A Playdate with Percussion (the Quest for the Groovebox)

[@Knobs]

Well this is a departure. Yes. I hope you enjoy it.

[@bonsaibloom]

Ur a QT PATOOTIE 🥰

[@flameshiki5990]

Looking foward to future stuff :) Follow your heart and happiness will follow

[@nodfactor8808]

Definitely dug it!

[@SpaceDisco1]

Absolutely loved it man! So interesting to see all these thoughts on different pieces of gear. Seriously amazing. Also video was on point as usual! Loved seeing you and your friends react to the music - definitely still has that cute/quirky knobs quality about it. Fantastic job!

[@AndrewBeveridge461]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but this is actually the first time I've gotten excited about one of your videos. Less...impersonal.

[@RedMeansRecording]

LOVE this new style

[@RickyTinez]

loooooved this whole thing. now wheres my cycles..

[@MatthewHyatt]

Thought i might find you here. lol.

[@davidlestrange9153]

Ricky Tinez the king of hipsters himself

[@Titantitan001]

Da Chudda I thought hipsters call other people hipsters

[@truecuckoo]

Many hearts ❤️

[@var_guitar]

Oh snap I met you at NAMM and didn't realize you were Knobs, I just thought you were a very helpful Chase Bliss person!

[@Knobs]

This is my preference yes

[@willielaz1573]

I have watched this video 20 times, it’s the reason I bought cycles and it’s what’s keeping me sane waiting more than a week for it to come

[@robertsyrett1992]

Honestly, Digitakt is life. Looking forward to trying Model: Cycles.

[@e-conrecords4665]

I have to agree with this video. Of all the gear I’ve purchased over the last couple of years, the Cycles has quickly become a go-to favourite. This thing is such a joy & so immediate. The Cycles is like one massive sweet spot. 🥰

[@sordel5866]

Hey, that model Knobs finally found to stand in for him reads the script surprisingly well.

[@KyleDaybreak]

I feel like the Cycles is one of their best products yet.

[@amuletsmusic]

this video is making me reconsider percussion...and my lack of it

[@dougc84]

Cycles looks like something you get hooked up to when you're dying in a hospital bed. But it sure sounds good.

[@am5790]

terribly blah design and color scheme but so musically toned.....tempted despite having a rhtym mil and octa.......

[@designator7402]

It lives in this awkward space where it is ugly as sin, but very useful.

[@EggZema_]

Im born in the 80’s and this looks a an MS DOS computer, which is nice

[@KnightMirkoYo]

I honestly enjoy its looks. Fits perfectly with my 80s IBM keyboard!

[@DetroitMicroSound]

It just looks like electronic lab equipment, to me. -Which I like.

[@creamabdul-jabbar]

this is a good format man, happy to have you back.

[@S3b1Guitar]

this was such a beautiful and cozy experience to watch! really well spent 10minutes of my life

[@dogwalk3]

9:00 ten seconds of bliss. favorite sounds i've heard in a long while.

[@Cesiumswimsuit]

Cycles is one of my favorite purchases of 2020, appreciate the departure and focus on improv grooves 🤘🏻

[@hasan7786]

I was on that quest a few months ago and found the Synthstrom Deluge. Just fit into so many slots, quick sampling, grid sequencing, building layers upon layers then arranging them all at light speed. The losers (but still loved) Akai Force, Op-1, Sp404 and the Organelle.

[@dmcinnis23]

I kind of adored this. An honest, lovely narrative that educates at the same time.

[@ghostandtapeDoesVideo]

Absolute favorite KZbin channel. BY FAR!!

[@akuro2685]

This is awesome!! I hope you make more content like this!

[@kelang4344]

Great video! Thanks for co-signing my Cycles purchase. I was just starting to give up on scoring a Nord Drum 2 (FM drum synth, discontinued and now v rare and spendy) when Elektron released Cycles. Can't wait to dive into it and get my long awaited FM fix! Might eventually pair mine with a KMI Boppad to see what pairing a unique controller might pull out of it. Well done on the different video style.

[@DocBolus]

Lovely video. I love a bit of FM synthesis, when I first learned about it I could not get my head round the range of crazy sounds and how some people were able to get some really musical results. I love the idea of having a limited FM range which helps with a creative flow rather than the sheer crazy which can make your brain melt. The only complaint is that this is yet another bit of gear to go on an endless shopping list.

[@hghalo]

I love the journey this video takes us on

[@Andy8Tran]

I was looking at buying an M:C, and now that your video is up I'll have to hurry before they sell out locally. Thanks a lot, nerd 🤓

[@Andy8Tran]

OK. I bought it. Thanks a lot, Knobs.

[@evanpincus2203]

Hey, it’s that guy from Facebook (it’s Evan P. here, hello!). Didn’t expect to see you in this here comments section! Howdy! And yes the M:C sounds fantastic, I was at the LA launch event and it rocked the house.

[@Two-Eyed_Boy]

So this was one of the first synth/hardware videos that captured my imagination some 2 years ago. At the time, every box presented seemed so quirky and odd. I'm much more familiar with them now between playing several hands on, or enjoying when others in the community do! Still an enjoyable video to revisit!!

[@austindrawhorn2141]

Just a delightful video/journey here

[@djturkishicecream4704]

Really impressed with how you created a similar vibe across all these instruments!

[@Mibbzz]

These videos might be my favourite on youtube.

[@riffswamp]

thanks for taking us on this journey!

[@ageshero]

Ah shiz, i didnt even realize this was knobs until half way through the video. Im like "Why is this so visually pleasing?" and im like "WHO MADE THIS" annnd its knobs, because, knobs.

[@Audiorial]

Always smiling when you post a new video + too cool, I brainstorming bout that new Elektron. I really dig these colors at 09:04

[@briannhinton]

I liked the style. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevebragg7914]

this reminds me of Copernicus, who was always happy to explain the journey he took to get to his masterpiece

[@ancientmartianunderground6413]

Thank you Mr. Knobs. As usual you have enlightening and entertaining stuff to show us. I have always been influenced by your work and my music has improved simply by choosing my gear wisely as you have taught me. Thanks Again

[@stomachsteinway]

Ah, a fellow gent with a permanent squint

[@AndrossUT]

I'm just high all the time

[@0phylum0sinter0]

see what all that skepticism got you?! -- PERMASQUINT!

[@pixithemis]

First shot is actually Knob's face Oh MY GLOB what is even happening

[@tunas5666]

great video:) had to come back to it again. many thx.

[@MusicalDistractions]

This was such a lovely video. Thank you for making it! And a lovely little departure. Splendid!

[@Yotunen]

Thanks for a great video! Nice explanation and non-excessive montage, i like it.

[@LesProductionsZvon]

Very good insight of your creative process, thanks!

[@BrendonBrooks]

Good to finally see the man behind the madness.

[@mattypuddingfingers6562]

I love the way your almost surprised to find yourself talking to a camera but have what appears to be a very nice vlogging camera set up and great lighting.

[@peter_shoes_]

i really need more videos on your channel like this. I really like it.

[@ian84]

I liked this! Keep it up with the talking head bits. I enjoy your text only videos, but sometimes I just want to listen, so voiceover is great too.

[@LauraSquirrel]

Yeah. I think that he should mix both approaches. Do some in this style and the older, text style. Keeps people guessing.

[@michaelkonomos]

Great video! Fun tone to it all, very informative and entertaining. Thank you!

[@joelbechtolt]

You did a really great job with this video. Just stumbled on the channel and appreciate the work you do. Makes me wanna try something I’d never been interested in, FM drums. You did a nice job exploring the nuance and dynamics of that method. Dig.

[@stefanridding7606]

Been using the digitakt for a few months and just got the cycles. Love both machines. The elektron work flow is just perfect me. Glad you're digging the cycles too!

[@warius1]

Akemie’s Taiko was the first module I bought, thanks to mr Knobs. Got me into modular. That’s cool. But I sold it because i couldn’t get over the fact it does not have 6 algorithms like ALM says, it has 4 (3 & 5 and 4 & 6 are the same is what I recall).

[@willshakeyou]

Knobs!! You have a face! I like the face that you have. I also have one. Also, very enjoyable video about your experience witht these machines ❤️

[@juanperezaure]

Amazing video thanks for sharing your adventure, bery helpful.

[@tapenine4508]

I've watched this video five times now and I'm planning on getting the M:C in a couple weeks

[@timijandrpicminatti7506]

Very wholesome recounting of the journey and ending 👌

[@7177YT]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@slashess69]

lmao your face on the second camera angle was just perftect, keep doing you!

[@jammingpositivevibration]

Like your jammings ❤🧡💛💚

[@DevonBlueWhitaker]

Really love love love the new approach here

[@soundisles]

Great creative problem solving. Inspiring to see you not get stuck or blocked by your gear. Eyeing a Cycles now for sure!

[@dassenpooper]

For those looking to not spend electron prices for an FM-based drum machine, the Volca Drum is a very neat and largely overlooked option. Easy to use and has a ton of sound design possibility

[@josephwright5921]

dassenpooper Yes, there are some crazy sounds lurking in that box

[@R0b1zzle137]

mannnnnnn when you hit the bit crusher... i felt that

[@this_connor_guy]

I tried to get my hands on an Elektron Cycles, but they all sold out! I ended up falling back in love with my DX200. There's a more immediate sense of working with FM with that one. Plus you get the individual amen break samples. Gotta love that!

[@mougabo]

really enjoyed this video, how personal and easy to relate to it is..... thank you so much, I´m looking forward to see more

[@caseyking8394]

This new format is excellent, love the presentation!

[@rivernit2124]

This is life changing - thank you so much for making this video!

[@vaspers]

Fantastic video. I ordered a Model:Cycles a few days ago.

[@kozegwaard2264]

Love your use of Adjectives. Which could be a great name for a band.

[@SaEvSampleEverything]

Such a nice review, the style is awesome

[@nightmaretronica]

Not only a great overview of digital drum percussion but the best demo I've seen of the cycles. Was abit of tease using the ottobit and not using the stutter/sequencer on it!

[@psmaulehlien]

Hey man, great descriptions. Nice work.

[@busyak]

dude you have such a style and sound. I love that you not only nerd out about shit but when you jam you can always describable identify that it’s you, ya know? music, not just gear. cycles fucking rules btw

[@Chasing_Thoughts]

Just found your channel, subscribed immediately!

[@foxendeavor]

Taiko is a center piece. I love it.

[@donaldpriola1807]

Hey, good job on your video! I really enjoyed that you didn't emphasize specs, and talked more about how a tool fits a particular vibe.

[@tunas5666]

i just love this video so much. saludos te quiero mucho

[@justinbrunkow]

These are great! Definitely keep doing them.

[@vJakeislegendv]

This is a great format, killer job!

[@polymathematics_]

great video, thanks for making it!

[@AndrewBeveridge461]

Sounds aside, the Digitakt is a really nice unit for live performance once you know how to be quick and precise with it.

[@aethro]

awesome video, it's nice to see the face behind knobs :)

[@jasonbullock5059]

more model:cycles videos?

[@Jacoabril]

Lovely video Knobs. Please keep doing this :-)

[@bashaenraets9156]

That was a lot of fun to watch. Thanks!

[@Ferrichrome]

I enjoy the new style! And keep doing synth stuff as well that's my jam! It's funny, I was just thinking about percussion synths and drum machines, I'm looking for one to buy. And then you did a video on it haha. Very nice!

[@flaminggarlic]

Hey Knobs, is there anywhere that I could listen to recordings of Playdate? I love the aesthetic and would love to have the chance to hear more.

[@houseofflambeau9656]

It’s like a hardware micro tonic oh shit

[@andrewknox9360]

Great video

[@CarlsbadSGP2007]

Great vid. Thanks for making it.

[@ndguardian]

A little late to the party here but I just saw this. While I am not in a band, a while back I was looking for a drum machine and was in a similar kind of search to you. I wanted something that allowed me to make my own drum sounds, something I could really call my own. At the same time, I wanted something straightforward enough that no matter what I did, I would in fact end up with sounds I could at least use, even if I didn't love them. Off the bat, I ruled out sample-based drums. They're fine. They work. But even if I wanted to tweak them, it just wouldn't feel like they were my own sounds. This led me to looking at the Elektron Model:Cycles and the Arturia Drumbrute Impact. Both are obviously FM-based drum machines (technically I think the Model:Cycles is a groovebox, but for my purposes it's a drum machine), but they are significantly different. I actually got to play with a Drumbrute Impact in a store and it felt very natural to use. I easily had a set of sounds I could work with, I could easily build a beat...super simple to use. At the end of the day though, you always end up with the same combination of sound types. You always have a kick, a snare...so on and so forth. If I wanted 3 kicks and 3 snares, it would be a bit of a hassle to swap around and make use of it all in one session. If I wanted something that's not of those types of sounds, well I'm just out of luck. Overall, it's nice and very good at what it does, but it's a bit limiting. This led me to look at the Model:Cycles. You get significantly fewer tracks, but those tracks can be basically whatever you want them to be. If you want 6 kick drums, you got it. If you want one kick, one snare, one hi-hat, etc. you got that too. Additionally, while sound design is a bit more complicated on it, you have much more control over what the sounds you make end up being. It lets you really come up with your own sounds. Yet no matter what I did, I never was able to make a bad percussion sound. Or a bad melodic sound. Any sound I made was at least usable in my opinion. I think it's a fantastic piece of gear and I absolutely love it for what it does. It's now my go-to drum machine.

[@Buildingempires101]

Yes. I did enjoy it, thank you. I have subscribed.

[@friendly_conifer]

I liked that very much. Thanks!

[@AlexPriceMusician]

Awesome dude. Excited to hear more of this

[@iiivanoeee651]

f*ck, i know that i will miss your old type of video, but this one is soo nice! I really love to see your channel grows love you

[@TheGreenKingdom]

Great vid, and nice to see ya! Jam at the end is a bit reminiscent of I am Robot and Proud. Cycles sounds awesome!

[@recoveredflesh]

This video felt nice to watch.

[@travisestes9784]

Daniel Barker Well. Fancy seeing you here.

[@hiqwertyhi]

that intro though... perfect blend of old and new

[@djwashedup]

I love my digitakt!! sequencing alone gaaawd damn

[@kosmanaught4400]

I want to repeat the five and a half seconds or so, from 2:39 to 2:45, forever and ever. Such beeyouteefool sounds inside my earhead. Thank you for allowing me to experience them. Oh, and also...nice face. :)

[@Artersa]

It’s the Nakey Jakey of music. Yay.

[@richlegate3044]

Somehow you are even more like how I imagined the knobs guy to be, you are SO the knobs guy

[@bonsaibloom]

Smh, should've let the jam at the end continue for a bit 😤

[@frantsel5711]

after 2 years, whats your opinion about it? Has it changed? :)

[@Two-Eyed_Boy]

He said in another comment that the Model Cycles has persisted to this day. Interesting choice! 😁