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Bad Gear - Akai XR-20 - The Last Digital Drum Machine???
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2021
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Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Akai XR-20 Beat Production Center. Is this zero years relic the last digital drum machine???
Funny thing about this channel is that each episode clearly shows that it doesn’t matter what gear you have; you can make almost anything sound cool if you try hard enough. Everyone always says that gear doesn’t matter but this guy really puts that to the test.
I like how the episode closing tracks are genuine bangers. This is why people love your channel my friend!
Thank you!!!
Pacing, editing, writing, great personality and he know his stuff. Aaaand can make bangers week after week? He’s the right man for the job!
For real!!!
Super "bangers" whoo! that second and third jam tho?! This dude and Alex Ball always have the coolest demos..
I feel like calling it "bad gear" and busting out these bangers, like it´s nothing, on a weekly basis gives me some confidence to just try and shit and be happy with it.
When you ask for an MPC for Christmas and you get this.
The horror!!!
I asked for this as a Christmas gift back in 2013 but my mom actually got me an MPC no bullshit
Its just like a MPC, without SAMPLING!!!
Definitely was my bday gift to myself… 7 years later I got my first MPC lmao
romplerwave is coming and when it finally does us XR-20 owners will be rolling in the dough
start investing in jv-1080s now
Romplerwave should be a thing!!!
Good thing I just bought a Korg 01/W
I can see bands like Kero Kero Bonito getting on the Romplerwave train. You heard it here first!
@@AudioPilz I love how old samplers sound, probably because i'm european
this channel has instantly become a part of my weekly routine! one more reason to love fridays!
Happy to hear that, thanks!
Same. How I got through the umpteenth lockdown and learnt to like Friday 😁👍
Yep same!
So true!
Absolutely brilliant, per usual. The hero we need, but definitely not the one we deserve. Thanks for your selfless and ongoing contribution to electronic music.
Thank you so much!!!
So we’ll hunt him. Because he can take it.
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed at a filter. 🤣 Thank you.
It's truly laughable
@@AudioPilz It almost sounded more like a fader than a filter, it was that bad.
I knew this day would come, it further confirms that every single part of my old rig (circa 2012) was in fact bad, bad gear...
It had to happen!
ahhh shit, AudioPilz breaking out the footwork. Now he’s really covered every genre
I think there's still a universe of genres to explore;)
Neuro-Hop?
we used to call that Ghetto-Tech..
@@AudioPilz Progressive Industrio-Warrior Thrash-Jazz Serval Metal!!!
Yes I just made that up!
Yes I threw a random cat in it!
Juke me baby
This drum machine is a real gem in disguise. Mega super drum rompler full of classic and modern electronic and hip-hop drum sounds. The trick is to make classic 808, 909, 707, acoustic drum kits with the included samples and do some choice edits to some of the preset drum kits. This one bangs -
I have to admit that I really liked that one too
I personally hook up the Midi out to Native Instruments MASSIVE or BATTERY or have the Midi In and out connected to a microKORG and use it as a Sequencer. Also the Synth Engine is very powerful. It's easy to hook into Pro Tools and Trigger Play/Record via MIDI to properly record PERFECT loops.
Another piece of equipment I own and cherish being absolutely roasted ( but also showcased ) haha thank you brother
Always a pleasure!
It's both an honor and a curse.
Those preset patterns sound like demos for killer 90s RnB
...about 10 years too late;)
We used to use one of these as the centerpiece for a band before moving (back) to mpc2000, amazing
Yeah, surprisingly powerful!
I have this drum machine I bought mine back in 2019.. I haven't really used it that much but I plan on it. You have literally reviewed half of the gear I own.. thank you 😆
There's a matrix of Bad Gear connecting people all over the universe;)
6:06 "I dont know about you but I would dance to this" Me dancing in my room right now.
So happy to hear that!
As you makes your way gradually through my gear collection, I am simultaneously thrilled to watch your videos, and horrified that all of my gear is bad gear 😅😅😅 Happy Friday Mr.Pilz
Thanks! Bad Gear is beautiful!
Ah dude, im sorry but i really laughed at you comment. Maybe you have an "advanced" skillset like our esteemed presenter. Making great from bad.
I own one and can't imagine parting with it. So much joy. So many limitations. So charming.
Agreed!
I saw your warning at the beginning of this segment of BAD GEAR ⬅️ Favorite channel!
I literally do have a seizure disorder and occasionally(albeit extremely rarely) have grand mal seizures that is primarily triggered by certain flashing lights, but mostly just petit mal seizures from extreme stress and the warning is %110 appreciated... But I'll always weather the storm for BAD GEAR!
Thanks! Better stay safe!
You are by far my favourite TH-camr!
Keep knocking these out brother, the information you provide to me is truly invaluable
Thank you so much!
So... The XR-20 is the unloved child, the Akai Family hides in the basement every time they get visitors?
😅
Cruel but very correct analogy;)
Next to the chained up wolves! Lol
How about episodes about:
- Korg microstation
- Akai MPK Mini Play
- Casio XWP1
- Casio XWG1
- Yamaha Reface DX, CS, etc.
- Yamaha Sonogenic SHS-500 and SHS-300
- Pioneer DJ Toraiz AS-1
- BOSS DR-01S
- Korg KR-55
- Korg KR-mini
- Korg KAOSS PRO+
- Alesis Harmony 54
- Roland Lucina AX-09
- Nord Modular G2
- Alesis CompactKit 7
- Fred’s Lab Tooro
- Korg Monotron series
- Korg Monotribe
Cheers :)
Great list, thanks!
@@AudioPilz you're most welcome :) Love the show, keep up the good work!
I personally hook up the Midi out to Native Instruments MASSIVE or BATTERY or have the Midi In and out connected to a microKORG and use it as a Sequencer. Also the Synth Engine is very powerful. It's easy to hook into Pro Tools and Trigger Play/Record via MIDI to properly record PERFECT loops.
Nice workflow!
I needed to hear this. I’ve been looking for a traditional sequencer (not step) for when I don’t want to use my daw or iPad. This will be a good compliment to my Jupiter Xm & Yamaha reface YC.
@@revp01 You will love this thing!
The DAWless jam with the TB-3 was so good. Love that mellow acid stuff
Thank you!!!
YOu should seriously release an album! the music you make is incredible
Thank you!!!
an album? in 2021? The real money is in youtube vids!
@@bradmodd7856 my band did both
bad gear vol1
40K wow. Unfassbar, wie du in der kurzen Zeit deinen Kanal hoch bringst. Ich bin so froh, dass guter Content doch noch funktioniert. Gratuliere.
Besten Dank!
This series kicks ass. You've taken gear review to the next level and beyond.
I'd love to see some of these bits of gear get the Bad Gear treatment:
Korg DS-10+ (Nintendo DSi version)
Casio CZ-101
Omnichord OM 32
Yamaha DD-10 or DD-12
Roland DR Rhythm Section
Great input, thanks! There's already a DD-10 version out there, btw;)
@@AudioPilz Oh damn...I missed an episode. Now I know what the next 20 minutes of my life holds....
I had this box and really enjoyed using it for a DAW-less experience. I loved the fact that it could run on Batteries and use it on an airplane when traveling for work. I always wanted an MPC, so AKIA had the pedigree. I used it for Hip-Hop exclusively and it was tailor made for it. Great content as always, thanks for featuring this!
Thanks for watching!
Not only dope jams as always, but this time even a more detailed review. Great content! 👍
Thank you!!!
You’re an incredible musician with these bleepy bloopy machines ♥️
Thank you!!!
I had a look at it some time ago but never decide getting it. I believe is good and portable for quick writing ideas and then sequence them using other instruments. Great work as usual man. Happy to see you kept the Blofeld too. Keep it up ;)
Thanks!
Thank you for the warning. I know photo sensitive epilepsy isn't common , so I really really appreciate it when people take the time to warn the few of us who have it. I have no idea why youtube doesn't just run a simple test on uploads to check for high contrast flashing at the appropriate frequencies
It goes without saying, better stay safe!
I use this drum machine on a lot of my music, but not on its own. Combining harsher sounds from this via MIDI with softer ones works for me . Never done a hip hop track in my life, but would not be without this quirky machine . It adds colour to my electronic music. Thank you for your channel which I love tuning into every Friday! Best Wishes from Maxx
Thanks! Agreed, great for non-urban styles!
to save system settings:
press system setup
hold save/copy & press rec (do it)
Thanks for the heads up!!!
This was a really good episode.
Thank you!!!
Come home from work..
Have a shower ....
Open beer and make a smoke..
Check out bad gear, tiss Friday after all 😁
This has become my routine so please keep them coming 😁👍
Thanks, I will!!!
Was looking for your video to be uploaded yesterday, got hugely disappointed it wasn't, turns out yesterday was a holiday not Friday. Today the Friday evening is saved though by another bad gear banger!
Every day should be Friday;)
I sold mine back in 2015, almost instantly regretted it, then bought a brand new one a few years later for only $80.
Yeah, those are still cheap!
Hi AudioPilz! Big fan, this actually inspired me to pick up the XR20 and I really like what it can do! I wanted to share a quick finding here that I've discovered just in case anyone else who watches this video discovers something similar! I believe that there may be multiple batches of XR20s that were sold with different presets (maybe as demos)? I recently purchased one and it has none of the factory patterns I've seen on videos across youtube. It appears to me that the default launch pattern is ADDIDAZ for most, whereas my XR20's opening pattern (with a factory reset) is called Rock 1. Additionally, my highest one-shot value is 584 and is called Slide 8 and my synth values range only from 585-683 and they're all bass sounds.
I'm wholly open to the idea that I may simply be missing a critical detail but wanted to put this comment out into the world and see if anyone else has experienced something similar. Thanks again for all your amazing work!
Thanks!!! Love the ADDIDAZ preset!!!
There are so many devices - so many! Thanks for the education, appreciated.
Since the summer has begun in Austria, when can we see another bad gear performance from the rooftop?
Thanks! Got something cookin';)
I always fold the laundry to a new episode of bad gear! Thank you!
Cool, got some laundry to fold here as well;)
The boombox murderous track was actually banging.
Thank you!
@@AudioPilz plz do one on the MC505. That was my main sequencer for years. Also, the Boss DR202 and SP202 should be done together
you know it's bad gear when it has a blue backlit lcd
It's the most important box to tick!
Surely there has to be some unholy marriage of backlit blue LCD and Aira TB-3 style single-touch interface?!
Tell that to my MPC 2500SE
The most appealing thing is that is looks like a mini MPC.... And I'm glad you mentioned the Alesis SR-16!!!! Good segment!
Yeah, if it wasn't for the blue LEDs;)
I just love the high editing skills... keep up the good work!
Thank you!!!
I got one of these for $20 at goodwill, I’m not mad
Great purchase!!!
I actually used this to write a double album 5 years ago 😀
Kudos!
Every episode of Bad Gear is gold!
Thank you!!!
Awww yeah, first time you review something I actually own! I picked up the Akai XR-20 cause I wanted to play drum samples from pads while live looping but didn’t want to spend over $200 on more expensive sampling/drum machines. So far, it’s worked great! Cool video as always man!
Thanks!
I still have mine and it is a powerful instrument! Just programmed a custum kit on it and a sequence for my next song on it today.
Imo I like how you call almost all the afordable gear bad that way ebay prices will always stay low for this stuff lol.
Agreed, that one is a true sleeper!
I want to but this tomorrow
that first tune you're playing with the moog filter is a mf banger, mate
edit: actually all of them :D
Thank you!!!
I love Friday evenings. Thank you AudioPilz!
Thanks for watching!
Great episode. Reverb thanks you for improving the marketability of bad gear worldwide.
Thanks!
I think I paid $80 for one of these a while back and it's honestly not bad as a minimal "brain" for playing songs. I'd typically use the MIDI out to drive a module like the DSI Mopho for bass while playing with another synth for leads/pads.
It's actually a really nice sequencer!
Okay I'm gonna be honest here, those presets sounded quite like the beats I made when i started out some 20 years ago. With fruity loops.
This box is more or less the hardware FL from back in the day;)
That filter was well… Special. Great stuff as always my friend!
Thanks!
Been trying to find a ZOOM Street Box... It's just my kind of bad gear and it's was also marketed in the same way as this XR20. Thank you for the great videos , I really appreciate them. You bring a lot of love to the bad gear crowd .
Thank you!!! The Zooms are more or less universally loved
End-Of-Show tune is SICK
Thanks!
The drums in this machine are amazing once you have the Comp/Eq settings on it. It slaps!
Which one is your preferred setting?
@@AudioPilz all of them. Just try the different presets
Audiopils clears the dance floor as the crowd part and point at some top notch dad dancing!
Dad dancing all the way!
@@AudioPilz happens to me all the time, I take too the dance floor and people can be observed pointing at the strange guy dancing.
Always glad to meet new instruments that were off my radar.
That one is actually highly recommended bc of the sequencer
Another Alesis/Akai crossover product the Alesis Micron/Akai Minak would be an interesting episode. I love my Micron, but pretty sure it still qualifies as bad gear.
Thanks for the suggestion! I just missed an offer on the local classifieds the other week😢
How often does that Kafka book get read?
It's mandatory reading in schools around here;)
@@AudioPilz That's really interesting, here in the UK it's 'The Hungry Caterpillar'.
Great tracks in this episode Florian!
maaan you had a lot of fun with this toy
Absolutely! Didn't expect that!
Top as always, big up!
Thanks!
very nearly bought one of these recently mistakenly thinking it could sample
That would be really great
@@AudioPilz was for my gf to go with her 303, ended up buying her the ik unodrum instead - another piece of bad gear whoops
@@realasspodcast Honestly bro. The Xr-20 is way better than the Uno drum.
The SU-10 was a good choice to pair with it. Only 4 polyphony, but that's enough for a loop plus some other donky bits.
@@milkweedreflections kind of wish i got her the xr20, but selfishly i've got some good results sequencing the unodrum from my 2000xl. the kicks are the main issue, like the roland 'anthology pack' i loaded on it seem really quiet and lack punch, but the huge true analog ones on there have an unwieldy transient click which is infuriating. very avoid
Seems like a fairly usable machine. Doesn't sound bad either, if that kind of sound is what you want.
When in doubt just send it through a smärgasbord of distortion pedals until it barely registers as percussion anymore and bam, profit.
Hard compression really helps
I watched this episode with my acid buddy but clicked on the video again to put a like and a comment...and re-watched it ;)
Thank you!!!
and you are actually using your Blofeld, too --- respect! you are the best!
Thanks! Great complement to the XR20!
I feel that you have been raiding my studio .. again!
The xr-20 is great for quick jams and live performances. I got it last year from a friend and paired it with a behringer td-3 which is a lot of fun. Sometimes I will take a factory pattern, drastically change the kit and tempo and then start muting voices, adding note-repeats for some ad-hoc fills. Instant "genre defying dance hit"!
The samples are indeed quite generic 0's vibe, but with a little tweaking of the settings, some creativity and external effects you can certainly make them your own. In the end I feel it's limitations are less of a burden than my experience with the Electribe 2 Sampler, even though that is an actual .. sampler! (video idea? Korg needs some Bad Gear love too :P).
My second drum machine was the Alesis sr-16, it's older brother, which has an editor available. It would be great if the xr-20 could have an editor so some of the limitations would be easier to deal with in a studio setting.
ET2 is on my list, thanks for the input!
It definitely remembers ever setting you specifically save to it. This is a piece of gear aimed towards hiphop producers who wanna record simple ideas on the fly. You can get this gear for $50-60 used. No need to trash it.. its not even an mpc lol
The times of 50-60 bucks seem to be over ;)
@@AudioPilz in what way, exactly? If it makes sound, it might be desired in a recording situation. If you had all the money in the world, it would be no object when it comes to a *sound you want*
@@rorz999 thats hilarious, being that every video I've seen is trashing it lol
thanks for covering this, i always wanted one of these
Thanks for watching! It's not sooooo bad;)
I was looking at the XR for the last two weeks...
but luckily for my wallet I'm subscribed to the AudioPilz :)
It actually has a nice sequencer!
This is awesome! I just recently bought this drum machine! I love it even though it has only 700 or so samples. I am thinking it would have been so awesome to be able to load a SD card into this drum machine with your own samples and the ability to sample. It would be a low cost MPC for sure! Why does not Akai make a low cost MPC? I have made some great beats on this machine, even drum & bass. The vocal samples are a bit cringe though :P This drum machine is really good for making those classic hip hop beats.
I assume they don't want to cannibalize their "real" MPC sales
You could attach it to a cheap Akai MPX-8 and you have your own samples!
I would come earlier, but had to wait two ads
Sorry for that, there's a version without interruptions on Patreon (no plug;)
Every Friday, I look forward to another AudioPilz drop!
Thanks!
The presets are hilarious, hard hitting hip hop and country. I need to get one again, it sounds good sequencing external gear.
Agreed!!!
No Kawai yet then!
Working on it!
Oh, forgot it was Friday 🙋
Have a nice weekend!
Great video and have a nice (polka)weekend.
Thanks!
Love the genre music, your videos are a highlight of my week
Thanks!
I currently still own the one that my dad bought me back in 2010/2011 (I picked it out) when I was 14.
I’m planning on selling it to a friend, but this makes me wanna give it one more shot.
Maybe I’ll plug in a distortion pedal and see what happens
Great for triggering external gear!
The only piece of bad gear I've ever owned (but is this a positive or a negative lol?). I would map it to drum racks in Ableton Live and do my best Madlib/J Dilla/MF DOOM impressions while pretending it was an MPC. The reverb was definitely alright.
Nice! Great sequencer!
Dude!!! Your jams kick ass!!! Your beats are always on point!!!
Thank you!!!
My life got sense! AudioPilz told the world incredible truths. We will watch, listen and obey...
Amen!
@@AudioPilz Looks as though you are now officially a cult leader. Well done, sir.
@Omar Khayyam AudioPilz is the grandmaster of CuRoG
@@AudioPilz OMG! The Grandmaster called my name! Now I can see the light 🌞
Dude. 5:35. Shut up, finish it, press it on 12 and take my money.
Thanks! There's a longer version on Patreon;)
I wouldn't call this bae "Bad Gear" at all.
Y'know, one man's Bad Gear...
This is not bad gear, this thing sounds good to me.
👍
Hands down my favorite music channel on TH-cam... Bad gear for life!!!!
Thanks! We live for Bad Gear!!!
Lol, but dammmmnnnnn!
It makes those white folks feet shuffle like River Dance.
RiverStomp!!!
This doesn't even look bad. That is not that bad gear
Y'know, one man's Bad Gear...
@@AudioPilz one man's Korg is the other man's Roland
Awesome little XR20! what a gem. It only has swing in record mode, it can imitate an 8 year old's mixtape using fruity loops in 2004, and it can romple. But seriously I want one. It can do midi sequencing, it's compact, it runs on cells.... and besides that I'm partial to a little retro rompling raggamuffin oohs ahs and orchestral stabs. Great episode! Love the jams
Thanks!
So today i blew an engine and i have to wait for parts. Bad gear helps me yet again.
No engines were blown during the production of this episode;)
I end up looking up loads of vids and memes from these vids (that skipping car 😂😂😂). Another great vid and genre too!!
Thank you!!!
the 8 year old using Fruity Loops comparison is seriously spot on lmao
Lol
Sick dude. Again. The footwork jam goddamn.
Thank you!!!
Great ! Amazing channel, I enjoy it very much.
Happy to hear that, thanks!
TB-3 again! You've convinced me and I give in, I want one now...
Such a great synth!
Never owned one but always had the impression these were a decent little work-horse of a drum machine at a not unreasonable price. I’m not really a drum machine user, so this was interesting..Thanks for featuring this.
Always a pleasure, thanks for watching!
You read my mind lmao as soon as this vid started I was hoping for a footwork jam. Thx Flo!
Always a pleasure!
Ooh boy been waiting for this one
Thanks for your patience!