Dreadbox Nymphes // First Impressions

[@SacSynths_Jack_Z]

People seem to over think the "synths must be stereo" idea. Unless it's a Super 6 or Ob-Xa, etc. where you get real stereo and not just "dual mono/stereo only for chorus", it's not that big of a big deal and even has a few advantages. We're all running out of mixer/interface inputs anyway ;) Great video as always!

[@JorbLovesGear]

Very true, understanding stereo implementation in synths helps a lot. Cheers thank you!

[@bukkaratsuppa6414]

Black corporation's Kijimi is a great sounding VCO polisynth, and it has a single mono jack for output.

[@xfghffhfg]

i agree about over thinking the stereo on this one but it is a little odd considering it has a "reverb with mono out", most analog synth's with digital effects does have stereo out... but analog stereo synths can be great, almost all dave smith instruments have voice spread/pan spread, it is much more than just sending modulation to the panning, not to mention the evolver series or the prophet x that can do completely stereo. many mono's do that too, like the impulse command and the matriarch... but i guess this is not what most thinking about...

[@jamesmeeker6933]

Stereo can be a nice option, but synths should be mono 90% of the time. Unless, of course, you want a mixing nightmare.

[@matthijsblomjous3671]

the main reason the prophet 5 is such a legendary synth is because it was mono. you have to double track and stack, so that sparks creativity. also it doesn't clutter your mix up as much

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

This little beautiful is screaming for a phaser pedal.

[@audreyazwell]

Daammmnnnn that filter!!!! 😍 I'm watching this between customers sorry for all the different comments

[@bukkaratsuppa6414]

Hey Dreadbox, Can you do this for, like, twice the price, three times the size, two oscillators per voice and NO shift layers, as in, every function having it's knob? Thanks

[@JorbLovesGear]

Yes please!

[@xfghffhfg]

yes it will be called abyss2. don't know about "the knob per function", i prefer to have a more complex synth for it's size but i'm with you on all others

[@galifettetv1238]

And built in effects from the Typhon!

[@bukkaratsuppa6414]

@@stephanrewind Not in that features/price niche. I can only think of MFB Synth Pro, but its founder and main engineer chose a really bad time to die of cancer, so they stopped production and no one knows if they ever resume. Other than that it's just Behringer, but none of their new polysynths are on the shelves yet, and their design is loomed over by oldfag icons, rather than being incepted no strings attached, like this dreadbox is (or the MFB). All the rest (like OB-6) is a bit too expensive. Way more than twice. Or sounds dull, like the UDO Super 6. And still is expensive. So yeah, despite the lenghy musicstore lists, today isn't the best time for synth lovers to be short of cash.

[@dancarter5595]

A more logical comparison might be to the Deepmind 6, which is also cheaper.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Good point!

[@NunyaB1s]

Got mine from Thomann today for ~$500 shipped. This can do things a Juno can’t just by listening.

[@err4071]

I have a few Behringer mono synths and they sound fantastic. but i was very disappointed with the deepmind's sound, i have had Juno's in the past and it just doesn't sound like a 106 its not creamy and lush and the bare oscillators sounds grungy and thin with hardly any bass, and the effects are implemented weird and sound strange especially the sends. pitty really because the build quality is actually ridiculously good its like a tank. the Alpha Juno is a miles better alternative if you want that Juno 106 type sound and sounds far far superior. I am not just being a synth snob here its a good first-time attempt from Behringer but its nowhere near as good sounding as their mono synths and you will be disappointed if you listen to the people who praise it for being a synth which is supposed to sound like a 106.

[@kiko1935]

The menu is giving me Roland SH-32 flashbacks. I think I get how they were able to make it so affordable. But it does sound great.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Sh32 is on my list of inbetweeners to get, would love to try one!

[@ManCalledMif]

Great review and demo. Pros: sounds great; small footprint; deep sound design potential. Cons: menu diving, DeepMind6 (or deepmind12 desktop) is probably better for a similar price.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Wrapped that up real well, good stuff!

[@galifettetv1238]

Having own both, I have too say that the Nymphes' filter is waaaay bettern than the Deepmind's

[@Rompler_Rocco]

I instantly love this thing! It's the perfect blend of a volca, a Juno, and the cover of Trans Am's 1996 debut album... I'm leaving stupidly specific comments again, aren't I 😔

[@JorbLovesGear]

Well described! 😂

[@CalTN]

Express yourself (cue breakbeat)

[@michaelpierce3264]

bottom line it sounds really good!

[@StephenMcLeod]

I want one but I must not have one.

[@StephenMcLeod]

I failed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bojMqY2ciKmCepo

[@JimmiG84]

Love the form factor of this synth. It's perfect for my small space, and the fact that it's mono is also a plus since I'm running out of inputs anyway, and I don't mind using plugins like VVV or Blackhole for reverb. I just don't think I need this since I've already got a DeepMind 12. The big difference seems to be VCO vs DCO, but does that really matter when you've only got one oscillator so you can't get that thick detuned sound?

[@JorbLovesGear]

Yeah, lots of shared ground with the dm. And I don't think vco vs dco matters enough to make a decision, RELATIVE to any other aspects of an individual synth. Form factor, price, etc

[@xfghffhfg]

well, they don't sound the same and this can be a very important factor.

[@alexandrosliarokapis227]

pro tips: Using CCs you can get complete modulation, also LFO 1 is actually 6 LFOs, one per voice. The interesting thing with it is that if you select KEY SYNC they can get out of phase. Velocity source also works per-voice so you can for example have velocity change the LFO rate and then have each voice's lfo independently change it's rate depending on the assigned voice's note velocity.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Ahhh, I excited to see the midi cc's in the full manual. More tricks is good!

[@JorbLovesGear]

Manual is out, doesn't look like reverb parameters are mod destinations, just cc's 🤔

[@alexandrosliarokapis227]

@@JorbLovesGear My bad, they are not in the mod matrix. Will take note.

[@audreyazwell]

I will say you left one guy out in the "synths for this pricerange": the behringer deepmind 6 module! I'd say that's this things only real competitor. And let's be real, the deepmind dosen't have the beefiest of oscillators, so I would have to assume these 6 voices are gonna sound better than the deepmind 6 voices. Any thoughts on that as a fellow deepmind user? Edit: when you pause to drop a comment and it's sort of addressed in the video like 10 seconds later lmfao

[@JorbLovesGear]

😂

[@PaulGBass]

There is no Deepmind 6 desktop (module)...The 12 comes in keyboard or module, the 6 is keys only

[@JackHamill]

Jorb, thank you for this video! I have a Sequential Take 5, do you think this synth would be a good companion to add, or can the Take 5 do everything the Nymphes can?

[@MrHihowryou]

I would pick this up in a heartbeat if it has a screen similar to Typhon's.

[@JorbLovesGear]

That would be major, I do agree

[@pthomas36]

Thanks for the great video! That reverb has a very distinct character doesn't it. You were saying plate, but my first thought was spring. It runs somewhere between the two I guess and it's a very pleasing, unique sound. I've been waiting for a replacement for the Abyss, which this isn't, but it's probably going to drag some money out of my wallet anyway.

[@skrapadelix]

Sounds good but I far prefer the raw sound and form factor of the Abyss. Hopefully the Abyss 2 will follow in the new year.

[@alexandrosliarokapis227]

Abyss v2 won't be happening any time soon due to Chipaggedon :(

[@mopesca]

Maybe, just maybe this is a testbed for Dreadbox to see if a bigger 6 voice synthesizer with more controls would be successful. Already a great, fair priced synthesizer!

[@JorbLovesGear]

We can only hope!

[@galifettetv1238]

​@@JorbLovesGearone day a nymphes felt in love with a greek god named Typhon. Then a newborn came, with 6 voices of polyphony, a big section of effects, a screen, and a stereo output.

[@Heavy_Distortion]

Sweet crispy sizzle. Of course we would like to hear the synth. Save your voice for lovely song.

[@reallyoldcob]

love that chorus pedal but when you set left and right to mono the chorus completely disappears 🙀

[@Oljekrisen]

How is Nymphes compared to dreadbox Telepathy

[@legitimatefrenzy]

I love how you wanted to get rid of your 6 voice synths then you get the nymphes lol

[@JorbLovesGear]

😂😅The vintage guys all do really similar jobs. Plus, I need to cover the cost to me. Lmao

[@audreyazwell]

Very glad to see you tinkering with one of these, it's had my interest for a bit now

[@Ya_parker]

No dread here when Jorb uploads 😇

[@JorbLovesGear]

🤣😂🤣😂

[@Ya_parker]

@Orka wya

[@blimolhm2790]

wow slap it on top of the ax-73 next to the pot plant and stack it!

[@JorbLovesGear]

Oooooo it would fit right there

[@lunalangton5776]

I heard what you hear on the envelope on another demo too. It reminds me of the Alesis Micron, it also does that... Hearing that from a real analog synth is interesting. Makes me wonder if it was intentional on the Micron. Thanks for the video, Jorb!

[@JorbLovesGear]

Yeah it is interesting. I would bet the envelopes are digital, though. Cheers thank you!

[@theyouthbigs]

ｎno need talk we are musician need sound

[@lyh1]

I like the form factor and it is analog poly, but I prefer MegaFM or JP08 way, most parameters are on surface for sound design.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Would love to try a megafm, seems really unique

[@thepedalpress]

Noise could be USB power. There're many discussions about which wire to clip of the USB cable, "the black one... no! the red one...." I got a Radial JDI and lifted the ground of the audio out and that eliminated the noise. (Might be a place to look, just in case this is still an issue.)

[@andrij.demianczuk]

I get a little bit of artifacting from my Black Corporation Kijimi. It’s just a quirk I’ve also learned to live with and when recording, it gets masked in the mic anyway too.

[@HaythemMusic]

"considering where these can fit" 😂😏😏😏

[@JorbLovesGear]

its high key impressive, what can i say. lmao

[@PhrygianPhrog]

The song of the nymphes is beckoning me. nnnngggggg!!!!

[@JorbLovesGear]

HEED the call

[@New_Zealand_Music]

Thank you very much that was a great video. Sonic state were right, this can sound a bit like an old Juno. I have the Typhon, I have a feeling that this is a polyphonic, more tweakable version of that. As I can hear Sonic similarities. What is your opinion sir? Does this have a hardware testing function like my Typhon please? And there's also excellent videos like yours to help us learn. Ooh, nice pedal. I had a bit of noise. But when I started using my computers surge protector and power conditioner it helped a lot. I thought this would have a display like the Typhon.🤔 I check my cables and power supplies regularly. But you wouldn't believe out of the 15 USB cables I have, all have ferrite, everyone except two, failed the grounding and shield test. I've tested $50 cables in shops and they've failed ( another potential source of noise issues). Gosh I wish I had an oscilloscope 👍

[@JorbLovesGear]

Cheers, thank you! Typhon effects & menu style give it so much of its own feel, but I see what you're saying. I don't have enough hands on time up compare raw sounds. Oscilloscopes are cheap! Anything with auto triggered channels can work for synth viewing.

[@New_Zealand_Music]

@@JorbLovesGear thank you I will keep an eye out for an oscilloscope. I'm completely pedantic about looking after my technology. Thank you very much for your feedback it is thoroughly appreciated. And I love seeing waveforms, heh.. don't get me wrong I do put time aside to come up with my own sounds. It's just my job as a music therapist gets in the way, but that's ok. No stereo chorus, I had no idea. Typhon is probably the same. I've got like 5 chorus, pedals, two rack units and a couple of mixing desks. So, workaround:-)

[@K.KILLORAN]

Imagine if this had the Typhon effects

[@New_Zealand_Music]

@@K.KILLORAN absolutely that would be perfect I want one I'm too. Dreadbox make such Cool Equipment. I'm such a music Geek lol

[@Somewhere_sometime_somehow]

@@K.KILLORAN wouldnt be surprised if that surfaces somewhere in the future. It would be a huge selling point for a mkii. Sinevibe fx and stereo out.

[@istvantoth7431]

Waow, amazing little synth indeed. Yeah, unfortunately Dreadbox synths are famously noisy. Ppl have to make the decision I guess.

[@TheParanoidAndroid79]

What is this? A 6- voice poly synth for ants? Sounds great and I'm not a-scared of a little menu diving. Got one on the way from Thomann US- $422 shipped.

[@vincenzoaquila167]

Nymphes with the Ibanez… this is exactly the setup that I was considering since the Nymphes doesn’t have stereo out

[@vincenzoaquila167]

Also the Noire et blanc intro 😂

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@vincenzoaquila167 is it? 😁

[@vincenzoaquila167]

@@JorbLovesGear great, super detailed video as always. I’ll be waiting for your take on a hydrasynth explorer review sometime next year if you’re still considering getting one ☝🏼

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@vincenzoaquila167 I've got one pre-ordered!

[@vincenzoaquila167]

@@JorbLovesGear oooh yeah, I hope you’re able to cover the build quality of it, I heard it’s not the same as the desktop (?) and that’s why it’s more affordable (?) It looks solid regardless.

[@robertsteinberger5667]

Besides the many pros, I hear some cons are a lot of menudiving and it goes out of tune sometimes

[@JorbLovesGear]

Shift functions do lead to a few mistakes, but I've had no issues with tune, really

[@valdir7426]

really curious to know the LFO min and max rate; it's nowhere in the manual (and since it can track the keyboard could you do FM ?)

[@Frozirra]

I’ve been wanting this so badly, I don’t know what ima do when the abyss mk2 comes out. Btw when I was trying to sell my Typhon I found out that the first batch of typhons have red fill in the faders instead of white because they were supposed to have a firmware update where you would be able to have them light up and control them apparently

[@JorbLovesGear]

Oh interesting, didnt know there was a hardware revision. Would love to try a typhon!

[@metrictongues1709]

Thanks for exploring some other sounds on this, I had same thoughts as that commenter. I am sure they had limitations with this size, but seems like they would have been better off with the filter cutoff all the way to the right or left? Maybe it's not as bad in person but looks like a tight squeeze trying to manipulate without touching any other sliders. Considering that is the slider most likely to be used while playing at the same time for most people.

[@JorbLovesGear]

It doesn't feel that tight, to be honest, plus I'm used to the pinch lmao 🤏

[@Somewhere_sometime_somehow]

Does anyone know if this thing sells well?

[@JorbLovesGear]

I see plenty of em! but no idea for sure

[@morganwebster6636]

Cool video. I have my Nymphes coming tomorrow. Stoked.

[@bigmanlizard7326]

wish that reverb was something a bit more interesting like a crazy chorus or analogue delay or something dont get me wrong it sounds pretty good but so do all of my 6 pedals and countless plugins

[@JorbLovesGear]

Have to agree, not that it sounds bad! But there are really really interesting things it could be

[@audreyazwell]

+1 on loving the way it looks

[@wavesequencer]

It does look very cool, can't help thinking they should have just kept it even simpler as knob per function only.

[@orka268]

Now this is a synth.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Now THIS is pod racing

[@sammadden5540]

I think it's a lil cutie

[@JorbLovesGear]

Biggest selling point tbh

[@PorchBass]

The sliders on my typhon are already working poorly, look ot

[@JorbLovesGear]

Yeah? Contact Cleaner help at all?

[@PorchBass]

@@JorbLovesGear wiggling them will clean them but it can still be hard to get 0 or full travel... There is no felt or brush on the case to stop ingress of crud Does this have usb noise issues? High pitch intermodulated noise from the regulators that spills out the slider cutouts?

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@PorchBass not that I've noticed!

[@ahiddenoddity]

@@PorchBass FYI Dreadbox recommends a splitter to cut down on USB noise

[@defjeff2907]

I'm addicted to your channel now Jorb. Nymphes with Korg Nts-1 chorus and reverb has me jamming pads all day!

[@timdailey2690]

17:27 TArdis

[@JorbLovesGear]

I dont know anything about doctor who so thank you

[@JulioAvalos3000]

I think that one of the advantages of this synth is its easy-to-use controls.

[@ubiquitousreverser]

I find with people discussing voices and mentioning the Minilogue XD as only having 4. Notes yes. Voices, you get 3 voices per note, where you do get 6 notes on the Nymphes, it’s technically 2 w/the sub osc so it sounds like 2 per note. Love it though. And thanks for plugging the pedal in for those who would otherwise, not be so grateful. It is a sweet synth. I’d take it over the deepmind. Midi CC and the p-locking via my octatrack allows me to modulate via CC control over parameters so think of that as a limited LFO killer if you use that type of control over it.

[@JorbLovesGear]

I think many would consider that terminology backwards, since you can have many distinct pitches(notes) play with a single keypress, and we consider that a voice. It would be great + the octatrack!

[@PC0067]

Software for edit on pc?

[@JorbLovesGear]

Nothing bespoke, although anything that uses midi cc could be configured to work.

[@diegob6729]

Tim Shoebridge did an editor!

[@huntergalloway3944]

Man these look so COOL! Dat verb doe. All at 1.2 Volcas. Congratulations on the disco!

[@JorbLovesGear]

🙏🙏🙏Cheers!

[@bernardodelatorre5243]

Great vídeo!!!

[@wavesequencer]

Whilst not true analog, another option in this form factor would be the Boutique JX-08 (or JU-06 - but that's only 4 voice) - some nice tones from the Nymphes - and understand they are boutique, but don't agree price point is particularly amazing unfortunately.. menu system would drive me nuts :) the reverb here sounds quite metallic - that modulation of the reverb size sounded like the 'Tardis' in 'Dr Who' :).

[@dzman1976]

Hi Jorb - I have this unit and I love the sounds but I'm experiencing quite a bit of ground noise. Is that normal? I didn't really notice it in your demo so I'm not sure if maybe my unit is busted?

[@JorbLovesGear]

How are you powering it, sharing usb audio with anything in the hub/pc?

[@dzman1976]

@@JorbLovesGear I have it attached to a USB hub that also has multiple other synths and controllers attached to it as well. Is that was causing the issue? I tried connecting it directly to my computer though and I was still getting pretty loud ground noise. Maybe my computer is just not strong enough to power all the synths and Abelton push I have attached?

[@dodgingrain3695]

A deepmind is a better value. I find Dreadbox stuff rather limited and the interfaces could be nicer looking, I feel they have gone in the wrong direction post Nyx. Right now a deepmind 6 goes for less at sweetwater.