Nymphes - Tiny Synth | HUGE Analog Sound

[@alison_synths]

Dreadbox sells a usb power/data splitter for the Nymphes on their website ;)

[@mikabreto]

Nothing like going to the source for the solution…

[@michaelkonomos]

I had ruled out the Nymphes based on watching other videos, but watching your explorations changed my mind. You approached this from a very different standpoint. You tried to make this thing your own, instead of obsessing about how close ot a Juno you could make it. You did some cool, experimental modulations, like with the lfo subtly affecting the frequency that nobody else bothered with. And you just made it SOUND different. I SO appreciate this video. Liked and subscribed.

[@ShamskyDoggo]

Honestly, Benn's vid is the same reason I picked it up as well. Other reviews/demos on KZbin were kind of lame. Only using it for ambient stuff is a complete abuse of this wonderful little box. The presets kinda suck too, but they're whatever. I don't buy an analog synth with all these parameters just to stick to presets anyway. It's definitely a worthwhile little synth.

[@calcairecamhi]

Do you still succeed in sound designing 1 year after ? Despite the limited UI ?@@ShamskyDoggo

[@CarlitoProductions]

Agreed. Kinda looking for something unique as well. Got something else but almost bought this one cause it was impressive

[@calcairecamhi]

@@CarlitoProductions Well I bought it and I'm very happy! The UI has been easy to learn. It's still way better than my Blofeld and it's four pots for 10000 menus. Ofc the options and the sounds are totally different on both units otherwise. What did you by then ? I bought the Nymphes as my first analog polysynth. Truth is I never played any other analog poly, just a few mono like Matriarch, Sub37, Korg Minilogue and Behringer's Moog

[@moistpeanut5986]

What is amazing to me is they gave us 6 voices. There have been too many 4 voice synths, that not enough for a traditional 2 hand chord voicing. As a pianist having 6 is the very minimum every poly synth should have. And the size is just a huge plus too, most 6+ voice synths are usually huge.

[@inkajoo]

I never thought about that but you're so right. 5 notes + bass.

[@kinetic-cybernetic]

To me also as a pianist it's cool to think of the synth as a different thing - piano and organ are made to produce bass, harmony and melody at the same time, but with a synth it's more common to program a specific bass sound, a specific harmony sound and a specific melody sound. That's why I'm ok with 4 voices polys but I'd be definitely open to exploring using 2 of those 3 elements at the same time and with the same sound.

[@Fawdz]

Very well said, I absolutely NEED two voices for octave or fifths bass, and four for some jazz chords on the treble end. I had a Sequential Take 5 for a bit and ultimately sold it because I was tired of the voice stealing.

[@calcairecamhi]

I do play basses with my feet and (try) two different melodies with my hands, or chords+melody. I that case, 6 falls a bit short, 8 is minimum. Anyway, I'd be satisfied with the Nymphes (despite the terrible UI), first bcuz it sounds marvelous, second having limits tickles creativity, eh ?@@Fawdz

[@lburger404]

Those demos were gold! Also I loved both the green screen with you on top of the synth and the new angle of you in the studio. Great stuff, keep it coming!

[@Doodsrsly]

Every time Benn releases a new quality cheap gear review, I look over at my Moog semi-modular set up, push it with a twig , and say, come on do a flashbulb

[@rookmaster7502]

Exactly cheap this thing is not.

[@Stopinvadingmyhardware]

You made your choice

[@SilentJayBird]

Wahhh to all three of you.

[@nsjx]

push it with a twig ...ha

[@kalleeriksson2148]

@@rookmaster7502 Everything is relative. For an analog polyphonic synthesizer this thing is most definitely cheap, especially considering it's 6-voice, while alternatives like the Minilogue and Poly D only have four voices. Deepmind 6 is the only one I can think of that has the same number of voices at a similar price point. Nymphes still costs less (here in the EU at least) than all of those mentioned, except for the (4-voice) OG Minilogue.

[@dartqrman]

the demos are actual gold jesus christ

[@indigocotton4187]

frankincense and myrrh 👍

[@NatePerdomo]

Gold Jesus 🙌🏾

[@r0bophonic]

Gold Jesus is my favorite Kanye album

[@scottsweatshirt9753]

r0bophonic - I bought Gold Jesus on sight.

[@blugieloops]

omg that's exactly what i thought, it's so beautiful 😭😭💫💫🤌🏽

[@Zetaphor]

I don't know the first thing about music creation/production, he makes it look so easy and fun. Every demo was a potential hit track. I subscribed because someone linked a video on reddit and everything is interesting and well produced.

[@kenhensch3996]

This isn't your average KZbin gear demo guy, he's The Flashbulb. Guy has been making incredible music for decades now.

[@infesticon]

Not always easy but lots of fun

[@watchaddicts1213]

I said the word DOES and Siri thought the word DID Would be a better selection

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

Dreadbox are selling a USB splitter for the Nymphes on their store for pretty cheap. Also, Tim Shoebridge built a cool software controller plugin that works as a module inside Cherry Audio Voltage Modular. He made an extra module that lets other Cherry Audio modules control parameters on the Nymphes.

[@DanChippendaleMusic]

DAMM YOU for making this sounds so good. I had convinced myself that the menu divey/knob twisty UI was overly complex and I wasn't interested in this synth but you showed it's actually pretty simple. It sounds so good. Nice demo

[@yogesvaradas5480]

It’s always nice to see when someone knows what the heck they’re doing how easy they make look. Awesome stuff, Benn!

[@ringsystemmusic]

Okay, I love the tiny Benn on top of the Nymphes. Next level editing

[@robinr22]

It should be the law that every review from now on should do this.

[@metaspherz]

Whenever I see a new musical device I immediately Google its price tag to see if it's GAS worthy. When I saw that it was $599 my GAS was deflated like an old balloon. Then I heard it perform and the balloon instantly inflated again. In fact, it burst! The Nymphes has got an amazingly BIG synth sound, so I have to agree that it does have potential, especially for those of us with limited (read crowded) space. If you're a minimalist then you must be in 7th heaven thinking about the possibilities it can afford you. I was truly amazed! Thanks for your review!

[@mauchkimberly]

Just dropping a note to say thanks for the great demo for this synth. I've been researching this and the dominant topic, where this machine is concerned, has been the menu structure. Your demonstration has put that information into perspective...and this synth sounds great to me. Most appreciated.

[@electronicbagatelle]

I got to say it's a lovely little synth, I am originally from Athens and when I was visiting I bought it from Dreadbox HQ and I got to say I'm impressed with the quality of things they make there and they are just a lovely bunch.

[@PlugInGuruVideo]

Yes, totally kick ass box with few equals at that price regardless of footprint - it sounds truly massive. Love the added green screening to put yourself in different places in the video and that shirt is equally priceless.

[@chrissneider7550]

😂

[@JacobPadlock]

Demo at 9:43 gave me huge Disasterpeace soundtrack vibes in the best way. Made me want to replay Fez.

[@yuggothproductions]

Me too!!! Have you heard his Obsidian Interstellar album? It’s soooo good!!!

[@monx]

@@yuggothproductions it's a classic, one of my all time favorites

[@logemann74]

what a riff ... loved it.

[@disectormusic]

Was waiting to find your review on it 😅 usually a casual , non boring review is what i go for!

[@themetamorph]

Superb video,that synth looks and sounds great in your hands. Your video editing and presentation is so engaging and alluring! *Fans self* 😜

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

I find it very motivating to watch these creation episodes. Thanks once again.

[@Polyend]

Very cool video and a very potent synth from the Dreadboxians! Thank you Benn!

[@eriklee909]

Hey Polyend!

[@ChickenLittleOfficial]

Not normally super big into synths but this seems really approachable and the sounds are sooo good! I want to incorporate them more into my music now

[@StevenFrei]

Like all Dreadbox stuff it just sounds incredibly good

[@FoivosApostolou]

Have been using Typhon for a year and it is one of my fav synths

[@riloh58]

Dreadbox just keep dropping great looking/sounding and exciting products. Great price point. Inspiring tools.

[@nickthane]

Sounds amazing. It’s interesting the psychological effect size has. We all have instinctive have the idea about the physical size of the synth should affect the sound (I know I do). But the main board on, say, a Juno from the mid 80s isn’t much bigger than a Nymphes and Roland and Oberheim were cramming full polysynths into rack mount units - admittedly without the controls…

[@BounceChord]

yeeeeesh. I want you to make a whole EP of just this little setup.

[@krzysztofmikos2394]

Bump

[@LuvWatches]

Double thanks: Nymphes is a sweet little synth AND now I know the midi looper exists.

[@aerospatialerecordings]

I bought one of these on a whim after the first week of a two week work trip and challenged myself to record an entire track using only the Nymphes. I was pretty much in love with it by the end of that hotel stay.

[@MikeS-1969]

I don't understand why enjoyed this video that much! compared to all the other videos you made all with great content, I mean.

[@dylan_kelly]

Love when the MIDI looper part starts. Super spacey.

[@svartsjokolade]

Yeah, so good! Kinda sounds like Erik Satie but sped up

[@InnerVisions68]

@@svartsjokolade Satie!

[@Mchannemann]

This video shown nicely what it sounds like, not like a tiny box but more like a big analouge keyboard weighing half a ton

[@jasongravely7217]

You’re channel is awesome man. So precise and knowledgeable. And funny

[@Drumsdude123]

Your video is pure pleasure!! Synths, Reverb, playing!!) Absolutely awesome

[@ericmilesmusic]

Dude, the "mini you" on top of the synth is genius! Your videos are most certainly super unique! Dope

[@wickeddubz]

And this green grass background with reference about organic experience

[@agerven]

It's creative thinking, but that aside i find it a pure narcistic property that i'm not interested in. Why?

[@colindavis2113]

That shirt is so great lol 😂 damn. This makes me wanna trade in my minilogue xd. This thing sounds fantastic! Patches look pretty easy to make too.

[@pjohns92]

Great video, respectably love the creative use of your green screen

[@mrfeenix1]

Hahahaha I got 3 min in and you popped up above the Nymphes and made my day Love it!!! Made me laugh out loud :)

[@jahreed]

love the dreadbox paperback book synths, they are all very thoughtfully designed and sound excellent. also kudos to their pedals and most of their eurorack offerings. chromatic series giving behringer a real run for it's money in value offerings

[@midsoulmusic]

Wow! incredible sound! Great vid Benn!

[@SylphDS]

Holy shit. I can't get over your shirt (in a good way).

[@DarkSideofSynth]

My thoughts exactly. Pure genius! ;)

[@CreativeSpiral]

Do I need this? No. Will I get it?... all signs point to yes. Great demo!... nice use of green screen too.

[@eriklee909]

Great work as always! Some good potential jams in there as well :)

[@ShortP1089]

what an excellent sounding synth, i am a little bit shocked. shoutout to that funny as hell tshirt of yours benn :D

[@jerrykovis5417]

i honestly don't know what i'm watching at this point and i love it

[@TheInterGalacticFederation]

enjoyed this demo/ casual review. sounds good

[@LukeLendrum]

Had this one in mind for my gigrig which already has 2 Typhons but leaning more heavily towards Hydrasynth Explorer since it can pull double duty as a polyAT controller and has studio applications as well as portable ones.

[@matthewpeterscello]

Dreadbox kills it every time. I have the Typhon - monosynth with 32 step sequencer and stereo digital effcts by Sinevibes - and it slaps. A little cheaper than the Nymphes, but sounds incredible and has a wealth of possibilities. Worth checking out.

[@InnerVisions68]

I have many synths, and it is one of my very favorites. I agree. It’s fantastic. Imagine a polyphonic, four to six-voice version of the Typhon, with effects by Sinevibes, and matching knob-based interface, maybe a screen with four times the overall area (twice as wide, twice as tall), in both a module, and a keyboard version, with aftertouch. Being able to modulate effects parameters as part of patches on the Typhon is badass, too. Not just presets assigned to patched, but being able to use effects parameters as modulation destinations, sourced by the LFO, for instance, is a great feature, as well.

[@InnerVisions68]

Beautiful-sounding oscillators, smooth, solid-feeling knobs, sublime and smooth filter, and discovering sweet spots with the oscillator knob … It’s a sound-design powerhouse … Yeah, I love Typhon. Lmmfao

[@matthewpeterscello]

@@InnerVisions68 the fact that with all those features, it is also USB powered is a game changer. Over the Summer when I was taking my son to his dance classes, I would just sit in the car with the Typhon, powerbank, and headphones, and blissfully just make patches... and I wouldn't even notice that an hour or two had flown by!

[@InnerVisions68]

@@matthewpeterscello I feel you 100%. Same. I have a nice powerbank and headphones, and can sit in the park and even just tweak patches - turn knobs and tweak the effects parameters sliders. Typhon is special. It’s a gem and a treasure. And, for others reading this, I am not a shill. 😂 Try one, buy one, and you will experience how special it is, and what an amazing value it is. And now that USB that can power it via power bank, and, of course, that can transmit MIDI, can also send digital audio directly to your DAW. And blah blah blah. It’s a badass. Buy one, Benn. 👌🏼

[@l1fef0rm]

Came for the Nymphes, stayed for that amazing t-shirt.

[@TheNimasan]

yestarday, i heard the nymphes at my local store and it really sounds amazing. this is in my opinion the best nymphes demo! well done, benn!

[@jakobvanklinken]

I have no idea what you are talking about most of the time, but love the presentation style!

[@kinetic-cybernetic]

Mini transparent Benn Jordan above the synth is funny 😁, I wish that was a feature of the product as well

[@nataskunas]

now I just want Dreadbox to make a keyboard version of it (imagine 49 keys with arp or sequencer, all functions hands on, aftertouch) could easily contend among the best keyboard polysynths out there.

[@pwabd2784]

It's better as just a module and you can pick your own midi keyboard.

[@wiegraf9009]

@@pwabd2784 Agreed

[@agerven]

No. The best polysynths out there have at least two fully (phase and frequency) independent oscillators per voice as well as phase independent voices. This one would perform very similar to a poly Roland SH-1, which is not bad at all, but certainly is lacking many features and could not compare to a Prophet 5 or an OB-X8 at all. Even the Roland Jupiter 8 (yeah, the 1980's version) doesn't sound alive without at least a small amount of reverb.

[@MrQurutin]

I've been looking for a small and affordable polyphonic synth to pair with my Monome Norns Shield to use the huge amount of great sequencers its library has, I think you just sold me this one.

[@samdelfavero]

This thing is sick, I'm really impressed with the sound. Some other options to check would be the Roland Botique lineup, the JU-06a is a nice 4 voice poly

[@thebrokenoldman576]

So many great synths in this price bracket, especially if you consider second hand. Cobalt, Argon, Deepmind, Opsix, Wavestate, Modwave, Hydra Explorer, 1010 Nanobox. What a time to be alive!

[@MrQurutin]

@@thebrokenoldman576 Yeah I actually tried Cobalt in my local shop and it was very impressive, Hydra Explorer somewhat less so. They should be getting Nymphes too soon so I'll go back and check out that and some other polys too. Great selection with affordable polysynths nowadays.

[@ben1210]

@@MrQurutin I've got a Hydra desktop, it took me a little while to get my head round it, but the sheer amount of modulation is its strong point for me. Endless noodling, but I'd probably get more done with a Nymphes!

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

Your video has put this nice little box on my radar. Thanks 🙂

[@chinmeysway]

Beautiful video / sounds thank you

[@ChrisBrooker]

This is my favorite combo of you and anything....

[@esmoroglu]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻It is my first analog polysynth, it is great, real, inspiring.👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼

[@JoeJohnston-taskboy]

That synth sounds awesome.

[@JoeJohnston-taskboy]

I just got one of these units. I wanted a poly analog and it delivers. Like the docs say, nymphes is built for modulation. However, many of the presets are interesting right out of the gate. The case reminds me of netgear equipment from the 90s/2000s.

[@UrbanAstray]

Sounds like a nice synth, but it's really the very expensive effect unit you have that adds so much harmonics to the sound and really fills the "room"

[@jessetoews2446]

Nice was kinda hoping you'd do this one

[@TheGaragebandGuide]

Who else is more interested in buying Benn's shirt than buying the synth?

[@prueph]

I want one! lol

[@syhr_samoht]

Lush synth. And I've never seen a MIDI looper before thanks!

[@valdir7426]

it's good some company think of us people living in small appartments. could be a nice addition to a centric setup; like a good sounding vst you can tweak (it's fully midi controlable of course)

[@seanarooni]

i didn't fully grasp how small it was until you showed it next to the keystep, wild!

[@mikemmartin]

I didn’t know I needed this. Thanks.

[@watchaddicts1213]

Hey. Here’s a question on Nymphes: did it permit one to set Glide Rate PER VOICE? Like the OBX and a few others used to do. Thanks and great work!

[@ShamskyDoggo]

The Nymphes does not do glide rate per voice, unfortunately.

[@watchaddicts1213]

@@ShamskyDoggoFinal thought: does it bother you at all that the Nymphes doesn't have a stereo out? Thanks Benn.

[@Neuri]

the jams were sooooo good Benn

[@jazzseba]

I didn't know I needed this! Man... I hate you and love you for publishing this video!

[@Rastafarai805]

So the noise issue with usb cables can usually be fixed with those magnet clips ( black cylinder present on some cables)

[@martinsouthall]

Loved this demo. Super informative and entertaining 🙂

[@chillwalker]

The solution for noisy usb gear is either smart powercable arrangement (can take hours but for starter do you a favour an plug in all the audiogear with your computer to the same powersocket...) and if its still annoying buy a Behringer HD400 (about 30 $) and plug this between your Master Out and your Monitor(control). Just mention it because that's exactly all I did the last 2 Days with a new hum...Spoiler alert: Its was my new washing machine, when it was spooling..)

[@UltimateVeve]

Nice video ! It's sounds great !

[@drowninginreverb_AP]

And this is why when I walked into Nightlife Electronics the day after they got the first Nymphes shipment and asked to try it out.... I played a few notes and went "well, fuck", because I couldn't resist walking out without one. My bank account is still mad at me, but I'm pretty happy with me over the Nymphes purchase.

[@proaudiorestore8926]

Dammit Benn! Every time I watch your demos I end up wanting what you demo! I was quite satisfied with my studio up until watching this! 😂

[@General_Ictus]

1:31 - Every polyamorous person watching: "yoooo representation!" 1:33 - Every polyamorous person watching: "Well ok you're not wrong BUT I'M SAD ABOUT IT"

[@youwatchwhatyouwant]

what a great jam to wake up to!

[@dawlessstrolling5306]

Your quirkieness is lotsa fun. The dog-with-headphones moment felt classic. If you'd develop a musicproduct of your own [if you haven't] and market it by just being yourself, everything is going to be very, very ok all of the sudden. Greets from that tiny yet synth-infested dot on the map called The Netherlands.

[@jayfunk5988]

Awesome little synth great video.

[@Promethalus]

love how this mini setup just keeps expanding though, nymphes then rooms, then midi looper, add tr-6s for finish

[@AdamsOlympia]

Sounds amazing! I've been looking to downsize/declutter , so maybe I'll flip or trade my DM12D for one. Got enough polys already with Virus TI2 and Hydrasynth, but nothing that sounds so deliciously phat like this VCO analog.

[@mikabreto]

I feel you about the octave limitations. I’m trying to wrap my head around Cykle right now. You might try running the MIDI out of the Nymphes through a MIDI note filter? I’ll get back if I find one that works on iOS.

[@ssd2293]

The sound of raw saw wave @4:07 is PHAT enough to claim its place among big boys of synthesizers. Can't believe this is happening within such small size, selling for USD 499/- currently (Oct-2022)

[@chrissneider7550]

buy Omnisphere by Spectrasonics instead, I know what I'm talking about...

[@FR-pp4qh]

Amazing démo!!! Amazing Synth!!! Thanks

[@lizard_girl]

as someone who is vaguely interested in music and bought the teenage engineering POM-400 (partially a mistake as I don't really have much else I can use to really get good use from it) OHMG I want all this equipment why do you do this to me I'm saving for a PC and it's over 1300 CAD just for three of those things ;-; (I can't find that rooms pedal I have no idea where to find it, granted I looked for a grand total of like 5 mins) AWESOME demos man, I love them every time with your review videos

[@lizard_girl]

@James Levine update! I was able to save up and got a keystep black and the nymphes! Couldn't find the pedal but wow. Never thought I'd be able to order anything like that I'm terrible with money lol

[@lizard_girl]

literally like a day later I found the rooms pedal lmao

[@ASOTFAN16]

Oh my gawd I love that shirt! I laughed so hard when I noticed that

[@michaelpierce3264]

it does sound really good but mono with a digital reverb an usb power only?

[@donotoliver]

BRUH THAT SWEEP AHHHHH

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

Combine a Dreadbox Nymphes with a Dreadbox Typhon and you'll have some awesome stereo effects with the Typhon.

[@PhatLvis]

Nice song on the fly on the looper - good sequence.

[@K.KILLORAN]

I like the Honey I Shrunk the Kids appeal of your review.

[@maedaeburning]

I'm so obsessed with the sound of this thing. It fits into its pocket super well, maybe not the most versatile but it sounds gorgeous especially as an analog poly for the price point. If anyone has one collecting dust and needs someplace to donate it ;) (sorry i'm a ho for synths)

[@archaicmelody8119]

12:32 Reminds me of HOME's music.

[@markmorgenstern]

speaking of small things, have you considered reviewing the goofy (and probably abandoned, like its big brother drum machine) Pioneer Toraiz AS-1? would love to hear your take on their stillborn incursions into the music production field... and thank you I love your other videos, especially the one about Behringer and that NYT reporter with the royalties! :D

[@-RAV3N]

did you just do the PS1 boot up theme? @5:12

[@jeffdeez1]

This is crazy good!!!

[@brownfox1540]

@Benn Jordan what was the background music played in the intro? is it your own music? is that you playing the guitar?

[@thephonecalls9856]

Hi guys, this may be a newbie question, but I've been wondering whether should I get a Nymphes or wait for the Abyss v2. I really like the sound of Nymphes, but if the Abyss v2 would cover most, if not all of the sounds then I'll probably wait.

[@fjfrancois]

The noise is analog too? Thanks for your very intuitive video Dude, very Pro production.

[@austinadams9464]

Dude what??? Can I even believe my ears and my eyes right now?

[@sikdrumz5752]

Thanks for that T-Shirt 🙏🙌

[@denizbuhran]

that second midi looper jam was fire