Really interesting how FM synth makers have trouble finding the Goldilocks region of accessibility. You either have to make it too complex or too simple.
There are two or three synths out there that really nailed it but they are disguised as home keyboards. One of my favorites is the PSS-480 which was sold as a toy. It has 99 of the most common FM shapes saved as presets which can then be adjusted using a dozen of the most common parameters. The DSS-2000 is another one that treats the presets as wavetables that can then be easily edited and stored with a simple button interface and LED display.
I suspect that this is why wavetables became so appealing. You could access a table set up to behave effectively like vectors - "like" modulate-able FM ratios - without the end-user having to target those pesky FM mod indexes.
Hi man- This is a good comment. Since Im really consdering to get my hands on one, since I would like to be able to make / tinker with music a lot more than I do now So.. Thank you
had no clue this thing got so much flak - i love it to bits. i've drafted a lot of tunes on it and the workflow is speedy and flexible enough to make it my go-to portable synth. even as an FM/PM junkie (i've developed my own FM/PM synth), i found the parameter ranges to be amazingly flexible and smartly chosen. it definitely has a "sound" that is hard to get away from, but isn't that the point of many instruments? i'm not so interested in something that bends to your will completely, and rather prefer something that brings a specific flavor to the table that is fun and engaging to work with. there's a collaborative aspect to that which i really enjoy.
I love the drum sounds, I wish the snare engine was a little more flexible and I wish there was true polyphony in the two synthesis modes, many of the chord engine’s knobs are dedicated to selecting the chord you want so the chord engine on synth is a lot less flexible sonically than the tone mode.
The chord generator doesn't "mimick wavetables"; it's a real wavetable engine, not FM-based. Anyway, like many have pointed out here, the Cycles is really underappreciated. If you use the distortion (or more like saturation) to warm up the sounds, add reverb for sound design, take advantage of the LFO and sequencer, and explore what the different engines really can do (use the Snare machine to make a lead, for example), I don't think people would complain that it sounds "the same". Frequent use of Track+Level takes care of clipping issues.
I just bought a used one as my first Elektron machine because I keep hearing how great their stuff is but I've also heard the workflow can take some getting used to. I didn't want to spend a thousand dollars on a Digitakt if it's going to be a chore to learn so the Cycles seems like a good entry point into the Elektron world without breaking the bank (or brain)
Man...that second jam gave me goose bumps! I always wondered how the cycles sounded on a jam. I have a reface dx so it never hit my radar. Great show sir!
Reface DX is super nice! especially if you have an additional controller to improve the parameter interface. Cycles is a pretty different beast though, and both are worthy additions to any FM collection!
I’m an FM junkie & love the versatility of these. The sequencer alone is worth the value but it’s just a bonus. Sometimes i use mine for full tracks or just for toms & cymbal sounds & other times i’ll stick all 6 tracks on one midi input channel for massive monosynth voicing to blend with my analog bass voices.
I fail to see how anyone can criticise a easily useable FM drum machine and synth with an Elektron sequencer with its chance and per step conditions! I have one of these and honestly admit to it being hugely fun to use and capable of a huge range of sounds. Most demos you see on UA-cam are of course nasty euro ‘techno’ but it is much richer than this with its 6 channels of polyrhythmic FM. I love the clicky glitchy panning percussive detail it can generate. That said I mostly bought it to make massive klonk bass sounds to work with drums - superb for this alone and great tweakability. I make that 4 bits of my gear you have featured to date - Monologue, BassStation rack, Alesis 3630 and now this. Big fan - keep it up!
@@AudioPilz Sure they do. While they are sending each other X-rays of circuits and babbling about firmware and operators everyone else is engaged in creating sounds and music
Surprised the cycles makes it on 'bad gear'. To me it's super immediate and quick, ideal for jamming. The sound is pretty distinct, call it character, less than a groovebox, way more than a drum machine. It used to be dirt cheap as well. Cheers!
I love your videos- educational whilst being amusing and with such incredible attention to detail without ever getting too technical but just technical enough.
I'm Still Totally Blown Away With How Well Made Your Videos Really Are . The Amount Of Production , Technique , Editing , Research And Talent Etc Is Incredible . That's Not Even Mentioning Your Knowledge On All The Music Equipment You Have . Absolutely Amazing Every Single Time . I Thoroughly Enjoy Yor Channel . Subscriber For Life .
I love mine, I use it with a Korg ER1 and Drumbrute impact and find they all sit together pretty nicely. I’m a man with arguably too many drum machines but I keep coming back to this trio. Cool episode as always. Keep it up.
Great video as always. An alternate viewpoint: This could be the ideal "beginner's" instrument for someone young who wants to try making beats. Either this or the Volca Sample, they both have benefits and drawbacks. You get a wide range of options and modulation in each, and the focus of a single device to work on. The Elektron is doubly intriguing because it's all synth-based. You get to learn some synthesis along with composition. The price of both isn't totally prohibitive (esp. for the Volca). Ironically, the device I learned on: The Boss DR-202.
@@AudioPilz Potentially. I hadn't thought much about the Model Samples when making the post tbh. If it were between the Model Samples and the Volca, probably would recommend the Volca just on price (and the Volca can get very close to p-locking). It's likely synth-nerd bias on my part but the idea of a synth-based (drums and otherwise) groovebox in a learning environment is intriguing to me. In an odd way, it's more limiting than a sample-based palate and would give the user ideas to graduate into something deeper (Octatrack, for instance).
Hopefully this means a Model:Samples feature is coming soon; I love mine to death, but as a sampler without line in sampling capabilities, that thing is prime material for a bad gear episode!
Now that I can get on dual hate board with. My first sampler, a Zoom Sampletrak had line in sampling. My next samplers, a Yamaha a3000 and a Yamaha SU700 both had line in live sampling. And the line in level and converters, while not providing phantom power, were top notch and well good enough for a dynamic mic or synth/drum machine etc line input. Mind is blow at how many modern samplers dont actually sample, they are only 'sample importers'
love how you switch it up between absolute 90s monsters and modern day units which already exposes the quirky aspects that they'll grow old having. If I ever slip into a coma, I expect this to be strapped to a pole next to my bed and bag of saline, waiting for me to turn it on after my 6 month "dream" of playing an arp2500
Nice overview and enjoyed the fact that it was hard for you to really say anything too bad about it. I had mine a while and I love its depth and diversity. Simple yet complex, a great modern music machine.
Top work AudioPilz :) re: volume issue, not sure if this solves it but I have most tracks about half way on the main track volume (set with the data encoder where it displays the vol/pan). Additional tip: experiment with pushing the volume + dist parameter above 100 for additional drive but control the overall level with track volume instead. Also I'm usually running the tracks as two seperate mono channels with tracks hard panned left or right, finds it gives better headroom when the kick is on its own or with one other element like a bassline and everything else on the other channel.
Goddamnit! When the Cycles came out it was the first unit from Elektron after the SidStation that caught my interest (disclaimer: I helped developing the SidStation, owned the second ever made red metallic prototype and am credited in the manual). Simplified FM, aber mit Fingerspitzengefühl, is my thing ever since the 90s. (Yamaha V50 video next, btw?) Your video made me lust after the Cycles even more now to join my "Highly Minimalistic and Discerning" live rig (DFAM, 303, SOMA ROAT, MPK mini plus), and the price is too affordable. Damn You, @AudioPilz !!!
@@AudioPilz The SidStation was riddled with issues, especially nasty digital noise leaking from the databus into ground. If you want to get an authentic sounding 6581/8580 SID synthesizer just get Chipsynth 64 VST by David at Plogue. If you want to make music on the actual hardware, make music on the Commodore C64 using Goat Tracker 2 or SID Factory 2 on a PC or Mac. I am still active in the demoscene, making music on the C64 for demos we do in our demogroup Fairlight. (Latest production we made, winner at X demo competition 2024, I made some of the music: ua-cam.com/video/OjA5PXeyF3s/v-deo.html )
This afternoon my car's AC stopped working and I got real pissed trying to fix it while I baked in the sun - came inside to see a new episode of bad gear, on a groovebox i OWN, no less - all is once again right in the world
I bought mine as soon as I could after watching knobs's video on it, and its honestly one the best musical instrument purchases I have ever made. Making self contained beats on it is super fun and easy to show to friends who aren't synth nerds, while also having a ton of really great extra features. I use it as my midi clock as well with a looper and the rest of my gear to make jams on twitch under the name of Lowfty (self promo forgive me). The only thing I wish they had, was more machines available to download.
I know the TB-3 has it's own "bad gear" episode, however the more I hear it the more it seams to be a real go-to bass machine for every song. And it looks pretty cool as well - especially in contrast to the Elektron :D
The TB-3 would be legendary if they only released a proper editor for it. The engine is quite cool but no access outside of lame presets and flimsy third party tools.
@@xc3n Roland must do better, instead of relying on their past glories. As you’ve stated. If they are going to release an emulator, they should at least provide enough tools and editing capabilities to take it down completely different avenues, if that’s what the user wants to do. For example, the TB-303 was not designed for acid, the users did that. Now, they just give you an acid machine, and that’s basically all it can do!
I had one for a year. I think its a great machine soundwise, and with incredible flexibility on the sequencer side. It was my second synth (owned a Volca Bass before) and I managed to develop muscle memory on it. If you own a sampler, this may be a perfect companion for working out kicks and hats (and Autechre-like snares). I sold mine to buy a Digitakt, and although I'm very happy I still miss the plucky and robotic side of Model Cycles. Gr8 machine.
Not sure if anyone else has said it yet, but to fix the levelling issues you were having with volume automation in place, you can use the track mix volume (idk what it's actually called). Basically, with the track selected you can turn the blue knob and it adjusts a segmented volume bar on the screen, this is separate from the volume knob and it seems to apply after the distortion phase.
a hillarious video! ... i couldn' resist the Cycles... i never thought FM kicks could sound that massive! ... beyond other sweet stuff on this cute usefull toy!
I loved it but it starts sounding all the same after a while and you just want a Digitone. That's what I did, got a Digitone and found that FM I was looking for. I will say it's amazing. It just really needs to be recognized as one hell of a drum machine. I like the chords and like I said, I loved it. You just feel like it could do more sound design and it comes up to kind of a wall. I hated the buttons too. Yuck.
I love the specificity of the Cycles. If you want full FM design you get a Digitone or just use a plugin! They are very different sounding machines I found out when I tried the DN! Turns out the Cycles' sound engine was written from scratch and is not just a control-limited version of the DN. Quite a lot is hidden beneath the limited controls.
I was seriously considering getting a cycles (or samples) when it was relatively new, but after watching a load of videos and reviews this is the exact conclusion I came to. The sounds seemed very limited and every demo sounded pretty much the same. I ended up dropping the extra cash and got a Digitakt.. maybe this was elektron's plan all along
I totally understand this perspective. I also think the limited range can also be useful in the right situation. Sometimes deep synthesis and sound design can be a creativity killer and distract from writing, composing, or jamming. I find having a predictable but decent set of sounds can be useful to help quickly get results and move forward.
I eyeballed this since it came out but finally opted for the Liven Xfm months later. My EM-1 has a FM engine. When I've attempted to watch tutorials on Cycles my right eye would fall asleep and I wouldn't retain any operational knowledge. I learned more on your review, thanks.
Awesome video! 😊👍 This groovebox is perfect for techno/detroit and tech house! After watching this video and several others I am buying one! Can’t wait to make some techno tracks with this one! Later I am going to purchase the Samples version and these two combined make for a perfect combo!
A Yamaha PSS680 in one of the cutaways! I still have mine working from 1988 - I even wrote an editor for it on the Atari ST. My first synth! Gonna go play it now, its ticking all the boxes...
Seems like an interesting little box... and looks like they go for not too much money either. I do love seeing gear that I own appearing in your videos... of course the every popular TB3. But, then the Yamaha PSS680, which was my first FM synth. I think I have probably had more fun with the PSS680 than my TX81Z.
@@AudioPilz I am assuming you mean the FM PSSs... Sample based ones are not worth your time. Mind you, they did a sample one with a funky joystick. I would recommend the 680 or 780 - same thing, different colour. Get PSS Edit to edit and store your patches as the unit only has 5 memory slots.
I got mine, I love the workflow and accessibility. I love the sound mostly, and the fact that is not sounding as any other drum machine. I needed to address my lack of fun in the creative process, and this is exactly what this device excels into. But I sent it back for a replacement hoping that my havy metal drummer friend will be able to reach max velocity level with pads next time.
this & Samples are pretty neat, i thought about buying one or the other for about 4 days then got a Minibrute 2s & PO-KO instead (love 'em). your jams made it sound classy!
Hey Florian, nice one. I always stayed away from the OP1, it seemed like too much drama. Not sure if you've have but could you consider doing an Alesis MMT8 episode, I'd like your take on it. I purchased 2 different units years ago and they were both broken so I never got to check the workflow. Thanks and keep on rockin in the free world.
If you ever wondered what a knob-per-function DX7 would look like and want a laugh, Google the Dtronics DT7 (or the earlier Jellinghaus DX programmer). Anyway, nice jams as usual sir.
Holy shit that's a knob monster. I mean I've seen other programmers for hardware synths that go for as much or more than the synth they go to but for some of the pries I'm seeing second hand ones for you could buy a small fleet of DX7 synths.
How can you hate this thing?! I'm actually flirting with the idea of buying one. Awesome job as usual, Florian 🤟😊 Do you edit these videos on your own? They're a blast! As possible candidate for a next video, I suggest the Ensoniq Fizmo (if you can find one). A very hated machine 😸
I bought both Models, I absolutely love the Cycles, its simplicity, immediacy and incredible sound range makes it one of my very favorite instruments even though I now badly want a Digitone... On the other hand, I find the Model:Samples very boring, I never found the magic I immediately got as I turned on the Model:Cycles for the first time so it's back in its box and gently waits for a new owner who will hopefully find it more appealing than I do...
It's wonderful to see how quickly and how completely I could change my mind about the M:S. I was able to finally discover and enjoy the Model:Samples which, like its sibling the Model:Cycles, is also a pure marvel
Thank you Florian for another deep dive into gear I own but should become better acquainted with. I ran into some of the same issues with the kick snare and mono synth competing for the same frequencies but I am sure that can be resolved with eq and compression. I admit I was too lazy to twiddle s few knobs and just thought the metal and percussion were crap. I was hoping someone would post a video showing the model:cycles in a positive light and my friend from Austria has done just that. Thanks for posting and see you next time!
This was one of my pandemic purchases (the others being: an acoustic guitar, the new Circuits, Korg Volca Modular and, Sonicware's Liven XFM). It's the only one of my pandemic purchases I have thus far sold on eBay. I LOVED it but I also HATED it. I LOVED the sounds, the sound design, the sequencer and the general form factor. I HATED the inaccessible menu-diving (retrigs, project management, etc) and the fact it took Elektron nearly 2 years to release the power-handle thingy. The EMC is covered in knobs and buttons so there was no real excuse at all for any menu-diving. I'm also not a fan of the videogame-esque need to constantly set undo-points (as opposed to the conventional method of actively saving changes to your work). Also, those pads were not at all responsive - it felt like punching a wall.Also, Sonicware's Liven XFM is a far better FM groovebox that can handle both percussive and melodic patches.
Honestly I'm surprised that you didn't cover this thing's evil twin, the model: samples. I have to wonder how well these functions would translate to a sampler considering the rhythm and structure would be so restricted. Then again it can't be any more limited than my Pocket Operator T.K.O. and I still have a blast with that.
One trick on the Samples is that you can alter the start point of the sample to get a wave table kind of effect, if you have a sample with a tone that modulates over time. It takes a lot of time to set things up, though.
@@Roboprogs That sounds really cool! Actually I have a couple of synths that use wavetable engines and am finding them extremely useful for the kind of music I produce. This definitely puts the samples back on my radar as a potential buy someday, thanks for letting me know!
@@t0xcn253 I don't think I can post external links on UA-cam, but check out section 9 of the M:S manual online. Section 9.2 explains setting the sample start and length, and 9.4 discusses looping to hold a tone while the attack-decay envelope controls the volume.
I ragged on this little guy a bit when it released for not having more features than a korg er1 from 20yrs ago. But seeing that theyre about the same price now... Still kills me when drum machines/grooveboxes dont have multiple outs tho.
You always amaze me with your fantastic points and endless jam goodies. These sounds were amazing. Seeing how these go for 200$ now.. would this be as equal as fun as the digitone? Or is it safer to list save and invest in the next tier? I love how instant the models cycles seems to be (less menu diving snd endless exploring of the void as say the digitone) Love your videos as always!
Audiopilz: *slaps roof of YT channel*
Full Tracks, Extended Jams, Sample Packs: www.patreon.com/audiopilz
Seems like "hipster" gear to me 😜
How about testing (or telling me where to look) a machine that sounds like a bodhran (hand drum)? And another unique sound: the very deep taiko drum?
Nord Drum
I ordered one off reverb literally yesterday, seeing this show up on bad gear is the fastest I’ve ever been owned
Nice!!!
Great buy! I love mine
I just ordered one yesterday to pair with the Edge. Love your channel, and thanks for making our community fun!
Thank you!!!
Really interesting how FM synth makers have trouble finding the Goldilocks region of accessibility. You either have to make it too complex or too simple.
Nah just use v collection dx7
TBH, it's not easy...
There are two or three synths out there that really nailed it but they are disguised as home keyboards. One of my favorites is the PSS-480 which was sold as a toy. It has 99 of the most common FM shapes saved as presets which can then be adjusted using a dozen of the most common parameters. The DSS-2000 is another one that treats the presets as wavetables that can then be easily edited and stored with a simple button interface and LED display.
Sonicware actually did a pretty good job of finding that balance in the Liven XFM.
I suspect that this is why wavetables became so appealing.
You could access a table set up to behave effectively like vectors - "like" modulate-able FM ratios - without the end-user having to target those pesky FM mod indexes.
The model cycles is really great. Had mine for around a month and it’s singlehandedly gotten me back into doing music everyday
Yeah, super accessible!!!
@@AudioPilz And it's the reference when it comes to kicks.
Yep - it isn’t bad gear, end of.
@@seffers007 i agree...its a great unit...
Hi man- This is a good comment. Since Im really consdering to get my hands on one, since I would like to be able to make / tinker with music a lot more than I do now
So.. Thank you
had no clue this thing got so much flak - i love it to bits. i've drafted a lot of tunes on it and the workflow is speedy and flexible enough to make it my go-to portable synth. even as an FM/PM junkie (i've developed my own FM/PM synth), i found the parameter ranges to be amazingly flexible and smartly chosen. it definitely has a "sound" that is hard to get away from, but isn't that the point of many instruments? i'm not so interested in something that bends to your will completely, and rather prefer something that brings a specific flavor to the table that is fun and engaging to work with. there's a collaborative aspect to that which i really enjoy.
Agreed! Pretty sure it's going to be a future classic
I love the drum sounds, I wish the snare engine was a little more flexible and I wish there was true polyphony in the two synthesis modes, many of the chord engine’s knobs are dedicated to selecting the chord you want so the chord engine on synth is a lot less flexible sonically than the tone mode.
Well, he’s looks for the bad reviews to make content. Everything has bad reviews if you look hard enough.
@@cabbycabby1770 things that don't have reviews don't have bad reviews.
Yeh i thought this thing was good not bad..
The chord generator doesn't "mimick wavetables"; it's a real wavetable engine, not FM-based. Anyway, like many have pointed out here, the Cycles is really underappreciated. If you use the distortion (or more like saturation) to warm up the sounds, add reverb for sound design, take advantage of the LFO and sequencer, and explore what the different engines really can do (use the Snare machine to make a lead, for example), I don't think people would complain that it sounds "the same". Frequent use of Track+Level takes care of clipping issues.
Thanks for the input!!!
@@AudioPilzclass act
This is by far my favorite synth, this thing is a trap BEAST. That kick machine is to die for.
Elektron stuff is maybe the best hardware for trap!
I just bought a used one as my first Elektron machine because I keep hearing how great their stuff is but I've also heard the workflow can take some getting used to. I didn't want to spend a thousand dollars on a Digitakt if it's going to be a chore to learn so the Cycles seems like a good entry point into the Elektron world without breaking the bank (or brain)
Man...that second jam gave me goose bumps! I always wondered how the cycles sounded on a jam. I have a reface dx so it never hit my radar. Great show sir!
Thank you so much!
Reface DX is super nice! especially if you have an additional controller to improve the parameter interface. Cycles is a pretty different beast though, and both are worthy additions to any FM collection!
Seriously one of the best channels on UA-cam.
Thank you so much!!!
I’m an FM junkie & love the versatility of these. The sequencer alone is worth the value but it’s just a bonus.
Sometimes i use mine for full tracks or just for toms & cymbal sounds
& other times i’ll stick
all 6 tracks on one midi input channel for massive monosynth voicing to blend with my analog bass voices.
I fail to see how anyone can criticise a easily useable FM drum machine and synth with an Elektron sequencer with its chance and per step conditions! I have one of these and honestly admit to it being hugely fun to use and capable of a huge range of sounds. Most demos you see on UA-cam are of course nasty euro ‘techno’ but it is much richer than this with its 6 channels of polyrhythmic FM. I love the clicky glitchy panning percussive detail it can generate. That said I mostly bought it to make massive klonk bass sounds to work with drums - superb for this alone and great tweakability. I make that 4 bits of my gear you have featured to date - Monologue, BassStation rack, Alesis 3630 and now this. Big fan - keep it up!
I think a few old school FM aficionados really get pissed when you take the science away;)
@@AudioPilz Sure they do. While they are sending each other X-rays of circuits and babbling about firmware and operators everyone else is engaged in creating sounds and music
“I fail to see how anyone can criticize…”
Not everyone is able to see how something could be better.
The Hypnotic Seance song is banging!
Thanks!
@@AudioPilz much love!
Surprised the cycles makes it on 'bad gear'. To me it's super immediate and quick, ideal for jamming. The sound is pretty distinct, call it character, less than a groovebox, way more than a drum machine. It used to be dirt cheap as well. Cheers!
this video cured my depression and made me pick up my cycles again
it's an amazing machine
Have a nice weekend!
This needs more tha 10 minutes of attention. The times i have to pause for this... This man has become a meme monster.
It spiralled a bit out of control, I have to admit that;)
I love your videos- educational whilst being amusing and with such incredible attention to detail without ever getting too technical but just technical enough.
Thank you!!!
I'm Still Totally Blown Away With How Well Made Your Videos Really Are . The Amount Of Production , Technique , Editing , Research And Talent Etc Is Incredible . That's Not Even Mentioning Your Knowledge On All The Music Equipment You Have . Absolutely Amazing Every Single Time . I Thoroughly Enjoy Yor Channel . Subscriber For Life .
Thank you so much!!!
tHIS iS mY aTTEMPT tO cOUNTERACT yOUR dREADFUL tYPING hABIT.S
Thank you, Hero! :')@@calipto4605
I love mine, I use it with a Korg ER1 and Drumbrute impact and find they all sit together pretty nicely. I’m a man with arguably too many drum machines but I keep coming back to this trio. Cool episode as always. Keep it up.
Thanks!!! Nice setup!!!
Great video as always.
An alternate viewpoint: This could be the ideal "beginner's" instrument for someone young who wants to try making beats. Either this or the Volca Sample, they both have benefits and drawbacks. You get a wide range of options and modulation in each, and the focus of a single device to work on. The Elektron is doubly intriguing because it's all synth-based. You get to learn some synthesis along with composition. The price of both isn't totally prohibitive (esp. for the Volca). Ironically, the device I learned on: The Boss DR-202.
Surely the Model:Samples would be better? It's like a combination of both
Wouldn't a sample-based unit be more rewarding for beginners?
@@AudioPilz Potentially. I hadn't thought much about the Model Samples when making the post tbh. If it were between the Model Samples and the Volca, probably would recommend the Volca just on price (and the Volca can get very close to p-locking). It's likely synth-nerd bias on my part but the idea of a synth-based (drums and otherwise) groovebox in a learning environment is intriguing to me. In an odd way, it's more limiting than a sample-based palate and would give the user ideas to graduate into something deeper (Octatrack, for instance).
@@rorz999 Quite possible.
@@AudioPilz sample-based unit is simpler when you have very specific sound in mind and just want to use that. You can then just sample it and voila!
Hopefully this means a Model:Samples feature is coming soon; I love mine to death, but as a sampler without line in sampling capabilities, that thing is prime material for a bad gear episode!
Now that I can get on dual hate board with.
My first sampler, a Zoom Sampletrak had line in sampling. My next samplers, a Yamaha a3000 and a Yamaha SU700 both had line in live sampling. And the line in level and converters, while not providing phantom power, were top notch and well good enough for a dynamic mic or synth/drum machine etc line input.
Mind is blow at how many modern samplers dont actually sample, they are only 'sample importers'
love how you switch it up between absolute 90s monsters and modern day units which already exposes the quirky aspects that they'll grow old having. If I ever slip into a coma, I expect this to be strapped to a pole next to my bed and bag of saline, waiting for me to turn it on after my 6 month "dream" of playing an arp2500
Thanks! This one is great for monitoring blood pressure too! ;)
Homer 808 punching the nerd in the face is meme of the year material
Nothing punches like an 808;)
Your shows make me smile. Informative and entertaining.
Thank you so much!!!
Loved the brief cameo by the Yamaha PSS-680. My first synth and still one of my favorites.
Classic!
Nice overview and enjoyed the fact that it was hard for you to really say anything too bad about it. I had mine a while and I love its depth and diversity. Simple yet complex, a great modern music machine.
Top work AudioPilz :) re: volume issue, not sure if this solves it but I have most tracks about half way on the main track volume (set with the data encoder where it displays the vol/pan). Additional tip: experiment with pushing the volume + dist parameter above 100 for additional drive but control the overall level with track volume instead. Also I'm usually running the tracks as two seperate mono channels with tracks hard panned left or right, finds it gives better headroom when the kick is on its own or with one other element like a bassline and everything else on the other channel.
Good tip! I’ve been doing similar… 👍🏻
Great stuff, thanks!!!
Goddamnit! When the Cycles came out it was the first unit from Elektron after the SidStation that caught my interest (disclaimer: I helped developing the SidStation, owned the second ever made red metallic prototype and am credited in the manual). Simplified FM, aber mit Fingerspitzengefühl, is my thing ever since the 90s. (Yamaha V50 video next, btw?) Your video made me lust after the Cycles even more now to join my "Highly Minimalistic and Discerning" live rig (DFAM, 303, SOMA ROAT, MPK mini plus), and the price is too affordable. Damn You, @AudioPilz !!!
Wow, I really want an SID!!!
@@AudioPilz The SidStation was riddled with issues, especially nasty digital noise leaking from the databus into ground. If you want to get an authentic sounding 6581/8580 SID synthesizer just get Chipsynth 64 VST by David at Plogue. If you want to make music on the actual hardware, make music on the Commodore C64 using Goat Tracker 2 or SID Factory 2 on a PC or Mac. I am still active in the demoscene, making music on the C64 for demos we do in our demogroup Fairlight. (Latest production we made, winner at X demo competition 2024, I made some of the music: ua-cam.com/video/OjA5PXeyF3s/v-deo.html )
Perfect timing! I want to get a cycles this week!
Nice! It's a fun box
This afternoon my car's AC stopped working and I got real pissed trying to fix it while I baked in the sun - came inside to see a new episode of bad gear, on a groovebox i OWN, no less - all is once again right in the world
Hey, you got sun;)
Jam 2 is so sick. Your jams excited me about this synth more than any other creator I've seen. Cheers
Thank you!!!
I bought mine as soon as I could after watching knobs's video on it, and its honestly one the best musical instrument purchases I have ever made. Making self contained beats on it is super fun and easy to show to friends who aren't synth nerds, while also having a ton of really great extra features. I use it as my midi clock as well with a looper and the rest of my gear to make jams on twitch under the name of Lowfty (self promo forgive me). The only thing I wish they had, was more machines available to download.
I know the TB-3 has it's own "bad gear" episode, however the more I hear it the more it seams to be a real go-to bass machine for every song. And it looks pretty cool as well - especially in contrast to the Elektron :D
I really wanted to hate it but it's just so damn versatile and easy/fast to use
@@AudioPilz another future classic i think!
@@AudioPilz agree 100%!
The TB-3 would be legendary if they only released a proper editor for it. The engine is quite cool but no access outside of lame presets and flimsy third party tools.
@@xc3n Roland must do better, instead of relying on their past glories. As you’ve stated. If they are going to release an emulator, they should at least provide enough tools and editing capabilities to take it down completely different avenues, if that’s what the user wants to do. For example, the TB-303 was not designed for acid, the users did that. Now, they just give you an acid machine, and that’s basically all it can do!
Finally! I was waiting for this! The Model Cycles is indeed very underrated!
It was about time!!!
I had one for a year. I think its a great machine soundwise, and with incredible flexibility on the sequencer side. It was my second synth (owned a Volca Bass before) and I managed to develop muscle memory on it. If you own a sampler, this may be a perfect companion for working out kicks and hats (and Autechre-like snares). I sold mine to buy a Digitakt, and although I'm very happy I still miss the plucky and robotic side of Model Cycles. Gr8 machine.
Elektron workflow gets pretty fast once you got the hang of it👍
this is getting more and more entertaining.. excellent!
Anything thinking of getting one of these, just save up more and pay the extra for the Digitone. You won't regret it
Yeah, that one's a monster!
hypnotic seance. absolutely lol. nice one
😀
Having recently returned from hospital, I can confirm it looks like it should be saving lives
It certainly does stuff to my blood pressure;)
One of the best things about moving to California is that I can watch Bad Gear over my second cup of coffee in the morning...
Cheers!!! Love Cali!!!
After trying several different ones, this might be my favorite groovebox.
Might be because I’m also an incredibly biased Megadrive/Genesis music fan.
Love gaming console FM!!!
Sounds like the Twisted Electrons MegaFM is made for you.
@@AdamsOlympia those sound really good!
Perfect amount of time to watch this before I clock in at work, thanks 😊
Thanks!!!
Muito bom. Abraço de Portugal
Obrigado!!!
Amazing finale! Love starting my Saturday morning with some Bad Gear!!!!
Thanks!
Not sure if anyone else has said it yet, but to fix the levelling issues you were having with volume automation in place, you can use the track mix volume (idk what it's actually called). Basically, with the track selected you can turn the blue knob and it adjusts a segmented volume bar on the screen, this is separate from the volume knob and it seems to apply after the distortion phase.
Thanks for the clarification!
Cool track at the end. You’re very talented!
Thank you so much!!!
Ok this thing is actually insane for the size/price. It's strange to see a machine that truly is ticking all the clockses on bad gear!!
Yup, remarkable piece of kit!
a hillarious video! ... i couldn' resist the Cycles... i never thought FM kicks could sound that massive! ... beyond other sweet stuff on this cute usefull toy!
Thank you!!!
I loved it but it starts sounding all the same after a while and you just want a Digitone. That's what I did, got a Digitone and found that FM I was looking for. I will say it's amazing. It just really needs to be recognized as one hell of a drum machine. I like the chords and like I said, I loved it. You just feel like it could do more sound design and it comes up to kind of a wall.
I hated the buttons too. Yuck.
Damn, these buttons suck so hard;) Want a Digitone too!!!
I love the specificity of the Cycles. If you want full FM design you get a Digitone or just use a plugin! They are very different sounding machines I found out when I tried the DN! Turns out the Cycles' sound engine was written from scratch and is not just a control-limited version of the DN. Quite a lot is hidden beneath the limited controls.
I was seriously considering getting a cycles (or samples) when it was relatively new, but after watching a load of videos and reviews this is the exact conclusion I came to. The sounds seemed very limited and every demo sounded pretty much the same. I ended up dropping the extra cash and got a Digitakt.. maybe this was elektron's plan all along
That’s probably their goal with the model: series. The model samples as well made me want a digitakt
I totally understand this perspective. I also think the limited range can also be useful in the right situation. Sometimes deep synthesis and sound design can be a creativity killer and distract from writing, composing, or jamming. I find having a predictable but decent set of sounds can be useful to help quickly get results and move forward.
This is insanely cool and you are very good on this machine (like usual)
Thank you!!!
7:45 - I NEED that Dawless jamming on a t-shirt!
That one really triggered me;)
Another majestic episode, much love!
Thank you!!!
Worth it for the kicks alone.
These are massive!
I eyeballed this since it came out but finally opted for the Liven Xfm months later. My EM-1 has a FM engine. When I've attempted to watch tutorials on Cycles my right eye would fall asleep and I wouldn't retain any operational knowledge. I learned more on your review, thanks.
Thanks!!!
I want the Volca Modular! I want it now! Still a fun device we have here.
Hey, all Volcas will finally be on the show!
This is most juicy intro-tune I've heard on this show!
Awesome video! 😊👍 This groovebox is perfect for techno/detroit and tech house! After watching this video and several others I am buying one! Can’t wait to make some techno tracks with this one! Later I am going to purchase the Samples version and these two combined make for a perfect combo!
Thanks!
A Yamaha PSS680 in one of the cutaways! I still have mine working from 1988 - I even wrote an editor for it on the Atari ST. My first synth! Gonna go play it now, its ticking all the boxes...
oversynth makes some great colorful overlays for the cycles and samples.
...which are needed urgently;)
music is amazing in this episode !
Thank you!!!
Every time you said "model cycles" it took some serious effort to remember this video is *not* about Blender or 3D art.
No worries, I'm too dumb for Blender;)
it definitely sounds great the way you use it
Seems like an interesting little box... and looks like they go for not too much money either.
I do love seeing gear that I own appearing in your videos... of course the every popular TB3. But, then the Yamaha PSS680, which was my first FM synth. I think I have probably had more fun with the PSS680 than my TX81Z.
Still not sure which PSS I should put on the show. They are super interesting
@@AudioPilz I am assuming you mean the FM PSSs... Sample based ones are not worth your time. Mind you, they did a sample one with a funky joystick.
I would recommend the 680 or 780 - same thing, different colour. Get PSS Edit to edit and store your patches as the unit only has 5 memory slots.
I got mine, I love the workflow and accessibility. I love the sound mostly, and the fact that is not sounding as any other drum machine. I needed to address my lack of fun in the creative process, and this is exactly what this device excels into. But I sent it back for a replacement hoping that my havy metal drummer friend will be able to reach max velocity level with pads next time.
Definitely need a heavy metal drummer;)
Fully in the habit of watching these videos twice.. once to pause them and look at all the memes, and once to actually listen to the content!
That's the way to do it!!! Thanks for watching!
In terms of effort, smart meme use, and excellent music. AND good review content--- this channel wins best geartube awaaard -- congrats
Thank you so much!!!
The weekend has finally landed! 😎👍
TGIF!!!
The Weekend or The Weeknd?
this & Samples are pretty neat, i thought about buying one or the other for about 4 days then got a Minibrute 2s & PO-KO instead (love 'em). your jams made it sound classy!
Thank you!!!
I laughed way too hard at the use of the homer and Lenny punch
Happy to hear that, thanks!
Damn! the script was better than the editing today. lol, thanks for that. A11 looks like a righthand oriented Reaper
Thank you so much!!!
I dont know about that. I really enjoyed that cut to the Cronenberg classic eXistenz.
The model cycles is dope I don't get the hate. It's 300 bucks. That's dirt cheap for what you get and it sounds awesome and has a great sequencer
Now 2years i with Elektron Model Cycles ,and i love work with it.
Indeed it looks like some medical equipment, the metalic sound even sounds like a dentist drill 😋
There's even a little nod to Marathon Man;)
@@AudioPilz Thanks, now my teeth hurt.
@The Tired Horizon Lol. If you've ever seen Marathon Man, there's one scene that will stay with you forever!!
@The Tired Horizon Lol....Touche
Mos def the most entertaining review I have seen on gear yet!
Thank you!!!
Hey Florian, nice one. I always stayed away from the OP1, it seemed like too much drama. Not sure if you've have but could you consider doing an Alesis MMT8 episode, I'd like your take on it. I purchased 2 different units years ago and they were both broken so I never got to check the workflow. Thanks and keep on rockin in the free world.
Thanks, du du da lu du...
kicks are absolutely amazing on this little machine!!!!
Agreed!
If you ever wondered what a knob-per-function DX7 would look like and want a laugh, Google the Dtronics DT7 (or the earlier Jellinghaus DX programmer).
Anyway, nice jams as usual sir.
Thanks! These are insanely expensive, aren't they?
@@AudioPilz Just checked the price. Yeah, £1,500 upwards!
DX7s were so cheap when I got one that I was given it!
Did you check out George Barlow's (RIP😥) diy controller?
@@AudioPilz Wow - never seen that! Touch sensitive. Very nice.
Holy shit that's a knob monster. I mean I've seen other programmers for hardware synths that go for as much or more than the synth they go to but for some of the pries I'm seeing second hand ones for you could buy a small fleet of DX7 synths.
Damn Dude ! You can make each and every Bad gear sound good !
Thanks!!!
Cronenbergien - what a great term for 80s tech - long live the new synths
That word is actually in the dictionary;) Thanks!
Dude, your jams are legit! 💯
Thanks!
How can you hate this thing?! I'm actually flirting with the idea of buying one. Awesome job as usual, Florian 🤟😊 Do you edit these videos on your own? They're a blast!
As possible candidate for a next video, I suggest the Ensoniq Fizmo (if you can find one). A very hated machine 😸
Thank you!!! Yeah, I'm a one-man army ;) The Fizmo is super rare - really want one of these!
Earned a like just for the perfectly placed Phil Collins eyebrows! Another great episode.
Thanks!
I think the Cycles has a really „modern“ sound, it brings back the old vibes, but in a clean modern way. Sounds amazing.
Yeah, they totally got rid of that corny 80s FM flavor
it sounds news
Loved it, thank you.
Thanks for watching!
I actually like this little guy, so hands on, predictable sounds, love it!
👍
Content aside, what a fantastic video. Content in mind, what a fantastic video.
Thank you so much!!!
I bought both Models, I absolutely love the Cycles, its simplicity, immediacy and incredible sound range makes it one of my very favorite instruments even though I now badly want a Digitone... On the other hand, I find the Model:Samples very boring, I never found the magic I immediately got as I turned on the Model:Cycles for the first time so it's back in its box and gently waits for a new owner who will hopefully find it more appealing than I do...
I've yet to try the Samples but huge Digitakt fan here
My tip: if you get a Digitone keep the Cycles as a drum machine. I should have kept mine.
It's wonderful to see how quickly and how completely I could change my mind about the M:S. I was able to finally discover and enjoy the Model:Samples which, like its sibling the Model:Cycles, is also a pure marvel
That lawn sprinkler though. I died.
Sprinklers - the sound of trap
Thank you Florian for another deep dive into gear I own but should become better acquainted with. I ran into some of the same issues with the kick snare and mono synth competing for the same frequencies but I am sure that can be resolved with eq and compression. I admit I was too lazy to twiddle s few knobs and just thought the metal and percussion were crap. I was hoping someone would post a video showing the model:cycles in a positive light and my friend from Austria has done just that. Thanks for posting and see you next time!
Thanks!!!
Whatever falls into your hands, you make it sound it awesome, even if just was a simple cowbell. Thanks 😊
Thank you!!! Cowbells are my favorite;)
This was one of my pandemic purchases (the others being: an acoustic guitar, the new Circuits, Korg Volca Modular and, Sonicware's Liven XFM). It's the only one of my pandemic purchases I have thus far sold on eBay. I LOVED it but I also HATED it. I LOVED the sounds, the sound design, the sequencer and the general form factor. I HATED the inaccessible menu-diving (retrigs, project management, etc) and the fact it took Elektron nearly 2 years to release the power-handle thingy. The EMC is covered in knobs and buttons so there was no real excuse at all for any menu-diving. I'm also not a fan of the videogame-esque need to constantly set undo-points (as opposed to the conventional method of actively saving changes to your work). Also, those pads were not at all responsive - it felt like punching a wall.Also, Sonicware's Liven XFM is a far better FM groovebox that can handle both percussive and melodic patches.
Yeah, it's truly marmite;)
It is always good to watch an episode that features a piece o gear you own. Especially if it is a very Swedish brick made of recycled materials
Such sustainable;)
The Jomox jam was beautiful.
Thanks!
I got mine ! Couldn't resist the low price. It's a fun thingamagig, wouldn't quit it.
Nice!
I love this box! Always a pleasure to see my fav gear on your show. Keep up the great work bro! ✌️🎹🎶🎶
Thanks!!!
Honestly I'm surprised that you didn't cover this thing's evil twin, the model: samples. I have to wonder how well these functions would translate to a sampler considering the rhythm and structure would be so restricted. Then again it can't be any more limited than my Pocket Operator T.K.O. and I still have a blast with that.
Should I? ;)
@@AudioPilz yes please!!
One trick on the Samples is that you can alter the start point of the sample to get a wave table kind of effect, if you have a sample with a tone that modulates over time.
It takes a lot of time to set things up, though.
@@Roboprogs That sounds really cool! Actually I have a couple of synths that use wavetable engines and am finding them extremely useful for the kind of music I produce. This definitely puts the samples back on my radar as a potential buy someday, thanks for letting me know!
@@t0xcn253 I don't think I can post external links on UA-cam, but check out section 9 of the M:S manual online.
Section 9.2 explains setting the sample start and length, and 9.4 discusses looping to hold a tone while the attack-decay envelope controls the volume.
Wow, one thing absolutely slaps about this machine though: The sound. First tunes of the intro I already thought: That‘s going to be a nice one.
Yup, Elektron really got their FM sorted out;)
I ragged on this little guy a bit when it released for not having more features than a korg er1 from 20yrs ago. But seeing that theyre about the same price now... Still kills me when drum machines/grooveboxes dont have multiple outs tho.
There are indeed some similarities to the ER-1 - love that box!
You always amaze me with your fantastic points and endless jam goodies. These sounds were amazing. Seeing how these go for 200$ now.. would this be as equal as fun as the digitone? Or is it safer to list save and invest in the next tier?
I love how instant the models cycles seems to be (less menu diving snd endless exploring of the void as say the digitone)
Love your videos as always!
Thank you!!! I'd probably go for the bigger. The 200 price tag comes from many people outgrowing it