Sonicware LOFI-12 XT review // lofi sampler & groovebox with polyphonic sample playback!

[@BoBeats]

Price is $399 and here's a few store links You can check Lofi-12 XT in stores here (intro price should be around $399 EU: www.thomann.de/intl/search_dir.html?sw=sonicware%20lofi%2012&smcs=5b76e9_2390&offid=1&affid=623 US: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/S0BERUlFSUBFR0VHSEdATEpITA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Fcatalogsearch%2Fresult%2F%3Fq%3Dsonicware Or check Sonicware: sonicware.jp/pages/lofi12xt Purchasing thru my affiliate links support the channel at no cost to you!

[@Myexpectationsarerealistic]

They missed an epic opportunity to give it an Akai mode, with loop slicing, pitching and time stretching.

[@eaman11]

Thanks for the price update, appreciated :)

[@ronanbax6102]

​@@MyexpectationsarerealisticI definitely believe this is something they COULD (but may not) implement in just software updates

[@BoBeats]

if you want a really in-depth tutorial i can recommend Chris tutorial here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jojPl31vfLiigLssi=YTcnkqO06S1DvDn0

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you 😁 Really enjoyed your video too ❤

[@j.s.8933]

Hey Elektron. In case you watching this. POLYPHONY is actually possible. Even with param locks, manual slicing and for less then half the price. Great video btw 😁

[@deroden724]

I don't think Elektron is watching his videos anymore :)

[@2bitnpc]

Digitone

[@Screenshot1015]

@@2bitnpcdigitone still a sleeper for that

[@jordanWAH]

20 voices is very nice for something so unassuming

[@hadrien5697]

This IS why I cant really prompte elektron stuff AT official Price. This IS about on the same Price as the model samples that cannot sample or resample, IS monophonic, Cannot lazy chop, has one LFO, only 6 tracks, no ADSR, no compressor, 2 send effects only, no portability, no full midi ports... Lol

[@brumd]

I honestly feel Sonicware would do themselves a huge favour by putting a bit more attention to the design of their products.

[@ILLUDIUM_Q_36]

This company actually listened to all of my grips with other machines and all of my wants from other machines. ❤❤❤ this will be my little S2400 and MPC Live2 on the go. Individual tempos per pattern in a project, saving effects to a track. P-locks and sound locks, adjustable start and end slice mode. I'm excited 😁 one thing I hope they add is A/B mode to the probability of a trigger instead of just having it by percent. We'll see what the future holds.

[@romi2910001]

Still the same tiny arse screen?? 🥴👎

[@fpham8004]

But utilized much nicer than on SmplTrak - separated into tabs per function, while SmplTrak would cram a lot on the display at the same time. It's def. evolution of UI.

[@romi2910001]

@fpham8004 well that sounds like a brilliant move if that's the case.

[@ToyKeeper]

Devices like this are why I think the Digitakt isn't special. There are just so many good sampler grooveboxes.

[@GoodAfternoonDave]

Not really though. Elektron design, sound and build quality are far superior to anything from sonicware (noisy af) or comparable devices. Sure you can have fun with it but the sound will have limited professional applications. You get what you pay for, don't kid yourself.

[@ToyKeeper]

@@GoodAfternoonDave I thought so too, until I got some Elektron hardware. It was fun to play with but held me back when I wanted to actually get stuff done.

[@GoodAfternoonDave]

@@ToyKeeper yeah, noisy stuff that doesn't sound professional. Work on your ear training.

[@ToyKeeper]

@@GoodAfternoonDave Not sure what you mean. Care to elaborate?

[@GoodAfternoonDave]

@ToyKeeper if you don't know what I mean, then explaining it won't help you hear it. This device, like most from sonocware, may be a fun bit of kit you can do creative work on, but the sound quality is terrible, which limits its use to sub-professional/hobbyist environments. It's cool for kids or whatever.

[@jboulderct]

I feel like this is the perfect iteration of both devices. Narrows the focus of the SmplTrk and expands the capability of the Lofi-12. Meet in the middle and find harmony.

[@hadrien5697]

I have the lofi-12 that I actually just sold a few days ago, this solves every single issue I had with the lofi-12. Between this and the mega synthesis I feel like Sonicware is starting to look like a serious contender for low-price point grooveboxes packed with features with their own twists. This one seems obviously inspired by Elektron design but does it in its own way (manual slicing, velocity sensitive pads, portability, tape mode..., POLYPHONY). I feel like this is going to be a hit... Def feels more G.A.S for this than the DT 2... Cool video :)

[@BoBeats]

Totally agree!

[@didi_55555]

@@BoBeatshi bro! Thanks for your work ❤️ i will get this unit no matter what(in grey) but has it got timestreching function? I remember that u Said no for the lofi 12 but for the xt I don t know… thank you!!

[@JakeSweeper]

Oh.... So "that's" coming to my home via FedEx from Tokyo. Haven't been paying attention to Kickstarter for a while. :)

[@JakeSweeper]

Update: It's here. :D

[@MrThecarrott]

No one talks about the fact that all of these "cheaper" samplers have grest functionalities but overall a pretty dull sound. I think i need to do a KZbin channel which focuses only about the sound. Its what makes me sell every single instrument I buy. And what for example made me keep the insane sound of the Isla s2400. More focus on sound and limits people.

[@badboy69cancer]

These are Lofi focused instruments and most sample in with these at a lower sample rate. I've personally owned the 2400. Built like a tank, but the sound is nothing special when working with other devices at the same sample rate. I've A/B'd the dry signals of drums against straight into FL studio and there is no special sauce in the 2400. The pre-amps are good, but no better than my SSL 12 at a quarter of the price, nor my BLA Revolution, which is even cheaper. Sample rate and aliasing is easy to achieve at a fraction of the price as well.

[@BoBeats]

"Mom can I have a Digitakt 2?" "Bo, we have a Digitakt 2 at home" At home: a Lofi 12-XT ...But thats not too shabby either! And I did buy a Digitakt 2 so expect a video about it soon. Let me know if there's anything you want to know!

[@jordanWAH]

I was just about to comment this reminds me of the digitakt

[@BoBeats]

@@jordanWAH theres some elektron inspiration in how the pages and menus are designed for sure

[@GrzesiuMusic]

Beat me to it.

[@ftc_music]

The display and its content look very Digitakt-ish. But then again, Elektron seems to prefer white since the Syntakt.

[@jordanWAH]

Especially 64mb files and the pots to alter the sound is what makes me think of syntakt or digitakt

[@electrosonicnebula]

Yes, SmplTrk needed at least the form factor of the Livens with the two-octaves worth of pads. Larger screen would be nice too. BoBeat is also right about imagining a product that combines a keyboard (mini keys or pads) with a true song-making machine like LoFi 12 (or SmplTrk). Right now closest to that is still TE OP-1, which is cool for composing in the woods but kind of expensive and limited sound-wise.

[@Arkansya]

a lot of this looks like the update we want on the smpltrek...

[@hadrien5697]

not at all its absolutely not the same workflow nor the same sampler features. Sonicware has been pretty transparent about it: they heard people wanted a better lofi-12 and used the more powerful smpletrek DSP to achieve it.

[@markn8535]

Agreed, not happy with how the Smpltrek has been treated

[@briannhinton]

Different device and workflow.

[@Crushcarter]

Do I need another sampler,no. Did I pre-order this ,yes. I have a problem yall

[@BoBeats]

hah! story of my life

[@Cap10NRGMusic]

SAME LOL!!

[@hellf.o]

Awesome! Wish they released the 8Bit Warps in this same format!

[@ronanbax6102]

REAL

[@EverettVinzant]

I’d love to see a Liven 8/MegaSynth crossover called the BitBox. Then you could make all the chiptunes with one tool.

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

Synth sounds DANK! Nice.

[@enochroot9438]

wow! where did this come from, really looks like a lot of fun at a reasonable price. Does it have a chord mode?

[@BoBeats]

No chord mode that I could find. You can set scales tho and simply record or program whatever chords u want

[@ferenclucas2842]

The speaker seems like a great feature if you mic it

[@Beatboxing]

I got the Smpltrek as my first device when I got into making beats, I really don't use it much now that I have a SP404 MK2. I think the Smpltrek could use more on-the-fly FX like what they're doing with the LOFI-12 XT. The LOFI-12 XT looks like fun to use but I don't think it's an SP contender at that price point.

[@BoBeats]

What it does better than SP404 is for quickly making a beat from scratch, without loops. But in totality, the SP404 offers alot more

[@hadrien5697]

This has a better workflow than the sp-404 and a much better sequencer. Its more like an elektron groovebox than a Roland SP.

[@Beatboxing]

@@hadrien5697 I enjoy the workflow of the SP. But I will agree having the 16 step buttons to quickly select a step and make tweaks is very handy, the pattern/sequencer on the SP can be a bit tedious sometimes. I'll probably grab a LOFI-12 XT used off Reverb in a few months to give it a go, the immediacy does seem pretty fun.

[@alitna]

I have a Liven XFM that I found very confusing. And from what I’ve seen of SMPL Trek it also seems very confusing with all the functionality and submenus. This seem like a good blend of easy to use and functionality! I like Sonicware. It’s just that I’m not smart enough for their devises!XP

[@BoBeats]

Agreed. I have them all… for some reason I bought all the livens on a sale 😅 and most of them except lofi 12 are quite difficult to use

[@aguycalledbunny5186]

This one looks cool.

[@JakeSweeper]

Heh... Bo got the Retro edition. :)

[@achook9474]

The fastest killer of creation is the speed at which you can create. which is why I have bought many samplers and failed at them to many menus and button combinations that kill the creation process. And then this was created 🤯 the speed is like FL studio load and go quickly. As for those comparing this to the digitakt the lofi 12xt is faster has better pads and padmode (sample to keyboard) you can actually see the pads without sitting in the closet because the digitakt it all black with black buttons. 🤦‍♂️ digitakt fail. And this is 12bit plus 😊. Anyway enjoy life and make music

[@TheSakuraGumiLTD]

I feel it'll be good for layered samples in a production... use it as sampled drums to mix

[@mauchkimberly]

Good review! Not sure this is for me; but your insights are quite useful.

[@RolieKloeOlie]

Greattt more GAS. Thanks Bo :p

[@asynchronicity]

This put a smile on my face immediately ❤

[@bandito3377]

Who did you piss off at Elektron? Spill the beans.

[@BoBeats]

Good question! No idea

[@dinogoldie9716]

Interesting review. As with ChrisLody's superb demo/tutorial video, you've focused, almost exclusively, on the XT's capabilities as a polyphonic soundfont player. I'm interested to know its beatslicing/sample chopping capabilities. What's it like for chopping a loop then playing/sequencing the slices? tbh, if the Liven lofi12 had included the ability to custom slice samples (as oppposed to simply altering the size of fixed slices), that would have been perfect for me. You're right about the Smpltrek packing too much into that tiny UI/form factor and that's why I sold mine. I hoping for a more lasting relationship with this LofiXT....

[@BoBeats]

If you check the sampling section you can see me slicing a sample. It lets you slice, define start/end, then play back polyphonically on one track or with choke groups

[@shawone8435]

Thank you for the great vid. I was wondering if there was a way on the XT to load individual chops into a kit like on the SmplTrek? In the vids I’ve watched I’ve only seen sliced samples turned into kits.

[@shawone8435]

I 100% agree with you about the Lofi 12. I feel if there was an additional sample bank that would let you sample into the 16 slots and load them idividually on to the keys it would be a beast.

[@shizzyshawn412]

Is there a piano roll screen available?

[@BoBeats]

No

[@401dB]

Lost me at AA batteries, sadly.

[@xchalibur77]

1:58 That remined me of the "Logical song" This surely it's a little beast.

[@AcidAlex]

It’s certainly no Digitakt II 😂

[@osrthejourney]

Correct, and it has features the digitakt doesn’t have.

[@didi_55555]

Time stretching is available on this unit?

[@carlosmodegahan4455]

Great review! Please do the Behringer pro vs mini next!

[@The_artist_called_The_Engineer]

Great little groovebox and a great video. I do like that it runs off batteries and has a speaker. I’m tempted to get one, But funny you should mention the MPC one I’ve just bought one and sold my trusty MC101 and ( barely used) woovebox. I’m focusing on finishing off my last MC101 tracks but I’m going to immerse myself in MPC and get up to speed with my two little Behringers after that and therumin notwithstanding I’m not buying any more new gear ( at least for a while)

[@JarradF]

The speaker is atrocious. I get a louder sound out of my PO33.

[@cresshead]

Q. i've bene looking thru the manual and there's not section on 'drum kits' so does the lofi 12 xt have drum kits on a single track? or is it like a digitakt where you need to sample flip /paramter lock different samples per step on a track?

[@BoBeats]

Check the sampling section of the video: You cant save a drum kit. But you can sample a bunch of drum hits and then chop them and play back as a kit, polyphonically, on one track. See my example with Pulsar (chops are saved with the sample i believe if you want to)

[@cresshead]

@@BoBeats ah okay i see that now, so 1 sample file with multiple hits/drums then you chop it up and the individual chops get placed on pads.

[@CyberbobAB]

Is there an Option to Send Midi from One of the tracks to a Synth like on the Elektron Model Sample ?

[@JarradF]

Yes you can

[@mazy-beats]

No Time Stretching?! That makes no sense for a Lofi-Beatmaking device.

[@ronanbax6102]

I wonder if you can set the tuning the sample then just play it at a different octave for the same effect

[@mazy-beats]

@@ronanbax6102 would that slowing down the sample like in an old sampler?

[@alecsbuga]

Yeah you can. You press a knob any it does it automatically. Saw on Chris Loddy’s video

[@9londoncalling]

The original smpler was a terrible unit on its release, maybe this will be better but without a simple undo feature I doubt it

[@BoBeats]

smpltrek has gotten better over time, but check my final thoughts as it highlights what i think the main problem was

[@DurtyCardiologist]

Thank you, Bo. Great review

[@thelibrarian3734]

Excellent video thank you 😎

[@lucid484]

Great, I think I turned my KO II on twice and now I'm probably going to buy this because I almost did the kick starter and this video just seals the deal. Why do I feel like this is more powerful than the Digitakt 2 that costs twice as much...

[@DurtyCardiologist]

I'm probably selling my KO2 because of this

[@lucid484]

@@DurtyCardiologist​​⁠I wouldn’t sell the KO 2. I sold a few pieces of gear many years ago and wish I never had. They are worth so much now now today too. Plus it’s always nice to have pieces of gear tucked away and brought out when you get the urge to play with something new. I just like to add to my collection. lol

[@zzk31]

Very good review , thanks :)

[@charliecowan9973]

Wow. Among the gear I have is the model:cycles, SP404-SX and Drumbrute impact and this is going to be a great midpoint for all of it.

[@Curious_Skeptic]

This is a cool little device. I hope we see prices keep coming down on these mini synths/niche groove boxes. $399.00 tempting, but OMG. Too many toys already.

[@LB-pp7pu]

Hello, thanks fro the review. I've got a Lofi 12 XT, I'd like to ask you if there's been a fix for the abrupt way that pattern switch, sounds like the samples truncate like you hear on that change at 21:26 I'm not talking about the click but it feel very un natural/"crippled"

[@utropiks4617]

Help please! Breaking my head here im tottaly new on this sorry :o How can I create a whole song to be sequence using my own sample loops with like 5 or 10 secs each to be played as a Sequence Pattterns on the Song mode? I Uploded my own samples to the SD Card to from my Looper and I want it to Sequence it all and be able to manipulate it using the build FX and all and also be able to sing and play my guitar while the Lo Fi 12XT playback the song for me like a looper. Is that makes sense? Thanks for all the great videos !

[@Tuvalu977]

Wow, just imagine how worthy it would be if it had a more rugged UI, with which I mean normal sized potis, little bigger pads. It could easily compete with Elektrons top shelf products...

[@RoeJogan]

Bo has really evolved on youtube to become my favorite place to see reviews.

[@Dean-p1s]

Was thinking the same thing. Very professional and honest.

[@BoBeats]

thanks! and you keep letting me know what to improve. Im always open to constructive feedback

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

I don't wanna be d1ck ridin lol, but I was just thinking the same thing. For real. Bo is the schizz..his delivery is unmatched.

[@HelicopterRidesForCommunists]

How did I not know about this? Its so… Elektron-esque

[@hadrien5697]

its genuinely very good, a poor-man lofi DT 2 some would say lol.

[@HelicopterRidesForCommunists]

@@hadrien5697 Yeah thats exactly what I would assume! Honestly I would take that over any of Elektron’s lower tier lineup any day

[@tobi-y7862]

The amount of samplers that come out is crazy! Where is the perfect sampler? Still love my Digitakt though. What samplers do u guys love and work with? And Teenage..give us a new update on the KO 2 please!

[@xisotopex]

for a minute I thought you were going to play golden brown @01:59...

[@_boof]

I was skeptical coming from the MPC world but it looks like it can do a lot. I might consider it as another tool. We’ll see. I hope they keep releasing gear catered to lofi music.

[@gustavgunz1877]

I think the lfo is the thing that had should be on the smpltrek :I also the xt is like only apealing to people who already bought the smpltrek and didnt like it enough.idk . Still very cool device

[@SilkKuts]

A new contender...I'll stick to my old MPC 2000 for now lol Great video as always!!

[@DurtyCardiologist]

But how do you think this compares to an mpc2000....technically.

[@SilkKuts]

@@DurtyCardiologist as expected the workflow is quicker on the Lo-Fi and has additional features that the old MPC doesn't have. The 2000 has simpler fx, excellent sequencing, great sound quality, midi out and 8 separate audio outs. So still a very competent machine and very able in a studio environment. The Lo-Fi trumps in modern features like the sample storage and chopping, improved fx, portability. It's quite laborious chopping samples on the older MPC's and a major downside in modern times. To be honest the Koala sampler app and a half decent phone with a headphone jack is possibly a better option than the Lo-Fi at the moment.

[@DurtyCardiologist]

@@SilkKuts I do like Koala a lot. But I just need a tactile workflow. Touchscreens are really a workflow killer for me

[@madflash]

Ok, now I want a song making head to head with this, the KO2, digikat, and … idk the smpltrk? What is the easiest to actually make a song on? I like the KO2 but spend so much time sampling sounds into it. Love midi out to my synths though. This Lofi-12xt has a built in synth which is dope, but do I need it, or will I just revert to my MiniFreak?

[@tomfenn7149]

It's lovely. And a lot cheaper than a Digitakt!

[@ricercr44]

I’m still trying to learn my original Lofi-12 😅

[@Calimakoo]

Not a fan of painted rubber buttons as they wear off and then you’re screwed if you take break and forget which does what.😮

[@BrickBrxin]

this and the lofi 12 look cool but if you have more capable machines its hard to fit it in your setup;

[@T-H-X]

In the first few seconds of the video I thought there was a Californian prisoner in front of the camera

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

Ech... lofi sampler is not my story :(

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Great!

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

@@Farold_Haltermeyer Thanks!

[@leftmono1016]

Don’t watch videos on 12 bit style sampling would be my advice 😉

[@SmallWorldBigThings]

@@leftmono1016 Interesting advise... however I watch all reviews of a new gear ;)

[@VandalstromBeatsOfficial]

I dont like boxes but the sound is very nice.

[@eaman11]

Bro Bo you gotta tell us how much the dough costs.

[@isham16]

Hi Bobeats ! Thanks for the very informative video as usual ! My question is about distrokid which has some « difficult » press these days , still good partner for distributing music?

[@BoBeats]

I havnt read anything specifically negative about them in some time. And given that they havnt changed their core business model for many years I’d say they are still quite good. But also check alternatives and see which payment model suites you best.

[@ChristopheTornieri]

Really nice device. Well priced and features are great. It is almost a sum of the other similarly priced competitors: circuit rhythm, KO II, Model Samples. I mean you can sample (model samples…), resample (KO II …), you have polyphonic track (Circuit Rhythm, model samples…), you have more memory and kind of exports (KO II, circuit rhythm, model samples…), you can have longer sequence and more patterns per project (circuit rhythm…), you have a song mode (Circuit rhythm, KO II…), you have two LFO per track!, one filter and and an envelope (for the filter), you have USB audio (KO II, CIrcuit rhythm…), it has a mic and a speaker (again Circuit Rhythm… even if the speaker is not really necessary) So overall I think it’s better than the other twos if you can live with the LoFi vibe.

[@hadrien5697]

Yep its absolutely killing any similar Price point sampler. Its literally a digitakt on steroids.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

What a perfect summary! They should just quote your feature list in their marketing

[@ChristopheTornieri]

I have a circuit rhythm and it’s a nice device. Really fast to use, good sampling process. But I never understood why you have to work with 32 steps patterns and with a low resolution for unquantized recordings (which is even worst if you change the pattern rate to get longer sequence). The lack of usb audio is also an issue because it’s really frustrating to transfer your ideas to a computer or a tablet for further processing.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

@@ChristopheTornieri if you work/write unquantized it can be infuriating finding gear that won’t mess with or permanently destroy your original input...took me an age to find a sequencer that did what I needed!

[@ChristopheTornieri]

@@Farold_Haltermeyer The best hardware sequencer I have found is the Oxi one from OxiInstruments. Support and updates cannot be better. You almost get an update every week. Other companies have to take notes… Last update of the Circuit Rhythm was almost 2 years ago… And novation is not the worst at that (far from).

[@stephpicher]

I really don't get having a machine that does "lofi". I like lofi sound but can't you use an effect, or an actual outdated gear? I would really prefer a device that can do hifi and lofi.

[@soundofmai]

Seems like an SP-404 og/SX/A would suit you as they have a lofi button that gives you a very good lofi mode and a vinyl sim effect that is also good for lofi.

[@LaymensLament]

what does 12 bit mode mean? it doesnt sound 12 bit to me just digitally downsampled. does it actually only record 12 bit of information? would be kinda cool.

[@rorz999]

It's just an emulation

[@GordieRoach]

This looks complex as fakk. Think I’ll save a year of learning something of my life

[@BoBeats]

not that complex, far easier than say an sp or mpc

[@TrueTempleDog]

Great vid, Dr. Endo continues to bring the hardware heat. Gotta ask...when mentioning your thoughts on the Smpltrek, you were speaking about the latest firmware release?

[@BoBeats]

The SmplTrek has gotten better and better with firmware. I am not the biggest fan bc i think its trying to do alot with a very small screen and overall small physical design. So i gravitate towards larger workstations or simpler samplers.

[@suga4all]

Reasonably priced and very intuitive workflow. Does it sample in mono or stereo?

[@BoBeats]

Mono

[@baselzwei]

Super entertaining and informative video. Thanks for the practical insight. Really exciting instrument. How do you rate the price? I find the price a bit challenging in view of the alternatives, or am I wrong?

[@BoBeats]

Its around the price of a circuit rhythm, model samples, ko2… so i’d say its not unreasonable. The lofi 12 is a cheaper option but has way smaller sampling memory, and no screen

[@shizzyshawn412]

Can you see the notes entered in the pattern like the Sampltrek on the screen?

[@BoBeats]

No i dont think you can in that way

[@eaman11]

The user interface looks like a 10 years old air conditioner.

[@markn8535]

lol

[@sarundayo]

How would this compare to the KO II? Feels like this one is a bit more fleshed out imo

[@BoBeats]

Yes, this is more well rounded whereas KO 2 feels more fun to jam and perform on

[@tomjoad8939]

I'm new to this. What is he plugged into?

[@BoBeats]

An audio recorder

[@rbwduece1]

Hey, Bo! I noticed that you can move the sample start and end points in unison with just one knob. Is there a loop mode on the sample playback? I'm thinking it could also do some granular synthesis. You could assign the LFOs to the appropriate functions and get crazy with it!

[@BoBeats]

I could be wrong here bc I dont quite remember, but yes I think you can loop and yes you can modulate start/end with lfo

[@rbwduece1]

@@BoBeats Very cool!

[@landonh3535]

The real story here is that pulsar 23 next to it in the intro.

[@BoBeats]

Pulsar, still king! :-)

[@TheSouthernAccent]

Bo, I did expect a DT2 review from you first, what has happened ?

[@BoBeats]

Good question, I don’t know, Elektron ignored my emails. I did buy a Digitakt 2 and it arrived yesterday so I hope to have a video out before Superbooth

[@TheSouthernAccent]

@@BoBeats oh that’s a shame. For me you were a kind of an ambassador for Elektron because you are also Swedish. Anyway, I am looking forward to your review. Mine is on back order at Thomann

[@Wrzlprnft]

This is one review where i really really like the sounds i hear, but where i am not sure if the device just does that, or whether it's Bo's incredible synth skill&knowledge that make it shine.

[@BoBeats]

I think the sound is pretty representative. The only thing I was mindful of was choosing decent sounding synth samples. Almost all came with the unit.

[@Wrzlprnft]

@@BoBeats Oh, thanks for the quick answer! That's good to know, i now seriously consider this as i am looking for a portable all in one musicthingy.

[@tedstriker2000]

Id rather hav an app that links to my phone so i can use it as a screen and maybe other options like FX or an XY pad...same for the space used by the speaker, id prefer more tech inside

[@leftmono1016]

I’ve never played with an OPZ but always thought that the phone link was a great idea. We’ve all got decent screens in our pockets.

[@matthewmcree1992]

@@leftmono1016I have a Yamaha Seqtrak and while it is slightly inconvenient to need to use my iPhone or Macbook when I feel like using a screen with it, the primary inconvenience is the lack of a way to easily physically attach a phone to the Seqtrak (unless you 3-D print a phone holder), which means that it’s a bit of a hassle when you want to just sit with your groovebox on your lap in bed or on a chair without a table in front of you. But as long as the app connecting to a groovebox device is well-designed and programmed to run stably, if synth manufacturers choose to save some money on a synth (and lower the price of that synth) by using the high resolution screen we all have with us all the time isn’t a bad idea.

[@alecsbuga]

Mine is on the way. How’s the sound quality when you put hi fi samples in it? Does it mess them bad? I love the workflow but I’m afraid it’ll convert everything to lofi losing the boom from boom bap:) I’ve also preordered the DT 2 which has a similar workflow but no poly and no manual slices

[@BoBeats]

the XT converts them down to lower sample rate

[@alecsbuga]

@@BoBeats I know. But is it noticeable? I mean the highest quality it can convert to. 24khz. I tried exporting a song of mine at that quality from Logic and sounded decent.

[@kidkeitel]

You dont lose boom when you convert to lower bit rate , you gain boom. Its one of the main reasons vintage machines are highly sought after.

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

Bo! How do u think this compares with the SP-404 MK2 with the 4.04 update? Same-ish price..The SP is a good piece of kit. Soon as the the XT is shipped, u should do a comparison video brother!

[@BoBeats]

The XT is far easier to use for step sequencing and making a quick song. The 404 has much deeper sampling, sample playback, perf fx

[@trushreitsam5802]

​@@BoBeatsSomething it seems I misunderstood in their promotion is the Background Mixtape Recording... I thought it would be another term for Skipback Sampling like The SP-404 has... This was one of the bigger reasons, O was so hyped for the XT... (Are there others that can do that) At that point I'm fairly puzzled to which sampler would be my choice... Can you Input Chords using the Step Sequencer in Chord mode?... and how easy can you edit your notes? I'd also love a good comparison on those Portable Sampler/Grooveboxes Also have you considered getting a Woovebox?

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

@@BoBeats Hey Bo thank you so much for your reply. Good man, good content! Have a good evening.

[@cresshead]

good review, well done.

[@dankeplace]

See now this looks like something someone would want to use. Looks like a great UI. Thx for the upload. Not something I would use though, I prefer analog gear for some reason.

[@brianwilliams4686]

The store links above are only for the Lofi 12, not XT 😩

[@SonicVibe]

Think this was on kickstarter only

[@MortChud]

​@@SonicVibeIt's available for preorder on Sonicware's website.

[@gaborb6577]

Cool device

[@digitaldobbie]

That display is rather reminiscent of the digitakt

[@BoBeats]

I think they’ve definitely looked at elektron design

[@rorz999]

Unfortunately, yes

[@wickeddubz]

One of the major things to improve - UI. Unified approach for buttons. Grid based layout, all connections on back side. If this is gaming console, it should have bigger screen, if not - gaming buttons layout doesn’t make much sense. I understand influence and homage, but i think this device will benefit from design purity. Another major thing - maybe workflow, e.g. less cryptic combinations, features arrangement, etc.

[@hadrien5697]

It has 0 cryptic combination lol. The screen size IS a good suggestion but Oled screens are expensive, if even Roland doesnt use them for many of their products you Can see why a small boutique company wouldnt use bigger ones.

[@wickeddubz]

@@hadrien5697 my assumption about cryptic key combos is based on other Liven products like XFM. It’s good if i’m wrong. I believe there are decent screens with higher resolution and 3:2 4:3 ratio that will fit better for this device. I see awesome engineering in Liven devices, and i hope they will become even better after some time.

[@hadrien5697]

@@wickeddubz you have to understand there IS Always a reason if every single company IS not giving high resolution "decent" screen AT This Price point, look AT KO II screen, or mc-101 screen or even model:samples screen. Sonicware screen IS actually for the Price the best one by far. Not saying its a very good screen but it gets the job done.

[@wickeddubz]

@@hadrien5697 i undestand that Sonicware makes focus on features while keeping price tag very friendly, no offense. It’s just my subjective impression as user, “what can be changed for better experience”. I see now that screen is overloaded , they did their best to fit as many info as they could. In terms of buttons - i don’t think that making buttons more unified will raise price tag very high. As for display - rectangular would be better in general, it’s not about resolution (high resolution eats more CPU and RAM) or amoled-ness, more about perception.

[@hadrien5697]

@@wickeddubz This was made using as backbone the hardware of the smpletrek, it inherits its qualities and defaults, Sonicware is a very small company... you can imagine that if even Elektron is keeping form factors between its products (Digitone, Digitakt, Syntakt and now Digitakt 2 all have the same buttons/screen size/box) despite having much higher official prices (x3 of the lofi-12 xt) a small boutique company like Sonicware would never have the power to straight up make an entirely new product with new hardware,buttons,screen and form factor. It is cheap enough and has a LOT of features.

[@tomalaerts8839]

I will receive mine today, according to Fedex. It looks great fun. Meanwhile I looked at the manual. I somehow assumed that the 8 tracks could be exported separately over usb but that seems not to be the case. That would be a great firmware update if it is technically feasible

[@BoBeats]

There is usb audio but im unsure if its more than 2 tracks

[@tomalaerts8839]

@@BoBeats according to the specs it is only 2 tracks. But the manual only talks about usb input

[@BoBeats]

@@tomalaerts8839 correct its 2 in/2out

[@tomalaerts8839]

@@BoBeats a useful firmware update would then be multitrack usb export or if technically not possible at least saving the tracks separately on the sd card . Another good addition would be a tone generator like the sp404 has in its latest update; if the hardware can do that.

[@BoBeats]

@@tomalaerts8839 Both very good additions indeed. The lack of export is a little confusing, tho i suppose you can use cassette for it

[@Rustik1722]

Very cool. Great video

[@BoBeats]

Thanks!!

[@DoubleSupercool]

Very expensive here in Japan. Tempting, but not at that price point.

[@latexgeneration]

A sampler! How timely 😅

[@BoBeats]

Its the sampler time of year!

[@latexgeneration]

@@BoBeats This definitely looks like a GameBoy with 28 voice polyphony & velocity sensitivity - I think they’re on to something!

[@BoBeats]

@@latexgeneration Sonicware are just getting better and better... they do make a lot of products but im glad they are finding their form!

[@CmdrMic]

Great vid Mr. Bo, thank you. 😊 Hey, I was really excited about this product as I thought it was kind of like a Lofi-12 Lite. I thought, ahh - finally an excellent successor to the PO-33. Now the Lofi-12 is often on sale here in the states at about $200, so I expected the XT to be priced in somewhere below that, perhaps $160. Well, I was SHOCKED and SADDENED when I saw they had set the price point at $400!!! I have four Liven products, but not the Smpltrek, as I thought it was also too pricey for what one was getting. Now, if I was going to spend $400 on yet another synth at the $400 price point, the functionality in the Smpltrek seems a no brainer over the Lofi-12 XT. It's really a shame, because it seems like a really nice product and definitely superior to the new PO2 calculator, just terribly incorrect in setting the price point to be an excellent retail sales mover in the synth niche. Big misstep.

[@BoBeats]

I understand the frustration. The Lofi XT is a more capable sampler than the Liven Lofi 12 and with the screen I assume its a bit more pricey to produce. So I can't see a world where it would have been cheaper than the Liven. But honestly the Liven Lofi 12 is still a great option. I dig it alot.

[@humfreee]

Just wait a while. For whatever reason, Liven always release products at an unrealistically high price and then reduce them shortly after. E.g. the Lofi-12 was $499 initially.

[@hadrien5697]

399 usd for this product is NOT overpriced please keep your expectations in check, M:S is sold at 349 usd and KO II sold at 300 usd. It does way more than both of them.

[@brianwilliams4686]

Why would you think this is Lofi-12 Lite? Doesn't it do so much more than Lofi-12?

[@BoBeats]

@@brianwilliams4686 yes this is correct. It has SD card (meaning a large sample library on the go), it can load comparably a lot more samples per project (the lofi 12 has a limited amount of TOTAL sample slots... not per project but TOTAL for entire synth) and then you got the screen, the improved workflow, and so on

[@shachar87l]

This doesn’t sound very lofi for my ears

[@GoodAfternoonDave]

You need some ear training

[@Gu1tar1st]

It’s the poor man’s Digitakt OG.

[@BoBeats]

In a way, but with poly sampling and sample chopping. Which even digitakt 2 lack

[@brianwilliams4686]

@@BoBeats Exactly, it has polythony that DT2 doesn't have, big plus in my book.

[@704queencitygoon6]

⁠@@BoBeatsand SD card

[@SonicVibe]

I love the sound but still a fan of the lofi 12 workflow

[@BinauralBae]

“I want a Digitakt 2” Mom: We have a Digitakt 2 at home The Digitakt 2 at home:

[@maikvanrossum]

Thanks for the demo, but no GAS trigger here. Yes LoFi, but kinda harsh and sort of metallic sounding. Not old style grainy or noisy warm. It offers quite a lot bells and whistles, but despite that it doesn’t got me smile like with the release of the KOII. And even given the fact that this Elektron style sequencer makes it much more a sampling based groove box, I think the sampler and FX will let it have a real hard time competing with the SP404mk2.

[@hadrien5697]

This isnt a competitor to the sp-404 mk2 and its horrid workflow and sequencer, its a competitor to the model:samples abandonware and the KO II.

[@maikvanrossum]

@@hadrien5697 yep, the SP workflow definitely is something you need to get used to. And its sequencer isn’t by far as capable as the one demonstrated here. But then again, its stereo sampling and FX quality are superior to what I hear here. It can also sound LoFi, but in a more pleasant way. But when taking the ‘sampling groove box style’ of this new kid into account, then I wouldn’t compare it to the KOII neither. If TE would implement decent resampling capabilities, then that one is much more comparable to the Roland. If you need ‘just’ a sampler with decent resampling capabilities I would still go for the SP at this point. Despite the steep learning curve (when it comes to shortcuts, not the basics) it’s still very popular for a reason.

[@osrthejourney]

Sp404 is great but its workflow is dog water.

[@ronanbax6102]

I like the more metallic digital sound. It reminds me of how the Nintendo DS sounded lol