How to make deadmau5 PLUCKs! Behringer Model D vs Pro-1

[@2112jonr]

You're putting out excellent content ! What I like : Concise, explained clearly without obscuring the synth whilst showing what you're doing, and intelligent commentary that makes sense. What I don't like: Nothing ! 🙂 Keep up the good work, I can see you easily being able to carve out your own synth channel niche. Quality.

[@DistortThePreamp]

Really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment (twice!). This is a new channel and I'm still finding my feet so it'd really helpful to get supportive comments :)

[@jamesbaynton1881]

Same as above, keep it up.

[@NathanChisholm041]

For plucks in trance house etc I prefer the sound from my Pro-1 but I love the sound the Model D puts out as well! Its so smooth and rich...

[@StopTryingSoHard]

The Pro One envelopes were 3310s. (The Pro One and Prophet 5 were basically CEM platforms + a microcontroller, so 3340 VCOs, a 3320 VCF and 3310 ADSRs. It's the Prophet 600 that had the interesting digital envelopes and digital LFO. The fastest EG though belongs to the mid to late 70s Rolands. I think the System 100m's 140 module has the the fastest usable envelope generator. (Some later Rolands have a bit of a resolution issue where you go from too long to just clicks. If you haven't tried a Poly D, you probably owe it to yourself. It's even MORE Model D and yet still doesn't lose the OG's character - vs something like a PolyMoog that does (or more it has its own great character that's too different.)

[@NathanChisholm041]

Very nice work mate. I just ended up buying the Pro 1 Pro 800 and a Model D and bought a three tier stand for crazy nights jams. It's a blast...

[@DistortThePreamp]

@@NathanChisholm041 that is an amazing combination, and all a body needs! Have you got a drum machine?

[@NathanChisholm041]

@DistortThePreamp Yeah I've been using a Polyend Play for drums and beats. It's not really a drum machine but does a good job plus I can add other parts for a full on jam outs. 🤟

[@DistortThePreamp]

@ That sounds fantastic! Let me know if you post anything!

[@NathanChisholm041]

@DistortThePreamp Keep up those killer sounds mate 🤟

[@retrogamingxp]

I personally own a Pro-1 and I'm still learning the ropes, specially the mod matrix. I'm glad I found your videos as I honestly don't see much content around Pro-1 that shows how it behaves. Mostly it's just random blips and blops. And you fairly comparing it to the Model D is another great thing that further helps understand the process of sound design. Not to mention your content is very pleasant to watch. Cheers!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you! I was making sounds on my Pro-1 yesterday and it really is a fantastic synth!

[@craigwood8862]

Love this video. Well done on the emphasis on “small things matter”. I have managed to recreate both sounds using the Arturia MiniFreak - and the knowledge of the filter ramp in the Phophet1 version the Moog style was the key. On the MiniFreak it’s also possible to dial in fast (unashamedly digital) envelopes as well.

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you! And that’s really interesting. I don’t really mind digital envelopes. Really think the ‘debate’, if there is one, is about analog controls (ie physical knobs, sliders, and buttons) rather than analog oscillators. I would always recommend that people learn their hardware backwards and, in my experience, even the cheapest synth can sound great if you can dial in sounds with your hands. Really appreciate you watching, and the interesting comment :)

[@ChrisMills-AmbientSpace]

The gated ducking sounds amazing. I love how it sonically locks the bass and percussion together.

[@DistortThePreamp]

It really does. It’s an old trick but it totally works and it’s relatively unusual these days to do it with hardware :)

[@therealmattmann]

I already have the Model D and it's fantastic.....and, thanks to one of your other videos, I finally ordered a Pro-1. Great videos, btw!

[@DistortThePreamp]

This is amazing!

[@fraserjaxx8208]

I have both and always favoured the Model D as it was my first but after following this video the Pro 1 has come to life !! New follower here mate, cheers.

[@DistortThePreamp]

Oh fantastic, I’m so please! I also found the Model D easier to get on with at first… for some reason the Pro-1 took a little time to ‘reveal itself’. Really appreciate you watching and commenting :)

[@analogholic3651]

Super cool video! Actually the Mini is as fast as the Pro 1 when it comes to the attack...but the mini suffers at the decay stage...for "snap"....where the Pro 1 is way better. Even then, the Pro 1 envelope still feels linear in shape which is noticeable when doing really fast arpeggios...I will have to go modular to get what I want regarding this...

[@tommyfeinstoff]

Love it. Immediately followed the channel. Cant wait for more videos.

[@DistortThePreamp]

That’s very kind and completely awesome. Really appreciate you watching and commenting Tommy :)

[@panos3246]

Thanks a lot for this video! You are doing a great job explaining these stuff!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you so much! So please you like the videos :)

[@panos3246]

@@DistortThePreamp You got some of the most "to the point" videos out there ... Really! And by the way the algorithm seems to work great. Yesterday when YT recommended a video of yours I went to a discord channel with some synthwave nerds like me to tell them about you and YT had already proposed your videos to them too! So I wish the best for the channel!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Oh that’s fascinating! There’s a discord channel that knows about my videos?!?!? Three months ago I had about 50 subscribers.

[@streetdoghanoi]

Thank you I really enjoyed this, looking forward to more from your channel dude!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you!

[@michael7018]

Watching this cause there’s one available for cheap in my neighbourhood. Looks like I can tune in some 80s bass wonders or Berlin school seq. with this thing and some fun. Thanks for the overview.

[@DistortThePreamp]

Oh yeah, I would say so!

[@PeresD]

Brilliant stuff !

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you! Sorry if the dialog is a bit hard to understand at times - this was an early video and I didn’t have my process sorted out properly!

[@yannikmarcus9788]

just saw this. amazing channel!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you so much! 🙏🙏🙏

[@pitherh8059]

Quality content - liked & suscribed!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Awesome! Very much appreciated! As a matter of interest do you have either of Model D or the Pro-1?

[@pitherh8059]

@@DistortThePreamp No I don't but I do own a few monos - my recent catch is waldorf's pulse 2 :)

[@DistortThePreamp]

Oh that’s an excellent mono! Let me know what you’ve got just in case I’ve got any of them so I can plan the most appropriate content :)

[@andivax]

Amazing demo

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you so much! I'm currently in the middle of making a video about a really weird guitar sound. Either people will love it, or my entire audience will leave 😂

[@johnghadimi]

Really enjoyed this video. And I totally agree. The envelope is what gets the job done. Would love to see the Serum settings to compare. BTW, please share some info on those knobs. :)

[@DistortThePreamp]

Excellent! I’ll definitely make a very short video on the Serum settings, and look up where I got the knobs!

[@jjaffee]

Subscribed! Great work! Enjoyed this very much. Thank you

[@DistortThePreamp]

Fantastic! Very much appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment :)

[@rick49]

Great demo! How did you colorize your knobs?

[@DistortThePreamp]

I got replacement knobs from eBay (I think, maybe somewhere else?) The main reason to use custom knobs is so that I can easily see the settings in a photo which is how I do my patch recalls. And the colours really helped when I had them mounted much lower in the racks. Too many black knobs and you end up changing the VCF attack when you’re trying to ride the filter 😂

[@UchtdorfBLN]

New to your channel since today. like your explanations very much,

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you very much! Appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment :)

[@CaptainProton1]

Should have done a version with the Pro-1 running cv out from its ADSR into the Moog VCF CV In to see how the Pro-1 ADSR sounded controlling the Moog

[@DistortThePreamp]

Interesting idea.

[@-KingOfKhaos]

What the Pluck!!?!?!? That sounds awesome!!!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you so much! The original title of the video was “What the Pluck?” 😂 Other titles included “Pluck yeah” and “Go Pluck Yourself” 😂😂😂

[@-KingOfKhaos]

@@DistortThePreamp 🤪😂

[@-KingOfKhaos]

@@DistortThePreamp Deadmau5 was the first EDM artist I had accidentally listened to around 5 years ago scrolling through Apple Music one day searching for something that wasn’t hard rock or heavy metal, and I landed on one of his tracks… and it was the pluck, the swell of the filters, and that nice steady 4/4 kick drum that had me instantly. And I haven’t looked back since! I immediately invested in synths and plugins (I already had Logic Pro from guitar recording session) and also being classically trained on piano I figured it wouldn’t be too much of a challenge to cross over into synths… and as you are likely laughing at my ignorance right about now, yes, I couldn’t have been more wrong lol… I nearly gave up a few times trying to learn this new music language that was completely foreign to me. Sure the keyboard 🎹 was familiar enough, but that’s where the similarities ended. Seriously it’s channels like yours that really help folks understand concepts in a very easy manner. It’s truly appreciated! 👍🏻

[@DistortThePreamp]

That’s almost exactly the same for me. Did you switch from Logic to Ableton btw? Or stick with Logic? I’m also classically trained and assumed EDM was all ‘easy’ and ‘trivial’. I hadn’t really understood EDM before I discovered deadmau5. His music gave me the same emotional experience I got from more traditionaly structured songs. I can’t remember the first thing that I heard but it might have been The Veldt. I’m a huuuge fan. EDM structure is very interesting, especially the way he does it. As I’m writing this I’m realising that I should make a video comparing his song structures to Beatles-like song structure. He often has a second half which is a development of the first but cordially different. A good example would be 4ware or Imaginaty Friends. BTW I’m currently collecting questions to answer. This is important because I need to do a lot more videos and answering questions hopefully won’t take me 60 hours to cut together 😂 Question form is here forms.gle/x2bnJeVJYouZnGZ97

[@claymorecuts87]

Glad i bought a Pro 1 now. Class video

[@DistortThePreamp]

Oh amazing! Did you already have the Pro-1? It’s a GREAT synth!

[@claymorecuts87]

@@DistortThePreamp yeah - had it for a couple of months now!

[@DarrellNorton-gq2ic]

Only came across your Best first synth video yesterday. Thats got me subscribed to your channel already 👍. . Not even bought a synth yet ( just waiting on a house move at present) but i will definitely be getting hold of a D to get me started down the rabbit hole. You have a great format. Keep up the good work ✌️

[@tommyheron464]

Great video man. Ive subbed immediately.

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you!

[@dnch]

dope, would love to see what you can do with K-2

[@DistortThePreamp]

I would too. All I need is for Behringer to lend me a K-2! 😂

[@niclaswelander4509]

great sound on these,it depends on the mood you are in...end result is good

[@DistortThePreamp]

That’s very well put. It totally depends on the mood one is in!

[@therealmattmann]

Is there a chance of doing a video on how you have your Squarp Pyramid setup to work with your synths? I just got one and I'm still struggling to wrap my head around it. I keep going back to my MC-50 because I understand it....but I really want to use the Pyramid. Cheers!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Hey - thanks a lot for this comment. The Pyramid is amazing but it takes a bit of getting used to. Or maybe a lot of getting used to. There are also a few ways to use it. When I’m working on real productions (rather than doing KZbin speedruns) I use it in a slightly different way. Let me have a think about how to do a video…

[@darrellsmith5710]

Lovely stuff, cheers

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thanks Darrell! Glad you enjoyed it! This is a new channel so I’m still figuring out how to make content, but thanks for watching :)

[@simonjefferytaylor]

Cool.... I'm gonna try and get the same thing running on the modular using maths and /or PEG for the envelope

[@simonjefferytaylor]

Maths....smashes it... PEG not quite

[@Rattus9000]

Good stuff mate.

[@DistortThePreamp]

Glad you appreciated it!

[@Sonikbytes]

I prefer pro-1 for the EDM based music and model d for older traditional electronic music. I would like to see pro-800 vs pro-1

[@DistortThePreamp]

I think that’s a good call! The Model D is a bit ‘heavy’ for tracks at 128bpm with a lot going on, although I still use it for sub and pedal bass. A comparison with the Pro-800 would be interesting. A lot of people don’t realise that poly synths sound different on mono bass lines because the notes are allowed to overhand. Really appreciate you watching and the comment :)

[@nichttuntun3364]

​@@DistortThePreampThe Pro800 has a monophonic mode. 😊

[@johnmcguire1792]

​@@nichttuntun3364Yeah it does. Great wee synth.

[@emperorgongs2834]

Just discovered your channel. Well presented and informative. Could you advise where you purchased your coloured knobs, I think they will be a great aid for this beginner.

[@DistortThePreamp]

Hey - I’m so sorry about this because I’ve had a lot of people asking the same question, but I can’t seem to find exactly where I got them from. I think it was eBay but it might have been direct from a supplier. What I would say though is that they’re a standard D fitting. Unsurprisingly, the pots used by Behringer are a pretty standard size, and the knobs shouldn’t be too hard to source. I think I had LOADS of options, but I had very specific needs: I wanted them to be coloured so I could colour code the sections logically, and I wanted to be able to read the setting from a distance. The stock knobs on the Pro-1 are okay, but the Model D has authentic knobs which are basically impossible to read in a photo. Awkward, because photos are how I store my patches!

[@GeorgeSoloist]

Nice, what is the sequencer?

[@DistortThePreamp]

I’m using the Squarp Pyramid! It’s discontinued now but I really love it.

[@whistlemusic8572]

Chappers eh hahahah. Looking at getting my first synth . I think the model D is the winner. Would love to see more tutorials. Really love the flow of your videos

[@whistlemusic8572]

Would also love to see how you route / build the drums

[@DistortThePreamp]

A lot of people have been concluding that the Model D is the better choice, even though I tried really hard to keep it balanced 😂 Thanks for your very kind words. I’m currently prepping two ‘tutorial’ style videos - one about advanced Duran Duran style arpeggios, and one about 80s synth bass. Really appreciate you watching, and your comment :)

[@DistortThePreamp]

No problem! The drums in this PLUCK video are just my 909 (clone) sequenced from my hardware sequencer. I don’t remember if I even separated them out but I would probably have separated the kick so I could balance the level using the input trim on my interface. However, there’s a trick that I explain in my video about Kick Ducking kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5vUgWpmiJWrq6csi=4pznH8wi_I-mZ4lX Basically I route the synth through a gate set to ducking mode, and use a trigger key that’s a short, sharp sound but is programmed to be the same as the kick drum. Other than that there is no compression, no eq, no daw processing - it’s all the magic of analog :)

[@OOF_MUSIC]

Superb vid!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Thank you! I took a video break last night and tried to make plucks on some of my other synths - total failure. Not all synths are created equal, and not all can do everything ;) At some stage I should do a quick video showing deadmau5’s Serum settings (a couple of people have asked). It would be a very quick video as you can dial it up in about three clicks lol

[@bernyboss]

What about the vintage pro one? Have you ever tried it? What about its envelopes? Are fast as the behringer one? 🙏🙏🙏

[@DistortThePreamp]

Yes! The vintage Pro-1 is exactly as fast. Famously fast in fact. I strongly suspect that the Behringer clone is using digital envelopes to achieve the speed cheaply but that doesn’t matter at all, and certainly doesn’t make it any less analog.

[@bernyboss]

@@DistortThePreamp now I have to find one… 😅😅😅

[@Mark-ec3lp]

@@bernyboss When I picked up the Behringer Pro 1 I sold my showroom condition original Sequential Circuits Pro One. Servicing the old equipment is a nuisance, parts are expensive, if they can be found, and there is no real money in music production the way it used to be, so why invest a lot of cash when instead a clone can be bought for a fraction of the spend, is more reliable, and comes with MIDI and USB, smaller space used. I made side-by-side comparisons for days before deciding that the Behringer sounds so much like the original it's almost impossible to tell them apart in an A/B dry flat EQ test.

[@RMVibes]

I work with Serum as sound designer and I will get one of these analog synths soon.... I thhink the Pro-1 had a sound very close to Serum ... All demos i listened from Pro-1 made me though: I can get this on Serum quickly .... But in other hand , The Model D have a different flavor ..Am I wrong ? Help me hahaha ... I think i will enjoy more the model D.

[@DistortThePreamp]

That’s a difficult question. First let me say that, although I no longer make any sounds in the box, I used Serum for many years and IMO it’s the best of the best. There are so many sounds you can make with it that are pretty much impossible with conventional analog synths due to the sheer number of modulation and LFO possibilities, not to mention it’s FM capabilities. And that’s before you do things like use Serum’s envelopes to modulate or sweep its FX parameters. However, there are a couple of primary ways in which Serum struggles to get an ‘analog’ sound. The first is extreme resonance which is very hard to model digitally without artefacts. The second is that it’s quite clean sounding because, well, everything is in tune. There are some ways around this like putting drift on a load of parameters but, really, who’s got that kind of time and energy! Having said all of that the main reason that i prefer physical synths to soft synths is that turning knobs and sliders with both hands is more of a ‘profound’ experience and it’s far easier to dial in sounds. In terms of which out of the Model D and Pro-1 you would enjoy more, it may well be the Model D which has a thicker sound. Although it can’t do pulse wave modulation, or oscillator sync, or crude FM. But, if you were prepared to spend more and you had the desk space, the absolute best analog mono synth IMO is the Behringer 2600. I discounted that in my ‘Let me choose your first synth’ video because it’s more money and not small. However, given that you’re a sound designer, you might appreciate the 2600 which really can do everything.

[@RMVibes]

@@DistortThePreamp Thank you so much for the detailed answer !.... I will take a look on the 2600 now .... and also, Behringer just released the Model 15 , I am just waiting more reviews and demos to also consider this one lol

[@hansmuller1980]

" sounddesigner" 😂

[@stergiost.6246]

nice video!have you tested behringer kobol?it sounds very punchy from the demos ...

[@DistortThePreamp]

Really appreciate your comment -- I haven't yet but I plan too. I'm currently trying to make a load of videos where I make patches by patching between the Model D, Pro-1, and Neutron. The famous Gary Numan 'Vox Humana' patch will be first which involves one of those synths 'borrowing' LFOs from both of the others. Plus I have to use a homemade DIY inline attenuator which is fun. So many videos to make....

[@rick49]

No DAW? What are you using as a sequencer for this demo?

[@DistortThePreamp]

Ah, the Squarp Pyramid! It’s the black box above and to the right of the keyboard :) I still use daws for recording, editing, and mixing, not not for writing and basic arranging. I have also entirely abandoned soft synths because I prefer the workflow of hardware controls :) Really appreciate you watching, and the comment!

[@rick49]

​@DistortThePreamp interesting. I have 2 hardware synths, and haven't done much daw work. I'm pretty new at this, so I'm still trying to figure out my workflow.

[@MattTravelling]

Love the details, thank you. May I ask what was the analog drum machine in the backing?

[@DistortThePreamp]

Ah, that’s the Behringer RD9 which is a clone of the 909. It’s an excellent machine because, not only does it sound great, it also has very good midi and trigger outs. I use it a lot when I want ‘that sound’.

[@GeorgeLocke]

High quality. The world needs more pencil mustaches.

[@DistortThePreamp]

Hahaha! I'm currently without it because I kept bursting out laughing when I looked in the mirror! Really appreciate you watching and the comment :)

[@GeorgeLocke]

@@DistortThePreamp too bad. Strong Mr. Higgins energy. Not that that will help with the hysterics...

[@DistortThePreamp]

Hahaha! It may well come back…

[@Mclennnan]

Embrace all things Behringer!

[@DistortThePreamp]

Exactly! All things. The build quality is much better than people seem to think. And having used a lot of the old vintage gear, it’s really nice to have a unit with modern midi that doesn’t keep breaking down 😂

[@hotfirecaster]

Thank you for this very interesting video ! I sold my Pro 1 two years ago. I will by one again ! 😎😂

[@DistortThePreamp]

Haha! I was using mine yesterday. It’s a very solid piece of kit!

[@Dad_In_The_Box]

Where did you get the coloured knobs for the synths? Don't they come with black knobs as standard?

[@DistortThePreamp]

That’s right - they do come with black knobs. I think I got them from eBay but the real reason I did it was so that the settings would show up on an iPhone photo of the patch. The Pro-1 buttons are okay but the Model D are shiny with a dot and their impossible to read at a distance. And the colours was because I used to have them mounted lower and I needed to see what I was twisting in a dim light. I thoroughly recommend them!

[@regenbogentau1361]

Great video! But the filter slopes are not different, both have 24dB!! Its the Cutoff range and the envelopes that mostly differentiate the filter sweep sounds.

[@_B.C_]

Didn’t Deadmau5 use an access virus for the pluck?

[@DistortThePreamp]

Ah no - it was all Serum. Although by 2016 he was often doubling it with analog from his modular setup. He’s a very close friend of Steve Duda who wrote Serum and deadmau5 actually contributed to some UI ideas. It’s a ludicrously simple preset, and one of these days I’ll get around to making a video about it. My productions are taking waaaaay too long at the moment… sorry about that. In the meantime, let me describe it: start with the default Serum knit patch. Set an LFO to 16th notes, or alternatively have an envelope with about a 16th note length. Map that to the cutoff frequency of the LP filter. And that’s the sound. He tuned the curve on the LFO a bit so it’s not exactly linear, but that’s it. It takes 10 seconds. And sounds amazing.

[@masslongo]

Ladder filters drops the bass

[@DistortThePreamp]

Yes it does. Quite severely. You can somewhat compensate with a volume push but not really. The Pro-1 filter also drops the bass, though less so. I think the only analog filter I’ve got that doesn’t drop the bass is a Steiner-Parker. They all sound different. Of course sometimes it’s really handy for the bass to be dropped…

[@bernyboss]

What about a ms-1 / sh-101?

[@tommyfeinstoff]

How the ducking?

[@DistortThePreamp]

Ah - all done in hardware using a Drawmer DS201 gate set to ‘duck’ mode! If you’ll forgive the self-promotion, check out a video I made called ‘All Aboit Kick Ducking’ :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5vUgWpmiJWrq6c

[@MadelnMachines]

I always think Arp are good for plucks

[@DistortThePreamp]

Arp as in Arp 2600? Absolutely. Then again, that synth can do pretty much everything. The *only* thing not to like about it is that it’s a bit big. Other than that, I would probably consider it the Rolls Royce of mono synths :)

[@MadelnMachines]

@@DistortThePreamp That and the odyssey

[@LFOVCF]

You are a pleasant plucker

[@DistortThePreamp]

Yes 😂 Other title options included ‘Go and pluck yourself’ or ‘Oh pluck!’ You are literally the first person to comment on this single entendre.