Think you missed to mention the Roland/Studio Electronics SE-02 as a very cheap alternative to get that Moog sound with preset storage. Highly recommend if you don't have too chunky fingers.
@@JorbLovesGear SE-02 has full midi cc, has s pretty cool sequencer, can polychain, all on very compact space. That's a ton of good reasons, and not too much compromising on *That* Moog sound. Someday i will buy 3 or 4 additional ones and polychain.
SE-02 is great, but apart from some superficial similarities to the mini, it doesn't really sound or feel very moog-y. If you want the moog sound for cheaps, get the behringer D.
Novation is doing a great job maintaining gear for the long term. They really do a great job with not just throwing out new models. They’re building on what they’re releasing, and supporting current owners. I like that. Bass station owners really have gotten their bang for the buck.
I gotta give kudos to Novation for their customer support. I bought a used Launchkey25, and had the pitch-bend wheel break after a couple weeks. I wrote Novation for a price for a new pitch-bend wheel and pot. They wrote back, got my address, and sent me a new pitch-bend-and-modulation subassembly for free. THAT's standing behind your product. Out of warranty warranty service for a secondhand bit of kit. SWEET. :D
They're legendary, got swift responses, instructions for a fix and some new knobs through the post without even asking for 2nd hand ultranova years after they stopped production. Best customer service by miles. For comparison, my faulty Waldorf Blofeld got sent off for repair, barely any response to emails over the 6 months they had it in for repair. They sent me back the same unit without being repaired, saying the issue would be fixed in a future firmware update, a year later the update still hadn't been released. That's not how you retain a customer base
Here’s a G.A.S. remedy that worked for me: Put all your gear away and out of sight. Don’t touch it or think about it for three months or more. Also, don’t watch any TH-cam videos about gear. This helped me re-develop a desire for the gear I already had. Not only that, when I finally decided to get back into my gear, I did it slowly. First and only piece of gear I set back up was a midi controller-my Arturia Keylab 61. So for a month I played only it and my plug-in synths. Mostly Arturia Piano and Electric piano. Only now, after four months am I starting to set up my Maschine Mikro for working on tracks, my synths and my drum machines.. And not only that, I’ve set it up in a different arrangement. Previously I had everything connected to everything else. Now I only have a few pieces connected to my M1 Mac Mini and the rest set off to the side just for enjoying playing. This helped me appreciate what I already had immensely! Not only that but I have extra $$$ in my “pocket”. I also still have G.A.S. but it’s so much easier to NOT BUY new stuff even though I’ve freed-up enough cash and cleared enough credit to buy just about anything I want. I just……well……don’t. But I do have a “jones” to at some point in the next few years, buy either a “vintage” synth-a Prophet or Oberheim-or their modern recreations. So try to enjoy the gear you already have without any pressure to create or any FOMO. Just enjoy playing and creating.
Great series. I bought lots of cheap rackmount synthesizers for pennies on the dollar back when soft synths first became popular. I actually like learning the hard to use UI on most of them. Don't need knobs and sliders that much. Always DAW-less. Just an old man in love with sounds.
Ah the good old days when around a hundred clams could net you just about any rack mount synth engine you could ever want. Alas I was in small-kids-and-big-mortgage mode back then and didn't take advantage of. Now all those old 1- and 2-U modules are all cool and hip and vintage and so forth and the prices are up the ladder and out onto the roof. :( Alas for the halcyon days of cheap TX81z and JV-1080 and D-110 boxes. :D
you should do this recommendations videos so much more often. just covering older, somewhat forgotten synths (or they simply were never that big, in terms of audience), with huge value for the money
There's two things that I would love to see a synth TH-camr talk about. One is suggestions for amps and monitors when using multiple instruments, both for live and studio contexts. Secondly I'd love to see a series in which someone builds setups for specific genres, especially ones outside of EDM. Great job with what you've made so far and I wish you the best of luck
Hell yeah I have been telling everyone that the bass station 2 is hands down the best bang for your buck analog mono synth out there. The digital features, especially with the 2.0 firmware update, make it twice the synth that the moog mono synths can be. Seriously it's so loaded with features and has ao much patch storage; it's WAY more than just an analog sound processing synth
Cheers, thank you! Think the next few will be looking at alternatives to specific synths, whole video on what to buy instead of a juno, or what to look at instead of a sub 37
Cheers, I appreciate it! I've been considering doing a big "buy this instead of the juno" episode, and talk about a few other vintage options. Ax60 included!
Making my way through the archives of this channel - this is a great series! Love it. I'm a plugin synth guy, but I studied analog synthesis in college and am still very interested in synths. Love the channel.
I have a Yamaha SY77, which can be had for probably $500. It's a worthy successor to the DX7 series. And it was Yamaha's answer to the Roland D-50 and Korg M1. Well worth checking out if you want FM. The DX27 was my first synth in '85. It does the 'Lately bass' (called 'Solid Bass'), that everyone loves, but I find it hard to recommend. I sold it a few years ago for much more than I ever thought I'd get. I'm told the TX81z and the DX21 (keyboard version, I believe) are better 4OP choices since they have additional waveforms not found in the DX27/100.
I've been really tempted to buy the SY77 which is objectively a way better synth than the DX7 and more programmable. My head says SY77 but my heart screams DX7, I just love those colors too much...
@@Flying-Roro The SY77 is a surpringly great sounding synth which does awesome EPs and even decent analog brass sounds. I have the rack TX77 version and it was worth the money. If you can find an SY99, that is an even better choice, and will read SY77 patches but has a lot of flagship features.
I think it’s a great idea! I’m a piano player who is getting into the world of synths so this series is super helpful! I like the idea of the 5-10 deep dives on individual gear!
@@JorbLovesGear Sounds like a good angle. It's nice to have this kind of content, because at times it feels like I'm just constantly watching synth advertisements on youtube.. people subtly trying to sell me stuff.
Another good new video series idea. I ended up buying a Nord Lead 2 after watching your in depth, not sure why I hadn't bought one previously. Agree with your comments on buying used synths, the last time I've bought something new recently was the Erica DB-01. It was well worth it thankfully.
Really flattered to hear that, that's about as high of praise as I can get. The DB-01 seems like a really logical step for a lot of eurorack companies, I'm surprised we don't see more products like that, whole stand alone units from these manufacturers. Great taste in these things!
Keep going with this series, I really enjoy the talk of price points and getting good deals. I've snagged a couple decent deals with the Ebay "ending soonest" method.
You can also watch all the sites for the one synth you like. For some of the under valued ones they just sit there and no one buys. You'll see the same ad on ebay and Reverb and it's been up there for 6 months. Contact each seller and just offer what you want to pay for it. Don't say anything about the unit's value or any criticism. Just say, hey I would be willing to pay x. I got a synth that everyone was listing at 400+ for 170.00 that way. If they say no, say thanks and move on. People are going to start dumping all that over eager GAS so they can get Xmas present money soon. Deals will be waiting, I already see more and more volcas being sold cheaper and cheaper.
Thank you! The bass station is something I want to be sure I present in the right way, I really think it's excellent. Definitely a 'do you get what you pay for' sub 37 x mopho x bass station, once I feel satisfied with the angle.
"I don't know if this is a great idea." This IS a great idea. I have a similar approach every time I start getting that gear lust. I actually recently came to the same conclusion re: the Prophet 5 rev 4. Recently read that a firmware update lets you use the slop knob on Prophet 6/OB-6 to replicate the function of the Vintage knob on the prophet 5. Done and done. Next purchase is either Prophet 6 or OB-6 (leaning toward the OB). Anyway, I look forward to more of this series.
In 99% of cases...I realize I already own something that can do everything the new gear can do. Haha My purchases are much more throught out these days. =) Love your channel!
The Opsix is worth every cent it costs! :D I even preordered mine and it's with me since its release. That's one of the synths, i'd sell last if i'd have an financial emergency. It sounds damn fine, makes programming complex sounds in this complex engine really easy and most importantly, it is so much more than a FM synth! Its additional operator types give it much more possibilities than a "pure" FM synth would ever offer. Ring Mod, Filter FM, Filters on in the operator "block", wavefolding and certain FX like EQs, Phaser, comb filter or distortion open up so many new sounds. Combine that with the freely routable user algorithm and you've got yourself a litte modular system within this box. That's an aspect of the Opsix which gets lost very often as it's mostly presented as an "extended FM" synth.
Thanks! I'm running through a lot of ideas for presenting info like this. Would be nice to have the fancy new gear in front of me to talk about it, but then I will have gone against my own advice! Lol Or maybe that helps to reinforce the point
Yo jorb i really enjoy your stuff GAS is really helpfull idea i recently saved up some money and have a really hard time deciding on a sampler i might go with the mpc 1000 but the digitakt looks so sexy dont know with old vs. new gear im always conflicted
Samplers are tough, they vary really wildly. I'm am mpc 1000 die hard, probably because mine has JJos on it. I enjoyed the first wave of sequencing on the digitakt a lot, just being able to plug stuff quickly on to the grid was great, but as soon as it came time to dig in or shift stuff around, wasnt working for me. And, i use the MPC to play samples but also sequence midi, and it didnt make sense for me to have 2 boxes that could do drums, when i didnt feel any huge advantage on the digitakt, which cant sequence all the midi i need.
@@JorbLovesGear Sounds great. I am looking to purchase a Deepmind 12 and Poly D. I just missed an amazing sale for both on Reverb. These will be my first semi modular devices. I am also trying to catch a deal on the Arturia Minibrute 25.
Korg OpSix is really a sleeper. You have make it a 6 osc analog style subtractive and with Fx and modulation for voice spread - I initially thought- who needs another lame FM but watching oscillator sync video made me give it a try. So glad I did
great really helpful for me just getting into synths / hardware. maybe cut a few of the classic / best patches in from each for good measure/ great job!
Welcome! I've been thinking about doing a 'by the eras' introduction to typical synth sounds, early analog all the way through wave tables & granular... Need good examples of them all though!
@@JorbLovesGear that would certainly be of interest to me. i was a dj for thirty years so im looking for that reference material, stuff ive heard on records helps me gauge what hardware to look at. phil hartnol appears on a few forums banging on about the sh-01 etc but someone like yourself with a really broad knowledge could also bring that onto here. you should look at doing some workshops when the time is right for you. i went to a few synth workshops when i lived in ibiza it was super interesting i would be up for some sort of paid event. for now though this is a great resource thanks for all your efforts!
For the DX type of FM I`d go with software as they are 100% digital and use cases are different (dial in a static instrument patch instead of constantly modulating a signal) they don`t need that much of a tactile feedback
great presentation. It's always good to let people know the more affordable counterparts to newer synths. Prophet 5 completely lost my interest when it came with a mono output jack, the prophet 6 having pan spread is so much more desirable in that respect.
this is an incredible video idea. you should do these for sequencers and string synths, and and keyboard that do niche sounds like vibraphones or something. just something i’d like
Thank you! I've considered really targeted iterations of it, electric piano sounds for example, options all across the price range. Or a specific synth I have and can demonstrate, and what else could do the same things
Too late for me ...I HAD to get the Opsix. I've had a DX7 & DX100, and after the Opsix, I could never go back to programming them. Glad to find you Jorb. Subscribed :)
I like this idea a lot. I'm sorta curious since you hit the big guys right off the bat as to how many of these you might be able to do, though. But this is a cool concept. Some suggestions for fleshing this out, and also going a step or two deeper on the ideas: talk a little about what is special about each of the headline pieces and about what is carried over and/or lost in the units you are suggesting redirecting to. Another suggestion (purely because I'd love to see this) is an episode around samplers. MPCs, EMU, vs Elektron, Korg Volca Sample, Rolands SX line, and so on. Ensoniq. Good luck with this! (Came from the Bad Gear parody, btw - funny!)
Great feedback, all of it. You're right, how often does a prophet 5 level of hype show up, nearly never. Lol Definitely in the chamber is what's gained and lost for each compromise, great idea. And I've got experience with a lot of samplers actually, I should definitely bring that up in the future as well. Cheers, and welcome!
@@JorbLovesGear PS, I had this related idea I never fleshed out that's in this same vein - "What's so great about - " where I'd talk about why something gets a lot of love and how you can get it. What's so great about the Moog Model D? -> The ladder filter -> these synths, and also the moogerfooger. You can have that idea royalty free :) Best of luck, I'll be watching!
@@distantcomets I like the idea of doing a compartmentalization and moving backwards with stuff I have my hands on. I have written and recorded, actually, a "what to buy instead of the juno" video, but it doesn't feel tight enough to put it out, know I could make better points if I try again.
@@JorbLovesGear See, I'd click on that Juno video in a heartbeat! The sound of that chorus is readily available and Roland in particular recycle their legacy stuff like crazy. I hear the Deepmind sorta did something uncharacteristically cool for Behringer. (Yeah, I'm one of those h8rs.) But it's evergreen in the sense that the building blocks of the lustworthy stuff inspire everything else.
@@distantcomets I'm a proponent of the deepmind, but not really interested in behringer's clones. I actually recreated all the juno presets on the deepmind, as a sort of 'kill your idols' find the magic in something cheaper kind of a way
I think it's a great candidate for videos like that, constantly recommended, affordable, but with surprisingly deep synthesis options. Definitely noted!
@@JorbLovesGear The BassStation 2 was my very first synth, just got it last July. Not even a year old!! I discovered your videos today and they're great. Please do a BSII video, I want to see how you apply your skills to it!
Great video. More of these please. I am curious about the Prologue, I have the Monologue and really like the way it programs, it makes sense to me. Have you ever use them both for comparison? I have a Deepmind 12 and still haven’t come to terms with it, I like grittier sounds and it feels like I am fighting with it to get those sorts of sounds. Keep doing what you do
Cheers, I appreciate that. I'm really fond of the programming on all of the 'logues, especially if you're used to getting a lot of your sound from the oscillators & their interaction. The deepmind is certainly capable of grittier sounds, but they're not as accessible as the logues where you can just turning up drive or cross mod from the panel. If you like the programming of the monologue, and don't have a problem sacrificing the modulation matrix of the deepmind, maybe a prologue is worth considering. Used prices on the 8 are close, maybe a bit higher than the deepmind.
Great idea, these videos. BTW: There are so many options for 4op fm synths, but one looks so weird it sometimes turns up cheap, because it just looks like an 80’s answering machine. the Yamaha TQ5. Hidden gem, tx81z inside plus an 8 track sequencer and a couple of effects.
@@JorbLovesGear I believe it was the module version of the ys200, which has a crazy Casio kind of design. Since these were among the last of the 90’s fm synth’s, they introduced something called the ‘easy edit mode’ So maybe this is the tweakable fm synth bargain you’re looking for.... ?
TQ5? Never heard of that one. I knew about the DX-11, which was basically a TX81z in a leftover DX-21 case, but not the TQ5. To the internetz! Research! :D
There is another difference between the first behringer 2600 and the special edition ones. In addition to the real spring reverb, the components used in the filter circuit are higher quality and more authentic sounding. Plus on thomann usa you can get a brand new grey meanie for like $430 + shipping which is well under Sweetwaters price. As far as rackmount stuff goes, I almost don't even wanna talk about it because if you know, you know... ;) some of the best deals in the synth world exist in those crusty, unsexy rack and half rack units... ESPECIALLY if you like lo fi digital stuff.
Already super stoked for part 2 of this series! I’m really eying an ASM Hydrasynth at the moment and I’m curious if you have any thoughts on what alternatives may exist. Seems like its a pretty solid value for the price - particularly the desktop version for 800.
I'm thinking of doing these on specific synths, like if you want to buy a juno, for example, check out these alternatives. Hydrasynth is really really interesting to me, I'd love to get my hands on one at some point.
@@JorbLovesGear thanks for the reply! I’m really looking forward to more of this series. I actually found a used Hydrasynth module on Craigslist for $700 today and went for it after looking into other digital poly alternatives like the nord rack 2 and the digitone. So far I’m super happy with it but time will tell how it really fits with me. $700 may have been a s,idée high but looked in line w reverb prices but minus the tax. I was feeling impatient so just went ahead and pulled the trigger
Actually what killed my Opsix GAS pretty hard and seriously kicking the butt of both the Volca FM and DIgitone is the new Liven XFM - it's going to be around 200 quid. It's only 4 OP but has filters and loads of cool features.
I have one. It's feature set is worlds better than the Korg FM, which I also had, but sold. The Liven XFM has a 4-track, four page sequencer with parameter locking, and offers exceptionally deep editing of the four operators. It's a bit plasticky, but if you don't mind that it's a FAR more capable synth than the Korg Volca FM. There are so many features on this synth it's incredible.
If your'e doing annother episode like this, maybe talk about doepfer eurorack modules? I think theyre absurdly underapreciated and great value, especially used.
If I was on the market for a classic 4 operators FM synth I would go to the TX81Z instead of a DX21, 27 or 100 because despite the TX81z is 4 ops only like the orthers it offers more than sine waves to operate and it improves a lot its capabilities. And it's dirt cheap , it's multitimbral (thus you can layer sounds) and takes only 1U of rack space. (I assume you already have some sort of MIDI keyboard and real estate can be an issue for you)
Never seen the micro freak without the keyboard COOL! I haven’t got one as I hate the oddball keyboard on it, hope other people do that mod as I’d like to buy one!
The keyboard is honestly the worst part of it. A well disguised compromise, but still a compromise. I think that outside shell is available 3D printed online!
I do it on a few! But you're right, I should do it more. I should probably record the chapter times while I edit, so I don't need to go back and find the boundaries after a whole upload. Thanks for the suggestion!
that's what I like about the microfreak; what it does is pretty unique; and it's still a good first synth and a cheap one. Even in a full software based setup it make sense because there's no direct alternative on the software side either.
It certainly is unique. I think it could be a real bitch to try and learn on, though I guess you could vcv rack up a few Plaits, but that's not really straight forward or simple.
I sold my Sub 37 and picked up a Minitaur and some other stuff. For me the Minitaur covered the bass just as well as the 37. Doesn't have the modulation options of course or the sequencer, but it has that fat Moog bass.
I am in the same boat, I cannot buy new and full price gear. It's really nice finding good deals or stuff people under estimate. A lot of the lesser brands people over look are Akai, Crumar, Farfisa, Siel, Ensoniq. And one comment: To get that prophet/oberheim sound for cheap, a good alternative is the oberheim matrix 6, 6r, 1000 family. I got a Matrix-6 for $800 USD on ebay recently, free shipping too I believe. I wanted a P5 or OB6 and figured paying less than a third of the price for a Matrix-6 would be pretty good value. Weird rack mount synths, samplers and modules are cool too like the Roland EM101, Yamaha FB01, Yamaha TG77, Akai S612.
Great tip! I forget about the oberheim matrix stuff. And I'm definitely going to be on the prowl for some rack mount stuff soon. A new frontier for me!
Out of respect for you and this video series I created a second account to subscribe to you twice, legally it's not cheating cause of the benefit to the music community who are mostly broke, and second cause my cat created the second account, his name and everything:) Would love to see some videos for this series on midi keyboards, if it's already made than I'll for sure see it soon:) Thanks and take care
My friend owns and loves his novation bass station but has had odd issues with power supply/strange involuntary parameter changing during performance etc... Sounds awesome but does have that holding it back.
Standalone. He had some improvement by changing from USB power to it's proprietary wall power but yeah it still acts funny. It was used when he got it so it may be that it was damaged perhaps
I love this video, I subbed just for this series. I have to ask though, how would you sell an iconic synth with a not-small price tag that's just not the flavor of the month? (for context, I have a Prophet VS)
Thanks for the tip, I am certainly doing my best on that front. I love to see more info on making smart purchases and selling tips. Everyone makes videos about using cool gear, but very little is said about moving and acquiring gear (at least sanely... Its why I'll never touch eurorack, I have enough addictions)
Best advice - just buy as many Deepminds as you have room for. Just leave space for a sampler or a drum machine. Picked up a pretty mint DX27 for £90 a few days ago. there are still bargains to be had but far less in the 'vintage' arena.
Man, I love the idea of this series, especially for hobbyists like me that don't have a lot of money to throw around, and don't have use for a professional array of synths, but are interested in acquiring some physical synths to mess around. I'm really torn between buying a Microfreak now (here in Europe it's possible to find them new for less than 250 Euros), or saving up and buying a DX7, or a Casio CZ-1, or a Deepmind 12. Even the Nord Lead 2 is interesting, so it's nice to know that the almost-one-thousand-bucks price for one is too high.
You can't go wrong with any of those, and the bottom line is what sounds you want access to. Dx7 is really far from dm12 for example. If you can, I'm sure you could find a microfreak at a local shop to try out, see if it's a fit. If not, maybe consider something around that price point that's more conventional, monologue or a bass station maybe.
@@JorbLovesGear I'm just looking for versatility + polyphony + aftertouch really, as I want to delve deeper into sound design (and maybe make some ambient stuff, probably), so the thing holding me back on the Microfreak is the 4-note limit, even though it's not a huge deal. And since I'm not a keyboard player, the "keybed" doesn't bother me as it does other people. I just opened your video about the Microfreak oscillators (something I don't really see a lot of people exploring or explaining on TH-cam, they just do sound demos) to see how they fare. As for the rest, the DM12 seems very capable due to the extensive mod matrix, the DX7 is proven as a versatile soundscape design machine (that's one of Brian Eno's most used synths, right?), and I really liked messing around with the Arturia's CZ emulator and the sounds it produced. Right now I guess I'm more like "let's wait and see if a good deal comes up on one of the vintage synths/DM12", otherwise I might as well go to a shop and check the Microfreak sound engines personally.
@@lokelosk seems like you know what is and isn't important to you, great place to be. Deepmind is a really good value for money, the 6 included. Dx7 is tough to program, but there are thousands of sounds available online (probably the commercial eno cartridge ones even) and software editors, if you have a computer as part of your setup it could. Be a non factor.
@@JorbLovesGear Yeah, the FM programming can be a pain. I've been messing around with the Arturia's DX7 emulator and Dexed for quite some time and still just scratched the surface of its capabilities. There's a guy that used to make DX7 patches on TH-cam on an actual DX7, madFame, and he makes it look so simple... Anyway, I just want to say your content is great, man, and very informative. I'm hoping to see more of "Hold your GAS" in the future!
I picked up a model d from goiter center for 240 about a month back. The microbrute is still badass too. But honestly the first analog synth anyone should buy these days is the td-3.
You think so? Low cost, sure, but the td-3 feels pretty specific to me, the sequencing is kinda unique and the controls are not standard pretty restrictive. I think something like a crave even would be a better first unit.
@@JorbLovesGear i hate the td-3 sequencer. but theres 303patterns.com or flstudio for that. Kinda funny is the first analog synth i ever used was a juno-106 that my friend got for about 200 bucks in like 92. Something like a volca isn't a bad starting point too.
@@JorbLovesGear it can be a feature - when the components justify the increased costs. When people wet their panties over "hand soldered" I wonder what experience they have of non-boutique hand soldered products! Surface mount did me out of a job (writing maintenance manuals) but definitely improved build quality and reliability for the customers and profitability for the suits.
Also I don't know if you looked into old Kurzweil gear, but the K2xxx(R) is be one of the best digital synths available still to this day and the K2000R for example goes for about the price of a microfreak today; but once you go kurzweil and actually learn VAST you will quickly realize that there still isn't anything close in the new produced market, which is a shame considering it's now almost 30 years old.
I agree, those are very good machines. Funny to see people buying a new mono synth when they could get a beast like that for the same cash. Thanks for the heads up on the prices for those. I may have to get one now.
Future suggestion: the MS-20. I have the ipad app, which is pretty sweet (1/30 or less than the price of the hardware), but I am curious if there is really a viable replacement in hardware (compared to the mini, which is about $550).
Behringer does the clone, of course is available cheap, if you really need the same architecture. But I think most modern mono synths are capable of sounding 'big' these days.
I would like to make a recommendation I gave to Jacob Haq as well, and this works really well! For a computer interface about ten years ago Behringer came out with an IPad interface called I studio. It says right on the box will work with ANY IPad. It has thirty pin thirty pin connection, lol, but guess what? It does! I bout 30 pin adapter to female USB and connected it to my brand new M2 Pro. These were sold for $100 new and didn’t sell very well. There are a ton out there still new in the box! Amazon sells the adapter for $8! It has midi, phantom powered connectors XRL, STEREO OUTs. Check it out!😢Behringer has instructions on how to tune the Neutron on their site, it’s really easy! I just got one and had to tune it. Also the QY is a little itty bitty Yamaha module for around $200, is FM and samples BUT 16 stereo sequencer. Tracks, 32 mono. I love love love mine! Jorb I love this idea! peace brother!
Regarding blue marvin and gray meanie has supposely higher quality components inside as well, if that makes a difference to the sound I don't know- but there are videos where both units are disassembled and there is indeed other capacitors etc inside.
@@JorbLovesGear Indeed no idea why although I personally have a gray meanie on order- although I guess it will never ship as it's been out of stock for 4 weeks now :D Also thanks for the DM12 patches btw, they're indeed awesome.
@@FluffyAnvil I would honestly love to try one, I had spring reverb in my eurorack and adored it. And thank you! I'm quite proud of them. Polysix is the next one for copy cat patches!
Howdy! I played one for a while at knobcon, the sounds were really really good. Didn't love the interface, but that's a pretty difficult thing to balance, hands on control of really deep options. My minor panel complaint, I felt like too much space was dedicated to the arp settings.
Thank you! I am a die-hard for my MPC 1000, but have had a deluge and a digitakt, of course have a volca sample...Honestly wish i could xoxo sequence drums on the mpc, but until I get something that does that AND can loop midi live, ill be keeping my 1k. Hoping to try and get a model: Samples to try out, would love to have an impression of that too.
I think I've bought two Synths New The arturia Microbrute and the Behringer MS-101 But yeah almost everything of mine is used as well. While I do agree, with your options, (maybe add a Microbrute in there as well a Mono analgue synth with knobs and stuff) please excuse me while I sound like "that guy" for the rest of the comments: That Prophet 5 is really expencive, too much for me and I agree with you to look for alts (you could go even cheaper and go for the Sequential Circuits MAX but there's strings attached to that one) That being said compared to used prices of previous Revs. That's actually kind of tempting. Like really tempting. DX7 if you don't like keys or you're trying to cut corners you could always get the Cheaper sound module version called the TX7. If you have the budget for the Korg OPSIX but looking for a behomth of a vintage FM synthesizer there's also the TX216 (Or 816 once fully upgraded). However I would highly recommend to anyone who is using these to download and used Dexed as well as programming these can be a bit of a Migrane. I'd also say beware 4 OP can sound harsher then their 6 OP brothers but that comes at a price and and if you're looking for something cheap you could always get the FB-01
@@JorbLovesGear Normally I tend to use hardware over software but for some FM Synthesis is really quite overwhelming. That's why I thought I'd mention them.
Man, buying the DX 7 at near the price of the Korg seems like a choice between consumption/better UX and/or getting something with the worst UI ever. It’s a tough call. The modules in the fm range seem to have a better price and some are even multitimbral. Plus they have less internal wear thanks to their construction. The main gripe I have with used electronic gear is that it doesn’t get better with age like wood in guitars/violins.
Good point, that the don't "age" like a guitar might. They do appreciate! But really, just break down more. Not that guitars dont! But leaking capacitors is a bit more destructive than a worn fret.
@@JorbLovesGear yeah they definitely appreciate. You know what are a great investment? old akais. There’s a great secondary market for parts and tune ups. Wish there was that for the elektrons.
@@fernandomercado5519 I'm becoming an akai fanboy, admitedlly...thanks to my love of my MPC 1000. I have a reel to reel from akai, of course my AX60, and recently got an X-7000, which is about the closest to completely outdated i've ever had.
@@JorbLovesGear they all appreciate. It’s like physical bitcoin. 🤣 Wow that’s a great collection. Where I’m at it’s harder to find em. There’s a never sold MPC 500 going for like 150 still new in box that’s been sitting for over a decade in a store. Considering they cost a multiple of that it might be a good deal to buy and fix it up with mpc stuff upgrades.
I thought the Model D from Behringer sounded very moogish for cheap. But lack of presets made me give it up. Hate spending a half hour fine tuning an patch but having to write down, snapshot or depend on own ability to redo it.
@ghost mall Yes, good point. I used to be better at programmng analog synths like the Juno60 but depended on memory to keep the special ones. To your point, if you really "know" your instrument, you can get the sound quickly or something quite similar. At my advanced age, I get flummuxed by instruments like the Wavestate and Hydrasynth and depend a lot on purchased libraries. As JORB says above, it is a different way of working. And it takes patience and planning but I just want to play, For me a piano is a perfect tool. ({-;)
I use an original Waldorf Pulse as an alternative to Moog mono synth. It's 3 Osc, with 4 mod slots, 2 envelopes, has a triangle Osc, syncable, sperate noise and does cross mod. It's rack mount and has a matrix edit system, which takes a little while to get used to but is quick and intuitive after a week or two if you are an experience synther. From a sound perspective it's huge, blew away my Mopho (hated the filter) and Minitaur (limited pallette, sync issues) Would urge you to get one to try it out. You can pick them up for £250-300 typically in Europe, not sure on US prices.
I've seen the name but don't have any opinions if them. Sounds like I'll have to do my research! And I feel that too, I'm trying to figure out how to articulate how what about the mopho keyboard doesn't work for me and that will be a video eventually.
@@JorbLovesGear not sure if the Mopho layout is the same as X4, but the LFO section confused me, ultimately the tone didn't please me, and tone wins every time over features for me.
@@Jim_KYB totally agree, between lfo, mod, misc mod, there's too many places to look. Tons of modulation options don't mean much if they're hard to use!
I had a prologue 8 for awhile, wasn't actively making videos at the time. I liked it, but struggled to not compare it to the deepmind, which has a more comprehensive effects section, and the prologue doesn't have a modulation matrix at all. The oscillators are really flexible and splits & layers are really handy, but that wasn't enough for me. The limitations had me feeling like I should just sit down at one of my vintage keyboards.
I forgot about the MFB! Good suggestion. And I havent had my hands on an alpha juno in awhile, but i believe theres 2 delay stages, and you can set a max level, and the level where it goes to the next decay stage? If its like the poly 800(sort of) to have it act like a normal ADSR, Attack level on max, first decay on 0, 'break point' on full.
microfreack is such a tremendous synth!!! for that price the best Arturia product ever. and with the latest firmware and the noise engineering osci's it's unbeatable. lol i bought one right away as they came out and they were sooo buggy and shitty....i couldn't even download the firmware with my mac. Arturia told i should look out for a pc to updated it.....NO JOKE. but in the mean time this synth became one of the most solid great sounding synth i ever played with. i wouldn't recommend it almoast 3 years ago, but i recommand it now......specially if you have an eurorack, too.... BIG TIME!!!!!
Totally agree, it's really excellent. I'm trying to decide how to continue covering it, I've threw around the idea of a patch pack that uses every oscillator type, or tutorials for specific types of sounds... What would be valuable to you?
Just about every band I've seen, if they have a keyboard player, he has a Nord Lead 2. Strangely, over the past few years, I've seen very few TH-camrs using them, except for Steve Roach and some of the other elders.
Think you missed to mention the Roland/Studio Electronics SE-02 as a very cheap alternative to get that Moog sound with preset storage. Highly recommend if you don't have too chunky fingers.
Oh excellent suggestion. I had a jx03 for a bit, and unfortunately have to agree with the issue of the tiny knobs.
Tough to use!
@@JorbLovesGear SE-02 has full midi cc, has s pretty cool sequencer, can polychain, all on very compact space. That's a ton of good reasons, and not too much compromising on *That* Moog sound. Someday i will buy 3 or 4 additional ones and polychain.
@@JorbLovesGear Yes, jx03, jp08, ju06 are nice sounding, but a joke as Poly-Synths with just 4 voices.
I think the Sub Phatty should also have been on that list. its extremely similar to the sub37.
SE-02 is great, but apart from some superficial similarities to the mini, it doesn't really sound or feel very moog-y. If you want the moog sound for cheaps, get the behringer D.
"Do not buy that!" from the intro - that's exactly how the voice of reason used to sound like in my head before I suppressed it
😂🤣😂🤣 Same tbh
Novation is doing a great job maintaining gear for the long term. They really do a great job with not just throwing out new models. They’re building on what they’re releasing, and supporting current owners. I like that. Bass station owners really have gotten their bang for the buck.
I gotta give kudos to Novation for their customer support. I bought a used Launchkey25, and had the pitch-bend wheel break after a couple weeks. I wrote Novation for a price for a new pitch-bend wheel and pot. They wrote back, got my address, and sent me a new pitch-bend-and-modulation subassembly for free. THAT's standing behind your product. Out of warranty warranty service for a secondhand bit of kit. SWEET. :D
They're legendary, got swift responses, instructions for a fix and some new knobs through the post without even asking for 2nd hand ultranova years after they stopped production. Best customer service by miles. For comparison, my faulty Waldorf Blofeld got sent off for repair, barely any response to emails over the 6 months they had it in for repair. They sent me back the same unit without being repaired, saying the issue would be fixed in a future firmware update, a year later the update still hadn't been released. That's not how you retain a customer base
Here’s a G.A.S. remedy that worked for me: Put all your gear away and out of sight. Don’t touch it or think about it for three months or more. Also, don’t watch any TH-cam videos about gear. This helped me re-develop a desire for the gear I already had. Not only that, when I finally decided to get back into my gear, I did it slowly. First and only piece of gear I set back up was a midi controller-my Arturia Keylab 61. So for a month I played only it and my plug-in synths. Mostly Arturia Piano and Electric piano. Only now, after four months am I starting to set up my Maschine Mikro for working on tracks, my synths and my drum machines.. And not only that, I’ve set it up in a different arrangement. Previously I had everything connected to everything else. Now I only have a few pieces connected to my M1 Mac Mini and the rest set off to the side just for enjoying playing.
This helped me appreciate what I already had immensely! Not only that but I have extra $$$ in my “pocket”. I also still have G.A.S. but it’s so much easier to NOT BUY new stuff even though I’ve freed-up enough cash and cleared enough credit to buy just about anything I want. I just……well……don’t.
But I do have a “jones” to at some point in the next few years, buy either a “vintage” synth-a Prophet or Oberheim-or their modern recreations.
So try to enjoy the gear you already have without any pressure to create or any FOMO. Just enjoy playing and creating.
Great series. I bought lots of cheap rackmount synthesizers for pennies on the dollar back when soft synths first became popular. I actually like learning the hard to use UI on most of them. Don't need knobs and sliders that much. Always DAW-less. Just an old man in love with sounds.
I really feel like rack mount stuff is my next research rabbit hole... It fits into that in between that people aren't excited about.
Ah the good old days when around a hundred clams could net you just about any rack mount synth engine you could ever want. Alas I was in small-kids-and-big-mortgage mode back then and didn't take advantage of. Now all those old 1- and 2-U modules are all cool and hip and vintage and so forth and the prices are up the ladder and out onto the roof. :( Alas for the halcyon days of cheap TX81z and JV-1080 and D-110 boxes. :D
you should do this recommendations videos so much more often. just covering older, somewhat forgotten synths (or they simply were never that big, in terms of audience), with huge value for the money
There's two things that I would love to see a synth TH-camr talk about. One is suggestions for amps and monitors when using multiple instruments, both for live and studio contexts. Secondly I'd love to see a series in which someone builds setups for specific genres, especially ones outside of EDM. Great job with what you've made so far and I wish you the best of luck
I like the Roland keyboard amps, the KC 600 has a built in mixer and some other great features
Great concept. But the ability to buy more gear for less is exactly what fuels my GAS
Hell yeah I have been telling everyone that the bass station 2 is hands down the best bang for your buck analog mono synth out there. The digital features, especially with the 2.0 firmware update, make it twice the synth that the moog mono synths can be. Seriously it's so loaded with features and has ao much patch storage; it's WAY more than just an analog sound processing synth
Rest in peace Dave Smith...
Great video, man.
It’s a great idea. I’ve been mesmerized by the Seq. Pro 3 and keep saving, but now I’m reconsidering. Thanks!
Waiting for part two Jorb! I really appreciate the information you've provided about used gear.
Hey, I finally did it. LOL!
Great video Jorb! I would love to see a video like this covering drum machines and groove boxes :)
Absolutely works for ME!!!
I appreciate it very much!!! THANK MUCH! Please keep it up!
Cheers, thank you! Think the next few will be looking at alternatives to specific synths, whole video on what to buy instead of a juno, or what to look at instead of a sub 37
Love this idea. Hope to see more gems like the AX60. Can’t wait for more man!
Cheers, I appreciate it!
I've been considering doing a big "buy this instead of the juno" episode, and talk about a few other vintage options. Ax60 included!
This was really good, enjoyed your perspective and the way you presented this
Means a lot to hear that, really appreciate the support. More to come!
More videos like this - very helpful. I'm a Moog fan, but WAY out of my price range, so good to hear about different options.
Aw man, this is a brilliant concept, and proving quite effective in making me expand my ebay searches
Making my way through the archives of this channel - this is a great series! Love it. I'm a plugin synth guy, but I studied analog synthesis in college and am still very interested in synths. Love the channel.
Ahh cheers, appreciate that.
Cool background!
I have a Yamaha SY77, which can be had for probably $500. It's a worthy successor to the DX7 series. And it was Yamaha's answer to the Roland D-50 and Korg M1. Well worth checking out if you want FM. The DX27 was my first synth in '85. It does the 'Lately bass' (called 'Solid Bass'), that everyone loves, but I find it hard to recommend. I sold it a few years ago for much more than I ever thought I'd get. I'm told the TX81z and the DX21 (keyboard version, I believe) are better 4OP choices since they have additional waveforms not found in the DX27/100.
Ohh I didn't know that about the waveforms! That's a huge leap in flexibility.
I've been really tempted to buy the SY77 which is objectively a way better synth than the DX7 and more programmable. My head says SY77 but my heart screams DX7, I just love those colors too much...
@@Flying-Roro The SY77 is a surpringly great sounding synth which does awesome EPs and even decent analog brass sounds. I have the rack TX77 version and it was worth the money. If you can find an SY99, that is an even better choice, and will read SY77 patches but has a lot of flagship features.
I think it’s a great idea! I’m a piano player who is getting into the world of synths so this series is super helpful! I like the idea of the 5-10 deep dives on individual gear!
Certainly more to come!
And I'm kicking around a few "buy this instead!" Recommendation videos. Cheers
This was great! Keep the videos coming!
Cheers thank you! Few more in the pipe rn. :)
This is a nice idea, cheers man. It's really good to see the links between synths
Cheers, thanks! I hope to do a few focused on individual keyboards, what to buy INSTEAD OF x synth...Juno, maybe sub 37.. lots to say!
@@JorbLovesGear Sounds like a good angle. It's nice to have this kind of content, because at times it feels like I'm just constantly watching synth advertisements on youtube.. people subtly trying to sell me stuff.
Another good new video series idea. I ended up buying a Nord Lead 2 after watching your in depth, not sure why I hadn't bought one previously. Agree with your comments on buying used synths, the last time I've bought something new recently was the Erica DB-01. It was well worth it thankfully.
Really flattered to hear that, that's about as high of praise as I can get.
The DB-01 seems like a really logical step for a lot of eurorack companies, I'm surprised we don't see more products like that, whole stand alone units from these manufacturers. Great taste in these things!
Totally dig it , KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !!!
Regarding the Prophet 600, keep in mind that Behringer are soon coming out with the Pro-800 for €600.
Keep going with this series, I really enjoy the talk of price points and getting good deals. I've snagged a couple decent deals with the Ebay "ending soonest" method.
Thank you! I think next for this idea is talking about individual synths, what to buy instead of a Juno, etc etc.
You can also watch all the sites for the one synth you like. For some of the under valued ones they just sit there and no one buys. You'll see the same ad on ebay and Reverb and it's been up there for 6 months. Contact each seller and just offer what you want to pay for it. Don't say anything about the unit's value or any criticism. Just say, hey I would be willing to pay x. I got a synth that everyone was listing at 400+ for 170.00 that way. If they say no, say thanks and move on. People are going to start dumping all that over eager GAS so they can get Xmas present money soon. Deals will be waiting, I already see more and more volcas being sold cheaper and cheaper.
Great idea! I think many of us can’t buy all the expensive high end gear, and there are lots of cheaper or used options that sound great.
Exactly! There's tons of good options for less.
Love the format! Great video
Great to hear, thank you!
Great idea, very useful and presented charmingly! Now let's hope not too many folks will see this and drive prices up :)
Really appreciate that, thank you!
Once I have to power to boost up used prices for something, that's my measure for having 'made it' lol
Love this idea. Found it real useful. Considering a bass station now more than ever...
Thank you!
The bass station is something I want to be sure I present in the right way, I really think it's excellent.
Definitely a 'do you get what you pay for' sub 37 x mopho x bass station, once I feel satisfied with the angle.
+1 on the Bass Station vid plx, would like to hear your take on it :)
Keep up the good work Jorb!
It will certainly get some air time! I'm still trying to decide the right approach.
Nice job! FYI Firmware 2.x on the Minotaur gives you presets. Keep the videos coming!
I don't wanna hear any this, but I need to hear it. Great stuff. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for listening!
"I don't know if this is a great idea."
This IS a great idea.
I have a similar approach every time I start getting that gear lust. I actually recently came to the same conclusion re: the Prophet 5 rev 4. Recently read that a firmware update lets you use the slop knob on Prophet 6/OB-6 to replicate the function of the Vintage knob on the prophet 5. Done and done. Next purchase is either Prophet 6 or OB-6 (leaning toward the OB).
Anyway, I look forward to more of this series.
Thank you! I've been thinking about the right way to present it for the next one, just need some more stuff to release! haha
In 99% of cases...I realize I already own something that can do everything the new gear can do. Haha
My purchases are much more throught out these days.
=)
Love your channel!
subbing man. great content all around
🙏🙏Cheers, happy to have you
The Opsix is worth every cent it costs! :D
I even preordered mine and it's with me since its release. That's one of the synths, i'd sell last if i'd have an financial emergency.
It sounds damn fine, makes programming complex sounds in this complex engine really easy and most importantly, it is so much more than a FM synth!
Its additional operator types give it much more possibilities than a "pure" FM synth would ever offer. Ring Mod, Filter FM, Filters on in the operator "block", wavefolding and certain FX like EQs, Phaser, comb filter or distortion open up so many new sounds. Combine that with the freely routable user algorithm and you've got yourself a litte modular system within this box.
That's an aspect of the Opsix which gets lost very often as it's mostly presented as an "extended FM" synth.
This is cool, I'm always interested in cheap alternative gear. Deep dives are also great!
Thanks! I'm running through a lot of ideas for presenting info like this. Would be nice to have the fancy new gear in front of me to talk about it, but then I will have gone against my own advice! Lol
Or maybe that helps to reinforce the point
Great concept for a vid!
Thank you! Planning more, looking at doing it for specific synths, what to get instead of a juno, or what to consider instead of a sub 37,. etc etc
Yo jorb i really enjoy your stuff
GAS is really helpfull idea i recently saved up some money and have a really hard time deciding on a sampler
i might go with the mpc 1000 but the digitakt looks so sexy
dont know with old vs. new gear im always conflicted
Samplers are tough, they vary really wildly.
I'm am mpc 1000 die hard, probably because mine has JJos on it.
I enjoyed the first wave of sequencing on the digitakt a lot, just being able to plug stuff quickly on to the grid was great, but as soon as it came time to dig in or shift stuff around, wasnt working for me.
And, i use the MPC to play samples but also sequence midi, and it didnt make sense for me to have 2 boxes that could do drums, when i didnt feel any huge advantage on the digitakt, which cant sequence all the midi i need.
This is such an underrated channel.
🥲🥲🙏🙏
Good video man!! Love your content
🙏🙏Thank you!
Well done I look forward to your next.
Thanks! One of these soon, I'm thinking
@@JorbLovesGear Sounds great. I am looking to purchase a Deepmind 12 and Poly D. I just missed an amazing sale for both on Reverb. These will be my first semi modular devices. I am also trying to catch a deal on the Arturia Minibrute 25.
The GAS got to me again and I pre-ordered a Sonicware Liven XFM.
Looks like a fun thing to use.
I was just looking into those, report back if it slaps
Korg OpSix is really a sleeper. You have make it a 6 osc analog style subtractive and with Fx and modulation for voice spread - I initially thought- who needs another lame FM but watching oscillator sync video made me give it a try. So glad I did
great really helpful for me just getting into synths / hardware. maybe cut a few of the classic / best patches in from each for good measure/ great job!
Welcome! I've been thinking about doing a 'by the eras' introduction to typical synth sounds, early analog all the way through wave tables & granular... Need good examples of them all though!
@@JorbLovesGear that would certainly be of interest to me. i was a dj for thirty years so im looking for that reference material, stuff ive heard on records helps me gauge what hardware to look at. phil hartnol appears on a few forums banging on about the sh-01 etc but someone like yourself with a really broad knowledge could also bring that onto here. you should look at doing some workshops when the time is right for you. i went to a few synth workshops when i lived in ibiza it was super interesting i would be up for some sort of paid event. for now though this is a great resource thanks for all your efforts!
For the DX type of FM I`d go with software as they are 100% digital and use cases are different (dial in a static instrument patch instead of constantly modulating a signal) they don`t need that much of a tactile feedback
great presentation. It's always good to let people know the more affordable counterparts to newer synths. Prophet 5 completely lost my interest when it came with a mono output jack, the prophet 6 having pan spread is so much more desirable in that respect.
this is an incredible video idea. you should do these for sequencers and string synths, and and keyboard that do niche sounds like vibraphones or something. just something i’d like
Thank you!
I've considered really targeted iterations of it, electric piano sounds for example, options all across the price range. Or a specific synth I have and can demonstrate, and what else could do the same things
@@JorbLovesGear that’s a great idea. btw i think the format you’re using is really good, i don’t really think you need to change a thing
Too late for me ...I HAD to get the Opsix. I've had a DX7 & DX100, and after the Opsix, I could never go back to programming them. Glad to find you Jorb. Subscribed :)
I can understand that, after struggling through Yamaha dx programming.
Cheers, glad that you've found me too!
Nice recommendations. In the FM category I'd also include the elusive KORG DS-8. It's cheaper than the Yamahas and WAY more simple to program.
great rec, I wasn't aware of these.
I would also add the Casio Cz synths as cheap options. Maybe not exactly a DX, but they do make sounds.
I like this idea a lot. I'm sorta curious since you hit the big guys right off the bat as to how many of these you might be able to do, though. But this is a cool concept. Some suggestions for fleshing this out, and also going a step or two deeper on the ideas: talk a little about what is special about each of the headline pieces and about what is carried over and/or lost in the units you are suggesting redirecting to. Another suggestion (purely because I'd love to see this) is an episode around samplers. MPCs, EMU, vs Elektron, Korg Volca Sample, Rolands SX line, and so on. Ensoniq. Good luck with this! (Came from the Bad Gear parody, btw - funny!)
Great feedback, all of it. You're right, how often does a prophet 5 level of hype show up, nearly never. Lol
Definitely in the chamber is what's gained and lost for each compromise, great idea.
And I've got experience with a lot of samplers actually, I should definitely bring that up in the future as well.
Cheers, and welcome!
@@JorbLovesGear PS, I had this related idea I never fleshed out that's in this same vein - "What's so great about - " where I'd talk about why something gets a lot of love and how you can get it. What's so great about the Moog Model D? -> The ladder filter -> these synths, and also the moogerfooger. You can have that idea royalty free :) Best of luck, I'll be watching!
@@distantcomets I like the idea of doing a compartmentalization and moving backwards with stuff I have my hands on.
I have written and recorded, actually, a "what to buy instead of the juno" video, but it doesn't feel tight enough to put it out, know I could make better points if I try again.
@@JorbLovesGear See, I'd click on that Juno video in a heartbeat! The sound of that chorus is readily available and Roland in particular recycle their legacy stuff like crazy. I hear the Deepmind sorta did something uncharacteristically cool for Behringer. (Yeah, I'm one of those h8rs.) But it's evergreen in the sense that the building blocks of the lustworthy stuff inspire everything else.
@@distantcomets I'm a proponent of the deepmind, but not really interested in behringer's clones.
I actually recreated all the juno presets on the deepmind, as a sort of 'kill your idols' find the magic in something cheaper kind of a way
keep making these!
Cheers! Soon!
Would dig a workflow vid on the BassStation !
I think it's a great candidate for videos like that, constantly recommended, affordable, but with surprisingly deep synthesis options.
Definitely noted!
@@JorbLovesGear The BassStation 2 was my very first synth, just got it last July. Not even a year old!! I discovered your videos today and they're great. Please do a BSII video, I want to see how you apply your skills to it!
Great video. More of these please. I am curious about the Prologue, I have the Monologue and really like the way it programs, it makes sense to me. Have you ever use them both for comparison? I have a Deepmind 12 and still haven’t come to terms with it, I like grittier sounds and it feels like I am fighting with it to get those sorts of sounds. Keep doing what you do
Cheers, I appreciate that.
I'm really fond of the programming on all of the 'logues, especially if you're used to getting a lot of your sound from the oscillators & their interaction.
The deepmind is certainly capable of grittier sounds, but they're not as accessible as the logues where you can just turning up drive or cross mod from the panel.
If you like the programming of the monologue, and don't have a problem sacrificing the modulation matrix of the deepmind, maybe a prologue is worth considering. Used prices on the 8 are close, maybe a bit higher than the deepmind.
Great idea, these videos. BTW: There are so many options for 4op fm synths, but one looks so weird it sometimes turns up cheap, because it just looks like an 80’s answering machine. the Yamaha TQ5. Hidden gem, tx81z inside plus an 8 track sequencer and a couple of effects.
Great tip! I wasn't familiar with these, and just a cursory search, that is a completely off the wall form factor.
Maybe one for me to watch 😁
@@JorbLovesGear I believe it was the module version of the ys200, which has a crazy Casio kind of design. Since these were among the last of the 90’s fm synth’s, they introduced something called the ‘easy edit mode’ So maybe this is the tweakable fm synth bargain you’re looking for.... ?
@@woltermuller another great tip. I'm really curious about fm, would love having something to fill that role.
TQ5? Never heard of that one. I knew about the DX-11, which was basically a TX81z in a leftover DX-21 case, but not the TQ5. To the internetz! Research! :D
Akai AX-60 is the cheaper vintage evil twin of the Juno 106.
There is another difference between the first behringer 2600 and the special edition ones. In addition to the real spring reverb, the components used in the filter circuit are higher quality and more authentic sounding. Plus on thomann usa you can get a brand new grey meanie for like $430 + shipping which is well under Sweetwaters price.
As far as rackmount stuff goes, I almost don't even wanna talk about it because if you know, you know... ;) some of the best deals in the synth world exist in those crusty, unsexy rack and half rack units... ESPECIALLY if you like lo fi digital stuff.
Already super stoked for part 2 of this series! I’m really eying an ASM Hydrasynth at the moment and I’m curious if you have any thoughts on what alternatives may exist. Seems like its a pretty solid value for the price - particularly the desktop version for 800.
I'm thinking of doing these on specific synths, like if you want to buy a juno, for example, check out these alternatives.
Hydrasynth is really really interesting to me, I'd love to get my hands on one at some point.
@@JorbLovesGear thanks for the reply! I’m really looking forward to more of this series. I actually found a used Hydrasynth module on Craigslist for $700 today and went for it after looking into other digital poly alternatives like the nord rack 2 and the digitone. So far I’m super happy with it but time will tell how it really fits with me. $700 may have been a s,idée high but looked in line w reverb prices but minus the tax. I was feeling impatient so just went ahead and pulled the trigger
I think I’m with you there on the tuning issues for the neutron. I got rid of mine due to tracking via cv and midi! And I totally want an Op6 too 🤣
It was such a cool synth, and great price point, but that, combined with the disappointing delay and drive circuit, I don't regret moving on
@@JorbLovesGear I 100% agree
Actually what killed my Opsix GAS pretty hard and seriously kicking the butt of both the Volca FM and DIgitone is the new Liven XFM - it's going to be around 200 quid. It's only 4 OP but has filters and loads of cool features.
I hadnt seen this! Will investigate.
I have one. It's feature set is worlds better than the Korg FM, which I also had, but sold. The Liven XFM has a 4-track, four page sequencer with parameter locking, and offers exceptionally deep editing of the four operators. It's a bit plasticky, but if you don't mind that it's a FAR more capable synth than the Korg Volca FM. There are so many features on this synth it's incredible.
If your'e doing annother episode like this, maybe talk about doepfer eurorack modules? I think theyre absurdly underapreciated and great value, especially used.
I would love to talk about eurorack, theres so much to say about value / features in that format.
If I was on the market for a classic 4 operators FM synth I would go to the TX81Z instead of a DX21, 27 or 100 because despite the TX81z is 4 ops only like the orthers it offers more than sine waves to operate and it improves a lot its capabilities.
And it's dirt cheap , it's multitimbral (thus you can layer sounds) and takes only 1U of rack space.
(I assume you already have some sort of MIDI keyboard and real estate can be an issue for you)
Never seen the micro freak without the keyboard COOL! I haven’t got one as I hate the oddball keyboard on it, hope other people do that mod as I’d like to buy one!
The keyboard is honestly the worst part of it. A well disguised compromise, but still a compromise.
I think that outside shell is available 3D printed online!
3DWaves sells this “Nano Bod” for the Arturia MicroFreak for $49 on Reverb…
Love the videos, if possible it’s helpful to include bookmarks in your videos for quick reference and repeat views
I do it on a few! But you're right, I should do it more. I should probably record the chapter times while I edit, so I don't need to go back and find the boundaries after a whole upload. Thanks for the suggestion!
Yeah boyeeee, this is a great idea!
that's what I like about the microfreak; what it does is pretty unique; and it's still a good first synth and a cheap one. Even in a full software based setup it make sense because there's no direct alternative on the software side either.
It certainly is unique. I think it could be a real bitch to try and learn on, though
I guess you could vcv rack up a few Plaits, but that's not really straight forward or simple.
I sold my Sub 37 and picked up a Minitaur and some other stuff. For me the Minitaur covered the bass just as well as the 37. Doesn't have the modulation options of course or the sequencer, but it has that fat Moog bass.
Cheers thanks! proud of it, tbh
I am in the same boat, I cannot buy new and full price gear. It's really nice finding good deals or stuff people under estimate. A lot of the lesser brands people over look are Akai, Crumar, Farfisa, Siel, Ensoniq. And one comment: To get that prophet/oberheim sound for cheap, a good alternative is the oberheim matrix 6, 6r, 1000 family. I got a Matrix-6 for $800 USD on ebay recently, free shipping too I believe. I wanted a P5 or OB6 and figured paying less than a third of the price for a Matrix-6 would be pretty good value. Weird rack mount synths, samplers and modules are cool too like the Roland EM101, Yamaha FB01, Yamaha TG77, Akai S612.
Great tip! I forget about the oberheim matrix stuff.
And I'm definitely going to be on the prowl for some rack mount stuff soon. A new frontier for me!
The Creamware PRO12 asb is also a good alternative for a Prophet and probably the cheapest option.
I totally forgot about these! I remember seeing some leaks or early production forever ago.
Hell yeah, good vid.
Cheers! I'm honestly quite proud of the topic
Out of respect for you and this video series I created a second account to subscribe to you twice, legally it's not cheating cause of the benefit to the music community who are mostly broke, and second cause my cat created the second account, his name and everything:)
Would love to see some videos for this series on midi keyboards, if it's already made than I'll for sure see it soon:) Thanks and take care
LOL thank you so much. Very seriously appreciated.
My friend owns and loves his novation bass station but has had odd issues with power supply/strange involuntary parameter changing during performance etc... Sounds awesome but does have that holding it back.
Working in a daw?
Is it getting sent recorded CC from something?
Or is it like, truly eratic whenever it's powered on
Standalone. He had some improvement by changing from USB power to it's proprietary wall power but yeah it still acts funny. It was used when he got it so it may be that it was damaged perhaps
GENIUS idea of a series. Into it!
Great to hear that! More to come, certainly
I love this video, I subbed just for this series.
I have to ask though, how would you sell an iconic synth with a not-small price tag that's just not the flavor of the month? (for context, I have a Prophet VS)
Once someone wants one, be sure yours is the right combo of price / condition.
But, it may be nobody wants it for 4 months,, gotta be patient
Thanks for the tip, I am certainly doing my best on that front. I love to see more info on making smart purchases and selling tips. Everyone makes videos about using cool gear, but very little is said about moving and acquiring gear (at least sanely... Its why I'll never touch eurorack, I have enough addictions)
Best advice - just buy as many Deepminds as you have room for.
Just leave space for a sampler or a drum machine.
Picked up a pretty mint DX27 for £90 a few days ago. there are still bargains to be had but far less in the 'vintage' arena.
Great tip! And I totally agree, deepmind is a wonderful deal in a million ways.
Man, I love the idea of this series, especially for hobbyists like me that don't have a lot of money to throw around, and don't have use for a professional array of synths, but are interested in acquiring some physical synths to mess around.
I'm really torn between buying a Microfreak now (here in Europe it's possible to find them new for less than 250 Euros), or saving up and buying a DX7, or a Casio CZ-1, or a Deepmind 12. Even the Nord Lead 2 is interesting, so it's nice to know that the almost-one-thousand-bucks price for one is too high.
You can't go wrong with any of those, and the bottom line is what sounds you want access to. Dx7 is really far from dm12 for example.
If you can, I'm sure you could find a microfreak at a local shop to try out, see if it's a fit.
If not, maybe consider something around that price point that's more conventional, monologue or a bass station maybe.
@@JorbLovesGear I'm just looking for versatility + polyphony + aftertouch really, as I want to delve deeper into sound design (and maybe make some ambient stuff, probably), so the thing holding me back on the Microfreak is the 4-note limit, even though it's not a huge deal. And since I'm not a keyboard player, the "keybed" doesn't bother me as it does other people.
I just opened your video about the Microfreak oscillators (something I don't really see a lot of people exploring or explaining on TH-cam, they just do sound demos) to see how they fare.
As for the rest, the DM12 seems very capable due to the extensive mod matrix, the DX7 is proven as a versatile soundscape design machine (that's one of Brian Eno's most used synths, right?), and I really liked messing around with the Arturia's CZ emulator and the sounds it produced.
Right now I guess I'm more like "let's wait and see if a good deal comes up on one of the vintage synths/DM12", otherwise I might as well go to a shop and check the Microfreak sound engines personally.
@@lokelosk seems like you know what is and isn't important to you, great place to be.
Deepmind is a really good value for money, the 6 included.
Dx7 is tough to program, but there are thousands of sounds available online (probably the commercial eno cartridge ones even) and software editors, if you have a computer as part of your setup it could. Be a non factor.
@@JorbLovesGear Yeah, the FM programming can be a pain. I've been messing around with the Arturia's DX7 emulator and Dexed for quite some time and still just scratched the surface of its capabilities. There's a guy that used to make DX7 patches on TH-cam on an actual DX7, madFame, and he makes it look so simple...
Anyway, I just want to say your content is great, man, and very informative. I'm hoping to see more of "Hold your GAS" in the future!
I picked up a model d from goiter center for 240 about a month back. The microbrute is still badass too. But honestly the first analog synth anyone should buy these days is the td-3.
You think so? Low cost, sure, but the td-3 feels pretty specific to me, the sequencing is kinda unique and the controls are not standard pretty restrictive.
I think something like a crave even would be a better first unit.
@@JorbLovesGear i hate the td-3 sequencer. but theres 303patterns.com or flstudio for that. Kinda funny is the first analog synth i ever used was a juno-106 that my friend got for about 200 bucks in like 92.
Something like a volca isn't a bad starting point too.
No one seems to want to unload a Polybrute had to buy one new. Nothing else morphs at that price point.
You should bring this series back
Its always in the back of my mind...
@JorbLovesGear or just come back in general, lol. love your style, man.
@@caleb5780 had a lot fall through in the last month or so, immediately into working on stuff that all comes out at superbooth.
I'm still around!
The blue and grey 2600 also have some non-surface mount capacitors in the filter.
Oh really? I hadn't heard that. Kind of funny to me that that's a marketable feature, through-hole components.
@@JorbLovesGear it can be a feature - when the components justify the increased costs. When people wet their panties over "hand soldered" I wonder what experience they have of non-boutique hand soldered products! Surface mount did me out of a job (writing maintenance manuals) but definitely improved build quality and reliability for the customers and profitability for the suits.
Also I don't know if you looked into old Kurzweil gear, but the K2xxx(R) is be one of the best digital synths available still to this day and the K2000R for example goes for about the price of a microfreak today; but once you go kurzweil and actually learn VAST you will quickly realize that there still isn't anything close in the new produced market, which is a shame considering it's now almost 30 years old.
I don't have any first hand experience with kurzweil, but I'm getting more and more curious now. Good tip!
I agree, those are very good machines. Funny to see people buying a new mono synth when they could get a beast like that for the same cash. Thanks for the heads up on the prices for those. I may have to get one now.
Future suggestion: the MS-20. I have the ipad app, which is pretty sweet (1/30 or less than the price of the hardware), but I am curious if there is really a viable replacement in hardware (compared to the mini, which is about $550).
Behringer does the clone, of course is available cheap, if you really need the same architecture.
But I think most modern mono synths are capable of sounding 'big' these days.
Add to this list the Korg DS8 which is a 4 op Yamaha FM based synth. Sounds very good and quite cheap. Great value for the money.
Never heard of these! It's such an interesting era of synths, always excited to learn more
@@JorbLovesGear It surprised me as well. There are many for sale in US ebay.
Wow dx7’s are going up in price. I remember when they were less than $300
I would like to make a recommendation I gave to Jacob Haq as well, and this works really well! For a computer interface about ten years ago Behringer came out with an IPad interface called I studio. It says right on the box will work with ANY IPad. It has thirty pin thirty pin connection, lol, but guess what? It does! I bout 30 pin adapter to female USB and connected it to my brand new M2 Pro. These were sold for $100 new and didn’t sell very well. There are a ton out there still new in the box! Amazon sells the adapter for $8! It has midi, phantom powered connectors XRL, STEREO OUTs. Check it out!😢Behringer has instructions on how to tune the Neutron on their site, it’s really easy! I just got one and had to tune it. Also the QY is a little itty bitty Yamaha module for around $200, is FM and samples BUT 16 stereo sequencer. Tracks, 32 mono. I love love love mine! Jorb I love this idea! peace brother!
Regarding blue marvin and gray meanie has supposely higher quality components inside as well, if that makes a difference to the sound I don't know- but there are videos where both units are disassembled and there is indeed other capacitors etc inside.
Good to know! What a weird iteration to put out.
@@JorbLovesGear Indeed no idea why although I personally have a gray meanie on order- although I guess it will never ship as it's been out of stock for 4 weeks now :D
Also thanks for the DM12 patches btw, they're indeed awesome.
@@FluffyAnvil I would honestly love to try one, I had spring reverb in my eurorack and adored it.
And thank you! I'm quite proud of them. Polysix is the next one for copy cat patches!
What do you think about the ASM HYDRAsynth ?
Does it have an equivalent ? Does it interest you ?
Big salut from France 🇫🇷
Vinz🙋♂️
Howdy! I played one for a while at knobcon, the sounds were really really good.
Didn't love the interface, but that's a pretty difficult thing to balance, hands on control of really deep options.
My minor panel complaint, I felt like too much space was dedicated to the arp settings.
I'm not sure if you're into them, But I would love if you did this with drum machines and grooveboxes as well!
Thank you! I am a die-hard for my MPC 1000, but have had a deluge and a digitakt, of course have a volca sample...Honestly wish i could xoxo sequence drums on the mpc, but until I get something that does that AND can loop midi live, ill be keeping my 1k.
Hoping to try and get a model: Samples to try out, would love to have an impression of that too.
I think I've bought two Synths New
The arturia Microbrute and the Behringer MS-101
But yeah almost everything of mine is used as well.
While I do agree, with your options, (maybe add a Microbrute in there as well a Mono analgue synth with knobs and stuff)
please excuse me while I sound like "that guy" for the rest of the comments:
That Prophet 5 is really expencive, too much for me and I agree with you to look for alts (you could go even cheaper and go for the
Sequential Circuits MAX but there's strings attached to that one)
That being said compared to used prices of previous Revs.
That's actually kind of tempting. Like really tempting.
DX7 if you don't like keys or you're trying to cut corners you could always get the Cheaper sound module version called the TX7.
If you have the budget for the Korg OPSIX but looking for a behomth of a vintage FM synthesizer there's also the TX216 (Or 816 once fully upgraded).
However I would highly recommend to anyone who is using these to download and used Dexed as well as programming these can be a bit of a Migrane.
I'd also say beware 4 OP can sound harsher then their 6 OP brothers but that comes at a price and and if you're looking for something cheap you could always get the FB-01
Great points! I often forget about a lot of those FM modules. And software, for that matter, since I dont really incorporate either into my workflow.
@@JorbLovesGear Normally I tend to use hardware over software but for some FM Synthesis is really quite overwhelming. That's why I thought I'd mention them.
Man, buying the DX 7 at near the price of the Korg seems like a choice between consumption/better UX and/or getting something with the worst UI ever. It’s a tough call.
The modules in the fm range seem to have a better price and some are even multitimbral. Plus they have less internal wear thanks to their construction.
The main gripe I have with used electronic gear is that it doesn’t get better with age like wood in guitars/violins.
Good point, that the don't "age" like a guitar might. They do appreciate! But really, just break down more.
Not that guitars dont! But leaking capacitors is a bit more destructive than a worn fret.
@@JorbLovesGear yeah they definitely appreciate.
You know what are a great investment? old akais. There’s a great secondary market for parts and tune ups. Wish there was that for the elektrons.
@@fernandomercado5519 I'm becoming an akai fanboy, admitedlly...thanks to my love of my MPC 1000. I have a reel to reel from akai, of course my AX60, and recently got an X-7000, which is about the closest to completely outdated i've ever had.
@@JorbLovesGear they all appreciate. It’s like physical bitcoin. 🤣
Wow that’s a great collection. Where I’m at it’s harder to find em. There’s a never sold MPC 500 going for like 150 still new in box that’s been sitting for over a decade in a store. Considering they cost a multiple of that it might be a good deal to buy and fix it up with mpc stuff upgrades.
I thought the Model D from Behringer sounded very moogish for cheap. But lack of presets made me give it up. Hate spending a half hour fine tuning an patch but having to write down, snapshot or depend on own ability to redo it.
It is a really different way to work, yeah. lots to get used to!
@ghost mall Yes, good point. I used to be better at programmng analog synths like the Juno60 but depended on memory to keep the special ones. To your point, if you really "know" your instrument, you can get the sound quickly or something quite similar. At my advanced age, I get flummuxed by instruments like the Wavestate and Hydrasynth and depend a lot on purchased libraries. As JORB says above, it is a different way of working. And it takes patience and planning but I just want to play, For me a piano is a perfect tool. ({-;)
I use an original Waldorf Pulse as an alternative to Moog mono synth. It's 3 Osc, with 4 mod slots, 2 envelopes, has a triangle Osc, syncable, sperate noise and does cross mod. It's rack mount and has a matrix edit system, which takes a little while to get used to but is quick and intuitive after a week or two if you are an experience synther. From a sound perspective it's huge, blew away my Mopho (hated the filter) and Minitaur (limited pallette, sync issues) Would urge you to get one to try it out. You can pick them up for £250-300 typically in Europe, not sure on US prices.
I've seen the name but don't have any opinions if them.
Sounds like I'll have to do my research!
And I feel that too, I'm trying to figure out how to articulate how what about the mopho keyboard doesn't work for me and that will be a video eventually.
@@JorbLovesGear not sure if the Mopho layout is the same as X4, but the LFO section confused me, ultimately the tone didn't please me, and tone wins every time over features for me.
@@Jim_KYB totally agree, between lfo, mod, misc mod, there's too many places to look.
Tons of modulation options don't mean much if they're hard to use!
The Yamaha tx81z is another great FM option
Great suggestion, I'll keep this in mind while I cruise for deals!
I would love one of these on a groovebox
That's in the pipe! What to buy instead of an mpc, etc etc
@@JorbLovesGear excited to see it!
What’s your experience with prologue it seems to get skipped past so often.
Also do you do the movie sin reviews voice sounds very similar
I had a prologue 8 for awhile, wasn't actively making videos at the time.
I liked it, but struggled to not compare it to the deepmind, which has a more comprehensive effects section, and the prologue doesn't have a modulation matrix at all.
The oscillators are really flexible and splits & layers are really handy, but that wasn't enough for me.
The limitations had me feeling like I should just sit down at one of my vintage keyboards.
yo jorb check out the mfb synth pro super vintage sounding how about going over the the alpha Juno envelope?
I forgot about the MFB! Good suggestion. And I havent had my hands on an alpha juno in awhile, but i believe theres 2 delay stages, and you can set a max level, and the level where it goes to the next decay stage?
If its like the poly 800(sort of) to have it act like a normal ADSR, Attack level on max, first decay on 0, 'break point' on full.
microfreack is such a tremendous synth!!! for that price the best Arturia product ever. and with the latest firmware and the noise engineering osci's it's unbeatable. lol i bought one right away as they came out and they were sooo buggy and shitty....i couldn't even download the firmware with my mac. Arturia told i should look out for a pc to updated it.....NO JOKE. but in the mean time this synth became one of the most solid great sounding synth i ever played with. i wouldn't recommend it almoast 3 years ago, but i recommand it now......specially if you have an eurorack, too.... BIG TIME!!!!!
Totally agree, it's really excellent.
I'm trying to decide how to continue covering it, I've threw around the idea of a patch pack that uses every oscillator type, or tutorials for specific types of sounds... What would be valuable to you?
Just about every band I've seen, if they have a keyboard player, he has a Nord Lead 2. Strangely, over the past few years, I've seen very few TH-camrs using them, except for Steve Roach and some of the other elders.
They've been out of fashion for a bit, and the nord stuff has a stage instrument sort of reputation.
Proud of mine still!