Erica Synths Steampipe Physical Modeling Synth - SonicLAB Review

[@banjoguyollie]

was a pleasure to record the sections for that intro for you Paulee . thanks again

[@BF-up5xw]

This was a tremendous demonstration and review; you made so many lovely and interesting sounds. I may well consider getting this at some point as it does so well something that I like a lot. It is, of course, something that I can in software; but the work flow here seems to be really inspiring. I really appreciate Erica Synths going for something like this and committing to building it in such high quality. I hope it pays off for them as a they are an interesting developer that I should like to see prosper. According to my tastes, and in my judgement, you have some amazing musical and sound-design instincts. A taste and willingness to explore that frequently leads to results that impress and move me.

[@Dolle_Man]

Great video, it feels more like a demo then a review. I waited for like 5 years for the release, yeah I know i'm wrong, but it feels like that long! When they first dropped this SteamPipe, and then,, dead silent. It's on my wish list for sure! I wish they made the logo a bit smaller, so that the screen could be a bit bigger.. This machine will be my Nils Frahm To Go tool. Can't wait to pair it with my Hydra

[@johnmeroney2007]

Though I always enjoy Nick, I really enjoy having a variety of Sonic Lab approaches and everyone's styles and perspectives.

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

Watching Nick taught me everything I know about doing reviews 😊

[@XanderEwald]

I used the Reaktor ensemble quite a lot back in the day. It has a special vibe. Thanks for the demo!

[@fumarolas]

Nice demo. For anyone on a budget or cautious about the environmental impacts of consumerism, the software version is still working great and it's free if you own Reaktor. All the parameters (not that many) can be mapped to any MIDI controller. For extra LFOs, use Live's or Reaktor's LFOs and point them to anything you fancy. The original software version also has stereo voice spread

[@intheblink]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@positronalpha]

That's great! Bought Reaktor for Scapeshift, so happy to make more use of it.

[@fumarolas]

@ Happy to hear you’re supporting Tim :) Reaktor is full of ancient ensembles that were so forward thinking at the time that they’re still exciting today :)

[@ToyKeeper]

Best synth of 2024, unless I'm forgetting something major. I want one.

[@duncan-rmi]

love mine. misbehaves in the best possible ways- so organic.

[@BlueSkiesBlackDeath]

I know what music I like to listen to. Hardcore metal. BUT I also love Enya. I’m starting to finally making my own music, and something is telling me I need to get one.

[@kgbinfo]

man this thing sounds amazing. I would love to see a version of this thing with a built in Osmose type MPE keyboard.

[@citizenkang01]

@@kgbinfo Osmose now does a lot more as a controller as of the latest update. I love the power of the Eagan matrix, but this is “simpler” and more immediate. Oh money, where art thou?

[@ourconomy576]

Love your reviews A mini journey every one of them

[@Winterdagen]

It's such a beautiful and unique instrument!

[@erlendmagnussen8922]

Thanks for a great demo.

[@Dolle_Man]

YESSS here we GO!

[@Bigger-Circuitry-Bigger-SOUND]

it would have benefited a lot if they would have added an analog filter, there is a magic happening when you combine wired digital tones with characterful analog filters

[@LordoftheBadgers]

Thanks for taking the time to do this Paulee sorry to hear you've had this godawful flu. Sucks don't it. Really interesting exploration rather than just surfing the presets. I really enjoyed this machine at bristronica along with the terra this was a highlight. And what a lovely bloke Girtz is 😊

[@simoningate2056]

Great review - very interesting piece of kit

[@jorgenstil]

Amazing demo, perfectly done!

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

Thanks, it’s quite tricky trying to explain such an exotic synthesis form in a way that’s accessible, so I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@Dopamine_ie]

Uuuu really nice sounding machine Love I think that's the next my toy Thanks for sharing

[@marcbrasse747]

The tune artefacts while fiddeling with the reverb very probably stem from the fact that a predelay setting is tweaked. As such therefore not a unique point. Good point to point out that the filters are actually (also) affecting the delay feedback loop signal. Very Karplus Strong indeed.

[@ToyKeeper]

Nick, you've gotta share the secret to your miraculous hair growth. I don't know what you did, but you look amazing!

[@alfiedotwtf]

That was a cool sonic exploration!

[@Medniex]

This is really exciting synth release to me. Didn't know about the Reaktor Ensemble thing. I really liked the characteristic sound of Steampipe right away because it reminded me of Triple Cheese by u-he. Few years ago I went really in-depth with it by making a track using only Triple Cheese for all the sounds during KVR's forum One Synth Challenge. The structure of the synth is not the same, but there are some similarities. And it sounds really fun that something like that is now in hardware form. Anyway the Steampipe have more LFO's, cool fxs and also that external input sounds really intriguing.

[@APKManagement-rg4px]

Fantastic review and workout if the machine...

[@rogerzinn8898]

great review!

[@samesong]

Best presentation I've watched in a long time...also - I'll have whatever Paulee had... 😂

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

No you won’t! I’ve “had” 2 bouts of flu in a row and was dosed up to my eyeballs on meds 😂

[@samesong]

@magicalsynthadventure3216 OK - I'll pass... 😅

[@GoldToni-z2t]

great review, thanks!

[@InFamousProductions]

Oh ya the opening music was fantastic. Superb musicianship

[@MelanyMicidial]

Thanks Paulee for the review. It's a cool Little (not so Little) box but i'm not so sure how much use could i get from It.

[@alfiedotwtf]

The Osmose combined with the Steampipe is going to be a superpower!

[@sonicstate]

Oh yes that would be great

[@Dolle_Man]

I think the Osmose is using one of the steampipe VST right? in the first demo's you hear excactly the same sounds.

[@geha6596]

but to be honest isn't the ninja turtle combo a class of it's own? who needs a osmose :) great review Paulee!!!

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

@@Dolle_ManI believe the Osmose uses a different engine.

[@Dolle_Man]

@@magicalsynthadventure3216 One of the first demo video's when they showcased the Osmose it sounded almost 1:1 the same. I heard that the editor is a lot of work/menu diving. That why I think the SteamPipe would fit me better. One knob per function.

[@TutanCamionScottish]

I'm curious to hear what Paulee has come out with this thing

[@WinfriedSitte]

Cool to have one of my fave old Reaktor synths turned into hardware - real knobs! But at that price I would have liked to see at least some CV inputs points, a missed opportunity to have this as hardware without it, given that it is a no-brainer to attach other Reaktor modules and control parameters in the software.

[@Dolle_Man]

Also a bigger screen, I don't get why they made it that small.

[@dartmore10]

Love that real-time tone!

[@coder_frog]

Fun video! I got mine a week ago and the presets are fantastic. I'm at a loss for designing my own sounds, though. I can get the sound I want pretty quick with subtractive or FM, but Karplus-Strong is new to me. Most of my attempts have been trial and error. Are there any good tutorial videos or guides for how to dial in a sound, be it on this synth or another Karplus-Strong synth?

[@BlueSkiesBlackDeath]

Would this pair well with the Hydrasynth Explorer? Or is that overkill?

[@MichaelHarper-o9o]

Thanks Paulee for your review and demonstration of the Steampipe. I’m patiently awaiting the arrival of mine. Very much looking forward to setting this up with the Osmose. Kind regards Mick 🇦🇺

[@atarkus8]

The lots of hands on control is fantastic. Sound wise though it seems more brittle and less refined than the Yamaha VL1 from 30 years ago?

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

Awesome

[@Synthelicious]

Great demonstration of a great sounding device! And what was the yellow TMNT thingie?

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

It’s my Liven Mega Synthesis with an overlay by Crème Caffe design 😊

[@northerncatto]

Ooooft right in the GAS.

[@marcbrasse747]

Great review. Question: Does the Ninja Turtle control give your music extra cowabunga? 🤣

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

It makes everything totally tubular, dude!

[@pedrogomis]

good gear to be paired with the Teenage Engineering EP-1320 medieval

[@JakeSweeper]

$1,200 US. Sounds sweet, but too rich for my wallet, I'm afraid. Is the Reaktor version still around?

[@Vim-Wolf]

Sounds really special. Is it analogue/digital/hybrid?

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

All digital 😊

[@marcbrasse747]

Is you know who not present because it does not do PWM? 🤣

[@xperimentador]

The presets, are they created with this device? Or are they installed samples that you can only edit with this device?

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

No samples in this device, all synthesis 😊

[@xperimentador]

@@magicalsynthadventure3216 That I was hoping for, great machine, love the sounds!

[@asynchronicity]

Are there different voicing modes or is it always just eight voice polyphonic?

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

Mono, Unison or Poly :)

[@valtercirio3623]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@annother3350]

Do the knobs receive midi CCs?

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

Yes, and you can remap them as needed.

[@annother3350]

@@magicalsynthadventure3216 ok, thanks

[@b-race2955]

333ooo Pounds

[@sturdyblock]

Amateur, off-putting demo rather than a review.

[@SirSybian]

That's a nice way of putting it!

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

Needlessly cruel comment, I’m glad I didn’t appeal to you, given your clearly demonstrated character 😊

[@XanderEwald]

Amateur, off-putting blurb rather than a real troll comment.

[@sturdyblock]

@@magicalsynthadventure3216 Just the honest truth. This subpar type of content does the channel a disservice; clearly demonstrated regardless of character appeal.

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

@@sturdyblockreally *not* the honest truth Mr Block.

[@InFamousProductions]

Oh ya it was a NI soft synth! I used to fool with it. I have to say when Erica 1st released the news on this a while ago, I thought it was going to be not very interesting. But now that I hear it, is is super awesome. The sound is like real instruments.