Thanks - I really appreciate it! This is a very new channel so I’m still figuring out what people want to see. From your point of view are you interested in: - hardware synth comparisons? - patch ideas? - analog vs soft synth comparisons? - dawless setup videos? I’m trying not to be just another channel does does plugin reviews and hopefully I’ll be doing live streaming where I write and produce entire songs from scratch entirely DAWlessly. Sound interesting? I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I would be interested to know…
@@DistortThePreamp Hey. Thanks for responding. I'd say all four topics really, as I have been searching for those exact topics. For example, I came back to this video for a second time so I can decide which one I should buy first but if you had patch idea videos I would come back for those as well. I think all four topics would be appealing to most people looking to buy these synths. Good luck with your channel!!
That’s very helpful feedback! I’m also planning livestreams where I write and create synth based pop songs in real time after selecting a random bpm. There will probably be a ‘time challenge’ element to it - maybe 90 mins - but I’m still doing tests and trying to get the streaming tech to work ;)
You did it again! You have the ears, which is the prerequisite to make great live knob tweaking. I like you keep it slow. It gives your channel a feel that you don’t find elsewhere. Content providers may be afraid that slowness could be detrimental to views, people skipping. But in your case, it encourages me to view your videos when I have time, and not skip a beat! You found a great format.
Really enjoyed this. You mentioned, "The right kind of ARPs played through it." I'd love a video on creating interesting arps. And how we create the right kind.
You took two synths and made an incredibly engaging video. Your passions and knowledge and storytelling ability fused it all brilliantly. Outstanding, thank you
Really appreciate your comment! I don’t know how the algorithm is doing it, but RUclips seems to be doing a pretty good job of putting my very niche content in front of the right people ;) Thanks for watching Doug…
Please don’t take offense, but your mic highlights WAY too much of your tongue and lip smacking movements…I can hear every little shift of saliva in your mouth and it’s making it terribly difficult to get through your videos. Which is a shame, since not only are you offering a unique approach, but you do have a nice voice!
I'd love to hear the Behringer CAT in these videos for comparison with the Model D & Pro1. Also, would be great to see how you go about writing the arp lines.
This is really solid, really deep information and sound exploration. The way you have renovated your synth speaks to your dedication to your craft. Exceptional my man!
Wow! Your still very new channel is very impressive. The depth of the knowledge you're sharing and the serious replies from us lucky viewers reminds me of my favorite youtube genre, machining videos. Nerdy, niche knowledge, shared via a very well produced video. Plus midi files! Keep it up! 😊
That's very kind! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment (I've been writing this a lot today, but it's true). Hopefully I'll be able to do at least one video a week, maybe more. I'm also planning on doing Live Streaming where I accept Synthpop Programming challenges... sound like fun?
MIDI Clip, please? :) This was very inspirational and educational. I have been doing semi-serious synthesis for almost 30 years now and have never heard a good comparison (with awesome, nerdy, "sudo-sci" specifics) of these two filters right next to each other like this. It explains why these two have been such big contenders in the synth realms for decades. Thank you very much for this!!! :) Liked and subbed.
Up there with the very best end of synth tutorials! Thoughtful and useful explanations, with no gear snobbery. I wish you the best of luck racing from 1k to 100k subscribers and beyond
@@encrust1 thank you very much! And also thank you for appreciating my lack of gear snobbery :) I’m on several missions, but one of them to help people believe that you don’t need expensive gear to make expensive sounds :)
Just dropping a note on here to say how much I am enjoying your content. The algorithm matched us at the perfect time as I am just starting out on my hardware synth journey after many years of playing around with vsts. My music background is growing up in the 80's, started DJ'ing around 1996 a did that for around 20 years on and off and have been learning the Piano for the last 2 years, so now is the time to start applying the theory to the styles of music that i am most passionate about. I have just bought the Pro-800 and the Model D is next on my list. Looking forward to your next video. I would love some further content on ambient and particular complex arps. Thanks Pete
@@DistortThePreamp You think I got all day to check this on the web??? (Just kidding!) I am an orig P5 and Pro One owner, and I was thinking, "Wait... the Pro One has a two pole and I never noticed it in all these years???" Keep up the great work on your channel, I very much enjoy it. Subscribed.
Thx for the inputs, the MIDI file and the video ! Enough to say I just bought a Pro1 because of the video... lol (I already have a model D). I loved both ! Pls keep the videos coming ! (Some tutorials about the patchs constructions will be very much appreciate as well). Congrats on the channel.
That’s fantastic! The Pro-1 is such a great synth and can do many thinks the Model D can’t. Have a look at my ‘Pluck Off’ video if you haven’t already seen it for an example, but the Pro-1 is probably better at plucks, drones, and of course hard sync sounds which the Model D can’t do at all! I’m working on a load of patch idea videos and will probably do them as comparisons. Do you have the Neutron or any other Behringer (or other) synths? I’m working on a Vox Humana video which involves using the Neutron, Model D, and Pro-1 all patched together…
Thanks for this will have to break out the Model D again. Also looking into a moog system 55 type eurorack build and this has made me go yeap that's the way
Although I’m an inveterate knob-changer myself, I thought your Model D was probably the ugliest synth I’d ever seen. Sorry- but it distracted from what was otherwise an interesting video.
Thank you! It’s actually just my RD-9 which is a clone of the Roland 909 with zero processing! I would have tuned the parameters carefully, but there’s no layering, eq, or compression :) Having said that I’m super familiar with how deadmau5 makes his kicks and what he listens for so it’s possible I dial in those sounds automatically. Essentially you listen for three things: attack, body, and sustain/release. Once you learn to hear those, making kicks is really fun and easy!
Hmmm. I like the sound of pretty much all the Arturia stuff. I wouldn’t recommend learning on a MicroFreak - I think it’s too experimental. The MiniBrute 2 though (the one with the keyboard) is an incredible teaching synth and sounds good. And the PolyBrute is very good, though not cheap. I’m not gonna say a bad word about Arturia though - even if some of their products don’t always hit the mark with me, it’s all very good.
Absolutely. It’s simply a Behringer RD-9 which is a 909 clone. It’s not processed, but I’m routing the synth through some outboard gear which is ducking the music under the kick. See my Kick Ducking video for more details!
Superb, someone making music with synths and showing others how to do it !! You and Synth Seeker Luke are top of my synth RUclipsr list. Keep up the good work, really enjoying your videos - and LOVE the sound of that Model D. 🙂
Haha! I didn’t mean ducking - I meant the sound of a low-pass filter closing! I think it was Daft Punk who said that it reminded them is listening to their parents’s radio play through a closed bedroom door…
They really do, right! So similar and yet so different. I’m conscious that as I was making this I was slightly vacillating between which I preferred. Ultimately I think the Model D was slightly more moody, but they both sounded great. Especially at full volume.
You know what would be really great? If you could upload the exact same video but without the voice over the synth tracks, in the first segment. (if you already have it recorded in separate tracks, it wouldn’t be too much work…) The comments are interesting, and it’s great to have them, but they distract too much in my opinion, when I try to focus on the music to hear the true character of both synths. It’s like watching a movie you really like, then getting a chance to ALSO watch it again as the Director’s Cut, revealing what the creator thinks. Anyways… just a suggestion. If other viewers feel the same maybe they could like my comment to let you know there is more than one person who’d like this.
As a 4 Decades guitarist only now diving into the wonderful world of Synths (both modular and VST) I’m always on the lookout for those with extensive knowledge and who are able to put it all together for a n00b like myself! Thank you for your channel !! I subscribed today after picking up over ten tips I wouldn’t have figured out on my own… so well presented and the synth music, is heavenly!
I’m not sure I can remember! I think I got them from eBay. They weren’t very expensive but they were a bit of a life saver as I store all my patches by taking photos and the Model D stock knobs just don’t show the settings properly!
That’s an interesting idea! I’m hoping that if the channel gets a bit bigger Behringer will lend me some gear! The Noise video includes the Neutron although not in a normal way 😂 I’m very interested in the Proton in particular. And I’ve actually never used a K2…
I'm like most youtube nobodies, a lifetime love of synthesizers but only a modicum basic music knowledge. Do you think you could do something about your choice of key and progressions, majors and minors and so on?
That’s a great question and one that I get a lot. I’ve thinking about how I could make a video series about ‘How to write’ without it being too technical or boring. I’m working on it, but it’s not easy because it’s such a deep subject. I would probably focus on scales though as a way in - if you watch the performance at the end of my latest ‘Rio’ video every note I play is within a scale. It’s an extremely unusual scale (technically called ‘E Phrygian Dominant’) but that’s one of the techniques I use.
I've got the Poly D, AND the Pro1... and just LOVE how smooth the Pro1 filter is. I used the Pro1 for the solo on this tune for Liv Harter.... such a pretty sound. Starts at 2:07 ish . ruclips.net/video/Ao3f_5b5wNU/видео.htmlsi=0SJ_3JSUmsWhsern
That’s an interesting question. The answer is it doesn’t sound all that inspiring. Don’t get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE my Neutron, but I don’t tend to reach for it for this sort of sound. I don’t like the way the two oscillators have a mix rather than independent oscillator controls for a start. However there are a lot of sounds I can only make on the Neutron. Have you seen my video about Noise? Can’t do that on a Model D or Pro-1. And I love it for sharp percussive sounds, some ambient drones… I also have grown to love the built in delay and overdrive. And finally I patch a lot into my Neutron, so I borrow LFOs from my other mono synths and patch them in. But I wouldn’t recommend the Neutron particularly for this sort of sound…
Was that in the captions? Oh good grief. I let RUclips do the captions on these earlier videos and they’re terrible. I really must correct them! Yes, ‘door’ would definitely mean DAW 😂
gimme those synths right now!!! Im considering getting into analog synths, I am considering a korg Monologue... but I do have a midi keyboard so a keyboardless option like the Pro-1 or Model D works too, which would you recommend? I really just wanna mess with a nice arp pattern or single note and adjust the cutoff, resonance and pitch knobs to create really dramatic and insane effects, but i really like pleasing rounded sine wave type sounds rather than saw waves. I was having a lot of fun on a moog drummer from another mother the other day and something like that is fine. I am really liking what Im hearing from the Model D so far. My first purchase will likely be a synth and second would be a drum machine to feed into it like a drum brute.
I love my Model D. It’s less flexible than the Pro-1 but either of those will be a lot of fun! I’m not sure about the Drum Brute - I’ve had both of them (the standard and the Impact) and ended up selling both. The programming interface was amazing and IMO better than any other drum machine on the planet. But I didn’t get on with the sounds. I realise that Arturia didn’t want to make a machine that sounded like something else, but I didn’t like the Kicks, and couldn’t get the sounds to sit in a mix properly. I’ve certainly never heard either of the DrumBrutes on a hit. Contrastingly the RD9 (which is a 909 clone) is impossible to get to sound bad, although the sounds are quite genre specific. So if you do get a DrumBrute, make sure you can either send it back or buy second hand and be prepared to re-sell.
@@DistortThePreamp oh very good to know, I think I will have to trigger my own drums, I have an extensive library of loops and one shots, so Im thinking of a Keystep Pro for the drum sequencing into a daw, or using ableton to trigger loops and be the master clock for tempo. I am really coming around to the sound of the Pro-1 I am really asking myself what type of sound I want to hear back and I can always dirty something up with some pedals but that pristine sound of the pro-1 calls to me. I really enjoy the song "my life" by Tame Impala and Zhu and the pro-1 seems like it could recreate something like that. love your channel, thanks for the advice!
So glad you love the channel! I’m not sure about the KeyStep Pro. I’ve got one but tbh I exhausted its sequencing capabilities very quickly and nowadays I just use it as a controller keyboard. So the main ‘features’ that it has that I use are that it has a high quality small keybed. If you get one, make sure you can return it if it doesn’t work for you. The other thing you could try is a sampling drum machine. Even one of the Roland TR6s or 8s. Those didn’t work for me as I don’t load samples for drums but they might work for you. I suppose the main thing I would advise is to make sure you can return or sell anything you buy because you often have to try about four things before you find what works for you :)
Thanks bunches for a cool midi to play with, only just bought my first synth a few weeks ago, and Model D will be here Tuesday, not sure if it was a bad idea to get both Poly D and Model D, but it'll be fun either way. Loved this.
@@DistortThePreamp Woohoo, got it today! Got a Roland T8 too, so far only managed to get Poly D and T8 running, Model D should just be midi out to midi in but nothin' yet, did have to get a little mixer, was gonna get a FX pedal, but it was one or the other. My new favorite channel, your vids are showing me exactly the stuff I wanted to learn, so thanks a lot! Not able to send a real thanks yet, but will when I'm set up, life's been in a holding pattern a while, long story......
Haha - I really ought to have a line mixer too! Not to submit because I’ve got loads of inputs. But a line mixer would mean I could add effects to multiple tracks but keep them dry on record. Although having said that I’ve got loads of inputs I’ve only got 16. And every single time I make a video I run out. 32 would be amazing. 24 would be great. But even an extra couple would help.
Ah, that’s just my analog 909 (clone - It’s a Behringer RD-9). The bass is being ducked in hardware using a Drawmer DS201 (see my video on Kick Ducking) but there is ZERO PROCESSING! So no compression, no eq, nothing. This is part of my mission - to help people see/hear that if select use the right sounds and use them in a simple way, very little in the way of processing is needed, and the track mixes itself. Thank you so much for watching. Really appreciate it, and your comment :)
Amazing! I’ve actually spent the afternoon working on a ‘remastered’ version of this where I fix the audio. A lot of people complained that they couldn’t hear what I was saying on the early videos and it took me a few goes to get right. Meanwhile, I did a video called something like ‘The Sound of 1982’ which ostensibly is all about the Rio (Duran Duran) arps but has actually got a load of arp techniques, especially at the end where I do a live performance. It’s not ambient like this, but you might like it :)
Actually this is just the RD-9 with no effects and no plugins. I say ‘just’ because it’s quite cheap and a clone of the 909, but it sounds excellent and some really excellent feature additions. People don’t believe me, but if I was offered either this or an original 909 for free, I would take this clone.
Loads of people have asked, but it’s simply my RD-9 (909 clone) with zero processing. I think this is what happens when you make music outside a DAW - all the sounds get tuned really well to work together.
Yeah, I’m so sorry about that but I can’t quite remember! I would definitely have sourced them from eBay. Probably. Online at least. They’re a standard D fitting and the whole point was (a) so I could read the settings at a distance, and (b) so the settings would show up in photos which is how I store my patches. I’ve been asked this question so many times I really should try to figure out where I got then from…
Thank you for your time , do you think having an analog synth or poly synth helps me to better understanding the sounds which I’m struggling to find my own sounds , I would like make my own sounds rather than using presets. Since digital synths for me is like too much doors with too much keys😅😅
This reminds me about my foolish decision to sell my pro-1. Think I will buy another one together with a model D clone. Thanks for the video. It is really inspiring.
Thanks for the great explanation of the sound design. Hearing your thoughts (and reading the text) as you design the sound is incredibly valuable because it means the principles can be applied to other synths. So glad I found your channel!
I love, when a youtuber don’t just play weird notes on synth but make some great music on it. Very nice arp, thx for the midi file. I subscribed to your channel and now will watch your new video. You will have a great future and time if you make videos like that.
There’s no compression, but I’m using one of my Drawmer DS201 Gates to duck the arps under the kick in real time :) I made a whole video about this ruclips.net/video/mjqP70S0xuE/видео.htmlsi=q1UtH8MkpsHrrJaw
@@christopherrusch thanks! In this im using the Behringer RD9 which is a 909 clone. There’s no daw processing or plugins or anything like that, but I’m ducking the bass under the kick using one of my Drawmer DS201 gates. I made a video about this called something inventive like “Kick Ducking”. Everybody does this in the daw, but I’ve never heard of anyone doing it using outboard. Certainly the guys at Drawmer were thrilled when I did it 😂
@@christopherrusch That’s going to an interesting machine when it eventually lands. But I’m going to want to check the samples very carefully there was something specific about the Linn samples which is not widely known and I am hoping that Behringer has copied them bit for bit. Because if they haven’t then it won’t groove the same. Sorry if I sound secretive but I might make a video about this. Speaking of sampling drum machines I swear by my old Roland R8. It’s not to everyone’s taste, it misbehaves a lot, and it’s hard to programme (it’s even hard to externally sequence) but it sounds incredible. It’s all over my recent videos - check out the one on Gated Pads, for example.
Fabulous music! Great comparison video and the comprehensive explanation of the settings is really useful. You clearly have a deep passion and understanding of music and synths . Model D for me .
Great comparison, and yes I agree that the Moog ladder filter type as incorporated to the Behringer is much sweeter in sound than that on the Pro 1. Wonderful improvisation on both! More please, and thank you.
Excellent new Chanel! Really into it. I would say (If you can be bothered and dont mind people to know) put in the description other bits of kit used. Like in this video; What effects unit did you use etc?
That’s a great idea, and I’ll do that! So far all the videos have been dawless hardware which means I’m using hardly any effects (because I don’t have any 😂). In terms of this Ambient Arps video this is literally the sound of a single mono synth (either the Model D or Pro-1) which is going into a very old and cheap Lexicon MX200 which is adding a dotted 8 delay plus some reverb. Then that is going into a Drawmer DS201 gate which is set to duck (see my video about Kick Ducking). The ducking effect is being triggered off a key generated by my 909 (clone) kick track. All the sequencing is done from the Squarp Pyramid which is where I captured the arpeggios in a single live take about half an hour before shooting. The Pyramid is also generating the arps. Thank you so much for caring enough to ask the question! I really appreciate it :)
Thanks for the cool comparison of possibilities and at the same time showing how simple it is to get such a great (for me) effect. I have both synthesizers. I also have a B FX2000 multieffect and some eurorack so I will try to reproduce what you have achieved. Thank you for the midi file. It will come in handy to recreate the whole effect. I will also try to use it with synths like BARP 2600 or DeltaCEPA. Overall great video and helped me a lot in understanding some nuances. I have subscribed to your channel. Keep it up - lots of useful knowledge.
Very nice, interessting and inspirenig Video. How do you route your Lexicon ? Mine is set up as a Send - Return FX on my Hardware-Mixer. Do you hook it up in this way, or do you go straight from the Synth into the Reverb ? The second Question would be..." How do you set up this Sidechane exactley ? What do you mean with " throw one of my Gates" ? Thanx a lot.
Good question. Everything’s on a patchbay (or, rather, a lot of patchbays) and I just patch it inline with whatever synth I’m using on. Having said that, I always bypass it when I’m tracking seriously into a DAW with the very occasional expecting of delays. It’s not the best hardware reverb I’ve ever owned - I had a Strymon Big Sky until recently which sounded spectacular but I hated the fact it was a pedal rather than a rack unit. Also it felt like a luxury because, as I said, I only use hardware reverbs as ‘mock ups’ and then add reverb in the DAW when I’m mixing.
Really interesting and enjoyable video. Good to see affordable gear being used rather than astronomically expensive prestige ‘vintage’ synths etc that require a second mortgage
I’m all about the affordable gear. Even if I could afford the unaffordable gear, I would still be all about the affordable gear. My ‘studio’ is basically racks full of cheapness. Even the videos I shoot on a iPhone 😂
Awesome! Feel free to check out the midi clip, though making your own will I’m sure be better :) I’m in the process of writing a video (based on a subscriber request) all about how to ‘choose notes’ when doing ambient arps. It’s difficult to know how technical to make it, but it gives me a chance to talk about modes and scales ;) Thanks for watching - this is a new channel and it means a lot.
@@DistortThePreamp I don't. But I'm waiting for the mk-ll to be released. Just thought it'd be interesting to hear it playing this beforehand. But a very nice video anyways! Been trying out some reverb drenched arps on the Pro-1 today. Looking forward to seeing more videos from you.
Don’t know if you’ve seen but I made that video about ducking you suggested! Not sure if many people will be interested as it’s a bit specialist, but at least you can see what I’m using and how I’m doing it.
That’s a great question. I’m using the Squarp Pyramid as a hardware sequencer with an Arturia Keystep Pro as my keyboard. The Pyramid is controlling a whole range of sound sources on three different midi circuits: three drum machines, about a dozen synth patches, and more. And I’ve got 16 inputs into Pro Tools that I use for recording. So it sounds great, but it’s definitely not a beginner’s setup. In terms of making a recommendation to you, it definitely depends what level you are at. If you are just starting out and want to make electronic music then I would recommend you use a daw like Ableton or Logic with a cheap USB controller keyboard. If you’re quite experienced and want to start experimenting with a dawless workflow then I would recommend gettting a single mono synth (see my video on ‘Let me choose your first synth…) but sequencing it from the daw. Although you should always try to play parts in (see the video I’m just about to release!) But I probably would not recommend getting a hardware sequencer unless you’re either very experienced or 100% certain that you want to go dawless. Does this help?
Good afternoon, congratulations for the quality of your video. I wanted to know the exact model of your lexicon effet. Do you know a Lexicon soft that makes an equivalent sound. Thank you in advance, Christian
Hey Christian, I’m so glad you like the video. The exact model of my Lexicon is the MX200 *however* I’m not sure I’d recommend buying one as, to be honest, it’s a pretty dreadful unit! It’s just about passable for dawless demos, but I would never track with it. The reason I got it was so that I could give vocalists reverb in their phones without any latency, and it does that okay. I’ve just looked up eBay prices and they seem to be selling for £90-£135 which is shocking - I think I got mine for about £45. The best Lexicon software plugin is the Relab emulation of the 480L, and the second best is the UA emulation of the 224. HOWEVER the best software reverb IMO is without a doubt the Valhalla Vintage Reverb which does a very good emulation of some key old Lexicon sounds if you know the patches you’re looking for. It’s very much a staple of modern productions and it just sounds wonderful. It’s also cheap, though that’s not really why it’s popular because Dua Lipa’s producer could use anything he wants and he uses the Valhalla Vintage. If you want the best sounding hardware reverb then, again IMO, it’s the Strymon Big Sky. I had one and sold it because my setup is really all about rack units and the Strymon is only available as a pedal (despite being ridiculously high spec). The Strymon is also horribly expensive. So, if you’re out of the box maybe get a super cheap reverb - consider an old Alesis Quadraverb - and if you’re in the box it’s Valhalla all the way! One final tip: I also use the Valhalla Shimmer Reverb as a special effect and I think that’s free! Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment.
@@DistortThePreamp Thank you very much for your answer. You’re a real fan of electronic music and you can hear that. I love to compare the different arpeggios of synths. You are right to point out the importance of the filter... But the effects are also important. The music of Vangelis, Tangerine Dream and JM Jarre (great user of the synthesizer ARP 2600) would not have been so successful without the effects... Thanks again and see you soon for a new video!!
The arps were captured in a live take. I played chords on my Arturia KeystepPro which was sending midi into my Squarp Pyramid which was capturing the notes played. The arpeggios were generated in real time by the Pyramid and I had set up the monitoring synth (probably the Model D) with an LFO to slowly change the filter so it would sound a bit more like how it would eventually come out. I was also playing into a hardware delay and reverb. From memory I don’t think I was monitoring a kick - I think I did it all using the arp timing as my clock. I think I set the capture time at something like 128 bars and then at some point I just stopped playing. Then I played back the midi clip into both synths and rode the knobs live - that’s on the video. You can see the actual notes I played from the midi clip. Really appreciate you watching and the comment :)
Great comparison of the 2 filters and synths in general. The Moog is smoother and more dreamy and the SCI is more funky to my ears and a bit more difficult to dial in/more feisty. I actually love my pro-one for bass - I would say the Moog is better for the material in your sequence and the sound I think you're looking for here. Would love to see a comparison with a Roland SH-101 or Juno, or even JX8-P... My only 3 osc synth is the Erebus 3 and that has a different sound to the pro-one, probably closer to the Moog...
Totally agree about the filters. Ahhh, the JX-8P is such a lovely synth. I find it a bit weird to programme even with the programming module, but it’s two independent envelope structure is so unique. I once spent about a day trying to reverse engineer the ‘Soundtrack’ patch. My eventual conclusion once I understood how it worked was that it’s pretty much impossible unless you have two synths because you need the oscillators to fade in and out under each other. And even with two synths you wouldn’t have the same filter or, of course, Roland chorus. Regrettably the JX-8P left the studio a few months ago. It was very old and those voices are hard and expensive to maintine. Though I’ve got a funny feeling that one day I’ll buy another. I don’t have a 101 at the moment, although my 303 (clone) is surprisingly flexible. It’s not just an acid machine.
@@DistortThePreamp The JX is a fantastic machine, hugely under-rated, probably due to the sad omission of PWM. The cross mod can create some great textures and I agree it can be tricky to dial in. I should add that I do also have the PG-800 which is essential and which sells for more than the synth itself. Applying modulation or envelope to the tuning while in cross mod mode can create some great sounds, comparable to a Jupiter 8. For me, the JX is the best pad machine south of a Jupiter 8, for a fraction of the cost. Having said that, it can also make some amazing bass and lead sounds, as well as arpegs. It's a secret weapon of sorts and is a unique synth. It's not essential, but for anyone who has a Juno and Prophet already, it's a great addition. I don't have a Juno but I have the Dreadbox Nymphes, which completely scratched that Juno itch - it was my Juno killer and saved me at least a grand - another fantastic synth and incredible value for money once you get past the admittedly cumbersome interface. To your point about the Roland chorus, I also have a CE-1 and an Elkorus 2. The former is the holy grail of chorus and sounds amazing, the latter is arguably the most versatile chorus effect ever created, sadly discontinued. I could go on, as you can imagine 🙂 Thanks again for your videos and interactions and I look fwd to more from your channel.
I totally agree about the JX being hugely under-rated. TBH I even prefer it as a pad machine over the Jupiter. Yeah, you totally need the programmer and even then uou can’t really ride the filter or other parameters like you can on a more conventional synth (due to the small size of the programmer controls and the fact some of them are stepped) but I *love* the sound it makes. I wish it wasn’t gone.
This was great!! I'd say the best video I've seen on these two synths and I have seen a lot. I can't wait to see more from you. I subbed!!
Thanks - I really appreciate it! This is a very new channel so I’m still figuring out what people want to see. From your point of view are you interested in:
- hardware synth comparisons?
- patch ideas?
- analog vs soft synth comparisons?
- dawless setup videos?
I’m trying not to be just another channel does does plugin reviews and hopefully I’ll be doing live streaming where I write and produce entire songs from scratch entirely DAWlessly. Sound interesting?
I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I would be interested to know…
@@DistortThePreamp Hey. Thanks for responding. I'd say all four topics really, as I have been searching for those exact topics. For example, I came back to this video for a second time so I can decide which one I should buy first but if you had patch idea videos I would come back for those as well. I think all four topics would be appealing to most people looking to buy these synths. Good luck with your channel!!
That’s very helpful feedback! I’m also planning livestreams where I write and create synth based pop songs in real time after selecting a random bpm. There will probably be a ‘time challenge’ element to it - maybe 90 mins - but I’m still doing tests and trying to get the streaming tech to work ;)
Subbed here as well! Great video and performance! Btw., Which arpeggiator did use?
@@DistortThePreamp Technique, Tips n Tricks! Breakdown of tracks with Hardware. JUST like you done. excellent.
I think I need a cigarette after that.
Hahaha! Such an awesome response
Cigarette. With a Filter 😂
No shit
😂❤
It was pretty orgasmic.
You did it again! You have the ears, which is the prerequisite to make great live knob tweaking. I like you keep it slow. It gives your channel a feel that you don’t find elsewhere. Content providers may be afraid that slowness could be detrimental to views, people skipping. But in your case, it encourages me to view your videos when I have time, and not skip a beat! You found a great format.
That’s really good to hear. Especially your comment about the ‘slowness’ which is very well observed ;)
Really enjoyed this. You mentioned, "The right kind of ARPs played through it." I'd love a video on creating interesting arps. And how we create the right kind.
@@jameshoward-white2288 As a newbie looking into getting into synth I would love that too.
@@jameshoward-white2288 Noted! I’ve been planning this for a while but it’s proving hard to distill the points. Bear with me though…
You took two synths and made an incredibly engaging video. Your passions and knowledge and storytelling ability fused it all brilliantly. Outstanding, thank you
Thank you so much! That’s such a kind thing to say!
The algorithm worked, RUclips put this in front of me and very glad it did. Subscribed!
Really appreciate your comment! I don’t know how the algorithm is doing it, but RUclips seems to be doing a pretty good job of putting my very niche content in front of the right people ;) Thanks for watching Doug…
Same!
Awesome!
Please don’t take offense, but your mic highlights WAY too much of your tongue and lip smacking movements…I can hear every little shift of saliva in your mouth and it’s making it terribly difficult to get through your videos. Which is a shame, since not only are you offering a unique approach, but you do have a nice voice!
You’re absolutely right. Sorry about this - I’m trying to correct it! And I’m absolutely not offended!
I'd love to hear the Behringer CAT in these videos for comparison with the Model D & Pro1.
Also, would be great to see how you go about writing the arp lines.
Beautiful.. I can imagine that as a background to an atmospheric pad and some piano notes.. 🤪☺️👍
Oh that’s very kind! Thank you!
This is really solid, really deep information and sound exploration. The way you have renovated your synth speaks to your dedication to your craft. Exceptional my man!
Haven’t heard the Model D this LUSH before. Brilliant! Liked and subbed. Looking forward to more. Love your music.
That's amazing! Really glad you enjoyed it! I'm currently prepping for a livestream which will feature both these synths and more... :-)
Wow! Your still very new channel is very impressive. The depth of the knowledge you're sharing and the serious replies from us lucky viewers reminds me of my favorite youtube genre, machining videos. Nerdy, niche knowledge, shared via a very well produced video. Plus midi files!
Keep it up! 😊
That's very kind! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment (I've been writing this a lot today, but it's true). Hopefully I'll be able to do at least one video a week, maybe more. I'm also planning on doing Live Streaming where I accept Synthpop Programming challenges... sound like fun?
MIDI Clip, please? :) This was very inspirational and educational. I have been doing semi-serious synthesis for almost 30 years now and have never heard a good comparison (with awesome, nerdy, "sudo-sci" specifics) of these two filters right next to each other like this. It explains why these two have been such big contenders in the synth realms for decades. Thank you very much for this!!! :) Liked and subbed.
@@sonicspook007 Thank you so much! There should be a link to the midi clip in the description… let me know how you get on!
Up there with the very best end of synth tutorials! Thoughtful and useful explanations, with no gear snobbery. I wish you the best of luck racing from 1k to 100k subscribers and beyond
@@encrust1 thank you very much! And also thank you for appreciating my lack of gear snobbery :) I’m on several missions, but one of them to help people believe that you don’t need expensive gear to make expensive sounds :)
Just dropping a note on here to say how much I am enjoying your content. The algorithm matched us at the perfect time as I am just starting out on my hardware synth journey after many years of playing around with vsts. My music background is growing up in the 80's, started DJ'ing around 1996 a did that for around 20 years on and off and have been learning the Piano for the last 2 years, so now is the time to start applying the theory to the styles of music that i am most passionate about. I have just bought the Pro-800 and the Model D is next on my list. Looking forward to your next video. I would love some further content on ambient and particular complex arps. Thanks Pete
You’ll find the Curtis filter in the Pro-1 is also 4-pole, 24 dB. It’s just different from the Moog-style ladder filter.
Yes, you're absolutely right! Somebody else pointed this out to my eternal shame! Sorry for the error, but appreciate the comment :-)
@@DistortThePreamp You think I got all day to check this on the web??? (Just kidding!) I am an orig P5 and Pro One owner, and I was thinking, "Wait... the Pro One has a two pole and I never noticed it in all these years???" Keep up the great work on your channel, I very much enjoy it. Subscribed.
Thx for the inputs, the MIDI file and the video ! Enough to say I just bought a Pro1 because of the video... lol (I already have a model D). I loved both ! Pls keep the videos coming ! (Some tutorials about the patchs constructions will be very much appreciate as well). Congrats on the channel.
That’s fantastic! The Pro-1 is such a great synth and can do many thinks the Model D can’t. Have a look at my ‘Pluck Off’ video if you haven’t already seen it for an example, but the Pro-1 is probably better at plucks, drones, and of course hard sync sounds which the Model D can’t do at all! I’m working on a load of patch idea videos and will probably do them as comparisons. Do you have the Neutron or any other Behringer (or other) synths? I’m working on a Vox Humana video which involves using the Neutron, Model D, and Pro-1 all patched together…
@@DistortThePreamp I'll +1 that Vox Humana video for sure!
Thanks for this will have to break out the Model D again. Also looking into a moog system 55 type eurorack build and this has made me go yeap that's the way
Oh you should *definitely* break it out!!’
Although I’m an inveterate knob-changer myself, I thought your Model D was probably the ugliest synth I’d ever seen. Sorry- but it distracted from what was otherwise an interesting video.
Hahahaha! It’s funny because it’s true.
Dämm, the kick is good. Just like Deadmou5 -- which drum machine it is?
Fantastic demo and explanation!
Thank you! It’s actually just my RD-9 which is a clone of the Roland 909 with zero processing! I would have tuned the parameters carefully, but there’s no layering, eq, or compression :) Having said that I’m super familiar with how deadmau5 makes his kicks and what he listens for so it’s possible I dial in those sounds automatically. Essentially you listen for three things: attack, body, and sustain/release. Once you learn to hear those, making kicks is really fun and easy!
How would you classify the arturia microfreak: polysynth good, or mini bad?
Hmmm. I like the sound of pretty much all the Arturia stuff. I wouldn’t recommend learning on a MicroFreak - I think it’s too experimental. The MiniBrute 2 though (the one with the keyboard) is an incredible teaching synth and sounds good. And the PolyBrute is very good, though not cheap. I’m not gonna say a bad word about Arturia though - even if some of their products don’t always hit the mark with me, it’s all very good.
Thanks for the video ! Beautiful... can you share what drumm machine you used for this demonstration ? Thanks 🍻
Absolutely. It’s simply a Behringer RD-9 which is a 909 clone. It’s not processed, but I’m routing the synth through some outboard gear which is ducking the music under the kick. See my Kick Ducking video for more details!
"Authority and intensity" YES. These are the exact right words for the sound of oscillators through a ladder filter. Thanks for this comparison!
Thank you so much! Really appreciate you watching and commenting. And caring about the content! The ladder filter just sounds so… fantastic!
That was great!
But you really need to turn the filter attack knob of the Pro-1 up a bit, if you want more dreamy sounds! Subscribed fast :)
Thank you!
Superb, someone making music with synths and showing others how to do it !!
You and Synth Seeker Luke are top of my synth RUclipsr list.
Keep up the good work, really enjoying your videos - and LOVE the sound of that Model D. 🙂
That's incredibly kind! The Model D is amazing right! Soooo thick!
The Bob Ross of synth. I love it!!❤❤
This made me laugh so hard
Maybe I’ll put BOB ROSS on my next mic flag 😂
I thought exactly the same when you were calmly narrating while dialling in sounds.
@@chriscantplay...2933 Seriously, my next mic flag is saying 'Bob Ross'. Or maybe 'Rob Boss' ;)
hahahaha so on point
Shutting the bedroom door, I think is referred to as 'Ducking'
Haha! I didn’t mean ducking - I meant the sound of a low-pass filter closing! I think it was Daft Punk who said that it reminded them is listening to their parents’s radio play through a closed bedroom door…
Well done sir! You got a new subscriber. The demo and how you explain everything is top notch.
Thank you so much!
The pro 1 and the moog sound amazing
They really do, right! So similar and yet so different. I’m conscious that as I was making this I was slightly vacillating between which I preferred. Ultimately I think the Model D was slightly more moody, but they both sounded great. Especially at full volume.
I felt the D sounded like you're at home after breaking up while the pro1 sounded like it was 2AM and the club is closing
That’s so well put. The Model D (played correctly) can sound like a warm hug whereas the Pro-1 is trying to get your attention like a needy synth.
subbed. this sounds fantastic. great work. what drum machine are you using?
Ah - that’s just the Behringer RD9 which is a 909 clone. Simple, but great!
You know what would be really great? If you could upload the exact same video but without the voice over the synth tracks, in the first segment. (if you already have it recorded in separate tracks, it wouldn’t be too much work…)
The comments are interesting, and it’s great to have them, but they distract too much in my opinion, when I try to focus on the music to hear the true character of both synths. It’s like watching a movie you really like, then getting a chance to ALSO watch it again as the Director’s Cut, revealing what the creator thinks. Anyways… just a suggestion. If other viewers feel the same maybe they could like my comment to let you know there is more than one person who’d like this.
Yes. I’m on this. I’ll probably do a ‘remastered version’ at some stage!
@@DistortThePreamp Awesome! Thanks!
Your channel is excellent. Greetings from New Mexico!
Thanks Pablo! Really appreciate thou watching, and the comment :) 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you ! Very nice video, loved it, subscribed. 👍
Thank you so much! Very much appreciated :)
As a 4 Decades guitarist only now diving into the wonderful world of Synths (both modular and VST) I’m always on the lookout for those with extensive knowledge and who are able to put it all together for a n00b like myself! Thank you for your channel !! I subscribed today after picking up over ten tips I wouldn’t have figured out on my own… so well presented and the synth music, is heavenly!
Oh that’s fantastic to hear and a very kind comment! Very pleased that you liked the video and found it helpful :)
You have a new subscriber - your video just popped up in my recommendations. Lovely sound.
This is exciting for me! I for one welcome our new RUclips Algorithm Lords.
This is an extremely well made and informative video taught me a lot. thanks
Thank you! I’m sorry if my words were at times inaudible. It was a very early video and I really didn’t have the settings figured out!
This is really informative,thank you .
My absolute pleasure! So glad you liked it! There’s a link to a midi clip in the description of that helps…
Thanks, it was educational.
Where can I get these knobs?
I’m not sure I can remember! I think I got them from eBay. They weren’t very expensive but they were a bit of a life saver as I store all my patches by taking photos and the Model D stock knobs just don’t show the settings properly!
Beautiful and inspirational on so many levels :) Loved it!
I’m so glad! I’ve had a very long day in the studio and comments like this really help :)
Great content, and I love the way you talk through the patch. Not to mention the great musical content! I look forward to much more of this!
That's really kind! It was a very fun video to make -- I'm working on another five simultaneously at the moment, so no weekend for me ;)
Would be great to hear the neutron, k2 and the new proton against each other with same midi,
That’s an interesting idea! I’m hoping that if the channel gets a bit bigger Behringer will lend me some gear! The Noise video includes the Neutron although not in a normal way 😂 I’m very interested in the Proton in particular. And I’ve actually never used a K2…
Used to have model d. Damn fun and complicated. .!!
So much fun! It's not tooooo complicated... did you replace it with another synth?
I'm like most youtube nobodies, a lifetime love of synthesizers but only a modicum basic music knowledge. Do you think you could do something about your choice of key and progressions, majors and minors and so on?
That’s a great question and one that I get a lot. I’ve thinking about how I could make a video series about ‘How to write’ without it being too technical or boring. I’m working on it, but it’s not easy because it’s such a deep subject. I would probably focus on scales though as a way in - if you watch the performance at the end of my latest ‘Rio’ video every note I play is within a scale. It’s an extremely unusual scale (technically called ‘E Phrygian Dominant’) but that’s one of the techniques I use.
@@DistortThePreamp I think getting technical would be very welcome, as there's a glut of simple "how to 1-4-5 in Cmaj!" already here.
The Model D sounds like I could get lost in it, and the Pro 1 commands my attention.
Correct, and correct.
Very Stranger Things (Survive)...Yummy
I've got the Poly D, AND the Pro1... and just LOVE how smooth the Pro1 filter is. I used the Pro1 for the solo on this tune for Liv Harter.... such a pretty sound. Starts at 2:07 ish .
ruclips.net/video/Ao3f_5b5wNU/видео.htmlsi=0SJ_3JSUmsWhsern
How does that neutron fit in in a comparison like this
That’s an interesting question. The answer is it doesn’t sound all that inspiring. Don’t get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE my Neutron, but I don’t tend to reach for it for this sort of sound. I don’t like the way the two oscillators have a mix rather than independent oscillator controls for a start. However there are a lot of sounds I can only make on the Neutron. Have you seen my video about Noise? Can’t do that on a Model D or Pro-1. And I love it for sharp percussive sounds, some ambient drones… I also have grown to love the built in delay and overdrive. And finally I patch a lot into my Neutron, so I borrow LFOs from my other mono synths and patch them in. But I wouldn’t recommend the Neutron particularly for this sort of sound…
What is the synth at the top of the rack? Love your channel!
Right at the top? That’s the rack version of the humble Behringer Deepmind 12. I’ve replaced the knobs so I can see patches easier in photos ;)
When you say door do you mean DAW? I wasn't sure.
Was that in the captions? Oh good grief. I let RUclips do the captions on these earlier videos and they’re terrible. I really must correct them! Yes, ‘door’ would definitely mean DAW 😂
gimme those synths right now!!!
Im considering getting into analog synths, I am considering a korg Monologue... but I do have a midi keyboard so a keyboardless option like the Pro-1 or Model D works too, which would you recommend? I really just wanna mess with a nice arp pattern or single note and adjust the cutoff, resonance and pitch knobs to create really dramatic and insane effects, but i really like pleasing rounded sine wave type sounds rather than saw waves.
I was having a lot of fun on a moog drummer from another mother the other day and something like that is fine.
I am really liking what Im hearing from the Model D so far. My first purchase will likely be a synth and second would be a drum machine to feed into it like a drum brute.
I love my Model D. It’s less flexible than the Pro-1 but either of those will be a lot of fun! I’m not sure about the Drum Brute - I’ve had both of them (the standard and the Impact) and ended up selling both. The programming interface was amazing and IMO better than any other drum machine on the planet. But I didn’t get on with the sounds. I realise that Arturia didn’t want to make a machine that sounded like something else, but I didn’t like the Kicks, and couldn’t get the sounds to sit in a mix properly. I’ve certainly never heard either of the DrumBrutes on a hit. Contrastingly the RD9 (which is a 909 clone) is impossible to get to sound bad, although the sounds are quite genre specific. So if you do get a DrumBrute, make sure you can either send it back or buy second hand and be prepared to re-sell.
@@DistortThePreamp oh very good to know, I think I will have to trigger my own drums, I have an extensive library of loops and one shots, so Im thinking of a Keystep Pro for the drum sequencing into a daw, or using ableton to trigger loops and be the master clock for tempo.
I am really coming around to the sound of the Pro-1 I am really asking myself what type of sound I want to hear back and I can always dirty something up with some pedals but that pristine sound of the pro-1 calls to me. I really enjoy the song "my life" by Tame Impala and Zhu and the pro-1 seems like it could recreate something like that.
love your channel, thanks for the advice!
So glad you love the channel! I’m not sure about the KeyStep Pro. I’ve got one but tbh I exhausted its sequencing capabilities very quickly and nowadays I just use it as a controller keyboard. So the main ‘features’ that it has that I use are that it has a high quality small keybed. If you get one, make sure you can return it if it doesn’t work for you. The other thing you could try is a sampling drum machine. Even one of the Roland TR6s or 8s. Those didn’t work for me as I don’t load samples for drums but they might work for you. I suppose the main thing I would advise is to make sure you can return or sell anything you buy because you often have to try about four things before you find what works for you :)
They both sound incredible! I'd bet that they'd sound even better layered together!
Thanks bunches for a cool midi to play with, only just bought my first synth a few weeks ago, and Model D will be here Tuesday, not sure if it was a bad idea to get both Poly D and Model D, but it'll be fun either way. Loved this.
Oh I think you’re gonna have so much fun! They’re both really awesome!
@@DistortThePreamp Woohoo, got it today! Got a Roland T8 too, so far only managed to get Poly D and T8 running, Model D should just be midi out to midi in but nothin' yet, did have to get a little mixer, was gonna get a FX pedal, but it was one or the other. My new favorite channel, your vids are showing me exactly the stuff I wanted to learn, so thanks a lot!
Not able to send a real thanks yet, but will when I'm set up, life's been in a holding pattern a while, long story......
Haha - I really ought to have a line mixer too! Not to submit because I’ve got loads of inputs. But a line mixer would mean I could add effects to multiple tracks but keep them dry on record.
Although having said that I’ve got loads of inputs I’ve only got 16. And every single time I make a video I run out. 32 would be amazing. 24 would be great. But even an extra couple would help.
hi just wondering how do you get this kick, it sounds nice.
Ah, that’s just my analog 909 (clone - It’s a Behringer RD-9). The bass is being ducked in hardware using a Drawmer DS201 (see my video on Kick Ducking) but there is ZERO PROCESSING! So no compression, no eq, nothing. This is part of my mission - to help people see/hear that if select use the right sounds and use them in a simple way, very little in the way of processing is needed, and the track mixes itself. Thank you so much for watching. Really appreciate it, and your comment :)
Amazing video, thank you. I'm curious about the arpeggiation, I hope you share more about it. Instant sub!
Amazing! I’ve actually spent the afternoon working on a ‘remastered’ version of this where I fix the audio. A lot of people complained that they couldn’t hear what I was saying on the early videos and it took me a few goes to get right. Meanwhile, I did a video called something like ‘The Sound of 1982’ which ostensibly is all about the Rio (Duran Duran) arps but has actually got a load of arp techniques, especially at the end where I do a live performance. It’s not ambient like this, but you might like it :)
@@DistortThePreamp thanks, I later browsed your channel and saved that one. Keep up the great work!
Thank you!
What drum machine you using on this?
Actually this is just the RD-9 with no effects and no plugins. I say ‘just’ because it’s quite cheap and a clone of the 909, but it sounds excellent and some really excellent feature additions. People don’t believe me, but if I was offered either this or an original 909 for free, I would take this clone.
love the arps! can't get myself to support behringer somehow, however the ladder filter is clearly amazing and behringer does a great job here too
It really does!
Nice! What’s that kick drum?
Loads of people have asked, but it’s simply my RD-9 (909 clone) with zero processing. I think this is what happens when you make music outside a DAW - all the sounds get tuned really well to work together.
That compressor pumping at about 3:15 feel too aggressive. I'd have to turn that track off.
I'm such a sucker for the Pro-1. Skinny Puppy were masters at using it.
I’m a huge Skinny Puppy fan but I didn’t actually know that! I’m sure you know the story about Skinny Puppy and Guantanamo Bay, right? So amusing ;)
Came here just for the SP sound. I need to pick up a pro 1
Mr DTP, source for colored knobs?
Yeah, I’m so sorry about that but I can’t quite remember! I would definitely have sourced them from eBay. Probably. Online at least. They’re a standard D fitting and the whole point was (a) so I could read the settings at a distance, and (b) so the settings would show up in photos which is how I store my patches. I’ve been asked this question so many times I really should try to figure out where I got then from…
The right tool for the job: D for 70s nostalgia, Pro-1 for 80s saudade.
Thank you for your time , do you think having an analog synth or poly synth helps me to better understanding the sounds which I’m struggling to find my own sounds , I would like make my own sounds rather than using presets. Since digital synths for me is like too much doors with too much keys😅😅
Liked & Subscribed.
Great content ! Looking forward to more videos!
The sidechain ducking ruined it for me. Sadly I had to stop listening.
Far too high.
Mate that was an incredibly impressive video. Well done 👍
Thank you! This is a new channel and I’m still finding my feet so I really appreciate you watching and commenting!
This reminds me about my foolish decision to sell my pro-1.
Think I will buy another one together with a model D clone.
Thanks for the video. It is really inspiring.
That’s very kind and makes me very happy!
Thanks for the great explanation of the sound design. Hearing your thoughts (and reading the text) as you design the sound is incredibly valuable because it means the principles can be applied to other synths. So glad I found your channel!
Thanks Matthew! That’s very kind and great to hear! Really appreciate you watching, and taking the time to comment :)
I love, when a youtuber don’t just play weird notes on synth but make some great music on it. Very nice arp, thx for the midi file. I subscribed to your channel and now will watch your new video.
You will have a great future and time if you make videos like that.
Thank you so much! I'm only in my third week of RUclips so I really appreciate your kind words!
Third video and I already used the last part of this video a few times to listen to this track while driving to work😊
This makes me very happy!
Second vidéo I watch from you : brilliant ! (Again). Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻
Thank you! Really glad you like the videos :)
Again, A+. Great work… just the perfect combination of educational, inspirational and enjoyable. Very engaging… love these synths
Thank you so much! Really appreciate the comment.
Zero mention of compression, but seems obvious that there’s something going on between the synth and the kick drum. Am I crazy???
There’s no compression, but I’m using one of my Drawmer DS201 Gates to duck the arps under the kick in real time :) I made a whole video about this ruclips.net/video/mjqP70S0xuE/видео.htmlsi=q1UtH8MkpsHrrJaw
What drum machine are you using?? Wow
@@christopherrusch thanks! In this im using the Behringer RD9 which is a 909 clone. There’s no daw processing or plugins or anything like that, but I’m ducking the bass under the kick using one of my Drawmer DS201 gates. I made a video about this called something inventive like “Kick Ducking”. Everybody does this in the daw, but I’ve never heard of anyone doing it using outboard. Certainly the guys at Drawmer were thrilled when I did it 😂
@@DistortThePreamp that’s amazing! Thank you for the response! I was so curious about the RD9 but i was waiting for the Behringer LM!
@@christopherrusch That’s going to an interesting machine when it eventually lands. But I’m going to want to check the samples very carefully there was something specific about the Linn samples which is not widely known and I am hoping that Behringer has copied them bit for bit. Because if they haven’t then it won’t groove the same. Sorry if I sound secretive but I might make a video about this. Speaking of sampling drum machines I swear by my old Roland R8. It’s not to everyone’s taste, it misbehaves a lot, and it’s hard to programme (it’s even hard to externally sequence) but it sounds incredible. It’s all over my recent videos - check out the one on Gated Pads, for example.
Fabulous music! Great comparison video and the comprehensive explanation of the settings is really useful. You clearly have a deep passion and understanding of music and synths . Model D for me .
Thank you very much! I love my Model D a lot. It’s dripping with vibe.
Great comparison, and yes I agree that the Moog ladder filter type as incorporated to the Behringer is much sweeter in sound than that on the Pro 1. Wonderful improvisation on both! More please, and thank you.
Thank you! Very glad you liked the video :)
Excellent new Chanel! Really into it. I would say (If you can be bothered and dont mind people to know) put in the description other bits of kit used. Like in this video; What effects unit did you use etc?
That’s a great idea, and I’ll do that! So far all the videos have been dawless hardware which means I’m using hardly any effects (because I don’t have any 😂). In terms of this Ambient Arps video this is literally the sound of a single mono synth (either the Model D or Pro-1) which is going into a very old and cheap Lexicon MX200 which is adding a dotted 8 delay plus some reverb. Then that is going into a Drawmer DS201 gate which is set to duck (see my video about Kick Ducking). The ducking effect is being triggered off a key generated by my 909 (clone) kick track. All the sequencing is done from the Squarp Pyramid which is where I captured the arpeggios in a single live take about half an hour before shooting. The Pyramid is also generating the arps. Thank you so much for caring enough to ask the question! I really appreciate it :)
Thanks for the cool comparison of possibilities and at the same time showing how simple it is to get such a great (for me) effect. I have both synthesizers. I also have a B FX2000 multieffect and some eurorack so I will try to reproduce what you have achieved.
Thank you for the midi file. It will come in handy to recreate the whole effect. I will also try to use it with synths like BARP 2600 or DeltaCEPA. Overall great video and helped me a lot in understanding some nuances. I have subscribed to your channel. Keep it up - lots of useful knowledge.
The BARP 2600 is an absolutely excellent synth! Thank you for your kind words!
Very nice, interessting and inspirenig Video. How do you route your Lexicon ? Mine is set up as a Send - Return FX on my Hardware-Mixer. Do you hook it up in this way, or do you go straight from the Synth into the Reverb ? The second Question would be..." How do you set up this Sidechane exactley ? What do you mean with " throw one of my Gates" ? Thanx a lot.
Good question. Everything’s on a patchbay (or, rather, a lot of patchbays) and I just patch it inline with whatever synth I’m using on. Having said that, I always bypass it when I’m tracking seriously into a DAW with the very occasional expecting of delays. It’s not the best hardware reverb I’ve ever owned - I had a Strymon Big Sky until recently which sounded spectacular but I hated the fact it was a pedal rather than a rack unit. Also it felt like a luxury because, as I said, I only use hardware reverbs as ‘mock ups’ and then add reverb in the DAW when I’m mixing.
Arps are great! but... I hate that generic kick with even more awful sidechain/ducking which is ruining those arps...
Ah, sorry about that!
As an avid fan of both 70s/early 80s Berlin school music and modern Psybient, this is an excellent tutorial
That’s really awesome to hear!
Very nice very well done videos. Thank you and keep it up!!
Thank you -- very much appreciated!
Crap. I’m supposed to be working, but this is just gorgeous 😎. Subscribed 👍
Oh that is soooo kind! I think you’ve just made me day!
Thanks for the MIDI. Much appreciated
No problem!
Really interesting and enjoyable video. Good to see affordable gear being used rather than astronomically expensive prestige ‘vintage’ synths etc that require a second mortgage
I’m all about the affordable gear. Even if I could afford the unaffordable gear, I would still be all about the affordable gear. My ‘studio’ is basically racks full of cheapness. Even the videos I shoot on a iPhone 😂
Wow man!! That’s a nice use of both synths from the knowledge. Sounds amazing! Definitely like and subscribe!
Thank you! This is a really new channel so very much appreciated!
SUB+!
🙏
So smooth! Really nice set up there and top quality commentary. Thanks.
Thank you so much. Very kind comment :)
i love it ♥
🙏🙏🙏
Beautiful warm mesmerising sound. Carry on the great work.
Thank you so much! Really appreciate the comment :)
Very cool comparison, inspiring me to make my own ambient arps
Awesome! Feel free to check out the midi clip, though making your own will I’m sure be better :) I’m in the process of writing a video (based on a subscriber request) all about how to ‘choose notes’ when doing ambient arps. It’s difficult to know how technical to make it, but it gives me a chance to talk about modes and scales ;) Thanks for watching - this is a new channel and it means a lot.
Appreciate all your hard work.
Another great breakdown!
Thank you! That’s very kind! Really appreciate your comments :)
What a great new channel of yours! Thanks for sharing your expertise
Again, thanks Steve :)
so ture about those filters
Very beautiful and inspiring!
Could you do this piece with the K-2 also?
Thank you! I’m afraid I don’t have the K-2, but the midi is available to download if that helps! Do you have the K-2?
@@DistortThePreamp I don't. But I'm waiting for the mk-ll to be released.
Just thought it'd be interesting to hear it playing this beforehand.
But a very nice video anyways! Been trying out some reverb drenched arps on the Pro-1 today.
Looking forward to seeing more videos from you.
I need to get in touch with Behringer and see if they will lend me gear!
@@DistortThePreamp yes, exactly! That's what I was thinking
Leave this with me. I’m not sure if the channel is quite big enough, but it might be..
Thanks for sharing! Nice comparison… I was wondering about how you got the ducking technique… maybe a future video ? Thank you 🙏🏼
Ducking is super easy in the box, but a little tricky dawless. I use a super old school secret weapon and will def make a video!
Don’t know if you’ve seen but I made that video about ducking you suggested! Not sure if many people will be interested as it’s a bit specialist, but at least you can see what I’m using and how I’m doing it.
Oh yes this was awesome
Beginner question: what sequencer/keyboard/or whatever are you using or what you recommend me????? Arpeggiator??
That’s a great question. I’m using the Squarp Pyramid as a hardware sequencer with an Arturia Keystep Pro as my keyboard. The Pyramid is controlling a whole range of sound sources on three different midi circuits: three drum machines, about a dozen synth patches, and more. And I’ve got 16 inputs into Pro Tools that I use for recording. So it sounds great, but it’s definitely not a beginner’s setup.
In terms of making a recommendation to you, it definitely depends what level you are at. If you are just starting out and want to make electronic music then I would recommend you use a daw like Ableton or Logic with a cheap USB controller keyboard. If you’re quite experienced and want to start experimenting with a dawless workflow then I would recommend gettting a single mono synth (see my video on ‘Let me choose your first synth…) but sequencing it from the daw. Although you should always try to play parts in (see the video I’m just about to release!) But I probably would not recommend getting a hardware sequencer unless you’re either very experienced or 100% certain that you want to go dawless.
Does this help?
@@DistortThePreamp 👍👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿
🙂
Good afternoon,
congratulations for the quality of your video.
I wanted to know the exact model of your lexicon effet.
Do you know a Lexicon soft that makes an equivalent sound.
Thank you in advance,
Christian
Hey Christian, I’m so glad you like the video. The exact model of my Lexicon is the MX200 *however* I’m not sure I’d recommend buying one as, to be honest, it’s a pretty dreadful unit! It’s just about passable for dawless demos, but I would never track with it. The reason I got it was so that I could give vocalists reverb in their phones without any latency, and it does that okay. I’ve just looked up eBay prices and they seem to be selling for £90-£135 which is shocking - I think I got mine for about £45. The best Lexicon software plugin is the Relab emulation of the 480L, and the second best is the UA emulation of the 224. HOWEVER the best software reverb IMO is without a doubt the Valhalla Vintage Reverb which does a very good emulation of some key old Lexicon sounds if you know the patches you’re looking for. It’s very much a staple of modern productions and it just sounds wonderful. It’s also cheap, though that’s not really why it’s popular because Dua Lipa’s producer could use anything he wants and he uses the Valhalla Vintage. If you want the best sounding hardware reverb then, again IMO, it’s the Strymon Big Sky. I had one and sold it because my setup is really all about rack units and the Strymon is only available as a pedal (despite being ridiculously high spec). The Strymon is also horribly expensive. So, if you’re out of the box maybe get a super cheap reverb - consider an old Alesis Quadraverb - and if you’re in the box it’s Valhalla all the way! One final tip: I also use the Valhalla Shimmer Reverb as a special effect and I think that’s free! Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment.
@@DistortThePreamp Thank you very much for your answer. You’re a real fan of electronic music and you can hear that.
I love to compare the different arpeggios of synths. You are right to point out the importance of the filter...
But the effects are also important.
The music of Vangelis, Tangerine Dream and JM Jarre (great user of the synthesizer ARP 2600) would not have been so successful without the effects...
Thanks again and see you soon for a new video!!
Ah - I’m a huge fan of both Vangelis and Jarre! And you’re absolutely correct of course :)
what midi controller was used to program the arp?
The arps were captured in a live take. I played chords on my Arturia KeystepPro which was sending midi into my Squarp Pyramid which was capturing the notes played. The arpeggios were generated in real time by the Pyramid and I had set up the monitoring synth (probably the Model D) with an LFO to slowly change the filter so it would sound a bit more like how it would eventually come out. I was also playing into a hardware delay and reverb. From memory I don’t think I was monitoring a kick - I think I did it all using the arp timing as my clock. I think I set the capture time at something like 128 bars and then at some point I just stopped playing. Then I played back the midi clip into both synths and rode the knobs live - that’s on the video. You can see the actual notes I played from the midi clip. Really appreciate you watching and the comment :)
Great comparison of the 2 filters and synths in general. The Moog is smoother and more dreamy and the SCI is more funky to my ears and a bit more difficult to dial in/more feisty. I actually love my pro-one for bass - I would say the Moog is better for the material in your sequence and the sound I think you're looking for here. Would love to see a comparison with a Roland SH-101 or Juno, or even JX8-P... My only 3 osc synth is the Erebus 3 and that has a different sound to the pro-one, probably closer to the Moog...
Totally agree about the filters. Ahhh, the JX-8P is such a lovely synth. I find it a bit weird to programme even with the programming module, but it’s two independent envelope structure is so unique. I once spent about a day trying to reverse engineer the ‘Soundtrack’ patch. My eventual conclusion once I understood how it worked was that it’s pretty much impossible unless you have two synths because you need the oscillators to fade in and out under each other. And even with two synths you wouldn’t have the same filter or, of course, Roland chorus. Regrettably the JX-8P left the studio a few months ago. It was very old and those voices are hard and expensive to maintine. Though I’ve got a funny feeling that one day I’ll buy another. I don’t have a 101 at the moment, although my 303 (clone) is surprisingly flexible. It’s not just an acid machine.
@@DistortThePreamp The JX is a fantastic machine, hugely under-rated, probably due to the sad omission of PWM. The cross mod can create some great textures and I agree it can be tricky to dial in. I should add that I do also have the PG-800 which is essential and which sells for more than the synth itself. Applying modulation or envelope to the tuning while in cross mod mode can create some great sounds, comparable to a Jupiter 8. For me, the JX is the best pad machine south of a Jupiter 8, for a fraction of the cost. Having said that, it can also make some amazing bass and lead sounds, as well as arpegs. It's a secret weapon of sorts and is a unique synth. It's not essential, but for anyone who has a Juno and Prophet already, it's a great addition. I don't have a Juno but I have the Dreadbox Nymphes, which completely scratched that Juno itch - it was my Juno killer and saved me at least a grand - another fantastic synth and incredible value for money once you get past the admittedly cumbersome interface. To your point about the Roland chorus, I also have a CE-1 and an Elkorus 2. The former is the holy grail of chorus and sounds amazing, the latter is arguably the most versatile chorus effect ever created, sadly discontinued. I could go on, as you can imagine 🙂
Thanks again for your videos and interactions and I look fwd to more from your channel.
I totally agree about the JX being hugely under-rated. TBH I even prefer it as a pad machine over the Jupiter. Yeah, you totally need the programmer and even then uou can’t really ride the filter or other parameters like you can on a more conventional synth (due to the small size of the programmer controls and the fact some of them are stepped) but I *love* the sound it makes. I wish it wasn’t gone.