Cre8audio East Beast synthesizer review

East Beast is a new monophonic semi-modular synthesizer from Cre8audio and Pittsburgh Modular that's cute, friendly and utterly adorable.
www.cre8audio.com
For the written version of this review head on over to:
moltenmusictechnology.com/cre...
You can buy one from Thomann here:
thmn.to/thoprod/543664?offid=...
Or Perfect Circuit:
tinyurl.com/Molten-East-Beast
Index
Intro and demos - 0:00
Closer look - 10:29
Oscillator waveforms - 12:46
Filter - 14:36
Envelope - 16:07
ARP and Sequencer - 17:45
Wave and filter randomisation - 22:27
Multifunction feature - 25:00
Conclusion - 34:06
Outtro - 39:22
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[@AtticusBleep]

I really didn’t expect that low price. Thought it was going to be another 600/700 one. Wow. I’m buying. Such a smooth sounding machine.

[@WxkR]

Probably your best review, and, undoubtedly, one of the most charming devices you have shown. The East Beast is synth enough yet toy enough; traditional enough yet innovative enough; straightforward enough yet complex enough to become a must-have; a likely classic.

[@brian2590]

Woah! I had no idea this was coming. Looks amazing. Excellent review !

[@TH3_FURY]

Yum yum... That SVFilter is so sweet and creamy... Sounds beautiful at my ears ! A great little synth at a very very affordable price ! Excellent complete demo MMT !

[@PeteMOBie1]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. I'm not into modular synths but your demo has just got me ordering a Cre8Audio NiftyKeyz and East Coast Beast Bundle from Scan Computers - should arrive tomorrow.

[@PeteMOBie1]

Unfortunately the East Coast does not work with my setup. There is no Coarse Oscillator pitch control so it sounds 3 octaves above my MS-1 when played over MIDI. Mine has an annoying audible 'thump' when the Attack time is set to zero. The pitch modulation depth is not granular enough for me as the vibrato is already too deep with the knob at 8 o'clock position. It would be better if it were 12 o'clock to allow more granularity for such a small knob. The NiftyKEys has a broken switch, poor pitch bend wheel, and both switches are flimsy with loads of play. No proper printed user guide with either. Sadly my modular venture is on hold as I'm returning both items. Sorry Cre8Audio/Pittsburg Modular but quality issues and design flaws are deal breakers for me.

[@_pmaxwellward]

In the east beast trailers #2 & #3 on Cr8audios channel, there are such metallic, bell-like patches in the soundtrack. Quite a far cry from the butter you explored in this video. What a range! Makes me wonder about the FM capabilities with clever patching. Would love to see you explore that before East Beast ships!

[@walterinpv8499]

Love the outro. Nice little synth!

[@consequenciasinimaginaveis6901]

what a lovely video. You really show that this little monster has a gentle side. I'm going to place my order for one right now, I can't wait to combine the Eastbeast with my Elektron Model Cycles!

[@acefstripe]

sounds absolutely stellar in my opinion. love it.

[@IndieAuthorX]

That is a beautiful sounding synth, I have an sv-1b and a primary oscillator from PGH, so I can vouch for the quality of their work.

[@Alphastare23]

A solid gateway to modular option, it has that "Safari" aesthetic too. Nice.

[@acefstripe]

Absolutely! That Safari aesthetic is great.

[@Paintopia_VR]

Great review Robin! That filter knob is something to behold!🤩

[@Cre8audio]

It’s in tribute to our knob of a marketing guy 🤣

[@Dreadbox-synths]

Knob size does help, but its not everything

[@Cre8audio]

@@Dreadbox-synths 🤷🏻‍♂️😘

[@acefstripe]

@@Dreadbox-synths would love to see some of your shiny new knobs soon.

[@melanieruse6734]

Lovely review. what I love is the evident joy with which you approach this 'stuff' I dont particularly look for highly technical specs but appreciate the emotional connection. I already have too many Synths but maybe one more wouldn't be the end of the world

[@melanieruse6734]

dont know why it comes up as Melanie as it is in fact me (Reg)

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Ha, thanks reg :D

[@warhoofd74]

The filter sounds great, good i ordered it yesterday

[@ThMntnst]

That beast holding the east-beast in his hand whilst being printed on the east-beast seems like some kind of inception to me and deeply disturbs my brain. - Damn you, Nolan, damn you!

[@Cre8audio]

❤️

[@jonaseggen2230]

I got a mental image of melted butter through a coffee filter : / Anyway, Lovely sounds and really interesting to watch and listen to the stuff these companies are creating together, as well as what Cre8 is doing on their own.. That was such a beautiful and sweet outro. OMM! (Oh my monster!)

[@JuanAMatos-zx4ub]

Woah, seeing your desk without you modular took me by surprise haha

[@jammystraub488]

Lovely little thing! That's a great 'gateway' for Eurorack.

[@Psychlist1972]

Wow. Cre8Audio is on fire this year!

[@daseinoseven4514]

What a great little beast!! ❤️

[@lunargarden]

It has a moon on it with some trees, I'm sold 😁

[@jfracine_composition]

The filter sounds great : )

[@mrgum6y]

Brilliant, eloquent almost Shakespearean review. Starting to wish you'd been the new Dr Who! Imagine upgrading the TARDIS to eurorack format.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Ha! The Tardis could be Eurorack and no one would notice :D

[@dianamiino7391]

Wow I loved your review ❤️ subscribed instantly

[@TimeScribe]

The sequencer, random generator, and midi/midi to cv functionality makes it useful for advanced Eurorack users too.

[@Cre8audio]

Yeah, if you dig a little it gets beastly deep quickly!

[@gkillmaster]

Really perfect review! Thank you so much!

[@defjeff2907]

Sounds great! You just sold an East Beast and a Pico DSP. Thanks!

[@maxistork6060]

I really like the design!

[@tomlavelle8340]

Oh baby I’m gonna get this one.

[@Garflips]

So I gather if you want to use the MIDI to CV section to control other gear as well as this puppy, you will need to utilize a multiple module or possibly Y cables?

[@IntangibleMan]

Looking for a small bass synth. Would the Beast fit the bill or would I be let down in certain aspects? Trying to avoid forking over the cash for a Minitaur😅

[@coolguy2783]

What a cute little thing, lovely.

[@aaronchase1973]

Buttons are clicky, but what do you expect at that price point? What matters to me is the sounds it makes, CV connectivity, and the price. Ticks all my boxes, so now I know what I want to use with this. A TD3MO & my Crave.

[@erlendmagnussen8922]

Stellar, yes. Getting two

[@alimay2221]

Why do i need to connect output to INST level input on my Focusrite instead of LINE to get sound from this?

[@TheNewNumberTw0]

Very Dreadboxy. It's like Moog roared it echoed over in Greece and ended up Pittsburgh. Great price too.

[@Cre8audio]

Oddly sitting with Dreadbox having coffee right now. He adamantly claims no responsibility.

[@cecilkeebler4254]

The buttons remind me of the SonicWare synths for some reason. Thanks for the review Robin.

[@dinogoldie9716]

Which should I buy: An East Beast + a West Pest? Or, a 0-Coast + a keystep/hardware controller/sequencer?

[@visisydandthevoid]

Gonna have to get both of these, to go along with the nyx 2 I'm after.

[@MitchGurowitz]

Congrats to the engineers that kept the price that low. I wish Teenage Engineering would hire them..

[@gladtobeangry]

I hope these engineers stay in the music industry, and don't switch to a lifestyle brand for nouveau riche showoffs. To each their own.

[@davew6097]

Or teenage engineering could learn from them and quit putting out overpriced rich kid toys

[@mamakuproject]

I like it’s filter!

[@johnfrytey1331]

How to load pattern and play ?

[@avrilcadabra]

Seems quite a nice little unit

[@barryalden689]

I'm sold, love your demos, just ordered my Smooooth Beast via your link to Thormann's. I'd love you to do a Volca Modular demo if you would be so kind. 😊

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I have a Volca Modular - every time i pick it up my brain melts. Perhaps one day....

[@squishmusic]

"The filter is so buttery you can spread it on toast"

[@walrtbstudios5430]

I’m tempted- but more by the price point than anything, and I shall have to keep reminding myself that the biggest (and most expensive!) modular/ semi-modular mistake I ever made was the SV1-b. Great filter, but other great filters are available. Oh, and the panel is not a looker. Sorry.

[@nym053]

That filter sounds great. And filter in as well, and hp and bp. My Mono Lancet doesn't have that, or a patchbay or any of the clever midi stuff 😅

[@mewantgoodmusic]

Im loving the look and colors of that synth. Maybe a West Beast in the future???

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Oooo, that might be nice

[@TimeScribe]

The WestPest?

[@boriscat1999]

@@TimeScribe you know your West Coast is working when the audience starts looking for the exits.

[@jammystraub488]

Yasssss.

[@carlospena8584]

Superb content. May I ask you which cable you used to conect the east beast with a MIDI controller? Maybe a Mono TRS to a MIDI DIN cable? I don't know if that one exist. Thank you in advance

[@TooSlowTube]

It comes with a short cable which is MIDI DIN female to 3.5mm TRS male. You plug a MIDI cable into it, and plug the TRS jack into midi in, on the panel.

[@mastaboog749]

I've ordered this also but i've been waiting on it because its backstock, but i want to throw it in my current rack and once i get more modules ill put it back in the case it came in but its taking so long to make more i might have the modules before this!

[@SonicVibe]

I got the Dredbox typhon over this did I make the right choice lol ? They both have a good sound to me only complaint with the typhon is there are some weird in-between dead spots sometimes with the dials if ya where doing live say ,this filter seems to not have dead spots smoother but I kinda like the typhon sound more just curious if ya used both how ya compared them ?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I've never tried a Typhon - i think they're pretty different.

[@Adams420]

Curious what reverb/fx unit you used for this video? Apologies if it was mentioned

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Pico DSP for reverb and Erica Stereo Delay

[@VictorSteiner]

This seems to be a very good alternative entrypoint next to the Mother-32, especially pricewise.

[@NOLNV1]

It's cool! Has a japanese or ARP -y sound I feel like, a lot of meow!

[@travisrwebster]

Any chance that this thing can be powered from a powerbank/via usb? It seems like it would be a wonderful travel synth...

[@al.cavalu]

15v, I doubt it. Seems like one of the biggest drawbacks TBH. Why didn't they go with 12v? :-/

[@SpiralFyre]

Can you confirm if the random wave and random filter mod work independently of the sequencer so I can still use it with an external sequencer? Hope so because pseudo hocketing on a mono synth is a genius idea.

[@richardnicol]

Yes, random waves and random filter response work can be triggered with external midi or external gates

[@SpiralFyre]

@@richardnicol Fantastic. Looking forward to the new wave of Pittsburgh instruments and congrats on the East Beast!

[@bahgo]

What, if any, fx do you have this going through? Sounds too smooth if there's no reverb or delay.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It has no effects itself so any reverb you hear is coming from the Erica Pico DSP, which is a send on the Eurorack mixer I'm running it through. I can't remember what the delay is from.

[@Paul-js9eq]

An interesting video with a lovely sound. Can I ask what effects were you using. I think I can feel the euro crack habit starting all over again. Cheers!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Thanks - Erica Synths Pico DSP for reverb and their Stereo Delay.

[@banksideleopards2791]

It's funny the osc remember me the sound of the Rossum Trident, witch is additive synthesis

[@corridor444]

Just ordered mine

[@freshkidblaze]

I should sell my behringer crave and get this

[@aaronchase1973]

No, but you should use it with your Crave. I will.

[@visisydandthevoid]

Or keep it and buy it a friend

[@rambosweat]

where did you get the little stand the east beast is resting on?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

loci.life

[@junpang4602]

Thanks for your info. I can not sync EastBeast to Arturia beat step pro , neither midi or clock in. besides, I turn my Moog subharmonicon25 into midi controller for the EB, The lowest note is two octave above the EB, Is that normal? or somewhere I can fix it. I wanna sync the sequence to my beat step pro

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Oscillators dont always have the same range or calibration to MIDI. It really depends on how you pitch it. Have you tried the new firmware for the East Beast - maybe that will help you - www.cre8audio.com/firmware-and-software

[@junpang4602]

@@MoltenMusicTech Thanks for your reply ！！

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Does this synth have a stereo out or stereo headphone jack? Thanks. Nice demo.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No, it’s mono

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

On the strength of your reviews I've bought this and the Cre8audio Nifty bundle this week as a kind of Eurorack starter kit to add to the Behringer Neutron I already own. Plus I suspect once the West Pest is back in stock at Signal Sounds, I'll buy that too 😅

[@MoltenMusicTech]

They are a bit moreish

[@ac3v3da]

I have been looking for something to pair with my neutron without jumping straight into modular. I was kind of waiting for the proton to be released but this is looking really nice, it would be interesting to see what else it pairs well with. What was the reverb you were using in the video? Thanks for the great content!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It was from the Erica Synths Pico DSP

[@jammystraub488]

You're going to be getting something that is more similar to the Neutron than not. If you are looking for something very different but still semi-modular, consider something like a Make Noise 0-Coast. Or see if Pittsburgh releases a more 'West Coast' style box.

[@ac3v3da]

@@jammystraub488 I thought about the 0-Coast as well. That whole trifecta of makenoise stuff would be pretty sweet. I also thought about maybe just putting together a separate modular rig that was just effects and modulation, since the neutron has so much in it as well.

[@ac3v3da]

@@MoltenMusicTech Thanks for the reply, that really is a sweet sounding verb.

[@jammystraub488]

@@ac3v3da I was thinking about this a little bit more. Staring at my rack I was struck by how the weird things that are only available in Eurorack format give me the most joy to play with. For me, that is sequencers like my Frap USTA and Make Noise 0-Ctrl. Also, Morphagene and Maths. Any of those propositions combined cost significantly more than this East Beast though. So, maybe a weird sequencer like 0-Ctrl to pair with your Neutron.

[@AndyVonal]

Lovely! Do I have to spend more money? Oh bugger!

[@midnightsocean2689]

Kinda like a poor man's moog mono synth. Very clean but the filter has great character. Very nice. If I was in the market for another mono, this would be on my consideration list for sure. Kinda wish they had released this a long time ago though. I'd be curious how well this synth holds up. At that price point, longevity would be my concern, not sound, because, honestly, this sounds way better than the behringer monos, voice for voice, IMO.

[@wanderingjuniper]

Lovely

[@makers1958]

Does this include a few patch cables (obviously, to encourage experimentation)?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I don't think so - but mine didn't come in a box so i didn't get the full our of box experience.

[@makers1958]

@@MoltenMusicTech Yeah, I guess you received one of the first units without the benefit of end-user packaging. Love your channel, BTW!

[@Cre8audio]

@@makers1958 actually yes, they come with a bag of our Nazca Noodles!

[@paullee2449]

Anybody had problems connecting a keyboard to this? Midi does not always work and will only do very high-pitched sounds (even with -2 octaves on the controller keyboard). tried using Gate-Env in and Pitch-Pitch from Keystep Pro. If I connect Velo/Mod into VCA In I get quit little pops on key-up. If I connect it to VCA/Mod I get a continuous sound. So no way to get velocity in. Anybody else managed to get it working with Voltage control?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Have you tried the new firmware? I haven't used it with MIDI much myself, sorry.

[@paullee2449]

@@MoltenMusicTech There is an option you have to hold down something else as well as the octave buttons. Cannot find it in the manual again , though. I will have to experiment next time I have it out to play.

[@amundbisgaard7295]

Thanks for uploading. In particular, I appreciated the demonstration at the end. You should always throw those in. A review becomes so much more interesting when performed by somebody who has some musical ability, such as you do. Reviews with just a bunch of weird noises and no control are not as good.

[@Si_G]

What sort of delay and reverb do you add? Sounds great.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It's the Erica Pico DSP and Stereo Delay

[@Si_G]

@@MoltenMusicTech sold! Thankyou.

[@w33dwizard420]

do head phones work in the output?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

yes, with no bother at all

[@VJFranzK]

Note that the font is like the Nintendo logo

[@jayhu6075]

What a smooth sound, how can I it recording this on Ableton Live?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It has MIDI if you want to sequence it or otherwise just plug the sound output into your audio interface.

[@jayhu6075]

@@MoltenMusicTech First thnx for you reply. So from the output it go to Ableton Live and inside I must selected a external instrument device to recognize the device. Is this correct? Which line I must use for the MIDI is this out?

[@eg4358]

​@@jayhu6075 To record it, use your interface's input of your choice, to record it to a track in your DAW. No need to "set it up" as an external device. This would be the case for a midi controller, such as Akai mpk mini, novation launchkey, etc. To sequence the synth through your DAW, you need an audio interface that supports MIDI out. You plug the midi out to the midi in on the synth, and you're ready to send midi info to it

[@atommachine]

Audio input ?

[@soysos.tuffsound]

Yup, just use the filter input jack......

[@atommachine]

@@soysos.tuffsound thankee

[@IndieAuthorX]

Give me an hour with it and I promise I will make it sound evil.

[@latashacephas7870]

3:46

[@JeffHopkinsMusic]

Interesting little guy, west beast will be cool :)

[@cecilkeebler4254]

"West Best" has a better rhyme to it ;)

[@jammystraub488]

I hope that exists or we get a new voltage lab type thing from Pittsburgh!

[@JeffHopkinsMusic]

@@jammystraub488 Richard has mentioned the VL2 a few times, said maybe end of year, into early next year from his life streams.

[@richardnicol]

Impossible. West Beast does not rhyme.

[@JeffHopkinsMusic]

@@richardnicol West Pest it is

[@stephenspackman5573]

Hm, should we expect a West Pest? ;)

[@symbiat0]

Make Noise 0 Coast vibes 😂

[@carlos_martinezzz]

I liked everything about this synth except the colors :( I prefer all my modules to be silver or black only.

[@aaronchase1973]

Make a all black or silver cover sheet for it

[@teatime2595]

Ohh aren't we picky damn

[@telumatramenti7250]

It sounds beautiful. But I have a bit of an issue with synths that just have a single envelope to work with. This one has a single envelope and a single oscillator, hence the low price.

[@Cre8audio]

The multi-tool section offers a selectable second envelope, random generator, or LFO etc.

[@JeffHopkinsMusic]

I do think combining this with their Function Junction and Captain Big'O would be an amazing value.... And solves most limitations of the single oscillator

[@soysos.tuffsound]

The multi tool goes a long way for adding extra modulation option. You could modulate the filter with the second envelope, LFO or random. LFO and random are able to sync to divisions or multiplications of the clock. So you could for instance, have the filter pulsing to 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 ect to your clock. There are a bunch of options there and it sounds really good.

[@claytonlevibrown]

first five seconds, sounds good.

[@modalmixture]

I don’t even like bleepy bloopy monosynths or acid bassline or what have you, but I have to admit, this sounds like buttercream frosting on red velvet cake.

[@PeteMOBie1]

Thanks

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Excellent, thank you

[@mindsurf13]

Dank U 😃😃😃

[@Andor.]

wow for 330€ this is crazy!

[@cecilkeebler4254]

Yep, they should sell a bleep ton of these units. The PGH Filter alone in module form would run you close to that.

[@Andor.]

@@cecilkeebler4254 Yeah totally! What Cre8audio is doing for eurorack is so great and they keep on getting better and better with each release, really exciting stuff!

[@Cre8audio]

It looks like it it’s already €255 already someplaces!

[@Andor.]

@@Cre8audio Love and appreciate everything you guys do! The nifty bundle got me to bite the bullet and dive head first into eurorack!

[@wariusgaius]

0:42 I swore I heard a human voice. Good job.

[@jacobbrown1690]

Sounds a bit like supertramp at the beginning

[@ryannbakerbeats]

I want a woman to talk about me the way this guy talks about the Synthesizer

[@Hennesg]

A pity that I really dislike cramped patchbays, I like when the patch points are near the modules they correspond with

[@michaeltristan]

That'd be the Pittsburgh SV-1...

[@Hennesg]

@@michaeltristan Or 0-Coast or Roland System-1m

[@soysos.tuffsound]

TBH, the patch bay in this case makes a lot of sense when you use this instrument in person. Makes it easy to use short cables and keeps the front panels uncluttered and really playable

[@robertsyrett1992]

Not enough knobs.

[@JeffHopkinsMusic]

I mean for the price... I don't think it's bad at all

[@enjenj6655]

Damnit Jim, it’s a semi modular desktop synth, not an adult film set!

[@BB69175]

Sounds good. Too bad about the look and those buttons.

[@sammadden5540]

EDIT: WOW got east and west mixed up, should of had a coffee before commenting 😅 I'm not buchla expert but I find it weird that something called 'east beast' doesn't have a LPG. Although to be fair as soon as I saw the title card I was hoping it could could the buchla kick thing, might of gotten myself hyped up for a different thing entirely 😅

[@MoltenMusicTech]

You've got it backwards my friend. Buchla would be West Coast as in California, surf dudes, LPGs and drugs, man. This is East Coast, all filters, New York and bagels.

[@sammadden5540]

@@MoltenMusicTech that's a big yikes on my end! I've never heard anyone go out of there way before to call a box a 'East' synthesis before considering 80% of all synths are east coast. makes a lot more sense now

[@Andor.]

its okey i get them mixed up to hah!

[@bigmanlizard7326]

wow at that price it would be rude to say no

[@tomlavelle8340]

It’s like an AI synth, it does it’s own thing!

[@marc.w.7692]

goldstück kunst

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

It's as if Cre8audio is on a quest to design uglier panels with each successive release. Their eurorack modules are great feature wise but holy hell are they... hard to look at. Surprised they haven't used Comic Sans or Papyrus yet....

[@audiocl1932]

Finally a cre8audio oscillator that sounds good. But, damn, this synth looks ugly!