Dreadbox NYX Analog Desktop Synthesizer - SonicLAB Review

[@angelos808]

given the crisis and general tax and economic scenario in Greece, these guys are going against all odds. big kudos to dreadbox for another massive machine

[@Jaysusitsme]

Kudos is also derived from Greek - nice symmetry.

[@GeorgeMavridis]

Very true indeed! These guys are doing an excellent job with their synths!

[@jacco1967]

Bought the whole Greek family including the modular stuff.They are the organic, fat sounding, unstable vcos, great filter, 70’s sounding synths. Those are the reasons people love analog synths. Thanks for the review.

[@Ss0oUuLl]

4:30 "I can also modulate this PW modulation using one of these modulators". Man that's brilliant.

[@Ss0oUuLl]

That' what modulators are for, a modulation. Also there's a question: How do we call smth being modulated, modulatee?

[@Alaska1925]

Destination. Or Carrier, in case of FM synthesis.

[@mac.rodose]

yes please, two sugars

[@annother3350]

It's the source, of course

[@studio_indigo]

It's the first time my wife said "You must buy this synth" while I was watching this video! Normally she ask why the hell I want another synth again. Thanks for convincing her (and me)! I guess I can start saving money for this baby.

[@sonicstate]

Wow, thats amazing!

[@jm6734]

Never get divorced!

[@CausaliDox]

Nick, the sheer number of synths you must've sold for so many companies over the years... I sure hope they appreciate you. I can tell you that I do. Once again, after watching this for what must be the 6th or 7th time, I've given up and given in and ordered a Nyx. Cuz damn that thing sounds good and nobody does synthreviews like you. Same thing happened with the OB-6, by the way. A big part of the reason that beast sits in my studio is because of your review. Please keep doing what you're doing. Hope to shake your hand one day! Thank you!

[@philipobyrne1604]

I have an Erebus which I exactly fits the Erebus sized hole that was was in my life before i got it. Having seen and heard this..I suspect there may be a Nyx sized hole too that I was unaware of....So I suppose I should thank you for helping me in my Quest for Completeness. Not sure my bank manager would agree

[@TheJonHolstein]

Too bad they dont put all the connectors on the top, that would free up some space on the desk...

[@redirishmanxlt]

+Philip O'Byrne - Your will to power will inspire millions!

[@gabrielmanzanedo]

Awesome, Nick! Your reaction to the reverb modulation at 22:08 is perfect!

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

I really hope Dreadbox doesn't change anything in their manufacturing process. They clearly have a great formula, no need to change anything.

[@overseasterritory8983]

Heathcliff yeah those oscillators sounds very vintage like

[@TheJonHolstein]

But they probably aren't making as much money as they would like to do. Increasing the price, to have higher margins, will likely result in much lower sales, so that the revenue wont increase, although they would be making more money per man hour.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Jon Holstein Thats very true but they might lose their signature tone, and sound like ever other analog synth on the market.

[@TheJonHolstein]

Forgot to say, that I agree. There is a risk, they won't be the same. The best choice for them might be to have two "series", one with trhough hole, one with surface mount. With different type of devices on each.

[@geecen]

Through hole components don't sound different to smt ones - they are the same thing.

[@theOHP]

Dreadbox are bringing out pretty cool synths these days. love to see this together with the Erebus. Have to see if I can test run them in my local shop...

[@RemixSample]

That filter walkthrough was very helpful. Thanks for another great video!

[@user-dl8yo3wv1t]

RemixSample fancy seeing you here lol

[@Johnboysmudge]

love the sounds during the intro - brilliant stuff

[@davidlewis1787]

Love nick's ET finger impression

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

David Lewis Hahaha my girlfreind said that about me lol. The name has stuck !! ET fingers , how dare she.

[@davidlewis1787]

Adamski Ajull what were you doing? I need to know lol

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Haha , well suprisingly i was doing a demo for my synth prototype on my channel. The finger action was uncanny at some points pmsl.

[@davidlewis1787]

Adamski Ajull Thank god.. My smut klaxon needed a reset

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

David Lewis Haha yes i doubt i would have heard a complaint from her if that was the case lol.

[@NineHellHeaven]

That was lush. Dreadbox are really carving their own niche and if they continue in current form will be remembered as one of the greats. Any chance of you getting your hands on an Abyss? Waiting for that one...

[@TheJonHolstein]

I really think they will try to send him one, but they can't make enough of them (sure they are not selling in the thousands, thousand perhaps, without the s), they are a small company, and reiviews are only beneficial for them, if they can produce more than they sell, to move the extra units. I suspect Nick might not have room in his budget for buying one for himself without really trying it out, but I'm sure Dreadbox would give him a great discount if he bought a unit that he could also do a review of.

[@VacancyOfDisco]

I spent some time with NYX and was blown away! instant gratification and found out difficult to make a "bad" sound. but I had no clue what I was doing, and I would say I'm a pretty knowledgeable synthesist. thank you for making sense of those routings!

[@chatolars]

The face at 22:09 ...

[@dliciouscrabmeat6355]

Lol, when he realizes he accidentally'd a ghost.

[@apparently_sonam]

Blindingly in-depth review. Always a good time on the nick show..Thanks

[@wax83]

Dreadbox quickly became a cult company for me..

[@lucasj7577]

been waiting for this one Nick!

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Even with the modulation issue, it's fantastic. We can just hook it up to an existing rack or to a modulator in the computer using an ES8. Very nice box.

[@PeterStuart0]

can you elaborate on that please? I have a Dominion1 with a wide lfo range. Where would one patch it to on the Nyx 'inputs?

[@kaminokai]

Thanks Nick! I just got the NYX for Christmas. Have a great New Year, and keep us educated! Peace.

[@dudedudeson6869]

Literally seconds before Nick mentioned Blade Runner, I was thinking the same thing. This thing sounds amazing.

[@Symmetry77]

the sounds out of this thing are astonishing, future classic without a doubt

[@ProckGnosis]

Great job Nick...you explained a few concepts I just wasn't getting from only reading the manual. The routing options and split filters really do open up a boatload of shaping possibilities.

[@funtimes2]

This sounds amazing but I've never had a synth before. Was going to hook this into the midi output of my digital keyboard. This doesn't look like a beginner synth but this video teaches a lot from someone who sounds like a sound engineer. Thank you

[@YomYestreen]

24:25 Listening to this end jam over and over. Would love to hear this as a full song, Nick.

[@hellcoreproductions]

Having messed with it for a few hours. the dual filter design and voice routing are probably the best features alongside the reverb.

[@GreenHoleSun]

This is probably the most interesting device made by Dreadbox, far more interesting than the Abyss, in my opinion.

[@josephmills3864]

Every drone head now wants one of these! Sounds amazing.

[@martiansonmaui1749]

Great video, Nick! I long for the day when Dreadbox makes a Eurorack version of this synth. Gorgeous sounds!

[@onceuponasynth]

Sounds lovely! Thanks for the great review!

[@patsybrady]

Brilliant review. It sounds lovely!

[@isoldeisobelle552]

I have read a lot of online 'debate' concerning TH vs SMT in regards to this synth. I now have both and would say that there is a definite difference in the sound between the two (dry and with reverb.) Of course it is subjective and neither one sounds 'better' than the other and the longer modulation time of v2 is very welcome although v1 has a certain sound to it that I prefer. Dreadbox make beautiful instruments whatever the manufacturing process.

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

owner of the Nyx, Erebus, & Hades... favorite synth company at the moment. all hail Dreadbox! i lucked out with the Nyx. i got in on a special preorder price thru synthesizer.gr back in December for only $500 including shipping. i actually sold my Korg MS-20 Mini to get it and i do not regret it for a single moment.

[@SPAZZOID100]

NEOREV find a Murmux

[@saederkrupp]

a blade runner machine? SOLD!

[@ItsMedicationTime]

Wow!! another beautiful little synth with incredible possibilities and again a sound that is distinctly Dreadbox!!

[@MathHammer]

I am watching a second time and deciding on a new little desktop synth. I agree the modulators don’t go slow enough. I guess that slow modulation is a job for an external source. Erebus or Nyx first? 😜

[@drake1011]

what sis you decide?

[@mej6519]

just gonna grab a cuppa n get comfy, been waiting for this one.

[@overseasterritory8983]

it sounds great, also could get around the speed of the modulators by patching in an external LFO etc

[@emdotambient]

The circuits are through hole components ... probably not impossible to mod the LFO for slower/faster operation...if you're into DIY

[@overseasterritory8983]

yeah also true

[@midnightsocean2689]

Great review. Very helpful. I got this synth second hand and it's one of the best I've had.

[@gronnip]

the first mini jam at the start is straight out of blade runner

[@chemosis8259]

this thing is one of the best semi modules made in the last decade. sounds amazing

[@DMC-mp9sx]

Fantastic review and demo. Great balance between content and sound. Ugh! Another synth I want! I'm getting another synth for sci-fi drone duties, and now I want the NYX too! And, I love anything that reminds me of Bladerunner. 👾

[@guaiamum8864]

Everything Dreadbox sounds amazing.

[@richnewman]

Share that last patch you created with us! Seriously, a great sound!

[@kentxx12]

What a good big ambient sound :)

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

20:05 is where this box really shines

[@Dogboy73]

Wow! Sounds amazing. I had a rotten hangover this morning. After listening to that short piece at the end I felt a lot better!!

[@sanys]

thanks a lot Nic! was waiting for this review

[@tomevans8240]

"Bladerunner Machine"

[@blushingfrieza]

SOLD!

[@ludwigkopp8130]

i usually can't stand presentations with more talking than playing. but you do this so well and appalling, it's always interesting. 👍🤖🖑

[@sonicstate]

Thanks, I think! We do reviews, which does require talking, at least the way we do them. Demos are a different thing, but we may consider doing more of those.

[@ludwigkopp8130]

sonicstate yes indeed. a demo is not a review. but either ways, you always nail it!

[@johnhorrobin8560]

LUDWIG KLOPP shud that read appealing or do you really mean appalling

[@RabbiSteve]

JOHN HORROBIN pretty sure he meant "appealing".

[@JamesStiff]

Many thanks for the excellent review Nick! I'd been looking forward to hearing your thoughts and getting a bit more detail on those complex routing options. As the happy owner of an early unit (S/N 54), I was curious to know if you could elaborate on the difference between early and later versions? I think you mentioned something about it in the pre-show chat on Sonic Talk a little while back.

[@quantumcontinuum3358]

It’s absolutely MASSIVE

[@synthanatomy]

Great review Nick :) The same moment I released my first patch with the NYX Synth :) Fantastic analog synth with a very unique character

[@sonicstate]

Thanks Tom. Nice patch too!

[@Psychlist1972]

Spot on review. I love dreadbox stuff for the sound, but they sometimes miss on the circuits around the sound. Nevertheless, I love both the Nyx and the Erebus, and lust after their modular stuff.

[@BrunoWiebelt]

thanks Nick wonderful. That was almost Bladrunner 2049 at the end.

[@antfactor]

another fantastic demo/review - as always.

[@sushijackknife8569]

That "thwhippy" (help?) bass sound around 16:33.... Good God it sounds great.

[@OscillatorSink]

When you started playing with the routing. Good lord.

[@lardosian]

So haunting sounding, brilliant.

[@kd9238]

@sonicstate How did you setup the beatstep pro to send midi info to the dreadbox? New to Arturia BeatStep. Thx guys

[@jonaseggen2230]

I got a Mother 32 and am wondering if I should go for another mother, that I know I like the sound of, or a Lifeforms sv-1, that I'm not sure about. The Nyx from Dreadbox has also a good sound as shown here, but it seems rather limited. I would like to see you or someone do a sound comparison on semi-modulars.

[@ultrabillions2208]

jonas eggen I have both and they are quite complimentary. I run the m32 or my 0-coast through the external input on the Nyx for that wonderous reverb

[@jonaseggen2230]

Thank you Ultra. I thought I had decided for the pittsburgh sv-1 but now I'm not sure again. What are the advantages for you to have the reverb in the box, or what do you do, that you can't with an external high quality reverb? Also this thing about tuning that he is talking about. do you use a tuner? And the range of that LFO, does it bother you some times?

[@ultrabillions2208]

jonas eggen I just subjectively love this reverb and it’s nice to be able to run another synth/ instrument in at the same time. There isn’t anything you couldn’t do without a different high quality reverb you love other than modulate the pre delay time. But again, this synth has a whole lot of personality and the reverb is a good part of it. I haven’t had tuning issues other than it takes about 15 min to warm up. There are 3 LFOs/envelopes on the Nyx. The modulators have depth control which is nice. When I want a slower modulation I just patch one in(from the mother32 or the 0-coast for example.).

[@jonaseggen2230]

Ultra. Tnx again for a good answer. Yes I totally get what you say about personality, where I think the vs-1 might sound a bit clinical. Nyx also sound deeper and darker, that I really like : )

[@kierenmoore3236]

jonas eggen - just looking at this myself. Was going to add an 0-Coast to my M-32, then decided the SV-1 is more me ... and now I've seen this!! What did you end up doing? I love the warm sound of the M-32, 0-Coast is a bit too edgy for my liking, but want something a * little * edgier than the M-32 for contrast (which the SV-1 seems to be). This Nyx seems even more like the M-32 than the SV-1 ... (warmer)? The reverb is nice ... :))

[@rikhardmellin120]

21:54 blew my mind.

[@grproteus]

This + Deckard's dream would be a dream to hear.

[@phobicrobtic]

This would be good for film scoring

[@agauerm]

I agree it should have a slower modulation range, your range switch idea is great. Think I'm gonna wait for a V2 of this synth with some more implementation.

[@robertomandozzi4746]

Is this mashine always on the marquet or anymore ? thank you for an answer sir and thank you for your relevant contribution presenting this product.

[@PeterStuart0]

a lot of the drawbacks of the Nyx can be solved with other Dreadboxen like Erebus and Hades with a couple of patch cables.

[@boombap08]

How do i midi connect my erebus to microkorg? Also its not producing any sound. Am I missing something?

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

SO Phantastick sounding - i cant decide if i like my Eerebus.v3 better !

[@joacimwennerberg8310]

Yes! I now have one! 😀

[@michaellyle8769]

Thanks for saving me from reading the manual again, Nick. Love this little synth.

[@patkelly3966]

Respect to Dreadbox. Life ain't easy.

[@laxiton]

I am not sure of I understand the reason of the unison switch on the inside. Can't you already get that from setting the front panel?

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

THERE IT IS!!! 03:44 "GERTH!!!!" LOL

[@musicgalaxy8832]

Truly incredible

[@dman030]

ha.....Nick is trying to avoid saying "pulse width modulation" lol awww....come on Nick.

[@projectnemesi5950]

Fuck yeah. This is a lot of power in one little box.

[@SwissMilk0]

yep, that's always a good thing!

[@MsrAlaindeFerrier]

Love this gorgeously different

[@Angelstarscotland]

Oh no........ Bought an Erebus in January...... temptation temptation setting in....... great review Nick

[@meccanised]

can see the LED through Nicks fingers, crazy

[@jasonbeatty831]

That reverb tho.

[@techpsy]

Great review Nick, as always. If you could do Dreadbox Murmux v2? Would like that. All the best!

[@SPAZZOID100]

techpsy he cannot FIND one.

[@acadams5]

Excellent as usual, Nick!! Are you disappointed that this one seems to be a bit more niche-y than the Erebus?

[@livelooper]

Many thanks for demoing how it sounds reverb free. ...ahh, some of the time ;-) . Analog synths don't need reverb, they sound amazing without.

[@SlowHymntv]

surprised you didn't just hook it up to the eurorack and send it a nice slow lfo, it's compatible isn't it?

[@reginaldbraithewaite5833]

Ultimately, which is Mr. Batt's favorite Dreadbox, the Erebus 3 or the Nyx 2? Which, for that matter, is *your* favorite?

[@charlesdilks3267]

*Turns around* Me?

[@alexanderscott6332]

I need help! The Erebus, the Nyx or the Abyss!!?

[@VicViper26]

As much as I want this, now that they've announced an Erebus V3 with a huge patch bay, I really hope they make a new version of this guy with a similar patch bay. ...or maybe just put out another Murmux.

[@craZivn]

“It’s a Blade Runner machine...” SOLD!

[@MrBothandNether]

What an excellent review, very helpful. I do wish that You would play much much much much much longer at the end, though. Thank You..

[@isoldeisobelle552]

Did the neighbours also ring up about this one? That crucial detail is what will make or break this synth's rep...

[@sonicstate]

Not this time no, though I thought they might, lots of rattling things in the studio when it gets down there.

[@stuartchapman5171]

Hi greetings from Breezeblock Beats. I love simple great sounding analogue synths. I know I can get a decent unbiased review on this channel. Although there is some complexity going on with the routing, the sonic payoff is worth it. The two main reasons I'm going to avoid this are, that fast modulation rate!!! Sonic State, no, it's Sonic the freaking hedgehog, lol. You mention it being through hole, are there possibilities to hack that modulation? The other reason and this is a massive bugbear of mine. I'm an experimental electro accoustic artist. I will give fx a hot signal from time to time, just as yourselves in the synth community. It's really frustrating when you find an affordable delay or reverb that can't handle a hot signal, in this day and age when the percentage of non guitarists using pedals is increasing, it's unforgivable. I'm always looking for a smallish sized, stereo, if possible, affordable reverb with long if not infinite tails, oh and no menus. You design the great reverb sound, bung a few in a box with a few knobs. I don't want a menu and have to program the algorithm myself. I think the MXR300 is next on the reverb shopping list. Apparently it has a massive headroom for really hot signals, and an internal dip switch for TRS stereo in/out action. Keep up the great reviews.

[@donk4304]

"It's a Blade Runner machine". Sold!

[@Pulse2AM]

Too much for my feeble brain but it sounds great!

[@iffconsulting]

Is it possible that the little peak in the wave form are there for better triggering the reverb?

[@frankhamill9507]

is that scope Bitscope? if so, can you run bitscope without their hardware? i thought they required the hardware and software package to run the program. anyone?

[@vileguile4]

Wow.. that reverb.......... and all the modulation..the filters....... gah..! #need

[@hairychris444]

That does sound fantastic. Pity about the modulator speed though. But... if you have another LFO source (from a modular, for example) will that route to all the parameters that the internal modulator does?

[@TheJonHolstein]

They are routed to the VCF and Post, in differnt ways, both of those exist as inputs on the front panel. The Mod Root selector would not work.

[@VTOLKits]

Nick's NYX with pwm.