What’s the difference between a synth/sampler/groovebox/sequencer?

What’s the difference between a synth/sampler/sequencer/groovebox?
Interested in purchasing any of the gear mentioned in this video? Support this channel while you're at it! Below is a list of purchase affiliate links that I would make a commission off of at no extra charge to you:
USA (Perfect Circuit):
►Roland JU-06a: bit.ly/3blSZoF
►Arturia Microfreak: bit.ly/3tJHH3P
►Korg Volca Keys: bit.ly/3Rx9Rva
►Roland SP-404 MK2: bit.ly/3FLBlsf
►Akai MPC One: bit.ly/38Lrkzl
►Teenage Engineering PO-33: bit.ly/33yNkHJ
►Teenage Engineering OP-Z: bit.ly/2Qxuu0N
►Elektron Digitakt: bit.ly/3DJB4UB
►Roland TR-6S: bit.ly/33f9EG9
UK / EUROPE (Gear4Music):
►Roland JU-06a: tidd.ly/3rsbsLu
►Arturia Microfreak: tidd.ly/45hEDyM
►Korg Volca Keys: tidd.ly/3Q4jzrm
►Roland SP-404 MK2: tidd.ly/3F7eoRf
►Akai MPC One: tidd.ly/45hE4F5
►Teenage Engineering PO-33: tidd.ly/3PH70Sk
►Teenage Engineering OP-Z: tidd.ly/3rjm9jx
►Elektron Digitakt: tidd.ly/3r5x3tj
►Roland TR-6S: tidd.ly/48t37rV
EUROPE (Thomann):
►Roland JU-06a: bit.ly/46pj5S1
►Arturia Microfreak: bit.ly/3LMAo7F
►Korg Volca Keys: bit.ly/46FzXEd
►Roland SP-404 MK2: bit.ly/4aWiZnS
►Akai MPC One: bit.ly/3LOAag3
►Teenage Engineering PO-33: bit.ly/3vCpYCb
►Teenage Engineering OP-Z: bit.ly/3HEVH8N
►Elektron Digitakt: bit.ly/3S2pe0C
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This one's for the beginners who may be confused as to which unit does what- I was in your shoes just a few years ago. Hopefully this clears some things up.
0:00 Hello // The Basics
0:47 Use DistroKid to Distribute your Music
1:20 Synths
2:32 Presets
3:17 ADSR (Attack / Decay / Sustain / Release)
4:32 Filters
5:08 Oscillators
5:58 Sequencing
6:48 Arpeggiator
7:46 Samplers / Sampling
9:37 How to use Samples
12:17 Crossover…again // Sequencer
13:13 Grooveboxes
15:39 Grooveboxes have SO MUCH control
16:54 Grooveboxes + Performance
17:43 Distribute music VIDEOS with DistroVid
18:31 Thank you // Ways of supporting what I do
Stream my Music:
►hyperfollow.com/lkmusic
Other Related Videos:
►More about DistroKid: • Release Unlimited Musi...
►TR-6S is underrated: • How is the TR-6S so un...
►TR-6S Update 1.5: • TR-6S Update 1.5 // Wh...
►Digitakt + PC-12 set up: • Saved by the Digitakt ...
►TR-6S / TR-808 Blindfold test: • TR-808 History // WHY ...
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#synth #groovebox #sampler

[@LiamKillen]

Distribute your music with DistroKid - 7% Discount Link: ►distrokid.com/vip/liamkillen

[@AadilKumar]

As a newbie, I was drowning in a sea of confusing equipment and terminology. This was def the lifeline I needed; thank you!

[@LiamKillen]

Awesome! Glad to help out

[@kathleencoveny3860]

No matter how complex the app .. you are adept at breaking it all down into sizable pieces to digest and assimilate ... thank you for another comprehensive run through .

[@LiamKillen]

Thanks as always for watching!

[@dukelovexraft1007]

One of the more informative and helpful explained videos I've seen so far getting into this

[@LiamKillen]

Always love to hear comments like this - glad as always to help :-)

[@akuro2685]

This is such a valuable topic, it takes a lot of time and money to figure this out by yourself. I know from experience. 😅 Thanks for taking the time to talk about it!

[@LiamKillen]

It's my pleasure- thanks for watching :-)

[@jasonflanagan9264]

Thank you for the overview! It really made a difference!

[@LiamKillen]

Glad to help

[@JGlassy]

Great treatment of these basics!

[@LiamKillen]

Thank you for watching ! :-)

[@aseomg]

LK's edutainment in the synth/sampler/groovebox/sequencer community is unparalleled, second to none!

[@LiamKillen]

Hey thanks! 👋

[@Chop_69]

I mean, he called a sawtooth wave a triangle wave, and he calls an Envelope "ADSR". I'd say the education part of "edutainment" is slightly subpar.

[@aseomg]

@@Chop_69 ..nobody is perfect 😆

[@Chop_69]

@@aseomg no but you said "unparalleled, second to none!" which is indeed incorrect.

[@aseomg]

@@Chop_69 ..my words aren't facts 👽

[@dustyrhodes1655]

Excellent content as usual good sir!

[@LiamKillen]

Appreciate you!

[@jamesonrichards5105]

My goodness this video was so well put together and helpful. Subbed and liked

[@LiamKillen]

Wow- I really appreciate that - thank you :-)

[@tomasz4360]

I'm just starting and this video was really well made. Subbed and liked - thanks man!

[@LiamKillen]

I appreciate you checking it out :-)

[@WillieCarpenter17]

Loved this video! Chalk full of some good info!

[@LiamKillen]

Glad to help! 😊

[@RalphLBaer]

Very informative!! Very cool!! Thanks!

[@LiamKillen]

Thanks for watching and glad to help!

[@nahrky]

2:10 not the licc! 😂 Great overview here, as someone who has been deep into this world for a few years now I wish I’d been able to watch this video when I was getting started! But it also helps for me as kind of a reassurance to at my setup has a bit of everything already - which keep the GAS at bay.

[@LiamKillen]

Yeah that’s the purpose of this video- for anyone who’s just beginning + needs some clarification

[@LiamKillen]

The forsaken lick lol

[@dustydigitally9132]

LoVe this vid man!! Thanks 🙏🏾

[@LiamKillen]

Thx Dusty!

[@EverettVinzant]

I am saying this before I watch the video. I look forward to someone sorting this out. Because I have seen many videos that conflict with each other, and I’m not smart enough to figure it out on my own… Let’s go Liam!

[@LiamKillen]

This is a video that I wish existed when I first jumped into the synth world!

[@EverettVinzant]

@@LiamKillen An observation and an opinion after watching your video. I would have put the Digitakt in the “sampler” category (based on what you said) and the MPC One in the groove box category. I can remove all the samples on an MPC One and still make music using the virtual instruments. That wouldn’t be as simple with a digitakt even with monosynth capabilities. That would be like using a screwdriver as a chisel. Yes you can do it… Anyway, just my opinion, thanks for the video.

[@michaels8088]

you can simplify things into ONE device,like the PolyEnd Tracker...

[@EverettVinzant]

@@michaels8088 not if you perform live.

[@neeno_217]

Thank you so much i have an exam tomorrow and you've made everything so much easier 😭

[@LiamKillen]

A synth exam ! I love it haha - glad to help.

[@partypositions]

yooo this is exactly the video I needed right now. I come from a live guitar/bass/drums background, but these days I've been looking to get into synths & sampling. I already own some of this equipment but have had *no* clue wtf to do with it, so thanks for clearing up my confusion! let me get my SP404 SX out and try to make friends with it again.

[@LiamKillen]

Awesome! Glad to have helped ! :-)

[@berry5959]

Great video, thx man!

[@LiamKillen]

My pleasure

[@iosmusicman]

Fabulous video production in this one Liam. I don’t need the content personally but I really enjoyed it and it will be hugely useful for beginners. Cheers. Lee

[@iosmusicman]

Oh and where did you get the yellow SP-404 (or is it a cover). Desperately want that baby…

[@LiamKillen]

Thanks Lee! 🍻

[@LiamKillen]

Style flip 😏

[@guitaretudes6484]

Great video. Thank you sir

[@LiamKillen]

Thx for watching :-)

[@guitaretudes6484]

@@LiamKillen 🙏😊

[@358life6]

Brilliant, thank you

[@LiamKillen]

It'a a pleasure.

[@358life6]

@@LiamKillen hi Liam just a quick one is there a box that can produce a continuous flow of music that I can manipulated to create what I want to hear in real time? I've been watching yours and a few other channels and groove boxes look like the thing. We want to be able to make music on the sofa and then be able to pass it to my partner to continue the flow. Cheers Tom. This sounds like a dream to us

[@sumlem]

Thanks for this video! I made the terrible mistake last year of doing minimal research and purchasing a not so great device off of Amazon for my boyfriend that broke down in a few weeks. He deserves a lot better! I also peeped The Lick lol

[@LiamKillen]

Glad to help you out ! :-)

[@cameronw2794]

Thanks for your video, Liam. Very informative for a synth rookie like me, I just play guitar and picked up a Minilogue XD with TR-06 drum machine and looking to hook it up to a groovebox. I liked the MPC One but not good for live performance.

[@LiamKillen]

Glad to help! 😊

[@justintonation9726]

I’d argue an MPC could be great for performance if you use it as the brain for your Minilogue and TR-06. You could use it to add backing tracks or play your Korg while you play guitar. I don’t remember how many midi jacks it has but you could get a midi through/splitter if you need one. If you want a performative sampler the SP-404 mkii seems the way to go.

[@joej5081]

Great video, perfect video to get new people into the cult of Dawless

[@LiamKillen]

LOL

[@kwhandy]

liam has everything i need, back when i was teenager

[@LiamKillen]

lol

[@melihkaleciklioglu]

So I started making music on my own when my old band ended. I was the vocalist and had no songwriting skills whatsoever. But I always wanted to produce music and found a used Maschine Mikro mk1, bought it and started making beats. Because I didn't (and still dont) know how to play the piano I started learning to play the guitar, as it was the only reference I had, even though I only knew how to play powerchords on a drop tuning. After switching to logic and only using the Maschine for "backing tracks" I recently searched for a solution to make music away from the laptop, as I dont want to spend more time at the screen after work. Thought of getting the 404 but had the impression that the learning curve would be too much for my daily resources. Honestly I didn't understand the differences between samplers and groove boxes, I just thought the latter would be synths with a sequencer. Lastly I went with the Maschine + as it is stand alone and I am somewhat familiar with the software/workflow. I am looking to make tracks on it and get more familiar with the workflow and using it in new ways I hadn't before, like recording guitars/vocals straight into it - instead of importing the beat into logic and then doing "all the bandstuff" in the laptop. Very exciting, yet I know that there is so much more to learn.

[@LiamKillen]

Thanks for your take on this and for watching :-)

[@theplaylister]

Just in time! Thanks! What would you recommend for finger drumming?

[@LiamKillen]

MPC one!

[@pinkbuddha_samplepackreviews]

🔥🔥🔥

[@LiamKillen]

🍻

[@dave3987]

The Yamaha Rs7000 is 3 in 1 a sequencer, sampler and synthesizer. Love it. I use it as the master and the modx6 like a slave both are great together.

[@LiamKillen]

Hitting it from all angles if ya know what I mean.

[@dave3987]

@@LiamKillen I prefer hardware over software because of the latency issues computer daws are unstable. Have more control over my sounds.

[@gottliebheinrich8413]

i would love to find a system of one trick pony gear to build a setup. like it works with pedal boards and with the synth racks with modules. we already have masterkeyboards and pads recording devices, mixers, why not boxes with one or more VST ...

[@LiamKillen]

The closest thing to that is Ableton Live / BitWig.

[@kmariemusic48]

This is awesome! Do you do lessons?

[@LiamKillen]

I do! Here’s info on how to book: www.liamkillen.com/book-a-lesson

[@VJFranzK]

Grooveboxes gRule! 13:19 (and they all _should_ have sample loading at least, MIDI, and battery. though some do not... ) Even though I don't always like that term, because what if the music being made isn't Groovy?

[@LiamKillen]

Interesting point :-)

[@proforma2429]

Thx for walking me through here. What would you choose as a beginner, a groovebox for 1k or get a drumcomputer first and than expand with additional machines? Cheers

[@LiamKillen]

It really depends what you’re going for! Digitakt / OP-Z are great starters in that range.

[@LiamKillen]

TR-6S is also ultra underrated

[@mb2776]

pro going with groovebox: all included in one unit. con: sometimes hard to really get into the details of sound design with it pro going with drumcomputer + stuff: fine control over all the sounds, being able to use the stuff later without drumcomputer con: need to connect everything audio and midi, u need a mixer or an interface with several inputs to hear all the stuff at once. ---- btw, u can also get a groovebox and other gear xD

[@justintonation9726]

I started with a groovebox years ago with the Roland MC-303 back when you recorded to a digital recorder like the Roland VS880 and connected a 1x CD burner over SCSI (it was mind boggling at the time and it failed to burn 30% of the time) or an ADAT. DAWs we’re just coming into existence. I personally enjoy a DAW and think a DAW with a MIDI keyboard is the best way to start, but if I were going DAWless, I’d look at the Roland MC-707 or a Maschine+. I love the Digitakt but I don’t consider it a groovebox because it doesn’t have an onboard synth. It’s a sampler/sequencer with effects.

[@khroomlet8821]

For the lead at 15:10, does the sequencer still have 16 steps, or is the lead part longer than the other sequences?

[@LiamKillen]

I can't remember exactly to be honest but with the OP-Z you can certainly have different length sequences / part.

[@gottliebheinrich8413]

is there something which makes arpeggios from the notes i send via MIDI

[@LiamKillen]

depends on the unit you're using - like maybe with the Digitone if you turn on arp mode it'll play back the notes in arpeggio form ? I'm not sure though! Haven't tried it.

[@gutsberserker5476]

i just brought a computer, youtube is awesome

[@LiamKillen]

😏

[@arandommaggot4963]

Dunno if you'll see this, and this might be a dumb question, but are launchpads considered a type of sampler?

[@LiamKillen]

Not a stupid question! A launchpad is essentially a controller - so you can control a DAW with it, or perhaps another peice of hardware. Some of them are super intuitive. If you're still in those beginner stages - this is a video that might help you out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWG0dHVrrceAjbM

[@arandommaggot4963]

@@LiamKillen thanks a ton man!

[@axidhaus]

Akai

[@LiamKillen]

My guy

[@leewightman8619]

So with the sp it sounds like it's like a pocket operator KO on steroids. I want to get either an s.p or MPC one but the s.p seem easier to learn as iv never used an MPC ..I would be more confident saving up if I knew the workflow.. I mastered the pocket operator k.o in a couple of hours so I'm sure I'd be able to figure them out

[@LiamKillen]

if you're already a DAW user, the SP might actually be a more difficult learn- the MPC One is essentially a DAW in a box, so you might understand that workflow quicker. Here's a comparison actually: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWixkHiOaJykmtU

[@leewightman8619]

@@LiamKillen ah thanks all check it out

[@jevogroni4829]

i guess the question is, what is the bottom end of ”groovebox”? can sth be a groovebox without being a sampler? what features does a sampler lack to make it a sampler but not a groovebox?

[@LiamKillen]

There’s a fine line there. Some grooveboxes can sample + have a synth. Others just sample and others just have a synth feature (along with a multitude of other features). A lot of it is just how the machine is marketed. Like the sP-404 mk2 is a sampler but it can practically be marketed as a groovebox.

[@mb2776]

"can sth be a groovebox without being a sampler?" yes, there are several oldskool grooveboxes out there with only built in stuff "what features does a sampler lack to make it a sampler but not a groovebox?" simple, not being able to sequence the samples is number 1 difference. check out all the akai stuff, s950, s1000. these machines need stuff to trigger the samples.

[@justintonation9726]

I’d consider a groovebox something that has a synth, sequencer and fx. That’s how they were originally marketed. A sampler was a separate piece of gear. Some grooveboxes may have had samples as presets, but the ability to record your own samplers was not included in a groovebox initially.

[@MatthewChase0]

🍖 y 🎮! 😃 (I'm a visual thinker). Great channel!

[@LiamKillen]

Appreciate you being here! :-)

[@GeoffreyABruce]

Great use of The Lick!

[@LiamKillen]

lol thx

[@VideoJunkXXL]

Make the Deal of my Life, got this Machine for about 65€. Already own a an1x, but this was a nobrainer 😎😁 Does anybody know where to Download the CD-ROM with Sounds, Editor etc? Thx

[@LiamKillen]

🚫 🧠

[@kennylee5621]

You don't have to necessarily have to sample from pre-recorded audio.

[@LiamKillen]

You are right

[@magnetoclash]

Thanks video. Love the channel. One thing. If the way you pronounce MIDI is part of your brand, well ok fine. But if not, it just sounds weird and tends to distract me from your actual content. It’s a commonly used term in them electronic dawless world so that’s a lot of distraction! Each time I hear that “meedi” it’s like ouch! It’s a me problem I guess. But maybe other fans of your channel feel similarly?

[@LiamKillen]

It’s been brought up a few times lol - 🥩 🎮

[@nexuzeb79]

Triangle is meant to be saw I suppose 😉

[@LiamKillen]

Mmhmm!

[@earlsfield]

All modern synths have presets??? How about Moog Matriarch, Grandmother, DFAM and that entire line, most of the modular stuff, MFB machines, Pulsar 23, Soma, synths like Analogue Solutions instruments (Impulse Command, Fusebox, not to mention Colossus).... a LOT of contemporary synthesizers do not have presets and are not built with recall state in mind - I understand you are targeting the video towards the people just starting out and I understand what you meant, but because they are starting out, all the more reason to be precise.

[@LiamKillen]

Ya got me bro

[@earlsfield]

@@LiamKillen Wasn't bad intent, I know what you meant.

[@jmd76family]

Can't a drum machine be a sequencer?

[@LiamKillen]

It certainly can.

[@jannisjag247]

I disagree labelling a MPC one a sampler. Despite of being able to be used with samples, it is a full groovebox.

[@LiamKillen]

Lines be blurred these days.

[@jannisjag247]

@LiamKillen True. However, there are still some few classical samplers left e.g. the SP-404 mk2 which doesn't have a synth engine yet and is not really suitable to be the centrepiece of a setup.

[@elek-trick]

Nothing made by Elektron? No synth, no sampler, nothing..?

[@LiamKillen]

I'm not sure what you point is 🤔

[@TheJustinterio]

Meaty controller

[@LiamKillen]

🥩 🎮

[@stuartmccallum91]

I hate being that guy, but it’s pronounced MID-EE, not MEAD-EE!

[@LiamKillen]

🥩 ee

[@VJFranzK]

because the I stands for Instrument!

[@JoergWessels]

​@@VJFranzKIf the first I is short because it's for instrument does that mean, the second I is also short because it's for interface? Obviously not.

[@VJFranzK]

@@JoergWessels Good point. But I guess the second "I" must be pronounced "ee" because English could not pronounce a word ending in the sound that begins "Instrument" - what would it be, "MID ihh?" The words are in English, as defined by Dave Smith who named it! "MID ee" kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKKZkKmvabWWrc0

[@Painsoreal]

How are you? You look sad 🦥

[@LiamKillen]

With a KZbin handle like yours there's a good chance that you are projecting.

[@RalphLBaer]

I’d have to go w placid.

[@Painsoreal]

@@LiamKillen 😊

[@justintonation9726]

Once you hit your late 20’s to 40 it’s all genetics. I’ve seen guys in their 20’s that look 35. I’m 40 and most people think I’m 28-32. They’ll say “you might be too young to remember…” when I’m older than they are. I’m tempted to say “I saw Nirvana live while you were riding a bike with training wheels.” I’m too nice to say it, but I’ve thought it.

[@justintonation9726]

Also in response to OP, making content is exhausting especially when you have a job and a life. Maybe he was tired. Your comment is rude.

[@duddleypiercejr.]

Sampling is for the soul. Synth is some wack laser sound mainstream shit.

[@LiamKillen]

lol!

[@Klocaine237]

I love your furry paws. Twist off that red rocket 🚀

[@LiamKillen]

lol!

[@Painsoreal]

Also, big thanks to Liam. He motivated me to start to buy some boxes, and boom, I had already released two tracks (also, with distrokid) 🎉🎉🎉 👏👌🤏🏽🤌✨✨✨❤

[@LiamKillen]

Oh awesome! Appreciate you watching 😃

[@Painsoreal]

@@LiamKillen 😋✨