Is the Behringer JT-4000 the Cheapest Ambient Drone Synth?

[@lundsweden]

People call this a toy. Legendary electronic pioneers Kraftwerk used toys, such as the kid centric Mattel Beegees, Casio VL-1, Speak n spell, Stylophone and the wonderfully lo-fi Optigan.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thank you for the reminder. Times have changed, but still interesting to think about that.

[@lundsweden]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic Most people didn't use toys back then either. It's an idea- of course they used Minimoogs and other pro gear as well.

[@DiegoBenitez-q1d]

Amen brotha

[@alicelaranjeira3127]

Musicians use eve4ything. Hipsters use what other people deem a must have

[@ChrisHester-e6s]

Blur used the Optigan on a track called Optigan 1.

[@gameon2000]

I bought it for what it is - a sub $50 yet REAL instrument! ❤ I love it for what it is - a pocket JP8000 ❤

[@systemno3]

Great demo, thanks! I’m gonna get one now that they added MIDI in! =)

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Is it really happening? Are they on the market?

[@systemno3]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic they’ve just announced it on their FB page but I can’t see it on the shops yet, very soon I guess.

[@dennismosercreativearts]

@@systemno3 Thomann has it listed as available in several months (typical Behringer!).

[@johngalvin6352]

I have a JT-4000 and think it's awesome, I still need to learn how to get the most out of it but that's the fun bit. Thanks for sharing the knowledge. Respect.

[@PatternRecognitionMusic]

For fifty bucks, I think it's pretty cool. Great demo!

[@federicobravi5752]

Very nice vid, keep doing what you're doing. Earned a sub!

[@elicas0319]

Great for someone like wanting to experiment with this type of equipment. Thank you

[@etiennedevignolles7538]

I've just got mine. All I've done so far is to update the software, but when I get home tomorrow, I'm having a play around with it!

[@jamman6]

How does one update the software please? Behringer website?

[@the_velvet_void]

​@@jamman6Download Behringer Synthtribe and plug into a USB drive on your computer.

[@OneMorningSongs]

Now I need one.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Nice! If you are going to get it, you can consider using my affiliate link, it would help me a lot: amzn.to/3zoNNzp Cheers!

[@SolarLantern424]

Loved it. Brings a whole new dimension to 3 blind mice! Cant wait to hear more from the JT4000 Hold it down! 🐭🐭🐭

[@JonnyRootsDem]

Bomb Scare

[@NikosKatsikanis]

can you plug this into a aux-in 3.5 on a guitar amp? tempted to dual weild this with my guitar by clamping it on

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Yes of course, you just need the right cable or an adapter. Check the description I have some links

[@NikosKatsikanis]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic thx

[@BoomBubbleBustRepeat]

Wish people would stop crying about what this thing doesn't have... it is only $49 bucks. I just paid $9 for a box of cereal from Walmart, I am going to just accept what it is and not bore the self checkout attendant with all stuff I WISH was in my box of cereal.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Agreed. Anyway the last update makes it much more usable. I made a video about that, did you see it?

[@anamorphicalan]

I am new to music design forgive my limited knowledge. I play wind and string instruments. Is this good for hobby making music? Also will it connect to MacBook with type c? Also what programs must I use with it? Thank you very much.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Hi, yes it's perfect for beginners and for hobby. Yes it works with the MacBook (you need a usb c to usb c cable) and you can use any audio midi software you like. There are many, some are free, like reaper. If you want to buy it please consider using my affiliate link below, thanks! Cheers

[@anamorphicalan]

@ hi I plan too. Still not understand. Still do not know music terms. Will this synth can I make ambient music or must I buy other equipment to begin? This synth with reaper do I require other equipment? This synth will not sample my instruments correct? Or can I record my performances then sample?

[@anamorphicalan]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic it is currently unavailable, where else can I buy this with affiliated link

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@anamorphicalan you will need an audio interface to record it into your computer, then you can sample what you recorded.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@anamorphicalan let me check

[@pirated8557]

Nice sounds & vibe ✌🏼

[@Raku777]

Thanks for sharing. I am inspired to get one of these synths because of its price, its friendliness to ambient music, and your video. Blessings. PS Looking forward to a DAW-less experiment that you mention you might do with this unit.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thank you for the kind feedback. I'm looking into the dawless possibilities, I need to do some testing, if it works as I thought I'll make a video for sure. Cheers

[@hazuravin]

Fantastic !!

[@garaughty]

Lovely work on this E M !

[@conzept7470]

Hey! Is it possible to run MIDI melodies through it and use it as external synth?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Of course, but you have to use a computer to sequence it.

[@ElliotAtkins]

Wonderful!

[@rextopher]

Soooooooo, do we have that work-around yet? Maybe a lil split power and midi adapter?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Long story short, yes. You need a split usb cable but also a usb midi host (not usb to midi interface), which is more expensive than the synth itself. That's why I didn't make a video about that yet.

[@xisotopex]

a good and creative musician can get just about anything our of an instrument, and this being a 4 voice synth, a good musician could absolutely do great ambient music with this in their pallet....

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Agree

[@christopherdean759]

I have this and feel really limited. It sounds good but the connectivity lacks.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

it is limited of course. but it can still find its place with some creativity.

[@cartellimarroni]

Ok... But is it possible to do this without a daw, PC etc..?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Yes it's possible to do a lot without the daw with the last update. Check my newer videos.

[@cartellimarroni]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic I was speaking about the 4 indipendent voice channels midi... 👍

[@cartellimarroni]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic but I saw that now it is available with midi! 👍 So that I can sincronize the 4 indipendent voices thru 4 indipendent midi outputs, right? 😜👍

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@cartellimarroni you would need a sequencer that can handle that. The new midi version is not on the market yet.

[@cartellimarroni]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic sure, with an external midi sequencer 👍

[@admi3573]

Ok, one question. I dont know anything about those type of instruments. Can I just plug it into amplifier and play? Do i need some computer to control it?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Yes you can but you can only play it with it's own tiny keyboard. For sequencing and advanced play you need to connect it to a computer.

[@chrislenox-smith3266]

Am I missing something..? How do you get 4 different midi channels playing 4 different presets? Since when was the JT-4000 multi timbral?? Or is it one preset being played by 4 different midi channels..? I'm confused....!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Same preset, same midi channel, it's just a trick to split the 4 voices in the daw for arrangement

[@chrislenox-smith3266]

Aha - I see..! Nicely done to have the drone below but have the melody notes still have some percussive short attack on them - I'm looking at a DAW-less set-up, so I'll probably only be using one layer at a time... nice work to lean the JT away from all the synthwave stuff and towards some gentler, softer sounds by the way...

[@shinezacharias3118]

can u show hows d midi set up in jt 400

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

That depends on how your daw is made. Usually it's automatically recognised, you just have to select jt-4000 in the midi output of the midi channel you are using.

[@shinezacharias3118]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic ok

[@psychomafia]

So you've got 4 midi channels going but there's only one voice right? it's not multitimbral

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

The four voices share the same parameters. So you can play 4 notes at once but with the same sound. The splitting in different midi tracks (same channel) is for the sake of arrangement or live performing.

[@francescomarino1]

come si configura per usare i comandi dal jt-4000?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Ciao, non ho capito bene la domanda. I controlli sul synth sono sempre attivi, anche quando lo stai facendo suonare via midi. I vari pomelli controllano i parametri del suono.

[@shinezacharias3118]

so if this connected to ipad n i pad to keystep in keystep 4 channels i can play like this

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

With an iPad and a keyboard you can definitely do it.

[@shinezacharias3118]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic but there is only on amp env ryt , then how all sounds coming like n no midi set up in the synth

[@shinezacharias3118]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic if possible can u make video , ur video is very simple but pretty confusing lol i didnt replay before cause i was keep on watching d videos more than 10-15 times i belive thanks for replaying

[@peterrabinowitz1723]

oh man! i can hear that with a fat drum pattern behind it. 😊

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Interesting. You could be the one to remix it 😉

[@hesperion2]

It's very rudimentary. It only can be useful as a voice into a multitrack recording. May be added as an exotic source for users with a wide synth collection.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Yes it's limited if used alone but still interesting. Of course with other synths it can be a good companion

[@synthebo]

👏👏👏👏👏🤩🤩🤩

[@vitoTaikan-nj2ct]

Very burzumesque nice work

[@shinezacharias3118]

again when u tweaking it out which midi channel is tweaking out

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I'm not sure I understand the question. Ableton is just sending midi notes. The knobs tweaking happens on the JT 4000 as you would normally do. Then the audio of the synth gets extra FX when going into Ableton

[@shinezacharias3118]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic ok i got it .....

[@john678]

Loved it ! Returned the S-1 for the JT-4000 and very happy with it using with an Ipad setup. The audio over USB on the S-1 was driving me crazy

[@user.bot.003]

what was the issue with USB audio on S1 ?

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

They are very different beasts in my opinion. I didn't understand your issue. Maybe you could give the S-1 another chance if you check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHm3Zpx_n9OcndEsi=KhD_r_D8_8tZ1iWs . Cheers!

[@planetxxx8424]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic Agreed - the S-1 is phenomenal.

[@john678]

The problem may have been me and my lack of patience. My setup is Ipad Pro running AUM thru Scarlett audio interface to mixer. The probem is…Ipad/AUM doesn’t handle 2 USB interfaces very well. There may be work arounds but it was driving me crazy setting which USB Ipad/AUM was using. I’ve been watching and enjoying your video’s. Hope this clarifies things

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@john678 I understand, the s-1 has also a regular audio output though. Thank you for the support!

[@gwugluud]

What you said at the end. This synth really is pretty bland. I’m glad it was cheap. I owned an actual JP-8000 for about 20 years, and I loved it. But it finally had a heart attack a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, my town’s music store’s repair guys had to tell me it wasn’t a simple matter of the internal battery fading, then they started talking 17-dimensional language in a dialect only spoken in certain parts of Planet Flynn, located within The Large Magellanic Cloud, but I kept nodding my head and saying “uh, huh” and “I see” at sporadic intervals, so they wouldn’t know that I’m stupid. They were telling me my JP-8000 was worm food. Damn. Really missing it; it was more fun and more unique than any of the ones I have now. I shelled out for a Roland Gaia not long after that, thinking it might have similar mojo going on, but meh. I like it (mine isn’t the newer version of Gaia I notice Roland have recently released), but it’s nothing like the 8000.

[@lundsweden]

@@gwugluud I liked the JP-8000 sound wise, but build wise it was actually pretty bad. I owned one too in the mid 2000s.

[@Bossdup]

Don’t sell that jp 8000. They could have been bullshitting.

[@digiwaves]

The Roland S-1 beats it for sure! 😊

[@jjbing3]

$200 vs $50. No comparison. I can’t believe the JT doesn’t take batteries! That’s already a con 😑

[@lundsweden]

​@@jjbing3 Just plug it into a small power bank. I'd prefer an inbuilt battery too, or AAs, but it's not a big deal really?!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

That's quite true, but they are in differente leagues, don't you think? Maybe you'll enjoy my video about the S-1 then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHm3Zpx_n9OcndEsi=KhD_r_D8_8tZ1iWs

[@DetroitMicroSound]

I'll never sell my S-1. One day, I'll have to open it, and replace it's cell. Not difficult.

[@digiwaves]

@@jjbing3 Like they say “You get what you pay for.”

[@MirlitronOne]

Cheapest in so many ways.

[@synthgal1090]

I beg you, please add actual keys. Even just regular keyswitches. Fuck this touchpad shit.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

You can always use an external midi keyboard. I suppose these kind of keyboard are used to keep the price lower.

[@awjaaa]

The flatulence of an average house cat is "good for ambient music". C'mon, hot-knobber.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I'd be interested in listening to such a composition 🙃

[@fatherpaulstone896]

Looks like it came from pound land

[@rosscostuart3409]

Stop talking

[@gwugluud]

This guy pretty much just talked about the features, explained his setup, and relevant information. I hate too much talking, but there’s far, far worse than this. You’re picking on the wrong one.