In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we will have some fun with the Alesis 3630 RMS/Peak Dual Channel Compressor/Limiter with Gate. This piece of 90s equipment is loathed by music producers, electronic musicians and sound engineers alike but also gained legendary status as one of Daft Punk's quintessential tools.
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making Bad Gear better, we are going to mod the living hell out of a humble Alesis 3630 RMS/PEAK Dual Channel Compressor Limiter with Gate. Will it actually sound good? Can it hold up with the high-end signal chain of a pro mastering engineer?
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making Bad Gear better, we will reveal the results of the Modded Alesis 3630 VS Mastering Engineer shootout. On popular demand: some before/after comparison with acoustic sources and some French House.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we will go full-on Kevin Costner with the Akai Rhythm Wolf Drum and Bass Synth. This sheep in a wolf's clothing made a lot of music producers, bedroom musicians and groovebox enthusiasts lose their faith in the iconic Akai brand. Could it be the TB-303 of the future?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we will talk about the probably least sought-after member of the Roland TR family, the Roland TR-505. Can we find some use for the static 12 bit samples of this 80s relic?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we will talk about the notorious, the iconic, the one and only Boss Metal Zone. There are gazillions of videos about this stompbox effect and every well-informed gearhead knows how to use it for all kinds of Metal subgenres. We will go a step further and try to find out if the guitar pedal is any good for everything but Metal. In stereo. In a mindblowing recording studio.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we will talk about the mysterious BBE Sonic Maximizer. No one knows exactly what's going on inside of those controversial effects units but it is the first piece of gear that gave me actual nightmares.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to rave with the Roland MC-303. Can the weird user interface and the presets from hell keep us from making music?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we will accept the 100 Euro Behringer Challenge. Can we buy an entire oldschool Behringer home studio for under a hundred bucks? Will it work? Why would we want that? Plus: a lot of unboxing, some ASMR, total meme overload and (my) reactions
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to party like it's 1999 with the Yamaha DJX-IIb. Is it a real groovebox? Is it a toy? Who designed this thing? Why do I have to use a CD-ROM in 2020?
By popular demand, the entire promo video found on the Yamaha DJX-IIb CD-ROM.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to see if there is a medical (or probably even musical) application of the M-Audio Venom. Does it have a place in modern music production?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the universe's most hated audio tools, we are going to explore uncharted space and boldly go where no gear has gone before with the Red Sound Darkstar. Is it really that bad? Who knows... Probably aliens!
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk the talk with the Red Sound Darkstar VOCODA? Has anyone ever used it? Should you get the VOCODA EPROM for your Darkstar? Why are there no videos about it? I mean, there are videos about how to OPEN A DOOR!!!
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to fearlessly twist the knobs of a Korg Electribe EA-1. Will the Electribe hardliners show up at my place with torches and pitchforks? Is it really the odd one out in the bunch?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to let people pick their least favorite Korg Volca. Will our top-notch scientific research methods lead to the weakest link in the family?
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making even good gear better, we are talking about the inofficial firmware update for the Korg Electribe ER-1 drum machine. Can we take our beloved drum synths to a whole new level with "The Shaman's" operating system concoction? Is life without the stock samples even possible?
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making gear better, we are talking about an unofficial (and totally free) firmware update for the Korg Volca Sample. Can we turn it into a full-blown lofi sampling workstation using Pajens great software? Should we use it for sampling the snare of the Korg Volca Beats?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to ignore the developments of the last 30 years and rediscover the living fossil that is the Alesis SR-16. Do we really have to make backups onto tape? Drum plugins anyone?
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making Bad Gear better, we are going to turn a humble Roland TR-505 into a techno monster. How? Can it punch above its weight?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, I want to THANK YOU for being part of the show. We recently hit 1000 subs and things are looking very bright at the moment. Enjoy a jam with almost all protagonists of Bad Gear.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to feel our blood pressure rise in the face of two of the most despised guitar amps of all time. Can we get some usable sounds out of them? Should they be destroyed?
On popular demand a quick tutorial on how to fake metal guitars like in the Bad Gear episode about the Alesis SR-16.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to call in the Akai K9 unit. How much of a desaster is it really? Does it deserve a dog chew?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to order a short, full-fat synth with vocoder drizzle - the Korg Microkorg. Is it for Hipsters only? The Microkorg is a true original 21st century synth classic. Where does all the hate come from?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to make some super-airy pads out of prank toy sounds. Will we be able to reproduce the legendary Bronx cheer?
By popular demand, a quick tutorial on how to control the Microkorg using three different midi controllers.
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making Bad Gear better, we are going to find the weakest link in the signal chain of the cute little Line 6 Spider IV 15. Can we create some studio-worthy tones?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to have some clean 80s fun with the Korg PSS-50 SuperSection. Did we find the ultimate 80s cheesebox? Do you know any bends or mods for it?
For those who still can't get enough of the Korg PSS-50 SuperSection: all the demo songs. Do you know any real life applications for this forgotten piece of Bad Gear? Come for the cheezy grooves, stay for the classic memes.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to grab a bottle of water and step onto the dancefloor with the Roland TB-3. Are touchscreens any good for raving? Will the preset nightmare ever end?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to broadcast ourselves while getting freaky with the Arturia DrumBrute Drum Machine. Does it exist outside of YouTube videos? Is anyone using it for real music?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, I want to THANK YOU for being part of the show. All the Bad Gear really deserved a rooftop sundowner, too. Enjoy this 10K Subs Special jam, you make this show possible.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to take a look at the Akai Tom Cat. Is it a different breed than its canine family members. Will the Rhythm Wolf get jealous? Is it a total psytrance animal?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to take a deep dive into the live setup of the All The Bad Gear 10K subs special jam. Are there still people watching tutorials? Is there a copyright on the term "Rig Rundown? Who's in for another sundowner?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to go full circle with the Zoom ARQ AR-48 Groovebox. Who else couldn't resist the blowout sale?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to let people pick their least favorite Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator. Which one is the worst? Will democracy prevail?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk about the Ibanez RP2OD Rock & Play Pocket Band drum machine and distortion/overdrive unit. What should we do with it? Is it good for anything? Will feedback loop experiments help?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, I am meeting my old synth-Nemesis.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk about the legendary Yamaha DX7 digital FM synthesizer. Is it the Synth Of Fear?
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making gear better, we are going to talk about ways to control the Yamaha DX7 with midi controllers. Easy? Think again...
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?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools we are going to seriously impair our hearing with the Orchid Synthesizer 81 Model LC-516. Is it more than just a synth for cars?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools we are going to talk about the Korg Microkorg XL. Is it too bad for Hipsters?
In Bad News #1, the new sub segment of Bad Gear, I talk about stuff that didn't find its way into one of the regular episodes. This time: full tracks of the musical bits of the show, my contribution to the German Beat magazine and big shoutout to Simon the Magpie for giving a big shoutout to Bad Gear/Audiopilz.
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk about the original Novation Bass Station. Is this classic rack unit nothing but a bassless TB-303?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk about the Waldorf Rocket. Is this analog digital hybrid from hell just another piece of Bad Gear that sneaked into my life?
It this episode of Better Gear, the show about making gear better, we are going to talk about the Zoom Multi FX Pedal range (you know, the MS 50G, MS 60B, MS 70CDR, G1ON,...) and how to get all the algorithms into your stompbox with a simple hack. Pedal manufacturers hate this trick!!!
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk about the Novation XioSynth. Is it the almighty desert island plastic synth and music production studio?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, it's CROSSOVER TIME!!! We are going to talk about the Korg DDM-110 digital 80s drum machine but, even more important, we have the honor and the pleasure to welcome the one and only ALEX BALL on the Audiopilz channel.
After having the privilege of demonstrating so much wonderful gear on my channel, Florian came to me during an out-of-body experience to show me the path to true enlightenment – Bad Gear! …and boy was it bad!
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to ask ourselves how many actual products Roland squeezed out of the MC-505 engine. Is the JX-305 nothing but the pub gig version of the legendary groovebox?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to take a look at the Korg microSAMPLER. Is this alien-looking sampler keyboard the worst of the Korg Micros? Is it lost to the world?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about one of the classic late 80s, early 90s Roland black frontplate rack instruments, the Roland R-8M. Is this much-loathed drum module dinosaur and sequencerless version of the R-8 the rack 808 we have been looking for?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. By popular demand, we are going to take a look at my old Windows XP computer. Is it still the best operating system for music production (if it ever was;)?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk about the Arturia Minibrute Analog Synthesizer. Is this self-explanatory instrument the ultimate tutorial in synth form?
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making gear better, we are going to activate the sequencer known from the Arturia MiniBrute SE on the OG MiniBrute. Will this sequencer hack give us a new paint job and real unsimulated wood sides, too?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk about the Boss DR-550 Dr. Rhythm drum machine. Can this Roland offspring deliver some human feel?
In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to talk about the Roland Aira VT-3 Voice Transformer. Is this halloween-colored vocal processor the ugliest hardware Autotune?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about another one of the classic late 80s, early 90s Roland black frontplate rack instruments, the Roland D-110. Can this rack version of the D-10 and little sibling of the legendary D-50 provide the true 80s sound in a box?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha DD-10 Digital Drum Bank. Is it the ideal vintage lockdown electronic drum kit?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Boss DR-3 Dr. Rhythm digital drum machine. We liked (most of) its predecessors but is this more recent model any good? Is the doctor getting worse?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha FM Sound Generator FB-01. Can it be that it is the second worst FM synth (because there gotta be a worse one - leave a comment;)?
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making gear better, we are talking about the midi out hack for the Volca Sample (and all the other Volcas out there). Will it replace your BeatStep Pro, Sequentix Cirklon or Manikin Schrittmacher?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha SHS-10 keytar. Is it the most embarrassing synth of all time?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Quasimidi Sirius. Is this oldschool German rompler and groovebox the ultimate 90s techno machine?
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. On popular demand, we are going to talk about the Korg Kaossilator Pro, probably THE most requested piece of gear in the comment sections. Is it the Synth of Christmas Past and why did you put me through this right before the festive season? ;)
Today we are going to talk about the Korg DS-10 game card for the Nintendo DS handheld gaming console. Is this zero years virtual analog contraption the true Game Boy MS-20?
Today we are going to talk about the Casio Trackformer XW-PD1. How did Casio get away with this copyright-defying Millenium Falcon Thing?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland U-110. Is this 19" PCM sound module and first generation rompler yet another boring 80s synthesizer?
Today we are going to talk about the Elektron Digitakt. Is it more than an overpriced mono drum sampler? Will there be death threats?
In this episode of Better Gear, the show about making gear better, we are talking about getting more out of instruments we already own (like the Elektron Digitakt and Korg Kaossilator Pro) by using the RetroKits RK-002 intelligent midi cable. Will it make my stuff better?
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha RX-15 drum machine. Can we get more than small drums out of this big machine?
Today we are going to talk about the OG Roland Sound Canvas SC-55. Is it the ultimate vintage gamers synth? Will it run Doom?
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Today we are going to talk about the Roland MC-307, yet another MC-505 offspring. Do DJs hate it?
Today we are going to talk about the OG Yamaha DJX. Is it nothing but a Kid's Keyboard???
Today we are going to talk about the Korg S3 Rhythm Workstation. Is it the biggest Drum Machine Mystery in the history of music technology?
Today we are going to talk about the Akai MPC 500. Is this smallest and most stripped-down version of the legendary groovebox range still an MPC??? This video includes a short clip from the 1936 movie "Swing Time" featuring Fred Astaire. That movie contains negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. I try to keep the meme game as clean as possible but this one slipped my attention. Sorry for that.
Today we are going to talk about the Roland SH-201. Is this zero years plastic contraption with the big name the MP3 synth?
A quick look at the Roland SH-2 from 1979 , logically the 8th in the SH series ;)
Today we are going to talk about the IK Multimedia UNO Drum. Is it buggy like software???
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha SU10 Sampling Unit. Is it too lo-fi???
Today we are going to talk about the Casio SK-1. Is this 80s legend the original fart sampler?
Today we are going to talk about the Waldorf Blofeld. Is this zero years German gem the vintage sound of the future?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Phrase Lab MC-09. Is this synth, looper and groove box Frankenstein's Techno Lab???
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha CS1x. How can it be that this 90s classic is absolutely not my thing?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland JD-Xi. Is this jack of all trades a toy keyboard or a synthwave monster?
Today we are going to talk about the Dave Smith Instruments Mopho. Is this yellow mono synth giving the Pro-1 a Bad Name?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland A-01 Controller and Generator. Is it, after all, the most useless piece of gear of all time???
Today we are going to talk about the Roland MT-32. Is it every DOS gamer's dream?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Poly-800. Is this often frowned-upon keyboard the ultimate 80s throwback synth?
Today we are going to talk about the Akai XR-20 Beat Production Center. Is this zero years relic the last digital drum machine???
Today we are going to talk about the Roland TR-09 Rhythm Composer. Is this compact digital remake of the classic Roland TR-909 drum machine too small for dance music?
Today we are going to talk about the Modal Skulpt. Is this virtual analog synthesizer a sound designers dream or nothing but a plastic toy?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland PMA-5. Is this 90s touch screen sequencer and General Midi sound module the precursor of the iPad, Garage Band and every music production app in existence?
Today we are going to talk about the Novation X-Station controller keyboard and synthesizer. Can this zero years All in one Home Studio still hold up?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Electribe 2. Is this latest member of the iconic groovebox family a step backwards compared to its older siblings?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg KPR-77. Korg made some clones of classic Roland drum machines in the 80s - years before Behringer did with instruments like the TD-6. Is this vintage drum machine the evil sibling of the Roland TR-606?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland TR-8 Rhythm Performer. Has this 2014 drum machine already become a classic???
Today we are going to talk about the Roland U-20 RS PCM Keyboard. Is this classic 80s ROMpler the ultimate vintage synthwave instrument?
Today we are going to talk about the Akai MPX-8. Is this affordable little sample player the most epic fail in the history of music production???
Today we are going to talk about the Novation Circuit Groovebox. Did this stylish electronic musical instrument go through an unparalleled Groovebox Evolution?
Today we are going to talk about the IK Multimedia UNO Synth. Is this affordable analog beast not for pros?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg 707 FM synth and keytar. Did Korg bring analog feel to FM synthesis???
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Monologue Monophonic Analog Synthesizer. Is it an analog Electribe in disguise???
After 42 days without any Roland Gear we are going to talk about the Roland TB-03. Does this official fake of the legendary TB-303 sound like the legendary acid synth?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland SP-808ex e-Mix Studio Groove Sampler. What went wrong with the 90s flagship of the legendary SP series loved by famous artists like J Dilla, Madlib or Four Tet?
Today we are going to talk about the Casio RAP-1 Rapman. Is this early 90s home keyboard too cute for Bad Gear???
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Volca Keys. Is this classic staple of dawless setups all around the globe and Marvel Universe interrogation device the OG low key synth? Where did all the dank memes about it come from?
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha SY-22 Dynamic Vector Synth. Why is this soundtrack machine with a joystick not as popular as its sibling, the Korg WaveStation?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland SE-01. Is the only analog member of the Roland Boutique family the smallest Moog on the Planet???
Today we are going to talk about the Kawai K-1 II. Is this late-80s ROMpler the Dark Lord of digital synthesizers?
Today we are going to talk about the Quasimidi Rave-0-Lution 309. Is this 90s groovebox the better version of the Roland MC-303?
Today we are going to talk about the Alesis Micron. Can this brick - shaped compact virtual analog synth keep up with the Microkorg?
Today we are going to talk about the Novation Mininova. This classic compact synth suspiciously similar to the Microkorg has been turned into the Frankennova by the previous owner who just sawed off the keyboard.
Thank you all so much!!! There will be another "All the Bad Gear" episode but it is not ready yet. Stay tuned!!!
There has been a lot of talk about the more recent Boutiques, the JD-08 and JX-08 lately but today we are going to talk about the Roland Boutique TR-08. Can this miniaturized TR-808 clone provide the true vintage drum machine feel.
Today we are going to talk about the Arturia Microbrute. Does this stripped-down version of the OG Minibrute punch above its weight?
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha AN-200. Is this virtual analog sibling of the Yamaha DX-200, relative to the Yamaha AN1x and classic Yamaha groovebox "not a toy" like the marketing promised?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-1. Is this Ikea style open source digital mono synth DIY kit with the heart of the Korg Prologue and Korg Minilogue XD the ideal stocking filler?
Today we are going to talk about the Boss DR-202. Is the only Dr. Groove of the Dr. Rhythm family the dirtiest drum machine of all time?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland JX-8P. Is this very Yamaha DX7 - like knobless sibling of the famous Roland Junos and Roland Jupiters an 80s miracle? Will the Roland Boutique JX-08 be worth it? Will Espen Kraft be upset? Merry Christmas!!!
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Volca Kick. Is this very specialized member of the Volca family nothing but a one trick pony?
Today we are going to talk about the Boss SP-202 Dr. Sample. Can this 90s performance sampler provide the lo-fi goodness so many people are craving for? How low can you go???
Today we are going to talk about the Drumbrute Impact. Is the smaller version of the modern classic drum machine the better Drumbrute?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland EF-303 Groove Effects. Was it yet another attempt to milk the legendary Roland TB-303 moniker?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Boutique JP-08. Can this compact digital sound module capture the vintage synth magic and 80s sound of the OG Jupiter-8?
Today we are going to talk about the Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-110. Is this a e s t h e t i c 80s drum machine a Roland TR-606 in disguise???
Today we are going to talk about the Polyend Tracker. Is this hardware take on the ancient software-based music production technique yet another hipster toy???
Today we are going to talk about Beat Kangz Beat Thang. Is this mysterious sampling groove box and design masterpiece the long-awaited Akai MPC Killer???
Today we are going to talk about the Akai S2000 Stereo Sampler. Is there still some use for this 90s sampling workhorse or has it been surpassed by newer plugins and grooveboxes? Is it really that boring?
Today we are going to talk about the Philips PMC 100 Composer. This 80s groovebox/workstation thing and weird combination of an FM synth and a tape deck is the only Philips instrument that I am aware of. Will it replace your Yamaha DX7?
Today we are going to talk about the Elektron Model Cycles. Is this modern FM groovebox the Anti-80s Machine? Can this drum machine be the future of FM?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer. Was this vintage rhythm rompler the last great Roland drum machine and mark the end of an era.
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha RM1x Sequence Remixer. Is this 1999 dance-oriented groovebox a professional sequencer in disguise. Is it "The Raver"?
Today we are going to talk about the Moog DFAM, the Drummer From Another Mother. Is this semi-modular monophonic analog percussion synthesizer just a hipster toy or does it live up to the great heritage of Robert Arthur Moog?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland GAIA SH-01. This slightly dated synthesizer keyboard and home studio centerpiece is still available new. Is it virtual analog or are we dealing with a case of oscillator scam? Is it nothing but a plastic rompler?
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha DX100 Digital Programmable Algorithm Synthesizer. Is this cute 80s keyboard, keytar, Roger Troutman talkbox carrier and little sibling of the Yamaha DX7 the dirtiest FM synth of the Yamaha DX range? Does it have DAT BASS (solid bass, lately bass)??? Why didn't I get a Korg Volca FM2 like all the other YouTubers???
As it seems, I am the only gear YouTuber who didn't get a new and updated Korg Volca FM2 and we are going to take a look at the original Volca FM. Is this Yamaha DX7 compatible compact synth still up to the job or should we get the upgraded version?
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha RY30 Rhythm Programmer. If this 1991 digital drum machine declared "the 80s are over" - why are we still using Roland TR-808 and TR-909 sounds?
Today we are going to talk about the Teenage Engineering OP-1. Is this iconic synthesizer, sampler, virtual tape recorder, effects unit and milestone of scandinavian design the definition of modern vintage? Is it the ultimate portable groovebox for on the go?
Today we are going to talk about the Dreadbox/Polyend Medusa. Is this digital/analog hybrid synthesizer and collaboration between two of the hottest European synth manufacturers the ultimate sound design monster? How did it arouse so much controversy that even Benn Jordan felt the need to release a video defending it?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Aira System-1. Many people consider digital synthesizers to be nothing but a plugin in a box. Did Roland make it official? Can the plugout emulations of classic analog synths keep up with the vintage originals?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station. Is the successor to this analog groovebox, bigger sibling of the Monotrons and acid version of a classic Electribe long overdue? Where's Version 2???
Today we are going to talk about the Clavia Nord Lead 2. Is this pioneering virtual analog synth cold as ice? Why do so many legendary synthesizers come from Scandinavian countries?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland MC-808 Groovebox. Why didn't the last classic Roland groovebox and scaled down version of the MC-909 become a classic? Are the motorized faders cursed?
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha Reface CS. Is this 2015 virtual analog synthesizer The iSynth or just a scaled down version of the 1998 AN1x???
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Boutique JU-06A. Did Roland nail the timeless character of the original Juno 60 and Juno 106 this time?
Today we are going to talk about the Arturia Microfreak. Is Le Freak a revolutionary hybrid synthesizer or yet another buggy nightmare?
Today we are going to talk about the SM Pro Audio V-Machine. Is this zero years linux-based VST Plugin Host still up to the job in 2022. Can it run Crysis (and/or classic vintage plugins like Delay Lama)?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Volca Drum. Is the third drum sound specialist of the Volca series (after the Beats and Kick) a worthy successor to the legendary Korg Electribe ER-1 drum machine? Can it step out of the Shadow of the Electribe and when will Korg release the long overdue Drumlogue?
Today we are going to talk about the Circuit Mono Station. Is Novations analog mono synth groovebox and lovechild of an OG Circuit and a Bass Station 2 nothing but a photoshop fail? What went wrong?
Today we are going to talk about the Ensoniq Fizmo. Is this one-of-a-kind digital transwave synth and unicorn of the kingdom of controversial gear actually worth the money it goes for on the used market. Why did it fail in the first place?
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha TX81Z FM Tone Generator. Is this classic Yamaha FM synth nothing but the home to the iconic 80s bass, the legendary Lately Bass preset? Can it be worse to operate than the Yamaha DX7? Will rack synthesizers ever look good on social media?
Today we are going to talk about the E-MU Orbit 9090. Is this 90s dance version of the classic E-MU Proteus rompler rack synth vintage now? Is this still a dance planet?
Today we are going to talk about the DSI Tempest Analog Drum Machine. Is this hybrid drum machine created by two of the most influential figures in music technology, Dave Smith (creator of the Prophet 5 and important contributor to the midi standard) and Roger Linn (father of the Akai MPC and all that fancy 80s drum machines), the gold standard for hardware-based music production or did the two legends aim too high?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Boutique JX-03. Why did they emulate the Roland JX-3P, a nerdy, mostly knobless distant relative of the legendary Roland Juno-6, Juno-60 and Juno-106 and are the added knobs of the PG-200 controller an advantage over the original?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Volca Modular. Is this compact modular system the ideal introduction to West Coast - style modular synthesis? Would Don Buchla approve? Modular - not even once!!!
Today we are going to talk about the Donner B1 Analog Synthesizer and Sequencer. Can the Donner B-1, inspired by the legendary Roland TB-303, keep up with the competition of affordable acid synth clones like the Behringer TD-3, Roland TB-03, Cyclone Analogic TT303, DINSync RE-303 or Mode Machines x0xb0x? Is it yet another affordable mono synth? Who's the mysterious company behind it?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Aira Compact T-8. Is the tiny groovebox a worthy competitor to Korg's iconic Volca range and can it be that Roland is a little late to the party?
Today we are going to talk about the Teenage Engineering OPZ. Is this compact multimedia synthesizer and sequencer with visualization options based on vj footage and the unity engine an actual improvement over its older sibling, the Teenage Engineering OP-1? Does the implementation von iOS devices like an iPhone or iPad actually work?
Today we are going to talk about The Prophecy, used by artists like The Prodigy and Joe Zawinul. Is this hard to use menu diving hell of a 90s digital mono synth worth the effort? Do the virtual analog synth engines and physical modeling voices still hold up today? Can I handle a solo synthesizer?
Today we are going to talk about the Elektron Digitone. Does this digital synth sibling of the Digitakt and Syntakt finally make FM synthesis accessible to synth noobs? Does the awesome Elektron sequencer of this FM groovebox / drum machine make a difference and why is it technically less powerful than classic 80s synths like the Yamaha DX7?
Today we are going to talk about the Akai Miniak. Why is this 2010 virtual analog synth so suspiciously similar to the Alesis Micron and Alesis Ion and still so different. Is it just an Akai MPK 49 with some added synthesizer sounds?
The Roland Audio Destruction Patch Box sold by Circuitbenders.uk is probably the easiest, most convenient and most elegant circuit bend of all time leaving the original instrument untouched. No soldering, no modifications, you don't even have to open the enclosure of your classic Roland R-8, Roland R-8m, Roland U-110, Roland U-220 or Roland MV-30 - just put the fake ROM card into an expansion slot and go to town on the external patch box. Instant circuit bending goodness, ideal for hardcore techno or industrial.
Today we are going to talk about the Modal CraftSynth 2.0. Is the second version of this British digital monophonic wavetable synth an actual improvement over its Kinder Surprise Egg - style DIY-Kit predecessor and a worthwhile addition to its polyphonic sibling, the Modal Skulpt?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Minilogue. Is this analog polyphonic synthesizer a dream come true for beginners and professionals alike? Is it as good as the new black and red Minilogue Bass? Does it actually sound good?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Volca Nubass. Does this Roland TB-303 - like analog synth based on Korg's Nutube technology bring anything new to the table or is it just another monophonic acid synth. Are Nutubes real Tubes/Valves? Is Korg aware of all the Volca memes - you know, Noobass (LOLZ, ROFL,...;)???
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Aira Compact J-6. Is this preset synth version of Rolands classic Juno emulation usable for professional music production and why did they put in a chord sequencer that seems like the lovechild of an 80s Casiotone accompaniment section and a Unison Midi Chord Pack? Is it better than a Korg Volca?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland JP-8080. Is this classic digital 90s VA synth pioneer and rack synth / desktop synth sibling of the Roland JP-8000 keyboard just good for the legendary trance sounds and 90s rave cliches or can we coax some timeless tones out of it?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland TR-626. Is this budget 80s drum machine worthy of the Roland TR legacy and can it hold up with legends like the TR-808, TR-909, TR-707 and TR-606? Is it as bad as the TR-505, the worst vintage drum machine of all time? Can the crunchy 8 bit lofi samples be used in modern music production?
Today we are going to talk about the Image Line FL Studio. Is this piece of audio software, released in 1997 under the Fruity Loops moniker, nothing but a meme daw or is actually superior to other programs like Apple Logic, Cubase, Ableton Live, Avid Pro Tools or Bitwig? Why does it trigger "real musicians" so much?
Today we are going to talk about the Behringer Model D. Is this original creation of Uli Behringer worthy of the iconic legacy (the one of Behringer, not Moog)?
Today we are going to talk about Elektron Model:Samples. Is this entry level groovebox and sample-based drum machine the perfect introduction to the Elektron workflow? Is it "My First Elektron"?
Today we are going to talk about Waldorf Kyra. Is this high-end synth and VA synthesis flagship even a real Waldorf? Is it a wavetable synthesizer? What's an Exodus Valkyrie? Who's Manuel Caballero, what's so great about FPGA technology and do we really need another digital synth in a world full of software instruments and plugins?
Today we are going to talk about the Casio HT3000. Is this 80s home keyboard with an analog filter the last affordable vintage synth. Will it replace your Moog or Prophet? Did I want to ride the Shakira vs. Piqué Casio controversy hype (of course I didn't;)?
No he didn't... Today we are going to talk about the Bass Bot by Cyclone TT-303. Is this carbon copy of the original Roland TB-303 Bass Line the perfect acid synth. Is it still relevent with all the clones like the Behringer TD-3 around? Is the build quality a dealbreaker?
Today we are going to talk about Moog Little Phatty. Did this modern take on the classic Moog formula and one of the last instruments Robert Arthur Moog worked on age well? Can the analog synth engine be tamed with the UI of a MicroKorg? Does it live up to the legacy of masterpieces like the Minimoog Model D or other synthesizers created by the legendary Bob Moog?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland JD-08. Is this digital synthesizer, member of the Roland Boutique family and miniscule version of the somewhat legendary Roland JD-800 a worthwhile alternative to the 1991 original? Did they emulate the red glue too? Is this synth just ri-di-cu-lous ?
Today we are going to talk about the IK Multimedia UNO Synth Pro. Can this analog synthesizer and bigger sibling of the original UNO Synth and UNO Drum still hold up in today's music tech landscape of abundance? Why are there no memes about this analog synth? Should I get it or draw 25 cards?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland TR-6S. Is this modern drum machine and little sibling of the critically acclaimed TR-8S only a sketch pad for quick ideas or is it up to the job of being the centerpiece of setups both live and in the studio. Well, Roland's Gonna Roland.
Today we are going to talk about the Roland JV-1080. Is this classic Roland rack synth the Roland Cloud of the 90s? Can these sounds still be used in modern music production or do we have to subscribe to Zenology? Can it hold up with analog synths?
Today we are going to talk about the Evolver by Dave Smith. Is this very first instrument and hybrid synth released by DSI a modular synthesizer in a box or the false prophet? Is it still in the tradition of classic Sequential Circuits synths?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Drumlogue. Is this brand new digital/analog drum machine the game changer we have been waiting for or is it just another unfinished hotchpotch of old technologies? Can it keep up with Elektron machines like the Octatrack or Digitakt?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg MS2000. Is this virtual analog synth and older sibling of the Microkorg still worth getting or is its compact successor the more convenient option? Is it the Macrokorg?
Today we are going to talk about the Lennar Digital Sylenth1. Is this ancient virtual analog synth plugin similarly influential as hardware classics like the Yamaha DX7 or Korg M1. Can it hold up when compared to other software instruments like Serum, Massive or Spire?
Today we are going to talk about the Arturia MiniBrute 2. Is this eurorack compatible analog synthesizer and successor to the original Arturia MiniBrute worthy of its legacy? Is it the best beginner instrument for modular synthesis?
Today we are going to talk about Sonicware Liven XFM. Is this 2022 FM groovebox able to compete with the big players in both, the groovebox game and field of FM synthesis like Elektron, Korg and Roland?
Today we are going to talk about Elektron Syntakt. Is this member of the Elektron Dark Trinity just a rehash of recycled technologies taken from instruments like the Digitakt, Digitone, Model:Cycles, Octatrack, Analog Rytm and Analog Four? Does it provide real innovation?
Today we are going to talk about the Pioneer Toraiz AS-1. Is this DJ tool designed by the legendary Dave Smith of Sequential Circuits fame a real Prophet. Is it the Sequential Profit?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Boutique JX-08. Is this digital recreation of the classic Roland JX-8P from the 80s up to the job of creating classic vintage synth sounds? Is it not the 80s?
Today we are going to talk about Waldorf Pulse 2. Is this recently discontinued modern analog synth ticking all the boxes? Was it discontinued for a reason?
Welcome to the AudioPilz SuperBooth 2023 special. Will it provide The Truth about Super Booth 2023 ??? Including Borat - like encounters with Tatsuya Takahashi of Korg Berlin, marketing-meetups in the Teenage Engineering bus, my failure of getting a Yamaha representative in front of the camera, my lost Elektron brother, we will find out about how Polyend deals with trolls, whether Arturia people actually like the Drumbrute, there's plenty of meme goodness and I will jam on all the synths that I'm otherwise not allowed to put on Bad Gear. Finally and most importantly: does Nick Batt of Sonic State know about all the memes about him?
Taken from the AudioPilz SuperBooth 2023 special. The one and only Nick Batt Rating Memes of Himself. It was a pleasure and and honor. The legendary and very self-aware founder of Sonic State, PWM lover and iconic music producer of DNA and Goldfrapp fame agreed to rate memes on a scale from 1 to 10 with British humour and also provided essential wisdom. Does he know about the pulse width modulation memes?
Today we are going to talk about Oberheim Matrix 1000. Is this 80s analog synth in the compact 19" rack format and little sibling of the Oberheim Matrix-6 on par with timeless classics like the Oberheim OB-X. Are you willing to enter the matrix of arcane sysex midi commands?
Today we are going to talk about Roland System-8. Is this soon abandoned flagship synthesizer, little sibling of System-1, part of the Roland Aira range, virtual analog synth, Roland Cloud plugout host and overall eye-sore a future classic or just another expensive plastic toy? Is it worthy of the rich Roland Jupiter-8 and Roland Juno-106 legacy?
Today we are going to talk about Roland Aira Compact S-1. I this super compact virtual analog synth inspired by the legendary Roland SH-101 and striking sonic similarities to the Roland Boutique SH-01A and Roland System-1 made for Bad Gear?
Today we are going to talk about Moog Mavis. Was this eurorack ready semi-modular analog synthesizer DIY kit with a twist of Buchla style West Coast synthesis the beginning of the end of the iconic synth company founded by Bob Moog.
Today we are going to talk about Korg OpSix. Is this next level frequency modulation synthesizer with its faltered FM synthesis a Yamaha DX7 on steroids or is it just another Korg "OopsSix" with its build quality issues and plasticy enclosure? Is it the best FM synth for beginners???
Today we are going to talk about Roland V-Synth. Does this highly misunderstood former Roland flagship synth deserve the online hate and why did it fail back in the time when it was released? Is it on par with other classics like the Roland Jupiter-8, Roland D-50 or Roland JP-8000?
Today we are going to talk about the Casio RZ-1. Is this classic 80s drum machine and sampler the holy grail for nailing the vintage sound of early De La Soul (Three Feet High and Rising), Wu Tang Clan (The RZA), Daft Punk and the Chemical Brothers or is it just a corny lofi beats maker? Can it stand it's ground when compared to the Roland TR-707 or lofi sampler instruments like the Roland SP-202 or Roland SP-303?
Today we are going to talk about Novation Bass Station 2. Has the immensely popular successor to the original Bass Station from the 90s become a classic in its own right for a reason? Should you get the AFX Station? That's no moog, it's a...
Today we are going to talk about the 1010music nanobox Fireball wavetable synthesizer. Is this ultra-compact digital synthesizer just another lifestyle accessory or can it keep up with its big software counterparts like Serum VST? Is it a better choice than its granular (nanobox lemondrop) and FM drum machine siblings (nanobox razzmatazz). Is it too smol to be a performance synth???
Today we are going to talk about the Roland JD-XA hybrid synthesizer. Is this analog and digital flagship synthesizer fail the last analog Roland synthesizer and is the Roland JD XA worthy of the legacy of 80s classics like the Roland Jupiter-8?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland Boutique SH-01A. Is this digital synth clone of the iconic Roland SH-101 analog synthesizer still up to the job or is it surpassed by the Behringer MS-1 or the even more compact Roland Aira Compact S-1?
Today we are going to talk about the Polyend Tracker Mini. Does this successor to the original Tracker and compact sampler, sequencer, groovebox and dawless centerpiece with its gameboy controls and compact form factor even make sense or is it another hipster toy with its field recording features? Is it the "Tracker Field" as Teenage Engineering might have called it?
Today we are going to talk about Bad Gear, you know, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Is this relentless roast of Bad Gear, the AudioPilz YouTube channel, its meme laden comedic music tech content and the accent of its weird talking host Florian the long overdue revenge for years of synth, drum machine and groovebox trolling? Is every music tech YouTuber, synthfluencer and music production social media person in there? Is it ticking all the boxes?
Today we are going to talk about the Arturia MiniFreak. Is this hybrid digital and analog synthesizer the long-awaited superfreak? Is it more powerful than its little sibling, the Arturia MicroFreak and can it compete with the other synths in this pricerange like the Korg Minilogue XD, Modal Argon and Hydrasynth Explorer?
Today we are going to talk about the cre8audio West Pest. Is this affordable semi modular analog synthesizer and hommage to Don Buchla 's West Coast synthesis The Pest? Can it keep up with competitors like the Korg Volca Modular, is it worth it without adding even more Eurorack modules and can it create the strange sounds of the antithesis to Bob Moog 's East Coast synthesis? Should I get the cre8audio East Beast instead?
The EBOARDMUSEUM is probably the biggest synth museum in the world and contains rare exhibits ranging from the very first Minimoog (Serial 1001) to all kinds of synthesizer classics like the Yamaha CS-80, Roland Jupiter-8, instruments used by famous artists like Mike Oldfield, Tangerine Dream and The Grateful Dead, various string machines, vintage modular synthesizers and an absolutely incredible collection of organs including the very first Hammond organ from 1935.
Today we are going to talk about the Roland MC-101 Groovebox. Is this youngest member of the Roland Groovebox family and little sibling of the Roland MC-707 on par with competitors like the Teenage Engineering OP-1, Elektron Digitakt or Korg Electribe?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Electribe EM-1 Music Production Station. Can this all-in-one music production tool from the year 2001 give us the sound of the 90s??? Is it on par with its more famous sibling, the Korg Electribe ER-1 rhythm synthesizer and can it keep up with contemporary grooveboxes like the Korg Electribe 2, Akai MPC One, Roland MC-101, Elektron Digitakt or Teenage Engineering OP-1??? The 90s called... they want their crunchy lofi samples back.
Today we are going to talk about SERUM. Is this cpu hungry software synth released by Steve Duda s company XFER the industry standard for wavetable synthesizer s, dubstep wubs & wobbles, EDM synth donks or are there better alternatives out there when it comes to modern VST instrument s. Is it too hard-sounding for analog synthesizer aficionados? Can it keep up with its competitors Phase Plant or Vital?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland SH-4d. Is this groovebox and multitimbral synthesizer based on subtractive synthesis, wavetable, FM synthesis, ring modulation and vintage synths like the Roland SH-101 or Roland Juno-106 the missing link between synth and drum machine. Can it keep up with competitors like the Elektron Syntakt or Teenage Engineering OP-1? Does it play in the same league like the new Roland Jupiter-X or even its conceptual predecessor, the Roland SH-32? It's really Bad?
Today we are going to talk about the Moog Mother-32. Is this semi-modular synth and ultimate gateway drug into the world of Eurorack really Bad Gear-worthy or am I just trying to find a way to make my post inMusic takeover purchase tax deductible? Is it really a one-of-a-kind analog synthesizer or should you get the Behringer Crave or Behringer Model D?
Today we are going to talk about the Akai MPC ONE. Is this groovebox, music production platform and successor to legendary instruments like the Akai MPC 60 and MPC 2000 and sibling to the more upscale models Akai MPC Live and Akai MPC X on par with its competitors like the Elektron Octatrack and even software solutions like Ableton Live or FL Studio? Is it NPC ONE???
Today we are going to talk about the Roland GAIA 2. Is this virtual analog and wavetable synth, successor to the controversial Roland Gaia SH-01 and Korg Minilogue lookalike truly bad or just mediocre? Are The Horrors of Mediocrity of the Roland Gaia 2023 enough for a Halloween episode?
Today we are going to talk about the Teenage Engineering Choir. Is this collection of wooden dolls just a piece of interior design for oversaturated hipsters singing songs from the public domain or is it an actual musical instrument with its compatibility to standard bluetooth midi devices and the Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field?
Today we are going to talk about the Roland SP-404 MK2. Is this creative sampler, successor to the Boss SP-303 used by famous artists like J Dilla and Madlib and competitor to modern groovebox es like the Elektron Digitakt or Akai MPC ONE the end of lofi?
Welcome to another non - Bad Gear episode. I built ReBirth for real and this happened. Propellerhead Rebirth RB-338, the iconic 90s music production software and virtual groovebox was my first electronic musical instrument. Since then I had the dream of reconstructing the classic setup consisting of a Roland TR-808, a Roland TR-909, two Roland TB-303 and specific set of effects. Can we recreate the software workflow, are the famous vintage instruments as great as anybody is telling you and is all this worth the hassle?
Today we are going to talk about the Korg MS-20 Mini analog synthesizer. Is this official clone of the legendary Korg MS-20 mono synth worthy of its legacy in spite of the reduced size, atrocious build quality and questionable circuit design? Should I get the Korg MS-20 FS??? Is it yet another excuse to get great-sounding instruments into this meme video? AudioPilz!!! Not Again!!!
Today we are going to talk about Dreadbox Nymphes. Is this compact polyphonic analog synthesizer a worthy replacement for classics like a Roland Juno or the Sequential Circuits SixTrak it was inspired by? Is it on par with other Dreadbox synths like Erebus and Typhon and is the UI truly a tragedy???
Today we are going to talk about the Roland MC-505 Groovebox. Is this late 90s all-in-one dance music solution, successor to the Roland MC-303, the last real MC or is it yet another rave music cheese machine? Can it hold up with successors like the Roland MC-707 ???
Today we are going to talk about Korg Wavestate MKII. Is this brand-new digital synth, facelift of the original Korg Wavestate, modern take on the legendary Korg Wavestation from the 90s worthy of the rich wave sequencing legacy? Should you get the much more expensive Wavestate SE, Wavestate SE Platinum or just use the plugin!!! Why not just use the plugin?
Today we are going to talk about Antares Autotune. Did this 1997 plugin and Melodyne competitor end music as we knew it or does it open up a universe of vocal performance possibilities? What would Cher and T.Pain be without it? Is it the literally most-hated?
Today we are going to talk about the Behringer TD-3 Barbie Edition Prototype, code name "Barbinger". Is this exclusive version of the ultra successful Roland TB-303 clone with its built-in take on the Boss DS-1 distortion pedal the ultimate acid synth? Does the pink paintjob and Barbie branding add to the classic mono synth tone?
Today we are going to talk about the Polyend Play Plus. Is this updated version of the original Play groovebox and distant cousin to the Polyend Tracker worth the price of the hardware upgrade (which is $399). Is GearTube toxic AF??? Should you just keep the OG Play and add a few synths instead? Are early adopters of Play disappointed for a reason?
Today we are going to talk about Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator Modular 400. Can this analog Eurorack compatible modular synthesizer DIY kit be used in actual music production or is it yet another stylish coffee table decoration released by the Swedish design company? Will it survive the IKEA - like assembly process and why do I call it The Yellow Bastard ?
Today we are going to talk about Korg Volca Bass. Is this member of the original Volca trio (Korg Volca Beats, Korg Volca Keys and The OG) still The Bass??? Has this compact synth turned into a modern analog synth classic?
In this video we are going to talk about how a piece of Bad Gear turned into my favorite synthesizer, the reasons why I’m using this ugly design failure all the time, why the Roland TB-3 is massively underrated and how both total beginners and seasoned pros can benefit from what only SEEMS to be a UI nightmare and dumbed-down preset abomination trying to capitalize on the heritage of the famous Roland TB-303 . This is a redemption story of the infamous green synth .
Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha Reface DX FM synthesizer. Is this 2015 descendant to the iconic Yamaha DX7 , Yamaha DX100 and sibling of the Yamaha Reface CS worthy of the legacy and can it keep up with other modern FM synths like the Korg OpSix ? Are we entering the Danger Zone ?
Today we are going to talk about Roland TR-06 . Does it even make sense to release a digital drum machine based on the not so iconic Roland TR-606 ? Was the analog Behringer RD-6 first this time? Did we need another Roland Boutique reissue of a a vintage drum machine and 80s classic like the tr606 and why would anyone want this ? Do the additional sounds taken from other machines like the Roland TR-808 and Roland TR-909 make a difference?
Today we are going to talk about SOMA Lyra-8 . Is this organismic synthesizer , ritualistic instrument and icon of industrial civilization a modern synth classic or is the King naked? Here on Bad Gear - Synthesizer Plays You !!! Synth plays you in this synth ritual .
In this video we are going to talk about the most memorable Bad Gear episodes and I will rank synths, drum machines and grooveboxes in a Tier List . Best of Bad 2024 . Best of Bad Gear .
There aren’t many software companies whose influence on electronic music is comparable to iconic hardware brands like Roland and Korg - Native Instruments is certainly one of them. They defined the industry standard for sampling, established in-the-box modular synthesis and made using FM much too easy but today we are going to talk about Massive. Putting this 2006 wavetable softsynth and primary ghost writer of the first three Skrillex EPs on the show is - quite literally - long overdue as, after the usual venture capitalist fustercluck and discontinuation of Absynth, it can only be a matter of months until this classic plugin stops working properly on contemporary computers.
It's Kindergarten Engineering !!! I’m still coping with NAMM 2024 PTSD and I wasn’t even there. Korg released the successor to a synth the world forgot, Uli is getting really good at selling faster horses and Moog decided to save the important announcements for a much bigger show. Yamaha - on the other hand - returned from a groovebox hiatus of over two decades only to release a display-less Lego cigarette trying hard to catch up on a trend based on a device that was announced at Messe 2009. Yamaha - It’s good to have you back.
Today we are going to talk about EP-133 KO II. This compact sampler and 80s tax consultant’s best friend lookalike is based on one of TEs very own Pocket Operators and while its price tag seems to be missing another zero at the end having "how to repair it" videos come out only days after its release is NOT the kind of innovation we had wished for.
Nothing is sacred . After weeks of brand-new direct-to-Bad Gear game changers even hardened internet trolls like me fancy a little palette cleanser. Today we are going to talk about the original Roland TR-707. This vintage drum machine and digital sibling to the more iconic TR-808 and TR-909 is mostly perceived in one of two ways: a timeless classic for both realistic drum sounds and futuristic 80s house OR the most boring and obsolete cheesebox since whatever Casio came up with back then.
Hey everybody, in this video we will take a look at the infamous Akai Animals, Rhythm Wolf, Tom Cat and - of course - the legendary Timbre Wolf. We will try to find out if they are as bad as everyone says, how these analog machines have earned their questionable reputation and maybe we can even make them work in actual music production .
After redirecting the money for a nice 2018 weekend trip, spending a couple of years in my own private Elektron bootcamp and embracing the “limitations breed creativity” Zen I have become quite an avid Digitakt user. However, today we are going to talk about the Boss DR-5. This 1994 drum machine looks suspiciously similar to the Swedish mono samplers so after rumors of Digitakts discontinuation started swirling a while back I might as well take a look at this cheapskate alternative.
Synthesizers can be considered a mature technology. Traditional manufacturers focus on the regurgitation of classics, market disruption is limited to design overkill and process optimization and real innovators are crushed by the relentless economics of this oversaturated niche. Today we are going to talk about Hydrasynth. This range of next-generation synthesizers caused a hype that usually only comes with the release of Scandinavian hipster gadgets and depending on whom you ask they’re either the CS-80 of the 2020s or a harsh and digital sounding testament to the demise of a culture.
We can all agree that Roland created a few quite respectable drum machine like the Roland TR-808 , Roland TR-909 , Roland TR-606 and Roland TR-707 . However, since then their target demographic has dwindled: analog enjoyers have joined the Cult of Uli, people willing to RTFM are using next-generation Scandinavian abaci like Elektron Digitakt or Elektron Octatrack and real musicians switched to computers decades ago. Today we are going to talk about Roland TR-8s. This 2018 flagship rhythm performer not only boasts a design language that clearly focuses on inner beauty - it also combines the played-out sounds of the 80s with the workflow of a 90s ROMpler.
There is no lack of compact, costly and multitalented touchscreen devices in our lives and usually we want to get away from them - especially when making music. Today we are going to talk about 1010music blackbox. This 2019 “thing” not only threw down the gauntlet to its competitors in the crowded field of sampler / sequencer combos with an acute fit of feature-based megalomania, it also wants to take on the big Berlin Excel of DAWs.
Roland instruments are the pinnacle of music technology: tones so awesome that they are still force-fed to music enjoyers decades after their creation, timeless design and a history of pushing forward innovation exactly where it’s needed while preserving their great heritage. Today we are going to talk about MC-707. This OG groovebox for the 2020s comes with the third-best display to ever grace a Roland machine, their second-best modern take on the classic sounds and THE best method to sell more cloud subscriptions.
There are these unfounded rumors that this show is not actually about Bad Gear, that I just pick random stuff I want to make music with and let clueless online trolls do their magic. This is - of course - a steaming pile of horse dung and I just recently failed to find enough hate on, for example, the Access Virus B, Novation Drumstation and Dreadbox Typhon. However, today we are going to talk about Digitakt II and as this particular unit was sent over by Elektron as a long term loan even they must be aware of the fact that late 80s polyphony, partial physics workflow and a lack of essential hipster features make for some juicy online controversy.
I made BEATS on the PLAYSTATION and THIS happened In this video we are going to talk about Music 2000 - or MTV Music Generator if you are from the US - a piece of music production software for the original playstation or PS 1 / PSx . I initially bought this late 90s console digital audio workstation for the show Bad Gear only to find out that literally no one hates it. It was not only the first music creation tool for an entire generation of Crash Bandicoot and Tekken 3 - playing nerds, it also comes with all the goofy graphics and weird limitations of a modern groovebox.
In spite of Skynet-like plugins, Insta-worthy designs and workflows that give you the full Dark Souls experience the old-fashioned one-knob-per-function approach is still the pinnacle of synth UI for many musicians. Today we are going to talk about Peak. This 2017 hybrid high end poly synth not only comes with a knob-laden interface for grown-ups, a not-so-secret sound design sauce and more menu diving than a Roland groovebox, it also delivers a roided-up version of that distinct Novation tone you either love or hate.
The evolution of electronic musical instruments is mysterious: while we have seen vast improvements in the fields of design, bling bling per square inch and workflow elitism, the spec sheets are oftentimes outclassed by the feature sets of many vintage instruments. Today we are going to talk about the Electribe 2 Sampler. This most recent installment of the iconic groove machine range was brought to the market in 2015 and not only combines the aforementioned limitations with the product family’s trademark primitivism, Korg also managed to make it look REALLY bad when compared to its predecessor.
In this video we will be trying to find out if synth plugins have become better over the last two decades. There’s gonna be a few rather technical comparisons but I’ll try to keep these to an absolute minimum - it’s all about the actual use in live performance and music production. Our reference point for this will be the Korg Legacy MS-20 plugin from 2004 for three simple reasons: one, it was one of the first commercially successful software instruments that had a reputation of sounding like the real deal, two, most of you will be familiar with the sound aesthetics of the original and three, I got hold of this beautiful Korg MS20ic controller which allows for a more hands-on comparison and will make this little experiment more digestible for the hardware fanatics among you.
It’s been a while since we have criticised a true picasso among synthesizers so today we are going to talk about the Alpha Juno-1. This classic Roland synth is primarily known for three things: that one patch that kept 90s dance floors clean, some true analog Juno goodness and our favorite synth manufacturer hiding all this behind another truly soul crushing user interface.
We, the people of the future, are no strangers to miniaturization in music technology : Korg Volca getting some - let’s call it - off label use, the cognitive dissonance of Roland Boutique and you probably wouldn’t want to have one of these on you when getting searched at an airport. Today we are going to talk about the Teenage Engineering TX-6. This luxurious swiss army knife among microscopic music making toys tailor made for the DAWless tool sheds of well-off and stylistically confident audio jetsetters has everything: pristine mixing functionality, basic sound design facilities and a design approach that - depending on your social media bubble - will either turn you into a lifestyle icon or is deemed to be yet another indicator that we’re basically doomed.
There are electronic musical instruments that are praised for their versatility: classic analogs showing up in almost every genre, the DX7 covering all bases from 80s cheese to industrial filth and what would music be without the seemingly unlimited catalog of modular fart sounds. Today we are going to talk about Quasimidi Technox. The sole and only purpose of this German synthesizer from the heydays of actually making money with electronic music is very, very clear: showing up on Bad Gear 30 years later and giving me yet another excuse to annoy you with a truckload of half-finished meme techno.
Almost every day critics of this channel spread fake news that I will one day run out of Gear to review - if I haven’t already. Today we are going to talk about Arturia Astrolab. This arguably most expensive home keyboard of all time and proprietary plugin host is the living proof that this day will most likely never come: a name suspiciously similar to your favorite personal lubricant, the UI of a smart home thermostat and the most obnoxious paywall of all time - merci beaucoup!!!
It has become common practice for old school synth manufacturers - and I mean Roland - to squeeze every penny from their great 80s legacy: toy-ish digital clones, even smaller fridge magnet-sized synth reimaginings and I totally want a pair of TR-808 Pumas. Today we are going to talk about the CZ101. This compact 1985 Phase Distortion synth was Casio’s first foray into the world of professional keyboards and given the fact that it was used by - well - everybody can only mean one of two things: Casio doesn’t like money or it’s a really bad synth.
Today we are going to talk about the Korg Kaoss Replay which doesn’t make any sense for three reasons: First, I am not exactly the ideal person to review this direct-to-Bad Gear DJ FX unit and DJ sampler, second, the overall concept of this thing is so all over the place that I only found out about this target group after unboxing it and finally, a disproportion between price tag and feature set so delusional it would make Roland blush.
What a time to be alive as a synth enjoyer! Ultra affordable clones of timeless classics, even the most obscure ways of sound generation are available for the price of one soul and samplers are now almost as powerful as they were in 1991. Meanwhile, all these beautiful instruments have become basically irrelevant for actual music production and were replaced by gaming PCs with pirated copies of SERUM. Today we are going to talk about moDWave. This family of wavetable synthesizer was introduced in 2021 and seems to be Korg’s attempt to bring the harshness of the aforementioned industry standard plugin to the hardware world. Is it SERUM in a box?
Before Roland was turned into a lifestyle brand our favorite synth manufacturer released instruments that had a profound impact on music history. At the top of this pantheon sits the iconic Jupiter-8, a massive analog synth keyboard sent down to earth in 1981. Today we are going to talk about Jupiter-Xm and it goes without saying that Roland would treat its majestic legacy with utmost respect - just kidding, it’s digital, there’s plenty of menu diving and - of course - minikeys worthy of a Microkorg.
Moog has received a lot of news coverage over the last few months - for better or worse. Today we are going to talk about Spectravox and as I might be the only synth person on the internet who didn’t get either their CS-80 for suburban dads or totally AI-free music generating Buchla ripoff, I have to resort to the strange one that seems like a more expensive version of that FX pedal they released 20 years ago.
I don’t always underestimate the cultural relevance of gear I put on the show but when I do I can be sure that you will let me know in the comments. Today we are going to talk about the 1993 Boss DR-660. A few months back I had one of its siblings on the show - the Boss DR-5 - and much to my chagrin I was completely unaware that it was - together with today’s Bad Gear protagonist - one of the key ingredients in a legendary genre with a strong impact on popular music up to this day.
The Usual Suspects OsTIrus Be aware that the firmwares needed for these emulations might be protected by law so please educate yourself on the legal situation before you try it out. This video is for educational and entertainment purposes only. I have no intention to encourage any illegal activity. In this meme video we are going to talk about how easy it has become to get access to classic synthesizers like the entire Virus range or Waldorf Micro Q. Keep in mind that these are not some half-baked imitations of the iconic virtual analog synths but almost 100% authentic recreations that are available free of charge to be run inside your DAW. We will take a look at whether all these claims are true, compare it to one of the more recent original instruments and try to find out if all this might even be illegal.
Old people like me keep yelling at clouds that music production has become too easy: MPC s are DAW s in a box now, even if you suck at making beats, Splice got you covered and AI is capable of creating better tracks than me. Today we are going to talk about the Boss SP-303. This iconic drum sampler from the year 2001 is the exact opposite of all these modern shenanigans: the OG Lo-Fi sound, about as much polyphony as a Mongolian throat singer and a workflow that feels like setting the skill level of Doom to Ultra Nightmare.
Given the amount of screen time Elektron gear gets on this channel one might be surprised that all of this belonged to their simple, easily accessible and super affordable line of beginner products. Today we are going to talk about Analog Rytm MKII. This 2018 analog drum machine is the very first top of the line Elektron instrument to be featured on this show and while it comes with plenty of pro features for music production my humble Digitakt is missing the controversy surrounding it is basically the same.
In spite of my limitless love for Roland in general, my efforts to turn even their most controversial gear into a sought-after classic and the fact that I was prophetically advertising their instruments months before the actual product announcement, our favorite synth brand didn’t send me their new Aira Compact P-6. However, today we are going to talk about the Korg ES-1. Putting this creative sampler from the year 2000 on the show is not only my personal way of coping with the unfathomable disappointment, the two instruments are - a few modern bells and whistles aside - suspiciously similar.
Over the last 30 years Korg has released many iconic products worthy of a reissue: a Prophecy operable without a quantum physics degree, a new Kaoss Pad that actually works and maybe even an Electribe that deserves the name. However, for reasons completely beyond my comprehension we need to talk about KingKorg Neo. This brand new virtual analog synth is basically identical to a more or less forgotten 2013 Korg instrument by the same name without the Matrix reference and is - just like its predecessor - a prime example for how to mess up both product launch timing and pricing strategy.
Hey everybody in this video we are going to talk about why I don’t use modular synths and probably never will. We will shed a light on the add1ctive nature of Eurorack, why buying modules is - more often than not - pure and unadulterated consumerism instead of a unique way of artistic expression, we will work on coping strategies for a modular-free life and try to establish a world record for the largest collection of modular memes to ever be featured in a YouTube video.
People go DAWless for a reason: swap out the mind-numbing computer screens for the luxury of a pocket calculator display, embrace the limitations of whatever crappy CPU was cheapest during the kickstarter campaign and never get ripped off by Spotify because nobody will listen to your bleeps and bloops anyway. Today we are going to talk about Circuit Tracks. This 2021 groovebox and barely upgraded successor to the OG Novation Circuit took this philosophy to the extremes: gateway drug price tag, completely screenless UI and a workflow so minimalist it perfectly fits the lifestyle of a generation that will never be able to afford a home.
At the first glance Korg Minilogue XD is ticking all the boxes.
For me, an Ableton Live user since version 2, Ableton can’t do no wrong - not that their products are so great but my deep-fried meme video brain has just become too used to hand-drawing midi notes in an Excel style grid while clipping the master and conjuring CPU peaks with a janky Max4Live patch. Today we are going to talk about Ableton Move. While previous Bad Gear-worthy Ableton hardware didn’t really tickle my fancy, this brand-new 2022 ableton move leak incarnate, unholy lovechild of the iOS app ableton note and ableton Push 3 sawed in half and “Mom, can we have Novation Circuit - there is novation Circuit tracks at home” hipster toy and groovebox with akai MPC pads was an instabuy for me.
Roland is the ACME corporation of music technology: no day passes without me finding out about yet another strange product from the colossal portfolio they built up over the last 5 decades. Today we are going to talk about P-6 and it seems like Roland took every single bit of sampling technology from this poison cabinet of intellectual property and put it in this LoFi sampler for ants.
Synth nerds shopping for gear will come across plenty of options that seem a little overpriced: generic raspberry pis in plastic enclosures, iconic instruments going for around 50% of the repair cost needed to keep them up and running for the next 5 years and the usual Reverb madness raising the blood pressure of GAS victims all around the globe. Today we are going to talk about PO-33. While this 2018 lofi sampler, microscopic groovebox and indispensable salted caramel latte chaser is both affordable AND powerful, it might be part of Teenage Engineering’s most perfidious strategy to go EP-133 medieval on your wallet.
Roland is inarguably the greatest synth brand in history but even die-hard fans like me have a hard time dealing with the miniscule displays, buzz-killing menu diving and product philosophies that seem like they were conceived after a 72h non-stop bender. Today we are going to talk about the MC-202. This 80s analog synth and sequencer not only might as well be the secret lovechild of an SH101 and TB303, it also appears to be the root of all the aforementioned evil.
Sequel to iconic movies tend to have a bad reputation - which is not always fair. Who doesn’t like stone cold classic like Jaws II or Space Jam - A New Legacy and Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem is a guilty pleasure of mine for a reason. Today we are going to talk about Microkorg II . This direct-to-Bad Gear synthesizer and successor to the OG hipster keyboard comes with all the features that made the original so great like minikeys and a front panel real estate-hogging genre selector and combines them with the blessings of gamification . Masterpiece!
this video an exclusive selection of famous synth youtubers and renowned electronic musicians will try to guess the Bad Gear . Instruments that had appeared on the show about the world's most hated audio tools are played by the host but the participants will not be able to see them (they are blurred out ) and have to guess the Bad Gear only by hearing the synthesizer , drum machine or groovebox in this guessing game and blind test . With Nick Batt, Anthony Rother, Hainbach, Thorsten Quaeschning, Italo Brutalo, Sarah Sommers and Benn Jordan.
Bad Gear - Medieval Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O.II Sampler Instrument Monthy Python's The Quest for the Holy Grail Monty Python and the Holy Grail
I found this conspiracy theory on Reddit - Sun Tsu
Happy Halloween - in this video I’m going to react to what can be considered an avalanche of memes about this show that was created by the great people of the Synth Memes! group over at Facebook. In my humble opinion this group is the last and only reason to log into that AI-infested social media spookfest for boomers of all ages.
In the comment sections of that other show that I have I get asked a lot if there is any gear that I actually like and yes, even in my life there is this one piece of musical equipment I wouldn’t sell even if things got really, really tough. The machine in question is my trusty old Roland Space Echo RE201 . Not only because it is a Space Echo and Space Echoes are - of course - totally awesome, but also because it is a piece of family history .