3 Reasons Why Minilogue XD is STILL a great beginner synth (& 2 Reasons Why its Not)
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- Is the Minilogue XD still relevant in 2024? In today's video I go over 3 reasons why it is and 2 reasons not to buy it. If you enjoy my synth vids consider supporting over at / bobeats
You can check Minilogue XD prices here (the Inverted is a limited edition and exactly the same otherwise as the regular XD):
Thomann: thmn.to/thoprod/457066?offid=...
Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/q4MbOn
Perfect Circuit: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Affiliate links support the channel regardless of what you buy and at no cost to you.
Check my buddy Sinevibes plugins for XD here: www.sinevibes.com
And Loopop's plugin for the XD and NTS3 can be found here: bit.ly/PhaseLoopop
CONTENT:
00:00 Intro & Sound demos
01:25 Reason 1.. and its not the sound!
07:45 Reason 2... this might be a unique feature on an analog synth!
10:34 Reason 3 is relative to your income, but...
11:39 2 Reasons NOT to buy it!
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#KorgMinilogueXD #KorgMinilogueXDInverted #bobeats
You can check Minilogue XD prices here (The Inverted seem to be the same price as regular XD in some stores but not in others, no idea whats going on there)
Thomann: thmn.to/thoprod/457066?offid=1&affid=623
Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/q4MbOn
Perfect Circuit: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/S0BERUlFSUBFR0VHSEdATEpITA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Fcatalogsearch%2Fresult%2F%3Fq%3Dminilogue%2520xd
affiliate links support the channel regardless of what you buy. you can buy some cables. You surely dont have enough cables right?
The minilogue XD got me into electrical engineering as a major in college.
Wow ok thats pretty massive!
I think the Minilogue XD and the Hydrasynth Explorer are the two best starter synths on the market today. Pick the Minilogue XD if you want analogue, and pick the Explorer if you want digital or a slightly more complex synth that you can "grow into". The MicroKORG still gets mentioned, and it was great in it's day, but I think the Minilogue XD and Explorer are the better options now.
Also Minifreak!
Don't forget that you can actually daisy chain a second XD (keyboard or module) to get 8 voices out of it!
Connected via midi? with another keyboard, you can get another 4 voices?
@@user-ts2dd1he5u Yessss, via MIDI and a master slave setup in the menu you get 8 voices in total
you're the reason I bought the original, I'm not getting this one but I love seeing any video about it :)
glad to hear it!
The oscilloscope on these synth are not to be underestimated!
Truly! I have my own external oscilloscope (B+K Precision 1479B) that I always have running while making (and often listening to) music. It's taught me a ton not only about sound design, but about mixing and mastering.
I recommend anyone who makes music in a DAW to always have an oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer in view, as well as to watch them while listening to other tracks you want to use as reference for your own music. I'd always wondered why my drums weren't sounding the way I wanted them to and seeing the difference between my tracks and those I wanted them to sound like is what fixed my issues.
This was my first synth, and I still love it. It's not something I use often in tracks anymore, because I have other synths more specific to the types of sounds I want, but it's capable of filling pretty much any gap my setup has when needed. The digital engine makes it far more flexible than other analog offerings, even being capable of DX7 style sounds. I'll never get rid of mine.
Yup! Good advice. A hobbyist, started with this (though not a total newb), now I'm exploring modular types of things. It sounds great and can really help you learn a lot of basic sound design interactions. Plus... oscilloscope so you can both hear and see the sound.
the great thing is, as a professional, it is still one of my favourite synths next to other flagship models :) its a keeper
Really dig the inverted look, looks mad snazzy. Sounds great too
Love my xd. This one and the microKorg were my first two to get me started on my synthesizer adventure
i hear this from a lot of people!
This was my first synth and, in many ways, remains my favorite. It's very easy to get great sounds out of it. It's really easy to work with once you have spent a little time getting around it. I was confused at first, but got over it pretty easily. I also purchased a couple of extra digital oscillators from Tim Shoebridge which are very useful: "Pluck" in particular. I have a bunch of other instruments now including the Hydrasynth Explorer, which is ridiculous. But it takes more to get your sound because there's so much more to think about. If you're looking for a first synth that can be an effective workhorse, you won't go wrong here.
Agree and also Explorer is a fantastic synth too! A bit deeper, and less immediate, but still up there as one of the better starter synths for sure
Yeah the XD is great. I even chopped with a saw the keys so only the module remains to save space on the table. Love it.
was there alot of stuff needing rewiring or simple chop job?
@@BoBeats Not all, i just had to unplug the keys from the motherboard and that's it. Pretty easy job.
Thanks very much Bo for the shout out and wedding bell cacophony patch!
Two of the GOATs, you and Bo make great content and very different, my go to for new releases and tidbits.
xD
I absolutely love my MXD
Weather your a pro or a beginner simplicity is paramount when you are live performing. When I am creating sounds for my music, some of the best cuts are accidental and impromptu. As part of a bigger setup, this synth will give you some sweet surprises!
I can’t live without my XD. It’s a mainstay in my setup, studio and live performances.
Whats a thing that makes it indespensable for you?
@@BoBeats immediacy. Being able to change parameters during a performance and like the programmability and flexible modulation. I like hands on tactile feedback and control. I only wished that it would’ve run on batteries.
Minilogue XD module is one of my favorites. You have helped me pick all my synths. Bass Station II, Peak, SE-02, Minilogue XD Module, Cobalt8M, Digitone and Digitakt. 61SLMKIII to run it all. I am a drummer originally until I started this new addiction! Thanks Bo!!!
Hope the drums still get some love!!
Love it!
After the video i expected a comment section filled with thank you Bo's, but its awfully quiet after your professional advice!
Unthankfull synth animals 😊😉 👍
I think people are overwhelmed with all the news from Superbooth tbh. And this isnt the most exciting thing to come out. I just wanted to make a video that would be useful to people for some time to come! And that I can reference when ppl ask about the XD
@@BoBeats I love the thing, and indeed its not the most exiting, still think you did a wonderful video, but to be fair it wouldn't be my advice!
@@artsolomon202 which synth would you recommend?
@@BoBeats it depends, if you own some synths or a lott, as a beginner you should be exited by something that sounds impressive, and in my humble opinion it would the Typhon, and if you have some synths and effects already the Korg would be a nice extra.
And if you own a lott I would go for something like the polybrute, tho there are so many more very great synths momentarily, some of which you demonstrated recently in a very informative and passionate way!
@@artsolomon202 Yeah not one best choice, thats for sure!
you can Modulate parameters with MIDI via Abelton, or CV inputs if you have an external LFO! so no mod matrix is an easy fix. check the manual for MIDI implementation.
The 4 Motion Sequence tracks do a lot to make up for this in the context of building sequences. It isn't exactly the same but in some ways it's better!
I use my Hydrasynth Explorer to modulate CV in. It really opens the XD up, that and user oscillators and effects!
@@bobbycroker19this is the move. I use the neutron for this also.
Love this channel. I have the OG minilogue and can't find anything on a hold function for notes and cords. Same thing goes for transposing sequences and arps. We're you able to find these on yours? Maybe they have it reserved for the xd.
Hold should be there! But dont remeber the command for it
300 Euro more than the original one? are they nuts?
Limited edition thing
Original still available at the normal price
oh and i wasn't aware but euro price is weirdly ALOT more expensive than the US price for this limited edition... not sure whats going on there
sound wise comparison between minilogue xd vs roland sh 4d wts ur thoughts? can u tell will be helpful thanks
so very different synths... sh4d has a broad range of sounds, basically anything you can think of and multiple sound engines that sound different.... XD is way more fun for sound design tho, more immediate and raw sounding
@@BoBeats yes agreed but hs4d is how much analogue feel u getting it , my plan wants to take rolansde02 then to minilogue xd now roland sh4d , i think se02 more analigue but again u used all these for review so according to that wts ur thoughts
Goddamnit i love it.
Way high, but damn its just trippy.
Hmmm....do i need three minilogues ?
Dayum ...
What is that first plucky patch you play?! Sounds amazing and I’ve never been able to get my XD to sound like that!
God it looks sweet too! I'm way into the black and white.
Looks good. The inverted scheme is cool but I’d be perfectly happy with the regular one. I would say those I don’t always buy new gear as there are great deals to be had on secondhand ( most of my guitars some silly prices, an unused Aria J Bass for €100 with a soft case a tuner and a lead, and my mpc one pristine condition and with a flight case €500 ) ex demo ( both of my beherenger minis I think I got 5% off but mores the point the vendor didn’t have any other stock so I got both about a month earlier and a little cheaper) or even b grade stock (my acoustic bass, a very minor crack in the varnish which took about 5 minutes to fix saved me €50 off the price)
TLDR: I will be watching the second hand listings for a well kept minilogue xd 😀
Did you see the video on Cercle where Ben Böhmer played in a hot air balloon? He had an XD as part of his equipment. Very cool set!
I'm not going to lie Bo, but my Xd is on the floor atm waiting to go back in its box. Every time I use it, I find that it gets lost in my mixes, now I record live so all my synths are playing and being recorded separately, the thing is when I play my Xd alone, I can hear it perfectly, when playing with other gear, it's always lost in the mix and I cannot hear it live.
I find I reach for the input gain on the ADAT but it's being recorded as hot as it can.
I can recover the sound in post but it always gets lost in a live mix.
Either my unit is faulty or it just does not like to play along with my other gear.
:/
I feel you. Sometimes gear doesnt fit in the mix. And sometirms it takes up too much space and u gotto work hard to EQ and compress it
@@BoBeats Yeah it is a killer when you try to do live sets for sure.
Great vid - I have one but alas being on the latest iMac I can't get an editor for it to get other sounds and goodies -at least that's what Korg tell me
i just ran the editor on my Mac Studio... worked fine! But im not on the absolutely latest OS for MAC
@@BoBeats There lies the problem but thanks anyway 👍🏻👍🏻
Im leaning towards my first synthesizer pickup to be a Behringer Model D. Basic, powerful, and bound to make me learn how to sculpt a sound
I had some budgets synths come and go but Minilogue XD will stay in my possession, possibly forever... BTW, there are some new interesting user oscillators from tsoniq in case somebody missed it.
I feel the same way. This thing is a keeper because selling it would be a shame
on the bright side folks might be able to pick up a bargain XD as some other trade in for the new look
it looks beautiful but the sound is so so, very metallic timbre.
as modern affordable poly i think DreadBox Telepathy is the best sounding synth for the money in my opinion
Telepathy is quite alot more expensive no? Its that modular system no?
@@BoBeats Not at all it has 2 more voices, multitimbral, separate mixer and audio input for every module so price per voice is equal but far more synth capability for the money and in my opinion sounds far more beautiful than minilogue.
Telepathy is a great beginners synth in 2024 musical environment minilogue was ok 10 years ago i think
For a beginner, it's all about presets and the ability to make your own, so this thing rules! Not excited about the reverse key colors though.
yeah the colors is whatever, it made for a good excuse for me to revisit it tho
my favorite cheap synth. which, in fact, i prefer to many expensive synths. with it's open architecture i really don't think it's a "beginner synth". like it so much that i own two.
Its not JUST a beginner synth, thats for sure!
9:50 , some great musicality displayed right there... that was chaotic lol not in a good way tho. I still love ur videos!
wedding bell cacophony!
@@BoBeats haha ! at its finest!
Honestly, this is my "Big synth". For my use case, compact portability is a target. The microfreak fills my beginner harware keyboard niche far better.
microfreak not a bad choice either
I have a Microfreak as well and just placed an order for the XD. Since you own both, how do they compliment each other? I’m hoping there will be more differences than similarities?
I’m no beginner but I just love my two Minilogues (and Monologue) as they constantly inspire, mix well, and are resilient to being moved around a lot. Beauties. But Korg really have a problem with their pricing models on everything above the NTS’s, it’s a headscratcher how far off the mark they are at the mo :(
Even though it’s got a crap keybed. I still think the JDXI is the best all rounder beginner synth that packs a punch for a very reasonable price!
I consider this synth (the regular XD) my worst purchase, the constant detuning on my unit is making is hard to enjoy.
But you're kind of right, it makes it easy to learn synthesis, but I'd dumb it down a bit and start with a monosynth like the novation basstation 2
Interesting. I have never had this problem on mine.
@@incaroads001 apparently most people don't. But every half hour I have to retune the synth because it has drifted too much that it became noticeably annoying. When I first bought the unit (2yrs ago) I thought this was normal, as analog gear heats up and might force a re-turne after it has reached normal operating temperature. But the issue has gotten worse recently.
I do appreciate the easy-to-use effects so It's not completely wasted :) Bad luck of the draw I guess.
@@onedayheroyt8021 I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure you tried to get korg to make it right. If they didn't then shame on them. Do you have a Hydrasynth by any chance? That one is definitely amazing. I use warm mode for every patch.
@@incaroads001 I do have a hydrasynth (module) and I love it soo much, I wished I bought the full keyboard edition though (but damn ... that price). The poly aftertouch on the pads is still nice but I bet I'd love it more on a decent keybed.
To the honest, ever since I bought that Hydra I barely touched my minilogue. I do own some more synth and they are all more used in comparison, such as a Korg R3, Casio XWP1,novation basstation 2, and since last week the minifreak (which is currently my fav because of the non convientional oscilator programs).
What setup are you rocking? :)
@@onedayheroyt8021 I have the korg, the hydra explorer which, as you said, is amazing. But I also have a blofeld, volca fm2 and a Roland s1. I gotta say, that s1 is really great for not a lot of money. I use it with my circuit tracks because that thing really needed an extra synth track. It still needs 64 step sequences though.
I cut my teeth on a Monotribe which is great fun but recently decided that a "proper" synth was required to improve my esoteric musical ramblings and the XD was no brainer as it's so tactile, easy to use and you can lose hours fiddling away with nobs and switches.
If youd havento compwre this to a minimoog, ehat would be the important difference.
I feel like this synth is like a great mix
It does not have a sequencer???
It does
The inflated RRP for this inverted colour scheme is disgusting. Korg should be called out on their price-gouging antics (XD Inverted + Minilogue Bass)
EXACTLY the same synth, just with different keys. Literally nohing at all is new on this. Korg are absolutely lost
@@DudderlyfulExactly, utterly embarrassing. Shame they don't put their energy (which here consists of mainly marketing, I guess) towards things such as reviving the Electribe series!
At Perfect Circuit it’s coming up as the same price as the original 🤔
Yes and no, in my opinion. It's an obvious price hike, but it's a limited edition. No one is forced to buy the inverted version. You can choose. Is it greedy, yes. Is it wrong, no. People pay crazy money for certain colourway sneakers. It's up to the buyer if and how they spend their money. That's the beauty of choice.
Why should they get called out? It’s a limited edition release regardless of how simple the change is, and as already said, you don’t have to buy it. Plenty of people will, and it’ll probably hold its value better than the standard XD as a result. The fact that Korg have put this out suggests to me a level of confidence, not a loss of direction. Besides, who else is releasing a mini synth with a dark theme? Of course they are responding.
It's good.❤️📌👍🏼
it would be great if Korg could make a 61 key 16 voices version. Oh wait…
bring back the Prologue... with more than 1 lfo please
and not Microfreak?
Microfreak has no effects (which are highly recommended) and also no oscilloscope, by which you can learn a lot
@@AngMoKio8those are very nice features, but for fx costing less than the difference between the xd and microfreak, you could buy a nts-1 and get most of the same fx. The other major difference is the size of the form factor. Microfreak can fit in a small laptop bag! (if portability is a consideration)
I guess, it's like Bo said at the start, he doesn't recommend it right away, bit after asking a few questions, this synth is often what he eventually does recommend. Other use cases get other recs, I guess.
I really want a minilogue xp but it’ll have to wait until next years tax refund
I still think the beginner should have full sized keys, whether a beginner synthesist and keyboardist or a beginner synth user but a master on keyboards. Today's best deal is a Behringer MS-1 + one MIDI cable + a Roland Boutique JX--08. A great monosynth, plus a great 20 voice digital synth all with surface control. $620.
its tricky, alot of people struggle with just getting one synth to work for them... at least people who ask me for advice :)
@@BoBeats You are certainly correct about that my friend. The same people who don't understand computer hierarchy file systems will not understand much anything else.
I would go for a Behringer Deepmind 12. You can scratch the surface and then move to a much deeper synth. Yes people, Behringer.
DM12 is quite neat and also an original design! i personally have very little experience with it however
Love the new look! But Gosh Darn, 300€ EXTRA only for a new paint job, that's just robbing people.
so weirdly the price is the same in US for xd and inverted (679 or something) but in europe its more expensive. Dont know why
Now that I think of it, the same happened with the Minilogue Bass, and now its price went down below 600€.
That said, and apology for not saying it in the first place, great overview. It definitely is on my wishlist!
So educate them by not buying it! The power is in your hands.
Recycled Gear at a Higher price..... a non Innovative Marketing Trend that's getting more Common. Maybe a Telescopic Antenna on top might get some interest going for it .....🤖
Pathetic. An extra €350 for a paint job. Bo, really poor show.
so the video isnt about the paint job. the video is about the XD as a whole, which is still available. The paint job weirdly priced for some reason in europe but not in the US, don't quite know why