AKAI Timbre Wolf Analog Synthesizer Demo

This video demonstrates the sound, play modes, and sequencer of the AKAI Timbre Wolf.

[@thechoiceisyaws]

Man the name Timbre Wolf just makes me want this thing

[@FatSynthDude]

At 7:10 for the briefest moment, there was an unmistakable acid vibe going. I think this synth has a lot more potential than any of us are expecting it to. Is it limited? Sure it is. But so was the Juno, 303, and SH synths.

[@musicwithrae]

Real simulated wood grain sides!

[@SPAZZOID100]

And sounds like SHIT

[@scottcolt4283]

Truly the most interesting thing one can say about this video. Lotsa damn knob turning with little effect & zero explanation.

[@this_connor_guy]

This definitely give a better idea of the kind of sounds you'll get from this thing than the NAMM demos. It sounded lame and weak in those demos, here it sounds a lot more useful. Great work!

[@benjaminhennessy8050]

***** Akai should really find someone other than Dan to do product demos.

[@supermonkeycollider]

+Saibot216 I panned on this before, but after this demo I can see that this synth has some real character - and it stays in tune!

[@benjaminhennessy8050]

Em Wilson it can also do unison!

[@supermonkeycollider]

Indeed. The Dreadbox Erebus, a couple of Moog Mother32s, and now a TW are at the top of my synth hit list for this year. Character synths, all three of them.

[@t55a2]

+Saibot216 I agree- I've had use of one that was properly calibrated. It has some lovely tones and its nice to play. The MIDI and CV/Gate i/o is very useful. It's a shame its taken a lot of flak (like the Rhythm Wolf) but people sometimes over-criticise. I do like it- very well-made object.

[@redneckrosey8221]

Never gets boring this little beast, love it.

[@chrisdigiuseppe7717]

Just got one of these - love it!!

[@bigbluechevy12345]

I really think this unit has some serious potential. in the right hands I can imagine that this will be a very interesting unit.

[@Min4Mass]

Akai should be paying you. You really saved this thing.

[@basura]

Wow, surprised that I actually enjoyed it. The poly mode sounds great! So round

[@spicetbedhead]

The BASS on that thing is MOnsterus I LOVE IT

[@BURG]

But, but, but it has BIG KEYS... where are all the minikey haters now? This is what you all were waiting for ..

[@Chris_Mann_2020]

+ollilaboratories Id rather just use a controller anyway. I would buy a little box or rack unit over this or the Korg tiny key stuff.

[@spicetbedhead]

Real talk bro!!! Also what I like about this synth most is that it has it's own "Crunch" ;) You know? I've heard pretty much every synth for the most part and this has a unique "Crunch" in it's poly :)

[@TheRealDirtySkillz]

My micron destroys this board in features.

[@Goth108]

+TheRealDirtySkillz the Micron also sounds different and lacks some of the best features of the Timbre Wolf, like individual voices and the analog bite.

[@TheRealDirtySkillz]

3 stacked saw's, detuned, little bit of reso, compressor eq - which is internal effect, plus 100% analog drift. Want to bet? It's a tough board. I've dug into it already unlike half these shitty sponsored video's on stock standard sounds. I've got minimum 10 fatty leads.

[@chorus-vq4lg]

thanks for fine video,, , you got many sounds and moods from the tm without any effects, theres much more to discover from this unique master piece of an instrument.

[@robertgladstein]

This guy's amazing..makes it look easy it ain't

[@nicholasparis5281]

Nice Video P.C.A.! That really shows what a wonderfully surprisingly good sounding synth it is! Cheers!

[@whaaaa869]

No existing keyboard comes close to this BEAST of a synth. AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@hazels7967]

It sounds so, so much better than the NAMM demo. It's actually *in tune*, and doesn't sound that bad. Part of that is a better demo with better playing.... but it seems that Akai also fixed the tuning issues. I'm glad to hear that it's not going to be a complete disaster of a product after all.

[@yes-zc7hv]

Hazel Shanks dont get your hopes up, i sold mine cause it was always out of tune and the "tune" function on it never worked

[@intergrippo3779]

Bizarrely appealing

[@L0nn13_c0]

AKAI Timbre Uno....for one sound only. Thumbs up for the video, thanks for sharing.

[@coldwar1977]

One man's "too dark" is the other man's "warm".

[@DanielSilvestriProd]

you don't have a clue of what does "warm" mean man... this crap is practically useless, save the money and get something better

[@coldwar1977]

I don't have it and I'm not planning to buy it FYI

[@bigPianist99]

I recommend saving a few bucks more and getting a Korg Minilogue. Difference is like day and night

[@altarofdisgrace9741]

for me both mean lowpassed

[@Dolores5000]

Such a great idea but Akai or whoever REALLY designed synth this needs to make a version that rules

[@robguitarwizard]

You are pulling some great sounds out of this!

[@crtgamer2355]

I think with the right effects, the synth can come alive.

[@vcs9171]

Definitely one of my favorite doorstops

[@christhedemocrat]

I have one of these. It's basically a machine that allows you 3make variations of the that same sound. I sure using multiple effect pedals.

[@grrlinduluth]

well its years later-nice demo,no nonsense talking and great playing....not so bad as others really trash this unit...

[@davidgibson1569]

Sounds pretty good! I don't know how people can complain about features at this price. Sure the Volca synths have more variety as far as timbres and features, but they sound like toys.

[@moreteamrshifter]

+david gibson I do

[@SPAZZOID100]

Volca bass sounds better than a 303!!

[@_EightySix]

All those knobs, one sound. Great!

[@kevingamache1512]

With separate outs for the 4 voices there are interesting possibilities

[@vanyamba]

This guy is awesome!

[@westprice]

I do like the minilogue more than this but this is a pretty cool little machine. I like the way you can easily adjust the sequencer

[@mattluney3386]

its just hard to love something so much after youve loved a Yamaha DJXII as much as me. BASS BA BA BASS!

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

It sounds pretty good but it all sounds the same. Not much variety in the timbre department

[@teddym2808]

that's because they didn't really know what they were doing, and basically played the same bass patch for 9 minutes. It's not as bad a synth as many make out.

[@apislapis]

An excellent demo of a rather poor sounding synth. There's no wow-factor and nothing that would make me want to part with my cash. This ain't no minibrute or bass station 2. Shame because it looks pretty good.

[@synthetic_paul]

What’re people complaining for? It’s not bad at all.

[@saulocpp]

If you have a sequence looping in a given key, can it transpose the sequence to the next key you press on the keyboard?

[@MoeShinola1]

Sounds like a possible 303 emu on as budget. The poly sounds are all reminiscent of an electric piano. Only with the Howl turned up does it really sound good.

[@astrophil79]

Interesting-looking machine

[@JamieClark]

Loved the tones from 0:55 to 1:20 and 1:31to 1:39. Add a delay pedal and a reverb pedal, and that's lovely. The unfiltered saw bass is very grating, though, wish there wasn't so much of that here... I wonder how this compares to the Korg Minilogue now that the AKAI is closing out at $299...

[@snoballuk]

Poly mode is sort of OK but the Korg Volca Keys does that for way less money. Actually a Volca Keys and Bass together cost less that the Timbre Wolf and are much more versatile.

[@reazallykhan]

I agree

[@purplejewls7443]

+snoballuk volca keys is 3 note poly and volca bass has trash midi input just fyi

[@TROGULAR10000]

+snoballuk yes that's fair enough sound wise but this is nice interface wise for keyboard players, and good sequencer and I/O features. and the sound of this thing is quite good and punchy especially once you put it through effects.

[@Whyamchocken]

yeah but it's this is 4 voice...wanna be able to play 7th chords! :D

[@AndreaFerlat]

@@Whyamchocken you can play 7th chords with 4 voices, duh

[@obsessive_discipline]

agreed that this sounds 1000x better than the presenter at NAMM was making it sound, actually I kinda like it from this demo. But yea, it does sound dark-filter closed = serious mud, filter open = underwhelming top end. howl circuit sounds unbalanced while adjusting but it is OK if you leave it in one place and don't touch it while playing.

[@ralphdelafancy873]

I think I’ve made up my mind.. I’m getting one

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

Ralphdelafancy I think that I will too

[@moreteamrshifter]

In the last year nobody has come up to me and said TimbreWolf, wow, what a machine, there must be a reason for this ?

[@MrTrollinglol]

It's considered very limited, for various reasons I still think mainly only decay on the envelope.

[@m1ke1981]

07:40 very TB-303-esque. I love it!

[@PerfectCircuit]

It definitely has an acid vibe to it!

[@noelcosgrave6515]

To an extent, but the TB-303 doesn't hollow out the sound when resonance is peaked. I don't know what filter circuity Akai used, but it is far cry from the filters in the TB-303.

[@IElrekkaI]

this... this sounds pretty good. and it has individual outs! rad

[@ThatJerseyBloke]

Sounds like a one trick doggie to me but if a whole genre can be created from TB-303 use, then the same can be done through use of this instrument.

[@ThatJerseyBloke]

+perfectcircuitaudio Yes it does. I think I'd just pair it with an additional different filter type and a good EFX unit. I think that would be a very cost effective way to get more creative use out of this analog unit. I'm thinking a T.C. Electronics M350 and a Waldorf 2-Pole. I hope I get the chance to mess with one of these a bit.

[@ThatJerseyBloke]

+perfectcircuitaudio Sure thing!

[@moreteamrshifter]

+ThatJerseyBloke its rubbish mate, one trick or not, the 303 sounds good, this doesn't

[@ThatJerseyBloke]

moreteamrshifter People said that about the TB-303 when it came out mate. I'm 43 years young. After learning all about sound in college I truly believe anything is possible with today's technology in audio. One could just take this Timbre Wolf and create a bass or lead patch. It's a good chance it sounds bland and perhaps not "analog" enough to my ears. Run its' output through a Warm Audio EQP to give it some tube warmth and adjust the EQ to taste. I've just changed the harmonic content to suit my needs and made this instrument useful. ;-) Now id does no good to polish a turd, I agree, but the harmonics of a simple subtractive synthesizer is easy to manipulate with today's outboard and plug-ins. Everything has potential appeal in sound with today's tech. Sometimes it just takes a little more creativity and time. A young person strapped for cash could turn their use of this and Garageband into a KZbin hit and their off.

[@moreteamrshifter]

+ThatJerseyBloke whats your age got to do with it, I'm older than you, It really doesn't matter, its a terrible instrument.

[@atommachine]

You know that feeling when you open a jar of jam and there is mold inside...........Well ... ..

[@NickSBailey]

Once you scrape past the mould (the bad demonstrations) it''s usually okay underneath.

[@roh33han27]

sold. Great demo

[@tegenfase7010]

love your playing love the machine

[@sonicuprising]

dope sounds! shame for akai they didn't launch at the hands of this guy. public opinion and acceptance would have definitely been different.

[@PseudomoniaProject]

I recon if you ran it in mono mode mainly you could get some fat tones out of it, especially if you run it through effects like a chorus (one of the best ways I found to make the microbrute sound meatier). I wouldn't even waste my time running it through poly, too few keys and lack of depth on the oscillators. It does sound better then the namm demo. I am on the fence.

[@punktronix8368]

this synth sucks so bad that in 15 or 20 years everybody will want it

[@laeshmusic3173]

i really don't think so...

[@brunostroszek3928]

same was said about the roland tb303 after it flopped in sales

[@modgrip805]

Hahahaha. Burn

[@ShivJG13]

I want one now while they're probably worth peanuts! :D

[@brunostroszek3928]

@@ShivJG13 Do it. They literally cost nothing now. Hang on for that timbrewolf revival happening in 2035!

[@davidlherring]

I think it sounds decent. Certainly a hell of a lot better than it sounded at NAMM.

[@moreteamrshifter]

+davidlherring that wouldn't be hard to achieve

[@Bonszu]

Is it possible to sequence every oscillator separately using built-in step sequencer and get the four different melodies at the same time?

[@PureAmbientDrone]

I got to play one at a local music store and I have to say they are built real hefty like.

[@markchristopher2signal2]

sounds good

[@michaelbauers8800]

7:39, what's not to like with that?

[@NatLifeSounds]

Am i one not hear a real mid-high freq? Mostly low and mid-low

[@e.o.1991]

Not warm enough , but with the low budget it's a nice solution

[@draxxicek]

I have had a hands-on experience with it yesterday and I just do not get it. What market hole is Akai trying to fill with this thing? All the knob parameters are within a range I did not expect - mostly too small - detune, filters, envelope....it goes to "unsurprising" and "uneventful" realms only. Do not get me wrong, that 4 in 1 concept is tempting, but what real use does it have? The only way I see this as a functional synth would be, if all the 4 voices could be controlled via MIDI separately, as well as the other parameters, filters, envelopes etc (still missing a noise osc setting at least!), which would be like having 4 analog monosynths in a box, but I did not find, whether the Timber Wolfe does support this mode. (still, it would be like an analog POKEY/SID chip with less options sound-wise)

[@draxxicek]

+perfectcircuitaudio that would be great! 4 independent controlled analog voices would be really cool! Do the 4 voices in polyphonic mode have a setting for a single common filter or a synced filter? I do still hate, however, those fake wooden ends :)

[@gusyoung82]

i had my doubts about akai after using the rhythm wolf but for the price range, this is a bargain with 4 vco, polyphony and a great and accessible tracking sequencer. the microbrute at around the same price may have greater range of sound overall but its sequencer is a bit trickier and it tends to drift on tuning.

[@davidholmes3776]

Has it actually got a sequencer or is it just an arp with on/offs?

[@davidholmes3776]

Because sequencers are traditionally something Akai do quite well with...

[@Gergely5000]

It has a powerful sequencer on board. 4x mono or 1x poly.

[@nightnaj5278]

16 step sequencer

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

I guess if you ran it through a Roland Space Echo, TC Electronics Fireworx and a Sherman Filterbank it would be ok.

[@valentin6690]

What other equipment does one need to use this

[@fortheloveofnoise]

This synth would be a good building block in making a larger synth.

[@ariel2089-k8w]

What is the point in having four voices with so few tweak-able perimeters?

[@spoony01428]

needs more lebensraum

[@DarkLightProjector]

I think simple was the point here. And at $300 or less, I'm not really sure what you're expecting (although the MicroBrute for about the same price blows this out of the water). Still, digital synths are the king of maximum parameters on a budget...but people also want something tangible that they can work with too.

[@SynthMagic]

It seems like all they have done is take the sequencer from the wolf and copy the bass synth from the wolf x 4 and put a keyboard on it.

[@graviton9282]

Synth Magic they said that’s what they did. ..

[@RobertoAyalaFotografo]

I'm amateur on this, and I got this and I love it, but for some reason when I strike 2 keys at same time I only hear one, is that normal or I'm doing something wrong? sorry for the question I'm new on this instruments.

[@chasecloutier3220]

Could be in a monophonic mode- ie you can only play one note at once.

[@kevinbirge2130]

Limited, but sounds great within them. Excellent as a controller. Built like a tank. It's unique.

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

I like it better now, will prolly get one at some stage..

[@elfwing5400]

Fantastic.

[@likoktonum]

At 0:55 , i think it's neat! does anyone know what other synths can do that sound?

[@MrPaddymulcahy]

+likoktonum plenty... its actually quite unimpressive sounding @ .55

[@danieljung2810]

@@MrPaddymulcahy Really? That's actually a pretty good piano sound. What synth has four voice analog that sounds like a piano for between $200 to $300? That's how much these are going for right now.

[@lisbonlion1967]

It not the worst thing I've ever heard but as others have mentioned its palette seems extremely limited. Where is the character? Hope Akai learn from their first forays into analog synthesis. The only way is up from here right? I think they(akai), like a lot of the current market automatically thought analog = good. Or maybe they should just stick to MPC's.

[@DaneXbsinthe]

This not Akai 's first analog. They've got the vx600/90, AX60/73/80 before this.

[@josephmills3864]

Made Analog synths years ago..they yse to scream

[@chuckbelloise2565]

Can't save or create programs??? Might as well pull out the old analogs in storage

[@TheRealDirtySkillz]

Can you save your presets somewhere.32gb sd card???

[@moreteamrshifter]

no but you could use it as a door stop

[@frgrgfrdf]

cant wait to buy one of these secondhand for $100

[@codypower4298]

+frgrgfrdf exactly

[@TROGULAR10000]

+Cody Power exactly the criticism allowed me to pay €139 for my highly useful and musical rhythm wolf

[@nightnaj5278]

+frgrgfrdf on guitar center they are now 300

[@nightnaj5278]

***** i originally bought mine for 300 new, then returned it for arturia v collection 5

[@nightnaj5278]

***** meh, its alright

[@vlarsoni]

amazing

[@urbannpa]

went to my local music store ...they had a Timber wolf but no matter what we did we couldn't get any sound out of it.

[@Syntox]

Wondering why this never took off.

[@n11k.nd3k]

poly mode sounds good

[@petrusbarbatusberolinensis2102]

PROS: (1) comparably cheap (!) fully analog (!) POLY (!) synth; (2) solid build quality; (3) decent keyboard with BIG keys; (4) 4 Part Step Sequencer with 4 independent sequences (in poly mode), which also (permanently) send MIDI messages on 4 different channels (might be useful when controlling external gear); (5) 32 sequencer steps plus fill; 16 (A/B) patterns storable in total; (6) MIDI I/O and Thru; (7) single mono outputs for each voice plus a main mono output which can be processed with a harsh overdrive effect ("howl"); (8) gate trigger I/O (5V); (9) option to assign note cut-off to a certain voice (in poly mode). CONS: (1) sound (dependent on personal preference, but there seems to be a widely held consensus); (2) does have only 4 notes of polyphony (then, on the other hand: so does the Minilogie) (3) very low capacities in sound shaping: no LFO, no actual envelope, no cross mod, np PWM, no noise, no fx (read: "one trick pony x 4"); (4) totally screwed-up filter resonance (same issue as on the Rhythm Wolf); (5) the overdrive gets loud and rather extreme already at 25%; (6) no presets, no patch memory (WYSIWYH), (7) no automation; (8) counter-intuitive handling of the step sequencer, which is even worse since: (9) poorly written, inconsistent manual; (10) you can get (at least) two Volcas, one MicroBrute or one TB-3 for the same money. can't say anything about MIDI implementation etc.

[@filipzawadzki9424]

0:55 this!

[@NickSBailey]

Frustrating because with a few fairly minor design changes it could have been a lot better, it doesn't actually sound bad at all it's just how limited it is.

[@jonnyj46]

I'd be more excited if it added a noise generator, LFO, etc. in the synth structure. Even just one or the other

[@nicholasparis5281]

Phat Rezzzzz... man it's so early 5:30... I don't recommend waking up any other way!!! :D

[@ryanseabeck9593]

Thoughts on this vs. the Korg Minilogue?

[@toiletfriend420]

minilogue takes a fat shit on it

[@noahpepera-rudd5694]

Not gonna lie, I kinda dig this.

[@guillermoborja968]

Can u loop with this?

[@bichovergara]

+perfectcircuitaudio any news about the Tom Cat from Akai??!! any review (coming soon) about that??

[@lisbonlion1967]

+Vicente Vergara Wilson I still have hope for that one. Thought it sounded ok from what I've heard from it so far. They couldn't have a hat trick of fuck ups surely?

[@turmulus9658]

I loved the tom cats sound, but why'd they take out the individual outs from the rhythm wolf? I want a separate kick out!

[@bichovergara]

+Greg Gibbons actually I'm very interested in the tom cat too... for what I've seen so far, sound a lot much better than the rhythm wolf: I think that the tweeks they have made on the kick and the snare, as well as get rid of that flat and boring bass synth, are in the right direction, and they will please most of us (in fact that was a very specific request from angry owners of the rhythm wolf... more percussion sounds, and kill the wolf )... However, the constant delay in the release day of the product is making noise... I'm worried that they won't release this product at all.

[@bichovergara]

+Turm Ulus individual outputs for each voice sounds terrific... but that seems to be a decision that would make the price rise over the $200.00 barrier. I understand that a few extra jack outputs, and a little wiring work, does not imply a lot of money... but I also understand that the industry works like that: "extra value" on a product tends to be a fair reason (for them) to imply a real extra cost for the consumer.

[@turmulus9658]

+Vicente Vergara Wilson I meant because the Rhythm Wolf had one out for drums and one for bass. They turned one into a headphone out for the Tom Cat

[@erikpollinger7408]

The first demo, that doesn't present some good sounds. ^^ Well done! Akai's demos were aweful... But still not a favourite of mine. Still four voices to configure independently, no full ADSR and no LFO... These are the minimum requirements a synth must have imho.

[@K3zz21]

does this thing have adsr?

[@PerfectCircuit]

No, just Decay.

[@jehwoh]

Perfect Circuit Audio - No adsr? - No, thanks.

[@ncapone87]

A polysynth with no ADSR? WTF

[@turmulus9658]

you'd think if they were gonna put in an overdrive knob, they'd also put in some kind of limiter after it. I like the sound, but its a bit expensive for that one sound. if it had CV inputs for params that aren't on the front I could see it selling, but I don't think it does. why doesn't akai make a digital drum synth that looks suspiciously like the tr-8, but with more flexibility? that's what I want. do that, Akai.

[@toxzy6266]

You plug this on what ?

[@jaimepaiva8847]

best demo on youtube. still a piece of sh*t

[@modgrip805]

Sounds fine to me.

[@beatsbyshoro]

Real simulated wood grain sides

[@hydorah]

I just bought one of these for £150. I think that because the Rhythm Wolf and Tom Cat were so crap this got tainted. Also when people go on tweaking frenzy, you can only tweak one voice at a time. Akai should have (at least) put in some kind of master filter stage to enable 303 madness, the people expect it when they see someone twisting knobs everywhere - but they didn't. Modern Akia is stupid, like modern Roland only cheaper and Roland has actual effective promo, not Akia Dan (the legend). This four independent voice architecture is tonally unique which is why I bought one. It probably will somehow become a classic because it's accidentally awesome, but bombed hard. Just like some other classics

[@snowvalleyrat]

For $500 I'd definitely go for the Korg Minilouge, but now that's this is $300, I'm tempted.

[@bmo4411]

buy both. (I am)

[@schepler2]

Got mine on eBay, mint condition, for $218 shipped. Be patient and look around. People are starting to offload them.

[@nightnaj5278]

$250 now :)

[@CaalamusTube]

Just got one for $200. It's odd & has certain limitations. But they are actually inspiring. It's metal & solidly constructed. I say go for it if you can gnab on for $200!

[@CaalamusTube]

P.S. Brand new, for $200 ( GuitarCenter )

[@djmouglie]

Hmm it reminds me of the Dark Star VA synth.. Lots of knobs but very very limited sound, and somehow always sounds a bit like shit. But thanks for making this video :)

[@slarbiter]

Gladly chose the monologue over this. Only reason I would consider this synth is for the oscillators/poly mode

[@bertram-raven]

This one only sucks to those who like all in one kiddy-keyboards from Casio. Sure, you need to add an extra resistor to the howl and envelope rotaries, but most of the work is done in outboards - just like Roland, Moog, and every other non-toy.

[@madelinehoyle1059]

Can you give me more info on the mod you mentioned? I will be picking one up and running it through some dedicated effects pedals, but any on-board mods that will help improve the sound would be great to try.