Bad Gear - Waldorf Blofeld - Vintage Sound of the Future???

[@JorbLovesGear]

Huge appreciation for the shout out, can't wait to poke fun again. I consider the blofeld to be GOOD GEAR, maybe I should queue up a rebuttal? 😂🤣

[@glebpalamarchuk9087]

As far as I understand it, AudioPilz makes an episode if he can fill the whole screen with bad reviews, there are a lot of great gear fitting this criterion

[@kaitsu9608]

@@glebpalamarchuk9087 that is hilarious! :D

[@javiceres]

Of course it’s good gear.

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@javiceres is it

[@bernardlindeman739]

On the metrics of Being able to produce “good Sound” but with terrible UI I think makes for “bad gear”. Good gear needs solid UI and deliver in sound. Would Die for the blofeld if we had at least 4 outs? (No I dont count l/r headphone and 2 outs as 4) One thing to mention was (at least when I owned one) you couldn’t sync the lfo. Why has no company RECENTLY made a digital synth with multiple outs (hardware) maybe with an analog filter, (mono machine was such a hit even w/o filter cuz well individual processing could be had.) We all know how cool Microwave was and WHY, so like why NOT?! Loved the blofeld! /cheers

[@jimgourgoutis]

I just realized this guy’s a genius: start a KZbin channel to justify Gear Acquisition Syndrome!

[@danjwalker]

He could start a sub-channel titled Bad GAS...

[@AudioPilz]

I'm not ready for the truth ;)

[@Defex]

....combined with masochism. Otherwise nobody would bother with half of these machines. 😁

[@testohtoby]

Modern problems require modern solutions

[@keysthomas1966]

SUPER genius... like a Bond villain!!

[@goodboid]

I just got one of these. Day one - Played all the presets, very impressed Day two - Hooked it up to my dawless rig, SP16 + Digitakt Day three - Tried sound design on it, decided life's too short and I don't hate myself that much yet

[@AudioPilz]

Self-hate is an important factor in mastering the Blofeld ;)

[@Lo-fi_Hi-brow]

😂

[@sauce_aux]

Word! Hahahaha

[@thomasmoran1211]

I've just got one. Your comment worries me. That said, I've owned a Roland D10, and still own a DX7.... And it was €180, so can't complain

[@frankstetka7206]

Damn after 45 years of self loathing I started to like if not truly love myself; well what the hell happened 2 years after that? Blofeld happened 🤣

[@agentvx8320]

"Blofeld! Do you expect me to talk?" "No, Mr. Bond! I expect you to *DANCE*."

[@maelo477]

You a lil' confused but you got the spirit

[@AudioPilz]

License to GROOVE!!!

[@agentvx8320]

@@AudioPilz Just so long as Timothy Dalton is not involved. ;)

[@maelo477]

@@agentvx8320 Hey... Dalton was cool :(

[@agentvx8320]

@@maelo477 License to Kill was actually pretty decent. The Living Daylights was... uh... special.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

My main takeaway from this is that I would buy an AudioPilz spacewave album in a HEARTBEAT.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@davidszekely1770]

Me too.

[@kenfusion]

Me three

[@shaft9000]

I'm all in. A title sugg: _Beware of Nutlash Whilst De-Accelerating to Sub-Light Velocities._

[@superchroma]

No joke. I have been watching these all slowly and literally every song he's done so far is fire.

[@Timecop1983]

Although it crashed a lot when i had one years ago and the programming is tedious, i can't say i would classify it as bad gear. I loved the sound and still miss it often.

[@karolcelinski8077]

I miss my Blofeld a lot! Even now when i have Novation Peak

[@BsYtHandle]

you're taking the name of the channel a bit too literally. There's usually something bad about it but it's mainly about having a laugh.

[@erict2899]

Dig your tunes!

[@tehjohnsonite]

It has external editors, which take a lot of the pain out of it...

[@AudioPilz]

Oh, the Timecop! What an honor. Stick around!!!

[@gn9796]

Really excellent video. Just the intro is nothing short of breathtaking. It takes talent to produce such high value content and humility to make it look so easy. You, sir, are both a musical genius and a gentleman.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@HazyJ28]

Always a great day when a new "Bad Gear" pops up on my feed

[@AudioPilz]

Always a great day when nice comments pop up

[@THETBRETT]

same

[@navboi12]

Not the only thing that pops up 😆

[@martinforstner3075]

I had the Blofeld in my shopping cart for the last 3 days. Your video gave me the push I needed to finally buy one. Thanks for the great videos, your channel has quickly become one of my favorites.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@elliotyeager]

this is just the start, this channel's going to be HUGE, and i can't wait to see it

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks, let's hope for the best!!!

[@qjames0077]

"Welcome to Bad Gear" From Austria with Love

[@AudioPilz]

There are a few James Bond movies with scenes taking place in Austria (but were shot in Budapest;)

[@EverettVinzant]

Moograker? Quantum of synthesis? Octotracky?

[@qjames0077]

@@EverettVinzant yes pls

[@Pablo668]

@@AudioPilz once upon a time, that kind of was Austria.

[@julianbertschler9772]

@@AudioPilz quantum of solace was shot in Bregenz and Feldkirch!

[@MegaCadr]

The smiling termite was terrifying.

[@AudioPilz]

That one is kinda mesmerizing

[@spot1401]

a bit like the "steinlaus"

[@EppuJoloZ]

You don't even know how much I have been wanting to hear your opinion on the Blofeld! I myself fell in love with this synth because of the demos made by Jexus :D

[@AudioPilz]

Great synth, tricky interface!

[@TheSnowLeopard]

Same, I bought one and then waited years for the prized Jexus presets...

[@EppuJoloZ]

@@TheSnowLeopard They are free in his website tho?

[@TheSnowLeopard]

@@EppuJoloZ Yes, they appeared on the website after Jexus' resurrection.

[@PORRFNK]

Heard the Analog patches? Cant remember who made them, Don Solaris perhaps

[@dangraba645]

i just love you man - thanks for putting in all this time

[@greatheightsu]

Music kicked ass this week. Really liked the smooth transition into music as you described it's qualities at 2:40. Here's hoping for a Blofeld part 2 in the future!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! Already contemplating a Better Gear episode

[@synthzone1207]

@@AudioPilz How was this Bass made?

[@AnalogKitchen]

Have to say I love your channel Florian. Keep them going. Much love from Holland!

[@AudioPilz]

Bedankt!

[@Sinevibes]

Right now we are spending weeks together with Dreadbox trying to design a synth that we hope will be featured on Bad Gear in 10-15 years.

[@geecen]

Lol

[@LukezyM]

Is this a joke or is it really happening? Typhon is amazing, let’s hope for a sequel!

[@AudioPilz]

Wow, keep me posted!!!

[@Sinevibes]

@@AudioPilz We need to make sure it’s a deep deep instrument but with a super confusing menu system, EEPROM re-soldering for OS updates, and it also better be a commercial flop with a couple recalls. Then perhaps we will make it into “Bad Gear - Highlight Of The Decade” 😜

[@LB-pp7pu]

Make a Bad gear episode on the Typhon! Everyone desires the piece of gear after it has been on Bad gear, it works great as demo

[@raisedranch]

seeing a bad gear on blofeld made me DROP what I was doing to watch. your best yet!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@moromali_minimal]

i consider as a sign from above the fact, that you posted this video on the very day when i was looking a cheap digital synth for complex pads and soundscapes for my setup and chose between Blofeld and D-05. So i'll buy Blofeld tomorrow.

[@AudioPilz]

Make sure the encoders work;)

[@moromali_minimal]

@@AudioPilz I really don’t know how you do this but I received a notification about your comment exactly at the moment when I checked the encoders before buying. It works fine, so... i have a Blofeld now!

[@benbauer1065]

That's such a hard choice! I love both.

[@TheNimasan]

this channel def belongs to my top 5....no doubt!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Highly appreciated!

[@BFBeast666]

Your audio examples never fail to amaze. Such great vibes!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@ericw1908]

This is such a great channel. Entertaining, comprehensive, and informative. Thanks for all the work you but into these videos. The Boss JS-5 is just begging to be featured on an episode.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great input, gonna take a closer look

[@stevenagy88]

Apart from being hilarious, you remind me of my mother: she is from Vienna and although she left more than 60 years ago, she still mixes up all v's and w's. Luckily (for both) that is where similarities end. Your videos are very entertaining, thanks for all the hard work that no doubt goes into them.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! English can be a tricky language

[@turtleCalledCalmie]

Dude, just so you know, your show is so good those demo songs are on their own a treat to return to

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@JobimSynthMusic]

You can't menu dive in it because the menu is linear like in alpha juno. It's just a long stream of parameter screens. The user interface is very well designed and there's nothing difficult about programming the blofeld.

[@AudioPilz]

OK, it's more like a very long swim then ;)

[@mrz80]

@@AudioPilz Great. I can't swim, and I can't afford to put in a pool to learn :D

[@2.7petabytes]

I’m so glad you reviewed the blofeld! I’ve seen them for sale off and on and seriously considered buying one, but with all the menu diving, no thanks!! Rock on!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@trueatfalse]

Damn. The Blofeld was my very first synth and I got so frustrated with it that I didn't want to get another synth for quite some years. Even more astonishing what great music you're able to drop with it. Loved all the three jams/pieces you put into the last part of your video.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@notsure1135]

Bad choice for a first synth.

[@ilikebassmusic]

Wow that example with the digitakt made my skin crawl. Every video I watch, I love your channel and team more and more. Please keep up the great work! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@123456781234100]

Got one for 200€ recently and yes, of course, three encoders are jumping around like some kiddos on a gabba-rave but it sounds so freakin good! I'm amazed by how versatile it is. Powerful Bass? Lush Pad? Funny, detuned lead? No problem! Also ordered some replacement encoders.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, looking forward to the fix. Better Gear???

[@kagisokgabo3601]

You actually managed to make me appreciate mine more..! Keep up the great work

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Happy to hear that!

[@jamesmeeker6933]

I've never heard anyone refer to the Blofeld as "bad." In fact, people still sing its praises. Heck, I have a Blofeld keyboard sitting right next to me. One of the best digital synths out there.

[@Philtho]

Eh, every synth message board I've been on it's usually the same thing: "IT WOULD BE SO AWESOME IF IT WASNT SO AWFUL. I sold mine 3 times." Most stuff listed on here are cursed one way or another while having a large package to show off. Idris Elba with the face of Steve Buscemi.

[@GrodyMcG]

Preach!

[@AudioPilz]

Great synth but the level of animosity against it is almost reaching Roland SH-201 territory

[@mattkaz9604]

I love my Blofeld. For complex sounds nothing beats it. At the same time the bugs are rage-inducing. The fact that the encoders just break and the lfo/ delay won't sync properly is a huge pain on an otherwise fascinating synth.

[@luxoverb]

I want to like mine. I really do. But, sigh, I keep keep getting turned off by some harshness in the pseudo-analog sounds that isn’t controllable - great when you want edginess, bad when you don’t. But, there is a ton of capability here for the money. If you have patience to put on menu diving gear and sink into the murkiness. BTW, I love the weight and solidity of it. Just don’t drop in on a Roland Boutique.

[@seantrottier2466]

To be honest, I have a bit of a fondness for my Blofeld. Fortunately, I've had mine for a few years now, and have yet to encounter the encoder issues. It's a menu diver, for sure, so I would probably go for something else if menu diving isn't your thing, but it makes one hell of a crazy percussion machine in my opinion. To save voice count, I find myself being really critical about how many oscillators I *really* need in a given patch. That seems to help quite a bit. I really enjoyed this one, and the jams with it were awesome! Your channel is a real gem. Thanks for taking the time to take on this one. It gets a lot of hate for its issues, but it's my go to multi-tool. Then again, I don't have shit tons of elite gear to choose from.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Fortunately we don't need a ton of elite gear

[@Jamslerr]

Been waiting for this one!

[@AudioPilz]

It had to happen;)

[@rrtramel]

refreshing the channel before I go to bed on a Friday, as usual...

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!! Thanks for watching!

[@RileyGein]

As a Blofeld owner I was horrified to see this video show up on my feed haha. Great job on this

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Bad Gear - the horror movie of gear channels ;)

[@pheargoth]

I had the same feeling when I saw his review of the Quasimidi Sirius appear a few months ago. :D

[@Chillnote]

You appreciation for gear is contagious! 👍🏻

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@GreenYoshi265]

I love my Blofeld! So many different possibilities, especially with combining samples, wavetables and VA!

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@MarneusAndMilkyBlood]

Amazing sounds from an unassuming package! Amazing video as usual :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@electronicsoundfactory8528]

Love the references to James Bond, great video as always!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@electronicsoundfactory8528]

@@AudioPilz You're welcome! 😁

[@roterodamus]

Bought a Blofeld a couple of months ago and I'm liking it more and more. I found it to be very versatile even with its very Waldofy and digital sound. I had a lot of fun sampling with the randomize patch function, which gave some very interesting results. There is a half-decent patch editor for the Patch Base app on iOS which helped me a lot in my first couple of days with it. great video! Hope to see more of you and the Blofeld!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Working on it!

[@DonejMandrakes]

Anyone else have to stop the video every 10 seconds to read the Memes? That Delusional Synth Owner magazine hits a little too close to home. Haha

[@AudioPilz]

I'm not gonna sleep well because of that one ;)

[@RPLKTR]

@@AudioPilz I hear you can buy a new synthesizer to fix this problem.

[@reggiep75]

I'm hitting the back/forward arrow keys often to have a giggle about the memes... The meme game is strong here!

[@IllogicGate]

The only channel where you're tempted to watch the videos at 0.5x speed, rather than 1.75x...

[@DonejMandrakes]

@@IllogicGate haha 100%

[@karl9411]

Ive had one for years and whilst many pieces of hardware came and went in the studio ,the Blofeld never came close to leaving .Its depth in unfathnable and it always sounds class .

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, deep box!!!

[@PunguinYoga]

@@AudioPilz I'm neither a musician nor a synthesizer expert. I'm just a hobbyist/noise wrangler. I love the Blofeld. (I also own MiniBrute2, MicroFreak, Hydrasynth, and Reface CS.) I am astonished at the great sounds you can get from affordable synths these days. Perhaps I will actually read my manuals and REALLY make some fantastic noises. By the way, the only major technical issues I've had were with TWO Prophet Rev 2 synths I owned. The first one would simply shut down. I got a replacement. It did the same. Luckily, zZounds was amazing and the returns did not cost me a dime, not even shipping. I thought it fascinating the only synth I had major glitches with was the $1600 Rev2.

[@mrz80]

@@PunguinYoga

[@PunguinYoga]

@@mrz80 Thanks!

[@LB-pp7pu]

Finally someone that says VALDORF as it should be said

[@AudioPilz]

Valldorfff!!!!

[@LB-pp7pu]

​@@AudioPilz Sehr gut! Grüße aus Italien

[@freefinancialadvice]

Wasn’t that the bad guy in Harry Potter?

[@LB-pp7pu]

@@freefinancialadvice I don't know anything about Harry Potter

[@shaunm1030]

Yeah😄 and also "Yuno"😉

[@danm3570]

Thanks for going in depth into this one I was curious about it. I can now forgive your Beethoven having slaves comment from one of your recent vids

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for your kindness. I can assure you that I am aware of LvB NOT being a slave owner ;)

[@PeterPlanker]

Du und Gabe Miller Music: die besten Synthi-Hawara in meiner Abobox und beiden fehlt noch der verdiente Erfolg. Unbedingt dran bleiben! Mit deiner hohen Uploadfrequenz bekommst du hoffentlich bald die Aufmerksamkeit die du verdienst! Mochs güet, Servus!

[@AudioPilz]

Besten Dank! Wird schon ;)

[@vroenis]

Great episode! You kind of captured the spirit of Waldorf perfectly 😆 oh & I loved the classic Winamp visualiser vibes for the memejam!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@alecschumann5490]

These things are insane. I remember that weird period where every synth player in an indie band had one only to stop using it a year later when the encoders died mid-tour. The Pulse 2, however, is a powerhouse that I love.

[@AudioPilz]

Pulse 2 seems really nice. I've yet to try one

[@mattkaz9604]

The Pulse 2 is simpler in so many ways, but they got it right. I don't believe (?) the encoders self-destruct, and it has never just crapped out mid song and turned off or stopped responding.

[@thefunkydeep446]

Is the sound of the pulse 2 similar?

[@mattkaz9604]

@@thefunkydeep446 Not particularly. It is all analog I believe, so none of the crispy wavetable stuff is available. It's a 3 osc synth that does paraphonic stuff (chords). Blofeld has more range, but if you want a tone that instantly sounds pleasing or 'classic' the pulse can do wonders.

[@System.10]

Awesome video as usual, and very surprising outcome! Also, that manual warning made me laugh :D

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@echoesofdeadmoon]

Completely agree with the verdict. Menu diving is tedious and the bugs make it impossible to use live (I played one gig and mine has this bug that it leaves notes on forever and it won't go away without a reboot. That was fun!). I sold my first years ago but bought another because the sound is quite unique and pretty damn sweet.

[@AudioPilz]

I wouldn't dare using one live

[@JobimSynthMusic]

Digitakt with blofeld is a perfect match. Ive played them live and in my channel. Blofeld cons: - only 2 outputs - no midi out, the great arpeggiator will only work inside. - crap builtin fx - no psu protection, dont use the wrong psu with it or you'll blow up a resistor in there. The encoder issue sometimes is fixed by a simple firmware update. Try it before replacing. I've had the problem with mine, I opened the encoder and cleaned up the insides, didn't need to unsolder. I also upgraded the firmware. Pro tip: sample license SL is usually on sale around October every year. Best use for a blofeld now: the PPG wavetables. But the virtual analogue engine is very versatile and solid. Another tip: third market patch banks. I've avoided buying a whole other synth by getting a patch bank for mine.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed! Gread duo!

[@a-nus]

Your channel *will* blow up Its practically inevitable

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Let's hope for the best!

[@blahblah606]

Terroristic threats? ;)

[@Bod8998]

Quality as usual Nuff said first tune right up my street

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@Bod8998]

@@AudioPilz tjanks

[@seedmole]

I've been using the Studiologic Sledge for like 6 years or so at this point. It's supposedly built around the same sound engine, but has the full standard layout for a VA synth. It's pretty good all around, though it has some issues (like too much plastic in the construction of the output jack, it shorts sometimes).

[@nicolenico167]

J'adore cette chaine, y'a tout ! Bon travail

[@AudioPilz]

Merci beaucoup!!!

[@AJOrpheo]

I won't lie. This channel makes me wanna start making some songs DAW-less. YOU WON'T CONVERT MR PILZ, I REFUSE!

[@AudioPilz]

😈

[@terrybull1534]

Hardware is more fun. I gave up the DAW 15 years ago. No regerts.

[@kenfusion]

@@terrybull1534 same.

[@synchronisticmelanatedmysitic]

Wow what a trip!!! This channel is amazing!! Thanks algorithm 😬

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@synchronisticmelanatedmysitic]

@@AudioPilz I was watching this while driving and almost lost it when I just happened to look at the screen when it said " it's not flat we checked" lol

[@seanluke3052]

The Blofeld is an odd choice for Bad Gear. Yes, it has famous problems (bad encoders, polyphony eaten up quickly, MIDI clock failures) but it has been very, very successful, saved Waldorf, and still sells well today, 15 years later. It's very deep and it sounds very good. [BTW, it's yet *another* Edisyn synth that's been given the Bad Gear treatment].

[@AudioPilz]

It sounds great indeed. Still lots of issues. It's a keeper for me nonetheless

[@seanluke3052]

@@AudioPilz BTW, the best thing ever to happen to the Blofeld was Don Solaris's famous Analog Voltage soundset. 30 Euros, now available straight from Waldorf, google for it.

[@hobbowizardanimations]

I think the point of bad gear is ironically it's always pretty good. It's all got a bit of an ironic tongue in cheek style.. but also it is justified as the Blofeld is famous for being quite badly executed technically. Bugs and encoder issues .. and more..

[@Donetur]

I think it is selected because it has haters. But you need to consider also that several great gears will have haters from snobs who have a bias against cheap gear (because they have spent a lot) and against new gears (those who love vintage above everything), no matter how great it sounds. Same here for digital vs analog, etc. So at the end, it doesn’t matter if the synth is here or not, because the reasons behind could vary a lot.

[@teslafreak]

I have one of these! I walked into my local synth shop years ago, and they had a used one on commission. I asked the shop owner to demo it for me, and about 5 minutes later told him i'd take it. Very powerful engine, and a lot of fun. Takes up very little space too!

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed! I'll have to get mine serviced

[@teslafreak]

@@AudioPilz Yeah, that's unfortunate. I didn't even know this was an issue until this video, but i'm glad it's possible to still get replacement parts.

[@wallbrown1876]

It’s odd,has quirks,you may struggle 2 hours and do nothing and then 2 mins later you may have some of the best sounds you ever made. I simply love it. It has a lot to hate but it justifies itself with its sound. Thank God mine didn’t have encoder issues so far but I prefer managing most of it’s stuff from the Digitakt ;) Excellent video as always 👍🔥

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@barrnycharlton8951]

your little jams are so the best out there my friend

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@citizenofearth]

Waldorf needs to release a Blofeld MK2 with updated display and components and fixed bugs, and I'm buzzing them from time to time to do so and I hope others will follow. This is an amazing piece of synth for so little money.

[@AudioPilz]

I agree with both!

[@brunbabybrun]

No, Waldorf has to patch those bugs. I don't care about Blofeld MKwhatever, I just want to synchronize the arp of my Blofeld MK1 to my MIDI clock.

[@Mothara]

Love your tracks

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@marcoabyss]

i almost bought a Blofeld, but hearing Progressive Austro Bass Ravetable High Tech Digifunk makes me want it even more!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@cooptrol]

Many years ago, I tried... I got the sleek black edition, I payed for SL, I sequenced it with hardware, with software, sent it CC, everything, and all what you are listing as bad was enough for me to let it go amid an ocean of frustration... I continued my search of a small, tweakeable multi synth for my live setup, and had to wait years until Digitone...

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, Digitone is tight!

[@MathHammer]

The Blofeld is one of the few synths I purchased a second time after selling. I got my black version new (not B-sock) from Juno in the UK, and it was so cheap that even with shipping to the US it cost me $351. Every once and a while they blow out their stock or something. For anyone in the US, always ask for a lower price. Also, Waldorf gear ships with a universal wall wart. Korg gear (ahem) does not.

[@AudioPilz]

Wow, great price for a new unit!!!

[@blauphus2]

Blofeld! It's a 'tricky' & quirky little guy. I love it, it's very deep. As in deeply frustrating (the encoders issue, ugh. Down is up and up is down...maybe); and yes, do be careful and pause for a moment before reaching for a knob as you may twist the wrong one and lose 15 min worth of edits, so save often! It's also deeply versatile, satisfying and fun. I did purchase the License SL option and that opens up a whole new world of being able to import your own samples and use them as oscillators. I actually went even a step further and got the "Attack Soundset", which essentially turns Blofeld into a really interesting drum synth, using samples, wavetables and multis. Great review!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! The encoders are from HELL!!!

[@Bishka100]

Oh, no.... Yet another synth featured here that I also own. I'm starting to think that maybe, I should just send you a list of all my synths, that way, you can go through them one by one.

[@AudioPilz]

There's a matrix of Bad Gear connecting all synth nerds on this planet

[@Bishka100]

@@AudioPilz That explains a lot. So, am I doomed to make the same mistake over and over again?

[@mrz80]

@@AudioPilz The Six Degrees of Bad Gear? Maybe we should see if Kevin Bacon plays keyboards? :D

[@RayzeurRider]

Hi, Did the poly-pressure work on the blofled ? It don't work on the MicroQ and it's very very very frustrating....

[@AudioPilz]

It should work on paper but I haven't tried it (I can't even handle "normal" aftertouch;)

[@bentsound]

AudioPilz: W=V & V=W ok, got it!

[@AudioPilz]

Vs and Ws are not absolute ;)

[@RomanReznikAKA_romrez]

@@AudioPilz only sithes deals in absolutes

[@brasileironaeuropa]

Adoro o seu canal. Parabéns. Abraços de Portugal.

[@AudioPilz]

Obrigado!!!

[@ColonelSandersFinger]

The Blofeld is actually a really slick little box, and you nailed it. Sounds great. Needs a bit more physical quality control and some tender loving care with fixing bugs. But Waldorf is all about bugs. I can’t get my old software working on an old machine with an old OS, but whatever. I sold the MicroQ Phoenix and the Blofeld, but I love my Rocket and I also love the Nave app for iOS. I at least still have that.

[@AudioPilz]

Rocket it da bomb!

[@AS-rc1lv]

Super cool wie immer! 💪🏼👍🏼

[@AudioPilz]

Besten Dank!

[@iampuesa]

Waldorf should be including a special menu diving costume, that could also help with the bees.

[@AudioPilz]

Next live set in bee costume only!!!

[@mrz80]

He'll need a small white longhair cat too

[@Audiosculptor]

Hahahaaa - I have several of the “bad gear” you’ve reviewed, and was considering getting a Blofeld - Love the channel, focussing on playing and making sounds that please me - “bad gear” or not, it’s the Music we Love - Cheers Brother .

[@AudioPilz]

Cheers!

[@maxmustermamm2795]

Is an access virus episode planned? Not that I consider the viruses to be bad gear but I would just love to see you jamming on one of those

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a closer look

[@bigredracingteam9642]

The Access Virus absolutely *rocks!* (still got my kB)

[@Stadsjaap]

Ooh, the Snow has like 4 buttons and is a menu diving nightmare. It's like a coconut - the inside is good, but christ it's a mission to get to it!

[@DonDavideMescal]

it took me hours to analyse your book shelf 😄 pretty dope selection 👌

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@WhiteWulfe]

Oooooooh, nicely done with that Spaceballs reference!

[@AudioPilz]

THX! Comb the desert!!!

[@mc2engineeringprof]

You went and actually did it, didn't you? Awesome!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Always a pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@EndreeNerd]

This series can't exist without an Ensoniq Fizmo episode. If you'll find it hard to get hold of one, you can borrow mine.

[@AudioPilz]

That would be great, thanks! Are you located in EU?

[@EndreeNerd]

@@AudioPilz, yes. I wouldn't really want to send it, I heard some horror stories about carriers mishandling instruments, but my kid goes to ski training camps in A several times a year, so I can easily drop it to you (as long as they won't tighten the travel restrictions). The Fizmo is such a wonderful mixture of unique cinematic soundscapes, crystal crear fx and a half-completed software crowned with a 3 digit display, so it's a perfect match for this series. Haha, I've just checked it and only found one on ebay for 2400 :P I knew the prices went completely bananas in the past few years, this was still a surprise. Drop me a msg on the contact page of endre-enerd punkt com and we can arrange it.

[@mrz80]

@@EndreeNerd Prices on EVERYTHING have gone bananas. Tried to buy a used Juno lately? I've bought *cars* for less cash! And you could buy a decent beach condo on the Gulf for what a Jupiter runs.

[@b.c.slumber3694]

AND AGAIN! you're killing me. First Digitakt the Sk1 and now Blofeld! :O

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@snuppssynthchannel]

The Blofled is an amazing synth, a soundscaping monster.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!!!

[@ncherguy1]

I graduated to the Blofeld from an Akia Miniak and an Alesis Micron. After mastering Micron editing functions the Blofeld is very intuitive to me. Please do a review on the Micron.

[@AudioPilz]

Great input, thanks!

[@alanshewitt]

Yo, that rave track is BANGING.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@aristotlekumpis7095]

I love my Blofeld, despite all the issues. Cool video.

[@wesleyleigh4063]

If there's anything the world could use more of, it's Waldorf Blofeld Sound Demos on KZbin. They serve as a pleasant respite from the polished, bloated and humanized nature of all other music. Alas, the compositions themselves are often vary sparse, only often showcasing two sounds at once. And perhaps they could feature more elaborate and compelling progressions, but I'd often sometimes settle for a couple note sustain or drone. Alas, I might be somewhat carried asunder, overstating this synths prominence or singular nature. Surely most, if not all it's sounds can be reproduced elsewhere such as with even rather primitive software synths of yesteryear such as Sylenth, FM8 or massive. Serum, Gladiator or Hive would likely not even break a sweat, though I do often wonder what it is exactly that distinguishes it from others.

[@AudioPilz]

I think it's great to have a HW synth that can cover territory that is usually only covered by plugins and goes well beyond what most of them can do

[@craigie13]

Have you done the Roland MS1 phrase sampler for bad gear?

[@AudioPilz]

No but that one's on my list. Thanks for the input!

[@badgereaux]

Getting some popcorn before I read the comments on this one

[@AudioPilz]

Surprisingly peaceful around here. Too peaceful...

[@chrislee8343]

So glad your first mention of its UI was accidentally erasing a setting, as that was my first an only experience with one when I went to someone's studio and they had one. I spent an hour figuring out how to use it and then making the perfect patch and then went to the bathroom and whoops my buddy scrolled the main wheel to some other setting and it was gone just like that

[@containercore6832]

In terms of UI design, I think the blofeld (and pulse 2) are some of the most well thought out compact synths there are (and they also sound fantastic). The display screen and endless encoders actually solve a big issue that even knob-per-function synths have, which is that when you load a preset what you're hearing doesn't match up to the knob/slider positions. There's always accurate visual feedback on screen (even if you can only view one parameter at a time). Of course not everything on the blofeld is intuitively laid out, but this basic design choice is really good, inspired even. I can't think of many synths that actually bother to address the issue of visual feedback on recalled sounds (the light up encoder rings on the Moog Phatty come to mind). btw any chance the OP-1 will make an appearance on the show in the future? :)

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed! If only the knobs worked properly on mine;) OP-1 is moving up my list. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@matthewdeward1984]

i have a novation SLmk3 and was thinking of grabbing one of these as a cheap/er synth. for the Novation, the Behringers work, but i cant access the parameters, its really cool with likemy minilogue ormy tr8 as You can change the parameters right on the keyboard, and it an run up to 32 synthesizers with 8 lanes of automation per * tracks makes for some fun. wish it had longer step sequence.

[@AudioPilz]

That Novation looks massive!!!

[@TheAtomicTom]

I love my blofeld. I have plenty of good memories but it also gave me some headaches

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, lots of Aspirins necessary for that one ;)

[@jamieally]

Now that could have been a gem of a synth. Great video. I dare you to review the Dave Smith Tetra 4? All the best friend 🙌

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! That one keeps coming up, I'll take a closer look

[@TheTrixterz]

for next weeks Bad Gear can we get a jam that's 'Sinisterly swung progressive 2step dub-siren austro garage' ?

[@tonyisyourpal]

Only if it’s announced in a Sean Connery accent...

[@AudioPilz]

How did you know???

[@balazstorok9265]

Bro, please, please, that's a really great lil machine, omg, I was so happy when I get that.

[@AudioPilz]

It IS a great machine but we all know that it has its flaws

[@stefvanloon8988]

The name Blofeld always makes me think of some (hopefully non-existent) gay parody of Seinfeld lol

[@AudioPilz]

LOL

[@couchcamperTM]

@@AudioPilz Lilo, Tiffy, Horst, Herr von Blofeld, ich hab was tolles gefunden. Uiuiuiuiui das glaubt ihr nicht. (Zitat Samson Seinfeld)

[@jdanielcramer]

Crap! 🙀 I have one and now I can never ‘un-hear’ that! 🤣😝

[@aubyrowe2943]

Also a blofeld owner, and I have to agree completely. Beautiful sounds, much like the earlier Waldorfs, but just frustrating bugs. The encoders on mine are working, but even so I get the occasional skip, and not mentioned is it's annoying inability to sync effects to incoming midi clock. Still it has a comfy place in my studio and I know when it will fit the mix well.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, I was syncing FX by hand too. I'm old tho, so I'm used to that😂😂😂

[@dyscotopia]

@@AudioPilz I briefly performed as math genius because I was known for calculating delay times based on tempo in my heads. Kids these days got it easy :)

[@geofff6671]

Noooooooooooh, I love my Blofeld even with a slight encoder issue. There is nothing like it with 16 part multitimbral and multi mode plus 25 voices for the price. Plus it sounds great. It’s a pity Waldorf doesn’t release a mark 2 with its quirks ironed out. I guess the people who wrote the original software have been fed to the sharks by now.

[@AudioPilz]

I could live with "slight" encoder issues;)

[@LightboxX]

im confused on the 2 note parts you were playing on the brute... there something i don't know about the minibrute or were you going for the happy-accident 'round robin' type of note hits/portamento for a bit of random timing variety? i mean.. it's a monopoly/bass synth... so, yeah?

[@AudioPilz]

I just used it as a controller for the Blo in local off mode (you have to send cc122 to the unit for that) while triggering a sequence via midi

[@LightboxX]

@@AudioPilz oh, wasn't paying enough attention.. thought you were using both synths

[@andblast]

OMG I will need to sit down and breathe before I watch this

[@AudioPilz]

Alcoholic beverages seem to work for some too

[@Aqua_1014]

Love the blofeld, the keyboard version has midi out and the keybed feels amazing to play. The newest update mostly fixed my encoder issues. It's one of those units that are sort of like modular in a box if you want to go there, just stay away from the comb filters if you want more polyphony haha. It does synth percussion VERY well... Personally, I feel like I'm missing something when I use it but I can never bring myself to actually sell it. What you get for the price is great, def a future classic for that reason imo.

[@AudioPilz]

Modular in a box hits the nail on the head