Bad Gear - Roland D-2 - Ugliest Groovebox Of All Time???
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2020
- In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to question the sanity of Roland's early noughties design team. Is the Roland D-2 the ugliest groovebox of all time? Will our eyes take irreversible damage?
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If you stand on it... Does it show you your weight?
No, you get beamed aboard ship
@@AudioPilz Not 2-B confused with D-Beam, with both it could slide off the table on that much awesomesauce.
This show only gets better 🔥
Thanks!
If nothing else I watch for the comments
Agreed!
Lol ‘Let’s see if it can handle contemporary music’, proceeds to make 80s Detroit techno
I could have gone for early 90s trance;)
I seriously thought the same thing. lol
Man, this is my new favorite series on TH-cam. Haven't missed an episode yet. The idea of trying out and exploring the gear no one seems to like is brilliant! I appreciate that you force yourself to make music with them too, rather than some boring 'review' of it or something. Thanks for these!
Thanks for watching! Stick around!
I never actually bought one of these.
I got mine for free from someone that clearly wanted to punish me for something.
Choose your friends wisely
@@AudioPilz Sage advice.
@@AudioPilz Keep your friends close, and your enemies using Bad Gear. ;)
I actually did get one new after it had been out a year or two. It was discounted HEAVILY. It wasn't the worst device but compared to other Roland grooveboxes that came before it I think it was kinda terrible (that LED display and those presets, ugh). Also I'm kinda shocked at the amount of gear I still own that has been featured on this channel. Man, I bought some crap.
Reminds me of that famous quote by Carl Sagan: 'Roland's R&D department... capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares.'
what a poetic quote
They focus on nightmares first. The users then turn the nightmares into dreams. Everyone hated the TR machines when they came out except broke rap and electronica artists
This was my first groovebox. I knew nothing about them. It caught my eye from across the room like a cheap suit. I wanted it because it looked so futuristic like something out of A Clockwork Orange. For a beginner, it was great.
Oh my word, that D&B groove at 3:05 is just heavenly. This little orange bastard is just begging the 2000s kid left in me to hop onto Reverb and pick it up!
Yeah, there are some gems in that orange box
100% with you on this
I got one bathering dust, need to fish it out and take it for a run round the block
I seriously thought the exact same freaking thing.
Oh man I was gonna comment the same thing. Honestly that was very legit for a demo track 🤯
That MOOG filter turned it into pure magic.
Gold!
@@AudioPilz what is the filter you used?
This looks like one of those late 70s gaming systems that only played Pong.
...or something out of a Cronenberg movie
@@AudioPilz I wanna see someone try to make a touch based synthesizer out of the flesh machines in ExistenZ! Squeeze it tightly to change the lowpass filter! Rub that belly button thing to change tempo!
Where is that kickstarter?!
It is a horrible looking thing, I don't even care if it is good, I could'nt bear looking at it!
This channel makes 2020 not that bad.
Thanks! Happy to hear that!
I used mine for a sound module and used the strongest sounds only. It's a mean machine if you can drag those sounds out and use them.
The guy I sold it to was excited to get it so I think the D2 has a secret fan base out there.
A secret cult of Roland D2 followers with a lust for orange plastic and low resolution touch controllers.
...or phat romplers in a small package
(͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖)
The D2 was my first machine, bought it for cheap in 2004 cause the music shop wanted to get rid of it :). The sounds are fantastic and very versatile and the 32 step sequencer very complete though incredibly painful to program when used as a standalone. I spent hours having absolute fun with it, made hip hop, ska, jazzy electro shit... you name it, even ringtones for my phone :)
but the day I plugged a midi keyboard into it it blew my mind: you can tweak everything: filters, lfos... new dimensions open up!
I gave it to a friend when I went into MPCs, and somedays I regret the simple days sitting on the floor, headphones on my ears, grooving away. The D2, always in my heart! thanks for the video!
Pleasure, stick around!
Your editing ideas and quality are insane. Thanks and 🥂 cheers 😁
Thank you so much!
The "fugly gear" bit had me dying haha. As a musician who has never owned anything Roland, I'm both happy and sad. I'm intrigued by the TB-3, not a fan of touchscreens either but I always like the jams you use it in. "If it sounds good, it IS good" -Duke Ellington
Thanks! Yeah, the TB3 really grew on me!
"These presets seem cheesy and dated" -- I'm 40 and thought they were pretty hip and now :(
The sound of our early twens;)
DIGITS!
crnkmnky I’ve been spotted! Hehe with digits I tried to strike a balance between modern tones and oldschool synth patches. My sound design leans keyboard-playerish
@@rayforceaddict The presets are a nice selection. The concept (resurrecting phase distortion synthesis) definitely intrigues me. I just have to spend some time learning to design. 😅
I was on the verge of buying one of these about 10 years back. I don't know if I'm ok it never happened, or regret not getting one. I'm sure it would have been collecting dust by this point, unfortunate to say. I was basically going to use it to fool around with break-beats...and honestly I like the sound of the early 00s and trance...I was middle school/high school age around that time and played a lot of Dance Dance Revolution. As cheesy as it is, the sound of the early 00s definitely holds a place in my heart.
If you like that sound it's an ideal machine
I bought one when they came out,was my 1st piece I ever bought,along w/ an XP-80.I had never made music before but your brother Moby inspired me once I realized one person could make it all.I loved my D2,spent 100's of hours learning it,even bought another.I rarely used the patterns in it but instead hooked my XP up to it and used as a controller to record into the user patterns.Also would write tracks into it.When I did use the patterns I made sure to change the instrument and mangle them.You could come up w/ some great sounds/patterns that were nothing like the "cheesie" originals.I no longer have one,lost it and all my equipment in a fire.Want to start rebuilding my collection,but COVID has mostly screwed up my income.Once this is all over and things are back to normal(or as close as we can get)I will for sure buy one again just b/c it's what I learned on and when used "correctly" it can do some great music.
First love is the deepest
Why do I keep coming back watching these wild reviews? Because they are so funny and informative! Thank You!
Thank you!!!
Excellent episode! As previously mentioned in the comments fro this post, your show keeps getting better and better. Keep up the good(hard)work!
Thank you so much!
Roland: the best and the worst gear of ALL TIME
And frankly I would say this thing isn't quite as bad as the Yamaha thing with the cd and built in speakers
The DJX?
The DJX is much more unusable but the built-in engine is actually pretty nice
@@AudioPilz "EDIT...oops this was meant for Gelatinous"...The XIIB is basically a slightly different box version of the original DJX which is highly respected among Home/Bedroom studios. Personally I find the ridiculous controls of the XIIB pretty fun..."CD thing" which is basically a weighted knob, is pretty intuitive for muting and playing parts parts as well as for triggering loops and arpeggios.
The FX section works nicely and the 3 band EQ...is a 3 band EQ plus the digital filter is fairly buttery.lol The only issue is the false fader.
But through a midi controller like the Arturia keystep pro...or even Beatstep P...it's a great rompler box with percussion...
@@BendApparatus I had the DJX keyboard and box when they were first released. I was recently offered a box for free and my first thought was YES, this will be of great use now I have a Beatstep Pro 👌 I've yet to pick it up, can't wait to see what fun I could have.
@@GODZINACOMA101 I do as well... thought I wish I understood more about MIDI and knew how to use the Beatstep P's functions better. So far it feels like I've only accessed about 30% of what the XIIB can do through MIDI...
The show's getting a lot more concise. I can't believe I've only just subscribed now, looking forward to more in the future
Thanks!
Thanks for this serie! In depth, informative and just fun. Slowly bingewatching almost every episode right now...
Thank you so much!!!
This show rocks. I love the way that you build solutions to make questionable gear undeniably hip. This show is such a fantastic example that with a little ingenuity and an attitude that doesn't immediately dismiss a design team's bad idea, one is totally capable of making music.
Thank you so much!
Love this show!! I can’t believe it hasn’t completely blown up yet!!
Working on it;)
Man your script for this episode absolutely killed it 🤣 hilarious after watching all the other eps!
Oh yea & the memes are just so on point XD
Thanks!
I enjoy this format a lot and I'm happy to see your channel is growing and the show get's even better with every episode. In love with se trockene Humor.
Sänks! Se humor needs to be trocken;)
I think the orange Roland D-2 looks great! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... and ugliness too. Also, even "bad" gear can sound great with creativity.
True that!
Interesting series. There are many channels about legendary gears, synths, etc. So, a very unique angle this channel offers. You know, your peter bit was also interesting :)
Thanks!
I actually really like the presets that came out of that thing. I kind of want one now.
Some total classics among the presets
I'm embarrassed i wasn't subscribed yet after the first one! this is next level man :)
No problem, welcome & stick around!
These videos come out so fast you are a true mad lad
Sleep is the enemy
I
That's like out of my lab! Kudos for the DarkStar!
I dunno man, that sounds like a great setup to me.
as always FABOULOUS CONTENT. Also extremmelly curious on what is your professional background or if there is anyway we can listen to your work and productions!!
Thank you so much! Long story and I would say it's more about the gear
The truth is Moby is alive and kicking lol
Such a great show. Keep em coming!
Thank you!
Great content man, keep them coming!
Thank you so much!
Bought this 20 years ago and thought it looked pretty cool. Even started to use it last year. Not so enthousiastic about the drum pad, but otherwise I still like it, and the looks. Good it still has the same value.
Great sounds but the interface is really tedious
I love orange things. Looks very attractive.
Got a nice built-in rompler as well
Great video and love your style. Please continue to keep them under 10 minutes. I have so many unwatched video from TH-cam channels as I just don't have 30 minutes a time to watch them.
Thanks! Yeah, too much too long videos on YT
love the editing here man
Thanks!
This channel is a hidden gem
Thank you so much!
Your videos are pure entertainment and your talent is overkill!!
Thank you so much, it means a lot to me
Absolutely hilarious, yet brilliant review of one of my favourite bits of kit. Bravo!
Thank you so much!
Seriously! I LIOVE YOUR CHANNEL! So happy to find it! You have a new long term alien follower! Best, synthwave artist Ai Accident
Thank you so much! Live long and prosper!
these kinds of cheesy late 90s/early 00s sounds have been growing on me lately, it’s the 20 year rule at work
Looking forward to 90s raves after the pandemic
Entire reason I started this project 👀
when are you going to put out an album of jam tracks produced for this show? they've all been really good!
Thanks! I'll maybe drop a few wednesday episodes to find time for that
@@AudioPilz some extra bandcamp bucks to help make that OP-1 episode possible won't hurt ;)
2021 october...waiting to shake virtual hands with a seller with a D2 unit, just for fun, because i´m not musician but since confinement i amassed a little arsenal of EDM tiny machines...Great video! Fantastic editing! Congratulations & thanks from Madrid City Spain.
Thank you!!! Love Madrid! Have fun with the D2!
for someone whose setup use to be a mc303 w yamaha djb & korg kaossilator, this channel really speaks to me
Great minds... ;)
I don’t think it’s that ugly. Especially compared to the Yamaha thing or the yoga hoop (which is really in a class by itself).
Cheerleader effect? ;)
Wow, I just got one YESTERDAY! Had hoped it would be a decent replacement for the MC-303 I had to part with a few years back. The awful user interface and unresponsive buttons make external MIDI controls a must.
Well, I found it more accessible than the 303
AHAHAH THE BACKGROUND, seriously, your videos just keep getting better!
Thanks!
Maaaan those edition skills get and more more amazing every episode!!!!
Thanks!
I actually had a lot of fun with my D2. It started freezing up regularly and I could never get it fixed. I eventually let it go and I miss it's orange weirdness sometimes.
Yeah, it's a nice colorful thing among the greyness of studio environments
I got a Yamaha SU700,I'm not yet in the 'groove' with it but I'd love to have your opinion about that gear cause I'm wondering if I should keep it or leave it.
Powerful machine but steep learning curve. I would keep it
How in the hell did I miss this episode! This thing is legend and I’m buying one right now. I think Roland needs to make a super pro updated version of this. So epic.
Much recommended!!!
I've wanted one of these for a while. Not sure if I still do though! Great video!
Thanks!
We all know who this was targeted to- the "KAOSS GENERATION! "
Is that the one between GenX and Millenials?
@@AudioPilz honestly, kinda?
Not going to lie, I absolutely loved all the preset patterns. It's Ape Escape in a box!!
Quite some gems among the presets
Editing kicked up a bunch in this one, show is lookin sweet! I don't know how you find all this bad gear lol I'd never heard of the D-2, but you made some nice 👌 tunes with it regardless!
Thanks! Bad Gear's everywhere
Really enjoy your series - it stands out from all the other gear reviews. Keep up the good work and quality. A suggestion for future candidates: Gear from the mid 90s german company called Quasimidi. They made mostly virtual analog techno synths and groove boxes like the Raven, Polymorph, Rave-O-Lotion or Sirius. Its not all crap but seems to fit very well to your series.
Thanks! I would love to do Quasimidi stuff but it has become very rare and expensive
@@AudioPilz I guess some technical flaws of these boxes turn into vintage features over time...
so is the D-field just a D-beam without the beam? that's so lame
It's truly lame. VERY lame
I like the function of D-field area 5 to 8 for scrolling through the step-editor. But it's unusable for it's intended use.
@@AudioPilz Is it as bad (or worse) than, say, an original Kaossilator pad (if you've used one of those)?
It's similar to the chaos pad but has 3 distinct modes: triggering sounds, XY effects, or DJ turntable. Thus the zones and circular design on the grid.
@@user-ld8ep5qr7m I have one but the pad is broken. The kaossilator pad is a lot better than the D-field.
When I saw the title "D-2" I immediately thought of the Dreamcast game by the software developer "Warp".
Wow, didn't know that
@@AudioPilz Check out the game's "D" And "enemy Zero" by the same company. They're pretty badass! There kind of Point & click survival with puzzle-solving and horror elements. But they got great Atmosphere and story!👌👍
that Moog filter trick is the same thing I do for my MS-2000 (worthy of an episode for sure) except I use the Strange Science F1 Eurorack filter. The mildest amount of analog lowpass can work wonders
Cool!
The edit is getting better and better
Thanks!
3:04 sounds like music from some demo disc for psx.
That's a very good comparison
Does it have a digital low-pass filter that you can apply?
Yeah, but it's not my favorite
OMGGG I see a Yamaha DJX IIB in your live setup!! Literally my first piece of "dj gear" at the ripe age of 13. Wow...... Mind Blown.
The production quality was incredible on this video!
Thanks!
3:04 ah I see you found the Sewerslvt preset
Thanks for making me google that😂
Didnt the V Synth also had a D field,
You should also check out the eg-101
Currently in negotiations about an EG101
@@AudioPilz Looking forward to that video. First gear I ever bought was the Roland EG101.
Gz zu 15K!
Vielen Dank!
Gotta say I love your content. Would be great to get some (slightly) deeper look into these kinda machines
Thanks! Still developing the format
Zoom wins, Roland close second.
Yamaha did some great stuff with QY300 & 700 as RM1x.
The current MC-101 and 707 are nice though.
What about a future Yamaha QY-1000? Yamaha is good at this.
Yeah. Yamaha is good at many things. Motorbikes, for example ;)
@@AudioPilz Yamaha is very solid (polka not so much, but hey).
It's made for drunk DJ's
who spill alcohol on their gear
You can polish it using clean spirits
Another fun episode. The D2 has one of the most unique, powerful and underrated sequencers, in my opinion. One very usable and interesting feature is the ability to fade-reverse the state of muted/unmuted tracks. Also, if orange isn't your thing.. There's ultra-rare blue and pink versions! Lol
Thanks! I saw a black one
I can't believe you did it! I feel kind of responsible for this. I've been waiting a review video on the d2 since forever! I own one and youtube it's full only with people doing terrible music with it. Thank you so much!
Pleasure and thanks for the suggestion!
3:37 Da Bass almost sounds like Russian Hard Bass donk.
It's an international Hard Bass Donk, appreciated in many countries around the world😅
That "Russian Hard Bass" is actually heavily inspired by UK Scouse House which was relying on donks way before the Russians did it.
Not gonna lie. Those preset patterns are really compelling to me.
There are certainly some nice ones among them
Was just looking at one one line for $400 Australian (€256) and came to your vid first for maximum cred. As usual , tried to just listen whilst doing something else , but on immediate replay experienced about ten laugh out loud moments in the first few seconds with your “rambunctious meme ninja” editing style , even too fast for my attention span. Top marks for detail, once again. Always entertaining and informative . Almost 100% certain that I could find some matching 90s activewear in the same orange, consequently I’m quite tempted to buy this fugly heap of shi- I mean Groovebox powerhouse!.
Nice find!!!
Oh my good lord I just did a search and you have done a video on the DJX2B, a magical object from my childhood... 😱
I would consider it dark magic;)
AudioPilz all I know is that I probably couldn’t do a handstand on it any more without serious risk to my life.
Again you completely missed it’s intended purpose: A Sasquatch Detector!
Controller for ACME© nukes
well, the volcas are toys compaired to the d2. even make songs in a surten scale, chord scales, i bet you don't own the d2. any idea why it got 8 numbers on the touchpad?! i bet you don't or maybe 1/10 you know why. you can create your own patches, own arpegioss, own scales, while you don't because wats in there is more than you need. call it cheesy, well then you never know how this D2 works. it has all the buttons and sliders and effects that even a 1000 dollar synths don't have. 2 lfo that can respond to every effect or patch or sliders on 512 1/4 steps, but it can have 96 steps in 1 volca step. ppi96. if i see the whole mega tutorial on the digitone i still find stuff the new ones cant but opposite too. what they buikd on a digitone i can build on a roland mc and or a d2. the d2 is the mc909 in pocket skin. you can build complete finished songs with that thing, 16 channel polyphonic and 32 bars per part and endless long songs, no new synth or groovebox touches that
Thanks for the insight. Had some fun with the custom scales but the D-Field was so wonky that I didn't manage to record even one proper melody. Does it work better on other units?
@@AudioPilz the scale settings are bind to the arpeggiators, record and system settings must be set right to record that. i know the reputation of the d2 and i laugh with everyone who then buys the volcas.
@@AudioPilz bid 2000 dollars for it. i will say NO!!! maybe 3000 euros, i would say yes.
@@stefanie_m466 - Hey, I added a D-Beam to my Volca so it is almost as professional as Roland now. (I agree about the coarse resolution of Volca and Pocket Operator, I thought my DR-110 was bad)
The volcas don't look like they came from a 1990s arcade prize counter tho
I like D2. I use it as a 4-midi channel desktop sound mound module. It works 100% with the MC-505 patch editor!
It has most same params as Roland JV-1080.
It’s great for programming pads and bass sounds, especially with the modulation modes between two tones!
Also excellent for midi mapping aftertouch, velocity, mod wheel, and pitch bend to 4 pitches, 4 filters cutoff / resonance, 4 amps / pan, and 8 lfos. It’s seriously great for making 4 tone stacked sounds user presets!
I like to mix n match pad sounds across 4 midi channels.
Interesting! I have to try that editor too!
Been waiting for this x legend
It had to happen
Perhaps not as ugly as a Casio XW-PD1... which i have sitting in a box because it has no midi... check it out, it's the worst gear I've ever touched and meant for the aliens from Arrival
Already searching for the falcon...
Holy f**k, just searched for it and the Casio XW-PD1 makes the D2 look like an Apple design! Like an oversized toy door keypad. Wow. Wow.
Like a door keypad, a fire engine and the Millennium Falcon had a wild sex orgy together and forgot to take precautions. Note to self: make appointment for psychotherapy.
You are setting the quality bar exceedingly high with each episode .
Thank you so much!
hi! This is a Great video , as you do always, I made live perofrmances with external midi controllers and D2 for years. I loved this machine. Have a nice day!
Thank you so much!!!
Perfect timing man! I literally just bought one today!
Great, have fun!
Those presets sound like the Jet Set Radio OST. I think I'm in love.
Best!
Amazing montage! Thank you AudioPilz
Thanks!
Editing is spot on, and the music showcasing the unit pretty catchy ...even more surprising when considering the gear at hand.
I'd be tempted to sample some snippets of those eurodance presets lol.
Just a quick question though, what constitutes 'more contemporary electronic music' 3:15 (;
Thanks! I was thinking of stuff that would work outside of a 90s revival party😅
@@AudioPilz well done! Cheers! (;
I just found this channel today and I have to say I love how petty it is. Most channels will talk about some obscure piece of gear and say "underrated classic??" and you're over here calling groove boxes ugly. God bless you.
Thanks! But let's be honest: ugly it is!
Hahaha, the video editing is aliens too!
Seems you don't only get carried away with 90s ROMpler sounds 😋
While I like this change I hope to also see your bookshelf episodes again ☺️
Thanks! The last episodes where oldschool bookshelf. Both is important, methinks
You did it! Great work. I love my D2
Thanks!
Great video..You should do an episode on the Casio CT1000P
Thanks! Didn't know that Casio
@@AudioPilz its first foray into 'profesional' instruments.. :-)
I used to have one. Definitely some good sounds hidden inside. Nice vid, as usual!
Thanks!
Loved the video! I also saw a Yamaha TQ5 in there somewhere. If you have one, maybe make a video about that. Even though it's not Bad Gear (tx81z + sequencer + some fx) it is sort of bad looking, in a fun kind of way. A sound module that resembles an 80's alarm clock..... and actually is!!
Thanks! I'd love to do the TQ5 but that was just some internet research. I'll take a look at it!
Great episode.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on the Casio xwpd1. I had one and absolutely hated it!
Casioland is still uncharted Bad Gear territory but that stuff is mostly hard to find around here
This is a great machine. It has all the bread-and-butter sounds you ever need, and in decent quality. Some sounds are even excellent - I often use one of the saxophone sounds at live gigs, and people are always surprised where the sax came from ... I use it purely as a sound module via midi-keyboard. But even the D-field is a winner: nothing gives you chaotic, unpredictable notes like the d-field played with five fingers. A sax via 5-fingered d-field sounds almost like Sun Ra ;-)
And all those effect sounds - falling filters, blibs, singing whales end whatnot ... you don't need to waste whole soundbanks on complex synths for that, you just dial them in. Add a good outboard reverb/delay, and you are good to go.
I love it!
Nice technique!
My favorite TH-cam show. I never knew this stuff existed and now I want it all. If you don't skyrocket prices for obscure used gear, you will be in near future
Thanks!