Ambient Drone portable music studio under $300

[@jerrybriardy]

I carry a Monotron Duo with me most of the time with ear buds. I have far more capable synths but the simplicity of the Duo and ease of use constantly gives me new ideas.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Great!!!

[@woolerybrad]

Very nice noises - I have a classic monotron and it's a delightful little synth. For a purpose built drone synth under $300, check out the new Stylophone CPM DS-2. It just came out a couple weeks ago (Jan 2025). I got mine last week and it's been a blast so far. Kind of similar to your setup, but all in one box and it has CV / eurorack compatibility. LFO with dual switchable waveforms, two oscillators with filters, and delay/reverb effects.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I know about it and it has been in my wishlist for a while. Maybe I'll get it sooner or later!

[@MrJonBertsch]

The Monotron Delay is an amazing effects unit on its own too! Sounds great!

[@thomasanreise3107]

This is perfect. Exactly the video I needed to see. I just bought the Donner B-1 and a mini-lab, but need to round out my setup for polyphony and looping. THANK YOU!

[@scampifrity]

This is the absolute mini setup for great things to happen.

[@nunomaltez79]

Very nice setup. The simpler the better 🙏

[@thomasanreise3107]

Also would highly recommend a Stylosette or Synthasette as part of this setup, you know, just because they're fun as hell.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I never had any of them but I'm sure they would fit perfectly

[@MartinSnelling]

That's a great little setup. Thanks for the info on the mixer - Will pick one of those up. I've just pre-ordered the new Sonicware Liven Ambient Zero for $240!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

It's popping out everywhere on KZbin, seems quite interesting!

[@Sharkwhisperer]

How is the ambient liven synth?

[@Eli_B3000]

I own or have owned all of these. The Monotrons set on my work desk to just reach over and make some noise if I need a break. You can also use the mixer to modulate the volume to have slow fade in and outs, since the volume on the back of the Monotrons are harder to reach and turn at an even rate.

[@elkewehner4789]

Sehr gut erklärt....😊

[@anamorphicalan]

adore your drone

[@howardgreenwich490]

Nice. I have all these devices and never thought to use them as a drone system. I also had mini woodworking clamps to keep the ribbon depressed, instead of hair clips. Also, I recommend using a clip on the monotron delay so you can focus on changing the knobs. Great fun! And for kicks I also have the OG monotron, which adds another fat analog voice!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thanks for the feedback, yes any kind of system to keep the notes pressed works great . Just use what's easier! I didn't put it on the delay because I want to change note sometimes, but of course that would be an idea for focusing on other things. Cheers! Ps. I wish I had the OG monotron too! It's out of production since very long.

[@d.u.o.digitalunitoperated5256]

I have the same gear and also the same passive mixer! Thanks for the inspiring video! 👍 I suggest you to add to this set-up the very cheap but amazing Bastl Kastle Arp 😉

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I will take a look at it, thanks

[@sirm00]

Great setup

[@honkyvanwildebeest8926]

Great video and inspiring as always. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and tips. This video practically forced me to buy a used MS-70CDR from Japan!!! I don't think I'll regret the decision.

[@19del69]

LOVE IT

[@maxwarfield6699]

Awesome, mate. Cheers!

[@chrisb6296]

like the hairclips

[@jjbing3]

Great video. *1:18- the little bear has four stereo inputs.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thanks . Of course I ment four, it slipped.

[@alitna]

Awesome sound!

[@I.O.M.]

Hair clipped D good man 🤘

[@samuelkostas]

So good !!!!

[@TilliKommunikation]

A convincing performance!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thanks 🙏

[@binarymen]

Awesome... 🔥👍🔥👍

[@SandroMassarani]

Wonderful!!! Inspiring!

[@alebenages745]

amazing!!

[@bencordell1965]

Sounds like the opening theme for the shining

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I'll take as good sign!

[@paulmccann663]

Instead of running dual stereo out from the Zoom pedal, you could take one of the L/R outputs on the Zoom pedal and route it back into a free channel on the mixer... might cause some interesting chaos. Nice vid! I ordered that mixer, never seen it before.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Interesting idea! But it could lead to some uncontrollable feedback effect, doesn't it?

[@paulmccann663]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic Only one way to find out - having control over the volume on the feedback channel will help

[@demogadget]

nice!

[@joninio6542]

Make ambient music with a toothpick and a hair grip - Genius 👍

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

😆

[@birdflu2k57]

​@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic I was playing my monotrons with a flat stone and a crystal the other day hehe

[@jamesedwardclare]

FUCK YES

[@Sunz-me5mo]

Amazing guide for newbies. Please can you say where the output from effects pedal goes? To computer? Which software please and how will software accept input? Some MIDI option? Also please can you share which type of patch cables are needed for this setup, specification will greatly help god bless u 🙏☺️

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thank for the feedback! The pedal output goes into a usb audio interface connected to a computer running ableton live (any d.a.w. works). You don't need midi in this setup. As for the cables , just ust regular minijack stereo cables for the monotrons and some regular jack mono cables (same as guitar cables) for the pedal output. You also need minijack to jack mono adapters. You can see them in the video, and you can find link for buying them in the description.

[@dousiastailfeather9454]

Pro tip: dab paint on knobs to see position! Helps setups! Delay is fantastic for depth.

[@cobby54]

Really enjoy your drone tutorials, thank you. I have purchased the hardware (Monotron Delay & Duo, mixer & a multi effects pedal) and all is connected as suggested. I am a total beginner to electronic music. Prior to powering up, please advise me on the ‘starting position’, ie where the knobs are positioned on each of the Monotrons. Eg in the ‘off’ position to the left, half way ‘on’ with the little arrow pointing up, or a combination of these positions)?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Hi, thanks for the feedback! It's not really important how you set the monotrons at the beginning. A simple advice is to set everything in the middle (except for the delay feedback know that should be to zero) and start tweaking form there. Cheers!

[@cobby54]

Thank you ‘drone man’ (with all due respect). Took me a while to find the right size hair clip 😂. But I am having success...

[@colinhamilton2217]

This would be challenging for the audience live say at a poetry reading.....all of this will fit on top of a 1000w active amp and it would like you are moving your hands on the top😂

[@luistavares6670]

Hi man, my name is Luis and I like your job here on youtube. I would like to ask, if you don't have already. A explanation about conecting all this smal machines to ableton Live. I like your music don't stop, thanks.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Hi Luis, thank you for the kind feedback. You need an audio interface connected to your pc. All the devices should be connected to the input of the audio interface. You can use a small mixer too before going into the interface

[@luistavares6670]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic thank you my friend

[@liam3067]

should i get this or korg vulca keys?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Both! well depends on your budget, but you definitely need an effect. Volca Keys is a more complete and versatile synth

[@JohnVance]

where do i plug in the mushrooms

[@honkyvanwildebeest8926]

Your mouth. Don't make the same mistake I did!

[@farmboypresents9977]

Nice setup. With another minijack y splitter you could send some more signal through the delay too.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Good idea

[@ted_null]

sonicware ambient0. $239 no tax, no shipping. end of video.

[@brianhuxtable4026]

👏👏👏🎛🔉🎵🎶🎯👌

[@liam3067]

im such an idiot do you have a tutorial that shows where that all is plugged into and how to connect to say garageband?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

try this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKe2mWCLmLd_sNU

[@father_moo]

I'm not sure why you need a mixer if you can run one monotron through another, and since the Duo does synthesis and the pedal does many better kinds of delays, i'd just run the Duo into the Zoom pedal. Also, can you really call it a "drone" setup if you need to press a key down at all times to get the Duo or Delay to drone? they have very clicky attacks ... i can see how you got to this setup, but as someone else mentioned, for this budget you could get a sonicware Ambient 0 and i'd probably go for that. Or maybe an East Beast and one FX pedal, then you could do modular drone stuff and sequences without always having to hold down a key...

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I understand your points, thanks for the feedback. I didn't run one monotron into the other one because it would be affected by the filter, and I wanted them to stay independent. I know there are other possibilities for cheap drone setup, and I know this system is not ideal, but there are 2 aspects: extreme portability, and mostly the fun for finding an unconventional way to use them and overcome limitations (such as clicky attacks) . Hardware such as the Ambient 0 is clearly ment for this purpose, and looks great, but it doesn't present these inspiring challenges. Also this setup is ment to be flexible and expandable . I hope I made myself clear. Cheers!

[@father_moo]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic that seems reasonable. i guess I was partially reacting to the "best" declaration in the thumbnail .. it's certainly a good start!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@father_moo I understand. "best" is probably a bit too much, but you know... Thumbnails 😆

[@treeface5000]

What is good about this setup is that lots of folks may already have this kit, or similar, kicking around and not getting used much, ( I do!). So seeing ideas like this helps to reinvigorate those forgotten devices. I've looked at Sonicware's new Ambient synth and it almost looks too easy to create ambient on it - I like exploring different combinations and finding surprises in my setups...🙂

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@treeface5000 my thoughts exactly.

[@PP-bw8ig]

You could make similar noises on your phone/laptop for $0.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

My friend, I think you are missing the point here.

[@dousiastailfeather9454]

Wait, YOUR phone cost zero? BS! You paid hundreds so you can play "free" music? So YOU paid hundreds to make music TOO? LOL!

[@PP-bw8ig]

@@dousiastailfeather9454 I paid £60 for a phone to make calls & surf the net. For no extra cost I can make music on it. So calling out your 'BS' buddy!

[@PP-bw8ig]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic I've plenty of knob twiddling gear. My point here is that these particular little plastic boxes are crap. Owned them, realised I'd given in again to GAS and sold them.

[@PP-bw8ig]

@@dousiastailfeather9454 My phone cost me £60. I can make calls & surf the net with it. I can also, for no extra cost, make drone noises all day long with it.