Bad Gear - Korg 707 FM Synth

[@Arehexes]

Welcome to Bad Gear, where we watch bad gear perform amazingly.

[@AudioPilz]

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤

[@midimoog]

Same thoughts here.

[@lookapi]

😁😁😁👌🏼

[@marsupialmicron]

Yeah not a bad performance ever!

[@xisotopex]

its all about the dude or dudette behind the gear... talent can make good music with anything... I have 4 sequencers and I cant finish a f@king track...

[@AmbiguousMotion]

The more I listen to this channel, the more I come to the conclusion there is no bad gear in music industry.

[@AudioPilz]

...or all of it is;)

[@Lalaland.001]

@@AudioPilz Korg 707 is one of those rare quirky synths that relies on a CR2032 coin cell battery to maintain the integrity of ram memory (patches) intact including factory ones. Once this battery runs out it causes a very annoying problem. The contents of memory becomes quite a mess of inexplicable characters on screen and weird sounds to the point you realize that your synth is F* Up. A good town workaround is to restore a backup of ram stored on a external ram card that you can insert on the front slot but many owners of this synth don't have one and the available ones on the market are Perry expensive for what it is. So ... I found a solution. To revive your synth you need FIRST to replace the CR2032 Battery, is not that complicated you have to take apart your synth just couple screws on the bottom. You need a computer any OS including Linux, a Midi interface and a standard din Midi Cable Download a Korg 707 SYSEX file containing l the factory presets I found one, if you can't I will share it with you. You need to download MIDIOX on Win/Linux .. SYSEX Librarian on the mac Connect the midi cable to the midi out of the interface to the midi in on the 707 On the FUNCTION Menu of the 707 you need to ENABLE SYSEX Messages on the MIDI Options and Turn OFF Internal Memory Protection Set your software to transmit SYSEX messages with a Tansmit Speed of 128 bytes and a 600ms Delay - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT Transmit the Sysex file it takes around 2 minutes, you will NOT see anything happen on the 707 screen just leave it untouched After the file finished to transmit go to PROGRAM on the 707, type any number and VOILA !!! your synth has been resurrected. I was sucessful after MANY HOURS of troubleshooting now I have a working synth hope you find this information useful. Excuse my poor English, its not my native language. PS: NEVER REMOVE YOUR KORG 707 INTERNAL BATTERY UNLESS YOU HAVE TO

[@amonster8mymother]

🤣🤣🤣

[@fubokuen]

The more I listen to this channel, the more I come to the conclusion there are no bad Bad Gear episodes...

[@aternias]

It’s all about how you make do with what you have. You can probably turn the sound of a tin can into a rager

[@DaraM73]

Of course, just as the M1 follow up was the 01W (allegedly just the name turned upside down), it seems a shame Korg missed a trick in not calling the 707’s sequel the “LOL”

[@AudioPilz]

Now I can't unsee it😂😂😂

[@janpieternieman5295]

Hahahha most original joke of the century

[@zaremol2779]

I don't think anyone would understand it back then as words like "LOL" were only used by a very niche group of usenet dwellers.

[@alvaroapablaza5471]

like many of the other viewers, sipping on some coffee and enjoying another episode while my wife makes faces cuze she dont get it. Time for some Roland now, you are forced to do the D-50, i think it may be the only rival to yamaha's 80's fm synths. have a great weekend

[@AudioPilz]

Greetings to your significant other;) D-50 is a tough choice, let me take a closer look!

[@twelveeighteen1392]

I think that might be a job for jorb. Have yet to see any d50 slander on the webs as of late.

[@TayTayMakesBeats]

It's always Roland time on Bad Gear™

[@noisetheorem]

The D50 was great, but had TERRIBLE MIDI. It is why MIDI got a reputation for latency. It was fine from it's own keyboard, but send it a note from a sequencer and it was like "oh...you want me to play a note....ok...let me see...this one?". Horrible. Also, it was a very nice sounding synthesizer and that is about it. Making it sound anything but nice was difficult.

[@bobzmuda3940]

@@AudioPilz D-50 isn’t necessarily *bad gear* though. iconic tbh

[@kristianTV1974]

Sounds like a whole bunch of 80's Atari coin ops - that Sitar sound was quite common on their games IIRC.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, the chip in these was quite similar

[@mastercylinder1939]

And that’s bad why? I thought those sounds were good, and the fact it sounded like old video games only endeared it more. And yes, I have a Korg 707, paid only $200 for it. Wanted a DS-8, but this became available.

[@johnhurd3257]

I think the portamento on the 707 sounds like a 80's video game effect. It has a stepping sound on long glides. It's useful at times. I wish it could be a choice on the portamento edit page.:)

[@joonglegamer9898]

I discovered an FM Monstersynth here the other day, an HS-6 Electone Organ from the late 80s. It sports a whopping 5 of those YM2414 (similar to YM2164, they both have 4 operators and 8 channels), but the main difference is, the HS-6 which disguises as an "organ", is actually an absolute MONSTER FM synth for rich people back then. 5 of these chips inside - YES - FIVE OF THEM, so like 40 individual FM channels! And what's not even known to most, is that the organs FM sound could be programmed, with a special program menu wheel it had on the side, cumbersome sure - but doable!). As tradition would have it, the Organ ALSO comes with After touch, on EACH keybed. A monster that no one knew how to handle back then!

[@AudioPilz]

I have to check that out, thanks for posting!

[@madness8556]

THE Yamaha HS8 and HX1 were the top of the line Yamaha organs in the late 80s and even the previous FX and FS series organs were monster FM instruments.

[@joonglegamer9898]

@@madness8556 In fact, Yamaha was so ahead of time that even the midi commands are capable of sending all kinds of messages for just about everything, I use the organ today with an Roland JD-Xi, everything is supported, aftertouch, changes, sustain, velocity - and the bass even hits the Analog channel as bass. You can do so much with it if you're a lil clever.

[@MyOtheHedgeFox]

The Casio Rapman looks like a joke: boring frame with a few splotches of annoying orange, rhythms so bad even Sega Game Gear would sound like a banger, and all it's good for is making your rap lines sound as terrifying as they are terrible. It is, however, a decent piece of gear worth reviewing, so have some completely unsubstantiated criticism to fill up the Bad Gear Meter. =) You’re doing an amazing job!

[@mootbooxle]

sounds amazing!

[@sussvarman]

@@mootbooxle dude i used to watch your diy talkbox video all the time hahahaha

[@mootbooxle]

@@sussvarman Haha awesome! Hard to believe it’s been this many years!

[@mootbooxle]

@null It is an honor and a privilege.

[@marsupialmicron]

This was my first real synth. My father gave it to me when I was about 15. Then he bought me a Korg SQD 1 sequencer, and that was that to create the monster I am now!!

[@AudioPilz]

Not a bad starting point!

[@marsupialmicron]

@@AudioPilz yeah! Before that I had a Yamaha pss 570 on which I tried to play depeche mode songs

[@markb9488]

Yes dude, my 707 ain't going anywhere! It can sound really fat with a bit of layering, and quite warm too, so much more to it than 80's video games sounds, though it does them very well. Might just become a classic...

[@garyturner1441]

@@markb9488 Yes! I still have my blue one! Love it for some of the unique sounds it can create.

[@annother3350]

Nice one dad

[@Avernalism]

The Digitone showed me that FM synthesis never had to be a pain in the ass, and I wish more synths took an approach like this.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, fortunately the FM revival is still in full force!

[@studiospiraluniverse]

I just received my Sonicware Liven XFM two days ago. Still to early to give a judgement, but it seems to be a creative approach into FM (besides some groovebox approach) aswell.

[@NunyaB1s]

So my home studio centerpiece is almost ready, my k2661 is supposed to have alot of untapped FM potential (they just couldn't call it that) and while I only ever used it for loops and virtual analog back in the day, I'm looking forward to digging into that beast to see what it can do. I know that I was able to accurately emulate the NES Saw, Square, and Sine back in the day, I'm eager to see what I can do on the FM side.

[@gamma_noize]

I had a Digitone, but i found this macro approach to restrictive. Sure, you get a good number of sweet spot, but not really the pearls in between. The OpSix did it for me. Full access to the FM synthesis, while still being easy to use. :)

[@ZILtoid1991]

I'm a game developer, and I'm writing my own FM synthesizer for my retro game engine, because sound design is just as important as graphics. My synth will have 16 2 operator channels that can be paired up to became 4 operator channels for more complex voices. I even did some preliminary MIDI 2.0 support, but unfortunately no file format can support it yet, which I might have to solve, and that will mean yet another new editor, yet another new file format, etc... Also there's a very lo-fi PCM sampler in the works too, because a lot of "retro" games are awfully hi-fi sounding...

[@loomPEDAL]

i love this show so much. it arrives in my notifications just as I finish work and, frankly, it's a tonic like no other. Plus, this 707 is dope AF - great for old skool detroit techno

[@AudioPilz]

So happy to hear that! Thanks!

[@xisotopex]

its a mood lifter for me.

[@SteveEdmondsonUK]

The new opsix also has an approach somewhere between subtractive and FM - the historical line back to the 707 is pretty clear!

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed, it was about time the FM revival hit us with full force!

[@gamma_noize]

Yep! The lineage is quite clear. :) I really love my OpSix. It's one of the best synths of 2020 and 2021, imo. The sounds are a nice change compared to the huge wave of new analog gear. I'm kinda excited to see how the Modwave, which should arrive in about two weeks, continues the DW legacy. :)

[@SteveEdmondsonUK]

@@gamma_noize yeah, love mine too! Just deciding if I can afford the modwave! :-)

[@XenoxParticularSound]

For me, the OP6 sounds boring, it has a very good size, a nice display, enough knobs and sliders but the sound sounds very dark to me... i have always the feeling that there is a filter on the higher range... my Montage sounds much, much better on the higher frequencies...!

[@tehedx]

The Opsix, or FM in general is a specific sound. It's very good at what's it good for, and for other things you can better use other gear. For me what's outstanding is: EP's (endless fun), bass and lead sounds. The rest is mostly weirdness/darkness and can't really bother me. Oh yeah, it does the M1 organ and TX81Z lately bass too :)

[@lundsweden]

They should strap all the Casio Rapmans to a rocket on a one way journey to the Sun. The 707, however is alright! I don't even think its cheesy, its underrated, or WAS underrated before this episode!

[@AudioPilz]

Maybe some of the space billionairs can help;)

[@pthelo]

Florian- Can you leave the memes up for like 150ms or so longer? I keep pausing and rewinding to catch them all!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@parisgraphics]

ok now pretty much every bit of gear i use has been on "bad gear" lol. still it's fun watching this channel even if everything i use is "bad"

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! One man's Bad Gear...

[@kevinlangley9644]

I hear ya!!!! Im the same way. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I happened to have enjoyed my old 707 and alot of the gear ive had thats been on this channel. Truth be told if i happen upon another 707 I'll get it. I had a yamaha csx1 that alot of people didn't like but used it alot in many recordings. Only thing i disliked about it was the fact the arpeggiator didnt transmit over midi but hey i had other synths with arpeggiators.

[@Rompler_Rocco]

Sweet God, the quality of this show never stops blowing my mind! Really digging that 707 and the conclusion that Florian's new neck tattoo was just a lav mic 🤨😌

[@Rompler_Rocco]

...also, f*#k the Casio Rapman!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! No tats for me;)

[@tedstahl3794]

Keytar and Mullet: Achievement Unlocked!

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah! Check out the Yamaha SHS-10 episode. Plenty of keytar & mullet scenery;)

[@chiefbucknell]

The “Daily Struggle” red button meme with two FM algorithms really made me smile-too perfect, and too relatable!

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, that one had me rofling too!

[@AudioPilz]

Don't forget to hate the Casio Rapman!!! Take a look at 10:17

[@RomPackRomPack]

It's a pretty terrible Casio and i love most of them. It's quite good fun when you feed the signal back into the mic input though. You should probably do Casio VA-10 at some point too. That's definitely bad gear

[@niallmacdonald2710]

But you missed the obvious... when you use it like a keytar, you're standing there with a sign saying clearly LOL to the audience.. Priceless.

[@AudioPilz]

So true! How could I not see this???

[@reggiep75]

FM synthesis - when science does synthesis. The music dudes, I used to hang out with in the mid 90's had a DX21 and after a few days with it, I still didn't understand it. It took the right software and a few books in the late 90's/early 00's to understand it, and yet I still avoid it. Gimme a tone bar organ synth VST for additive synthesis, that's so much easier. One thing I will say that FM does right is bass - right big, chunky, killer bass! 04:10 - I still laugh at the stepping of 80'd digital LFO's.. I'm a unique one aka strange! 😂

[@AudioPilz]

The stepping of the LFO certainly has a comical effect;)

[@Beatdrop]

Tracks in this one are really something else. That bass in Jam 2 was incredibly sick.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! Yeah, bass for days!

[@DrUmSensitive]

I bought mine not working for 35€. Opposite polarity adapter was forced on it and burned something. I repaired it - no sound. The volume slider was dirty and the presets were gone. Try solving THAT one without knowing! I own a DS8 and cards for it, so I loaded sounds from a card, cleaned the slider and quickly sold it for 90. Some combis did not work from the card, because DS8 and 707 are OBVIOUSLY not 100% compatible. Otherwise, there's your solution to a dead battery.

[@AudioPilz]

Good to know, thanks for posting!

[@danieklerr]

The 707 sounds amazing, as I have a soft spot for cheesy FM synths. The 707 also doesn't sound very different from my PSS collection, and PSR-36, and I have to believe the Spectrum slider is directly ripped from these designs.

[@AudioPilz]

I have to dig deeper when it comes to the PSSes!

[@waynesilverman3048]

Would b good for psych this synth (just curious )

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@AudioPilz I grew up with the PSS270. Its glass bell sound, “crystal” (number 88) is what got me to fall in love with FM from a young age! It’s also a neat keyboard because it has stereo line out. Also, a lot of the groups of presets are the exact same patch but with different ADSR envelopes, so the choice is bigger than one might expect from a preset-only keyboard.

[@foxholeartist]

"Older sibling of Sega Genesis" Genesis actually was my first notion of synth music. Dune 2 or Soldiers of Fortune soundtracks still bangs

[@AudioPilz]

Love Sega Soundtracks!

[@Juuhazan_]

When it comes to music, Genesis does what Nintendon't!

[@ElazulVGM]

@@Juuhazan_ yeah FM vs rompler is a pretty one sided fight

[@fisk0]

Love the sounds of the 707. I think I already have enough FM synths though, and if I'd get another one I'd probably go with an OpSix. Wonder how well the OpSix could emulate the sounds of this one though.

[@AudioPilz]

The UI is completely different but the sound engine should be able to keep up

[@adamkrasneski3679]

I just busted out my tx81 and mks7 this week and ur doing fm. It must be some kind of sign. BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN!!?? :)

[@AudioPilz]

A message from the cosmos!!!

[@macmanplus]

My first synth setup consisted of two 707, Alesis MMT8 sequencer, and Alesis HR16 drum machine; recorded on a Tascam four track cassette recorder.

[@AudioPilz]

Simpler times!!!

[@josephwright5921]

Why did you buy two of the synths?

[@FIXTREME]

Something else crossed my mind today: The Korg 707 really feels like a high-street, designer version of keyboards like the Casio CT470 or the Yamaha PSS460. Those toys also allowed for synthesis via super simple slider/button input.

[@AudioPilz]

True, the similarities are obvious

[@davegraham716]

You need to do an episode on either/ or the Korg Prophecy/ Z-1 synths. 2 ugly looking, unique beasts

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed, almost bought a Prophecy a few month back but it was pretty wrecked. Great suggestion, thanks!

[@GeorgeL909]

I wonder if this is the basis for Chiangmai in Korg Gadget... The 707 is a bit more feature rich, but it definitely bears a lot of similarities, especially the 2x2 op setup with subtractive filter. Great vid as always.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! It would be great to have this confirmed

[@dynho_b]

Hey Florian, with the 707 you’ve now almost covered my entire synth-collection in bad gear. There are only a few devices left that you have not yet presented so far! I'll scream bingo when you've covered them all! So keep on trying! :-)

[@AudioPilz]

Will happen;)

[@russellyoung6498]

Why is it that I automatically go to Reverb to check out prices for anything you review? I need help...

[@JJohnkkttran]

Love this thing! Had no idea there was a more dynamic FM synth that tried to implement a subtractive synth editing style. Looks like genuine fun to play with unlike many of the DXs. Reminds me of the faux subtractive style editors on my old Yamaha PSS-370!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I have to check out that PSS!!!

[@davedagreat69]

@@AudioPilz also you could try the 470 and 570, all very similar. If only you lived close you could borrow my PSS 570. The problem is that all the of the above are fairly well loved, so not really bad gear.

[@JJohnkkttran]

@@davedagreat69 Yep! They're amazing with their programable drum machines and editable synth sounds. A great thing to have for quick and cool FM sounds. If they had MIDI I feel like they'd go for much more!

[@JJohnkkttran]

@@AudioPilz Definitely do! It's kind of a little kids groovebox with it's programable drum machine and synth sounds. Also your Digitakt video finally put me over the edge and I shelled out the $$$ for it! After having a TR8 and Electribe 2 Sampler, I felt the same way about them that you did. Cool, but not entirely for me. I'm instantly in love with the digitakt. The groovebox features seem suspiciously similar to my old long gone MC-505 and the old school sampler reminds me of my (long gone) Ensoniq EPS. Amazing!

[@markb9488]

A great little synth, terribly underrated, I've had mind for nearly 20 years, still has a sound or two to compliment the modern stuff, and those basses!

[@stevenbakos]

We need Mullet Florian in our daily lives! lol HAWT!! LOL 😝

[@AudioPilz]

Don't forget to check out the Yamaha SHS-10 episode. Mullets for days;)

[@tomblaze2]

707 on 707 finale blew my mofo mind bro 😎 - I could listen to that fm synth and 707 drum groove ALl Night

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@davidmegarrysdungeon6046]

Keytar is the apex of synth-nerd-dom. I aspire to this kind of awesome. The 707 is on my wish list for this very reason. I wish you would have made some ugly sounds with it. I am curious how bad/interesting it can sound.

[@AudioPilz]

The FM sitar wasn't ugly enough?;)

[@johnhurd3257]

It can get mangled FM ring modulated twisted sounds quickly! It's something I don't need but love having. In many ways it's the reason I will never sell it.:)

[@gregmillions77]

Just catching this episode. I had one of these back in the late 1990s... and now I wish I had it back. I traded it to a friend at a liquor store for two kegs of decent beer for a parents-out-of-town party. Not a bad deal, but this episode makes me second-guess it after all these years.

[@AudioPilz]

Mmmmmmh, beer;)

[@timlloydsmithfineart1254]

Love your show as always. You’re slowly working your way through reviewing my collection lol. Ds8 as we know has same electro guts as 707, but not as cute face. Changing battery fiddlesome - needs de soldering! So when I did mine I added a snap in holder, popular fix. Restored presets via sysex. Up for sale now, regrettably.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Nice technique!

[@barilochebarracuda846]

I dreamed of one as an 80's kid. I would go to play it in the keyboard shop every saturday afternoon. Even its 'affordable' price was way too high for a kid back then :)

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, they were quite expensive compared to the budget Yamahas

[@edwardfletcher7790]

This is the worst design I've seen this side of a Chinese Casio clone !😲 It looks like it's made of recycled take away Sushi containers !

[@henryg8855]

Would really enjoy seeing the Casio CZ line covered! They are very similar to the DX7 in that they are not very intuitive, very underrated!

[@lookapi]

👌🏼👌🏼

[@AudioPilz]

Which one would be a good starting point?

[@lookapi]

@@AudioPilz i think what you get! CZ 230s ,101 ,1000 ,3000, 5000/its w seq/

[@lookapi]

Cz230s is preset except last 4 memo place 96-99 ...which editable with computer. It has drums with seq and memory

[@henryg8855]

@@AudioPilz Personally, if you wanna get into all the cz line has to offer, I would start with the 5000 (has a built in 8 channel sequencer) or the 3000/1. Thanks for replying! Hope to see this covered :)

[@georgenewman5860]

Nice video, it brings back quite a few memories. I bought one of these in the late 80's kind of on a whim. I'd been wanting a real synth for a while and was out shopping with my sister. We went in a music store and were looking around and they had the Korg 707 and the Yamaha DX27S both priced at $500. I didn't have much cash but my sister said we could use her credit card and I could pay her back. Choosing between the two, I liked the extra octave and the built in speakers of the Yamaha, but also liked the aftertouch on the Korg. Somehow the Korg won the day and became my platform for working with MIDI on my Atari ST. Good times, but I think the Yamaha may have been the better choice in hindsight. I still have the Korg but it hasn't powered up in a couple decades. I gotta open it up and see if I can figure out how to fix it...

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@WalterGalindo]

On the form factor alone i'd rock the 707 in my live rig right now, i love the whole M1 design language, and look mom NO MINI KEYS!!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, funky little keyboard!

[@deetgeluid]

Joe Zawinul used the 707 for a while, sitting on top of his Sequential T8. He later replaced it with a Korg Prophecy.

[@AudioPilz]

He went to school from around where I lived for years;)

[@garyturner1441]

Very cool. The 707 was designed to be a live performance synth and succeeds with its visual appear along with portability. I can totally see why Joe got one and used it for a long time. It is a great instrument.

[@secretelitemusic]

I remember seeing people using them as keytars on TV, but I managed to resist the temptation ( because I had a Casio AZ1) This particular synth never really floated any of my boats. Possibly because I had a TX802 on ice harp duties (16 poly/6 op) , an MKS7 for the basses of dw00m and wooshpads, and a K3M for the demonic squealings. The Korg DS8, on the other hand, is a heavyweight screamer that's well worthy of a Good Gear episode.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice collection of noisemakers;)

[@secretelitemusic]

@@AudioPilz : Everything except the Casio was racked or tied down with bunjees. The Casio got replaced by a Roland piano after a fatal collision with a bass guitar. The fate of many a flimsy keytar.

[@kenfusion]

Fascinating. The K707 has piqued my interest. I did not know there was a casio keyboard called rapman . I must have really hated it to not even remember. Perhaps it was PTSD . Repressed memory . The 80s has always been remembered for its quirky culture , but there where horrible demons roaming the land back then . Perhaps I need to watch "less than zero" this weekend !!!

[@AudioPilz]

Love Bret Easton Ellis!!!

[@Stoney3K]

"14-14" sounds like it could be a perfect name for a late 80s Berlin-style techhouse production act.

[@AudioPilz]

True that!

[@counivers]

I was waiting for this one! You go through all my gear systematically :-D But the 707 is not bad - it's GREAT!

[@AudioPilz]

There should be Bad Gear in every household;)

[@klaassiersma4892]

I remember them coming out just before the M1, i was always intrested in one. Always liked how they look( just as good a reason to buy something).

[@AudioPilz]

I like the design too!

[@SirNotAppearing]

back in the day (the 80s), I actually kind of coveted one of these. I liked the look of it, and cheaper, slightly more flexible FM sounded appealing...

[@AudioPilz]

I still like it to this day!

[@garyturner1441]

So, get one now. :)

[@SirNotAppearing]

@@garyturner1441 ehhh: "there's an app for that" 😉

[@gamma_noize]

I was looking into getting a 707, but then the OpSix came out and i went for the OpSix instead. The OpSix seems to be the big sequel to the 707 and it really doesn't disappoint. :) On the OpSix you can have FM, RM, FilterFM and additionally filters and wavefolders as operators. It's so deep, but still kinda easy to use. The best hardware FM synth, i've tried so far.

[@AudioPilz]

The OpSix is indeed tempting!

[@valley_robot]

Nearly bought one the other day

[@ChamiCh]

I love my opsix! Someone thought "hey what if we crammed a fancy subtractive mod matrix inside the algorithms of an FM synth", and then did that. And it worked! It's a great fm that also does so much more.

[@gamma_noize]

@@ChamiCh Yep. It would've already been a great instrument, if it only would do FM. But the addition of RM, Filter FM, Filters and Wavefolders as operators opens up so damn many possibilities no other synth currently has and the freely configurable user algorithm then shoots it over the moon. :D

[@h2o1969]

Revisiting this vid. Digging the 1414 proto DH jam.

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

This synth has a great sound it seems! It does not have to do everything, but in this video, every example sounds good!

[@AudioPilz]

Much recommended!

[@insektgod]

The cRap-Man... Ugh!! A model submarine and a turntable had a Muppet Baby while watching "Breakin' 2 : Electric Boogaloo" in the Barbie Dreamhouse. Always wanted the Pink version of the Korg 707... so real.

[@AudioPilz]

Pink is the way to go!!!

[@OscillatorCollective]

If I’m not mistaken, this synth is legendary in early DETROIT TECHNO …

[@markb9488]

You're right, whole lotta Detroit in this little synth, have had mine for over 20 years...

[@OscillatorCollective]

@@markb9488 nice…ok cool, I remember digging deep into early Detroit Techno and most of the guys talked about this synth. I think I would rather have this than a DX7, just because of its user interface.

[@markb9488]

@@OscillatorCollective Yes bro, FM can be a bugger to programme and get good sounds out of, the 707 makes it a lot easier to get great sounds quickly. I used to have a software editor for it years ago, I think there are still editors as well as DAW intergration software too. I think these will become classics very soon, so get one while you can!

[@AudioPilz]

True that!

[@lars-fenin]

this and the dx 100 and dx 11

[@autecheee]

Other Casio 80s bad gear, CZ-101, CZ230S, Casio RZ-1 sampling drum machine (bad experience from me, it fell over on my plush carpeted floor and broke). Then there’s the FZ-1 sampler with its bad screen. Another cheap gear classic reboot which may too good, the Stylophone Gen X-1

[@AudioPilz]

Great input! Thanks!

[@mallery7]

One of my first synths from back in high school. Sounds like good gear to me ;)

[@AudioPilz]

I like that one too!

[@Jdinrbfidndifofkdndjoflfndjdk]

Dude that 1414 sounds amaizzing. Where can I get that track?Dude that 1414 sounds amaizzing. Where can I get that track?

[@AudioPilz]

Hey, thanks! Full track as usual on my Patreon!

[@KiR_3d]

Wow! It seems even more useful than DX7! If it could have more operators then it could be DX7 killer for that time. You do make great reviews!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@cooptrol]

Ha I didn't have this one, but I got ahold of a DS8 many years ago in my crazy FM rush. It was pretty fun and sounded different from other Yamahas with the same chip. Liked the blue LCD display too. Sold it to a church keyboard player, he brought a blanket to wrap it up and take it on the bus.. Damn thing was heavy too!!

[@AudioPilz]

Nice! I still have to try the DS8!

[@Kuronoichig01]

Let's hear it again: "partly evil, 1414, proto deep house, nerdtrance." I literally died

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@miguelrejas5034]

This keyboard sounds pretty much like my old Yamaha YS200 which I changed later for the Pro version.. the v50 (last attemp on making a FM workstation. Yet, I would rather prefer to dig deep with the vector syntesis from the SY22 (SEQ.CIRCUITS) delivered after the buying of SQC. the Korg version was the Wavestation.. any of these, muchover this kyd I guess. Txs for sharing.

[@AudioPilz]

These oldschool FMs do have a very specific timbre to them

[@nixinedoesvgm]

all those footages of trent destroying dx7s lmao you really are something, dude.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! He REALLY likes them DX7s;)

[@globeflicker9216]

@AudioPilz, Tear the Korg M1 & M1R up soon! Please, Please, Pleeeeeezeeeee! Worth 4K new in 1989, about $600 for the combo, now. Cool then, just shite now.

[@AudioPilz]

Still a legend! Thanks for the input!

[@DowntownDigitalUK]

Define "Casual FM User" , are we talking number of operators, owner of a dx7 or down with a minimum of 15 dirty cross modulating operators....because terms are important....:)...great vid btw

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Well, I don't "breathe" FM;)

[@mrz80]

"Casual FM User" - that would be someone like me, who remembers playing around with a DX-21 in a music store 30 years ago. :D

[@HighTreason610]

FM Synthesis? That's all I need to know. Keep that thing away from me, or else it is liable to end up being 'accidentally' run over. That said, you did a nice job with it.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! You should give it a try, quite convenient to use

[@4523167098]

"Nerd stuff aside", he says in a video entirely about extremely nerdy stuff :D

[@AudioPilz]

We haven't reached peak nerd yet;)

[@Dudderlyful]

THIS week on actually not so bad gear! FM GOODNESS = FRIDAY MMMMMMMM GOODNESS

[@AudioPilz]

This one was really fun!

[@williambrown319]

You know, I'm just going to have to get another building just for all the synths you keeps showing me I need.

[@AudioPilz]

I have to sell the first generation of Bad Gear instruments now, my storage area is full;)

[@williambrown319]

@@AudioPilz well then...maybe we can work something out

[@old_romans]

Looks like shit but this is actually more versatile than an actual DX7. this, with a pedal board and you're set. Not bad gear at all...just old gear. and..no no...a new version should RETAIN the Keytar part...with handle. Cheers from Miami FL.

[@AudioPilz]

I like that one too!!! (with or without keytar functionality;)

[@CaptainAlbatross]

Leia’s. Absolutely brilliant 😂 Nice basses though! Seems like a solid piece of gear, even though I don’t like fm-sounds at all. Awesome tunes as usual!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@citruesilver]

I need an MC-80 (aka Mon Calamari Cruiser) Leia Split Synthesizer with WTF synthesis... 😅 My journey would then be complete

[@AudioPilz]

It's Synth Nirvana;)

[@tmccormick892]

Nice video! I just picked up a DS-8 today for a reasonable price and I'm digging the weighted keys and easier menus. It also has onboard FX that really help out the sound. Mine came with a bunch of custom presets but I'm going to try my hand at some presets once I dump them on the computer

[@AudioPilz]

The FX on the DS-8 must be really nice!

[@brock91571]

@AudioPilz Another great review. Have you considered the Roland Alpha Juno-1 or 2. I scored an Alpha 1 for $200, sounds great but the interface is lacking.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great suggestion, I'll take a closer look!

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

I had been scarred for life by my DX21, but this is one 4-op FM synth I can get behind!

[@AudioPilz]

FMPTSD is real;)

[@brodylowe644]

Hahah I caught you! Using my Contra synth (timber Wolf in disguise) as the example for subtractive synth. Hahah. So flattered. ❤️

[@AudioPilz]

Hey, great to have you around! Thanks for the comment (and the Contra;)

[@maddinfeist808]

That 707 broship is real! They go really well together and I just started searching for protohouse nerdtrance playlists ✌🏽

[@AudioPilz]

True that! Great combination!

[@ZapAndersson]

I hate hate hate FM with the fury of a thousand exploding suns.. But i LOVE "BAD GEAR " so much it's forgiven. ♥️

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! (I was thinking the exact same way for years;)

[@superikone]

Wow! Impressed of what you are able to get out of these boxes… never heard a K707 fancy like that. 👍🏻

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@talideon]

OPPs... *vomiting sounds* Partly this is because so few people can produce anything more than farting sounds with FM synthesis. No, I lie. This is because so few people produce anything other than farting noises with FM synthesis.

[@AudioPilz]

Don't underestimate the farting power of analog synthesis;)

[@MrPommesgabel93]

Thanks for making an episode about the korg 707! I have owned a DS-8. When the battery runs flat, the patch memory is overwritten with random values. This results in corrupted patches, which sound really bleepy/noisy/circuitbend-ish. On my DS-8 I just had to initialize the machine and reload the stock patches via SysEx. After that everything was back to normal. The DX7 for example shows similar behavior when you remove the battery.

[@AudioPilz]

Good to know, I hope it works similarly on the 707

[@freedom_aint_free]

My I think and hear the sounds of FM Synthesis my brain pull automatically the sound track of the DOS Games of the 90'S, I don't think that is possible for me to disconnect both... PS: Its funny just after the bass being nice part I was thinking "humm DOS Games and some Sega Genesis like Terminator and Aliens I remember the songs really reminds me of this synth" and them the truth came out !

[@AudioPilz]

I actually like the sound of 90s DOS games;)

[@kimwilliamjustice6945]

I didn't realize the Neuromancer movie was so far along in production.

[@AudioPilz]

Certainly gonna watch it on the big screen;)

[@Leidon00]

omg this makes me want to ditch my DX7 completely. Instant modification of sounds?! BLASPHEMY

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, it's mind boggling!

[@technodrone313]

you dug up a gem with this one. maybe ill break out the volca fm this weekend.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! That one is really fun to work with!

[@valley_robot]

The volca fm is still my favourite synth, wish I’d never sold it , I was getting really good at creating patches for it ,it was complicated but so deep

[@technodrone313]

@@valley_robot theres a pajen firmware for it. i love mine especially since i got a keystep. i have a few good analog synths too but this one is a keeper.

[@pizzagogo6151]

Another great review, thanks!.....ok I admit, I don’t care about its sound or functionality, I still have GAS for one just cause I think it’s really cute ☺️(& the one you have is mint!😱)

[@AudioPilz]

True! So cute!!!

[@els1f]

I love the sound of FM synthesis so much😌

[@AudioPilz]

I'm warming up to it too (no pun intended;)

[@cubdukat]

Yamaha should have never let Korg lock away the functionality on this and the DS-8. At least you can do actual DX-style programming on the Volca FM and the opsix.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, the approach is quite different

[@MarneusAndMilkyBlood]

Incredible little machine! Very cool demo! And never leave out the keytar part!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Keytar 4 life!!!

[@lobstrosity7163]

1) Amazing visuals on that last megahit single 2) The Sega Megadrive/Genesis sounded so damn bad. Just take any multiplatform title and compare the SNES and the Megadrive.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! There is actually some kind of DAW for the Megadrive. I have to check it out!

[@GordonBraicks]

I relistened the nerdtrance track 3 times. First time I was impressed with the sound design, 2nd time the visuals and the 3rd time just for fun :-).

[@AudioPilz]

Cool, thanks!!! (Shameless plug: there's a full version on Patreon;)

[@stefan1024]

Never got to play a Casio Rapman. Always wondered if it was used for the voice pitching in Daft Punk's Teachers. Also, the little scratching record thingy seems like it would be fun for like 10 seconds.

[@AudioPilz]

It's fun for at least 2 minutes;)

[@GerenM63]

Nice "review" of the 707. My first proper synth of my own was a used Korg DS-8 I picked up somewhere around 1989. And, I really wouldn't mind getting a 707 or a DS-8 again now. There some videos on KZbin that show various versions of how to deal with the dead battery issue.

[@johndjameson]

Any old synth with a coin cell battery will have similar issues. You can solder in a new battery or battery holder (or have someone else do it) and it should good for another 10 years. Though a dead battery is a great way to generate “random” presets

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I'm just not sure if I actually need a RAM card or if I can rescue the synth vie Midi Dump

[@AudioPilz]

Obviously the entire OS gets scrambled😬

[@ZILtoid1991]

You don't have to limit yourself to bad gear. Maybe make a semi-regular series that replaces a few Bad Gear episodes with instead Weird Gear, or Obscure Gear, IDK. I know, I'm just an "idea guy" on the internet and almost everybody hates them (I'm a game developer, and I have a lot of people telling me to go VR with their billion dollar idea), but maybe you're a bit tired of making similar videos on a weekly basis.

[@AudioPilz]

Great input! Already have some ideas for stuff like that. Thanks!

[@robert__]

shoutout Tony Iommi! another great episode

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Black Sabbath = best band!!!

[@RollrightKnights]

That nerdtrance jam was definitely 1986 New Order Brotherhood territory in places!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@airsickgrove]

Mmm Coffee & a fresh episode of Bad Gear... Good Times!

[@AudioPilz]

Mmmmmmh, coffee;) Thanks!

[@nbuehster]

I didn't think about this until now, but there needs to be special holidays for producers/DJs. In this case, it would be July 7th.

[@AudioPilz]

We call it funky day;)

[@nbuehster]

@@AudioPilz LOL XD

[@garyturner1441]

YES! 707 day! A great way to highlight a great little portable performance synth!

[@NunyaB1s]

I like how meaty those basses were. Like I don't even care if they were analog OR FM, they were just good.

[@AudioPilz]

Yup, bass is MASSIVE!!!

[@blimolhm2790]

I considered buying one of these for a good price because of its user input (velocity, aftertouch) then I remembered I'm a drummer and rely on MIDI because I can't play keys and don't know music theory 🤷‍♂️

[@AudioPilz]

No keys and no music theory? I can relate to that;)