My Gear of the Year for 2023

[@avrilcadabra]

M8 ^_^ was my gear of the year in 2021 and continues to be every year since. 2024 going to be a big year for M8 also.

[@tablaninja]

Absolutely!! YOU are a huge inspiration! Can’t wait to see what the future holds

[@SonicVibe]

You rock I hope more to come for the M8 just hope not new hardware cause I just got mine lol

[@gavinpeters9531]

Id love to try an m8, or a mk2. Unfortunately theyre literally never in stock.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah definitely have to pay close attention. There was just a wave a few days ago!

[@jantuitman]

When did my theater show this year, I twice used my euorrack rig directly. But the last time I performed it I used the Deluge with the new grid arranger, and I realized that with this new firmware feature I can use the Deluge as a “kind of SP404”: unlimited long backing tracks conveniently launchable in Ableton style, with some live effects and live tracks on top of it. That one performance where I had all the content as backing tracks on the Deluge and improvised with generative melodic content on top of it was by far the best out of the 3. So once again I have my Deluge as my gear of the year though I am trying really really hard to let another piece win.

[@nsiivola]

...plus live recording and looping those parts :)

[@vangoghsseveredear]

The M8 is truly god tier. It just goes to show how much the big companies are intentionally screwing us by missing features for no reason. If only every groovebox could sound as good and do as much. Getting used to trackers can take some time though. A lot of knowledge really doesnt carry over much.

[@J-Hz]

I know the M8 is a beast, but sometimes less is more. Not machine needs to be able to do everything

[@nsiivola]

@@J-Hz funny thing, though: it doesn't do everything 😂

[@aravartanian7578]

I don't think it's intentional. I think it's a "No great product was built by committee" phenomenon. The larger the group working on something, the longer it takes to greenlight any decision.

[@tablaninja]

No matter what comes into my studio, my M8 is my go-to daily creation tool.

[@RaverOperator]

I've not put mine down since it arrived roundabout this time last year. It's my favourite for sure!

[@SonicVibe]

Good choice 👍

[@Daffy-Deck]

thanks for the mini jam

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@krazywabbit]

despite new pieces of gear obtained in 2023, iPad remains my gear of the year. Portability, carrying a ton of synths, sequencers and fx in one device, updates, and uploadability to social media. It's the longest running piece of gear I own. Cherry on top is it frustrates others when I mention it :) Great video and very happy you've found a piece that fits your workflow. We are all in for a treat when you get to perform. Happy Holidays!

[@SonicVibe]

iPad is great

[@therealrealtorofhouston]

I would love to use my ipad in this way. What is your set up like?

[@SonicVibe]

i use cubasis 3 for a daw or live jam with AUM and any Auv3's you like @@therealrealtorofhouston

[@iamYork_]

I love twisting knobs and pushing buttons, patching etc in real life but i have to agree... IPad in 2023 along with the right musicals apps is top notch...

[@mooseymoose]

Midi controllers will give you knobs, sliders and pads aplenty @@iamYork_

[@GazRendar]

Great vid. Considering I’m usually way down in the budget end of the synth game my pick is the Roland S-1. It’s just fun to use. But I see why so many people swear by the 404.

[@The_artist_called_The_Engineer]

My MC101 has been my mainstay for the latter part of the year. Using it with reaper to get more than four tracks and alongside my guitar collection and still loving it. I would like a woovebox maybe one for 2024 might even supplant my Roland.

[@0xJuli3n]

Having both the Woovebox and SP404mkii (only because I am not fond of trackers ;-), I totally concur on the fact they are amazing devices ! Even more together by sampling Woovebox (which has synth etc) into the SP - it is the ultimate DAWless portable song writing combo IMHO - thanks for sharing !

[@deyoungstar]

Dirtywave M8 all day everyday!! If it’s not your best, I hope you spend more time with it.

[@loubang100]

I took your advice on the 404. And I arranged a song that I enjoyed. Thanks

[@Epic501]

Sweet live rig

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks! It's grown a lot since this video came out too :)

[@edwin-zone]

The SP-404 mk2 is also my pick. I picked it up late November after obsessing over a year but never committing. Now it's transformed everything. The skip back sampling is incredibly useful and it forms a huge part of my current work. I like to capture musical phrases and then place variations on pads and experiment. Its all very fast and immediate.

[@felipefs106]

Only thing I miss on the sp 404 mk2 is a proper midi sequencer, but it's not made for that type of job

[@SonicVibe]

I was shocked 😳 but in a live setup the 404 makes sense mine would be the M8,Roland SH-4d,IPad,Korg Electribe 2,lofi 6,Nunomo mk2

[@verdielg]

This was really informative and entertaining. Love your SP404 demos. Awesome!

[@wendelynmusic]

I will have to think about the sp404mkii. My set up for 2023 that I am really loving is my ASM Hydrasynth Explorer, Roland SH-4D, and the Arturia Microfreak. I am just loving this set up. I've heard some people unhappy with the Roland, but the more I use it, the happier I am. The Roland can play the ASM or the Microfreak. I need to get a midi box for it to run both, since the ASM doesn't have midi through, but using the Roland as the brain has worked really well. It took me a bit to figure what works best for me and this is it. I do want loop samples though. I have thought about just getting a looper for voice and flute and other noises, but I am thinking sampling might be a better way to go and seeing how you're using the SP404 makes me think about it. But that's my set up for 2023.

[@AlexanderShelestov]

And this channel is my KZbin channel of the year :)

[@SONWU]

Nice jam at 11:50 ! PS: hard to name my favorite, but at the moment I like my Octatrack!

[@iansharkeymr]

Loving both my Woovebox and SmplTrek, but a tracker and an effect pedal are in my future!

[@tubeMonger]

I recommend Renoise.

[@domingoleija3436]

I dig your set up but now I am curious about blue box vs boss gigcaster 8 for recording n versitility

[@88Fitzy88]

Nice FB! Mine would be the Aira S-1

[@davelee1935]

Tracker mini was mine ! Loved my Sp404 kk 2 but sold it a while back

[@tomb6576]

It's super interesting to hear and see!! I bought a 404 a while back but I've been really struggling to find a use for it! It's always felt a bit clunky to me. I tend to want a lot of control over details of tracks so it's commitment needed approach has been a bit tricky here! Excited to see your future vids on it!

[@adeevision]

my live kit is electribe es2 + microfreak+ keystep + volca fm2 !

[@88Fitzy88]

Happy holidays!

[@SvenFx-22]

another awesome video. Thank you. can you please do an indepth walkthru for a song on the M8. everyone has the basics but no one has how to set things to get cool transitions, and elements that make a song a song. red means recording is close but he misses the steps needed to learn the detailed workflow. anyway, thank you. have you tried the OXi one sequencer, i love it.

[@joshuabyers262]

I'd love to see this too! I agree that creating the transitions (such as risers) is the most confusing part of the workflow.

[@jteichma]

Wow you are amazing!

[@domingoleija3436]

OP-Z I got for video/audio combo but the Roland sp404 may replace op z? Electribe 2 sampler I don't use as sampler but with model cycles and I don't feel need for more complex elektron. The pads on cycles are extraordinary for experimentation and not loud.

[@atomicafro]

SP-404 mkii is the only daily-driver hardware I have. The others collect dust from time to time. It's such a swiss-army knife of a device.

[@TrickmanTerry]

You got me! I thought it was a joke that Woovebox didn't make GOTY. Then you pulled out the SP-404 MKII and I was like, nah he's going April Fools on us. Nope! Totally out of left field. I'm seeing how you're working with it now and my curiosity is piqued! I now want to learn more and learn to love it too! Looking forward to many new videos with it in 2024! Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@Epicfuzz]

nice choice! its such an amazing piece of kit!

[@esd9058]

Very nice demonstration of your current process!

[@MoeShinola1]

#1) Korg SQ-64 sequencer #2) Korg Volca Sample #3) Mackie ProFx 10 mixer

[@dustyaudio]

Curve ball! I almost got one but went with the tracker mini for a variety of reasons. I like it a lot, but wish the 2 wave/grain synths had a bit more to offer I have my sp404SX that I would’ve sold if I had the mkii, no regrets!

[@SvenFx-22]

i would love a detailed setup and connections video on your live setup. how do you have all the robots talking to each other. i have a large setup and i havent been able to find a way tto connect them all hat makes me happy. i'll get one setup, then decide i want to intgrate the computer more, or i'll decide i want to use the work station more, i cant find the perfect setup. i would love to see how all of your instruments connected and communicating. midi is so complicate lol

[@ThatSockmonkey]

Merry xbox mate! Cool project.

[@typistmusic]

I have a really hard time getting past the squared off edges of the screen in a round hole on the SP-404. I was actually predicting your GOTY would be the 1010 Nanobox Razzmatazz.

[@dmanh5144]

More of this 404-MK2 as the centerpiece please! Roland! Are you watching?

[@PaulSpades]

I've actually been wondering if the 404 II works well as an arranger. I'm looking to record loop record midi and audio (keys/piano and bass) and easily export them for editing in ableton. Live jamming is less of a concern for me, but it's an important feature for composition anyway. I've used the electribe 2 in a similar manner for midi in the past, but now I'm looking at either an akai mpc 500, or one of the expensive linux boxes like ableton push standalone and mpc one (though, I'd rather open up a laptop and plug one of my audio intefaces in at this point.).

[@adeniranbalthazar5700]

Maybe my gear of the year is the Circuit Mono Station, I just got this 2017 piece of "bad gear" a few months ago and I'm loving it. I would also name a few "soft gear" of the year, such as Surge XT, Bespoke Synth and VCV Rack/Cardinal

[@VauZed]

Haha thats funny, because thats exactly what I am getting for christmas. It is soooo good!

[@olivierpataut7015]

So inspiring how you use the sp 404 😮

[@ildarkinildarkin]

My gear of the year is Akai Force - I use it the most this year and it is awesome all in one thing that's basically can replace anything. It is not portable though. All in all those 64 pads layout is a game changer for me comparing to my MPC One that I sold in autumn. Its workflow is what makes it shine among any other Akai gear. I also want to mention OP-Z that I purchased lately and wow it is fantastic music making devise with fantastically bad built quality. BTW there is a tutorial that will help you fix your OP-Z double triggering - solder metal contacts to the motherboard. I think I already posted the link in one of my comments.

[@repeat_defender]

Dude I think you just changed my life. I've had the MPC One for a while and have just gotten frustrated because the work flow isn't intuitive for me. I've had the SP404mkII rolling around in the back of my mind, and you just showed me everything I've been looking for there. Time to make a Reverb listing...

[@SonicVibe]

Ditched the mpc never looked back

[@aravartanian7578]

Are all your riser effects samples? I have a tough time making risers on these grooveboxes.

[@wiggesobk]

Oh yeah SP reveal! Hope to see more content with it. I havn't used mine in a while 🙈 Btw sick performance! Happy Holidays ✌

[@domingoleija3436]

Woovebox looks immediate friendly ? I was too slow on first polyend so which is less dicey? M8 or polyend mini?

[@brainbox9219]

I’m battling with rather I should get an mini (already have and love OG tracker) or go with getting a M8, the stuff you made in the m8 was by far my favorite and it does have real synth engines…only thing on mini that I would want is stereo sampling and portability but M8 offers portability plus so much more so I’m really considering one of those tbh, plus I just got a polyend play and would feel kinda redundant to get another polyend tracker at this point lmao

[@pieslice]

Do you still use the mpc one? I continue to have a love hate relationship with it.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

Lol, I didn't expect the SP-404 mk2 to be the winner and have actually just dusted mine off the other week to test out its FX selection. I originally got it purely for sequencing one-shot drum samples as a sort of sample based drum machine (essentially a hardware counterpart to my vst drum machine), but its amp\cab sim got me looking into specialized versions of that and I got distracted with running various of my bass effect pedals thru different amps and whatnot. Anyway, since I've been thinking of finally jamming, I came back to it and have been running my synths through it to add stereo effects.

[@aravartanian7578]

Also, I'm wondering: could you use the Deluge in this way? Recording audio clips and then sequencing them? Wondering about pros and cons.

[@zackcolbourne6921]

The 404 MKII (with the 3.0 firmware) is probably the box I was looking for when I first started buying gear. It just has a great mix of minimal hardware aesthetics and deep features.

[@proydysvit]

maybe someone could recommend a groovebox/sampler that could also loop a guitar for a live setup. would be infinitely grateful

[@simonlees2848]

MPC One is still my pick (even though I have the older one), the new synth engines they've added over the last year or two are fantastic. I'm using it to do kinda similar to you with a live setup except I'm often sequencing in midi so I can perform / adjust filters etc. But I can also send 8 channels of audio back out to eurorack for mixing and effects thanks to its support for audio interfaces

[@tubeMonger]

Jura is definitely a great synth.

[@JakeSweeper]

Heh..... I tried to wrap my head around the 404, but it whipped my butt every time I tried to learn it. So I sent it back out and hopefully it's owner is making good use of it.

[@medicinal_soul]

why do you have a wind screen on your mic in the room?

[@vertigev]

Awesome! Would love to see a tutorial on how you're sampling quantified while playing live. Can you have 16 tracks total? Very cool

[@lastminute3668]

Mine is a Korg emx1

[@SvenFx-22]

im confused how youre using the 404? how does bluebox fit in to the setup flow. also i also have some 1010 audio synths curious how you use them in yourr set up. Thank you

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

SP404 Mk2 is the best! I miss mine but I’ve went to Ableton Live and just find I rarely use gear but I don’t preform live.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Dual Razzamataz?

[@mundungous]

What a fucking video. This is like sweet, sweet nectar to my face. PS it took fukn ages to write this from watching it on telly to getting to the comment section on my phone. In the future, we’ll look back on these apps and laugh. How we’ll laugh!

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

Since you have both, how would you say the effects of the NTS-1 compare to the SP-404 mk2? I have the 404, but have been pondering adding a NTS-1 specifically as an effect processor and was wondering if there's a noticeable difference or would it be redundant?

[@CookinBeatloaf]

NTS-1 is wild West... The modding ability is where it gets strength

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

@@CookinBeatloaf Yeah, that's partly why I'm suddenly interested in the NTS-1 as I already have Sinevibes plugins for my Minilogue XD that should also work for it.

[@daijotogashi]

So many different ways to use a sp404 !

[@idletimerap]

I hope you're turning a profit on this. GAS is real and it's almost depressing to watch someone go from pocket operator content to this so quickly. Love your content, no shade. But I've been in rough debt due to GAS

[@Sadiquecat]

Zoom H5. Id make nothing without it

[@danm9561]

I came close to selling my sp404mk2 which I’ve only had for a few weeks, because I just couldn’t find a good use. But after seeing this video, you’ve opened my eyes to see it completely differently. Thank you!

[@ottsch]

Huh. Sounds like using the 404 as Loopy Pro

[@extrajava9175]

man I wish the M8 were readily available. It's perpetually sold out

[@sodiumlights]

Hope you have asked Santa for a replacement light bulb fella;)

[@idletimerap]

If they add a good looper to the 404mk2 its over

[@mooseymoose]

Koala is like 5 bucks tho. If you’re having problems making rent then an iPad seems like mana from heaven.

[@CookinBeatloaf]

Koala sampler x 100

[@ndguardian]

Got to say, the winner did surprise me! . . . . Pushed down further to avoid spoilers for people who haven't watched yet. Gotta say though I'm excited to see your 404 content. It's something I want to love but it hasn't clicked with me yet. Maybe seeing your content will be what makes it click!

[@homerdus9668]

iPad Air 5

[@cresshead]

interesting video, Firing off patterns manually on the sp-404mkii whilst drumming is very similar to how i used to use my Roland JDXi and TD-30 drum kit example kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYaWnWCmfdhkiK8 re guitar input on the sp-404mkii - it's now preferred way to get guitar and bass sampled - the guitar sim is really nice on my SP-404mkii. The HUGE beat counter display ticking over is a great way to know where you are in a pattern - great for live.

[@pyrotek45]

Too poor to get any of it 😢, not to mention the m8 and the woovebox are never in stock .

[@SonicVibe]

M8 you just have to catch it

[@jaimeross7507]

Your Drumming kicked serious ASS!!!!!!!!!!...I forgot...my goty....Keystep 37.....yeh...I'm Late in the Game...srry.❤

[@ChillOutVisuals]

"He talks with his hands and feet" is a well-known euphemism for a person who is generous with their gestures. But that's too much. These hand gestures in your videos make me sick.

[@MaterialMike]

404 sucks imo

[@DigitalDZ7]

What's weird is I've been making electronic music for about 5 years more or less, being a guitarist for 20+ years and any synth or groovebox, sampler or soft synth I've owned I could never get far on music making wise...and for some reason trackers just came natural to me. Now I've been able to produce damn near 90% of a track on the tracker alone. I use the sp404mk2 as an fx processor. And each time I turn it on, I actually make meaningful progress. So I've finally got over the gear collecting, but not really playing hump l😂