MEDO - Portable Synth, Groove Box, MIDI Controller etc. by Donner Music - Unboxing and quick queck
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- Today I finally received the MEDO by Donner Music. It's called a portable synthesizer but reminds me more of a groove box with sequencer, sampling functionality, MIDI controller and maybe even more. It can be connected to a DAW either by USB or by Bluetooth.
I have bought the MEDO as an early bird offer by a Kickstarter campaign running in October/November 2023. It should have been delievered around Xmas 2023 but is finally delivered in June 2024. This video is an unboxing video showing you what is included in the package plus a brief first check how the MEDO sounds. However, I don't find it intuitive to use, so I need to read the manual to learn about the workflow and detailed functionalities. The quick guide is not really helpful in my opinion, and the manual needs to be downloaded which I haven't done yet.
So what do you think? Is this a serious instrument? An expensive toy for kids? Or which is the target group? To be honest, now - months after I placed my order - my way of making music and sounds has changed and I believe I will not use this gear very often.
#donnermedo #groovebox #donner #synthesizer
Sloppy customer service and useless support - very poor
Really? This was my experience with the partly refund of the Kickstarter campaign but I made good experience after buying other products. But MEDO changed my opinion about Donner significantly.
It is a very good way... of burning money for more plastic crap.
Thanks for your opinion. That's why I am wondering what the target group is. Kids? With my today's knowledge (and equipment) I wouldn't order it.
A Toy for kids discovering sample sounds
I got my one on Saturday. and I have to say, that so far I am very dissapointed. It's well-built and the touch panels are even velocity sensitive depending on how hard you press them. However, I've not yet been able to change any of the stock sounds, and the sampler just plays one sample (that you can record) at different pitches. Additionally, I followed the link to the PC software but the link goes only to the homepage. I feel like this product is not in the public ready phase. Perhaps I was mistaken, but assumed that we would be able to sample our own drum kits and layer custom synths and audio. The scale and chord set are both fixed and it just feels like a bit of a kids toy. Sad! Additionally, there's a reverb on the sounds which can't be changed. Was expecting MUCH more!
Exactly my experience so far. No idea how to change sounds or other presets. It is now listed in their shop but no further material like a manual. Yes, this product is either not ready for the market or a very expensive toy.
Please tell me if you are ever able to get it to connect to a PC and change the sounds. I've tried on 2 different computers with multiple cables, and even though the computer recognizes it, their software does not. I also tried using it with the iPhone app and the same thing happens. I can use it as a Bluetooth speaker for my iPhone, but the app cannot communicate with the device over Bluetooth. It's very frustrating to say the least!
I have downloaded the Medo Synth software from their product page on my computer (Windows 10), connected via USB and was able to change sounds. Have you tried Medo Synth or only the Donner smartphone app?
@@RainerMuenz The manual and the software are on the donner download page when I look--not sure if they were a month ago, but there are pretty extensive instructions available now, at any rate...
Yes, I downloaded that all. But I am still not happy. I was hoping for a box that I can use without any software. But I need software to change sounds, as far as I understood so far.
Bah
Hiya Rainer. You speak very good English. Thanks for the info> Your German accent is honest and communicates the information well. Thank you. I'm expecting that the app will bring the original promise, features, use ability and kick starter hype of 2003 to fruition. I'm Yet to receive mine; They've had my money for ages also. Finally I have a tracking number. My Medow is feeding cows in transit somewhere in a cowfield in China/Hongkong? PS If you are into guitar have you heard of #Lavame or #Hyvibe. They are the Cats Whiskas in smart acoustic wireless guitars.
Thank you so much for your nice comment. This makes me happy. And I hope you will get your package very soon. By the way, I have received the partly refund to my Paypal account (but I had to pay the Paypal fees - don't think this is nice but well, they didn't need to refund us at all, so I guess it's OK). I am not really into guitars because I can't play them... but I do have a Donner DST 100 strat type (just for making some sounds that I might mix into synth tunes). I am always interested to learn about instruments, gear, companies, thanks for the hint. I will check these. I don't have an acoustic guitar yet (but thought about buying one someday later).🙂
Edit: Well, I do know Lavame, saw this before but didn't remember the name. Hyvibe is new to me but interesting.
Is it possible to update the firmware via phone or does it have to be with a computer? I like how super compact it is. Can take it anywhere 👍
EDIT: On second thoughts after all the trouble you've been having and price to value considerations, I'm going to stick to getting a JD-08.
If I understand the quick manual right, you can do firmware updates by phone or by computer. It seems to be your choice.
A JD-08 is interesting. I am thinking about the SH-4d.
However good this is, I just don’t see what the audience is.
Maybe beginners who are interested in easy to use 'toys' but in my opinion this is not intuitive enough. I thought it might be interesting when I heard about the kickstarter campaign, but when it was shipped months later I lost interest and don't use it. Also, I don't see myself playing with it in a hotel room while travelling.
Danke für das Video. Ich frage mich, wer so ein Gerät braucht?
Inzwischen frage ich mich das auch. Ich wohl doch nicht...
That is why it is better to buy the products when they are on the market, because as an Earlybird you are always the test rabbit.
You are so right. It's my first purchase through a Kickstarter campaign, and probably the last. Saving 50 % was a reason, but now they reduced the retail price and I am still waiting for a partly refund.
Yup. By the time I got it, I have no desire to play with something that's clearly a toy. Managed to figure some parts out, but it's in need of proper instructions. It's terrible
Exactly. In the meantime I installed the app and updated the firmware. But I still don't see how to change sounds. There are none in the app if I'm not blind. It's unfinished in my opinion and nothing I need.
@@RainerMuenz ok, there is a pdf download for instructions. English and German :) Also, under "school" there are videos. Just going through it now.... Let's see how this goes
@TheBrainvision Yes, I have downloaded the manual on my computer. It is optimized for reading on a smartphone (what I don't want to do). Had to make everything bigger on screen but still inconvenient to use. So I stopped quickly and put the MEDO back in the box. More time is needed to learn it but I was most surprised that I couldn't see any of the promised sounds in the app. Do I really need a manual for clicking on tabs in an app? All strange.
It works better with the app. Accurate bpm change. Quantize. Swap out sounds. It's still pretty much a toy :)
@@RainerMuenz it works with the phone. You can upload local files. There is a library of various drum sounds, leads and chords. It's geared towards an app with the phone, unfortunately.