Donner B1: the most affordable analog synth of 2024

[@devinbelangermusic]

Get this synth for $115 after using PROMO CODE “supmilesaway” for 15% off! datasink.rantion-admin.com/t/XR

[@OMNI_INFINITY]

PS: Thanks for posting that! The production quality sounded surprisingly nice!

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@OMNI_INFINITY my pleasure! Stick around my channel for more synth demos :)

[@OMNI_INFINITY]

@@devinbelangermusic I am visiting china now and bizarrely that company said they don't sell them in china. Factory is maybe a few km from here. Sigh... Any friends at donner can arrange to get one of those to Me? I have literally built similar synths as iOS and iPadOS apps before and also thankfully made some AWESOME commercial tracks advancing that genre to another level. Made those tracks mainly with ABL3, so it would be nice to have a B1 as that is the specific style of diode clipper sound I like. Thanks in advance, if can introduce somebody at donner to get one of those here!

[@djkanyon]

Finally this one gets recognition it deserves. One of the absolute best piece of gear i've ever own. Bought it about a year ago and could not imagine my life without it. My only regret is that i only bought one instead of three.

[@DankePlace]

You probably think this analog needs 24 bit depth too eh?

[@devinbelangermusic]

Glad you enjoyed! I agree its a lot better than it has a right to be at this price. What do you like using it for mainly?

[@djkanyon]

@@devinbelangermusic everything bro, from sequencing Crave to providing analog arps to work along Electribe, as a midi - keyboard for Volca Keys and of course to sink stuff. I don't even think anybody anywhere can do something cheaper and better.

[@DankePlace]

@@djkanyon you wanna sink stuff, like the kitchen sink?

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@djkanyon yea for real I actually like the sequencer better than the synth itself! It's genuinely such a powerful little unit for the price

[@timetraveller3063]

Really good review,.I have one in the box, played with it, one trick pony, but I have learned from your lesson... especially the Random sequencer function. Thanks.

[@devinbelangermusic]

My pleasure!

[@Jason_Drums_]

Wow 😃 I think Donner will be blown away with that demo 🤩 Incredible 👌 a joy to watch and listen 🎶 🎧 🤩 🙌

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks for watching man!!

[@Jason_Drums_]

@@devinbelangermusic Absolute pleasure always 😊 have a fantastic weekend my friend 🙏🏼🤩🙌

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@Jason_Drums_ you too !

[@EchoKraft]

Wow ! Great video!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful!

[@robertziegler72]

Great review. Super nice synth for the cost 👍

[@tjwalkup7155]

This is great. Cool jam

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks so much!

[@gabrielshepard]

Thats pretty impressive!

[@MagicRoosterBluesBand]

Thanks for this excellent review. Just got one from Amazon.

[@devinbelangermusic]

Glad you enjoyed!! Have fun!!

[@RaverOperator]

Great video, and i liked your Erica Synths one too! New to your channel... I love these little units. I picked up two (separately) at a nice price secondhand online recently and looking forward to learning more on the programming/sequencing elements to it. I've got a TT-303, but I'm blown away at how much this unit squeals and love it, acid sound on steroids!! A few drawbacks on the background noise and the slightly wobbly 3.5mm jacks, but overall it's a great unit and at a nice price even as new

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thank you for watching and welcome to my channel! New videos weekly :) that’s pretty much my thoughts on this too, for the price it’s great

[@RaverOperator]

@@devinbelangermusic thanks my man! Keep doing what you're doing! Excellent breakdowns on the two videos I watched already and looking forward to discovering more 🤗

[@needthecoast]

Great video! Great demo song!🎉

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks so much!

[@CSiri-cc2hq]

Nice work! Thanks for the review

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@CSiri-cc2hq thanks!!

[@jmd76family]

Great video. Was looking for a sequencer for other synths that could be used on the fly no computer.

[@devinbelangermusic]

yea this is great for that, the sequencer is arguably even better than the synth, its really usable and fun for such a cheap unit

[@meistudiony]

This is fantastic!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thank you for watching!

[@tomn.8475]

Great song!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks so much!

[@yourcitysleeps]

Great video! I'm a believer now 🎹

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thank you for watching and enjoy!

[@Nenko_Music]

Great review m8

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks so much!

[@Tom-ze7fc]

Lovedi it!

[@dkb219]

For the price, its great. Especially synched up with something like a Roland t8. As a bassist, it makes me come up with lines I wouldn't naturally go for on a guitar or upright bass. Fun.

[@devinbelangermusic]

Couldn't agree more!

[@nexuzeb79]

good vid, dude... i love my tb 3 with doprobots mod best of my 5 clones but modded mb33 is priceless

[@jarikensenat1282]

Got one a year ago. Love it👍

[@devinbelangermusic]

congrats and thanks for watching!

[@tylerzerbe6861]

wish i woulda seen this 6 months ago. this looks way easier to use than my dueling td3s

[@devinbelangermusic]

I definitely find it a lot easier, I did not like the Sequencer on the TD-3 which is why I sold it, but it sounded great! Made it onto a couple songs before I let it go :)

[@kvmoore1]

Dang! This thing is so much easier to program than the 303 and my Behringer TD-3, plus it has a built-in delay. I've passed and slept on this synth for a while. However, I may consider getting one of these now after watching this video. That square wave sounds so good with the squelchy filter and the delay on it! A 303 with presets? CRAZY!!!!! Yeah, I think I'm gonna get one. Okay, I just ordered one!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Glad I could help you out there! Yea for the price its really a steal. I'd love to see them make a 4-5 voice polysynth with this same layout and sequencer for 200-300. Give Behringer a challenge, since Donner I feel understands sequencers a lot better.

[@kvmoore1]

@MilesAwayOfficial Yeah, I ordered it a week ago and I am still waiting on it to arrive. I agree, ir would be nice if Donner could make an affordable 4 or 5 voice poly. Hmm, that kinda reminds me of when Korg first released the silver Minilogue several years ago. Was it 2016? I don't remember the year.

[@saardean4481]

@@devinbelangermusic would be awesome to see a desktop poly in the same case format+size as the b1. I am not aware of any affordable poly desktop synth other than the Modal Argon and Cobalt 8m. I would not mind a Donner V.A desktop polysynth. So B1 it’s like a cyclone bassbot but less than half the price (but a lot more noise…). I had a cyclone and it was wonderful tbh

[@kvmoore1]

@@saardean4481 Nice! I might compare my B1 to my Behringer TD-3 and Novation Bass Station II just for kicks.

[@romanyel]

Update: I spend half a day trying to tune it to match my other synths in my dawless set-up and couldn't get it to match. I tried the pitch control and didn't see a way to tune in the software. So I returned it.

[@devinbelangermusic]

sounds like you got a lemon! sorry to hear that.

[@dubdoodle7191]

Best review ever ! Seems far more capable than the TD3

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thank you!!!

[@EnochDark]

I wanted one of these when they were announced but hit some financial troubles... Also thought since I've already got a Bass Station 2... But there's still something appealing to me about this B1, I think it's those rubbery pad keys. Thanks for reminding me about the thing!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks for watching friend!

[@romanyel]

I bought one from Temu for $78. I just got it and I think it might work out for me.

[@travisthornton1792]

This plays well with the Arturia Drumbrute Impact.

[@payt01]

Hard to underestand that people used to pay $3500 for a genuine 303 a couple of years ago. And now you get an improved version almost for free with a bag of potatoes. Times are a-changing :) Anyway it reminded me that I still have the Roland TB-3 lying around unused in a corner. Maybe I should give it a whirl again :)

[@devinbelangermusic]

For real! It's a golden age for synths. 303s are tons of fun but the price of the originals has always astounded me. Enjoy your jamming friend and thanks for watching! :)

[@keekeefries6298]

Can you modulate the filter during the sequence to store a nice sweep as it plays? Nice review!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks for watching! No filter sequencing, but it does store the ratchet, hold, slide, etc

[@alexwestconsulting]

I finally got one very recently. I'm well aware that when this came out there were many paid reviews "a la, this is a sponsored video, but I'm going to give you my honest opinion (wink, wink)". Never mind that they are giving the PR at all. Anyway, I have to say that it's a great machine. It's simply stunning for what I paid for it used, and even the retail price is amazing, but that kind of talk rather unfortunately takes away from the basic fact that this is a good device and that I would keep it around no matter price league it's at. I'm a sucker for it's industrial design, I have and have had quite a few tb-303 clones over the years, and while this isn't my favorite, it's a solid device nonetheless.

[@DankePlace]

Yeah paid reviews, just like your paid subs eh? Wink wink!!!!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Glad you enjoy yours and congrats on the good deal! For what its worth, pretty much every company sends free gear to reviewers like me, I can't speak for other channels but I get messages asking me to review terrible stuff that I decline pretty frequently, so if something makes it on this channel, its gonna be solid. Life is too short to spend 10+ hrs making a demo video for something I don't like!

[@PlayBackRate]

Hi! Is it possible to edit the seq during playback?

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@PlayBackRate yes!

[@DetroitMicroSound]

That sequencer is making it do things I've never really heard in a single osc 303 clone. I think my 1010music blackbox needs to feed on sequences created by this little monster. Also, bet this thing will really scream, running through the tc electronic tube pilot with a 1960 long black plate Baldwin branded Raytheon 12AX7A. (Which came out of an early 1960's Baldwin tube organ.)

[@devinbelangermusic]

Yea the sequencer really takes it up a notch! Biggest plus over the Behringer model imo, delay too. I'd love to put this through Tubes! It already sounds epic through my Walrus Eons fuzz

[@realmchat6665]

Good review, I have one and I love it.

[@devinbelangermusic]

Nice! What types of sounds do you mainly use it for?

[@gru_day]

There are some new features worth mentioning after a firmware update... like chaining patterns. In my opinion this needs some more work from Donner but its there. Hope Donner will look in to my e-mail :)

[@devinbelangermusic]

Agreed! Thanks for commenting :)

[@leolovetoparty]

Thanks for the video. I would be surprised if they had used an actual BBD delay as these tend to go for more than the price of the synth. This is the only thing that was a bit misleading to a pedant like myself ;-) I won't be buying one but if I was starting out I would choose it over the Behringer. Thanks again.

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks for watching! I could be wrong but I am pretty sure it is a real BBD, just a cheap noisy one with very little ms of delay. I'm pretty sure they just ported their 30$ Yellow Fall Analog Delay mini pedal into this thing, cause Donner sells bucketloads of those BBDs (pun intended)

[@FatSynthDude]

Yeah, it's a BBD. You can tell because the delay time's max is really low compared to a digital or tape delay. BBD is a fairly cheap technology, but with good vibes.

[@leolovetoparty]

@@FatSynthDude the delay time of a BBD delay depends on the number of chips. Regardless, it's impressive that they included an actual BBD delay. Even the cheapest actual BBD delay pedals cost a hundred bucks or so...

[@saardean4481]

Are the Leds dimmable in their intensity? They seem very bright….

[@devinbelangermusic]

Cant remember but I don't think so! Might be my color grading

[@directfighter225]

Can you use this as just a synthesizer.....I have a kawaii k1...I like the sounds in it....and want to get a sequencer that's comparable......will it work

[@devinbelangermusic]

Im not sure i follow? Do you mean to sequence a poly synth? it can only sequence mono synths, 1 note at once

[@Nenko_Music]

But does it makes kebabs ?

[@devinbelangermusic]

synth lines as tasty as kebabs!

[@Nenko_Music]

@@devinbelangermusic :D Indeed!!

[@Cameronwatt]

Shiiish

[@audiolego]

Stopppp, you're giving me the munchies.

[@ChristianSachaNovak]

Is has been done !!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCkiaSlac11l7Msi=Y-qpX3_rmajRasUF

[@grvjakep8420]

Hey man can you elaborate on the daw integration w/ the software app? i.e. @15:20 I have so much trouble getting the app to read the device, and when I finally get the app open, it looks nothing like yours. Are you opening it up as a VST plugin within your DAW? I am not having much luck with the Donner app. But the potential is insane.

[@devinbelangermusic]

I’ve never used it as a daw plugin, what I show in this video is pretty much all I do with it!

[@bigupz6818]

Great demo. How does it sync with other gear? I have one on the way 🎉

[@devinbelangermusic]

thank you! its pretty solid as long as you have something that can be the midi host! enjoy!

[@bigupz6818]

@@devinbelangermusic cool thanks

[@skizzenmusic5025]

How to synch in Ableton ?

[@devinbelangermusic]

USB midi and then sequence in ableton would be my recommendation

[@skizzenmusic5025]

@@devinbelangermusic séquence in Ableton ?

[@scottpatrickvest]

sick song, subd

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks and welcome!

[@blablablablabittybla561]

Always externally powered, or does it have a battery?

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@blablablablabittybla561 no battery! But it’s possible to run it off a power bank if the specs line up

[@blablablablabittybla561]

@ thanks. Sounds like no internal battery then.

[@djtomt]

Badass little synth!

[@devinbelangermusic]

thanks for watching!

[@leftmono1016]

Can this do the original 303 style sequencing? I know it’s quirky but to me it’s the essence of the 303 sound.

[@devinbelangermusic]

What were some of the quirks of the 303 sequencer? If you tell me I can confirm!

[@leftmono1016]

@@devinbelangermusic - hard to explain if you’ve not programmed the original style sequencer before!

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@leftmono1016 I've used the Behringer clone! But I must confess I hated the Sequencer, one of the reasons I sold it a while ago.

[@leftmono1016]

@@devinbelangermusic - I love the original sequencer, you never quite know what’s going to come out!

[@DJTJ1980]

How good is this with the pioneer rx3 or can u recommend another at similar price

[@devinbelangermusic]

Behringer TD-3 is basically this without a keyboard! Behringer Crave is similar but different filter

[@exionem]

Any budget drum machine that you might recommend to go with the Donner? I listened to the Behringer rd -6 but didn´t like the sound. Much appreciated.

[@devinbelangermusic]

Used Polyend play !

[@joshberrios3604]

if i can only have 1 but thinking on have more in the future (not near) Prophet 6 or Ob66? Thanks man also, great video, sad that only have decay, i would priorize ADSR instead of effects

[@devinbelangermusic]

Good question! If you have no other synths, Prophet 6 is pretty hard to beat, as it sounds great doing literally anything. But if you go for a more distinct (and imho beautiful) raw character and tone, then Ob-6 for life. I sold my Prophet 6 and kept my Ob-6 if that tells you anything!

[@joshberrios3604]

@@devinbelangermusic thanks for answer! now im thinking on have the OB X8 Desktop hahah ur fault not gonna lie, that beast sound amazing, but well.. il just gonna think more during these days , i think that also the prophet can sound a bit more plugin and i have dozens of cool ones... while the ob's can really be a differential sounds to my trakcks.. so idk, lets see what the pillow say during the week hah

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@joshberrios3604 I agree 100%! The Prophet 6 sounds can be more easily achieved imho with UHE Repro, whereas a real OB SEM filter to me still just sounds bloody unreal. Even though the Gforce plugins sound pretty damn close! If you like the classic OB sounds go for the OBX8. If you want a modern synth with OB flavour but some Prophet DNA, go OB-6.

[@joshberrios3604]

@@devinbelangermusic thanks! i ended up buying the obx8! haha

[@dubdoodle7191]

$130 CAN in Canada, will be bending it to a homebrew Devil Fish 2.0 ! BTW I owned orig TB303 in 1987 and sold it for $200 to Chris Sheppard (cfny). Thought I made a killing at the time LOL !!

[@christianthompson1473]

Only downer that you didn't mention is the buttons are too small and they all look the same and the lettering is dark, small and really hard to read especially in dim light. Half the time i press save instead of play etc. Just a bigger space under the top 2 rows of buttons would help.

[@devinbelangermusic]

I mean they aren't great but for the price they aren't bad. It's so cheap you can't expect moog sized buttons!

[@butsukete1806]

Sounds like a fun party, but how does it do in the snow?

[@devinbelangermusic]

hah, will have to take it up next time i make a song on the mountain!

[@butsukete1806]

@@devinbelangermusic I think you missed the joke, search "Donner Party". You don't want to be on that mountain.

[@hazy1418]

Shame it’s only a 16 note (step) sequencer really limits the possibilities think I’ll stick with my SH101 but great value.

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@hazy1418 totally, I would love them to make a poly synth with bigger sequencer for 300$ish

[@disomniatijuana2363]

Is it better than the volka keys?

[@devinbelangermusic]

Totally different beast! It’s not polyphonic, but the keyboard is nicer, the sequencer is mint, and the tone I prefer

[@planetclay]

dang!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Much love!

[@planetclay]

@@devinbelangermusic No doubt were i in the market for a hardware synth this would be the one....and were i requiring suggestions/instruction as to it's various possibilities, tasteful possibilities might i add, this would be the place to go. am i correct to assume this could double as a keyboard controller?

[@devinbelangermusic]

@@planetclay yep, its not the nicest to play keys on but it could. The sequencer is where the power lies

[@JBDigital-k5r]

How many sounds does it have !

[@devinbelangermusic]

this is just a super basic mono synth 303 style, really only this one sound. You are better with software if you just want lots of preset sounds!

[@matro951]

Got mine on offer up for 20 bucks

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

So if I have a Hydrasynth Deluxe and a Roland Fantom 8, what will this add? 😂

[@devinbelangermusic]

Mainly just the authentic analog sound of the 303 style filter! Nothing squelches like that, love it or hate it, haha

[@AveragePicker]

Your setup and your gear and you know what you do so...how is someone else suppose to know if this suits you or not?

[@seanboyle2455]

The live performance capability of this is the big selling point for me. Imagine if you are playing live and using a Fantom/Hydrasynth just to run an acid line, you would be wasting their capability when something the B1 allows for a lot of live playability and great analog sound (infinite upper harmonics), which makes a solid foundation to let the more sophisticated synths play over top of it. These 303 clones are good for a studio but their main appeal to live players like me is their performability which is way more fun than plunking things into a DAW. Just set it up running, go live sequence some other synths, come back to it and add variation etc. other clones aren’t built for that and it seriously limits their live use

[@Hyperslob]

Do we have to pay a subscription for every key on the keyboard?

[@devinbelangermusic]

No! Absolutely not! :)

[@markkilley2683]

Sometimes some gear surprises us.

[@EnnioPalanca]

Is the manual useful? Sonicware's manuals are freaking nightmare...

[@devinbelangermusic]

It’s a good manual! Really easy synth to use, trust me I hate cryptic manuals and confusing synths. The biggest advantage of this over the Behringer 303 clone is how much simpler the sequencer is to figure out

[@HotPink90sSun]

Why is the lead line out of tune ?

[@devinbelangermusic]

Analog wildness :) its why we love these synths!

[@sound-wizzard]

I know its stupid but i wish they would rebrand their name, it puts me off buying any of the gear soooo much 😂

[@theallseeingarmpit5519]

But it's eating the competition

[@karlofandango6108]

I guess it's not all that kebab afterall

[@devinbelangermusic]

Lol 😂

[@acid-wars2884]

It also refers to a shitty former Dutch politician.

[@jfn467]

Wow, a full track with everything can be created with this little machine, it beats the MPC big time both in terms of size and price, stunning!!!

[@devinbelangermusic]

Thanks for watching, I mentioned this in the video but to clarify, all the SYNTH parts in that track are made on the Donner. I recorded the guitar myself and the drums are samples from my computer. This is a analog subtractive synthesizer, it can’t do guitar or drum sounds

[@Mecha_Mothman]

This isn't remotely comparable to an MPC...?

[@ludwinhooi6982]

Hi what analog stand for?

[@devinbelangermusic]

Analog is a type of synth meaning it uses real analog circuits and parts

[@wewillrise3663]

Donner Kebab sir?!

[@devinbelangermusic]

now i am hungry!

[@scott_glasgow]

Behringer Pro VS Mini Hybrid Vector Synthesizer! Better and less noise. Also both of the Modal compacts Skulpt and Craft kill this synth

[@devinbelangermusic]

Those aren’t analog oscillators though right?

[@fakshen1973]

Nice.. but the resonance on the filter just... no.

[@theouterplanet]

I like my women like my synths....random, saturated, and a total pitch.....

[@EvilWaysGaming]

And cheap

[@Tconcept]

If you have a free gift, then you have a biased review straight away.

[@reviewerman9786]

“honest as humanly possible,” so not honest

[@boogway]

synth is doodoo

[@devinbelangermusic]

what don't you like about it?

[@boogway]

@@devinbelangermusic sounds like ass lol

[@boogway]

@@devinbelangermusic sounds like shit

[@HoodHandyman]

sounds like a toy