J3PO meets the UDO Super Gemini

Just got the new SUPER GEMINI synthesizer by UDO in my studio and upon taking it out of the box, I immediately fell in love. Just incredible. I will be creating a preset library for this beast in early 2024.
Learn synthesis and sound design with me: musixup.com/synthesis-and-sou...
I have presets available for the Super 6, Prophet 6, Prophet 5/10, Prophet Rev 2, OB-6, OB-X8, Spectrasonic's Omnisphere, Arturia OP-Xa, and many others - all available on my website. If you're a Nord Stage 3 or Wave 2 user, download my bank from the Nord Keyboards website.
Listen to my music: open.spotify.com/artist/0lSFr...
Connect with me on social media:
Instagram: @iamj3po
TikTok: @iamj3po
Facebook: /J3POMUSIC
Spotify: J3PO
Web: www.j3po.net
Special thanks to GSF Agency, Geoff Farr.
Also follow our friends at UDO:
Instagram: @udo_audio
KZbin: @udo_audio
music (c) 2023 Julian “J3PO” Pollack

[@googlingthevoid]

Bro could convince me a cheap, broken Casio has a golden voice of god with chops like that. My man, your dedication to the craft is insane. Phenomenal programming and playing as always.

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Seriously....After watching one of J3PO's vids I always want to buy the synth(and have at least once) and at the same time quit playing altogether! 🤣

[@holberg_music]

I wrote UDO off months ago when I was shopping for a polysynth because I had the impression that it had a limited palette. I watched this, read the manual and bought myself a Super 6.

[@thisisj88]

Awesome demo. Love the last part with the cool arp.

[@thedarkestrainbow]

This is such a stunning instrument. Great to finally hear it demoed with your chops. Would love to see you dive into it more.

[@KevinWheelerMusic]

It sounds so good. I love it!

[@CreativeSpiral]

Excellent demo / sounds / playing!

[@petegreenwood2793]

Top class demo from J3PO! The Gemini impressed the hell out of me when I had the opportunity to play one a few months back; the sound has a real sense of presence and punch to it - a lovely blend of digital oscs and analog filter warmth. The keyboard action is fab, and it's just such a gorgeous looking object to behold when you're playing it.

[@crybo]

Wow! Beautiful synth and an amazing demo!

[@SessionsWithMike]

6:30 Absolutely incredible what you did with programming there. You can see the scene in a film score just by listening to it.

[@defenderstargate1447]

Sounds incredible. Also great chord work with the mellow pad stuff.

[@cyberwarfare9118]

Can I just say that you've almost single handedly got me into more keys playing again with your stuff? Guitar is my first instrument, but I used to play saxophon and piano in high school and hated it after a while. Kinda wishing I played keys instead, guees it's never too late to start again.

[@nadersharif]

A beautiful synth in hands of a great artist.

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

Such a lovely machine, and well played.

[@YotamPiano]

Ah! I was waiting for your magical hands to get a hold on this synth. My ears say it was worth it !!

[@Wang_jyuan]

amazing sounds

[@ChristopherGwinn]

Fantastic demo!

[@JMach4217]

Absolutely legendary per usual

[@antoniorusso5149]

What an amazing demo J3PO ! You brought out the greatness of the Super Gemini ! This is looking like a "must have' when I rebuild my keyboard rig that was sadly lost in the Lahaina Maui fires. Might get the Super Gemini before my other boards. Great playing and tweaking J3PO ! I

[@NothingHereButMe]

Aww man sorry to hear about your loss. Hope all is ok, or at least getting better

[@Robguitarjarvis]

Great demo !!

[@bvmullie5371]

Excellent !!!!

[@BounceChord]

My bro sent me this vid. Immediately subbed and followed your Spotty. ❤

[@Usul]

Incredible playing.

[@mawot_music]

beautiful design

[@mark35mi]

Just... Brilliant!

[@danthreepwood2760]

It sure does packs a magical punch 🧙‍♂👊

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Amazing synth!

[@Shoujoboy51]

This thing is absolutely incredible. I'm a roland guy but I really might have to save up for one of these. Just amazing.

[@Naive773]

1:44 It sounds like you're getting kissed 🤍

[@zachleetch8138]

UDO synths sound so crispy clean. They really represent the best of digital sound. This would be incredible for scoring or live performance. As always, great playing and designing.

[@shapeshifta3431]

Reminds me of the novation PEAK/Summit sound, both use similar architecture with FPGA oscillators and true analogue signal path

[@xntricity6446]

​@@shapeshifta3431agree

[@albertwesker2050]

From what I read this one is a blend of analog and digital

[@zachleetch8138]

@@albertwesker2050 yea I believe it has digital oscillators with analog filters, which warm up the tone. However, to me, I believe the overall sound of the instrument represents the precision and cleanness of a digital synth (if that makes any sense?). But technically speaking, you’re right, it might be more accurately described as a hybrid between the two.

[@mwarsell]

Digital? I thought the FPGA was analog thing?

[@MelloCello7]

Damn I havent been this inspired by a new synth in a very long time, this may be one of the best synth demos of all time, unspeakably astounding job Julian👏👏🎉

[@ElectroPanPipes]

Now this is a synth! Thankfully some companies are still producing modern synths and dare to try.

[@SmileMoreCEO]

👀 great vid! 🎹

[@andreievkalupniek5717]

This is an amazing demo! I am wondering bout this vs the 3rd Wave

[@whittymusic]

Man can you just do ALL keyboard demos. Awesome as always

[@matteogazzolo1]

You play like heaven! Oh man...

[@philmakesnoise]

You're a great player. You know that. We all know that. But I gotta say, you've become a great knob/fader twiddler too! Great stuff man.

[@j3po784]

appreciate you, thank you 🙏

[@byrdman6752]

Great demo! Just saw u with Chris Botti in Galveston, great performance

[@j3po784]

Aye! Galveston is awesome! :) we had a great time.

[@victorvargas49]

Brutal 👍👌

[@Hxs28]

It a beautiful synth and I don't care much if I am going to have my BA overdrawn next month...

[@SirAntBo]

I like.❤

[@paulmayerpiano]

If only every "synth demo" was this good.

[@lecanardaimeLAKland]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@musicjunkie696]

Fuck me!!! That outro was 🔥

[@MikePensini]

Great sounding board, Julian 👍

[@thaexception3406]

Nice

[@Mr.MikeB12]

ooooo shit this is dope

[@entropybentwhistle]

Really impressed by the timbres on this. Smoother than a pure analog synth but not metallic or glassy like traditional digital. The magic of modren techmology*. *To steal from Dennis DeYoung and Ali D.

[@philippedubern4650]

This guy is so musical

[@floen]

How is the feel of the keybed compared to other synths? Great playing and sounds btw!

[@MRFThorne]

One minute 45 seconds in ... dream-world.

[@kierenmoore3236]

How do you like the mod (not pitch) motion of the stick? I think that’s the cheapest-feeling part of this and the S6, neither of which should have cheap-feeling parts at their prices. 🤔 Sounds are OK, but on the bright/thin side.

[@larsuk9578]

Fantastic demo and sounds great. I’m a bit puzzled about the design choices from UDO though. Are the controls on the panel the same x 2 for each part? 🤔 Looks like an expensive choice when they could have gone for a A/B switch like on Nords to switch between the 2 synth parts, unless I missed something…

[@j3po784]

Thanks! Regarding the choice to have all the knobs/sliders duplicated...true, but as you can see in the demo when I'm adjusting parameters, I sometimes am doing it on both layers. Couldn't do that if it were one layer with a toggle switch. Nor could you do different real time parameter changes on the fly (ex. separate filter sweeps).

[@neuronist]

@@j3po784 yeah also now there is the super8 to make the people happy who would prefer the above mentioned way by @larsuk9578 😅

[@renstroost]

Sounds fantastic dude. Do you have any observations on gain staging it? A lot of the presets are somewhat quiet, I wonder if it’s easy to overload the filters or mixer. I get mine Thursday!

[@j3po784]

No real concerns with gain staging so far, at least with what I've been doing. I'll probably have a better idea about that as I get more familiar with the synth (and of course when I make a library for it).

[@renstroost]

You make it sound killer.

[@marcwalravens2611]

J3po, seriously question, do you give tutorials on chords and scales please? I feel what you play, i can sing along to your vibes but would really want to get an insight in what chord buildups you make, really love them.... ❤, would love to incorporate them into my own music somehow.... thx your playing is awesome.... really!!!

[@j3po784]

I don't currently have a course specifically on harmony and theory, but enough people have been asking that I intend on making a course at some point. For right now, I have two courses: one on synthesis and sound design, and one on jazztronica/lofi music production. @@marcwalravens2611

[@symbiat0]

How do you know what modulations are in effect when you load a patch ? No screen or mod matrix display of any kind so… 🤔

[@The_Sonic_Oasis]

If there's ever a person who can convince me I need a synth, It would definetly be J3PO

[@reallivebluescat]

Have you seen the price of this???

[@The_Sonic_Oasis]

@@reallivebluescat you only need 1 kidney 😂

[@hoagy_ytfc]

You don’t need it. I have one and I love it but no-one needs it

[@ilyandilymusic]

Well hot damn.

[@lucmichel7588]

👍👌

[@stergiost.6246]

I always enjoy your demos! Do you find that it can be as punchy as the prophet 5?what about it's raw sound compared to the prophet 5?

[@xntricity6446]

A good question as in the same ball park price wise. 2 different machines but if we had to pick one.....

[@stergiost.6246]

@@xntricity6446 yes, iam always looking for the best sound, some extra programming functions are not always so important for me, and i was hoping for an answer here...

[@nickjones5641]

How are you liking the raw tone vs the Prophet 10?

[@icosadodecahedron2]

8:00 fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

As Sister Mary said to the Vicar....you have Amazing finger technique!!

[@danielguerrero5122]

What Synth would buy? Prophet 6 or This? Thanks

[@ejmuzika]

I want one! but..

[@DimitrisPapmusic]

Ambient Synth ....

[@duel5071]

Love my Super 6 - not sure if it can do all this though?

[@j3po784]

It can create some similar timbres. But it cannot do the dual layer stuff that I'm doing in this video. The Super Gemini is like a Super 6 on steroids. ;)

[@obsoletecd-rom]

Finally someone who knows what they’re doing…..cause I sure as hell don’t.

[@sound4label]

Do they plan to release a desktop version of it ? Thanks ;)

[@j3po784]

I don't know, you'll have to inquire with UDO.

[@sound4label]

Thanks :) @@j3po784

[@saintttbeats]

Incredible. Anyone know when the official release date is?

[@peterkenney9158]

It’s out already.

[@saintttbeats]

everywhere I look it just says pre order or coming soon, do you know what website has it available now?@@peterkenney9158

[@NZsaltz]

never heard of this synth but it sounds great! please make 4:04 a full song, though...

[@j3po784]

haha, yeah when I came up with that during the videoing I was like mental note 🧐

[@neolepic]

Is it possible to have a sequence/arpeggiator per layer ?

[@j3po784]

yes!

[@solidarius6400]

sounds and looks amazing - to bad they decided to go without a display

[@Semyon_Music]

Do you prefer the joystick on the UDO or a classic wheel for pitch bends?

[@j3po784]

My preference is always classic wheels, but I've been getting into the joytstick on the UDO for sure. The Oberheim paddles are my least favorite, though the OB sound tends to have my heart the most! hah

[@jeshkam]

​@@j3po784How about Nord Lead's pitch stick?

[@Semyon_Music]

@@j3po784 Interesting! I saw a video of Scott Storch emphasizing his love of joysticks for pitch bends so it's always interesting to see everyone's preference! The OB sound is out of this world and your video on it was awesome!

[@entropybentwhistle]

@@j3po784This has that retro Roland stick like on the Juno 106, doesn’t it? Pitch bend side to side and mod by pushing up?

[@TheadventuresofMrTibbs]

@@entropybentwhistleit does but pushing forward is way stiffer

[@GadiantonsRobber]

How is the key bed compared to the super 6?

[@peterkenney9158]

Much nicer. Longer key length under the chassis so easier to play at the top of the key.

[@JulianFernandez]

thicc

[@uv77mc85]

This or a prophet 5?

[@j3po784]

very different animals

[@bjornkreuze7423]

Vst crack Pleassse 🎉

[@park171]

Amazing instrument. Not as amazing as J3PO, he is so musical.

[@ingoodmusic]

Is it analog?

[@j3po784]

analog hybrid

[@synthtitan9523]

How does the Gemini compare to the Hydrasynth Deluxe?

[@j3po784]

I don't have any experience with the Hydrasynth! Next on my list.

[@TheSoundspot]

@@j3po784 Looking forward to this one!

[@xntricity6446]

​@@j3po784or novation summit maybe?

[@creyesu]

I don't know Rick. A LOT of Reverb and FX here 🤔

[@j3po784]

No reverb, my guy. Just the onboard delay and chorus, which are a part of the patch creation process on an instrument such as this one.

[@creyesu]

@@j3po784 That's what I mean. It would be interesting to hear that synth without the effects.

[@mcnitt]

Don’t understand why everyone so far is playing this epic synthesizer like a Yamaha workstation.

[@ProbeRoket]

why don't you showcase any behringer synths?

[@gerdakodak]

OMG... Are You an UFO?

[@CrusaderGeneral]

$4.5k synth without a display

[@connor_flanigan]

the Nord Wave 2 will do most of this (just without the ribbon controller) for a lot less money (especially if you buy a used one.) you'd be taking a big leap of faith to fork out $4500 for a synth from a 5 year old company.

[@zachleetch8138]

No, the Nord Wave will not do what this can do 😂😂😂

[@RJ1J]

I agree. The prices UDO charge for their mega synths is ridiculous, given that not long their early synths sounded like a soft synth in hardware form. They have got better and I think the UNO Synth Pro X is interesting, but this Super Gemini sounds really digital, thin and a harsh compared to others in this price range. Lots of bleeps though. £3500? Forget it.

[@connor_flanigan]

@@zachleetch8138 what won't it do? it has the same standard virtual analog waves, in addition to digital/wavetable/percussive/FM and samples. (the UDO doesn't include samples.) the wave 2 has great effects and 4 layers. the mod matrix on the UDO is most likely superior and overall, it's a great sounding synth. but the Prophet 12 demonstrated that the average player is not that interested in a strictly digital synth at the high end of the price range. shortly after the 3rd wave started selling, sweetwater and other retailers had numerous units in the "open box" category.

[@blackprophesy]

@@RJ1JThe UNO is not from UDO. Different companies. UDO have only released two synths, the Super 6 and the Super Gemini.

[@j3po784]

As someone who has had a lot of experience with the Nord Wave 2, I'd say that while they are both multilayered synths, they are completely different. Sure, you can make some similar sounds on each (as you can with most synths)...but when you start stretching their capabilities and diving into the details of their sonic thumbprints, they are worlds apart. The Super Gemini has hybrid analog/digital technology with tons of UI knobs, sliders, etc, that pays homage to the classic Rolands and CS-80 while the Nord Wave 2 has some nice analog-ish features but boasts being able to play back samples. Both are unique and deep instruments deserving their own seats at the table!

[@Kkidzz]

Dump the f/x...easy to slather sounds with delay and reverb. Truest test of of a synth's sonics is it's raw tone.

[@j3po784]

There's no reverb. Just a little bit of delay on a couple of the patches (from the onboard delay unit)--no external FX in this performance. Also, if a synth has got FX, use them! It's part of the synth. Imagine using a Juno and saying you can't use the chorus.

[@bjornkreuze7423]

Apologize !😉

[@Kkidzz]

@@bjornkreuze7423 ....nope..signed, Rather Not Slather. 🙃

[@Kkidzz]

@@j3po784 Ha! I own a Juno-60 and barely use the Chorus....again, just LUV the raw tone. 🎯

[@vinylarchaeologist]

It‘s a cool synth, I just think they could’ve made it a big bigger - it almost looks like you have some space left on your desk 🫠

[@j3po784]

it's a beast for sure. But I like it, as it is a very inviting UI. And I always love a 5 octave synth.