Time stamps! 0:00 - 1:44 Intro 1:44 - 3:53 Minilogue XD/Minilogue OG (also there's a typo in the "Now Playing", it should say Minilogue instead of Monologue my b) 3:53 - 5:29 Roland Boutique Series 5:37 - 8:06 Roland MC-101 8:06 - 10:23 Teenage Engineering OP-1 10:23 - 14:15 Critter & Guitari Organelle 14:15 - 16:07 Moog Werkstatt-01 16:07 - 17:32 Empress Effects Zoia 17:32 - 18:05 Outro/Bean being cute Hope this is helpful!!
I comcur with my vote for the Korg NTS-1 as well. It's such a great little kit for the price. The effects alone make it more than worth it. It's the only piece of digital gear that I have. I love that I can download new oscillators, reverb and delays both free and paid.
Small synths and grooveboxes for the win! The MC-101 has really grown on me, especially with the updates making its handling of samples so powerful and fixing some jank with the interface.
Being an old man, who grew up in another time, I'm so glad to see intelligent/articulate women making and talking about, electronic music. Hoping this is a trend, that will continue to grow. Don't let someone else tell you, what you can/can't aspire to.
@@iustjjn Of course there have always been great women in the synth world. Sadly there are still extra hurdles, like the sexual harassment on UA-cam that women have to endure.
@@iustjjn I knew Wendy when she was Walter, so not a good example. Did not hear about Suzanne Ciani until recently, and never heard about the others. This despite being active synth music lover, all my life. If things have gotten better in this regard, I'm happy to learn about that. My comment was meant to be encouraging, not patronizing/eyeroll-inducing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Sorry you took it in a way, I did not intend. Best wishes for everyones success.
My vote is for the Korg Volca series. They are cheap, very small, battery powered, have excellent sound quality, a very intuitive sequencer, parameter locking, and live recording. I've got 4 and at this rate, I will probably get more. I love them all!
Shazam! I've been searching for some new gear. Totally forgot about Reverb.com. Bam!! Before your video was over I have a new Microbrute ordered. Thank you and keep up the good tunes
As an engineer getting back into production and hardware synths, this video came at a great time. I was just looking at the OP-1 a few hours before this video went up!
One of my all time favorites are the Korg Monotrons. I actually use them in most of my jam sessions on UA-cam. They are super cheap and can do a lot. Especially when you run them through effects. I have marked my ribbon keyboard so I can play it in tune and I use a stylus to play it. I really think they are overlooked quite often and are considered toys. Great video by the way!!!
I'm a guitarist and was very intimidated by synths for years but gained some interest during quarantine as I was learning to record at home. My first was a Korg Volca Keys and would absolutely recommend it for a beginner. Obviously for playing it's a little different with the touch keyboard but it was perfect for understanding how VC and LFO's work. I'm now obsessed with synthesizers and added a Roland GAIA and Elektron Model:Samples.
I'm kinda in the same boat but I went with a Behringer MS-1. It's a clone of the old Roland SH-101 and is a lot of fun! I also picked up their TB-303 clone (TD-3) and am trying to resist the urge to add a drum machine to the mix. Have fun!
Soooo good to watch! Would love love love a demo of each piece of gear showcasing its sounds. Like a compilation of jams with no talking. You're amazing!
I learnt music with guitar and not long ago I fell into the pedal rabbit hole. Recently I’ve been very very interested in learning more about synths and found the ZOIA. If you dedicate time to learning the basics of it as a modular interface without trying to understand everything it is capable to do, I find it an amazing tool to learn about synthesis but still find it a very useful tool when intended only for fx to process your instruments/tracks with! Also having empress effects quality sound, midi I/O and patchstorage is a big big plus when looked at it and not being sure if synths are for you! 🙌🏻 Love your videos snacks! 💙
I know it gets shit because of the nontraditional keyboard, but the Arturia Microfreak has been absolutely inspirational to me! So fun to make pads and bass sounds with it and the touch keys are actually kinda fun
Yamaha Reface CS gotta be the best synth I've ever tried. I don't know, there's just something about it. An aura or something. And man, that thing sounds like a neon universe from the late 70s. Such warm sounds.
Dictionary: mojo - see Yamaha reface. Me: Love my CS. If all my gear got destroyed, the CS would be the first thing I'd replace because it's so inspirational. Fantastic design work in choosing its controls. Very quick to dial-in great sounds before the muse disappears. Doesn't sound too digital either. Got the YC too and getting the CP. Not sure how long I'll be able to hold off getting the FM either even though I'm adequately DXed.
I love my Reface CS. It's so approachable and tweakable and easy ... it just begs to be played, really. *edit* Of some note, actually, is that you can use the reface CS as a midi controller for the 101, and it's actually really good! The resonance/cutoff sliders map directly to it without any tweaking
Yes. It's good because it's simple and direct and therefor something you always can expects results from. It's limited sure but how much difference will it really do in practice..
Hey there! Just wanted to give an FYI on the MC-101. You don't have to take out the SD card to load samples on. You can just boot the MC-101 in data mode to transfer files over USB. :) Thanks for the awesome video!
My favourites change with the music I am producing at the time. Obvious, I have selected synths that span a variety of use cases, but here is my top list at this time: (a) Waldorf Streichfett (always a top choice) (b) KORG Volca Drum (the randomise function is a sound engineers dream come true) (c) Behringer Neutron (what can I say - a necessary classic) (d) KORG Volca FM2 (surprisingly versatile) (e) Any of the Soniocware Loiven series (lots to choose from) (f) Korg NTS-1 (if you don't have cash and you want a synth - this is your number one choice) (g) IK Uno Synth Pro (might surprise you - it did me)
Maybe reach out to Synthstrom and figure something out? :) I'm sure you could help with exposure, and their company really derserve it. Based off your videos I think you would really enjoy it. Anways, great content, and all the best from Denmark :D
My one and only hardware synth is a Novation Bass Station 2. It’s clunky yes, it feels a little cheap yes, but it sounds FANTASTIC. Super phat, really aggressive if you want it but can also be super delicate if you need that kind of sound, it’s just great. Learning curve is a little tough (I’m still learning the ins and outs), but I can recommend it just on how it sounds alone
…. Or get a Roland System-1 25 key Plug Out Synth ! It has 1 button/knob per function with an easy to understand layout for a first synth and a fun scatter wheel and arppegiator. It has 4 Oscillators, it’s own personal Synth engine, as well as a Plug Out option to switch to one of Rolands other virtual analog 4 voice polyphonic synths at a moments notice. 2 synths for 1!
Great rundown. I've been drooling over the OP-1 for a while now but the price point is a bit too steep for me atm. Also have been looking at the boutiqe series and seriously considering getting the Juno or the SH02. For strings I would love to get my hands on a Streichfett. I have a Roland JD-Xi which I generally like some of the default sounds of but I found it all in all a bit underwhelming sound design wise so I'm considering selling it and getting a Minilogue....the xd looked interesting. Loved the video, good to have you back!
I vote for the Akai MPC One. I have the Live, but the One has similar features, but fewer built in samples. It is a synthesizer, sampler, multitrack audio recorder, drum machine, effects processor, mixer, and sequencer. You can play melodies and chords on it as well, or with a MIDI keyboard. I can use it to automatically create keygroups with any of the 3000 sounds in my MC-101. It can do much of what all the other synths mentioned can do and more.
Yes, it has a built in multitrack audio recorder with full editing capabilities but limited to eight tracks in stand alone mode. It has hundreds of effects that you could used for both audio and MIDI recording or plug in a (e.g.) guitar and used the effects in the MPC. As a sampler, it is unmatched for a stand alone box. I am still finding out things it can do that I do not know about and they have had some significant software upgrades adding functions. I have had many boxes like this, and my MPC Live is far and away the best for a wide variety of music production.
Thanks for your videos they are always amazing. My favorite small synths that I own are the Dreadbox Typhon, Elektron Model Cycles and the freak PO Arcade, and Yamaha Reface CS while been not perfect by any mean, sometimes you get a sound and you are like "are you the same boy that 15 minutes ago?". I am about to get the organelle just now it seems like a very helpfull machine.
Eternal Love for the Organelle. Got it after learning Colleens "A Flame My Love, A Frequency" was almost entirely done with that. You should check that album out. Peace.
For some of these prices I could have a Behringer D. A Poly D even. The $200 Moog surprised me though. It looked like they were gonna ask $900 for it being Moog and all.
SH-01A surprised me with how fun it is. But also I recommend that A-01 which has kind of a chiptune oscillator, which can be really raw and fun. I put the K-25 keyboard on all my Roland Boutiques - because I'm a keyboardist - and it really opened up the TB-03 for me in ways I did not expect. Best ROMpler additions to the Small Boi series: Roland JV-1010, Roland XV-2020, Korg NS-5R, Kurzweil ME-1 - if you need a small box with lots of sounds especially piano / strings / brass the Kurzweil ME-1 is the tops. But the Roland and Korg units have a much larger variety of synth sounds. Being tiny boxes, they're not great for modulating the sounds as you play, but if you want to travel light, add one of these boxes to a USB MIDI controller and it opens up a lot of musical doors.
Not something very contemporary, but I recently purchased a JV1010 and I haven't seen a broader sound palette in such a small package. And it has this something about it just because it comes from a certain time. The day I got it I did more music in a day than I have done in a year.
I second this. The JV-1010 is super impressive, although it seems like everyone forgot about it for quite some years now. It's an almost square black box, doesnt look like much, but when you plug it in.....
Had the Reface-CP and LOVED it. Sounds incredible! I had to sell it just because I wasn't putting a lot of time into it and got a Roland System-1 which could probably make this list!
I also recommend (and own) the Roland JD-Xi, which also has many of the classic Roland synth and drum sounds PLUS a true analog monosynth AND a keyboard. It's about the same price as the MC-101.
My first ever hardware synth was the Behringer Model D, quite a small boy indeed 😁 I think for the price, for its comparison with the Moog Model D, and some of its patching capabilities that give interesting sound design options, it’s a great deal! They go for around $300, and offer anyone that is interested in real synthesizers a solid starting point.
For a cheap analog Polysynth it's either one of the behringers or one of the minilogues. I went with the minilogue xd over the deepmind for 2 reasons. 1: i, like many others, am not particularly drawn to Behringer and their methods of doing business and ripping other businesses off. 2: I am a huge nerd with an engineering background and the minilogue has userprogrammable DSP, you can develop your own digital wavetable oscillators and effects with the Logue SDK :-) This makes it a lot more versatile and unique.
thanks for sharing. my fave smaller synths are: Korg Monologue; Behringer Crave, Model D, TD-3, and K-2. I also use a pair of Ensoniq MR-61 workstations, and a PAiA 4700 modular... being an old synth collector, I am just now getting into midi. I appreciate your candid views- Thanks again.
The Moog Werkstatt-01 was my first synthesizer that I ever bought. I love it so much that I had to buy a second one before they stopped making them. No regrets.
Well I was going to pick up one of the Volca series but the Roland Juniors look closer to what I think I want. Might pair one with a pocket operator KO and see how that goes...!
I’ve got a Werkstatt on order- and that’s the only kit we have in common. Big shout out for the Behringer Crave however- an excellent entry-level analog synth, knob-per-function, great way to learn the print of analog synthesis. It’s also semi-modular, and retails for way under under $200/ £170. You couldn’t start better imho...
@@mikeellisonhimself I suspect that the Moog will have the better filter, but that aside I’d back the Crave. Can’t wait to run ‘em side by side though!
@@walrtbstudios5430 the Crave is pricey in Canada ($340+tax) and I've held off because I already have a bunch of synths including the Neutron. I would like a nice rich Moog bass sound but it's not worth more than $300 to me including taxes so hopefully the Werk will come in close to that.
@@mikeellisonhimself Yeah, we’re (currently) lucky in the UK that a lot of excellent synths are European (Arturia, Behringer, Dreadbox)- from Jan ‘21 I think we can start adding 20% to our prices too. Flip side is that I’d really like a 0-Coast, but the import costs would be crippling...
Thanks for the tour of your personal collection. Of all the hardware I've owned since the 80's, I'm glad I held onto my original Casio CZ-101. That thing still holds its own for luscious low-end. I also love buying crummy electronic musical toys in 99 cent stores and sampling/chopping them.
My smol boi is the Moog DFAM. Bought it while on holidays a couple of years ago. A remarkable instrument. My only (pretty small) complaint is that it lacks a sequencer reset
Love this rundown of smaller synths. I don't have a lot of room, so smaller machines that do multiple things are my favourites. I'm just getting into synths at nearly 48 years old, so I'm a late starter. I started off with Novation Circuit, Circuit Mono Station and MiniNova, which are all affordable, have great sounds and both Circuits have a great interface. I recently got an Arturia Drumbrute and a Elektron Model; Cycles, and I'm learning to understand the Model; Cycles' interface (especially the way it stores patterns and pattern chaining are proving a bit difficult). I love how my little bleepy and boinky boxes complement eachother. Both sound wise and interface wise. I'm not a keyboardist and I use the internal sequencers a lot.
Nice to see someone professing a big love for the Organelle. I think it was Knobs' demo that sold me on it too - I agree that the synth sounds are not the best thing about it but everything else it does is entirely fab. I keep finding new patches and new ways to use them. My small synth recommendation (if anyone cares, and frankly why would they) would be the Modal electronics Craft Synth. It's a thing of beauty.
I love my Arturia Micro Brute. For a single oscillator analog synth they are packed with features. With a built in sequencer you can lay down some fat bass tracks. All for between 250 and 300 dollars
My favorite small boi was your dog at the end 😍The Werkstatt seemed pretty cool too. Thanks for the great video! Would love to see jamming on each of these a bit more (like you did with the Werkstatt).
My fav small synth is the P6 form French company Audiothingies (now replaced by the MicroMonsta). It's like a Boutique or Reface, but does not set out to emulate any specific synth, but rather has features (and quirks) of its own, it sounds great, probably one of the most analogue sounding digital gear I've come across. Super nice user interface makes it a very inviting device.
The best small sized synth...I'd say an iPad or an iPhone. Synth manufacturers such as Moog, Korg, Yamaha, Roland, and more have made unique applications that can connect to any hardware. Animoog for example is an insane synth that can't be done on any other system. Also, welcome back, Bad snacks.
My small boy synths. Korg Monologue is smaller and 50% more affordable than Mini OG (but one voice). Volca Keys is solid synth (and cheapest way to polyphony... well, paraphony). Moog Werkstatt 01 is great (with Arturia Keystep). Elektron model: Cycles is a groovebox (drums, melody, FX) and MIDI sequencer with vibe on its own. PO33KO! is the smallest sampler and huge fun. Korg Monotron Delay is noisy FX unit rather then regular synrh but it doas its job like no other.
Flip the knob is a good song title. Cheers and I agree with boutique models, scored a 2nd hand SE-02 and Werkstatt for an unreal price. Cheers and slide the knob.
Love this thank you. I'm a total noob. Wanting to create some ambient electronic music. Considering a Seccond hand op-1. Is that a good way to go? I also have a MacBook and a iPad pro. I like the idea of Keeping things simple doing everything with one thing on the go. Thanks.
I'm pretty new to the game, but I'm a huge fan of the first synth I purchased. The Arturia Microbrute. Honestly, I'd put it up against any other in terms of friendly UI, each knob only handles one parameter and the patch bay is a nice touch that adds some great connectivity. I know some people don't like the sound as much, but for the price you can easily add a nice reverb or multi-effects pedal and still come well under $400. 100% would recommend!
favorite small synths (aka synths to pair with MC-707): DSI Tetra - super capablе one Novation Circuit Mono Station - super cool one to perform live IK Uno Synth - the one that just works Waldorf Rocket - super cool one to tweak MAM MB-33 Retro - the smallest of acid machines, but it rocks
My favorite synth is the Alesis Micron.... it has a lot of weird pad sounds but also great Bass and EP types as well.. The sequencer is awesome. I never see anybody talk about this anywhere. It can layer sounds and manipulate multiple seq \ phrases. It is unlike any other keyboard I've ever played.. super fun for making songs.
The Korg Monologue is a fantastic synth, especially for acid bass and dirty sounds. Cheap too. For a synth /sampler with a DAW-esque experience check out the Polyend Tracker - especially if you cut your musical teeth on Amiga trackers like I did.
Regarding the screws next to the SD slot on the MC-101. They are good from an engineering point of view. If they weren’t there al the pressure from putting in a card would be on the solder joints. With the screws it is unloaded so you don’t force the solder joints and potentially break them.
A great first synth when you are on a budget is the modal craftsynth v2.0. It costs 130 bucks, runs on batteries (making patches on the go, woohoo), it fits in any backpack and sounds surprisingly good for this small size. It's a 2 osc mono wavetable synth with chord modes and a delay. Might be even a worthy addition to a big studio if you want to add a different sounding wavetablesynth to your setup and safe some space or just have something ultra portable... Perhaps you noticed how much I love this thing:)
Hey Cuckoo I have an evolver can you do a private movie for meh i have ganj and weed CoolBoysHahaha cool thanks awesome gay ok super cute nice alright bye thank you bro thank you brosephy o joesephiieee hey we make we make oouutteeaaee hahahha joke kidding i love your stuff let's just welax and we like it we can be alright eh hey hey
Time stamps!
0:00 - 1:44 Intro
1:44 - 3:53 Minilogue XD/Minilogue OG (also there's a typo in the "Now Playing", it should say Minilogue instead of Monologue my b)
3:53 - 5:29 Roland Boutique Series
5:37 - 8:06 Roland MC-101
8:06 - 10:23 Teenage Engineering OP-1
10:23 - 14:15 Critter & Guitari Organelle
14:15 - 16:07 Moog Werkstatt-01
16:07 - 17:32 Empress Effects Zoia
17:32 - 18:05 Outro/Bean being cute
Hope this is helpful!!
The moog is so usefull ! 👍
@Reylo Skywalkers We did, indeed
Thanks for the inspiration.
which headphones are your favorite to use in studio? or have you already done a video about that?
love the video! btw, if you put these timestamps in the description of the video itself, YT marks it on the video player which can be really useful.
Definitely a vote for the Korg NTS-1. You can run audio in through the FX!
I comcur with my vote for the Korg NTS-1 as well. It's such a great little kit for the price. The effects alone make it more than worth it. It's the only piece of digital gear that I have.
I love that I can download new oscillators, reverb and delays both free and paid.
The queen came back!
YAHAAAS
Neon Vines? She hasn't left to begin with. =p
Small synths and grooveboxes for the win!
The MC-101 has really grown on me, especially with the updates making its handling of samples so powerful and fixing some jank with the interface.
Being an old man, who grew up in another time, I'm so glad to see intelligent/articulate women making and talking about, electronic music.
Hoping this is a trend, that will continue to grow.
Don't let someone else tell you, what you can/can't aspire to.
have you heard of wendy carlos suzanne ciani eliane radigue delia derbyshire i could go on...come on now...ladies been all up in this sh*t from day 1.
@@iustjjn Of course there have always been great women in the synth world. Sadly there are still extra hurdles, like the sexual harassment on UA-cam that women have to endure.
Exactly. Hence I imagine the op’s comment might feel a bit patronizing/eyeroll-inducing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
@@iustjjn I knew Wendy when she was Walter, so not a good example.
Did not hear about Suzanne Ciani until recently, and never heard about the others.
This despite being active synth music lover, all my life.
If things have gotten better in this regard, I'm happy to learn about that.
My comment was meant to be encouraging, not patronizing/eyeroll-inducing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Sorry you took it in a way, I did not intend.
Best wishes for everyones success.
Wendy Carlos is a woman. Whatever though peace.
My vote is for the Korg Volca series. They are cheap, very small, battery powered, have excellent sound quality, a very intuitive sequencer, parameter locking, and live recording. I've got 4 and at this rate, I will probably get more. I love them all!
Shazam! I've been searching for some new gear. Totally forgot about Reverb.com. Bam!! Before your video was over I have a new Microbrute ordered. Thank you and keep up the good tunes
This reminds me to use my MC-101 more! Dope content as always!😁
love synths, only have one lonely volca here with no midi keys to trigger lol! i like the rack mount in the background and the plant on scarlett LOL!
As an engineer getting back into production and hardware synths, this video came at a great time. I was just looking at the OP-1 a few hours before this video went up!
Excellent Video!!!! You are amazing!! - really really nice - Guitarist thinking of getting a Moog Werkstatt
One of my all time favorites are the Korg Monotrons. I actually use them in most of my jam sessions on UA-cam. They are super cheap and can do a lot. Especially when you run them through effects. I have marked my ribbon keyboard so I can play it in tune and I use a stylus to play it. I really think they are overlooked quite often and are considered toys. Great video by the way!!!
Glad to see you back, and love the doggie. Thanks for sharing your toys with us!
My op-1 is like my child, frustrating at times, but love it to death
@UnderBridge Rock I’ve got one of those too, love it as much as the op 1
I'm a guitarist and was very intimidated by synths for years but gained some interest during quarantine as I was learning to record at home. My first was a Korg Volca Keys and would absolutely recommend it for a beginner. Obviously for playing it's a little different with the touch keyboard but it was perfect for understanding how VC and LFO's work. I'm now obsessed with synthesizers and added a Roland GAIA and Elektron Model:Samples.
I'm kinda in the same boat but I went with a Behringer MS-1. It's a clone of the old Roland SH-101 and is a lot of fun! I also picked up their TB-303 clone (TD-3) and am trying to resist the urge to add a drum machine to the mix. Have fun!
Same story for me. However I realize that all these videos just enlarge our GAS.Do not ever forget this
Very good video keep up the amazing work Bad Snacks
I like the korg minilog just I don’t have room for it in my studio. I’m also maxed out on inputs. Time to upgrade my interface... ughh
Now 100% sure I need a Werkstatt lol
Those lil tunes for each of the synths were *chef's kiss*
The organelle was your go-to back in the logic days
it true, i stay loyal
you're the reason i started getting serious about learning & making music :) ilysm
Aw!! This makes me so happy :)
Soooo good to watch! Would love love love a demo of each piece of gear showcasing its sounds. Like a compilation of jams with no talking. You're amazing!
I learnt music with guitar and not long ago I fell into the pedal rabbit hole. Recently I’ve been very very interested in learning more about synths and found the ZOIA. If you dedicate time to learning the basics of it as a modular interface without trying to understand everything it is capable to do, I find it an amazing tool to learn about synthesis but still find it a very useful tool when intended only for fx to process your instruments/tracks with! Also having empress effects quality sound, midi I/O and patchstorage is a big big plus when looked at it and not being sure if synths are for you! 🙌🏻
Love your videos snacks! 💙
I know it gets shit because of the nontraditional keyboard, but the Arturia Microfreak has been absolutely inspirational to me! So fun to make pads and bass sounds with it and the touch keys are actually kinda fun
Loooove Arturia!!
Yamaha Reface CS gotta be the best synth I've ever tried. I don't know, there's just something about it. An aura or something. And man, that thing sounds like a neon universe from the late 70s. Such warm sounds.
Dictionary: mojo - see Yamaha reface.
Me: Love my CS. If all my gear got destroyed, the CS would be the first thing I'd replace because it's so inspirational. Fantastic design work in choosing its controls. Very quick to dial-in great sounds before the muse disappears. Doesn't sound too digital either. Got the YC too and getting the CP. Not sure how long I'll be able to hold off getting the FM either even though I'm adequately DXed.
Completely agree. Best reface. So easy to tweak and get great sounds!
Agree... Reface CS is such a superb synth. I love the DX too. I have a DX7 mk1 from new, Motif , Modx, yet still love the reface.
I love my Reface CS. It's so approachable and tweakable and easy ... it just begs to be played, really.
*edit*
Of some note, actually, is that you can use the reface CS as a midi controller for the 101, and it's actually really good! The resonance/cutoff sliders map directly to it without any tweaking
Yes. It's good because it's simple and direct and therefor something you always can expects results from. It's limited sure but how much difference will it really do in practice..
Hey there! Just wanted to give an FYI on the MC-101. You don't have to take out the SD card to load samples on. You can just boot the MC-101 in data mode to transfer files over USB. :) Thanks for the awesome video!
Interesting. That little thing is fire with its Zenology-Platform.
I got the Behringer MS-20 and TB-303 clones ordered. Fingers crossed that all goes well and I get to have fun this winter.
My favourites change with the music I am producing at the time. Obvious, I have selected synths that span a variety of use cases, but here is my top list at this time:
(a) Waldorf Streichfett (always a top choice)
(b) KORG Volca Drum (the randomise function is a sound engineers dream come true)
(c) Behringer Neutron (what can I say - a necessary classic)
(d) KORG Volca FM2 (surprisingly versatile)
(e) Any of the Soniocware Loiven series (lots to choose from)
(f) Korg NTS-1 (if you don't have cash and you want a synth - this is your number one choice)
(g) IK Uno Synth Pro (might surprise you - it did me)
Ever considered giving the Deluge a try? DAW in a box + sampler + looper + the workflow is really nice
I would LOVE to get my hand on a deluge, they sound so cool!
@@badsnacks I can confirm, Deluge has been a life-changing instrument for a beginner synthesist like me :)
Maybe reach out to Synthstrom and figure something out? :) I'm sure you could help with exposure, and their company really derserve it.
Based off your videos I think you would really enjoy it. Anways, great content, and all the best from Denmark :D
I was going to add Deluge if nobody else had. It's quirky, but amazingly-capable.
Such good bois! Awesome video, snacks. Got the Organelle (thanks to your rec on an older vid) and still love it.
And damnit I might just have to get a dang werkstatt...
Liking the new spot!
Thanks!! Me too!
My one and only hardware synth is a Novation Bass Station 2. It’s clunky yes, it feels a little cheap yes, but it sounds FANTASTIC. Super phat, really aggressive if you want it but can also be super delicate if you need that kind of sound, it’s just great. Learning curve is a little tough (I’m still learning the ins and outs), but I can recommend it just on how it sounds alone
Microfreak is a pretty stellar Smol Boi synth. If they added some built in effects it'd be prefect.
...or just add a Korg NTS-1 with its open architecture.
…. Or get a Roland System-1 25 key Plug Out Synth !
It has 1 button/knob per function with an easy to understand layout for a first synth and a fun scatter wheel and arppegiator.
It has 4 Oscillators, it’s own personal Synth engine, as well as a Plug Out option to switch to one of Rolands other virtual analog 4 voice polyphonic synths at a moments notice.
2 synths for 1!
hey @bad snacks, love your channel - glad your still loving the Organelle and enjoying Orac :)
Thank you!! You are a genius!!!
thanks for the video... organelle m may be in my future now... another fabulous small boi for your consideration is the Bastl Soft Pop x
the MC-101 is SUCH A GOOD sound module! it rly grows on me. esp with the new chord & arp update
yes!!!
Why bad snacks tho do you not tasty snacks 😋 l
Great rundown. I've been drooling over the OP-1 for a while now but the price point is a bit too steep for me atm. Also have been looking at the boutiqe series and seriously considering getting the Juno or the SH02. For strings I would love to get my hands on a Streichfett. I have a Roland JD-Xi which I generally like some of the default sounds of but I found it all in all a bit underwhelming sound design wise so I'm considering selling it and getting a Minilogue....the xd looked interesting. Loved the video, good to have you back!
The 0 Coast by Make Noise. Brilliant and fun!
Best small synth... without doubt, Roland sh01a... so versatile
I vote for the Akai MPC One. I have the Live, but the One has similar features, but fewer built in samples. It is a synthesizer, sampler, multitrack audio recorder, drum machine, effects processor, mixer, and sequencer. You can play melodies and chords on it as well, or with a MIDI keyboard. I can use it to automatically create keygroups with any of the 3000 sounds in my MC-101. It can do much of what all the other synths mentioned can do and more.
Thanks for the hint. I never thought of it as a multitrack audio reccorder and effects processor. Might get it one day as my first hardware sampler.
Yes, it has a built in multitrack audio recorder with full editing capabilities but limited to eight tracks in stand alone mode. It has hundreds of effects that you could used for both audio and MIDI recording or plug in a (e.g.) guitar and used the effects in the MPC. As a sampler, it is unmatched for a stand alone box. I am still finding out things it can do that I do not know about and they have had some significant software upgrades adding functions. I have had many boxes like this, and my MPC Live is far and away the best for a wide variety of music production.
Many thanks for your reply! Sounds like the perfect machine for me.
Thanks for your videos they are always amazing. My favorite small synths that I own are the Dreadbox Typhon, Elektron Model Cycles and the freak PO Arcade, and Yamaha Reface CS while been not perfect by any mean, sometimes you get a sound and you are like "are you the same boy that 15 minutes ago?". I am about to get the organelle just now it seems like a very helpfull machine.
The Typhon is a blast! Time makes no sense when I'm digging into it
Glad you understand magnetic fields and the slow death of equipment placed near said field, which is where your plant should be too.
This video could not have come at a better time, love your work!
oh man, thank you for turning me onto Lightfoot Beats, his PO-33 video is dope
Best small boi is the fuzzy one at the end.
Not only am I geeking out about the synths you have but.. But it's the cello that's got me really intrigued.
Also, the plant on top of the Focusrite... on top of the Yamaha monitor 😂
Eternal Love for the Organelle. Got it after learning Colleens "A Flame My Love, A Frequency" was almost entirely done with that. You should check that album out. Peace.
this video is dangerous for my bank account
i'm sorry
At least we were pointed to Reverb.
For some of these prices I could have a Behringer D. A Poly D even.
The $200 Moog surprised me though. It looked like they were gonna ask $900 for it being Moog and all.
SH-01A surprised me with how fun it is. But also I recommend that A-01 which has kind of a chiptune oscillator, which can be really raw and fun. I put the K-25 keyboard on all my Roland Boutiques - because I'm a keyboardist - and it really opened up the TB-03 for me in ways I did not expect.
Best ROMpler additions to the Small Boi series: Roland JV-1010, Roland XV-2020, Korg NS-5R, Kurzweil ME-1 - if you need a small box with lots of sounds especially piano / strings / brass the Kurzweil ME-1 is the tops. But the Roland and Korg units have a much larger variety of synth sounds. Being tiny boxes, they're not great for modulating the sounds as you play, but if you want to travel light, add one of these boxes to a USB MIDI controller and it opens up a lot of musical doors.
that werkstatt-01 bass sound at 15:26 = amazing! (and the bubbly sound after!)
Not something very contemporary, but I recently purchased a JV1010 and I haven't seen a broader sound palette in such a small package. And it has this something about it just because it comes from a certain time. The day I got it I did more music in a day than I have done in a year.
I second this. The JV-1010 is super impressive, although it seems like everyone forgot about it for quite some years now. It's an almost square black box, doesnt look like much, but when you plug it in.....
The Yamaha Reface Series. They are always looked over!
Ooooh good call!!
Super cheap for what you get too! I've got a reface cs and that thing is an 80s string MACHINE!!!
Had the Reface-CP and LOVED it. Sounds incredible! I had to sell it just because I wasn't putting a lot of time into it and got a Roland System-1 which could probably make this list!
I just ordered the DX Reface and I'm super stoked for it. Got it for like $230, so that was a sweet deal!
The Reface CS is a great buy. I love mine.
I also recommend (and own) the Roland JD-Xi, which also has many of the classic Roland synth and drum sounds PLUS a true analog monosynth AND a keyboard. It's about the same price as the MC-101.
Thanks for mentioning the P0-33. Checking out used ones, but might just next day Brand New if I don't find a deal. Channel is awesome.
My first ever hardware synth was the Behringer Model D, quite a small boy indeed 😁 I think for the price, for its comparison with the Moog Model D, and some of its patching capabilities that give interesting sound design options, it’s a great deal! They go for around $300, and offer anyone that is interested in real synthesizers a solid starting point.
Looks like a “Paid” Video paid by sponsors. If you want affordable synth you need definitely to buy @Behringer
@@fabiosantoriell0 you must be new.../smh
For a cheap analog Polysynth it's either one of the behringers or one of the minilogues. I went with the minilogue xd over the deepmind for 2 reasons. 1: i, like many others, am not particularly drawn to Behringer and their methods of doing business and ripping other businesses off. 2: I am a huge nerd with an engineering background and the minilogue has userprogrammable DSP, you can develop your own digital wavetable oscillators and effects with the Logue SDK :-) This makes it a lot more versatile and unique.
Informative and entertaining that's what we want from our YT videos. And a pleasure to spend a few minutes in your company😊
thanks for sharing. my fave smaller synths are: Korg Monologue; Behringer Crave, Model D, TD-3, and K-2. I also use a pair of Ensoniq MR-61 workstations, and a PAiA 4700 modular... being an old synth collector, I am just now getting into midi. I appreciate your candid views- Thanks again.
I feel like your demo on the Werkstatt really highlighted what the Organelle is missing, such huge sounds from that lil thing
The Moog Werkstatt-01 was my first synthesizer that I ever bought. I love it so much that I had to buy a second one before they stopped making them. No regrets.
minilogue XD is a beast of a small synth! it does so much and sounds epic
Fantastic channel, thanks for sharing your sounds and thoughts!
For small synths, I’m really enjoying the Modal CraftSynth 2.0 just now...
Me too! It's limitations can be inspiring and it's so much value for money.
What a cute presentation. Love it. Keep on doing it!
Well I was going to pick up one of the Volca series but the Roland Juniors look closer to what I think I want. Might pair one with a pocket operator KO and see how that goes...!
Thanks for including the Werkstatt!
Now they have Volcas Behringers and Airas.
I’ve got a Werkstatt on order- and that’s the only kit we have in common. Big shout out for the Behringer Crave however- an excellent entry-level analog synth, knob-per-function, great way to learn the print of analog synthesis. It’s also semi-modular, and retails for way under under $200/ £170. You couldn’t start better imho...
Will be interesting to hear comparisons between the Crave and the Werk.
@@mikeellisonhimself I suspect that the Moog will have the better filter, but that aside I’d back the Crave. Can’t wait to run ‘em side by side though!
@@walrtbstudios5430 the Crave is pricey in Canada ($340+tax) and I've held off because I already have a bunch of synths including the Neutron. I would like a nice rich Moog bass sound but it's not worth more than $300 to me including taxes so hopefully the Werk will come in close to that.
@@mikeellisonhimself Yeah, we’re (currently) lucky in the UK that a lot of excellent synths are European (Arturia, Behringer, Dreadbox)- from Jan ‘21 I think we can start adding 20% to our prices too. Flip side is that I’d really like a 0-Coast, but the import costs would be crippling...
Nice one!
Yay! Glad to see you on UA-cam :D
Thanks for the tour of your personal collection. Of all the hardware I've owned since the 80's, I'm glad I held onto my original Casio CZ-101. That thing still holds its own for luscious low-end. I also love buying crummy electronic musical toys in 99 cent stores and sampling/chopping them.
Love watching your channel! Always exited for a new video
My smol boi is the Moog DFAM. Bought it while on holidays a couple of years ago. A remarkable instrument. My only (pretty small) complaint is that it lacks a sequencer reset
Love this rundown of smaller synths. I don't have a lot of room, so smaller machines that do multiple things are my favourites.
I'm just getting into synths at nearly 48 years old, so I'm a late starter. I started off with Novation Circuit, Circuit Mono Station and MiniNova, which are all affordable, have great sounds and both Circuits have a great interface. I recently got an Arturia Drumbrute and a Elektron Model; Cycles, and I'm learning to understand the Model; Cycles' interface (especially the way it stores patterns and pattern chaining are proving a bit difficult).
I love how my little bleepy and boinky boxes complement eachother. Both sound wise and interface wise. I'm not a keyboardist and I use the internal sequencers a lot.
Nice to see someone professing a big love for the Organelle. I think it was Knobs' demo that sold me on it too - I agree that the synth sounds are not the best thing about it but everything else it does is entirely fab. I keep finding new patches and new ways to use them. My small synth recommendation (if anyone cares, and frankly why would they) would be the Modal electronics Craft Synth. It's a thing of beauty.
i've recently been messing around with the Stylophone gen-x1. It's super fun and it costs barely anything for an actual analogue synth.
I love my Arturia Micro Brute. For a single oscillator analog synth they are packed with features. With a built in sequencer you can lay down some fat bass tracks. All for between 250 and 300 dollars
My favorite small boi was your dog at the end 😍The Werkstatt seemed pretty cool too. Thanks for the great video! Would love to see jamming on each of these a bit more (like you did with the Werkstatt).
Great mini-reviews - all great/handy machines. :) cheers.
Bad Snacks- this run-down is seriously bad-ass!!! Thank you. This vid turned me onto some very cool gear. 👍✨🎙📺
My fav small synth is the P6 form French company Audiothingies (now replaced by the MicroMonsta). It's like a Boutique or Reface, but does not set out to emulate any specific synth, but rather has features (and quirks) of its own, it sounds great, probably one of the most analogue sounding digital gear I've come across. Super nice user interface makes it a very inviting device.
The best small sized synth...I'd say an iPad or an iPhone. Synth manufacturers such as Moog, Korg, Yamaha, Roland, and more have made unique applications that can connect to any hardware.
Animoog for example is an insane synth that can't be done on any other system.
Also, welcome back, Bad snacks.
Yes, Microkorg, the older one. I have it and its great. Even has an OK vocoder.
My small boy synths. Korg Monologue is smaller and 50% more affordable than Mini OG (but one voice). Volca Keys is solid synth (and cheapest way to polyphony... well, paraphony). Moog Werkstatt 01 is great (with Arturia Keystep). Elektron model: Cycles is a groovebox (drums, melody, FX) and MIDI sequencer with vibe on its own. PO33KO! is the smallest sampler and huge fun. Korg Monotron Delay is noisy FX unit rather then regular synrh but it doas its job like no other.
Flip the knob is a good song title. Cheers and I agree with boutique models, scored a 2nd hand SE-02 and Werkstatt for an unreal price. Cheers and slide the knob.
My favourite smol boi is your sneezy dog, he's adorable!
Love this thank you. I'm a total noob. Wanting to create some ambient electronic music. Considering a Seccond hand op-1. Is that a good way to go? I also have a MacBook and a iPad pro. I like the idea of Keeping things simple doing everything with one thing on the go. Thanks.
I'm pretty new to the game, but I'm a huge fan of the first synth I purchased. The Arturia Microbrute. Honestly, I'd put it up against any other in terms of friendly UI, each knob only handles one parameter and the patch bay is a nice touch that adds some great connectivity. I know some people don't like the sound as much, but for the price you can easily add a nice reverb or multi-effects pedal and still come well under $400.
100% would recommend!
favorite small synths (aka synths to pair with MC-707):
DSI Tetra - super capablе one
Novation Circuit Mono Station - super cool one to perform live
IK Uno Synth - the one that just works
Waldorf Rocket - super cool one to tweak
MAM MB-33 Retro - the smallest of acid machines, but it rocks
My top 5 small synths...Waldorf Streichfett...Novation Mini Nova...Roland System 1... Modal Craft 2...Moog Minitaur.
My favorite synth is the Alesis Micron.... it has a lot of weird pad sounds but also great Bass and EP types as well..
The sequencer is awesome.
I never see anybody talk about this anywhere. It can layer sounds and manipulate multiple seq \ phrases. It is unlike any other keyboard I've ever played.. super fun for making songs.
I wonder sometimes if it is the inspiration of the M-Audio Venom.
I constantly champion the Micron! It’s such a powerful synth.
Nice gear. Will you be doing a tour of the new studio and all the gear?
I have the roland jupiter boutique and a microkorg. More than I'll ever need but still fun to play with. You have a great collection!
I'd say even the Microbrute is a decent starter synth!
It definitely was for me!
The Korg Monologue is a fantastic synth, especially for acid bass and dirty sounds. Cheap too. For a synth /sampler with a DAW-esque experience check out the Polyend Tracker - especially if you cut your musical teeth on Amiga trackers like I did.
Regarding the screws next to the SD slot on the MC-101. They are good from an engineering point of view. If they weren’t there al the pressure from putting in a card would be on the solder joints. With the screws it is unloaded so you don’t force the solder joints and potentially break them.
A great first synth when you are on a budget is the modal craftsynth v2.0. It costs 130 bucks, runs on batteries (making patches on the go, woohoo), it fits in any backpack and sounds surprisingly good for this small size. It's a 2 osc mono wavetable synth with chord modes and a delay. Might be even a worthy addition to a big studio if you want to add a different sounding wavetablesynth to your setup and safe some space or just have something ultra portable... Perhaps you noticed how much I love this thing:)
Really digging this channel and your vibe.
My new Dreadbox Typhon shows up tomorrow. Been wailing and warbling in my dreams for months.
Did it meet your expectations? ;) Sure did mine!
Love the keys on the minilogue. Near perfect action and weight for playing fast
Nice!!
Hi Cuckoo!!
@@badsnacks hey Snacks!
Hey Cuckoo I have an evolver can you do a private movie for meh i have ganj and weed CoolBoysHahaha cool thanks awesome gay ok super cute nice alright bye thank you bro thank you brosephy o joesephiieee hey we make we make oouutteeaaee hahahha joke kidding i love your stuff let's just welax and we like it we can be alright eh hey hey
@@AJOLDMUSI chill out mate
Hi both of you!
Very cool recommendations! I would suggest checking out the Behringer Crave... Pretty sweet semi-modular analog synth experience.
That bonk jump cut was super funny lol