Gear for years - my favourite synth hardware 2018-2023

[@similette]

what a nice person you are

[@glennweber9290]

When artists allow a bit of "behind the scenes", preferences, tools talk, it actually is incredibly useful and demystifying. Allowing a bit of curtain pullback regarding process is what was missing during the 90's and 2000's, a period when everyone seemed to hoard their tricks and tactics like a dragon sits on gold. Good on you Jay.

[@falazarte]

Awesome video Jay. They are all amazing gears but they are nothing without someone like you making the best of them.

[@theAwakenedOne007]

Dude, you are skilled. You make everythig sound beautiful.

[@amphonix_blue]

Excellent video and quite an eye opener. Many of these units I wasn't aware of. Many Thanks

[@cloud_noises]

Great video, I was already thinking about selling a few things to fund a Take 5, so I appreciate the validation!

[@ModePhaser]

Thank you for sharing your insight. Always enjoy your content. Cheers!

[@Pulse2AM]

Nice video thanks! For bass my favorites are the Pro 1 and the Odyssey, pads Roland, Novation and Access Virus, I don't do a lot of synth leads so the Odyssey and Pro 1 would handle those. I'm not a huge Moog fan though I use the Taurus samples quite a bit in Syntronik and Sample Tank.

[@Jegkedermigmega]

Yes, yes, yeeeees, Jay. Wonderful video. Absolutely wonderful to hear your thoughts and reasonings

[@fractalimmersion]

Every once in a while something is released with such depth, such inspiration that it will stand the test of time and be referred to for years. This video, just like your beloved Octatrack, is one of those somethings. Thank you for your insights Jay - they carry so much weight because your sonic creations are so superb.

[@SpikesStudio3]

Yep. Much better than a studio tour. 👍

[@LordoftheBadgers]

Good to hear your thoughts dude

[@anyme3046]

Very useful found a lot of value out of this thank you for you time and effort.

[@IDontTalkToCops]

I love your music Jay. Thanks for what you do.

[@voflondor]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts regarding gear Jay!

[@Mbah_Dukun_Nyerutu]

Womderful video Jay! Love your peerspective and reasoning! Keep them coming!

[@netcoin]

15:31 The first time I log back into the Matrix I want to have this sound in my ear. :) The bass drum is just sick in a good way; it has life in it, it breathes. I often stop by this video once a day just to hear the sound again. Thanks for that. 👍

[@xanfus]

Awesome to have this kind of video from you man! Love your music!

[@M.W.777]

Thanks Jay, you have a new subscriber!! Best wishes

[@johngilbert184]

Oh dear! I have a lot of swapping to do! Very useful this and such an endorsement as I love your sound.

[@stujay]

This might be the year of the Nymphes for me.

[@GloveBunniesVideos]

Fantastic video! Thanks so much.

[@lucaselmore3874]

Hey Jay! Great video. I think the piece of gear I enjoy watching and hearing you use most is the Analog Four. Incredible stuff.

[@lucaselmore3874]

Also, what’s that last song on the Octa?? Is there a full version?

[@JayHosking]

@@lucaselmore3874 Coming soon! It's from the spring collab.

[@Sousless]

Great selection!

[@ofootyeabicc201]

I’d love to hear your opinion on non-synth gear. FX pedals, mixers, DACs, etc etc. great video!

[@brujua7]

Great video! Thanks for sharing with us

[@ibrajimenez2098]

Great choices! All great sounding!

[@jeffryarchambeau5441]

The Nymphes sequenced by the Polyend Tracker! MMM, good!

[@SteveHorne]

Great choices all around, Jay!

[@lorrenaelliott161]

Been following you for a while and so excited to see this pop up! Your jam videos inspired me to select my Dawless set up. So nice to hear and see you and I appreciated the walkthrough of your synth history 🙏 hope your Patreon is attracting an audience, as it should 😊

[@julienl2211]

Amazing content as usual, seen all these amazing jams on your channel and this video is so meaningful thanks to these. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your talent and hard work, you surely inspire many of us

[@kirkdecker6228]

Thank you for this Jay! Really enjoyed this. You rock dude.

[@subiesojourner777]

What's amazing to me about the Dirtywave M8 is it's all done by one person.

[@IgnacioChavez]

yeah, I wonder how he assembles them, the built quality is very good

[@ibrajimenez2098]

The M8 is so good and can create so fast that I often wonder if I need anything else. But it's just a different experience.

[@Prozac_effron]

Its truly wild. I have a wonderful girlfriend that figured out the craze that is buying a m8 last christmas. I swear Trash80 has updated the m8 75 some times since then.

[@ZombieLincoln666]

Isn’t it open source though?

[@samplethesilence202x]

Delightfully helpful and genuinely presented. You seem to have lots of gear: Could you also cover what items you may have sold in the past 4 years or no longer use?

[@alexwestconsulting]

excellent picks. a few people showing love for the A4 recently. can't wait to see what you do with the tracker mini.

[@Sound_ology]

Awesome video! Killer choices

[@chycor]

Great vid, super informative for GAS heads.

[@712Jefferson]

Loved this and value your insight. Thanks for sharing.

[@iszyman]

Nice video. Appreciate the “performance” lens, which is refreshing. Love those Moogs too. 😎

[@avengingsylph]

Thank you for confirming the Sequential take 5....It is the one synth I want to start saving for.

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

As anyone with a teaspoon of talent , and half a ear Will know - Jay Hosking got both , in trucksloads ...! This was Interesting - There was...a couple of...huh's...and a couple of ...duh's ... This was really enlightning , and as always excellent sounds and rythms 🔥🔥🔥 😉👆

[@InkyDaCaT]

Enjoyed that Jay!

[@weepwow]

Thanks Jay! Wonderful Choices-I agree with them all, I have a few from your list (OT, A4, PT, Euro) finally breaking thru on the OT after years, hoping to update to MK2... Looks like I need to do some shopping this year, best wishes.

[@user-JM1967]

I like Korg Minilogue XD so much!

[@almightyEsquilax]

This is such an underrated channel.

[@EZBOT_]

We have the same favorite, who'da thunk it

[@aikighost]

I went minimal in my hardware setup a while back and all I kept was Analog 4 mk1, Octatrack and TR8s in my core setup, and I have an MPC live for fingerdumming and sofa jams.

[@nunolaranjo1590]

That sort of breakcore track at the end is brilliant

[@JonathanGoudefroy]

Really love this video! Please do more of talking / explaining videos.

[@maikrobin]

That was interesting and very pleasant to watch! I´ve got the Octatrack and the Moog Minitaur and you just got a new subscriber ;)

[@d3maccus]

this was a fantastic review of gear. good work. I like a lot what you mentioned, but im thinking for the octoTrack.

[@davidbanner9001]

This is a really interesting video. Especially eurorack drums.

[@kenb7540]

Great list ! 👏👏🎶

[@GeorgeL909]

Love this video, endlessly entertaining to see the ins outs of others' workflow. Like watching combo videos for Tekken, or builds in Dark Souls. If i had to start over with just 2 pieces of gear to do everything, the Roland Mc-101 and Sp404 mk2 in their current firmware do pretty much *anything* I can think of needing sound design, and can build entire complete dawless songs at just under a grand in price. Granted thats with all the new updates.

[@JayHosking]

MC-101 and SP-404mk2 cover a lot of ground, yeah, and in a small footprint! Thanks for the kind words.

[@zeusdeux]

Was that Tom Sawyer by Rush on the take 5? :D

[@JayHosking]

Good catch!

[@skunkygecko]

love the end song

[@AlfonsoMuchacho]

Please don't let him talk about the Empress Reverb, I don't want to buy one, I don't need one.........

[@JayHosking]

Whoops

[@Dave-vx7tn]

Watched all your videos. Great fan of your compositions. I found myself guessing which instrument you selected for each category. Got them all wrong except for the first and the last! Thanks for your endeavors and this compendium of instruments.

[@AlfonsoMuchacho]

@@jello-tarzan STOP IT

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

Yes... I've been between Octatrack and Deluge and finally I went with Deluge. To be honest I could not be more happy with my choice. Soon after my purchase they offered upgrade of the screen and now it is device with opened source code (community updates are AMAZING!). BTW: do you still have Deluge?

[@JayHosking]

I don't have the Deluge at this point. Love the internal synth, love the pads, love working with it on individual loops, love the flexibility to make a song on the Deluge and then send the MIDI out later, love the clock out, but sequencing patterns together never quite worked for me.

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

@@JayHoskingUnderstand. I love mine and finally I have found device which "clicked" for me ;)

[@JayHosking]

@@SmallWorldBigThings That's what we're all hunting for! Congrats!

[@christdolphin69]

take-5 is 100% the one synth you should buy if you can have one

[@TheForeboding]

The Eurorack drum approach piqued my interest. It's just the very specific ideas for each of the instruments or voices that you would want to combine and can't find in a single device.

[@whitetreerecords387]

Jay: thanks for indulging me me: *points at screen* he said the thing!!

[@JayHosking]

Hah!

[@underwatersunlight3795]

Nice video. Have you ever tried a Novation Peak/Summit?

[@JayHosking]

I have! I had the Peak for a while. Great layout, fantastic reverb.

[@teebeedahbow]

Glad to hear you love the Nymphes. A lot of people found the interface irritating, and it does take a while to memorise, but it always sounds amazing. To those complaining I would say, 'Perhaps you could try one of the other portable six voice polyphonic analogue synths for under 500€!' And yes, the Zen Delay is a great great instrument.

[@teebeedahbow]

@Synth Cat I admit it, for a while I often screamed at the unit because of the interface, but gradually it becomes quite logical and I even admire the design and quite like it now. I also like how you need to use your ears to figure out a patch.

[@teebeedahbow]

@Synth Cat I never use the reverb. It’s quite unusual. Through at OTO BAM it is absolute heaven though.

[@matthewmizachi5286]

Your ideas for chord progressions and melodies are so good. May I ask what your process is when u compose? Thanks 😊

[@JayHosking]

Hey thanks! I've been all over the place in the years I've had the video, relying a little more on pads and scale modes to start. I also often start with a sound and find the notes that seem to match the sound, if that makes any sense. A couple of years ago I started taking piano lessons and now do a lot of composing at the piano, just tinkering to explore. In other words, there's no wrong way to find it for me. All the best!

[@carngo]

This is the Citizen Kane of synth dork videos.

[@kinetic-cybernetic]

Surprised the Minifreak did not make it to this list at all.

[@jonajhiggins]

Love this video. Have a fair few of these myself. Looking into getting a tracker and have one question - if you had to choose between the Polyend Tracker or the M8 what would go for?

[@JayHosking]

I'd go for the Tracker. The performance effects are the clincher for me, but I also love the FM radio and size/jog wheel. But both are really great, and the M8 has a lot going for it that the Tracker doesn't have (e.g. extreme portability, great synths).

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Hi Jay, really liked this. I noticed you used The Echo in the Minitaur part. Does the Polymoon Dimension knob do what the Diffusion does in The Echo? I looked at the Polymoon a while back but didn't end up getting it but I do have Reason. They both have a great sound.

[@JayHosking]

In theory, they do the same thing, but the Polymoon's version is much less grounded in tape delay and much more cosmic/epic, if that makes any sense. I love them both but for different reasons.

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

@@JayHosking yeah it does. Maybe I need to look back into it haha. Always intrigued by delays that do more than delay but can never pick one! Zen, Polymoon, Echo Station, etc. They also aren’t very budget friendly 😂

[@audiolego]

Subbed❤❤❤

[@michaels8607]

I have the Tracker, and it opened up my ideas about how to work on music.. I tell people if you're looking for presets and ripping records and not exploring, do not bother with the Tracker...It's NOTHING close to an MPC..Now for someone who might want MAX/MSP, CSOUND, REAKTOR, Reaper, VCV2,BUZZ, then the Polyend Tracker is probably what you will love...

[@medenine4828]

The Sub37 is such a classic, such a rich sound. I was surprised by how good the Meris Polymoon sounded. I wonder if the Eventide H90 can get comparable sounds?

[@JayHosking]

Certainly possible for another effects pedal to do the Polymoon sound (Meris's fancy pedal LVX has the Polymoon algorithm). But I haven't quite heard anything else do it the same way.

[@Drinkyoghurt]

Haha, each of these would probably be "if I could only have one expensive synth" for me. I guess budgets differ, my first and allrounder was a Korg Minilogue xd bought used for $390, the one bass synth I'm never parting with (but needs effects to come alive) is the Volca bass and most others just remain things I look at on KZbin videos. If I ever end up spending a lot on something, it's probably going to be an Octatrack. It shouldn't make sense, it's old, expensive, and "just a sampler", but it has so much it can do and hasn't been matched by any company yet.

[@jamest.135]

I've always wanted an elektron analog four because how amazing it sounds but could never get past the price tag especially when you have items like the minilogue that sounds great and goes for peanuts on the used market.

[@meilstone]

I don't own a single one of these devices, so I feel really refreshed! It's amazing that you are able to master so many instruments so well! I guess it's like learning languages: the more you know, the easier it is to pick up another one. Let's keep going! 🎵🎚🎧🎹

[@joshtackett]

Hi Jay. Really love your videos/music! I wanted to get your advice. So, I’m getting my first hardware synth. My use case is film and production music and I love music like Blade Runner, Stranger Things, Tron Legacy, as well as ambient style music like yours! I will start with just one and maybe add more later if it goes well. I have been looking at the Prophet 6, OB-6, Pro 3 and Matriarch. However, in your video you mentioned the Take 5. Would you recommend this over the ones I mentioned? Also, I have been listening to your videos and am really impressed with the sounds coming from the Dreadbox synths (Nymphes, Typhon, Abyss). Would you recommend these as a first synth over one of the full size ones I previously mentioned? Maybe I get a Nymphes and Typhon and reverb pedal all for less than the Prophet 6 or OB-6? Basically in a nutshell I need something flexible that cover multiple bases for film: dark and gritty, warm and beautiful, quirky, etc. Or I could afford multiple synths in the case of Dreadbox. Thanks for any advice you can provide!

[@JayHosking]

Of your options, the P6 probably will be the most versatile and closest to the sounds you listed. The OB-6 has a particular flavour that I find hard to get away from, so it's good but not super varied. The Matriarch sounds fantastic but you might find yourself missing true polyphony if that's your one synth. The P6 and Take 5 obviously share some DNA, but I like the sound and layout of the Take 5 a little better. It's one fewer voice, but it's a better price. If I were starting out, or on a budget, or unsure, I would go Take 5, hence me choosing it here. The Nymphes and Erebus reissue are both just fantastic affordable synths full of personality (Typhon has a little too much hidden to be a good starting-place synth, and Abyss isn't available). I can strongly recommend both Nymphes and/or Erebus, which you could buy together for about half of the Take 5. They are not nearly as versatile as the Take 5, though, and you'll need effects like a good reverb to really get them going. Hope this all helps, and thanks so much!

[@joshtackett]

@@JayHosking I appreciate the advice! Thanks so much

[@joshtackett]

Hey Jay! Circling back on this… I ended up trying out the Prophet 6 but I think it was just too much synth for me at the time. I’m back again looking and wanted to find out if your recommendations for the Take 5, Nymphes, Erebus still stand? More recently I have also been interested in the Grandmother which would be a more affordable way to get those Matriarch vibes. Thanks for any advice you can offer!

[@tendingtropic7778]

Thanks for this! I see you used the strymon bigsky plugin a lot in this vid; is that your favorite reverb vst nowadays?

[@JayHosking]

Yeah, I think that's fair to say. The Big Sky has a lot of algorithms that sound fantastic.

[@tendingtropic7778]

@@JayHosking i was afraid you'd say that haha. So many reverb plugins already haha. Will add this one someday

[@daniel6959]

Hey, I’ve found you today on YT and I love what you’re doing and I can already tell that I can learn a lot from you as I have some similar idea to start live performances. Wanted to ask for your opinion, on music production using hardware. As a keyboard player exploring synths and electronic music for the past two years, I’m looking for guidance on merging live DJ’ing with music creation. I’m considering a Digitakt to craft great drum sounds and sync with my synths (Roland boutiques, Moog Sub 37, and Prophet REV2). Would Digitakt be a good starting point? Or are there other hardware options that could inspire music creation and be practical for live performances? Would be amazing to hear your opinion 🙏 Best ! Dan

[@JayHosking]

Hi, Dan! Sorry for the delay on this. Digitakt is great and versatile and deep, but may be lacking some immediacy if you are the type to want quick results (gets quicker as you go, but can be slow at first). For me, the Digitakt would be a good choice if I needed drums, more melodic voices, AND also some sequencing. As a drum machine, I might also consider something simpler to start, like the DrumBrute Impact, since it's affordable and has performance controls right on its face (the roller bar and the randomizer both make great drum variety in the moment). But go with the Digitakt if you're liking what you see, and you need those other roles. All the best!

[@daniel6959]

@@JayHosking thank you so much for your reply - especially because the Digitakt is on the way 👀 I’m pretty sure that I might need some help with setting up some stuff etc, is there any change to book a one to one session with you ? I can tell that I could learn a lot from you. Best ! D.

[@JayHosking]

@@daniel6959 I do one-on-one sessions, but there are alternatives as well. Please feel free to send me an email at my first and last name @ gmail!

[@tendingtropic7778]

can the LVX mimic the polymoon? surprised you didnt mention the LVX heree?

[@JayHosking]

It can, in every respect, but it's missing the immediacy and dedicated setup that makes something like the Polymoon special. I have the LVX, and I really like it, but there's still something to be said about the design of the Polymoon.

[@dillipphunbar7924]

nice collection..i have none of them sadly

[@starsunderer]

I noticed you picked moog gear that has saves and presets, they sound good but honestly, i dont want to have to redial in a sound i took an hour or more perfecting.

[@julian_behrens]

Oh the Nymphes sounds 100% what i am looking for analog dreamy and with lots of character, any tips on a Eurorack Module that would come close?

[@JayHosking]

There are probably many, but I'm unsure of a direct comparison. Dreadbox does make modules that are well regarded, and they just came up with a full synth voice module announced this week. Best of luck!

[@fergusfurlong]

Hi Jay - do you have anywhere the specs of the custom drum eurorack you built?

[@JayHosking]

This is the setup, I think: www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1751163

[@fergusfurlong]

Thanks Jay

[@bpsychoz]

More tech talk ❤

[@gammakeraulophon]

I just wish the octatrack was polyphonic over not only midi. If they could have just given us 3 note (or even 2 note) playable polyphony over the samples stored.. I would be a lot happier with this machine. Even the old yamaha vss sampling keyboards could manage a bit of polyphony... why not this?

[@vertigev]

Have you tried a Deluge? It's a really good overall groovebox and has internal battery.

[@JayHosking]

I have! Lots of cool stuff about it.

[@tonyhull9427]

I checked out the Dirty Wave M8, but it says it won’t be released until July 2023.

[@JayHosking]

The M8 sells in batches, I believe. I bought mine used from a friend who was on the list for a previous batch. Now that I've played with it, I would go on the list for the next batch if my M8 went missing tomorrow.

[@PsychologyAcademia]

I thnk you could only commit to the Octatrack because you know everything else has a possibility of going. :)

[@JayHosking]

Hah!

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Seems we like a lot of the same gear. Maybe I should try using a hardware tracker as well though. Have you ever used the Rytm mk2?

[@JayHosking]

I have! Got a few tracks on this channel using it. Lots of stuff I like about it.

[@blendragon28]

That track at the end is a banger! Did you make that entirely on the Octatrack?

[@JayHosking]

Used a sample pack that me and my Patreon community put together. I'll probably post a full, final version of it next week or the week after!

[@christdolphin69]

is that some sort of "Videotape" thom yorke rendition in the background?

[@JayHosking]

No, it's a track of mine (though I see what you mean about the descending line). Full thing will be out in a few weeks.

[@KurtLorenz]

❤❤❤

[@romanukas]

Have you tried Pro3 and Matriarch?

[@JayHosking]

I have. Lots of videos with the Matriarch on the channel. Only tried the Pro3 in store, although I did like it.

[@GuidoGautsch]

22:30 Stranger Things Alert! So good. Is that the Nymphes going into the Polymoon? Sounds very Juno

[@JayHosking]

That's the Roland Sh-4D. It has some great sounds on it!

[@ScaleScarborough-jq8zx]

But which ones are in stock?

[@Jamooshoe]

Great video! What firmware do you use with your Cosmos?

[@JayHosking]

Just whatever came with it. Haven't touched firmware since it landed.

[@lebronsinclair8012]

How do you get audio out of the octatrack for further master mixing into daw. Do you just one track it out? Any online guides you can suggest ?

[@JayHosking]

I just send a stereo out, yeah. In the old days, I'd record mixes to a stereo tape; it doesn't feel so different with the Octatrack, and leads to me prioritizing a good pre-mix.

[@lebronsinclair8012]

@@JayHosking sorry for questions because I’m just hobbyist beatmaker. You just mix in the octatrack before you stereo out?

[@JayHosking]

@@lebronsinclair8012 Yep, that's it. If you see an Octatrack song up here, I'm just sending a stereo mix out of the Octatrack and then mastering that. No apologies necessary!

[@lebronsinclair8012]

@@JayHosking love it. Thanks

[@CaseJams]

Is it just me or do you all feel there should be floating text blocks to explain what Jay is doing in this video! 😂😅

[@PiotrstrashcanŚmietnikPiotra]

Around 3:35 - was that actually harmonics? How do you achieve that?

[@JayHosking]

On a low-pass filter, turn your filter resonance up and the filter cutoff down, and then you start to get this stuff. And yeah, it's particularly lovely on the Subsequent!

[@PiotrstrashcanŚmietnikPiotra]

Brilliant, I need to try it right now! I am a total noob, bought recently Sub37 and have no idea how to use it lol It is a magical instrument! And I don’t mind spending next couple of years trying to learn it.

[@duncanthompson957]

❤

[@patrickpoggensee6333]

But what is you all time favorite Poly Synth (not table top or allrounder)? :D Btw nice video. I am always stunned at how good you are in mastering all these different devices. Your octatrack videos are pure gold.

[@JayHosking]

Hahaha! I thought about favourite poly synth. The answer is that I've never had one stick around long enough. The Take 5 and Nymphes are great for chords, though! And thanks so much!

[@__teles__]

Why didn't you pick all the gear I bought?

[@JayHosking]

I didn't want to cramp your style