched with an obscene amount of cables.
I hate the alligator patch cables, no way to integrate it with any of my other modular/semi-modular gear.. Why did they chose to go with the clips? Would have been something worth considering if they just used standard mini jacks but since it essentially acts as a standalone synth, and that price tag, I don't feel very interested. Cool sounding drum machine though.
At the top left side there are 8 input jacks that attach to the pins adjacent to each; plug in your external input to one of the jacks and then you alligator clip from that adjacent pin to whatever you want your external modular to control. For what it's worth, anyway.
Someone needs to make Eurorack jack pin adapters that allow you to use this type of alligator clip. It would be great for jacks that get the most use seems like a very resilient connection. It may already be available.
I'm going to order some 1/8" male to male adapters to use on my DFAM in an attempt to make it more organismic. I think those would work for your purposes, even if they are TRS plugs. I found some on Amazon- $6.59 to a 2 pack.
Great video! I pre-ordered mine just now in May, was thinking to myself that maybe they have caught up on production now. But looking around the web it seems that's not the case... but it sure seems worth waiting for. The sound and workflow of this seems to fit my tastes perfectly, too excited! Why was I cursed with the patience of a three year old...
Only a couple minutes in, but wow it sounds amazing!! But I'm definitely a bit thrown off by the use of alligator clips over standard patch cables though. That's definitely enough to make me second guess purchasing one.
@@BoBeats It feels a bit like being different for the sake of being different. I get why Korg used those pin cables with the Volca Modular (which is still so so fun) for size reasons but.. these look like they would be more awkward to use and would be easier to bump off the posts.
Plus you can use the conductivity of your body to make temporary patch connections while performing. Idk if that was by design or just incidental in the cost saving but based on Vlad's other instruments it seems to fit with his design philosophy.
Hmmm, yeah its not impossible. You have attack för all sounds so you can shave of some of the transients with it... also filter for most sounds. I wouldnt say super soft but definitely possible to get way softer than my sounds here
@@BoBeats if they send from eu then it should be okay. They just have this note about you being responsible for vat, but it does say "European production division" so I was confused
Buy a Pulsar-23
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/504302?offid=1&affid=623
US: bit.ly/pulsar23
(affiliate links)
don't miss out on my FREE sample pack that I just released: www.gumroad.com/bobeats - Crunchy Drums (NEW) and Sonic Solitude are both free/pay what you want. Maybe time for a Pulsar-23 sample pack?!
yeah please ! This machine is crazy ! thanks for the upload...
Yes! pulsar-23 sample pack for digitakt!
The sample packs you’ve made are great Bo. I’d be super keen to pay for an extensive Pulsar 23 pack.
@@mgmcdb7606 thanks buddy! if I make one it will likely not be a free download so I am happy to hear its interesting to you
Pulsar for the digi for the win the for love
I've seen several reviews of this today. Everyone seems just blown away at the possibiities of this instrument. Head bobbing and groove faces all around!
groove face ✅
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this video! Soma makes such unique and interesting gear. I want all of their stuff.
15:35 that tune, it takes really good stuff to make me wanna dance at all and that made me grove almost instantly
Proud owner of black model #27; originality is pre-programmed, because of how the Pulsar encourages experimentation, and how it's nearly impossible to duplicate anything you've done. I hope people don't sleep on the Pulsar's sequencer--it is super high resolution, and encourages bizarre, broken beats (quantizing can be boring). You made some wonderful sounds here, too. I have video or two (also not sponsored) on my channel if you're curious. Cheers to Vlad--he's made one of the most static instruments in electronic music anything but.
yeah, quantizing CAN be boring, so why not add it as an OPTION? this was the only thing that made me pass on this...can´t believe it have a quantizing option
Vlad is literally the Dr. Robotnik of sound. He just keeps churning out good stuff.
Sega!
Instead of the “I am biased because I was sponsored”, now we have “I am biased because I wasn’t sponsored” 😀
ask me about my iMac! i dare you 😂
BoBeats Wouldn’t dare, still have to forget what I spent over years on Apple...🤣
Best Computer Ever Change My Mind!
@@BoBeats The best computer ever is the one you currently have that does what you need it to do.
@@BoBeats in terms of functionality-price ratio it isnt anywhere close to the best computer ever, but if it works for you thats what matters. Also apple sort of has a monopoly over a lot of really cool music software, which sucks but does artificially add some pros to apple and cons to windows from a music perspective.
I like the fact you can modulate by touching pins with your fingers!
Thank you Bo. I orderd mine too... take time... waiting for it was nice to see your video !!!
One of the first videos of yours that felt like a real review and not just a demo of the product. Great job and well done!
funny as I wouldn’t call it a review :) just me messing about. but maybe me messing about is a good thing?
@@BoBeats well whatever it was I liked it hah. Maybe I just prefer this type of messing about with lots of great sound examples. I also think you got better/more interesting sounds out of this box than most of the other TH-camrs. Well done well done.
Thank you! And thank you for telling me. There is definitely a demo-focused culture on synth youtube and I battle with that with every video. This video is more -me- and I do prefer not to focus on demoing every aspect of something. But its also something people critique: ”you missed X or Y”. So your comment is helpful in pushing me more towards these more spontaneous videos.
This thing looks incredible. I was just thinking about how few interesting drum machines have come out recently and, whoops, I just had my head up my bum. Great video!
Thanks for the sample pack. It looks like it's a lot of fun to use and play around with. I enjoyed listening.
Please make more content about this wonderful device!
4:39 got some serious Hotline Miami / Drive vibes from this beat
Incredible sound. A specially the Fat Distorted Kick
wasn't expecting such a complicated thing to sound so sick immediately. i'll never afford something like this tho lol, will probably just get a volca drum which can do some similar stuff.
volca drum is actually amazing. i dont own it but i played with it.
Volca drum is incredible. It's digital, but you can get a lot of these sounds and more. The menu can be a little overwhelming, but once you get the hang of it there are hundreds of sounds at your disposal. The delay section helps shape sounds quite a bit too. I never use it as traditional delay haha
If you get the volca drum there is a Momo Editors app that takes away all the menu diving. Also use it as a plug in which you can program.
Get the TR8s, everything you will need.
Marc lol that can’t do all theee sound modulations
Wow, to get such a nice deep expressive, groovy feeling jam like that (5.30s) on your first go, just shows the potential of this BEAST!
*hears kick*
Me: I need one
exactly how i felt 😅
Dude the only synth i have is still a pocket operator
I figured the FBI would have a bigger budget, damn.
What pocket operator do you have?
Same here but recently bought an Novation Circuit which should arrive monday
this is out of this world, i need this now.
definitely more videos! some of the coolest sounds I've heard you produce on this channel
And hey bo what is the best way to program drums ?? Maschine???
Ooo, that's nice!
5:40 sounds like entire Gesaffelstein '2013 album in a box
i would like to watch more of you live performing it. raw, unplanned, off the grid, just going mayhem, not giving f, then becoming slower and quiet, then slowly going mayhem again. 30min or 40. i think the pulsar comes best at that. not the preplanned, cautious preparation. i see the pulsar as helping to become free from trying-to-controll-everything-mindset. would really like to watch an uncut performance from you like that. you got my encouragement 😀🤙🏽❤️
100% this!! And a complete track with that drum line at 5:07 to 5:20. That was some dirty, dark techno ish!
Yesssss
That heavy ass bass at 5:10 is ridiculous! This thing sounds huge
Different from the Lyra 8, the carrying case does comes with the pulsar.
I know they’re not comparable but...compared to the 808 or 909 the sound design potential on this machine is vast. And it sounds crazily good. Hope you enjoy it Bo!
oh man i love to feel your eager cluttered fussing at 3:45 - the excitement getting out ahead of the cool and collected bo-pro (as sometimes it should) :D:D:D
yeah, i like excited Bo too :) i should bring him out more
Orange! The only option in my opinion ;-)
Yessir
HAHAHA
Agree! 😀
soma told me next year more color options are planned
lol
Oh fuck! Sounds so good. Excellent purchase Bo
May I ask what brand of instrument cable you are using?
You make this thing sing! Sounds amazing.
the lighting in that video is so dope! love it
Sounds and looks awesome, especially with the decksaver on top. Nice work Bo.
Super vidéo.
Amazing machine !!! Can’t wait mine 😅
great first video! you didn't seem that overwhelmed by it which was nice, as I am due mine in few months! :)
a quick manual read and you are good to go!
@@BoBeats I have the Analog Rytm. Good option for using to 'tame' the pulsar with its midi tracks?
This sounds amazing, wow.
Hey Bo, how you finding the Pulsar? I have one eye on it but given that I have a Rytm mk2 I'm not sure if I want another deep machine. How quickly can you get a pattern going with it? Seems with this the pay off is in the patience :)
Thanks
Its actually a lot more immediate than rytm mk2. They are like polar opposite: this one is rough and imprecise, and AR deep and precise
is there any vst similar to this ?
This is "The Glitch Mob Machine" :)
I was just notified my order is ready
Finally, the 1st artist that makes really good grooves/beats out of Pulsar 23! In previous reviews all I've heard did made me think "is it that difficult to use that you make it sounding so... weird" :)
yes, lot of very cool trappy patterns haha
I mean... I'm not about weird drums myself, but I guess it's a stylistic choice, depending on your style of electronic music. I fall somewhere between Berlin school and synthwave and see limited use for this, but lots of artists could do cool stuff.
I also believe it helps a lot to use an external sequencer. I like how Bo just skipped the internal sequencer right away.
That Felt Fun!
Really cool demos towards the end
Awesome video! I would like to hear more sick beats you've made with the Pulsar 23!
I keep coming back to this vid hopefully my pulsar arrives soon! I love how into it Bo is at the start, just grooving man 😁👍👍😂
Love the pulsar!!
How about a 30min jam dedicated to experimenting?
this thing isnt just a drum machine, its a drum machine/monosynth/circuit bending platform. I really wish I had 1k to burn
One of the best Machine ! it's just awesome for drums, synth, bass, fx, sound design ...
Industrial monster, and it's a compliment
could you please do a Tanzbar 2 review? i'm impressed by both: Pulsar very "experimental" and Tanzbar2 very complet . Thanks BO :)
Hi Bo, do you notice a difference between the turrets and screws regarding connectivity or sound? Thanks! :)
No, except that its a little harder to get alligators to clip onto screws vs turret
@@BoBeats Thank you for the reply, Bo! May I ask if you notice a difference in conductivity when using your fingers as conductors?
It would be interesting if you could put the first video of showing in detail from start to finish all connectivity possibilities with Keystep pro instead of just just reviewing the product since there are reviews of it out there. Especially the ones from Vlad the inventor. How to connect drum gates, midi, and cv would be interesting to explore. For Keystep Pro users and Pulsar users.
Thats a cool idea!!
@@BoBeats I would definately love to see that. How far it can go and even what limitations are to be improved :))
+1 for that... I don't know whether to go for 0-Ctrl or Keystep Pro to pair with my Pulsar
I’m tempted to kick my Analog Rytm to the curb for this.
Great video. Thanks! Question: Do you know how you can make the Pulsar forget learned Midi keys? I'm using a keystep. I want to start a new session with different learned keys.
I think you just press button and tap a new key and it relearns
Solved, with a little help from Vlad and from you. All four sounds replaced to a key i don't use.
Wow, great beats Bo! You've shown how versatile it is, it sounds fantastic and it looks super inspiring to work with 👍
Bo lol so excited looked just like a boy on Christmas morning
Awesome stuff Bo .I ordered my Soma 'Tank Baby' yesterday from Vlad and the team.Ideal for my Industrial Bunker.Reg Plasma
Nah i aint changing my alpha base for that. But it sure looks good orange
Bloody hell thats brilliant!.....cheers
Holy shit those first sounds hooked me right in
Sounds fantastic!
Not my personal cup of tea but still an impressive device. You got some great stuff out of it near the end, I can see for real “modular sound designer-types” this would fantastic.
I love the sound and the potentiality of this drum. I think that a jam with the Lira 8 will give a full impression of the sound that Soma have in mind when create this 2 monster in the synth industry. I believe some techno ambient en experimental electronic noise. I can't wait to be able to use them in combination with a small eurorack system such as the makenoise tapemachine. I need just somethink like 4500 grant !!!!!
And now we have ornament, Soma gets wilder and wilder
Still absolutely loving this one!!! @Bo - this or the Vermona? I’m wanting something a bit more experimental after selling my MFB Tanzbar2…….
Bo what camera are you using , looks sharp 👍
Canon Eos R and Canon M50 for top down
BoBeats looking great 👍
wow
I want this but with stackable cables
You wouldn't need stackables, would you? Point A to B with one alligator clip cable. Point A to C with another, etc. Limited only by how much space is on the post to fit more clips. I think that's how it goes. I've seen some patched with an obscene amount of cables.
I hate the alligator patch cables, no way to integrate it with any of my other modular/semi-modular gear.. Why did they chose to go with the clips? Would have been something worth considering if they just used standard mini jacks but since it essentially acts as a standalone synth, and that price tag, I don't feel very interested. Cool sounding drum machine though.
At the top left side there are 8 input jacks that attach to the pins adjacent to each; plug in your external input to one of the jacks and then you alligator clip from that adjacent pin to whatever you want your external modular to control. For what it's worth, anyway.
Hello Bo! Can you DO a Jomox alpha base review !
Where did you get you t-shirt?
I keep meaning to ask what the headphones you wear are Bo. Another fantastic video.
classic 99 from Meze Audio, they are actually brilliant
Someone needs to make Eurorack jack pin adapters that allow you to use this type of alligator clip. It would be great for jacks that get the most use seems like a very resilient connection. It may already be available.
you can just clip the alligator clip onto the end of a regular patch cable.
I'm going to order some 1/8" male to male adapters to use on my DFAM in an attempt to make it more organismic. I think those would work for your purposes, even if they are TRS plugs. I found some on Amazon- $6.59 to a 2 pack.
That should work nice and simple
Great video! I pre-ordered mine just now in May, was thinking to myself that maybe they have caught up on production now. But looking around the web it seems that's not the case... but it sure seems worth waiting for. The sound and workflow of this seems to fit my tastes perfectly, too excited! Why was I cursed with the patience of a three year old...
Inte lätt att vänta på nått gott!
@@BoBeats Nej, det suger :P
How long did they estimate
is it velocity sensitive? I'm guessing you can patch an lfo or envelope but can velocity be manually adjusted and fixed when sequencing?
when you record into the sequencer you have three velocity modes. Not entirely how it works with external sequencer
love this. make more videos with it!
This is like watching a neutered french poodle play with a grenade.
Impressive sounds! 👍
Does Trent Reznor know about this drum machine?
Dfam new Industrial friend .time for a sample pack for sure ;) thx for the vidéo Bo
Those CV inputs also work as CV outs right?
I think so, have not tried
very cool little machine as is everything from Soma!
this is my favorite video you’ve ever done! and now I have to save up $2000 to spend on a drum machine, so thanks for that :P
At 13:21 I want to hear a full finished track of that. Very interesting machine
Ah! You asked a LONG time ago what instrument you should review on IG and I said this one and it FINALLY happened :)
it is times like these that i wish i could like more
Wonderful machine 😎
who would win in a fight, this or twelve volca beats?
Only a couple minutes in, but wow it sounds amazing!! But I'm definitely a bit thrown off by the use of alligator clips over standard patch cables though. That's definitely enough to make me second guess purchasing one.
I think a lot of people feel that way.
@@BoBeats It feels a bit like being different for the sake of being different. I get why Korg used those pin cables with the Volca Modular (which is still so so fun) for size reasons but.. these look like they would be more awkward to use and would be easier to bump off the posts.
I think its actually an economic choice + you can use one pin for multiple clips. Its pretty expensive as is. So I get it
@@BoBeats Hrm.. That's fair.
Plus you can use the conductivity of your body to make temporary patch connections while performing. Idk if that was by design or just incidental in the cost saving but based on Vlad's other instruments it seems to fit with his design philosophy.
I know it's not intended to but can it also made softer sounds? I like industrial music but not everyday :)
Hmmm, yeah its not impossible. You have attack för all sounds so you can shave of some of the transients with it... also filter for most sounds. I wouldnt say super soft but definitely possible to get way softer than my sounds here
So awesome
I ordered a Lyra-8 and got on the waiting list for this. I’m in over my head but it feels so good
Damn that thing sounds unreal
Bo, they're called alligator clips......so hopefully your kids will be terrified. ;)
ps; 15:50 nice 'Voice of Buddha'(early Human League) ;)
😳😳😳😳😳
amazing sounds from a first look :)
this sounds fucking great!
I wish that it had drum pads to use for creating beats. Still would love one for my main drum synth or maybe Erica Synths Techno system even better.
Silly question: do you have to pay extra taxes when buying things from soma to europe?
i dont know how it works when you are not a company (i dont pay taxes since they send from within eu) but just email and ask
@@BoBeats if they send from eu then it should be okay. They just have this note about you being responsible for vat, but it does say "European production division" so I was confused
@@BoBeats thanks
Hej Bo! Jag ville berätta att "chaos" har ett hårt K-ljud. Min svenska är ganska dålig, så förhoppningsvis är det meningsfullt
its not chaos. Its shaos ;-) its a word play.
@@BoBeats jaha! Det står "shaos" på brädet. Ser jag nu. Glöm det :)
Hehe, mitt uttal är inte så bra men inte SÅ dåligt haha