Absolutely loved it man! So interesting to see all these thoughts on different pieces of gear. Seriously amazing. Also video was on point as usual! Loved seeing you and your friends react to the music - definitely still has that cute/quirky knobs quality about it. Fantastic job!
I have to agree with this video. Of all the gear I’ve purchased over the last couple of years, the Cycles has quickly become a go-to favourite. This thing is such a joy & so immediate. The Cycles is like one massive sweet spot. 🥰
For those looking to not spend electron prices for an FM-based drum machine, the Volca Drum is a very neat and largely overlooked option. Easy to use and has a ton of sound design possibility
I was on that quest a few months ago and found the Synthstrom Deluge. Just fit into so many slots, quick sampling, grid sequencing, building layers upon layers then arranging them all at light speed. The losers (but still loved) Akai Force, Op-1, Sp404 and the Organelle.
So this was one of the first synth/hardware videos that captured my imagination some 2 years ago. At the time, every box presented seemed so quirky and odd. I'm much more familiar with them now between playing several hands on, or enjoying when others in the community do! Still an enjoyable video to revisit!!
Hey, it’s that guy from Facebook (it’s Evan P. here, hello!). Didn’t expect to see you in this here comments section! Howdy! And yes the M:C sounds fantastic, I was at the LA launch event and it rocked the house.
Lovely video. I love a bit of FM synthesis, when I first learned about it I could not get my head round the range of crazy sounds and how some people were able to get some really musical results. I love the idea of having a limited FM range which helps with a creative flow rather than the sheer crazy which can make your brain melt. The only complaint is that this is yet another bit of gear to go on an endless shopping list.
Thank you Mr. Knobs. As usual you have enlightening and entertaining stuff to show us. I have always been influenced by your work and my music has improved simply by choosing my gear wisely as you have taught me. Thanks Again
I love the way your almost surprised to find yourself talking to a camera but have what appears to be a very nice vlogging camera set up and great lighting.
Ah shiz, i didnt even realize this was knobs until half way through the video. Im like "Why is this so visually pleasing?" and im like "WHO MADE THIS" annnd its knobs, because, knobs.
Great video! Thanks for co-signing my Cycles purchase. I was just starting to give up on scoring a Nord Drum 2 (FM drum synth, discontinued and now v rare and spendy) when Elektron released Cycles. Can't wait to dive into it and get my long awaited FM fix! Might eventually pair mine with a KMI Boppad to see what pairing a unique controller might pull out of it. Well done on the different video style.
I tried to get my hands on an Elektron Cycles, but they all sold out! I ended up falling back in love with my DX200. There's a more immediate sense of working with FM with that one. Plus you get the individual amen break samples. Gotta love that!
dude you have such a style and sound. I love that you not only nerd out about shit but when you jam you can always describable identify that it’s you, ya know? music, not just gear. cycles fucking rules btw
You did a really great job with this video. Just stumbled on the channel and appreciate the work you do. Makes me wanna try something I’d never been interested in, FM drums. You did a nice job exploring the nuance and dynamics of that method. Dig.
Akemie’s Taiko was the first module I bought, thanks to mr Knobs. Got me into modular. That’s cool. But I sold it because i couldn’t get over the fact it does not have 6 algorithms like ALM says, it has 4 (3 & 5 and 4 & 6 are the same is what I recall).
Been using the digitakt for a few months and just got the cycles. Love both machines. The elektron work flow is just perfect me. Glad you're digging the cycles too!
I want to repeat the five and a half seconds or so, from 2:39 to 2:45, forever and ever. Such beeyouteefool sounds inside my earhead. Thank you for allowing me to experience them. Oh, and also...nice face. :)
Not only a great overview of digital drum percussion but the best demo I've seen of the cycles. Was abit of tease using the ottobit and not using the stutter/sequencer on it!
I think this ended before I wanted it to. Play Date is so metal! But... anywaaaaay.... thanks for doing enjoyable things to watchlisten to as I’m sleepy and keep dropping my phone on my face. Zoom... Please make 6 hour videos I can sleep to. Thanks! 🎙🐋🕳✨
I enjoy the new style! And keep doing synth stuff as well that's my jam! It's funny, I was just thinking about percussion synths and drum machines, I'm looking for one to buy. And then you did a video on it haha. Very nice!
A little late to the party here but I just saw this. While I am not in a band, a while back I was looking for a drum machine and was in a similar kind of search to you. I wanted something that allowed me to make my own drum sounds, something I could really call my own. At the same time, I wanted something straightforward enough that no matter what I did, I would in fact end up with sounds I could at least use, even if I didn't love them. Off the bat, I ruled out sample-based drums. They're fine. They work. But even if I wanted to tweak them, it just wouldn't feel like they were my own sounds. This led me to looking at the Elektron Model:Cycles and the Arturia Drumbrute Impact. Both are obviously FM-based drum machines (technically I think the Model:Cycles is a groovebox, but for my purposes it's a drum machine), but they are significantly different. I actually got to play with a Drumbrute Impact in a store and it felt very natural to use. I easily had a set of sounds I could work with, I could easily build a beat...super simple to use. At the end of the day though, you always end up with the same combination of sound types. You always have a kick, a snare...so on and so forth. If I wanted 3 kicks and 3 snares, it would be a bit of a hassle to swap around and make use of it all in one session. If I wanted something that's not of those types of sounds, well I'm just out of luck. Overall, it's nice and very good at what it does, but it's a bit limiting. This led me to look at the Model:Cycles. You get significantly fewer tracks, but those tracks can be basically whatever you want them to be. If you want 6 kick drums, you got it. If you want one kick, one snare, one hi-hat, etc. you got that too. Additionally, while sound design is a bit more complicated on it, you have much more control over what the sounds you make end up being. It lets you really come up with your own sounds. Yet no matter what I did, I never was able to make a bad percussion sound. Or a bad melodic sound. Any sound I made was at least usable in my opinion. I think it's a fantastic piece of gear and I absolutely love it for what it does. It's now my go-to drum machine.
Well this is a departure. Yes. I hope you enjoy it.
Ur a QT PATOOTIE 🥰
Looking foward to future stuff :) Follow your heart and happiness will follow
Definitely dug it!
Absolutely loved it man! So interesting to see all these thoughts on different pieces of gear. Seriously amazing. Also video was on point as usual! Loved seeing you and your friends react to the music - definitely still has that cute/quirky knobs quality about it.
Fantastic job!
Please don't take this the wrong way, but this is actually the first time I've gotten excited about one of your videos. Less...impersonal.
LOVE this new style
loooooved this whole thing. now wheres my cycles..
Thought i might find you here. lol.
Ricky Tinez the king of hipsters himself
Da Chudda I thought hipsters call other people hipsters
Oh snap I met you at NAMM and didn't realize you were Knobs, I just thought you were a very helpful Chase Bliss person!
This is my preference yes
Many hearts ❤️
I have watched this video 20 times, it’s the reason I bought cycles and it’s what’s keeping me sane waiting more than a week for it to come
I have to agree with this video. Of all the gear I’ve purchased over the last couple of years, the Cycles has quickly become a go-to favourite. This thing is such a joy & so immediate. The Cycles is like one massive sweet spot. 🥰
Honestly, Digitakt is life. Looking forward to trying Model: Cycles.
Hey, that model Knobs finally found to stand in for him reads the script surprisingly well.
For those looking to not spend electron prices for an FM-based drum machine, the Volca Drum is a very neat and largely overlooked option. Easy to use and has a ton of sound design possibility
dassenpooper Yes, there are some crazy sounds lurking in that box
this was such a beautiful and cozy experience to watch! really well spent 10minutes of my life
I feel like the Cycles is one of their best products yet.
this is a good format man, happy to have you back.
Cycles looks like something you get hooked up to when you're dying in a hospital bed. But it sure sounds good.
terribly blah design and color scheme but so musically toned.....tempted despite having a rhtym mil and octa.......
It lives in this awkward space where it is ugly as sin, but very useful.
Im born in the 80’s and this looks a an MS DOS computer, which is nice
I honestly enjoy its looks. Fits perfectly with my 80s IBM keyboard!
It just looks like electronic lab equipment, to me. -Which I like.
this video is making me reconsider percussion...and my lack of it
I was on that quest a few months ago and found the Synthstrom Deluge. Just fit into so many slots, quick sampling, grid sequencing, building layers upon layers then arranging them all at light speed. The losers (but still loved) Akai Force, Op-1, Sp404 and the Organelle.
I kind of adored this. An honest, lovely narrative that educates at the same time.
Absolute favorite RUclips channel. BY FAR!!
9:00
ten seconds of bliss. favorite sounds i've heard in a long while.
Cycles is one of my favorite purchases of 2020, appreciate the departure and focus on improv grooves 🤘🏻
I love the journey this video takes us on
So this was one of the first synth/hardware videos that captured my imagination some 2 years ago. At the time, every box presented seemed so quirky and odd. I'm much more familiar with them now between playing several hands on, or enjoying when others in the community do! Still an enjoyable video to revisit!!
These videos might be my favourite on youtube.
I was looking at buying an M:C, and now that your video is up I'll have to hurry before they sell out locally. Thanks a lot, nerd 🤓
OK. I bought it. Thanks a lot, Knobs.
Hey, it’s that guy from Facebook (it’s Evan P. here, hello!). Didn’t expect to see you in this here comments section! Howdy! And yes the M:C sounds fantastic, I was at the LA launch event and it rocked the house.
Just a delightful video/journey here
This is awesome!! I hope you make more content like this!
this reminds me of Copernicus, who was always happy to explain the journey he took to get to his masterpiece
Lovely video. I love a bit of FM synthesis, when I first learned about it I could not get my head round the range of crazy sounds and how some people were able to get some really musical results. I love the idea of having a limited FM range which helps with a creative flow rather than the sheer crazy which can make your brain melt.
The only complaint is that this is yet another bit of gear to go on an endless shopping list.
thanks for taking us on this journey!
I liked the style. Thanks for sharing.
This was such a lovely video. Thank you for making it! And a lovely little departure. Splendid!
Thanks for a great video! Nice explanation and non-excessive montage, i like it.
Thank you Mr. Knobs. As usual you have enlightening and entertaining stuff to show us. I have always been influenced by your work and my music has improved simply by choosing my
gear wisely as you have taught me. Thanks Again
Good to finally see the man behind the madness.
First shot is actually Knob's face Oh MY GLOB what is even happening
Knobs!! You have a face! I like the face that you have. I also have one.
Also, very enjoyable video about your experience witht these machines ❤️
I love the way your almost surprised to find yourself talking to a camera but have what appears to be a very nice vlogging camera set up and great lighting.
Great video! Fun tone to it all, very informative and entertaining. Thank you!
Really impressed with how you created a similar vibe across all these instruments!
Ah, a fellow gent with a permanent squint
I'm just high all the time
see what all that skepticism got you?! -- PERMASQUINT!
Ah shiz, i didnt even realize this was knobs until half way through the video. Im like "Why is this so visually pleasing?" and im like "WHO MADE THIS" annnd its knobs, because, knobs.
i really need more videos on your channel like this. I really like it.
great video:) had to come back to it again. many thx.
Very wholesome recounting of the journey and ending 👌
This is life changing - thank you so much for making this video!
Very good insight of your creative process, thanks!
Great video! Thanks for co-signing my Cycles purchase. I was just starting to give up on scoring a Nord Drum 2 (FM drum synth, discontinued and now v rare and spendy) when Elektron released Cycles. Can't wait to dive into it and get my long awaited FM fix! Might eventually pair mine with a KMI Boppad to see what pairing a unique controller might pull out of it. Well done on the different video style.
This new format is excellent, love the presentation!
Always smiling when you post a new video + too cool, I brainstorming bout that new Elektron. I really dig these colors at 09:04
Amazing video thanks for sharing your adventure, bery helpful.
really enjoyed this video, how personal and easy to relate to it is..... thank you so much, I´m looking forward to see more
I liked this! Keep it up with the talking head bits. I enjoy your text only videos, but sometimes I just want to listen, so voiceover is great too.
Yeah. I think that he should mix both approaches. Do some in this style and the older, text style. Keeps people guessing.
Really love love love the new approach here
mannnnnnn when you hit the bit crusher... i felt that
Like your jammings ❤🧡💛💚
I tried to get my hands on an Elektron Cycles, but they all sold out! I ended up falling back in love with my DX200. There's a more immediate sense of working with FM with that one. Plus you get the individual amen break samples. Gotta love that!
I've watched this video five times now and I'm planning on getting the M:C in a couple weeks
dude you have such a style and sound. I love that you not only nerd out about shit but when you jam you can always describable identify that it’s you, ya know? music, not just gear. cycles fucking rules btw
You did a really great job with this video. Just stumbled on the channel and appreciate the work you do. Makes me wanna try something I’d never been interested in, FM drums. You did a nice job exploring the nuance and dynamics of that method. Dig.
Akemie’s Taiko was the first module I bought, thanks to mr Knobs. Got me into modular. That’s cool. But I sold it because i couldn’t get over the fact it does not have 6 algorithms like ALM says, it has 4 (3 & 5 and 4 & 6 are the same is what I recall).
Hey man, great descriptions. Nice work.
Just found your channel, subscribed immediately!
Great creative problem solving. Inspiring to see you not get stuck or blocked by your gear. Eyeing a Cycles now for sure!
This is a great format, killer job!
Been using the digitakt for a few months and just got the cycles. Love both machines. The elektron work flow is just perfect me. Glad you're digging the cycles too!
These are great! Definitely keep doing them.
Amazing video. Thank you!
Such a nice review, the style is awesome
more model:cycles videos?
It’s like a hardware micro tonic oh shit
Fantastic video. I ordered a Model:Cycles a few days ago.
I want to repeat the five and a half seconds or so, from 2:39 to 2:45, forever and ever. Such beeyouteefool sounds inside my earhead. Thank you for allowing me to experience them.
Oh, and also...nice face. :)
Love your use of Adjectives. Which could be a great name for a band.
That was a lot of fun to watch. Thanks!
Taiko is a center piece. I love it.
Lovely video Knobs. Please keep doing this :-)
awesome video, it's nice to see the face behind knobs :)
i just love this video so much. saludos te quiero mucho
Sounds aside, the Digitakt is a really nice unit for live performance once you know how to be quick and precise with it.
Not only a great overview of digital drum percussion but the best demo I've seen of the cycles. Was abit of tease using the ottobit and not using the stutter/sequencer on it!
I love my digitakt!! sequencing alone gaaawd damn
Somehow you are even more like how I imagined the knobs guy to be, you are SO the knobs guy
Hey, good job on your video! I really enjoyed that you didn't emphasize specs, and talked more about how a tool fits a particular vibe.
f*ck, i know that i will miss your old type of video, but this one is soo nice! I really love to see your channel grows love you
This is exactly how I thought you would look knobs!
great video, thanks for making it!
that intro though... perfect blend of old and new
Awesome dude. Excited to hear more of this
Yes. I did enjoy it, thank you. I have subscribed.
I liked that very much. Thanks!
I think this ended before I wanted it to. Play Date is so metal! But... anywaaaaay.... thanks for doing enjoyable things to watchlisten to as I’m sleepy and keep dropping my phone on my face. Zoom... Please make 6 hour videos I can sleep to. Thanks! 🎙🐋🕳✨
I enjoy the new style! And keep doing synth stuff as well that's my jam! It's funny, I was just thinking about percussion synths and drum machines, I'm looking for one to buy. And then you did a video on it haha. Very nice!
Great vid, and nice to see ya! Jam at the end is a bit reminiscent of I am Robot and Proud. Cycles sounds awesome!
Smh, should've let the jam at the end continue for a bit 😤
Hey Knobs, is there anywhere that I could listen to recordings of Playdate? I love the aesthetic and would love to have the chance to hear more.
This is what we all been waiting for!!
I see Knobs' face, I hit like button
Great vid. Thanks for making it.
A little late to the party here but I just saw this. While I am not in a band, a while back I was looking for a drum machine and was in a similar kind of search to you. I wanted something that allowed me to make my own drum sounds, something I could really call my own. At the same time, I wanted something straightforward enough that no matter what I did, I would in fact end up with sounds I could at least use, even if I didn't love them.
Off the bat, I ruled out sample-based drums. They're fine. They work. But even if I wanted to tweak them, it just wouldn't feel like they were my own sounds. This led me to looking at the Elektron Model:Cycles and the Arturia Drumbrute Impact. Both are obviously FM-based drum machines (technically I think the Model:Cycles is a groovebox, but for my purposes it's a drum machine), but they are significantly different.
I actually got to play with a Drumbrute Impact in a store and it felt very natural to use. I easily had a set of sounds I could work with, I could easily build a beat...super simple to use. At the end of the day though, you always end up with the same combination of sound types. You always have a kick, a snare...so on and so forth. If I wanted 3 kicks and 3 snares, it would be a bit of a hassle to swap around and make use of it all in one session. If I wanted something that's not of those types of sounds, well I'm just out of luck. Overall, it's nice and very good at what it does, but it's a bit limiting.
This led me to look at the Model:Cycles. You get significantly fewer tracks, but those tracks can be basically whatever you want them to be. If you want 6 kick drums, you got it. If you want one kick, one snare, one hi-hat, etc. you got that too. Additionally, while sound design is a bit more complicated on it, you have much more control over what the sounds you make end up being. It lets you really come up with your own sounds. Yet no matter what I did, I never was able to make a bad percussion sound. Or a bad melodic sound. Any sound I made was at least usable in my opinion.
I think it's a fantastic piece of gear and I absolutely love it for what it does. It's now my go-to drum machine.
coat zip rating: 10/10
love the new style