PLINKY Review // a charming portable granular and wavetable synth

[@vgaportauthority9932]

The guy who makes this, Alex Evans, is a freaking genius. He's one of the masterminds behind the PS4 User Generated Content creation tool Dreams (also Little Big Planet) and he's just making awesome stuff wherever he goes. He's like top tier brilliant when it comes to making tools for others to express themselves with. Plinky looks amazing.

[@NickBatinaComposer]

Woah, that’s a CV (not voltage lmao) of a Herculean level, daym!! Awesome fun fact, I definitely gotta check that dude out now!

[@gunnarliljas8459]

A larger version (Plonk?) would make a lot of sense.

[@Feanarth]

Plank!

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

and it begins ! to big, to small, more colors :-)

[@ofootyeabicc201]

Plonk is already a eurorack module made by intellijel

[@enjenj6655]

Plonky

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@Feanarth Big Plink?

[@LEVRAN]

Imagine this guy twice as big... this is a masterpiece

[@jesset3241]

That's an amazing value! Hopefully this video will drum up more interest for the next batch. I think i'm going to have to add myself to the wait list - as you said "no brainer territory"... Great review!

[@womperfixa2286]

Plinky Yellow Team for the win!!!

[@atomboyd]

YELLOW 4 LIFE

[@zyclopath]

Yelllloooooooooo

[@dualtrx]

i'm realy amazed by how good this sounds. Nice design and format. Good job.

[@jm6734]

Impressive work by the maker. Would be sweet for iPad.

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

More than just a new toy. And yes also a new toy. In the seventies this little guy would take up a whole room.

[@MUNRO13]

Wow that’s cool. Amazing review too.

[@sykromsmile6303]

Great video

[@mrotaveria]

that's a cute thing, these encoders look like the Prophet 8 ones, hope they are better :S

[@kay_lpzw]

One encoder (Bourns, very good quality) and two knobs (Alpha Taiwan also quite acceptable)

[@NoxBoxdy]

I have yet to be able to get one.. :-( waiting list for.ever....

[@seanspartan2023]

"Probability essentially acts as a density control for the Euclidean parameter." O.o

[@kiickinballistics]

close 28:14 ...basically ...pattern

[@PFSTR]

Great review as always! ...and are those new TRS cables I'm seeing? :)

[@loopop]

Just for you :) Cooler ones just came in the mail today - coming soon...

[@barrnycharlton8951]

will you do Fred’s Lab Tooro synth

[@loopop]

not likely sorry

[@ZVWVVZ]

Nice

[@Bod8998]

Totally lost me bigtime but as usual intro and outro well good

[@ekummel]

I love this thing...but it needs to be twice the size it currently is. There is no way I can see any of the silk screened stuff on that panel!

[@WarrenPostma]

He's not getting it back. That means you likey!

[@byronmarais]

I feel like this is a Tim and Eric skit.

[@davidsobel3303]

at 65 yrs old I'm gonna have to make a square magnifying glass enclosure to use this..haha. But very cool!

[@fjfrancois]

going to need a microscope my self

[@mymockumentary9716]

I made the 66th thumbs up:) I'm 53 so catching up

[@am5790]

right next to you mate...and I wear glasses

[@irishmusico]

You will be grand. Stevie Wonder will have one in his back pocket 😊

[@giovannidiblasi2784]

56

[@beenmicrophone5817]

"Full disclosure, plnkiy sent this over for a review and they're not getting it back" 🤣🤣🤣

[@johnking8298]

My favorite line in the video. I’m on the waiting list. Can’t wait to get one!

[@ich22]

And the second i read the comment he is saying this...

[@citizenbxtr883]

@@johnking8298 I was on the previous waiting list as well as the next one. Gutted they went so quickly

[@collinownsyou]

This guy's like the lockpicking lawyer of synths

[@CoatlSandoval]

it's fun to know the reference, so we share a certain taste XD

[@Modrunnermusic]

It seems our youtube taste are similar. Cheers

[@RealisticExpectations]

Not really

[@artmoloch777]

‘A little bit intimidating’?! It looks like a glossary of Grapes of Wrath hobo symbols

[@DavidCastro-c2l]

How does this compare to the lemondrop synth?

[@5amJones69]

I love the way loopop said ''...and he's not getting it back.''. Sounded like Adam didn't already know that and Loopop is just like ''Nope, no way buddy. It's mine now, bye.''

[@rijksvoorlichtingsdienst4427]

Thats a shame because only one was ever made so it seems

[@DoitYHWH]

This is incredible for $250

[@paulb1953]

That's for the DIY kit

[@unstunghero9925]

@@paulb1953 not in England it isnt

[@joelewis8416]

@@unstunghero9925 yeah because we don't use dollars in england

[@xin0]

@@unstunghero9925 that should be £220-£225

[@ಠ_ಠ-ಯ8ಧ]

@@xin0 😨

[@gerardopujado1868]

The big version already exists... it's called TWISTER!

[@kay_lpzw]

😂

[@jjrusy7438]

you just like saying "plinky". the future of synths is so bright, one has to just wonder what is coming down the pipe next.

[@blushingfrieza]

Savings be damned!

[@toddmaek5436]

Dude just invest 100 dollars in a good staking crypto and wait for it to hit 375 once it does take out 350. You will have your initial investment to put back in your savings PLUS the money for this, with 25 still left in the crypto to grow

[@desiolle2874]

@@toddmaek5436 What would you suggest Todd?

[@MakingSoundMachines]

Plinky is absolutely lovely! Thank you so much for making an in-depth video about it!

[@Domingo95x]

thanks for torturing us with something THIS cool, that nobody can get.

[@bobcatt2294]

I am still mystified why, the shortest intro known using one word, is seemingly so positively responsive when you utter it to another person. It is not: hey bro, hi brother, hello, or hey, it is without exception, "hi" which does the trick.

[@paulmint1775]

This is FANTASTIC !! I can just imagine opening a stargate, a portal to a different dimension of sound. PLINKY looks like an ancient Egyptian, flying pyramid controller. I want one !!

[@renevanderkraats224]

I like the sounds, I like the off-beat design and iconography, but when I stare at that control surface to make sense of it my brain goes into a software error and freezes. Even the white LEDs get drowned in that sea of lines and wriggles.

[@lordofthe6string]

Alex Evans is a hero of mine. He did a talk at Siggraph many years ago about his work on Little Big Planet (quick search just now and I can't find online anymore), and that kickstarted my need for a career in games. He showed off one of his notebooks once too and I poured over it for hours. Watching his work was like watching a pioneer, because he (and his team) seemed to be actually pushing boundaries and squeezing the most power out of the consoles, whereas a lot of other game devs just seemed to settle for good enough (probably naivety on my part). I am sad he no longer works in games, but as shown here he's not giving up using his talent. He also now works for Nvidia if I am not mistaken, and I am sure he is very well suited for getting more nitty gritty with hardware.

[@ANSWERTHECALLOFJESUSCHRIST]

Man, this PLINKY synth to me sounds good every time, all the time. I'm super impressed. It has been a while since I've actually went, "Woah, I wouldn't mind owning one. It legit sounds distinctive!" I just wish it was bigger than a homemade waffle for those of us who aren't into modular goodness and want something substantial!

[@80Jay71]

It's what the NTS-1 would be when fully grown up, I guess.

[@sinesurfing6029]

Shame the potential for this to be a big seller is crippled by the chip shortage. There are going to be so many 'could-have-been' synths from small companies like this that never take off

[@888visuals]

I have to say...I have watched your videos for over a year now. No matter what you review. I am just a noob synth fan who makes noise...but the complexity and precision you bring to the review genre is unparalleled. AND...I was lucky enough to snag the latest batch of V2 Blue PCB Plinky...it's on the way to me now...flying over the ocean from Thonk. I am freaking out right now...can't wait to start putting this together. We are on the Plinky discord channel right now congratulating mmalex. Thank you for the EPIC video review!

[@Dogboy73]

Way too small and fiddly. Maybe, in this case, a mistake making it Eurorack compatible. Should have been a desktop device I think.

[@womperfixa2286]

you can get a case for it

[@smashSpikeMC]

I want one look it up and can't buy it or see price, looks like il just forget about it if it

[@DocTaTech]

Thank you Loopop for making all these great tutorials/reviews! All the best from DK

[@loopop]

🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@bobcatt2294]

Dear LooPop, your intro of each video starts with, "Hi." This has been working on me for some reason in my deeper subconscious. Then what happen is I started to say hi while taking my walks - like you say it, rather quickly, and to my surprise I was getting greetings back. So now I use it each day. Now what does this have to do with synths?

[@PSMProjectVids]

Hi

[@FelixKesslerGoodSoundForYou]

Hi

[@bobcatt2294]

@@FelixKesslerGoodSoundForYou Hi

[@mattheww9656]

հí

[@bobcatt2294]

@mugwump Try it while you are walking - towards someone - magic I say.

[@23Gears]

Perfect timing - I just built mine yesterday.As part of my hand- built modular setup, this will add tons of texture and functionality. Thanks for the review and I can perhaps wish for a tips n tricks video later!

[@charliewilson7283]

I know you said you just got it, but I'm curious if it works well just for functionality like using just its ADSR gate or just using it as a fx unit within your setup?

[@23Gears]

@@charliewilson7283 haven't had a chance to try that yet I'm afraid. If I get a chance to give it a try I can post back with my experience.

[@charliewilson7283]

would appreciate thanks! Hope you have fun with it

[@mustafaalbaree]

this is one of the coolest things ive ever seen

[@denniso7937]

Love the honest disclaimer of your funding in the beginning! I think that transparency should be the standard!

[@enochroot9438]

The Plinky was created by Alex Evans one of the creative geniuses who founded the videogame company media Molecule...I'm definitely going to get one of these eccentric charming synths

[@DoitYHWH]

Interesting, is Alex Evans still with MM?

[@enochroot9438]

@@DoitYHWH He's a really nice chap, as one of the founders he's still connected with Mm but has stepped away from the day to day to pursue new creative directions, you can find him on twitter and he has posted some KZbin videos showing how to build and use the plinky kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6TCkKCOZcR0p80

[@DoitYHWH]

@@enochroot9438 Thanks for the link man! Yeah I personally find Dreams to be trash compared Little Big Planet. But I would love to support his music endeavors. Thanks again!

[@Chasing_Thoughts]

It’s a semi-modular sampler? I think they’ve been spying on me, that’s exactly what I need!

[@joellebrodeur1015]

I'm a guitar player with zero synth knowledge and I find this fascinating.

[@Williamwerenberg]

Ditto, but slowly learning 😊 I started with a Volca Modular. It seems like an easy entry point

[@sendalunar2974]

Awesome little synth. Anyone else still on the waiting list?

[@maxkamerer]

Since 21 😂

[@hfos]

I had myself convinced my setup was complete, and there's nothing I need anymore and I should focus on mastering the gear I have, then you dropped this one and now it looks like I'm collecting my Plinky tomorrow. 'Thanks' I guess!

[@tz4601]

There's a notice on thonk specifically about this synth, saying that your chances of getting one are essentially zero. Apparently their wishlist has more than 4000 people on it already and due to the chip shortage, in August they struggled to source a mere 200 kits. You're still free to join the waitlist but you may be waiting for actual years.

[@electronsorcerers9707]

Thank you for pointing this out. I was already averse to signing up just to check the length of the waitlist. How much does the thing even cost???

[@modularoutput]

I'm having issues syncing the arp with an external clock. Maybe it's just me?

[@infindebula]

This looks so incredibly cool. The DIY price is indeed a no-brainer. Until I can get one though, I would really appreciate a review of that Electra One controller!

[@vinnytube5]

Does the reverse on this reverse just the playback or the individual grains @loopop

[@Postglobalism]

very bad design

[@bertokleine9017]

Holy flying fuck .... why so small so tiny don’t see anything. Wowwww

[@alexskepp]

Genius level on that user interface. The guy who designed it must have one capable brain.

[@teguh.hofstee]

Alex Evans! Was part of the team at Media Molecule that worked on Dreams and Little Big Planet. Has a twitter: @mmalex

[@troubledseed]

They be like: "This is what Aliens use to make music"

[@AABattery]

I'm on the list since January... Desperately waiting. Thanks for the great review!

[@evanrench3718]

Kaosilator3

[@davidmartin7242]

i want nothing more than to be sent music making technology for free, without having to send it back.

[@expandingknowledge8269]

Sign of the devil horns in PLINKY, SATANIC TOOL! 👹

[@anonymusum]

That concept is insane. It may work if you only have one or two synths, but with over 20 or 30 you´re doomed.

[@hansolo989]

Honey look! A new loopop vid

[@peaterrepeater4441]

Awesome synth. However, I would love to see a review of the midicontroller next to it. Didn’t know they’re available yet.

[@aluminiumnaughty7122]

Holy shit, I need this device immediately!!

[@MarioGodoyMusic]

I’ve been on the waitlist. Need this one. Also shoutout to Extralife Instruments Super Sixteen sequencer. I built one a couple months ago. So great!

[@entisuranis3252]

what do i do when my nasty dorito fingers wear off the paintjob on the surface?

[@Syncopator]

Worst. User interface. Ever.

[@ianbcnp]

Have you tried it? I'm loving mine :-)

[@AshtenHaywood]

I'm getting Pink Flotlyd vibes from this

[@hotasiangarbage8476]

I've been on the waitlist for a few months now, I can't stop thinking about it.

[@seanarooni]

lol at "he's not getting it back"

[@brumd]

Very interesting device. In my case the small size is just right, and since I built my own MIDI controller based on a Teensy4.1 which includes a USB-Host the lack of a MIDI in port doesn't bother me. I have been looking for some granular synthesis in a small format, and the Bastl Microgranny never really impressed me. The build or this one looks super simple, so yes, I put myself on the waiting list for this one. Thank you for the video!

[@kay_lpzw]

It actually has a serial MIDI i/o on the hidden expander connector. Just not Optocoupler, driver or jacks

[@brumd]

@@kay_lpzw you mean I could just make my own MIDI IN OUT with a 6N138 and a few other parts? That is easy enough. Thanks for the tip!

[@kay_lpzw]

@@brumd exactly. There is also a 4HP euro expander with them and another USB port (cos you can’t reach them when mounted in euro) and the ABXY modulations as CV out. It’s all open sourced ... check the discord server

[@honorablecnote]

lol he’s not getting it back 😂😂😂😂

[@CJ_222]

the fact that the only way to attain this is on a wait list and you have to build it with a soldering gun disappoints me.

[@mju135]

It's fine, I hate money anyway

[@sandrainthesky1011]

This is amazing! I design modules myself and have thought of something like this, but my mind is blown by the innovation and complexity but ease of use. Can't wait until they're back in stock!

[@suga4all]

Uuuhhh! Clouds on dope! Love it! Also great jam!

[@amundbisgaard7295]

Way too tiny. Gets you claustrophobic in an instant.

[@GTChris]

How great would this be with MPE, you could just velcro it to the back of your Linnstrument.

[@obezijana]

oh that's not MPE? It appeared like one

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

Imagine if Klaus Schultz had one😎

[@rijksvoorlichtingsdienst4427]

Hi this is plinky its a synth that nobody ever owned

[@Knobelbernd]

Whats up with the Projektor Display?

[@MalcomJuliaMorgan]

man i really dig this. but i dont like cool shit i cant get.

[@JulioAvalos3000]

Thanks for the demo.

[@voicians]

I should have finished my Rocket Science degree :/

[@thomasdavis8722]

Just put myself on the waitlist

[@jr.elwood9326]

It feels like you need a math degree to operate this. But isn't music just calculations and numbers...?

[@loopop]

actually playing it is just a matter of sliding your hands on the surface. creating your own presets is indeed more complex

[@aarocka11]

Plinky and the brian

[@Djl2212]

Hi anyone have a link were I can buy from thanks

[@scienceofsound]

Is the sound you’re playing in the intro a preset or something you created on Plinky? Have you had time with V3?

[@loopop]

It's my own thing (based on samples from a friend), and no I've not tried V3

[@scienceofsound]

@@loopop Thanks. I’m waiting for my V3 to ship this week.

[@truetech4158]

Haha, I knew it was you. Your the guy from the Mr Bill Show, the hands. it's you, your that guy. The hand gestures are the same, though mr bill show was about plastercine involving gruesome itchy n scratchy type scenarios along with mr sluggo. Nice to see you are still busy. Rock on.

[@jefgibbons]

Such a cool device! Great video, amazing how quickly you make this complex looking thing make sense!

[@daslolo]

fuck! this is so expressive

[@ACABSTUDIOS]

I would get such a headache trying to look at that

[@ouchcubic]

absolutely friggin amazing. i am quite impressed. sorry Korg but you could really pick up some ideas if you would listen to your users . these people are INNOVATING. they are user/inventors . big biz is out of touch wirh users YAY PLINKY BRAVO PLINKY!

[@TechbugProduction]

Sorry me lazy to research, Does it have MPE, if its pressure sensitive surface?

[@loopop]

No MPE, only polyphonic aftertouch

[@xin0]

Feels like Seaboard Sync. Does this Plinky come with talent?

[@Eidraify]

Wait this is crazy, why have i not heard of it before