I've been singing this baby's praises for years. I have the yellow one and the black. Terribly underappreciated synthesizer, especially when you access the hidden functions like unison and the notch filters. My channel has been more-or-less Sledge centric for the last year or so, and I'm selling a bank of over 200 patches over there if anyone is interested in some new patches for there's. I'd say that the keyboard on the black version is the best feeling keyboard of any synthesizer or controller I've ever used; they're truly a joy to play on. I'd say the knobs aren't great, but it's the large ones that have the most play; the small ones feel better. I disagree with the 6 out of 10 for the overall build quality though, because it's really just the knobs that feel cheap, and the big ones specifically. For a plastic synth, it's pretty solid otherwise! No wobble or flex from end to end or misaligned keys. I'd give the knobs a 6 out of 10, but not the whole instrument. Nice video dude!
Nice overview. I’ve been intrigued with the Sledge for a while because I love that Blofeld sound engine and love the idea of a bigger panel to use for programming. I hope you do more videos on the Sledge and maybe do some patch from scratch stuff.
Always loved the Sledge, Its one of the most fun and intuitive synths that I have ever laid my hands on. Great user interface, good sound, love the wavetables. My dream synth by Waldorf (that is not a Quantum) would be a Blofeld with Sledge hardware/layout, at the same price range as the Sledge.
I’ve had my sledge for a few years now and I love it, it’s a real go to synth for me. You were right it’s got a Waldorf engine inside. This synth is a real chameleon I’ve been able to emulate countless sounds on it. I will agree it’s definitely a studio synth I don’t think this would hold up on the road.
Totally agree, I was truly blown away by the digital/wavetabley sounds. I definitely overlooked it all those years ago...if I didn’t have a wavetable synth, this is a great “poor man’s” Waldorf (but with actual Waldorf innards)
I’ve had the Sledge for a few years now it’s one of favorites, you were right it’s got a Waldorf engine inside. A constant go to synth, and a real chameleon.
I was a keyboard and synth service tech for 26 years. Someone brought in a yellow Sledge. Even though I was a Studiologic authorized service center, it took months to get the main board. Before buying any synth, check to find out what you are going to do when it needs service. They all will break! Some Manufactures have many service centers around the world: Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Kawai, Casio. Many require shipping it to the factory. Some do not even sell parts. If under warranty, they would replace the keyboard. Out of warranty, you trash it and replace it.
I think the sledge is the best midi controller you can buy. The keybed is amazing! And then on top of that you get an insane synth. Cool review, I agree, the knobs stink, but the keybed is amazing.
As a Blofeld owner, I can definitely see the appeal of adding more knobs. Even with that though, the underlying engine is still not the most versatile. Good for pads and organs and flutes, but I'd use something else for leads, basses, and anything which should sound dirty or distorted. These days, instead of a Blofeld or Sledge, I'd pick a Hydra or Peak.
The Sledge is a synth I've had my eye on for a while now. It can sound extremely good with that Waldorf engine, and I think it's one of the better VA options despite its age. I agree with you about the knobs. They even look cheap IMO. But I don't think it's a bad option for the price. Seems very versatile to me as well. I prefer the yellow color with the regular keys though. Ultimately I think the Modal Argon8 sounds a bit more interesting. But I like what the Sledge can do. If you could somehow get your hands on one, I'd love to see you try out the UDO Super 6.
I can ask to borrow the Super 6, but it seems I don’t have access to everything, obviously Perfect Circuit rules for letting me borrow these, but JDXA and Sledge definitely aren’t flying off shelves 😂 So, yeah, being as I’m not a collector and really only get gear for the channel I’ll definitely inquire. As for the build, I guess I should be more thorough...the build is good/on par with 2012 synths, but compared to today when any synth over like $600 is built like so incredible it’s fine for the time, just compare it to the Argon, this isn’t even close like Argon 8 is way way better.
@@NoirEtBlancVie Yeah, I know the Super 6 would be a huge stretch, that thing is expensive. The Super 6 really intrigues me due to its FPGA nature. Theoretically, you could reprogram the hardware oscillators themselves, or at least UDO could! I wish it were more affordable!
@@rars0n yeah, played it at namm, great build and a really enthusiastic designer behind it. I’m gonna have to get back to cheaper equipment...well, after the next couple synths I’m getting.
@@this_connor_guy haha, actually maybe the Micron, I’m gonna have to buy this thing and I can’t be spending $500 just to make a YT video on a old ass VA 😂 (Reminds myself I bought a damn 10 year old Mininova in 2020😩)
How is the interface when using with a DAW? One of the things I _adore_ about my Virus Darkstar is the Virus Control AU. It makes up for the _very_ finicky behavior that the Virus (and every Virus I've ever had) sometimes exhibits, and it's probably one reason why I use it so much. Does the Sledge 2.0 have a similar plugin that allows complete control of the synth from a DAW, and does the audio go over USB (so I don't have to sacrifice my too-few audio inputs)? I also, like many others have said, quite like your channel and reviews. Please keep it up :-)
It's nice, sounds... ok. Looks pretty ok too. But honestly it's not for me. Other than the KNOBBAGE it just reminds me of my Deepmind. With build quality in mind I'm not sure I could justify the price.
Amazing- so versatile. I dig that you give real reviews. Love this channel!
It really is something fun and knobby with quirks, but for the used prices, super decent deal!
I've been singing this baby's praises for years. I have the yellow one and the black. Terribly underappreciated synthesizer, especially when you access the hidden functions like unison and the notch filters. My channel has been more-or-less Sledge centric for the last year or so, and I'm selling a bank of over 200 patches over there if anyone is interested in some new patches for there's. I'd say that the keyboard on the black version is the best feeling keyboard of any synthesizer or controller I've ever used; they're truly a joy to play on. I'd say the knobs aren't great, but it's the large ones that have the most play; the small ones feel better. I disagree with the 6 out of 10 for the overall build quality though, because it's really just the knobs that feel cheap, and the big ones specifically. For a plastic synth, it's pretty solid otherwise! No wobble or flex from end to end or misaligned keys. I'd give the knobs a 6 out of 10, but not the whole instrument. Nice video dude!
I'm glad you mentioned the keybed. Studiologic should have pretty good keyboards considering their parent brand.
Nice overview. I’ve been intrigued with the Sledge for a while because I love that Blofeld sound engine and love the idea of a bigger panel to use for programming. I hope you do more videos on the Sledge and maybe do some patch from scratch stuff.
Always loved the Sledge, Its one of the most fun and intuitive synths that I have ever laid my hands on. Great user interface, good sound, love the wavetables. My dream synth by Waldorf (that is not a Quantum) would be a Blofeld with Sledge hardware/layout, at the same price range as the Sledge.
It’s always a good day when a new Noir et Blanc Vie video drops! Awesome content all the way dude 🤟🏻
Waaaay better video & presentation than those maritrano vids that plague YT.. Nice work.
I’ve had my sledge for a few years now and I love it, it’s a real go to synth for me. You were right it’s got a Waldorf engine inside. This synth is a real chameleon I’ve been able to emulate countless sounds on it. I will agree it’s definitely a studio synth I don’t think this would hold up on the road.
The virtual analog stuff is nice, but I LOVE the colder, more digital sounding stuff this thing is capable. This thing sounds futuristic to me.
Totally agree, I was truly blown away by the digital/wavetabley sounds. I definitely overlooked it all those years ago...if I didn’t have a wavetable synth, this is a great “poor man’s” Waldorf (but with actual Waldorf innards)
I love how much joy you express in this video. Thank you for taking us through the Sledge!
Shout out to Perfect Circuit! My favorite synth shop
I’ve had the Sledge for a few years now it’s one of favorites, you were right it’s got a Waldorf engine inside.
A constant go to synth, and a real chameleon.
Always thought this was a dope synth man, and of course dope video as always! Nice!
I was a keyboard and synth service tech for 26 years. Someone brought in a yellow Sledge. Even though I was a Studiologic authorized service center, it took months to get the main board. Before buying any synth, check to find out what you are going to do when it needs service. They all will break! Some Manufactures have many service centers around the world: Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Kawai, Casio. Many require shipping it to the factory. Some do not even sell parts. If under warranty, they would replace the keyboard. Out of warranty, you trash it and replace it.
Another excellent video! Thanks for keeping it real with gear always and for rocking that superfly jacket 🙃🙌🏽
7:18 almost sounds like the tone used in Silent Hill 2 to exit menu stuff. Interesting sounding synth. I like the gritty lo-fi edge of it.
People he's 600 folks away from 50k subs. Get on the bus!
I think the sledge is the best midi controller you can buy. The keybed is amazing!
And then on top of that you get an insane synth.
Cool review, I agree, the knobs stink, but the keybed is amazing.
As a Blofeld owner, I can definitely see the appeal of adding more knobs. Even with that though, the underlying engine is still not the most versatile. Good for pads and organs and flutes, but I'd use something else for leads, basses, and anything which should sound dirty or distorted.
These days, instead of a Blofeld or Sledge, I'd pick a Hydra or Peak.
The Sledge is a synth I've had my eye on for a while now. It can sound extremely good with that Waldorf engine, and I think it's one of the better VA options despite its age. I agree with you about the knobs. They even look cheap IMO. But I don't think it's a bad option for the price. Seems very versatile to me as well. I prefer the yellow color with the regular keys though.
Ultimately I think the Modal Argon8 sounds a bit more interesting. But I like what the Sledge can do.
If you could somehow get your hands on one, I'd love to see you try out the UDO Super 6.
I was thinking this reminded me a bit of the Super 6!
I can ask to borrow the Super 6, but it seems I don’t have access to everything, obviously Perfect Circuit rules for letting me borrow these, but JDXA and Sledge definitely aren’t flying off shelves 😂
So, yeah, being as I’m not a collector and really only get gear for the channel I’ll definitely inquire.
As for the build, I guess I should be more thorough...the build is good/on par with 2012 synths, but compared to today when any synth over like $600 is built like so incredible it’s fine for the time, just compare it to the Argon, this isn’t even close like Argon 8 is way way better.
@@NoirEtBlancVie Yeah, I know the Super 6 would be a huge stretch, that thing is expensive. The Super 6 really intrigues me due to its FPGA nature. Theoretically, you could reprogram the hardware oscillators themselves, or at least UDO could! I wish it were more affordable!
@@rars0n yeah, played it at namm, great build and a really enthusiastic designer behind it.
I’m gonna have to get back to cheaper equipment...well, after the next couple synths I’m getting.
Notation peak and summit also use FPGAs
2:19 yeah that Grinch face
Gosh that thing sounds so good. It's just got something in there that's so sultry.
Sultry is the perfect word to describe the sound! Thank you so much for suggesting this, I would have kept overlooking it without it!
my favorite jamming synth! what a weird combination of design choices, but I love this one.
You play such nice melodies when you demo stuff. :3
Was it made in conjunction with Waldorf? I see a logo on it? What parts are from Waldorf?
Yes, the synth engine is by Waldorf, it's very similar to Blofeld.
Hope they sorted the quality issues
I almost got one of these a few years ago. Ended up going with an Alesis Ion instead. Kinda glad I went with that, tbh. Great video!
Oh the Alesis Ion, I owned one for a while, gotta make a video on that someday...I definitely have a story there🤔
@@NoirEtBlancVie that would be awesome. I'd love to hear it.
@@this_connor_guy haha, actually maybe the Micron, I’m gonna have to buy this thing and I can’t be spending $500 just to make a YT video on a old ass VA 😂
(Reminds myself I bought a damn 10 year old Mininova in 2020😩)
@@NoirEtBlancVie haha, fair enough!
This was my first synth! It's gone now but I wouldn't mind owning another in the future haha
How is the interface when using with a DAW? One of the things I _adore_ about my Virus Darkstar is the Virus Control AU. It makes up for the _very_ finicky behavior that the Virus (and every Virus I've ever had) sometimes exhibits, and it's probably one reason why I use it so much. Does the Sledge 2.0 have a similar plugin that allows complete control of the synth from a DAW, and does the audio go over USB (so I don't have to sacrifice my too-few audio inputs)?
I also, like many others have said, quite like your channel and reviews. Please keep it up :-)
I love this synth but you need to put an electron heat in there after it.
I have recently bought the Sledge 2.0 black edition. This synth is a monster in that price range.
Excellent video
Nice synth but I also really like that jacket.
I really liked my sledge, but the real estate it took up in my studio was too much for me. Lot of really nice waldorfy stuff tho.
Love my sledge!
is sledge still worth this day ?
Black is much nicer than Yellow....✌
The UI the blofeld should have had...
Solid sound, but was never very fond of the build quality.
Dat thumbnail!
Don't forget that it has 60MB of loadable sample storage built in... So this synth can literally be made to sound like anything :-D
Amajing
It's like a Korg Mono/ Poly on cosmic steroids.
They say my Numa Compact 2x has the "sledge synth engine"... It sounds really harsh to me, way worse than this...
It's nice, sounds... ok. Looks pretty ok too. But honestly it's not for me. Other than the KNOBBAGE it just reminds me of my Deepmind. With build quality in mind I'm not sure I could justify the price.
But it's uuuuuuugly.
The old yellow version was uglier haha
Sounds really bad
This synth is garbage!
In the words of the dude "Yeah, well... that's just like.... your opinion, man." I love mine.