ONE MINUTE SYNTH REVIEW!!! Ep. 11 AKAI Timbre Wolf
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Subjective opinions within, those who do not understand subjective opinion may be excused lol
**ALL music in this video is created using the Akai Timbre Wolf by me (except drums and the opening title theme which is Juno 106)
Sooooooo, this review is a bit harsh, but hey when you buy your own gear like I do you can be super honest and not worry about Akai crying and sending me mad emails lol. I wanted to know about the Timbre Wolf’s capabilities for a long time...it’s not for everyone, but well, nothing is…Let's check out this lesser known polysynth the Akai Timbre Wolf. How will it fair in a crowded budget synth market!?
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6 minute... 1 minute review :)
I wanted one of these, and got one. Mind you, they were being fire-saled away at 199 with free shipping when I bought mine. You are correct about all of the shortcomings. At 500, this wasn't a great buy. (Although kudos to AKAI for the rugged build.) At 200, the limits of the oscillators and the learning curve on that weird sequencer aren't as onerous. There are some...fantastic...sounds in here, but you have to learn the wily ways of the synth to get to them. (And I am still learning them.) You can get some arpeggiator sounds by playing over the sequencer, and the polyphony can produce some very interesting and useful results. As a controller it does a good job, you can control most modules with it and it does sport that great-feeling keyboard. I don't think I'd sell mine for what I have in it, I get a solid controller and a repertoire of good sounds. I couldn't replace that for 200. Enjoy your reviews! Keep em' coming.
I need this Timbre Wolf. Signed.
BoBeats lol. It's gonna be given away soon! If you win I'll sign it dude!!! BTW you should tell me which synth you're gonna review next so I can beat you to it ;)
I just bought mine! 👍🏽Love it!
Thank you for the honest review. I was considering buying a used one, but you saved me some money and lots of time.
Stumbled upon your vids today. Dont know how I have never seen them. All your reviews are informative, entertaining and to the point
Thanks so much Bren! I'm just trying to be a great source of entertainment for you guys. Think I'm doing ok so far, but it's all thanks to positive feedback like this! :)
You're absolutely killing it with the music puns
"Because can't you see how much fun you'll have?!"
Brilliant!
Keep it up, good sir, and thanks for the smile! :)
Ted Stahl hahahahaha, I didn't know how to make this joke work, but I'm glad it did. Fun episode to make for sure!
for $200 it does have some usable capabilities. I have done some experiments with ambient music with each voice output feeding a different effect pedal with or without the sequencer. All you need are simple sounds for many genres. I am also looking into some mods like filter & osc.CV in. Then I can integrate it with the modular.
That's great how one minute synth review has 30 seconds of intro and takes 5:30 more :D
Thumbs up for the intro alone 😁 So good and spectacularly produced content! Some things are not just fair, this should have at least 980k views by now, not 37k... (oops got that wrong too 😐)
so happy you're posting more often now
Max Power thanks thanks! Tuesday's without fail for a month is pretty darn good. Going to move to 2 a week as long as I can, live stream Thursday night just for fun!
Dude, you are doing this so good, keep it up!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you checking it out!
Man, I LOVE your reviews. You're my favorite synth-related youtube reviewer!
Did you ever hear about the Organelle? I feel like you'd dig that synth.
Can you do a giveaway of your glasses next? 😎
424 Recording 😂😂😂😂 new glasses next season for sure. To have kept them as long as I have without losing them is what I'm surprised about
Good review, your videos are very high quality, it must take a lot of time to produce. I think you're right about the Timbre Wolf, it certainly not a modern synth and the design choices are bizarre. That being said, as a 70s style lofi synth, it's hard to beat! It really has the sound of 70s b grade horror movies soundtrack, especially with the "howl" on. Also, I think it has a really solid sub bass sound, very organic and retro. The tune knobs can be used in unison mode to create decent synth tones, I'll make a video eventually to show how to fully use it... Thanks for the video, I'll subscribe.
Thank you so much for the kind words. If I told you how long it takes to produce one episode I'd piss myself off LOL. Just trying to bring you guys the best content I can. I see what other guys are doing and I'm just in my own lane, I'm glad you appreciate it!
The only feature that I kinda like is having a separate output for each voice
Your user photo.Thug line aka the life bone 4 life !
Brilliant!! Keep it up Bruv!
The Daydream Sound thank you so much man!!!!!! FYI I think your channel is so unique, props for just being yourself. I love it!
Anytime man! Thanks a million for the kind words!! Really appreciated it!
Hmmm.. it's kind of hard to rate this thing in my opinion. It definetly has kind of it's own sound, and definetly a one trick pony for slightly detuned poly chords. I think if you would pan the separate outputs right with some decent reverb and eq, run it through one good compressor then. Could get into the direction of a (cheap;) oberheim 4-voice-ish sound. I think i will give it a try ;)
Very good review.👍👍👍😎
Loved the opening bit :'D Thanks for the review.
for the cheap price I have theory it will be a hot choice for circuit benders and mods. similar to the Tom cat and rhythm wolf drum machines.
I know of one artist who uses a timbre wolf and gets a good result from it, but he used a looper pedal instead of the built in sequencer. if interested check out Astronauto from Long Island, New York.
The review was good and straight to the point. I think the problem with this is the fact it has a keyboard on it, which gives you the feel it's complete and usable on it's own. I would love to win this to try and coax some nice tones on it, and use some external effects.
lol, all I wana do now is turn that knob all the way up hahaha
Don’t dare do that, for the safety of all mankind lol
I think if you used it as strictly a bass sequencing synth it would be fine, but for another $100.00 you can have a Bass Station 2 which is pretty great!
@@EnochDark Me too, I got both, got the TW for $120 new in box and the BS2 for $325 also brand new.
@@EnochDark If everybody don't have the money to buy a Moog, the BS2 is a really good choice, it sound really good and have a lot of features.
To me this sounded like a Bass Station and I just don't like the "plastic" acid. It doesn't have that something. Mellow sound you are expected to hear from poor man's analog synth plugin, but not from hardware. Just how I see it, and I've played with Bass Station.
vie coloree, my favorite synth of all time, how did they think up this synth ?
Harmonic series possible in a 32 step sequence, get your guitar tuner out and FX pedals,
limitless possibiltys, enjoy the freedom of da raw material,
the only down size is the keyboard, not the best.
edit, a timbre volf is like a silent teacher, get one and learn, as
this wolf at the door, rings the doorbell, will you open up ?
The HOWL feature is purloined from the Kawai K5000S resonance control
This seems like a perfect candidate for modding. Does anyone know if the boards have identifiers printed on them like the Rhythm Wolf or the Korg Volca series? Perhaps add an Analog Ordnance or York Modular LFO or two?
Timbre Wolf is the closest thing in concept to the great Korg MonoPoly, except brutally castrated to meet budget. I'd love to see someone do this properly, but still cheaper than on Oberheim 4 voice. Amusing intro BTW.
Agree, Akai have a chance to make it big but this was a failure, on the other hand the sequencer part is really nice, you can drive four devices via MIDI with four different sequences of 32 steps (each track has 2 variations) I got one brand new in box for $120 and the sound is not bad but is not fantastic either.
And i rate this video: 6
out of five.
LOL....Thanks, I think....haha
You can use the howl to bring the level comfortably up to modular level. It actually sounds pretty bizarre, but it isn't painfully loud.
Robert Syrett good point, I needed more jokes so I had to say something. I really wanted to give it a pass, but Akai tried to do too much.
Well we know what my daughter isn't getting for Christmas.
Love the review. Was waiting to see what you thought of this! Hate to say it, but this is one of the few times I might not participate in a synth giveaway. Also, would you ever review:
- Critter and Guitari's Pocket Piano and/or Bolsa Bass
- Mike Rucci's 8-bit Power Synthesizer
- Meeblip's Triode and/or Anode
- (If you can find one) Mutable Instruments' Anushri and/or Shruthi
I just thought they would go with the theme of this season. Again, great video! :)
Future Kitsune I'm totally going to have to check these synths out. I'm trying to keep the budget of stuff to under $400 and the cheaper the better. People kept saying last season that they couldn't afford all these synths. I'd love to find some gems that go for not much, but that's kinda the easy part compared to making reviewing synths entertaining 😂
0:32 Aww it me!
Seriously tho, this can be a fun little item but it mostly makes me feel better about being big into digital over analog synths
That was some well done fun! ;-)
Thanks John!!! I love doing these! I'm attempting to be the AVGN of synths.
You are one of those people that simultaneously make me want to give up doing synth demos and inspire me to try to do better! :-)
The AX-80 is a classic. I really wish they could bring it back in some fashion. That filter is...chilling.
As the TB303 was introduced, people thought the same.The rest is history ...
Hey, nice channel. I have to thank Red Means Recording for sending me that link. In terms of the timbre wolf: Yes, it does many things wrong (remember that AKAI Dan video? No mod wheel? It has pitch bend!) and it's not the most innovative, fanciest synth I ever heard and had. By adding some FX it can sound quite nice. I got it for 200 bucks and for that price it's ok. But, your 4/10 are imho correct and to cite AKAI Dan one more time "a lot of fun"
Maybe a decent 2 octave midi controller? Do the knobs send midi cc? How’s the keybed feel?
Keybed is pretty good and no, you can't use the knobs for MIDI CC. It can be used as a controller but an Arturia Minilab is way better.
I got one of this for $120 new in box.
but would this be a good synth for a beginner?
It’s not a bad Synth for a beginner, but that being said it would not be my first choice. It’s fine, that’s all I can say. My personal choice would be a Minibrute 2, a Monologue, or a Microbrute.
i was only asking cause i found one of these timber wolfes for 150$
I love your videos
Neo Luddite thank you!!!
How about a review of the Behringer DeepMind 12?
John errrrrr, when Behringer hits me up I definitely will lol
Love the intro music - just my style!! ;-)
I wanted to hear that Howl knob ):
I actually really kinda like these... they have really sweet sounding dcos and a sweet filtet. it reminds me of some obscure 70s stuff, it's super awkward to use though and it doesn't have a very big sonic range. oh and it's awkward to to hook up to a DAW for poly use. that said if you can find one for under 200 check it out, it's like a baby monopoly
Noir has never watched Spinal Tap. Lol. “It goes to 11” silly.😂😂😂
I don’t use LFOs or envelopes. The decay knob is enough. The appeal of this synth is the polyphony and 16/32/64 up to 4 track step sequencer. It’s a synth for basic keyboard playing sounds. No it’s not good for synth effects. Like other reviewers have said about it, and most synths, like guitars, they pair well with effect pedals. There ya go. I think $500 would be too high nowadays compared to the $599 Behringer poly D etc, and even $300 seems to be the most I would pay for it now, but it’s still a true 4 voice polyphonic synth with effectively a 32 step sequencer.
Doesn't matter what people tell you... you find a lot of nice videos done with this small synth! Just go and look.
You’re right, I just didn’t find it an inspiring synth at all...but that’s what makes subjective options just that, I see you have/had one in your setup, how do you like it?
I like it's simplicity, the 4 outputs and the 4 track sequencer. For the money (got it for 200 € new) it is great. I very often use it to control my Vermona Perfourmer (4 voice analog synth). Best regards from Germany.
How did I miss this one, its now classic Noir...now that he moved on from this. The Bad Gear of its day.
I miss you, man.
He dead now 💀 lol
what if we dont use Instagram? :)
Hmmm, I guess....uhhh, do you have Myspace lol
ooh well subbed here, but instagram aint an option for all ;)
I really don't think this was ever marketed toward someone with a kewl purple jacket with a prophet 6 sitting on their desk, this will be a sleeper gateway synth, the timbrewolf requires ingenuity, if you got a rack full of gear and a hard drive bursting with vst-this and vst-that, yeah, nothing to see here because you are already locked out and don't make much music anymore due to too many choices anyway, but that guy, the guitarist, he'll find it. Maybe that hip bass chick...yeah, she'll get it...
Gossamyr Thorne I can see your point. Though, as a professional touring keyboardist I can only comment from the perspective of a professional. Please understand that first. So my job is making music all the time, and I can only offer a subjective opinion. I didn't love it, but yes, it could be great for someone new to making music as a hobby. Though I think if I were suggesting someone a first synth there are much better option for the price. I appreciate your feedback though!
I can understand that, but it calls into a question the choice of the review, if you're a forumula 1 driver, why bother reviewing a tercel? And I think this is ideal as a first synth because you have to explore and think and not have 30's years of classic synth patches handed to you with the caveat of 'well, whatcha got, kid?' and I appreciate your feedback ;)
Don't you regret giving it away now?
No, but I give away gear I bought all the time. People hire me to make music, they don’t know what I use, so I don’t know why people keep so much stuff anyways.
Was it given away already?
+ldb yeah, quite a while ago via Instagram. I'm currently giving away a Korg Monologue on my IG.
i need more howl!
hollastinky Ooooooooooooo! (In reality it sounds much worse) lol
A friend of mine was selling his. I thought I might like it until I tried it. Knobby synths are supposed to be easy to use. I didn't find it intuitive at all. Its quirky, but not in a good way.
Brian Marshall I totally agree, it’s not as if to “bad” it’s just not inspiring. To me at least.
@@NoirEtBlancVie I use am ms20 and dx7 often so I'm not scared of quirks or programming synths. The timbre felt like it was literally designed to make me mad.
Akai and Casio should merge companies.
Not a bad idea, Akai is definitely a company with a great legacy as well as Casio, they just gotta lean into the past, don’t try and be cool, harness the power of nostalgia to work for them!
This video may have been my gateway to NEBV.
The Timbre Wolf is a piss-poor synth, but it has its merits. When people ask what's the best synth to start with the answer is always "the one you have." This one is no different, but you may want to graduate sooner than later.
All said, I made this with the TW:
soundcloud.com/user-242663326/light-em-up
I hope it does not give you cancer.
Good stuff!
Where’s the lfo? 😂
Wow, refreshing. You know when I've heard some reviewer of music hardware tear something apart like this? Probably never. I understand everyone wants to be the good guy but only highlighting the good features is misleading. You need to know the strengths and weaknesses to make a good purchase.
Funny thing is, there is this video from Iike NAMM 4 years ago where some noob is trying to make decent sounds and play this this. It's basically a synth nerd meme at this point. So I really wanted to see if it was this bad....and....it was. Also, AKAI ain't never did nothing for me lol. (And after this they never will) haha
They're making just midi controllers, right? I guess someone thought they can make the front-end with tons of controllers so just fill it up with some analog circuits instead.. How hard can that be, right?
where do i donate lol
Lol. Less than a semitone a day saves lives.
did u give away ur wolf yet bruh? how do i enter
Not yet. I will soon, just gave away the SX 150 so I'm waiting a bit, stick around and you'll find out the deets!
it f'iiiiiiiiiiiing suxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :)
I disagree with your review. I love this synth. However I liked your video and respect your opinion :)
Now that's a comment I can stand behind! Thank for being so no polarized, it means a lot. Come by and comment anytime, especially if you disagree. (i'm being serious I appreciate it)
I didnt buy the synth because of any reviews. I was gonna buy the korg minilogue o a roland one but this was cheaper. And all I paid was 84 dollars out of pocket because I had some gift cards and got a discount because of rude store employees trash talking me to his other employee and i heard it and left a bad review. I also bought this because I do not have a job and wanted to start playing synth again using hardware instread of just software.
I will now watch more of your reviews. You da man :)
I disagree even though the review is witty and fun as usual. In defense of the big not-so-bad wolf: The limitations of the TW are fun. Super easy to get fat sounds, all three modes produce great textures. Would have loved an arpeggiator, a more versatile pitch wheel and a mod wheel, broader total range, would have paid extra for all that stuff. but I love mine as it is. For the price it's amazing Good for funk, ambient, bass.... Awesome synth. I have other far more expensive analogs and digitals by the way, so i can say this one is just killer. Plus it "offers" a no-preset architecture which I always find very useful in finding the machine to feel like a vintage synth, or even like a guitar or rhodes. Presets tend to kill the mood because of how much time we spend getting them just right etc and listening to the ones we're not interested in
What is your favorite synth?
Mono - Sub37
Poly - Prophet 5
How about yourself?
Never turn this knob past this point. Makes me want to turn that knob.
Don’t you dare...You’ll kill us all 😂
If this thing had 4 midi outs would be at least useful as sequencer
Agreed, it’s not a bad Synth, just severely average.
The only thing I know about synths is I like to listen to music made on them. Your videos are very enjoyable, thank you.
Why thank you Peldyn! Nice to see you here!
Noir Et Blanc Vie You get high marks from me for your video quality.
... and three years later this synthesizer is selling for $680 over seas.. it's slowly becoming a classic... Remember the 303 when that came out... People shitted on that too.. now look at it... Just saying...
Haha, you’re not wrong, I see Ebay prices here are high as well. I wasn’t inspired by it at all, but it’s not “broken” by any means. I just can’t give an objective POV, no one can, unless well they solely just point out the features, and you know my channel, it’s about how I feel. That said, I wish I woulda kept it just so I could sell it for $600. I bought it for like $300, doubling my money is never a bad thing 😅
@@NoirEtBlancVie I just bought mine on reverb for $225 I can't wait to get it next
hahaha that thing is trash. you couldn't pay me to make it a part of my setup. and here's why: zero character. that alone is enough to throw it in the garbage. Also, I will never forgive Akai for killing Alesis. those bastards!
so basically its a crappy monopoly.... WOW "ONE MINUTE SYNTH REVIEW" got 6 minutes for this horrific synth? this is not a
good instrument whatsoever nuff said lol
LOL...I've heard it sound good, but the way in which you work to make it sound good is not really intuitive.
…. Because it’s for writing an ACTUAL SONG. Lol
Akai hasn’t been Akai for a while now, so...
1=6
No LFO!
thats almost 3 semitones a week
Eh. Just get a deepmind.
I thought it was pretty awful . . .
Hello mate.
Why are you wasting time with crappy old synths for a review ? That everybody already knows all about. There are tons of new hardware out there that are not reviewd in depth or how it should be.
Dualtrx fair point, but let me point this out...I'm a professional keyboardist, not a professional gear reviewer. So at the end of the day I review gear I'M interested in, and try to add a unique perspective. I've always reviewed synths I've wanted to learn more about. BoBeats is a great channel for the newest synths. You should check him out. There are plenty of channels that review the latest and greatest. This channel is less about the gear and more for people interested in being entertained and learning about synths from a unique point of view.
Noir Et Blanc Vie do you buy all the synths you review or do you get your hands on one ?
Eden Puder it all depends in this case I purchased the Timbre Wolf for better or for worse lol
Indeed, that's fair enough, you do what you please. That was a simple fair feedback from a viewer that is in search for relevant informative content.
Cheers.
Dualtrx I definitely appreciate the feedback. The theme of this season is more affordable synths. So there will definitely be newer synths in future episodes, I just have to be interested in reviewing them is all. It's funny because I really enjoy Sonicstate for their synth reviews, but not as much humor there, though I absolutely love the info. Think of this channel from the perspective of a working keyboardist, less the gear reviewer. It's not for everyone, so I apologize, I truly do appreciate the feedback.