Erica Synths Perkons FIRST LOOK & JAM

Here's my first video with the brand new Erica Synths Perkons! Have been waiting almost two years for this to be released. Received it last week so haven't had much time with it yet but I wanted to share some sound demos with you.
Enjoy the video and don't forget to subscribe for more :)
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[@Davemech]

Courses, sample & preset packs: davemech.live/shop

[@MrThecarrott]

The fact the first we got the Pulsar and now this in the last couple of years??? These 2 drummachines will stay with us for so long. Actually, the best drum machines ever made.

[@Davemech]

Yeah indeed! I hope to get pulsar one day as well. Great for experiments :)

[@michaelkonomos]

OH man, I think that this is the ultimate percussion machine. The sound is just killer. I feel like this is an instrument that people will still be using 20 years from now. Truly a work of art.

[@Davemech]

I completely agree:)

[@Kablehead]

I like that you take your time with the machine before you do a full review. Unlike most other youtubers who don't know s#!t about the stuff they're reviewing. :) Keep it up!

[@Davemech]

Will do, thanks!

[@louisk4435]

Wow this sounds incredible and love how it forces you to organically evolve a song…beautiful

[@philip7505]

The demo I’ve been waiting on. Thanks

[@climate_control]

I bought Perkins because the lively beat in this video is so cool! I tried to copy the parameters, but I can't seem to groove like you. It's very difficult. Respect! I would love to see a video someday, such as a paid course, that teaches the patterns of Perkons rhythm sequences.

[@Davemech]

Thank you ❤️ yeah what you can’t really see is parameter locking and modulation usage. and things like shuffle settings. Basically try to use everything that can move things more and find the sweet spots :). Have been getting more questions about a perkons course so I’m really considering it !

[@gman1010]

@@Davemechdid you ever create a course for this?

[@Davemech]

​@@gman1010currently working on the dogitakt Ii course. Not sure a person's course will be of interest for enough people to make it worth while to create. I'm going ro send out a poll yo my mailinglist though to see what courses people would like to see next. So if you can, subscribe to my mailinglist through DaveMech.live 👍 cheers

[@gman1010]

@@Davemech Thank you

[@tubeyouricky]

Great performance, especially after a week!

[@tubeyouricky]

Would you recommend a DB4 to pair with the Perkons? Or would the Grandfather be a better match?

[@stahllabs]

thanks for proving that a decent demo is actually possible, good tweaking action!

[@Davemech]

Cheers :)

[@lefunghi6151]

The fact that you have sends for each voice is what really sold me on the Perkons. I could just run it into a vca or filter on my modular and and modulate it there, giving me even more options. Also just the possibility of running it through my own FX pedals without having to go through an interface or daw first is great. The Pulsar is a bit too much for me, but Erica have just nailed it on this one.

[@Davemech]

Totally agree !

[@RedMeansRecording]

Sounds legit good. Banging.

[@Davemech]

Cheers Jeremy:) yeah it's a techno beast of a machine

[@MarcoPolux]

Great! I want one! GAS is here again! 🎹

[@TuddYT]

I'd really love to see your deep dive/review of it! Even though I just ordered one because of this video, it pushed me over the edge hahah

[@thisfred]

Love the sounds and the variable track length in the sequencer.

[@Davemech]

Yeah it's nice. And different play modes

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

Wasn’t expecting much and ended up loving it! Nice patterns and what a lovely piece of gear.

Just love these raw jams!! An amazing instrument in amazing hands!

[@Davemech]

Thanks a million dude. More of this coming up

[@mikealien7393]

jesus i love the color they gave to it

[@am5790]

perfect sound retro 80s and 90s pure techno mayhem

[@machineagevoodoo2106]

pure 80s techno mayhem...?

[@am5790]

@@machineagevoodoo2106 yes...the raw and straight forward nature.

[@_DRMR_]

Now that's a proper techno machine.

[@sprk]

That kick, I can listen all day to this flavor. Nice jam. Hope to meet Perkons sometime.

[@Davemech]

Thanks. Yeah very flexible drum voices so all sorts of kicks possible and they sound huge.

[@elekktrikk_home_video]

Looks like it could survive an EMP. Great investment. Great sound. Thx.

[@Davemech]

Yeah, it's a tank. Thanks!

[@SURCOlive]

Great video Dave! That machine sounds amazing in your hands. Can’t wait to give one a try. Thanks for the always awesome content!!

[@Davemech]

Thanks Surco!

[@AgentOrangeTheDJ]

Great job!

[@Davemech]

Thanks mate! Already recording a few tracks with it :)

[@mindseyerobot]

beautiful machine, reminds me of the sound of the korg er1 mk2 just with extra fatness and a lot more $$$$... I look forward to one day buying the digitakt sample pack from you:)

[@rossginn5333]

industrial greatness

[@audioreakt]

Sounds really good 😱

[@burn_after_reading]

Sounds amazing!

[@just-ask]

Great work!!!!

[@MrIbidule]

It's look like very fun to jam with this machine and sounds are.... techno. Thanks

[@-vincentvdg5748]

jam #2 goes harddd

[@viDUBla]

Best techno drum machine since the 909

[@Davemech]

Definitely

[@andyskinner7163]

Brill as always Dave 👍🔥🔥🔥

[@maikrobin]

Great jam Dave! Blastin´out some heavy shit!! This thing is a weapon in your hands!! ;)

[@Davemech]

Thans mate! ❤️

[@rodrigolaporte274]

WOW, probably the best sounding video I've seen with the Perkons. Very cool!

[@Davemech]

Thanks dude :)

[@rrrobart9]

Uh… I think I’ll wait for HD-02. Just kidding! Great demo man I loved it. Can’t wait for more of these. Been 🤤 since superbooth 21.

[@Davemech]

Thanks! Yeah me too. It has such a powerful groove to it

[@michielblanken7921]

That the 7:09 pattern!!!! 😎 Would love a sample pack for Digitakt!

[@Davemech]

Thanks! Yeap will happen :)

[@alchemist.D]

Wo. Nice track man

[@paulhellings]

Must be great to play with :)

[@aeko]

9:20 - track is sick man

[@christopherpederson1021]

Yea, i hate techno, but this is SICK

[@Davemech]

Thank you ❤️

[@ogasi1798]

hey hey it arrived 🙂

[@Davemech]

Woohoo! Enjoy :)

[@NevilleHayfield]

I want one 🔥

[@darkeldarblade916]

Great jam.

[@Davemech]

Thanks :)

[@ConsoleGlow]

Even sparen nog. Maar deze is geweldig.

[@MaleInMarchMusic]

Damn I want that shit

[@Kkidzz]

I was going to buy a Perkons….. now I’m going to buy some pants.

[@Davemech]

😂

[@sawtooth808]

I’ll go see which body organs I don’t need.

[@Towly263]

cool!

[@FrankNobelMusic]

this is forsuuuuure the best presentation of this drum machine.. Everyone else makes beats out of rythm or just bad patterns with horribly bad sound design and I’ve just thought this is a total shit machine. But after watching this it makes total sense and now i’m terribly upset because I don’t want to spend more money, and now i might have to

[@FrankNobelMusic]

They should give you this machine for free, because who ever gets paid for demoing these machines should be de compensated and they should hire you to do these videos. This video will earn erica a lot of money for sure.

[@Davemech]

Thanks for the kind words Frank :)

[@InFamousProductions]

you got your ?!! I'm hoping mine will show up any day.Great little jam. Is it really easy to figure out? I've watched the tutorial vids, but it's not very helpful until you have one in front of you to learn on.

[@Davemech]

Thanks! I've read the manual a few times and there's multiple useful things in there that otherwise would not be obvious. Other than that it's intuitive yes :) it's more or less all in front of you

[@radpix]

He did read the manual and tra out things b4 ! As havin only ? 4 Tracks it sounds richer, but shurly I will add some more tracks thru Midi with e.g. Jomox alpha base 🤩

[@Davemech]

Of course. I read manuals even before purchasing stuff ;)

[@mickvever38]

nice !!!

[@christopherpederson1021]

You can’t really go wrong with that kick.

[@dzaxys4643]

Distortion sounds nice these

[@peladoclaus]

Dope!

[@Tony_Tyson]

Thanks Dave now I want one 😥

[@Davemech]

I wish I could say I'm sorry 🤷🏼‍♂️😉

[@cl1xor]

Nice, BD sounds a bit like a jomox kick.

[@aristotlekumpis7095]

Fun to jam with. I think an Analog Rytm would do the same for half the price. Or even an Analog Four.

[@Davemech]

In what way would they do the same? (I have both). Analog 4 is pure analog so no algorithms like Perkons has. Perkons is more about performing having all the control at your finger tips. Makes it limited in some ways and deeper in others

[@_adrienmccarthy7473]

So buy those.

[@SonusVolvebatur]

Love

[@bloopbleepnothinghere]

After having this for a year or so do you find the sound palette is limited? It has a very distinctive sound which I like a lot, but I feel like it might get a bit same-y over time. I guess I am asking if it still inspires you.

[@Davemech]

I still love it yeah. The cool thing is that you can always route individual outputs to further process then. Which opens up another world of sound. Also: a 909’s sound palet is even more Limited and yet people still use it a lot. I just roll with it and see where I can take it. With the lfo and movement recording , parameter locks etc. You’ll be surprised what comes out of it sometimes 👍

[@bloopbleepnothinghere]

@@Davemech Well you've done nothing to help my wallet. I hope you are happy with yourself 😅 Thank you for all your wonderful content and the thoughtful reply. I guess I am resigned to getting one of these eventually. I'm a sucker for drum machines.

[@falk3nn]

savage 🔥

[@x0d-live]

This and a Vermona Perfourmer and I'll need a new desk. Massive

[@Davemech]

Oh yeah the perfourmer with this ❤️ such a beautiful synth that is

[@jfphotoandlife8287]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@user-gu1yg9tg5m]

Top

[@rhythmguild4333]

I was gonna buy an Analogue Rytm MK2 but… this is now my next purchase.

[@Davemech]

😃 be aware though that the sound palet is a lot more narrow than rytm and you only have 4 voices. But yeah, perkons is very very very good

[@rhythmguild4333]

Well then! I guess I’ll have to buy both. I’ll just cancel retirement. 🤭

[@Davemech]

@@rhythmguild4333 live now, worry later 😄

[@Iron883NZ]

I’m just waiting for mine to be sent to NZ … if you haven’t already brought the rytm .. consider matching it to the four :)

[@rhythmguild4333]

@@Iron883NZ You’re triggering my GAS something bad. 😆

[@karimkhadiri8522]

I don't know, your video is awesome but it still feels kinda limited in its sound capabilities. I don't care about the analog/digital divide, but the price tag feel injustified when you can get a new analog rytm mk2 for 500 euro less. Maybe the more interesting comparison would be against Pulsar 23, which feels way more versatile. What do you think?

[@Davemech]

Better to put in line with things like a 909, 808 etc. It's a very versatile drum machine with groovebox elements. Not really comparable to a rytm. Pulsar is also very cool and certainly versatile, but not as hands on and quick to perform with as perkons. They all have their place

[@ivayloivanov3744]

Small companies can't afford products with competitive prize. So they have to bet on boutique style and innovation.

[@Roland_Tr909_Swing]

Like an 808 with some synths bolted on

[@Davemech]

Haha yeah. And 909 on steroids

[@Duplanmodular]

9:00 !!

[@DJRickDawson]

nice jams! what makes each voice? oscillators / samples?

[@Davemech]

Thank you! Digital voices with different algorithms going through analog filter and analog overdrive :) . The voices are a combination of techniques like wave folding, wavetables etc. And one of the voice 4's algorithms contains a very nice HH sample that you can control in various ways. Almost sounds like it can morph between a hihat and a ride. Maybe it's a symbol actually.

[@xparis001]

00:41

[@universalvibe72]

ELEKTRON’s Syntakt, much better all the way around. Slight advantage to having knobs on the deck. 4 voices = underwhelming for 2k and supply issues. Lost respect for Erica. @Dave Mech love the channel. Great insight.

[@Davemech]

Thanks. They are not at fault. It's a world wide problem because of chip shortages. Believe me that they are probably pulling out their hair because of this issue. Regarding syntakt vs this, they are just way too different to compare imho :)

[@Neddlysan]

Ya know...I've been looking for a drum machine.. lmao

[@ZETONEproductions]

Sounds massive .. Question , is it possible to automate parameters such as filters effects etc .? Cheers

[@Davemech]

You can motion record all the voice parameters including the switches. Also parameter lock them. Not the master section though.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I wish that it had 8 voices and tracks to compete with Rytm and MFB drum synthesizers. But 2k for a four voice drum synth is a lot of cash when a cheaper Elektron does more better.

[@Davemech]

Perkons is perfect the way it is. More would not be possible with this type of intermediate interface. I’m an elektron lover. It there’s no elektron that has such a direct one knob per function interface so it’s not really a comparison. Both workflows simply differ way too much :)

[@wallacekresowaty7450]

Can you send a midi clock into this machine?

[@Davemech]

Yes

[@amnesiakboy]

Kicksass ! ❤️ But bass and mid range sounds not good enough for me. :/ Anyway, great demo, as usual! Thx 🙏🏻 that’s huge job! 👍👍👍

[@Davemech]

Thanks! :) I only received it last week so don't blame the instrument for that ;). The sound of perkons is great imho. Will take a bit of time to get the leveling right in different situations etc.

[@andremiller1566]

Vampire music 😂😂

[@Davemech]

Yeap 😅

[@1031ent]

I hate the fact 99.9% of all synth demos are techo. Doesn't anyone use synths for music besides techno?

[@Davemech]

I do actually. But this is really a techno orientated drummachine

[@roseb4453]

Synth Module or Drum Machine?

[@Davemech]

Drum machine first an foremost but thehoices are pretty flexible a you an set them up to infinite decay = drone

[@earlsfield]

It is amazing device, but too privcey for 4 channels. It has also contenders in Pulsar 23 and similar.

[@Davemech]

What determines that it is too pricey in your opinion? We have no idea of the R&D costs involved etc. Pulsar also is 4 channels and more expensive :). Then look at the vermona perfourmer. Bit cheaper but no sequencer. So imho the price range is not very surprising for a boutique product that is unique when it comes to its functionality.

[@earlsfield]

@@Davemech Valid question, happy to answer. So lets start with the fact that Erica is butique manufacturer and is on the somewhat pricey side. I have performer, 4x pure analogue paths. I have many other polis and monos, and I love grooveboxes. Tempest is 1.5 for instance. AR can be found for 1.3 to 1.1 (I am talking £). Both are 100% analogue machines. Dont get me wrong I WANT this machine since I first saw it. I used samples for loopops superbooth track last year, and was totally stunned as it is a device I would add to my arsenal of quirky stuff, next to Machinedrum. The only reason I am saying it is pricey, is 4 channels with digital oscillators. I see the point in those, they make perfect sense, as you get various options for customizing your channel. It is IDM (hate the term but you know what i mean) groovebox, 101. But I cannot reason to spend 1.7-9 k on it, unfortunatelly. Pulsar seems to be able to do all that, plus more. but again, two different machines. I really want Perkons, design, buttons, controls, everything is totally according to my taste. The only case I am making regarding the price is - Pulsar and Vermona Perforumer are analog devices, while Perkons has digital source with analogue path, as far as I have understood, please correct me if I am wrong. Simply those digital oscillators are cheaper than analogue ones. Would you pay 3.6 k for Prophet 10 if it didn't roar the 100% pure analogue sound, and would sport digital waves instead? I mean, not saying this or that is better, just looking at the price. I would get Perkons tomorrow if it was 1.2k which I think would be fair to price it.

[@Davemech]

@@earlsfield Thanks for clarifying. Hardware is only a small part of what makes up the price of an instrument funny enough. There's R&D, Design. testing, lots and lots of trial and error , manufaturing tests etc. You can see how this is a much bigger part of a price point. Now also consider the fact that each digital voice contains algorithms that are carefully crafted and designed to work within a specific range to make Perkons playable. This not only requires code writing but also a lot of testing obviously. Then consider the amount of ADDA conversion that is happening from digital voice through analog filter and overdrive. And the ADDA conversion that happens to the digital BBD emulation. And then there's the sequencer and its operations (something the vermona does not have at all. Try to add a sequencer that has the functionality of the Perkons and add that to the price of purchase). To top it off, consider the fact that chip shortages also have increased the price. Something a pure analog device is most often not influenced by. Hope this helps explain why it's not just simply a multiplication of hardware because analog components mostly are cheap as nails. Pulsar would probably cost a few hundred bugs if you just calculate its hardware component cost. It's all about the stuff that I described.

[@earlsfield]

@@Davemech I understand and I can agree with rhe better part of what you are saying. This device has been delayed anyways because of the chip shortage, so yes there is that. R&D, legit. I never said digital = bad and cheap and analog = expensive and good. I have many hybrid machines I love, starting with Super 6 and I would never want those FPGA oscillators to be analog because the WAY they were programmed. But Super 6 justifies the price for me, while Perkons still falls on the expensive side. Again - I mentioned two flagship machines - Tempest and AR - both older, granted, but much more versatile and application - friendly. I might get Perkons, dont get me wrong. Just wondering if we are paying a bit over the top. I have many of their modules, Zen Delay, Syntrx. I love everything they do ,from sound to aesthetics. Ah regarding sequencer - maybe I am at a wrong here, but Blast Beats have more less the same sequencer (and I am not saying that because of the button shape). Dont think that played much in a price. Anyway, hopefully i will ping you in few months with a shiny blue baltic machine.

[@Davemech]

@@earlsfield Don't know. I don't think it's over the top for what it is. It's not cheap, that's for sure. The sequencer afaik is unique in that you get 4 rows to sequence each voice at the same time plus it doubles to change multiuple sequencer related things per voice at the same time, and modulation etc. It's not unique in the basic sequencer functions it has which are similar to many other sequencers. But it's the way its implemented and the workflow with it that is unique. And of course that adds to the price :) R&D is most often the thing that takes by far the most investment initially. And then designing, coding etc.

[@jamesharrison5004]

Nothing I can't do in Reason.

[@Davemech]

👍

[@Android-Zen]

You can twiddle knobs in reason? That's the fun part.

[@lucasbrasil4650]

far too expensive for what it does.

[@Davemech]

Depends on how you look at it

[@lucasbrasil4650]

@@Davemech you're right... 👍

[@Mark-vs5xx]

Volca drum Is Better.

[@Davemech]

To each their own. Incomparable imho.

[@Mark-vs5xx]

@@Davemech 2000 € for 4 voices. Ridicolo

[@suntzu6122]

put some effects on it :D

[@Davemech]

Well of course ;) point here was to showcase its raw sound