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

[@1000cutsminimum]

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!!

[@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.

[@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 🤣

[@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!!!

[@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

[@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

[@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 😆

[@MegaCadr]

The smiling termite was terrifying.

[@AudioPilz]

That one is kinda mesmerizing

[@spot1401]

a bit like the "steinlaus"

[@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!

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@MBF_MBF]

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!!!

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@MikePiligrim]

I'm eager to hear some more of that progressive astro bass ravetable hightech digifunk. Preferably with this very synth produced. How would I do that?

[@AudioPilz]

There's a full version of the track on my Patreon (no plug;)

[@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???

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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%

[@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

[@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!

[@Mothara]

Love your tracks

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@AudiotropherMatze]

There is a great editor for the Blofeld; an iPad app called "Patch Base". Ideal if you want to bypass menu diving.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for posting!

[@DonDavideMescal]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@BFBeast666]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@fleebschlehm2467]

Friday night... Bad Gear starts my "Weekend routine". Btw.: Are the Encoder "solderless" for quickchange,....or do they have to be soldered?

[@AudioPilz]

Nope, you have to bust out the soldering iron

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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;)

[@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

[@matthewrizzuto]

Wondering if an editor such as the one created by Patch Base eases the frustration in using the onboard controls. I purchased this new knowing well in advance about the encoder problem, but figured a good editor could minimize my use of them.

[@AudioPilz]

I'm not sure if switching to Largo isn't the better choice then

[@matthewrizzuto]

@@AudioPilz Thanks for the tip, appreciated. Love your work here.

[@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).

[@rrtramel]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!! Thanks for watching!

[@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

[@cheapnoise9014]

Really nice video as always. You should take a look at the Yamaha Reface series.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great input!

[@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

[@salvarsaani]

Thanks for doing the video. Now I'm not sure that is it going to be my next purchase or not. It's clearly a Synth Wave subgenre device and would soundwise go nicely in Darkwave, Horrorwave and Dark Ambient tracks. But I have a short temper, which wouldn't necessarily go well with faulty encoders and deep menu diving. I recently discovered Dungeon Synth and use Korg's Minilogue XD and Monologue to create my stuff. I also play the forementioned genres from the previous paragraph. Can you recommend something from the same price range as the Bond baddy is, preferably something stereo?

[@AudioPilz]

Wow, Dungeon synth. Just hit play on a mix. Didn't know that genre. Maybe get a Roland U110 with a few ROM cards. Not the sexiest choice but certainly adds to the vibe

[@salvarsaani]

@@AudioPilz That's magic isn't it? I was sold after the first track I heard. You have a lot of love for the old Roland rack stuff. My eyes however are in that condition these days, that I would need a magnifier on top of a magnifier to read the display. But thanks for the tip though. I have been looking the JU-06A and SH-01A synths and feel a certain connection.

[@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.

[@dangraba645]

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

[@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.

[@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 ;)

[@GreenYoshi265]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

I'm here for the "increasingly specific genre" jams. Like this is cool and all but how does the synth sound in a Post-Apocalyptic Neo-Soul Vaporwave Post-Modern Faustian Uptown Downtempo Post-Punk Dub jam?

[@AudioPilz]

Cool! Episodes getting longer ;)

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@RANDOMLOOPGENERATOR]

Top man, almost grabbed this a couple of times but as I've already got the Roland SH-32 I've opted out. Still waiting for you to cover the SH-32 by the way. Hope you have a great weekend 👊😎👌

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Keeping my eyes open for a 32

[@no_guarantees]

Roland SH-32 has a totally different sound palette from Blofeld. Blofeld has more digital sound and 32 is more analog for starters.

[@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 ;)

[@Sainttropezyeye]

Nice review ! Why does your Ableton crash soooomuch??

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I'm asking myself the exact same thing ;)

[@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???

[@stmsaiya]

Access virus or waldorf blofeld or roland jp 8080 which one to buy ? For trance beats

[@AudioPilz]

The answer is of course: yes!!!

[@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!!!

[@mathmanmrt]

i'm really liking that "progressive austro bass ravetable high tech digifunk" jam. have you got the whole song uploaded somewhere, i'd like to hear the rest of it.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Yeah, full track on Patreon!

[@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"😉

[@secretelitemusic]

Your klikbait did not fool me, Herr Batgier. I have a poor man's Ti Snow, because I too was once poor(er). Once I'd got the menu diving piranhas out of the way, and found a 50% discount for the SL upgrade, I found it quite user-friendly. The squawky teknobasses and infinite mindmelting pads are ok by me. It doesn't punch above its weight like the Snow, but as a former MicroWave owner, I'm comfortable with the tweaking (after a mere 20 years). Spectre is useful for sorting the banks by type, rather than the totally random factory allocations. The stereo out reminds me that it's best appreciated in monotimbral fat squelch mode. It will eventually grow on you, like a deadly exotic fungus.

[@secretelitemusic]

The one real bug that stands out on my careworn Blofeld is the hanging note thing that arrives with the USB connection to a DAW. Which also removes it from mixdowns in my DAW. Using the 5pin din resolves all of that nonsense. It's not the only mini desktop synth to initially suffer from poor USB midi implementation, but they've never managed to fix it in an update. Bad Voldorf.

[@AudioPilz]

Bad Voldorf😂😂😂

[@electronicsoundfactory8528]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@electronicsoundfactory8528]

@@AudioPilz You're welcome! 😁

[@AnthonyHarwood]

Mine no longer produces audio. This is a common problem with Blofelds. The problem is with a particular resistor. Supposedly it’s not difficult to replace the resistor.

[@AudioPilz]

Bummer. Good to know, thx for posting

[@originalsynth]

Yup I got a broken one (130 GBP!) and replaced the blown resistor (I used a normal big resistor) as Waldorf have a datasheet on how to do it. I only stopped experimenting with it when the multitimbral mode kept on returning most presets to a single one... infuriating, even with the 1.25 firmware. Have to twiddle knobs whilst rebooting to eventually reset the thing, very poor programming.

[@Jamslerr]

Been waiting for this one!

[@AudioPilz]

It had to happen;)

[@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!

[@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!

[@ConwayBob]

Revisiting this video today (which is still great), for the first time, I paused it to take a look at the bookcase behind you. That's quite a fine little library you've got there, Florian! Given the time and attention you give to these Bad Gear videos, do you ever have time to read? I hope so! Blofeld remains on my radar as a possible future acquisition. Maybe after I've finished paying for the gear I already have.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! I switched to eBook readers around 10 years ago so the bookshelf is more of a museum of my reading habits before that

[@Cacciatore_Raccoglitore]

Books don't run out of battery, they remain readable even if the manufacturer goes out of business. no one can "stop updates" or release "new system architecture, or different security features and programming interfaces are released". they are environmentally friendly and you can read them on the 🚽 . 😂🤓

[@ConwayBob]

@@Cacciatore_Raccoglitore -- Agreed. There's also some tactile, olfactory, and visual pleasure in books that don't have a direct analog in ebooks or digital devices. Books are inherently random access memory devices even though they are printed and bound sequentially. One can flip to any page almost instantly.

[@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!

[@williamolsen20]

Why does having Kafka next to the Marquis De Sade in your bookshelf make me chuckle?

[@AudioPilz]

Should be in every library;)

[@marcoabyss]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@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!!!

[@a-nus]

Your channel *will* blow up Its practically inevitable

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Let's hope for the best!

[@blahblah606]

Terroristic threats? ;)

[@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!

[@snuppssynthchannel]

The Blofled is an amazing synth, a soundscaping monster.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!!!

[@duncan-rmi]

I have six blofelds- three each of the keyboard & desktop, all sample-enabled. I'm looking forward to this....

[@AudioPilz]

Wow, that's a lot of Bond villains!

[@duncan-rmi]

I was working in three different places, so they were distributed most of the time! I liked it enough to have the blokey & the desktop, which also helped with the polyphony issue, & filled them with samples from my other angular white instrument, this mellotron here. now there are five blofelds here, & one still in madrid. I should sell a couple really... :-/

[@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

[@Gainn]

This one gonna be divisive.. 😆 Not having at least a midi thru on the module really seems like a huge oversight - particularly when you need a couple of them to get good polyphony. Considering a third because of that. Thank the Bebe Cheeses for midi splitters.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, when you have more than one chances are that there is an encoder that works ;)

[@voltijuice8576]

Especially with today's desktop gear and tiny jacks, it's handy to have some active MIDI-mult

[@bentsound]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Vs and Ws are not absolute ;)

[@RomanReznikAKA_romrez]

@@AudioPilz only sithes deals in absolutes

[@willprince643]

New "Bad Gear" episode on my birthday, that's great :D. Interesting, I might consider buying that module used when I will need multi-timbral for the live use, I've got Roland D110 but maybe taking it "on the road" is not the best idea.

[@AudioPilz]

Happy Birthday!!!

[@willprince643]

@@AudioPilz Thanks :D :P.

[@badgereaux]

Getting some popcorn before I read the comments on this one

[@AudioPilz]

Surprisingly peaceful around here. Too peaceful...

[@xguboekoberav1980]

My Blofeld is suffering from ‘jumpy’ encoders. Driving me crazy at times, and it’s also on the volume, so it might blow my speakers or hearing at any given moment. 😢 Let’s see if that repair package is still available.

[@WhiteWulfe]

Oooooooh, nicely done with that Spaceballs reference!

[@AudioPilz]

THX! Comb the desert!!!

[@clonn]

Forget the interface, use a software editor. You won’t hurt the encoders and the architecture will be much clearer. It’s a powerful machine, I’ve had one for a couple of months and I’m enjoying designing sounds a lot. The only complain is that some sound are a bit low, but with a bit of drive in the filters it’s solved.

[@AudioPilz]

Have you compared it to the Largo in a setup like this?

[@clonn]

@@AudioPilz I don’t know what is that. I’m using SoftKnobs. Nice and clean interface and library management.

[@KA0T]

youre right software editor is like a brand new blofeld. it's so hidden deepness once you acces everything on the same screen, without using knobs and going thru 845 submenus. i think it's an underrated synth (it can do everything from mellow to industrial) but the UI and the encoders make it almost unusable. software editor is almost mandatory here.

[@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 ;)

[@System.10]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@chrisliddiard725]

The waldorf could do with an Arduino big brother. 20 or more encoders in a box , each sending dedicated midi cc , labelled so you don't have to menu dive to access the meaty goodness of that synth. Oh wait isn't there the behringer bcr2000 or the soon to be released behringer bcr 32. There are a couple of iPad apps to take the pain out of menu diving. Patch Base, MidiQuesti to name two.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, with zaquencer!!!

[@bubuAudio]

06:39 as always ... you are the JAM master may I ask you how do you sequence in a JAM like that. As far as I get, you used Ableton here, right ? Would you consider to make one or more video on "how to jam like a master jammer ? " thank you so much !!

[@AudioPilz]

Great idea, thanks!!! The first two jams are usually dawless, the third gets a little DAW love

[@bubuAudio]

@@AudioPilz 🙏😸

[@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;)

[@kagisokgabo3601]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Happy to hear that!

[@movraptor]

you have covered so many things i've owned i don't know wether to feel good or insulted hahaha

[@AudioPilz]

YES!!!

[@TheNimasan]

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

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Highly appreciated!

[@alanshewitt]

Yo, that rave track is BANGING.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@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.