SoftPop 2 Review // A Refreshingly Original Semi-modular Synth // Tutorial, vs OG Bastl SoftPop

[@ToyotaVangelis]

The most flattering list of CONs you could have made

[@loopop]

In a world of clones and remakes, kudos on making such a lovely sounding, original, well thought out and inspiring synth! I tried to say as many bad things as I could find :)

[@brentgreeff1115]

It sounds amazing - but I want to play it with a keyboard. - I guess I could experiment while recording and then slice-to-pads?

[@Kablehead]

I can't tell from this video but does it have the same liquid character as the first one or is it a whole new sound engine?

[@ToyotaVangelis]

@@Kablehead oh it totally can! head to the bastl youtube channel for more such examples :) the sound engine is very similar yet very refined and a lot more flexible

[@ToyotaVangelis]

@@brentgreeff1115 you can connect a keyboard via MIDI

[@hruine]

Thanks for the review! Nice outro)

[@gogglesfpv7986]

I heard softpop 2 and my jaw has been sitting on the ground, had a full nerdgasm! im defiantly ordering the first and now this soft pop! this is beyond amazing!

[@geco1986]

OMG ❤ what a fantastic experimental beast 🔥😎 bday soon...so I want this as gift...😅...

[@Individual_two]

Nice outro jam! This is a very interesting little synth!

[@fuckinzell]

I just read an article about this, open KZbin and this is the first video on my feed. 1 minute into the video and I’ve come to the conclusion that I need one of these.

[@adrienw4704]

that is an incredible synth! it's barely bigger than a PO and looks infinitely deep and entertaining! this is a must have. i'm really jaw droping on the possibility that size offers!

[@marslightsnoise]

cool tricks in that sequencer!

[@scezumin]

welp, i'm sold

[@ARBB1]

This is fun to analyze from a theoretical standpoint; probably some crazy control theory there.

[@mortgagejunglist]

very characterful little box

[@hadror13]

This looks like my kind of thing

[@christoroppolo8742]

Still use bit ranger👽

[@starsunderer]

Surprised no midi in was used.

[@ourconomy576]

Looks awesome will probably get but I do agree don’t like the artwork behind the sliders, I prefer the aesthetic design of the original

[@avrilcadabra]

Lot of familiar sounds to a Neutron, especially when using the digital LFO on a neutron as the oscillator. Softpop looks really cool though with the scales and sequencer inbuilt

[@EradicateIV]

I had a similar thought because it's a monosynth. I guess you could say it's got more features than a Mother32/Crave on sequencing and the like.

[@danc9291]

It looks and sounds fantastic but at that price? Sadly it isn't a purchase I can justify, way too expensive, especially in the UK.

[@tylerevans1700]

I feel like this synth is made for the way I try to make "music" usually...

[@loremipsom224]

That price..they couldnt house it in something like..metal?

[@milkweedreflections]

Makes no sense.

[@bastlinstruments]

So nervous about this!

[@underduckbro]

Yeah me too I’ve been waiting for years for this

[@superultrathanksmom3845]

Oh man you know how loopop is. The guy just hates well designed instruments, this is going to be a bloodbath!

[@clarkerobinson3302]

@@superultrathanksmom3845 lol

[@reheller]

No need to be nervous. Looks like an immediate success 🤓

[@vincentgasqui]

Diy version maybe !??

[@ET2carbon]

Looks cool but if I'm paying $500, it better have the text written in full words and be larger than my hand hahahaha

[@johnoffinland]

Fun to watch Loopop get swept away by the bubbly undercurrents and unconventionality of the SoftPop 2, proving that Bastl + Casper have outdone themselves by bettering my favorite synth.

[@bastlinstruments]

I hope we will see some loopop x softpop joke :D

[@loopop]

I don't think I can outdo the last one, reviewing LOOPsynth and softPOP in the same video - this time it's just about you...

[@zipnone1996]

regular patch cables this time around, I'm in. such great sample material for any genre

[@MrVelpat]

Yes it is. I

[@oyoyoyo7624]

x act lee

[@battlemode]

I think that's expensive for what it is. It does sound beautiful though, if I had unlimited money I'd have one right away :)

[@MickySarge]

I've been wanting a Bastl for a while now. The SoftPop 2 may finally make me pull the trigger.

[@MathHammer]

Embrace the cross-mods. My OG version is one of the few synths to inspire pure laughter over the ridiculously strange and wonderful time dependent noises, bubbles, squeaks, and screams it makes all in one patch. Another plus of the OG version is the small size and the fact that the patch points allow more than one jumper at a time. A bag of jumpers from an only retailer is pretty inexpensive, too.

[@WeirdEarRaub]

The old one has somewhat sharp edges on the faders - not TOO bad, but could get tiresome to play after a while - are these the same or rounded any more? Thanks!!

[@LTLBIGMAN2]

Interesting -- it looks like Bastl is breaking away from the mini-modular realm of the original Softpop (as well as the Kastl and bitRanger) and moving this into an actual 3.5mm patch cable format.

[@sems]

Eurorack probably makes them more money, and a better business decision honestly imo.

[@peteedwards9691]

Im still a fan of mini patch cables but 1/8" is more accessible to more people, which was ultimately one of our big goals. bring the weirdness to the masses.

[@mikemeengs5720]

Hurrah!

[@mikeexits]

@@peteedwards9691 I wish they still made Kastl and Bitranger. My Volca Modular could use some buddies. Yes I know it has a grand total of one eurorack input, but 1 is never enough lol.

[@FairuzOsman]

@@sems seeing how well the 0-coast did why not? There’s a market out there

[@Rmspender]

Great overview. The forest sound… so cool!

[@InVacuo]

I don't suppose you'd consider putting together a video of jams you made on the SoftPop 2? I really enjoyed listening to what you came up with on this video.

[@loopop]

Thanks very much! Yes I already put two extended versions of the intro and outro up on patreon. I actually have way more material I’ll consider adding - just need to tighten it up a bit… perhaps I’ll post some nice “deleted scenes on Instagram too

[@AbyssalReverberations]

@@loopop Hey Ziv! I'm one of your patreon supporters and saw the tracks posted a while back. Any chance you can share the forest sound patch notes? I've been trying to work on making some organic textures with my 0-coast + dual strega set up, and pre-ordered this SP2 just based off that forest patch you demoed haha

[@loopop]

@@AbyssalReverberations thanks and much appreciated! Added an overhead shot of all the patches and slider positions, as well as patch notes to the post on patreon!

[@AbyssalReverberations]

@@loopop thanks Ziv! You're a champion!

[@CatFish107]

Whatya mean this ain't out yet?! LOOPOP BASTL LOOPOP BASTL ENGAGEMOMETRICS! HASHTAG SYNTHNERD CAVE PLAGUE HERMIT. Looking fwd to this thanks for the vids.

[@sonymaniacpsp]

I've seen this video at least 5 times already. I'm that curious about it, can't wait for end of this month!

[@jlg0351]

graphic pattern looks dope! reminds me of an electrified Matisse's "Dance"

[@oyoyoyo7624]

i see what you mean! That observation’s cute af 👏🏾

[@MrTeanager]

Wow! I wouldn't have seen that had you not said anything! Wow! I saw Dance II at the Hermitage and it was the best art viewing experience ever - the colours were way more vivid than any art I've ever seen!

[@jlg0351]

@@MrTeanager weird, I've been to the Hermitage as well, but did not step foot in their Modern gallery, instead our tour guide took us on a whirlwind tour of the many rooms. I wonder if the work you saw is part of the infamous "Baldin Collection"

[@MrTeanager]

@@jlg0351 The Matisse isn't even in the palace - it's in the General Staff Building on the other side of the ploschad. They've got loads of cool stuff over there: Monet, Van Gogh, Kandinsky... I do feel kinda bad that I missed the Palace... Seeing the Matisse was worth the entire trip!

[@justjoeblow420]

Me watching the review:"oh wow this sounds amazing and I've been wanting a cross mod synth for a while now" My wallet is sobbing in the corner as I think once I have the spare money I found my next hardware synth.

[@G8tr1522]

lollllll, same

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

Really cool synth and really great video.

[@GizzyDillespee]

I'm glad there's still a psychedelic orb. Will try to cross patch it with v1. Will have to figure out proper grounding, whether connection to the same mixer is enough, or just always using 1 of the 3.5 to 3.5 options.

[@peteedwards9691]

Just use the 3.5mm patch points on the V1 to share ground with the V2. plugging into the same mixer will also work

[@smacksalad]

Very exciting. Tbh, all it needs for me to be onboard is to sound like the original but have proper patch cables. Im all in :)

[@peteedwards9691]

it does indeed cover the same sonic territory as the V1 👍

[@smacksalad]

@@peteedwards9691 Instant purchase :) I'd bought one by 5.06pm :D

[@georgedovel3951]

I'm probably in a small minority here, but I wish companies would ease off on the visually noisy, gratuitous graphics. Adjusting sliders against that chaotic background would really mess with my head (sensory overload). Things don't need to be bland, but just some basic attention to UI design for neurodiverse audiences... Awesome bit of kit otherwise and hearty thanks as usual to Loopop for some of the best synth content on the web.

[@marike1100]

I hear you, but I don’t mind it at all. A conservative box from Bastl would be disappointing. Plus the visibility thing is deceptive because of this demo’s bright lights and overhead shot. Watch Bastl’s own demo, it’s really not difficult to see the sliders.

[@ToyotaVangelis]

@@marike1100 exactly. the pattern is actually silver and is reflexive only from certain angles

[@GizzyDillespee]

I like the visual design.

[@georgedovel3951]

@@marike1100 Thanks for your reply, and I understand the aesthetic appeal for many. For me, it's not really a question of functional visibility but rather of too much visual stimulus. Even just looking at a static photo on Bastl's website triggers an unpleasant reaction for me. It's not something that bothers most people, I realize, but for those it does bother, the effect can be surprisingly strong-so much so that I would avoid buying this product because of it. Switchable front panel overlays would be an ideal situation, but I realize that's extra cost and bother for the manufacturer. Fortunately, there's so much cool gear out now that we can all find something that works, musically as well as visually. Cheers -

[@robbybobbyhobbies]

Totally agree. Also think it should be a crime :) for synths to use flashing LEDs (especially blue ones) without offering a dim/off function. I'm in this game for relaxation, contemplation, mindfulness etc, not a migraine. YMMV

[@kirkegodfrey414]

What a great run through/synth tips/demo/review. This box looks like hours of fun and actually really useful. Nice work 🍸

[@mattryan6886]

This is so cool, never knew there was a previous version of this device. Very interested in this

[@vaaalsongs4867]

What an amazing little machine. So many possibilities. And what a step up from the original. Wow. I want one.

[@dr.eville]

I really liked the battery power and built in speaker on the first one. It is really fun to take it to inappropriate places and randomly make crazy sounds.

[@minimumriffage7520]

I'm in. I wanted V1 but couldn't afford back then. This one looks to be an improvement in every way. Love the stuff coming from Bastl, and this will be my first Casper synth.

[@mikenoface]

Same. I missed out on Bit Ranger and Softpop v1. Did not even hesitate on this one.

[@mikeexits]

@@mikenoface I seriously hope this one is made and sold for a long time. At least a few years. Wanted the original and the Bitranger (not to mention Kastl which is also not made anymore) but never got to. Bills (and the government's clever ways of siphoning much of our income through taxes and "hidden fees" as I live in one of the worst taxed US states) keep preventing me from getting new gear, plus these machines deserve the love we want to give them. I want to see them spread far and wide. Some gear being so limited is kind of tragic I think.

[@oyoyoyo7624]

Congrats! I’m loving their Waver module rn. experimenting with more than one of them. my Manther, ModelCycles, and Mother32 should consider themselves on probation lol. Vaslov, Casper,’s non-denominational instruments are pro-conceptual curiosity, pro-midi, pro-hybrid setup, pro-modern, pro-collaboration. I don’t want to imagine eurorack without ADDAC System & Bastl 🤍

[@jackblackguard8908]

@@mikeexits just so you know, the kastle is indeed still available

[@hovermotion]

Amazing I have no intention of buying anymore kit............ But your videos feed my addiction...lol....... All the best......

[@gladlawson61]

I watch this over and over. Love the softpop 2. Sometimes I throw my hands up at it in frustration. Then i move a fader and fall in love all over again.

[@ringsystemmusic]

Got one for Xmas and this will probably be my interaction loop too lol. Fell in love with the SP2 while watching this video high as balls.

[@aptudo]

Now that is what I call a fun synth. I want to buy a Behringer Neutron, a Softpop II, a bunch patch cables, and make spaghetti.

[@mikeexits]

I got the Neutron a couple of years ago. My first monosynth, my first fully analog synth with no digital controls or presets, and my first eurorack-compatible synth (Volca Modular was my first semi-modular). If you like how it sounds - and look up lots of demos because just a few probably won't do it justice - go for it. Can't beat it for the price. Reverb has used listings for cheaper than the new price, plus you don't have to support Behringer directly that way if you don't want to. It's a fantastic synth and I usually find myself throwing like 15+ patch cables and stackables into its patch bay to turn it into the weirdest whackiest SFX generator possible. Stackables are your friend. Tiptop audio stackables really are higher quality and feel more durable than the cheaper ones btw. And Sweetwater has some nice colored 5-packs of eurorack cables of varying lengths which are also pretty good quality.

[@aptudo]

@@mikeexits wow, thank you for such a helpful reply. It would be my first in all the categories you mentioned too.

[@mikeexits]

@@aptudo Hey no problem! Hope that it serves you well and provides lots of good times if you choose to get it.

[@Jason75913]

@@mikeexits I could use some stackables for my own Neutrons

[@SanplerVarondaro]

muy buen video saludos desde Baja California MEXICO

[@JoeFen]

you're like the Carl Sagan of synthesizers

[@piercemcintyre1327]

I thought softpop was going to be a different whispery version of loopop!

[@brokenscart7989]

So many ‘too expensive’ comments. I think it’s more that other things are very cheap. How much profit do you think they make on these? I’d wager very little. They don’t have the economy of scale. After buying parts to build things myself.. I don’t think these are ‘expensive’, it’s simply what they can afford to sell them for. Either it’s ‘expensive’ or it doesn’t exist.

[@RedCloudServices]

just ordered so excited to hear this monster in it’s many forms. 😊❤️🎊🤟🏻🎧

[@Ambient_Ambush]

Is it me, or the tuning here is quite unstable? I hear some major fluctuations throughout the review, as in 13:42 for example.. (like it's not well-tempered?) Still, amazing and very interesting synth. Thanks for a stellar review, as usual!

[@BlisterHiker]

Thank you for the review. The synth appears intriguing and interesting, but pushes me away with too much complexity. I don't mind sophisticated instruments, but in a way that is more practical, more predictable and easier to access. The graphics on the top panel is very distracting, almost irritating, imho, but I'm sure many users won't mind it.

[@eddy_sonik]

👍i LoVe ! 💙⚪❤

[@infn8loopmusic]

SOLD. I just ordered one! Thanks for the amazing video and all the tips and insights into what this can do. I saw a couple other videos on this and got interested but this video helped me make my mind up that I wanted to grab one. I was in the market for something that can make musical percussion. I was considering and comparing the Moog DFAM and the Moog Subharmonicon. I was thinking of buying both until I found this. It may not have the full analog warmth and fatness that a Moog will it has the strengths of digital controlled components, has the modular patch bay capabilities and experimental feel and approach I want but with what seems like a much more approachable workflow in comparison to either of the Moogs. Hopefully this gets me what I want and I won't need to drop a few grand in eurorack 🤞🤣

[@synx_wtf]

The folks complaining about the design clearly know nothing about BASTL / Casper. That's fine. There are loads of normal boring synths mass produced and available for them to feel safe playing in their mothers' basements.

[@888cromartie]

People like the original SoftPop design which is made by the same people, so your statement is incorrect.

[@jackblackguard8908]

Both this and the 2nd generation loopsynth seem to have taken your original recommendations to heart, and made even better products because of it. Awesome!

[@GahlordDewald]

Did they fix the bugs you mentioned (sequence slow start, sequence last note, vca doesn't close)? I read through the comments & the description and didn't see any update on that.

[@brianrainsfordmarshall2692]

It sounds great but Jesus that price seems steep.

[@Djpuzzle]

Fantastic demo/tutorial as usual. I did click on your Perfect Circuit link so you'll probably see some residuals from that at some point haha

[@mille400prod3]

thx guy

[@SirSybian]

bring back the og

[@JoeLaRocca]

The cool gear never ends.

[@VladyYakovenko]

please be great, so hyped

[@MyReasonToPlay]

Wow! This is literally “eurorack-in-a-box”. Extremely portable device with the most popular modules. Or good entry point to the modular world.

[@UNSCPILOT]

Great for folks like me that just want a tiny little setup to explore and experiment with, those bird like sound from the beginning really make it obvious that thus can be powerful for sound effects or soundscapes for a animation, game, ect too

[@Congasjones]

At last a small battery powered portable semi-modular synth .

[@alphanumeric1529]

All the typical adulation for Ziv is, despite being thoroughly deserved, sickening. BUT, in the case of this demo/review/tutorial/walkthrough even the mighty, methodical, mannered Ziv was defeated by this synth's absurdity. This synth farted in Ziv's mouth. He explained everything, but I didn't get anything! A piece of kit that dethroned the most level headed gear channel guy. That really is saying something. This synth ain't got no place in my world. There is enough confusion and wasted time in my life already, like I need any more frustration, exasperation? Hells of NO! Out, out damned spot!

[@loopop]

Well, that was a rollercoaster of a comment, but I'm kind of getting used to being offended this week. That said, what part of "if you're looking for a regular synth, this isn't for you" wasn't clear enough though, right up front in the pros and cons

[@va941]

I just might buy this item if the amount of coin is right.

[@slother93]

It’s $599 at Perfect Circuit.

[@someoneelse1534]

Displaying the graphs up top was a great idea. Top quality

[@Qwiv]

Just needed to be rack comparable dimensions.

[@marcthomas8192]

What I don't like with this channel is that it makes me want to buy every piece of gear it presents.... could be fixed in the firmware

[@loopop]

LOL I'm afraid that's a hardware issue

[@TheNimasan]

somehow it sounds very diferent and lovely. i like it!

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

15:40 ....WOW ... im in luw !

[@MarzioDeBiasi-j8p]

What about an Elmyra 2 review?

[@jaredmaly5161]

Always drooled over the OG softpop but was never in the position to acquire one, and I was heartbroken when they were discontinued and prices skyrocketed. Now this! Beyond excited

[@thealmightycommenter]

Me too!

[@OIP_1]

this looks like amazing fun. great job bastl / peter

[@S1ph3r]

i thought the first one was really cool but too expensive. hoping to see this review.

[@WetSoul]

The first SoftPop is so fun to play with...so gnarly and seemingly with a mind of it's own. If this new one adds more control, I imagine it will be an absolute BEAST!

[@CO5MA]

That looks and sounds very interesting, hummmmm…. 😊 Thanks for the great review Loopop 👌🏻

[@re8et355]

How could Casper&friends fit all that stuff into that small... Wizartik... My Brain is popping... its smaller than the Volcas...

[@Indianabones007]

Hi, if Ido your patreon, can I cancel anytime? And what is main advantages of the higher amount one? Thanks for all you do.

[@loopop]

Thanks for your interest! Yes you can cancel any time. The main advantage of the higher tier is book updates and more sample content

[@Indianabones007]

@@loopop cool, I’ll give it a go then! I’m not into paying monthly for anything but your channel and knowledge is awesome 👍

[@celtislam]

how fkin much? lol

[@rzr82]

I'm not even a musician but I find myself so fascinated by synths, especially ones like this. They seem like such amazing tools in the right hands, and they're so small! You can do so much with so little.

[@FluxFreeman]

This unit speaks my language

[@doomtomb6522]

*I wonder when preorders are going to ship*

[@DeathTrapProductions]

I literally should just start selling my organs. I'll never financially recover from this haha.

[@DavidLevisonDPT]

Was thinking of getting an Erica baseline and after watching this review at leaning towards SP2. Looking for a noisy take on 303 with CV that can pair well with Pulsar 23 for hard techno. I value your input. Liking the crossmods, scale quantizer, side chain envelope follower. My live set comes alive with a lot of live patching.

[@modularsamples]

The filter is very tasty sounding, is just a standard svf design or is there some additional magic going on there?

[@peteedwards9691]

Its a standard SVF core with a heap of magic added to the distortion and resonance characteristics

[@modularsamples]

@@peteedwards9691 Very cool. Rare that I get excited over a filter these days

[@KvetaURL]

woww that looks so cool!! cant wait for the video

[@angelovdweerden6585]

Great review man! ❤🎼

[@unifiedfield_thisisit]

Wonderful rundown. I just got a softpop2 at knobcon and haven’t had a chance to play with it yet. I’m interested in your book!

[@phnixdeglace1341]

Good sound and tutorial

[@djpastiche]

How do you achieve the magic forest sound?

[@loopop]

I don't rememer but there are patch notes on my patreon :)

[@elek-trick]

Just a question, are you a musician or a technician? You could of course be a musician interested in technology or an engineer who started playing piano as a kid... You could also be none of the above and have a brother who's a musician and happen to have a technician neighbor? There are way too many options... I personally believe you're an alien from that far away planet where baby aliens are born musician and engineer...

[@mrdayvidjon]

Well I haven’t been so excited since the Buchla does anybody know the price and where to find in the states? I would dearly appreciate some feedback ye all thanks from irisvision

[@djchemie]

Just got mine!

[@PollyPocketmusic]

I might have missed it. Are the scales all in major or can they switch to minor too?

[@kidsonicofficial]

Too expensive imo. €480 for something of that size? Nah, You're alright. Can get a Behringer Crave for 1/4 of the price.

[@hellf.o]

Damn always dream to have the first and now is there the second? Ouch..awesome