My vote is for the Korg Volca series. They are cheap, very small, battery powered, have excellent sound quality, a very intuitive sequencer, parameter locking, and live recording. I've got 4 and at this rate, I will probably get more. I love them all!
Small synths and grooveboxes for the win! The MC-101 has really grown on me, especially with the updates making its handling of samples so powerful and fixing some jank with the interface.
Time stamps! 0:00 - 1:44 Intro 1:44 - 3:53 Minilogue XD/Minilogue OG (also there's a typo in the "Now Playing", it should say Minilogue instead of Monologue my b) 3:53 - 5:29 Roland Boutique Series 5:37 - 8:06 Roland MC-101 8:06 - 10:23 Teenage Engineering OP-1 10:23 - 14:15 Critter & Guitari Organelle 14:15 - 16:07 Moog Werkstatt-01 16:07 - 17:32 Empress Effects Zoia 17:32 - 18:05 Outro/Bean being cute Hope this is helpful!!
Being an old man, who grew up in another time, I'm so glad to see intelligent/articulate women making and talking about, electronic music. Hoping this is a trend, that will continue to grow. Don't let someone else tell you, what you can/can't aspire to.
@@justiinclark Of course there have always been great women in the synth world. Sadly there are still extra hurdles, like the sexual harassment on TH-cam that women have to endure.
@@justiinclark I knew Wendy when she was Walter, so not a good example. Did not hear about Suzanne Ciani until recently, and never heard about the others. This despite being active synth music lover, all my life. If things have gotten better in this regard, I'm happy to learn about that. My comment was meant to be encouraging, not patronizing/eyeroll-inducing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Sorry you took it in a way, I did not intend. Best wishes for everyones success.
One of my all time favorites are the Korg Monotrons. I actually use them in most of my jam sessions on TH-cam. They are super cheap and can do a lot. Especially when you run them through effects. I have marked my ribbon keyboard so I can play it in tune and I use a stylus to play it. I really think they are overlooked quite often and are considered toys. Great video by the way!!!
Yamaha Reface CS gotta be the best synth I've ever tried. I don't know, there's just something about it. An aura or something. And man, that thing sounds like a neon universe from the late 70s. Such warm sounds.
Dictionary: mojo - see Yamaha reface. Me: Love my CS. If all my gear got destroyed, the CS would be the first thing I'd replace because it's so inspirational. Fantastic design work in choosing its controls. Very quick to dial-in great sounds before the muse disappears. Doesn't sound too digital either. Got the YC too and getting the CP. Not sure how long I'll be able to hold off getting the FM either even though I'm adequately DXed.
I love my Reface CS. It's so approachable and tweakable and easy ... it just begs to be played, really. *edit* Of some note, actually, is that you can use the reface CS as a midi controller for the 101, and it's actually really good! The resonance/cutoff sliders map directly to it without any tweaking
Yes. It's good because it's simple and direct and therefor something you always can expects results from. It's limited sure but how much difference will it really do in practice..
As an engineer getting back into production and hardware synths, this video came at a great time. I was just looking at the OP-1 a few hours before this video went up!
Soooo good to watch! Would love love love a demo of each piece of gear showcasing its sounds. Like a compilation of jams with no talking. You're amazing!
I comcur with my vote for the Korg NTS-1 as well. It's such a great little kit for the price. The effects alone make it more than worth it. It's the only piece of digital gear that I have. I love that I can download new oscillators, reverb and delays both free and paid.
I'm a guitarist and was very intimidated by synths for years but gained some interest during quarantine as I was learning to record at home. My first was a Korg Volca Keys and would absolutely recommend it for a beginner. Obviously for playing it's a little different with the touch keyboard but it was perfect for understanding how VC and LFO's work. I'm now obsessed with synthesizers and added a Roland GAIA and Elektron Model:Samples.
I'm kinda in the same boat but I went with a Behringer MS-1. It's a clone of the old Roland SH-101 and is a lot of fun! I also picked up their TB-303 clone (TD-3) and am trying to resist the urge to add a drum machine to the mix. Have fun!
Thanks for the tour of your personal collection. Of all the hardware I've owned since the 80's, I'm glad I held onto my original Casio CZ-101. That thing still holds its own for luscious low-end. I also love buying crummy electronic musical toys in 99 cent stores and sampling/chopping them.
I'd say my favorite smol bois are the Microbrute (had mine for like 5 years and don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon) and the Digitakt. Oh man the Digitakt. That thing fits into the 'anything you want' category so well. 8 track midi controller, drum machine, sample based synthesis. The thing is nuts. It has been the brains of my setup for a few years now and I love it. So yeah Microbrute for ease of use, simplicity, and also being a great stepping stone into modular; Digitakt if your ready to dive deep. Great video too! 🎹😎🎹
My favorite small boi was your dog at the end 😍The Werkstatt seemed pretty cool too. Thanks for the great video! Would love to see jamming on each of these a bit more (like you did with the Werkstatt).
Hey there! Just wanted to give an FYI on the MC-101. You don't have to take out the SD card to load samples on. You can just boot the MC-101 in data mode to transfer files over USB. :) Thanks for the awesome video!
My first ever hardware synth was the Behringer Model D, quite a small boy indeed 😁 I think for the price, for its comparison with the Moog Model D, and some of its patching capabilities that give interesting sound design options, it’s a great deal! They go for around $300, and offer anyone that is interested in real synthesizers a solid starting point.
For a cheap analog Polysynth it's either one of the behringers or one of the minilogues. I went with the minilogue xd over the deepmind for 2 reasons. 1: i, like many others, am not particularly drawn to Behringer and their methods of doing business and ripping other businesses off. 2: I am a huge nerd with an engineering background and the minilogue has userprogrammable DSP, you can develop your own digital wavetable oscillators and effects with the Logue SDK :-) This makes it a lot more versatile and unique.
Thanks for your videos they are always amazing. My favorite small synths that I own are the Dreadbox Typhon, Elektron Model Cycles and the freak PO Arcade, and Yamaha Reface CS while been not perfect by any mean, sometimes you get a sound and you are like "are you the same boy that 15 minutes ago?". I am about to get the organelle just now it seems like a very helpfull machine.
SH-01A surprised me with how fun it is. But also I recommend that A-01 which has kind of a chiptune oscillator, which can be really raw and fun. I put the K-25 keyboard on all my Roland Boutiques - because I'm a keyboardist - and it really opened up the TB-03 for me in ways I did not expect. Best ROMpler additions to the Small Boi series: Roland JV-1010, Roland XV-2020, Korg NS-5R, Kurzweil ME-1 - if you need a small box with lots of sounds especially piano / strings / brass the Kurzweil ME-1 is the tops. But the Roland and Korg units have a much larger variety of synth sounds. Being tiny boxes, they're not great for modulating the sounds as you play, but if you want to travel light, add one of these boxes to a USB MIDI controller and it opens up a lot of musical doors.
The Moog Werkstatt-01 was my first synthesizer that I ever bought. I love it so much that I had to buy a second one before they stopped making them. No regrets.
…. Or get a Roland System-1 25 key Plug Out Synth ! It has 1 button/knob per function with an easy to understand layout for a first synth and a fun scatter wheel and arppegiator. It has 4 Oscillators, it’s own personal Synth engine, as well as a Plug Out option to switch to one of Rolands other virtual analog 4 voice polyphonic synths at a moments notice. 2 synths for 1!
My one and only hardware synth is a Novation Bass Station 2. It’s clunky yes, it feels a little cheap yes, but it sounds FANTASTIC. Super phat, really aggressive if you want it but can also be super delicate if you need that kind of sound, it’s just great. Learning curve is a little tough (I’m still learning the ins and outs), but I can recommend it just on how it sounds alone
My favorite synth is the Alesis Micron.... it has a lot of weird pad sounds but also great Bass and EP types as well.. The sequencer is awesome. I never see anybody talk about this anywhere. It can layer sounds and manipulate multiple seq \ phrases. It is unlike any other keyboard I've ever played.. super fun for making songs.
Nice to see someone professing a big love for the Organelle. I think it was Knobs' demo that sold me on it too - I agree that the synth sounds are not the best thing about it but everything else it does is entirely fab. I keep finding new patches and new ways to use them. My small synth recommendation (if anyone cares, and frankly why would they) would be the Modal electronics Craft Synth. It's a thing of beauty.
Shazam! I've been searching for some new gear. Totally forgot about Reverb.com. Bam!! Before your video was over I have a new Microbrute ordered. Thank you and keep up the good tunes
I vote for the Akai MPC One. I have the Live, but the One has similar features, but fewer built in samples. It is a synthesizer, sampler, multitrack audio recorder, drum machine, effects processor, mixer, and sequencer. You can play melodies and chords on it as well, or with a MIDI keyboard. I can use it to automatically create keygroups with any of the 3000 sounds in my MC-101. It can do much of what all the other synths mentioned can do and more.
Yes, it has a built in multitrack audio recorder with full editing capabilities but limited to eight tracks in stand alone mode. It has hundreds of effects that you could used for both audio and MIDI recording or plug in a (e.g.) guitar and used the effects in the MPC. As a sampler, it is unmatched for a stand alone box. I am still finding out things it can do that I do not know about and they have had some significant software upgrades adding functions. I have had many boxes like this, and my MPC Live is far and away the best for a wide variety of music production.
You made me get an organelle last year ...and I’m happier.....effects ...everything is so lofi lush organic....🌌 I exchanged the meris bass synth, for the ZOIA, but i need to put more time into patching
I’ve got a Werkstatt on order- and that’s the only kit we have in common. Big shout out for the Behringer Crave however- an excellent entry-level analog synth, knob-per-function, great way to learn the print of analog synthesis. It’s also semi-modular, and retails for way under under $200/ £170. You couldn’t start better imho...
@@mikeellisonhimself I suspect that the Moog will have the better filter, but that aside I’d back the Crave. Can’t wait to run ‘em side by side though!
@@walrtbstudios5430 the Crave is pricey in Canada ($340+tax) and I've held off because I already have a bunch of synths including the Neutron. I would like a nice rich Moog bass sound but it's not worth more than $300 to me including taxes so hopefully the Werk will come in close to that.
@@mikeellisonhimself Yeah, we’re (currently) lucky in the UK that a lot of excellent synths are European (Arturia, Behringer, Dreadbox)- from Jan ‘21 I think we can start adding 20% to our prices too. Flip side is that I’d really like a 0-Coast, but the import costs would be crippling...
My small boy synths. Korg Monologue is smaller and 50% more affordable than Mini OG (but one voice). Volca Keys is solid synth (and cheapest way to polyphony... well, paraphony). Moog Werkstatt 01 is great (with Arturia Keystep). Elektron model: Cycles is a groovebox (drums, melody, FX) and MIDI sequencer with vibe on its own. PO33KO! is the smallest sampler and huge fun. Korg Monotron Delay is noisy FX unit rather then regular synrh but it doas its job like no other.
Love this rundown of smaller synths. I don't have a lot of room, so smaller machines that do multiple things are my favourites. I'm just getting into synths at nearly 48 years old, so I'm a late starter. I started off with Novation Circuit, Circuit Mono Station and MiniNova, which are all affordable, have great sounds and both Circuits have a great interface. I recently got an Arturia Drumbrute and a Elektron Model; Cycles, and I'm learning to understand the Model; Cycles' interface (especially the way it stores patterns and pattern chaining are proving a bit difficult). I love how my little bleepy and boinky boxes complement eachother. Both sound wise and interface wise. I'm not a keyboardist and I use the internal sequencers a lot.
The Microfreak and the Behringer Neutron are my secret weapons . Lovely analog sounds from the Neutron , merged with the very special Microfreak Timbres . I Love it . ...O-Coast and Moog Subharmonicom are also very usefull for Experimentals .
Had the Reface-CP and LOVED it. Sounds incredible! I had to sell it just because I wasn't putting a lot of time into it and got a Roland System-1 which could probably make this list!
Eternal Love for the Organelle. Got it after learning Colleens "A Flame My Love, A Frequency" was almost entirely done with that. You should check that album out. Peace.
Great vid! Also can we just take a moment to appreciate that Roland went to the trouble of getting an actual artist for their promotion of their groovebox instead of just hiring an actor?
Maybe reach out to Synthstrom and figure something out? :) I'm sure you could help with exposure, and their company really derserve it. Based off your videos I think you would really enjoy it. Anways, great content, and all the best from Denmark :D
I also recommend (and own) the Roland JD-Xi, which also has many of the classic Roland synth and drum sounds PLUS a true analog monosynth AND a keyboard. It's about the same price as the MC-101.
The Elektron Digitone is a smol boi to be reckoned with. The sequencer is bananas and it has SO MANY Good sounds in it. It's crazy. And it's portable AF.
The Korg Monologue is a fantastic synth, especially for acid bass and dirty sounds. Cheap too. For a synth /sampler with a DAW-esque experience check out the Polyend Tracker - especially if you cut your musical teeth on Amiga trackers like I did.
The best small sized synth...I'd say an iPad or an iPhone. Synth manufacturers such as Moog, Korg, Yamaha, Roland, and more have made unique applications that can connect to any hardware. Animoog for example is an insane synth that can't be done on any other system. Also, welcome back, Bad snacks.
i also adore the sh0-1a! its 4 voice poly phonic 100 step sequencer, keyboard trackable self oscillating filters, s+h & noise lfo, pwm, tiny with speaker and batteries, presets & midi (sh101 lack), affordable as heck. super fast and slow envelopes, and the envelopes catch as well, rather than being retriggered from the beginning. minilogue is another i have a love the analog delay is gorgeous and its super easy to understand imo ive been lookin at the jp-08 as well, and i know the ju-06a is also 4 voice, and a bit less messy on the UI
Hey Cuckoo I have an evolver can you do a private movie for meh i have ganj and weed CoolBoysHahaha cool thanks awesome gay ok super cute nice alright bye thank you bro thank you brosephy o joesephiieee hey we make we make oouutteeaaee hahahha joke kidding i love your stuff let's just welax and we like it we can be alright eh hey hey
My favourites change with the music I am producing at the time. Obvious, I have selected synths that span a variety of use cases, but here is my top list at this time: (a) Waldorf Streichfett (always a top choice) (b) KORG Volca Drum (the randomise function is a sound engineers dream come true) (c) Behringer Neutron (what can I say - a necessary classic) (d) KORG Volca FM2 (surprisingly versatile) (e) Any of the Soniocware Loiven series (lots to choose from) (f) Korg NTS-1 (if you don't have cash and you want a synth - this is your number one choice) (g) IK Uno Synth Pro (might surprise you - it did me)
Awesome Vid! Couldn’t agree more with the synth selection, I would maybe add the elektron digitone to the list of top small synths. Thank you so much for this, love your stuff!
I learnt music with guitar and not long ago I fell into the pedal rabbit hole. Recently I’ve been very very interested in learning more about synths and found the ZOIA. If you dedicate time to learning the basics of it as a modular interface without trying to understand everything it is capable to do, I find it an amazing tool to learn about synthesis but still find it a very useful tool when intended only for fx to process your instruments/tracks with! Also having empress effects quality sound, midi I/O and patchstorage is a big big plus when looked at it and not being sure if synths are for you! 🙌🏻 Love your videos snacks! 💙
Hay bad snacks, you have some nice toys. Back in the 80s, I had a DX7, Juno, 808, and a crappy portastudio, although I thought it rocked. Now I'm retired I just have my bass and a Nektar Panorama T6 and everything else in the box. Sending love.
A great first synth when you are on a budget is the modal craftsynth v2.0. It costs 130 bucks, runs on batteries (making patches on the go, woohoo), it fits in any backpack and sounds surprisingly good for this small size. It's a 2 osc mono wavetable synth with chord modes and a delay. Might be even a worthy addition to a big studio if you want to add a different sounding wavetablesynth to your setup and safe some space or just have something ultra portable... Perhaps you noticed how much I love this thing:)
This showcase was quite entertaining and informative! Never heard of the Organelle or Werkstat until now...definitely considering a Werkstat in the near future considering the price point. Didn't know you were MC-101 girl either! That's dope AFFFFF. Mad kudos, and salutations. :)
thanks for sharing. my fave smaller synths are: Korg Monologue; Behringer Crave, Model D, TD-3, and K-2. I also use a pair of Ensoniq MR-61 workstations, and a PAiA 4700 modular... being an old synth collector, I am just now getting into midi. I appreciate your candid views- Thanks again.
The minilogue XD has a desktop version that drops the keyboard and $100. Some of the boutiques have a fun option if you use Roland Cloud; they can be midi-controllers for the VST version of the synth/drum machine version of the original. MC-101s are fun as hell; just wish I didn't need an external recorder to make a track. Never messed with an OP-1, but I've been loving my OP-Z; especially after I slapped an OPlab in for midi and cv functionality. I've had a werkstatt for awhile and it's a great little single oscillator synth that is remarkably versatile; especially now that that Moog bundled the CV adaptor into the box.
favorite small synths (aka synths to pair with MC-707): DSI Tetra - super capablе one Novation Circuit Mono Station - super cool one to perform live IK Uno Synth - the one that just works Waldorf Rocket - super cool one to tweak MAM MB-33 Retro - the smallest of acid machines, but it rocks
Not something very contemporary, but I recently purchased a JV1010 and I haven't seen a broader sound palette in such a small package. And it has this something about it just because it comes from a certain time. The day I got it I did more music in a day than I have done in a year.
I second this. The JV-1010 is super impressive, although it seems like everyone forgot about it for quite some years now. It's an almost square black box, doesnt look like much, but when you plug it in.....
This is such a good video! Even though I don’t plan on buying hardware synths anytime soon, I still really enjoy watching you talk about them all! Also, you hair looks absolutely gorgeous!
Flip the knob is a good song title. Cheers and I agree with boutique models, scored a 2nd hand SE-02 and Werkstatt for an unreal price. Cheers and slide the knob.
I know it gets shit because of the nontraditional keyboard, but the Arturia Microfreak has been absolutely inspirational to me! So fun to make pads and bass sounds with it and the touch keys are actually kinda fun
My vote is for the Korg Volca series. They are cheap, very small, battery powered, have excellent sound quality, a very intuitive sequencer, parameter locking, and live recording. I've got 4 and at this rate, I will probably get more. I love them all!
Small synths and grooveboxes for the win!
The MC-101 has really grown on me, especially with the updates making its handling of samples so powerful and fixing some jank with the interface.
Time stamps!
0:00 - 1:44 Intro
1:44 - 3:53 Minilogue XD/Minilogue OG (also there's a typo in the "Now Playing", it should say Minilogue instead of Monologue my b)
3:53 - 5:29 Roland Boutique Series
5:37 - 8:06 Roland MC-101
8:06 - 10:23 Teenage Engineering OP-1
10:23 - 14:15 Critter & Guitari Organelle
14:15 - 16:07 Moog Werkstatt-01
16:07 - 17:32 Empress Effects Zoia
17:32 - 18:05 Outro/Bean being cute
Hope this is helpful!!
The moog is so usefull ! 👍
@Reylo Skywalkers We did, indeed
Thanks for the inspiration.
which headphones are your favorite to use in studio? or have you already done a video about that?
love the video! btw, if you put these timestamps in the description of the video itself, YT marks it on the video player which can be really useful.
Being an old man, who grew up in another time, I'm so glad to see intelligent/articulate women making and talking about, electronic music.
Hoping this is a trend, that will continue to grow.
Don't let someone else tell you, what you can/can't aspire to.
have you heard of wendy carlos suzanne ciani eliane radigue delia derbyshire i could go on...come on now...ladies been all up in this sh*t from day 1.
@@justiinclark Of course there have always been great women in the synth world. Sadly there are still extra hurdles, like the sexual harassment on TH-cam that women have to endure.
Exactly. Hence I imagine the op’s comment might feel a bit patronizing/eyeroll-inducing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
@@justiinclark I knew Wendy when she was Walter, so not a good example.
Did not hear about Suzanne Ciani until recently, and never heard about the others.
This despite being active synth music lover, all my life.
If things have gotten better in this regard, I'm happy to learn about that.
My comment was meant to be encouraging, not patronizing/eyeroll-inducing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Sorry you took it in a way, I did not intend.
Best wishes for everyones success.
Wendy Carlos is a woman. Whatever though peace.
One of my all time favorites are the Korg Monotrons. I actually use them in most of my jam sessions on TH-cam. They are super cheap and can do a lot. Especially when you run them through effects. I have marked my ribbon keyboard so I can play it in tune and I use a stylus to play it. I really think they are overlooked quite often and are considered toys. Great video by the way!!!
Yamaha Reface CS gotta be the best synth I've ever tried. I don't know, there's just something about it. An aura or something. And man, that thing sounds like a neon universe from the late 70s. Such warm sounds.
Dictionary: mojo - see Yamaha reface.
Me: Love my CS. If all my gear got destroyed, the CS would be the first thing I'd replace because it's so inspirational. Fantastic design work in choosing its controls. Very quick to dial-in great sounds before the muse disappears. Doesn't sound too digital either. Got the YC too and getting the CP. Not sure how long I'll be able to hold off getting the FM either even though I'm adequately DXed.
Completely agree. Best reface. So easy to tweak and get great sounds!
Agree... Reface CS is such a superb synth. I love the DX too. I have a DX7 mk1 from new, Motif , Modx, yet still love the reface.
I love my Reface CS. It's so approachable and tweakable and easy ... it just begs to be played, really.
*edit*
Of some note, actually, is that you can use the reface CS as a midi controller for the 101, and it's actually really good! The resonance/cutoff sliders map directly to it without any tweaking
Yes. It's good because it's simple and direct and therefor something you always can expects results from. It's limited sure but how much difference will it really do in practice..
As an engineer getting back into production and hardware synths, this video came at a great time. I was just looking at the OP-1 a few hours before this video went up!
Soooo good to watch! Would love love love a demo of each piece of gear showcasing its sounds. Like a compilation of jams with no talking. You're amazing!
Definitely a vote for the Korg NTS-1. You can run audio in through the FX!
I comcur with my vote for the Korg NTS-1 as well. It's such a great little kit for the price. The effects alone make it more than worth it. It's the only piece of digital gear that I have.
I love that I can download new oscillators, reverb and delays both free and paid.
My op-1 is like my child, frustrating at times, but love it to death
@UnderBridge Rock I’ve got one of those too, love it as much as the op 1
I'm a guitarist and was very intimidated by synths for years but gained some interest during quarantine as I was learning to record at home. My first was a Korg Volca Keys and would absolutely recommend it for a beginner. Obviously for playing it's a little different with the touch keyboard but it was perfect for understanding how VC and LFO's work. I'm now obsessed with synthesizers and added a Roland GAIA and Elektron Model:Samples.
I'm kinda in the same boat but I went with a Behringer MS-1. It's a clone of the old Roland SH-101 and is a lot of fun! I also picked up their TB-303 clone (TD-3) and am trying to resist the urge to add a drum machine to the mix. Have fun!
Same story for me. However I realize that all these videos just enlarge our GAS.Do not ever forget this
you're the reason i started getting serious about learning & making music :) ilysm
Aw!! This makes me so happy :)
Glad to see you back, and love the doggie. Thanks for sharing your toys with us!
Thanks for the tour of your personal collection. Of all the hardware I've owned since the 80's, I'm glad I held onto my original Casio CZ-101. That thing still holds its own for luscious low-end. I also love buying crummy electronic musical toys in 99 cent stores and sampling/chopping them.
oh man, thank you for turning me onto Lightfoot Beats, his PO-33 video is dope
that werkstatt-01 bass sound at 15:26 = amazing! (and the bubbly sound after!)
Very good video keep up the amazing work Bad Snacks
I'd say my favorite smol bois are the Microbrute (had mine for like 5 years and don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon) and the Digitakt. Oh man the Digitakt. That thing fits into the 'anything you want' category so well. 8 track midi controller, drum machine, sample based synthesis. The thing is nuts. It has been the brains of my setup for a few years now and I love it. So yeah Microbrute for ease of use, simplicity, and also being a great stepping stone into modular; Digitakt if your ready to dive deep. Great video too! 🎹😎🎹
Digitakt & Digitone are my favorite devices.
Best small boi is the fuzzy one at the end.
My favorite small boi was your dog at the end 😍The Werkstatt seemed pretty cool too. Thanks for the great video! Would love to see jamming on each of these a bit more (like you did with the Werkstatt).
The 0 Coast by Make Noise. Brilliant and fun!
Glad you understand magnetic fields and the slow death of equipment placed near said field, which is where your plant should be too.
Hey there! Just wanted to give an FYI on the MC-101. You don't have to take out the SD card to load samples on. You can just boot the MC-101 in data mode to transfer files over USB. :) Thanks for the awesome video!
Interesting. That little thing is fire with its Zenology-Platform.
Informative and entertaining that's what we want from our YT videos. And a pleasure to spend a few minutes in your company😊
My first ever hardware synth was the Behringer Model D, quite a small boy indeed 😁 I think for the price, for its comparison with the Moog Model D, and some of its patching capabilities that give interesting sound design options, it’s a great deal! They go for around $300, and offer anyone that is interested in real synthesizers a solid starting point.
Looks like a “Paid” Video paid by sponsors. If you want affordable synth you need definitely to buy @Behringer
@@fabiosantoriell0 you must be new.../smh
For a cheap analog Polysynth it's either one of the behringers or one of the minilogues. I went with the minilogue xd over the deepmind for 2 reasons. 1: i, like many others, am not particularly drawn to Behringer and their methods of doing business and ripping other businesses off. 2: I am a huge nerd with an engineering background and the minilogue has userprogrammable DSP, you can develop your own digital wavetable oscillators and effects with the Logue SDK :-) This makes it a lot more versatile and unique.
Thanks for your videos they are always amazing. My favorite small synths that I own are the Dreadbox Typhon, Elektron Model Cycles and the freak PO Arcade, and Yamaha Reface CS while been not perfect by any mean, sometimes you get a sound and you are like "are you the same boy that 15 minutes ago?". I am about to get the organelle just now it seems like a very helpfull machine.
The Typhon is a blast! Time makes no sense when I'm digging into it
hey @bad snacks, love your channel - glad your still loving the Organelle and enjoying Orac :)
Thank you!! You are a genius!!!
Such good bois! Awesome video, snacks. Got the Organelle (thanks to your rec on an older vid) and still love it.
And damnit I might just have to get a dang werkstatt...
Liking the new spot!
Thanks!! Me too!
SH-01A surprised me with how fun it is. But also I recommend that A-01 which has kind of a chiptune oscillator, which can be really raw and fun. I put the K-25 keyboard on all my Roland Boutiques - because I'm a keyboardist - and it really opened up the TB-03 for me in ways I did not expect.
Best ROMpler additions to the Small Boi series: Roland JV-1010, Roland XV-2020, Korg NS-5R, Kurzweil ME-1 - if you need a small box with lots of sounds especially piano / strings / brass the Kurzweil ME-1 is the tops. But the Roland and Korg units have a much larger variety of synth sounds. Being tiny boxes, they're not great for modulating the sounds as you play, but if you want to travel light, add one of these boxes to a USB MIDI controller and it opens up a lot of musical doors.
Bad Snacks- this run-down is seriously bad-ass!!! Thank you. This vid turned me onto some very cool gear. 👍✨🎙📺
Not only am I geeking out about the synths you have but.. But it's the cello that's got me really intrigued.
Also, the plant on top of the Focusrite... on top of the Yamaha monitor 😂
I feel like your demo on the Werkstatt really highlighted what the Organelle is missing, such huge sounds from that lil thing
The Moog Werkstatt-01 was my first synthesizer that I ever bought. I love it so much that I had to buy a second one before they stopped making them. No regrets.
Microfreak is a pretty stellar Smol Boi synth. If they added some built in effects it'd be prefect.
...or just add a Korg NTS-1 with its open architecture.
…. Or get a Roland System-1 25 key Plug Out Synth !
It has 1 button/knob per function with an easy to understand layout for a first synth and a fun scatter wheel and arppegiator.
It has 4 Oscillators, it’s own personal Synth engine, as well as a Plug Out option to switch to one of Rolands other virtual analog 4 voice polyphonic synths at a moments notice.
2 synths for 1!
The Werkstatt-01 looks like it'd be a good little companion to the Grandmother. Like a small dog!
My one and only hardware synth is a Novation Bass Station 2. It’s clunky yes, it feels a little cheap yes, but it sounds FANTASTIC. Super phat, really aggressive if you want it but can also be super delicate if you need that kind of sound, it’s just great. Learning curve is a little tough (I’m still learning the ins and outs), but I can recommend it just on how it sounds alone
This reminds me to use my MC-101 more! Dope content as always!😁
My favorite synth is the Alesis Micron.... it has a lot of weird pad sounds but also great Bass and EP types as well..
The sequencer is awesome.
I never see anybody talk about this anywhere. It can layer sounds and manipulate multiple seq \ phrases. It is unlike any other keyboard I've ever played.. super fun for making songs.
I wonder sometimes if it is the inspiration of the M-Audio Venom.
I constantly champion the Micron! It’s such a powerful synth.
Nice to see someone professing a big love for the Organelle. I think it was Knobs' demo that sold me on it too - I agree that the synth sounds are not the best thing about it but everything else it does is entirely fab. I keep finding new patches and new ways to use them. My small synth recommendation (if anyone cares, and frankly why would they) would be the Modal electronics Craft Synth. It's a thing of beauty.
Shazam! I've been searching for some new gear. Totally forgot about Reverb.com. Bam!! Before your video was over I have a new Microbrute ordered. Thank you and keep up the good tunes
I vote for the Akai MPC One. I have the Live, but the One has similar features, but fewer built in samples. It is a synthesizer, sampler, multitrack audio recorder, drum machine, effects processor, mixer, and sequencer. You can play melodies and chords on it as well, or with a MIDI keyboard. I can use it to automatically create keygroups with any of the 3000 sounds in my MC-101. It can do much of what all the other synths mentioned can do and more.
Thanks for the hint. I never thought of it as a multitrack audio reccorder and effects processor. Might get it one day as my first hardware sampler.
Yes, it has a built in multitrack audio recorder with full editing capabilities but limited to eight tracks in stand alone mode. It has hundreds of effects that you could used for both audio and MIDI recording or plug in a (e.g.) guitar and used the effects in the MPC. As a sampler, it is unmatched for a stand alone box. I am still finding out things it can do that I do not know about and they have had some significant software upgrades adding functions. I have had many boxes like this, and my MPC Live is far and away the best for a wide variety of music production.
Many thanks for your reply! Sounds like the perfect machine for me.
You made me get an organelle last year ...and I’m happier.....effects ...everything is so lofi lush organic....🌌 I exchanged the meris bass synth, for the ZOIA, but i need to put more time into patching
I’ve got a Werkstatt on order- and that’s the only kit we have in common. Big shout out for the Behringer Crave however- an excellent entry-level analog synth, knob-per-function, great way to learn the print of analog synthesis. It’s also semi-modular, and retails for way under under $200/ £170. You couldn’t start better imho...
Will be interesting to hear comparisons between the Crave and the Werk.
@@mikeellisonhimself I suspect that the Moog will have the better filter, but that aside I’d back the Crave. Can’t wait to run ‘em side by side though!
@@walrtbstudios5430 the Crave is pricey in Canada ($340+tax) and I've held off because I already have a bunch of synths including the Neutron. I would like a nice rich Moog bass sound but it's not worth more than $300 to me including taxes so hopefully the Werk will come in close to that.
@@mikeellisonhimself Yeah, we’re (currently) lucky in the UK that a lot of excellent synths are European (Arturia, Behringer, Dreadbox)- from Jan ‘21 I think we can start adding 20% to our prices too. Flip side is that I’d really like a 0-Coast, but the import costs would be crippling...
My small boy synths. Korg Monologue is smaller and 50% more affordable than Mini OG (but one voice). Volca Keys is solid synth (and cheapest way to polyphony... well, paraphony). Moog Werkstatt 01 is great (with Arturia Keystep). Elektron model: Cycles is a groovebox (drums, melody, FX) and MIDI sequencer with vibe on its own. PO33KO! is the smallest sampler and huge fun. Korg Monotron Delay is noisy FX unit rather then regular synrh but it doas its job like no other.
Love this rundown of smaller synths. I don't have a lot of room, so smaller machines that do multiple things are my favourites.
I'm just getting into synths at nearly 48 years old, so I'm a late starter. I started off with Novation Circuit, Circuit Mono Station and MiniNova, which are all affordable, have great sounds and both Circuits have a great interface. I recently got an Arturia Drumbrute and a Elektron Model; Cycles, and I'm learning to understand the Model; Cycles' interface (especially the way it stores patterns and pattern chaining are proving a bit difficult).
I love how my little bleepy and boinky boxes complement eachother. Both sound wise and interface wise. I'm not a keyboardist and I use the internal sequencers a lot.
The Microfreak and the Behringer Neutron are my secret weapons . Lovely analog sounds from the Neutron , merged with the very special Microfreak Timbres . I Love it . ...O-Coast and Moog Subharmonicom are also very usefull for Experimentals .
I have the same collection, really great/fun stuff :-)
Love the keys on the minilogue. Near perfect action and weight for playing fast
The Yamaha Reface Series. They are always looked over!
Ooooh good call!!
Super cheap for what you get too! I've got a reface cs and that thing is an 80s string MACHINE!!!
Had the Reface-CP and LOVED it. Sounds incredible! I had to sell it just because I wasn't putting a lot of time into it and got a Roland System-1 which could probably make this list!
I just ordered the DX Reface and I'm super stoked for it. Got it for like $230, so that was a sweet deal!
The Reface CS is a great buy. I love mine.
I would love to have just one of these haha. Well maybe one day. Glad to see an upload from snacks!
minilogue XD is a beast of a small synth! it does so much and sounds epic
love synths, only have one lonely volca here with no midi keys to trigger lol! i like the rack mount in the background and the plant on scarlett LOL!
Love this ✌🏾 Greetings from South Africa 😊
This video could not have come at a better time, love your work!
Eternal Love for the Organelle. Got it after learning Colleens "A Flame My Love, A Frequency" was almost entirely done with that. You should check that album out. Peace.
Best small synth... without doubt, Roland sh01a... so versatile
Great vid! Also can we just take a moment to appreciate that Roland went to the trouble of getting an actual artist for their promotion of their groovebox instead of just hiring an actor?
My top 5 small synths...Waldorf Streichfett...Novation Mini Nova...Roland System 1... Modal Craft 2...Moog Minitaur.
Ever considered giving the Deluge a try? DAW in a box + sampler + looper + the workflow is really nice
I would LOVE to get my hand on a deluge, they sound so cool!
@@badsnacks I can confirm, Deluge has been a life-changing instrument for a beginner synthesist like me :)
Maybe reach out to Synthstrom and figure something out? :) I'm sure you could help with exposure, and their company really derserve it.
Based off your videos I think you would really enjoy it. Anways, great content, and all the best from Denmark :D
I was going to add Deluge if nobody else had. It's quirky, but amazingly-capable.
My favourite smol boi is your sneezy dog, he's adorable!
I also recommend (and own) the Roland JD-Xi, which also has many of the classic Roland synth and drum sounds PLUS a true analog monosynth AND a keyboard. It's about the same price as the MC-101.
Thanks for mentioning the P0-33. Checking out used ones, but might just next day Brand New if I don't find a deal. Channel is awesome.
For small synths, I’m really enjoying the Modal CraftSynth 2.0 just now...
Me too! It's limitations can be inspiring and it's so much value for money.
"Super saucy" my new favourite phrase.
Eeee great list!! My current favourite smol bois are Volca Sample 2, the Arcade Pocket Operator, and the Reface CP. Endless jams. ✌️✌️😍
The Elektron Digitone is a smol boi to be reckoned with. The sequencer is bananas and it has SO MANY Good sounds in it. It's crazy. And it's portable AF.
I'd say even the Microbrute is a decent starter synth!
It definitely was for me!
The Korg Monologue is a fantastic synth, especially for acid bass and dirty sounds. Cheap too. For a synth /sampler with a DAW-esque experience check out the Polyend Tracker - especially if you cut your musical teeth on Amiga trackers like I did.
The best small sized synth...I'd say an iPad or an iPhone. Synth manufacturers such as Moog, Korg, Yamaha, Roland, and more have made unique applications that can connect to any hardware.
Animoog for example is an insane synth that can't be done on any other system.
Also, welcome back, Bad snacks.
i also adore the sh0-1a! its 4 voice poly phonic 100 step sequencer, keyboard trackable self oscillating filters, s+h & noise lfo, pwm, tiny with speaker and batteries, presets & midi (sh101 lack), affordable as heck. super fast and slow envelopes, and the envelopes catch as well, rather than being retriggered from the beginning.
minilogue is another i have a love the analog delay is gorgeous and its super easy to understand imo
ive been lookin at the jp-08 as well, and i know the ju-06a is also 4 voice, and a bit less messy on the UI
mpc 1000 with jjos2xl is also an amazing sequencer drum machine sampler and synth!
thanks for the video... organelle m may be in my future now... another fabulous small boi for your consideration is the Bastl Soft Pop x
I have the roland jupiter boutique and a microkorg. More than I'll ever need but still fun to play with. You have a great collection!
Moog should pay you for showing the Werkstatt in this way. Very cool.
Btw werkstatt is German for workshop
Nice!!
Hi Cuckoo!!
@@badsnacks hey Snacks!
Hey Cuckoo I have an evolver can you do a private movie for meh i have ganj and weed CoolBoysHahaha cool thanks awesome gay ok super cute nice alright bye thank you bro thank you brosephy o joesephiieee hey we make we make oouutteeaaee hahahha joke kidding i love your stuff let's just welax and we like it we can be alright eh hey hey
@@AJOLDMUSI chill out mate
Hi both of you!
I got the Behringer MS-20 and TB-303 clones ordered. Fingers crossed that all goes well and I get to have fun this winter.
My favourites change with the music I am producing at the time. Obvious, I have selected synths that span a variety of use cases, but here is my top list at this time:
(a) Waldorf Streichfett (always a top choice)
(b) KORG Volca Drum (the randomise function is a sound engineers dream come true)
(c) Behringer Neutron (what can I say - a necessary classic)
(d) KORG Volca FM2 (surprisingly versatile)
(e) Any of the Soniocware Loiven series (lots to choose from)
(f) Korg NTS-1 (if you don't have cash and you want a synth - this is your number one choice)
(g) IK Uno Synth Pro (might surprise you - it did me)
What a cute presentation. Love it. Keep on doing it!
Excellent Video!!!! You are amazing!! - really really nice - Guitarist thinking of getting a Moog Werkstatt
Awesome Vid! Couldn’t agree more with the synth selection, I would maybe add the elektron digitone to the list of top small synths. Thank you so much for this, love your stuff!
I learnt music with guitar and not long ago I fell into the pedal rabbit hole. Recently I’ve been very very interested in learning more about synths and found the ZOIA. If you dedicate time to learning the basics of it as a modular interface without trying to understand everything it is capable to do, I find it an amazing tool to learn about synthesis but still find it a very useful tool when intended only for fx to process your instruments/tracks with! Also having empress effects quality sound, midi I/O and patchstorage is a big big plus when looked at it and not being sure if synths are for you! 🙌🏻
Love your videos snacks! 💙
Hay bad snacks, you have some nice toys. Back in the 80s, I had a DX7, Juno, 808, and a crappy portastudio, although I thought it rocked. Now I'm retired I just have my bass and a Nektar Panorama T6 and everything else in the box. Sending love.
I don't want to talk about synths. I just want to look at you talking about synths. You are stunning.
Fantastic channel, thanks for sharing your sounds and thoughts!
A great first synth when you are on a budget is the modal craftsynth v2.0. It costs 130 bucks, runs on batteries (making patches on the go, woohoo), it fits in any backpack and sounds surprisingly good for this small size. It's a 2 osc mono wavetable synth with chord modes and a delay. Might be even a worthy addition to a big studio if you want to add a different sounding wavetablesynth to your setup and safe some space or just have something ultra portable... Perhaps you noticed how much I love this thing:)
Love watching your channel! Always exited for a new video
This showcase was quite entertaining and informative! Never heard of the Organelle or Werkstat until now...definitely considering a Werkstat in the near future considering the price point.
Didn't know you were MC-101 girl either! That's dope AFFFFF. Mad kudos, and salutations. :)
The organelle was your go-to back in the logic days
it true, i stay loyal
Now 100% sure I need a Werkstatt lol
Those lil tunes for each of the synths were *chef's kiss*
Yes, Microkorg, the older one. I have it and its great. Even has an OK vocoder.
thanks for sharing. my fave smaller synths are: Korg Monologue; Behringer Crave, Model D, TD-3, and K-2. I also use a pair of Ensoniq MR-61 workstations, and a PAiA 4700 modular... being an old synth collector, I am just now getting into midi. I appreciate your candid views- Thanks again.
The minilogue XD has a desktop version that drops the keyboard and $100. Some of the boutiques have a fun option if you use Roland Cloud; they can be midi-controllers for the VST version of the synth/drum machine version of the original. MC-101s are fun as hell; just wish I didn't need an external recorder to make a track. Never messed with an OP-1, but I've been loving my OP-Z; especially after I slapped an OPlab in for midi and cv functionality.
I've had a werkstatt for awhile and it's a great little single oscillator synth that is remarkably versatile; especially now that that Moog bundled the CV adaptor into the box.
My new Dreadbox Typhon shows up tomorrow. Been wailing and warbling in my dreams for months.
Did it meet your expectations? ;) Sure did mine!
favorite small synths (aka synths to pair with MC-707):
DSI Tetra - super capablе one
Novation Circuit Mono Station - super cool one to perform live
IK Uno Synth - the one that just works
Waldorf Rocket - super cool one to tweak
MAM MB-33 Retro - the smallest of acid machines, but it rocks
Man I will learn from these someday when I get a synth and learn how to plug it in ...
Not something very contemporary, but I recently purchased a JV1010 and I haven't seen a broader sound palette in such a small package. And it has this something about it just because it comes from a certain time. The day I got it I did more music in a day than I have done in a year.
I second this. The JV-1010 is super impressive, although it seems like everyone forgot about it for quite some years now. It's an almost square black box, doesnt look like much, but when you plug it in.....
the MC-101 is SUCH A GOOD sound module! it rly grows on me. esp with the new chord & arp update
yes!!!
Why bad snacks tho do you not tasty snacks 😋 l
This is such a good video! Even though I don’t plan on buying hardware synths anytime soon, I still really enjoy watching you talk about them all!
Also, you hair looks absolutely gorgeous!
My fav smol bois: MFB Synth Lite & Synth (I or II); Vermona Mono Lancet; DSI Mopho & Tetra.
its called semi-modular when the modules are hard-wired. nice review, thanks
Flip the knob is a good song title. Cheers and I agree with boutique models, scored a 2nd hand SE-02 and Werkstatt for an unreal price. Cheers and slide the knob.
I know it gets shit because of the nontraditional keyboard, but the Arturia Microfreak has been absolutely inspirational to me! So fun to make pads and bass sounds with it and the touch keys are actually kinda fun
Loooove Arturia!!
That bonk jump cut was super funny lol