Donner Essential D1 // Beating the Budget - review and demo

[@pablowentscobar]

I'm sooooo happy these companies are working to make electronic music affordable and really lowering the barrier to entry. Some folks hate it, which is insane. Now you can spend a few hundred dollars and get a dawless set up and It sounds great. Go on youtube and you'll find people crushing it with a couple Volcas, or a cheap 303 clone, Behringer VS mini, a Korg NTS-1, Bastle Kastle, etc. It's incredible what you can get now. Great demo Srarsky, This is quicly become my favorite channel. I've been going back and binge watching all your old videos, very relaxing, You and Jorb have very chill voices. Thanks.

[@NonExistingLibrary]

The simplicity and sound captivated me, I think that's what I'm looking for, I'm just another subscriber 👍.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Your HR-16 reminds me of my entry into the world of electronic music composition with my beloved MM-T8. I loved doing MIDI patch changes on that sequencer while it was playing, usually sent to my Alpha Juno 2.

[@sock_park]

Elektron Model: Samples is also a contender at this price point. Thanks for the video, I was definitely curious to hear this machine!

[@EBHawellsGames]

Modal: Samples or even Cycles is a clear winner imo. If they drop the price down to $200 I could see it being very worthwhile. And Donner actually does have excellent customer service, despite the low priced, every time I have needed them.

[@unclemick-synths]

Quirky but seems like fun. Good review 👍

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Just bought one of these on Ebay having run screaming from the Novation Circuit Rhythm as I can't deal with the geography of its pads ...and my colourblindness. I hope the colour coding of this is as simple as it looks. THUMBS UP.

[@_thevaporz]

I'd go for a used Akai MPC One for ~$400 instead. But Donner make cool stuff, their electric guitar kit is insane value snagged a 'refurb' model for $80 off their ebay store that was basically open box, no scratches or any signs of use. Gig bag, tuner, strap, extra strings, picks, and mini amp, everything you'd need to get started. Check em out

[@natanvance]

Donner should do an update to be able to set the sliders to pitch ala sp1200, then this thing would become a game changer.

[@StarskyCarr]

That’s a great idea

[@christianthompson1473]

​@@StarskyCarris that not you showing levels on the faders at 3.30?

[@StarskyCarr]

It is… i had to record this a couple of times (often happens when cameras play up etc) so sometimes I forget which take I demo’d something.

[@VacancyOfDisco]

4 gb of samples is pretty beefy! Great little thing to load up with samples from gear you may not want to bring out to a gig. How long can the samples be? Like could you fit a backing track on one pad?

[@StarskyCarr]

I’ve no idea. It doesn’t state any limit. But I’m not sure how you’d play one over a 16 beat loop unless triggering manually and holding over a number of bars?

[@olegstovs2624]

Hi, man. Thanks for the exploration. Can I use midi controller with this Donner device? Just for guitarists is it good?

[@StarskyCarr]

Yes you can

[@hooch8395]

it sounds good 🙂

[@The.AIPerspective]

Does the D1 has other instruments beside drums? Instruments like piano, synthesizer?

[@olegstovs2624]

Can I change patterns, songs ... with the footswich in midi controller?

[@DankePlace]

Rock paper scissors. Donner Beats Kebab!! Drops mic.

[@ShlomirBareket]

I"m on the fence about the Uno One on the Donner D1.. I basically want vintage drum sounds and preset beats for reggae riddims.. I know the Uno does it, but does the donner import the preset riddims like the Uno? The Donner has better output and interface i reckon.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Haha, I had a DR110 ...I used to call it my "drillo" :-)

[@kalabiband]

I picked up one of these for 140 pounds on eBay, it's a fun bit of kit :) I've had a Modal:Samples and wasn't that keen, all the controls and pads felt wrong to me.

[@ConfusionTrip]

Is there a way to have multitrack outs? Can't find that info anywhere. Usb?

[@olegstovs2624]

What the alternative between devices under £200???

[@burundukh]

Hello. Can I output the Kick to a separate channel? For example, headphones out/

[@StarskyCarr]

Maybe left and everything else to the right would work.

[@txetxubmx]

Great video, this b1 works analógic without daw? Without pc thanks

[@StarskyCarr]

Yes… but you need a computer to upload the samples once they’re in it’s completely free standing.

[@txetxubmx]

@@StarskyCarr a ok so i upload the samples and then i only need the power and the monitors? Thanks.

[@StarskyCarr]

That’s correct.

[@txetxubmx]

@@StarskyCarr oh really thanks, i Will buy one to get my full económic set with Korg monotribe Volca drum Volka fm2 Donner b1 Does the donner Sync to the others? I see that he has the Sync output. Could you recomend a mixer for all that? Really thanks for your time. Maybe a mackie? It Will works all together?

[@paradoxstate5018]

🙄🙄 I'll carry on using my SR-16 and wait for the Behringer RD78, sorry Starsky those rhythms just grated on my ears and brain, couldn't finish the video.

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha fair enough!

[@paradoxstate5018]

@@StarskyCarr I don't know how you coped.

[@andrewstanworth529]

Fer a while, I thought that was broccoli on your desk. 😂

[@StarskyCarr]

What makes you think is isn’t 🥦

[@christianthompson1473]

I always keep broccoli on my desk. Just in case😮

[@herberdth]

I love their kebab too

[@fakshen1973]

3:00 "Mono only" Thank you Donner... I'm out. I don't want to be a party to this.

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

interesting

[@funkmachine6420]

What's not to like, cheap way of having all your classic drum sounds in 1 device

[@EverettDudgeon138]

No song mode...ugh

[@sqwook]

Nice! It's Andy Warhol

[@StarskyCarr]

Hole as in holes

[@StarskyCarr]

That’s a tangential reference to David Bowie’s Andy Warhol btw… fun fact - I did my A level art dissertation on Andy Warhol

[@sqwook]

@@StarskyCarr I knew you'd take that the right way, Thanks for your vids Stars!

[@djkanyon]

Hate to sound like a broken record but let's get this straight... 300 something USD is not affordable for a very limited and basic device like this. Donner B-1 was affordable, this is not. Everyone can buy Volca Beats\Drum AND Volca Sample and get more functionality. This Donner thing is almost the same price as TE KO2 which is absolutely insane. Donner thinks ppl will think twice choosing between Teenage Engeneering and them? Well good luck... Not hating on Donner - their B-1 is a gear of a decade for me and i already have two! - just stating the very very obvious.

[@DankePlace]

All you ever do is complain.

[@travellogger5080]

Fair.

[@danielelston7457]

Better option would be a Novation Circuit

[@noizekiller]

TE KO2 costs x2 more than D1.

[@danielelston7457]

@@djkanyon better off buying an OG Novation Circuit or a Circuit tracks. I run my Circuit with my Korg Monologue. It’s a great sequencer too.

[@Estica-Live]

It makes me wonder why waste time with this product.....