OTO Machines BOUM Demo w/ Samplers (Elektron Octatrack MKII)

In this Signal Colors episode, I'm taking a close look at the BOUM from OTO Machines. The BOUM is a stereo analog warming device with compression, distortion, and filtering and it is part of the awesome BIM (delay) / BAM (reverb) / BOUM family from OTO - three matching boxes that have deep MIDI implementation as well as fantastic hands-on control and sound-shaping capabilities. Hang out with me while I put it to the test!
For more information on the BOUM, here's the link to the manual from OTO Machines:
www.otomachines.com/wp-conten...
INTRODUCTION
00:00 Intro
01:19 Knobs, Buttons, & I/O
PART ONE
05:19 Brief Overview
05:52 Compression 101
11:07 Attack/Release PT 1
12:42 Drive | Disto. Type: Boost
15:10 Drive | Disto. Type: Tube
17:30 In Gain
18:08 Drive | Disto. Type: Fuzz
19:30 Attack/Release PT 2
20:45 Drive | Disto. Type: Square
21:50 Lo Cut
24:01 Freestyle on the Controls
PART TWO
26:41 Brief Overview
27:42 Putting it in Practice
43:05 Final Thoughts
OTO Machines: www.otomachines.com
‪@OTOMACHINES‬
‪@WeAreElektron‬
Duskmos: www.duskmos.com
Duskmos Instagram: / duskmos
Duskmos Bandcamp: www.duskmos.bandcamp.com

[@Freezy375]

Wow, just bought a BOUM a few days ago. Was WAITING for a video like this ! Thanks so much. Really well done

[@Duskmos]

Hey thanks! And congrats on the new BOUM :) It really is a pretty fun box - enjoy!

[@EricRaymondSF]

You really picked some excellent loops to demo the Boum. Good grooves that didn't get tiring!

[@Duskmos]

Thank you for noticing! Haha I appreciate the comment, and thanks for watching! You have a BOUM or in the market for one?

[@EricRaymondSF]

@@Duskmos They were hard to come by for a minute, but one finally arrived today.

[@Duskmos]

@@EricRaymondSF That's great! Enjoy it 🙌

[@CaalamusTube]

That first Beat was really nice... especially once you introduced the Bass!

[@Duskmos]

Thank you!! I don’t often spend much time working on the tracks that I demo with, but I put a lil more time into these haha. Appreciate it! :)

[@thedumpsterkid]

Excellent presentation & great narration, thank you! Been investing into some equipment for my hobby needs over the last 1,5 years, and a “mastering-end-of-chain-thing” was the last piece missing. Deciding between this and Heat… although I’m a sucker for Elektron products, ended up ordering Boum today. 😃 Ticking all the boxes! Plus the LP filter sounds soooo nice

[@Duskmos]

Thanks so much for the kind words! Yes the BOUM is pretty epic - and you’re right, the filter really stands out! I used to have the Moog MF-101 and this feels like a similar sound and character but stereo! Though I never really put them back to back but too true, kind of an under appreciated feature of the BOUM. Enjoy it! 🙌

[@hereticalaudio]

The BOUM is actually mind-blowing on heavier settings if that's your thing. All the OTO Machines are indispensable in my setup.

[@Duskmos]

I like it on high compression settings but I’m not one for massive crunch - which I know this thing can do in spades haha. I love a subtle drive and push though, which I do think this can excel at! As far as the other OTO boxen - I love the BIM and plan on keeping it around for a looong time. Still learning to love the BAM though :). Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@djrockid]

Thank you🎉

[@Duskmos]

Hey thanks for checking out the vid, appreciate the comment too 👏

[@ibizabeat1417]

Great video! Quick question; Does the low cut affect the frequencies on the compressor as well or just for the distortion? I’m thinking to pick one of these myself🙌🏻

[@Duskmos]

Without checking for sure, if I remember correctly the low cut you set in the menu system is the one that impacts the reaction of the effect, while the knob is just a filter that is “last in the chain” that impacts everything running through it. I’ll double back soon and let you know for sure. Thanks for the compliment!

[@ibizabeat1417]

Thanks mate! That would be super helpful🙏🏻I’m really itching to buy one these, partly thanks to your video, however if there is no low cut filter on the compressor, it would be a deal breaker for me… Finger crossed🤞🏻

[@Kevvywevvy]

Hey Duskmos, Great walk thru 🙂 You never covered the Gate? when I press the gate button, I can adjust the Gate timing, per the manual, but there's a row below, this parameter is not mentioned in the manual? any idea's. cheers 🍻

[@Duskmos]

Thanks for watching and for the compliment! I didn’t go into all the features but I do know - it’s the gate release time! :) Hope that helps!

[@Kevvywevvy]

@Duskmos Perfect. Thanks 😊

[@lockyp204]

So how does it compare to the Elysia Karacter box/cube? Two different price points though sure. Nice work 👍

[@Duskmos]

Thank you! And that's a very good question! I think it's all up to your needs and preferences. I find the BOUM has a rougher/coarser character, but adds compression and a really playable filter - while the Karacter feels more precise, has the mid-side mode which is super cool, and feels a bit more like a mastering-level device. The BOUM feels a bit more "heavy handed" in my opinion (whether that's good or bad is up to you!) and a bit warmer/darker sounding - the Karacter strikes me as a bit brighter. I couldn't say which I like more, and I could argue you could definitely find a reason to own both lol, and honestly if you could only go for one, neither would be the wrong choice. Hope that helps a little!? Haha

[@lockyp204]

@@Duskmos Haha thanks. As clear as mud 🤣 But I understand what you’re saying. I guess in one sense they are different- Boum a compressor, but I guess they are both a “coloring device.”So you’d say the Boum can produce more aggressive tones? Decisions, decisions- Cheers 😊👍

[@Duskmos]

@@lockyp204 Lol yeahhh, I'd say to really break it down, I'd go for BOUM if you want aggressive tones and compression, and I'd go with the Karacter if you want finer details, slightly cleaner audio, and to play with the stereo field (that's the M/S mode). They're definitely both coloring devices for sure, but each has their own tricks up their sleeves. Not to muddy things even further, but the Analog Heat MKII kinda sits between them if you ask me haha (although no compression). GOOD LUCK 😆

[@lockyp204]

@@Duskmos Thanks for the comments and review 👍😃

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Any chance you’ll be getting their Bebe mixer to demo?

[@Duskmos]

Hey! I’m hoping to. I just bought some other pedals/devices so the budget is a little thin at the moment - it might be a little bit if I do! 😆

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

​@@Duskmos got one coming in today...drum machines all lined up ready to see if it does what I'm hoping it does :)

[@Duskmos]

@Farold_Haltermeyer Nice! Lemme know what your thoughts are 🙌

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

@@Duskmos ok, so was REEEEAAALLLY hoping this was going to not appeal to my ear...but sadly it absolutely nails it. This isn't really a mixer, it's a multi-channel compressor and EQ. The tilt EQ is right up my street, and has a smartly designed sweep that then stacks into this high end sweetener and the deliciously plump character compressor. The clipping drive on the first 4 channels has the same gritty edge that the Boum seemed to love...not really for my tastes usually but as with the Boum it blends with the clean and just catches those sharp edges in the mix to lift some definition out where it's needed. And that sweetener circuit is great too, kinda a Wonderbra oof EQ....adds a sort of sweepable filter that separates and lifts the frequency layers and puts in some air where it's needed in the compression to really make it shine. This is a very smartly designed bit of kit, and it's mixer shell is deceptive as it's much more than that...and I stepped back after 10 minutes and realised why the pricetag...there is a LOT crammed in here. Am just emailing with Denis over a few queries I had, but I think this may be the answer to a lot of my DAW-less questions. I think you'll get a lot of mileage out of this thing.

[@Duskmos]

@@Farold_Haltermeyer That's amazing! Yeah, funnily enough, the mixer part is the bit I'm least excited about! Good to hear it's a win!

[@zerberk]

loopop blue version

[@Duskmos]

Haha I’ll take that as a compliment! He’s a legend!

[@CayTaylan]

cool video. but the first loop is 🆒😎killer! what is it!🤷🏽

[@Duskmos]

Thank you! I made it! The bassline is a loop I made with the Herbs n Stones Liquid Foam, the drums are a modified loop from a sample pack from @ryanjamescarr, and the heavily effected vocal-esque sample is from somewhere over the years, can't remember, but it might be something I recorded onto tape through room sound and resampled.

[@CayTaylan]

Thanks man. Really great.

[@Duskmos]

Thank you! :)

[@CayTaylan]

@@Duskmos do you remember which sample pack?

[@suntzu6122]

Id have to paint it if I got one. Thing looks disgusting.

[@Duskmos]

Haha you could! Or strip it - a raw steel enclosure would look pretty awesome. I like the look of the BIM (blue instead of red squares) but this one I nicknamed the "Christmas Box" haha.

[@ericpeters0n]

Looks better in person and feels great. The OTO boxes are somehow "endearing"....