I Owe the PO-128 Megaman an Apology

[@davidgood840]

No, Capcom owes Mega Man an apology.

[@returnofthegoth2220]

So glad you came around on this device. The Megaman is the PO that made me realize just how versatile these little machines could be. Combining the Megaman with my NTS-1 is a delight!

[@wiggesobk]

That's true!

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, those two can produce some beautiful music together!

[@MilkT0ast]

The po 133 streetfighter version pairs really nicely with the po 128 megaman.

[@joeeverton7019]

It was helpful to see your workflow for entering the melody. I like that much better than dialing each step in with the knob. Thanks for sharing that. You mention it's not great for live performance... I thought it was marketed as _the_ PO for live performance (or at least it's relative, the PO-28 was)! I think it's just the live sequencing that's broken. When I saw the title for the video, I was hoping it was because you'd found a fix, workaround, or explanation for that one. That glitch is too bad.

[@FreeBeat]

I meant it's not great for live recording your melodies in haha, not performing. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffryarchambeau5441]

Just re-watched this now that you have 24,300 subscribers. You've come a long way, and POs are still good!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks!

[@miskatonicuniversityavclub202]

Sound 8 with no vibrato and timbre knob all the way down is my favorite on this thing I think. I got this one, 2x tonics (long story) and a ko so far like 2 years ago n just stopped using em after a couple months bc I got a native instruments midi controller and needed to work on playing catch up on guitar bc I played for over 10 years then didn't for almost 10 and been back at it 2 years now and recently have rediscovered how much fun these guys are!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[@drywallco-l5o]

Have you tried turning the swing all the way down when putting in a live pattern? I've found it quantizes a lot better when it isn't trying to place dotted notes. I also never realized it had a built in mixer for the lead and bass lines- thanks for pointing that out!

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah I've tried everything haha, it just doesn't work well. I believe it was a subscriber who pointed out the mixer feature to me when I first got the 128, it really goes a long way and helping to finish tracks on the PO itself!

[@drywallco-l5o]

@@FreeBeat I messed around with it a bit more after my comment, and you're right, it's really not much better. It's too bad about that, but still not a dealbreaker for me. I love the sounds out of this thing, and the creative possibilities.

[@timothydubin6748]

I think a great feature is changing the key by holding the pattern button and adjusting the left knob. I use it all the time as a lead synth running through the NTS1 after seeing the video you made. Also it’s great for sequencing bass lines in any key.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah it's an awesome feature for quick navigation of keys! I hope every pocket operator has it going forward :)

[@Hipbydesign]

Both videos were great. Wish I could just watch a video on track making in general on this one as I was like 👀 watching you make that track which was awesome btw

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@MilkT0ast]

I have both the po28 and 128 And the biggest difference and worth the 30 dollars, is that the 128 can play two notes at once

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, being able to actually sequence in both melodic lines rather than only play the lead live is really nice!

[@robysanto2761]

Every video I watch your number of subscribers goes up! Get that 10k brother!!!

[@FreeBeat]

Haha making our way there, thanks so much!

[@omerfarukyildiz5388]

Weird, when I live record melodic stuff on my po MegaMan, the sounds are oddly cut off. Anybody else having a similar issue?

[@MrDmitryHammet]

Unfortunately live recording with sustain notes does not work. It records the note,but not the length of the note. So it's better to sequence it and add release.

[@adamkrasneski3679]

Dmitrys rigbt on. Tho i play mine live like a piano.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, any kind of live record on the mega Man is so hard to pull off properly. I recommend just sequencing.

[@dannyibovnik]

@freebeat would you mind to link the small youtube Channel you mentioned? It is hard to find

[@FreeBeat]

I honestly can't remember haha, this was a good while ago. Sorry!

[@dubiouscircuits]

Channel is “Gaz Rendar”

[@klewisjohnson]

Like that u update your opinion. I know how a piece of gear can grow on you. Thanks!

[@FreeBeat]

Absolutely, I just got to keep an open mind. Thanks for watching!

[@isaachorgan]

In my opinion, the fact that you can't play in live is a pretty significant problem. But, it's awesome that you were able to treat it as a feature and it suits your workflow!

[@FreeBeat]

It's pretty wild how a simple mindset adjustment completely changed my opinion of it haha. It's so fun now!

[@Agatonga]

i like how the knobs are blue too.

[@neomodulo]

My PO-128 is arriving today, so this was a nice video to see in my sub box :D

[@FreeBeat]

Awesome, have fun!

[@SonicVibe]

So knowing what ya know know would you get robot cheaper or Megaman even tho live play glitched the ability to play any note and sequence and forget ?

[@FreeBeat]

I would still go for the MegaMan. It might not be great for live play, but it's excellent for songwriting!

[@ClockPhaseLiquid]

Does the po 20 have better live record function? I just bought this one but I’m thinking about getting the 20 as well to use for live.

[@FreeBeat]

So the live record on the PO-20 works really well, however it doesn't lay the notes of the synths out like the Megaman does. You just record one note into the sequence, then go in and change the actual note manually. Thanks for watching!

[@brokenscart7989]

There’s a chap on here who covered Toxic with this and its awesome

[@FreeBeat]

Nice!

[@night_speed]

Lol again...sounds like eurorack is right up your alley. Setting up patches and letting them unfold is the basis of generative modular music. You will turn to the dark side. Mwah Ha ha!

[@rookmaster7502]

One of the great things about pocket operators is their extreme portability - for example, you can play with them on a long bus ride, at a cafe while sipping on cappuccino, or carry them out into the wilderness for a jam. Permanently embedding them in a eurorack system defeats all of that awesome portability.

[@night_speed]

@@rookmaster7502 i agree. I've just been teasing him in some of the comments because he's said he doesn't see himself getting into eurorack and I've said all the same things at one point. First i would only go semi modular. Then i just wanted a couple modules for effects. Then I only wanted a small portable system. And so on. 2 years later and i am now single and swimming in cables and blinking lights.

[@FreeBeat]

While I can definitely understand the appeal of it, modular just does not interest me in the slightest 😅

[@PeteOnTheBeat]

Mr Free Beat, what tripe did you end up buying? I need one that also works with my phone. Thanks and sorry for all these stupid questions.

[@FreeBeat]

Not quite sure what you mean, sorry!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

These are super fun synth toys! Great to sample and chop up.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@_-Marcel-_]

What a fantastic, little song you created in such a small time! 😲

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you!

[@adamkrasneski3679]

Oh man. Disagree on the function. I really enjoying PLAYING this thing live despite its limitations. Just not live sequencing. I often chill in the studio playing ff6 music on this and my po132. Sampled in an 8 bit bass on the 132. I play the bass pn the 132 and the melody on the 128. Its like the smallest quirkiest playable piano set up ever. Takes some getting used to for sure finger position wise.

[@FreeBeat]

Sorry, I meant live recording into the second sequencer track, not necessarily just playing the synth live (which I also enjoy). Thanks for watching!

[@ildarkinildarkin]

Megaman also has one more track than Po28 Robot. Robot has drum, lead, and you can play live. 128 has one more.

[@FreeBeat]

I'd call it more of a half track haha. Basically you have the option to also sequence the lead, rather than just play it live. It would have been so cool if they would have given us two sequencable tracks, the drums, and a live lead over the top.

[@matthutchinson6734]

@@FreeBeat and if it had a mic so we could back up projects like on the metal series.

[@DavidDeLuge]

Another great video. Here's a song a write on the PO-16 (Factory) around five years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaGyY5-qiJlmirM

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks!

[@K_man217]

Man that thing sounds cool!

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, I've really come around to it!

[@squidracerX]

Dumb question - I'm not musical and don't really know what this thing is. But I like what I hear. What is it plugged into on the right?

[@adrianfoote8281]

Audio output. He will have it plugged into an interface which is what you use to connect audio devices to a computer for recording but you could have headphones or anything that runs on a headphone jack. These pocket operators are great for anyone wanting to make some beats on a budget.

[@GazRendar]

Your track is shaping up nicely! And as always...thank you so much for the shout out. The PO-128 is by no means perfect, but as you said, it's strength is sequencing everything into the unit and then just hit the play button. That's why I like it, but it is somewhat confusing because it's built off the PO-28 Robot which is actually sold as a PO for live play. However, being able to fully sequence in the melody track makes a difference. I think if you ever played in a band with a guitar, a bass, and drums the 128 is easier to wrap your head around. I'd probably give it a solid B. Improve the live record glitches or maybe use some of the drum samples from the Tonic/Speak and it would easily go up to an A. I use the 128 for almost all the videos I post because I feel it's excels at covering video game tracks, but I still use the Arcade a lot (which I would grade a B). I think for most people considering a sub-$100 groove box, choosing between the Arcade and Mega Man is a solid choice if you don't want to always import samples into a K.O! Looking forward to your thoughts on an updated review.

[@FreeBeat]

Everything you said was spot on. Not surprising, as I consider you the 128 guru at this point haha. Thanks for watching!

[@PFDarkside]

Does the PO-28 function differently than the PO-128? I thought it was just an additional sequence track, a new LCD and the chromatic note ability?

[@PHeMoX]

@@PFDarkside I'm curious too, as I'm looking into getting more POs. I think I read the PO-133 does time-stretching? (I don't know the context in how it works. it was listed as a feature on a site selling the PO-133) Does this mean the PO-33 doesn't do that?

[@GerenM63]

Sounds kinda like 8-bit electronic "heavy" metal. LOL!

[@FreeBeat]

Haha I'll take it!

[@gapster77]

Can somebody set the record straight for me, sound bank aside, is this the same as the Robot? I’ve been led to believe they are functionally identical. …you need to try out the Sub, it’s very similar in work flow to this, and you can get some really good bass leads out of it, it’s underrated!

[@adamkrasneski3679]

Aside from chromatic step editing, yes. Timbre and chasis is the only difference otherwise.

[@drywallco-l5o]

The 128 adds chromatic step-editing, so your sequence can use notes outside the chosen scale for a program. It is also a three-track sequencer, rather than a two-track. So you can have lead, bass, and drums playing all at once, or just two of them and play the third live over top.

[@gapster77]

@@drywallco-l5o OK, now I know they aren’t the same. I was going to get a Robot, but I will get the Mega Man now. Thanks

[@adamkrasneski3679]

@@drywallco-l5o oh yeah. I forgot the robot doesnt have drums does it?

[@FreeBeat]

The 128 is an upgraded version of the robot. If you watch the original review I did of the 128 on my channel I go over some more of the differences, as well as a few people in the comment section :)

[@wiggesobk]

Yes the po mega man is great😎

[@FreeBeat]

It's pretty cool!

[@tedwasanasan3805]

you owe it an apology for thowing your hands at it so much, if someone was that handsy in my face id fight them