Sonicware SmplTrek Sampler / Jack of many trades, does it master any? // SampleTrek Review, tutorial

[@jboulderct]

As a backer, I am thrilled that they sent you one to dive into. No audio tool should come to market without a Loopop video!

[@avetisk]

Can’t agree more 👍

[@loopop]

🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@cecilkeebler4254]

Yep the Loopop video manual is always appreciated :)

[@leftmono1016]

Did anyone keep their Gameboy screen magnifier?

[@kingsoloman42]

Like A Boss B-)

[@CO5MA]

😂

[@2xxdrewxx]

I literally was thinking the exact same thing

[@ReligionAndMaterialismDebunked]

Nice. I had one for the GBA I think, and maybe the GBC. Good idea! XD

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks for reviewing this. Had fun with it myself too 😁 I'm sure Sonicware will take your input on board.

[@ps7365]

Nice tutorial. I'd love to see you do a short update with the newest firmware. It addresses a lot of issues.

[@richardjames9976]

My favorite music tech reviewer reviewing a product from my favorite company. Thanks Loopop

[@1980VINZ]

Being a guy from eighties, I’m falling in love with this little music GameBoy. I don’t see how it’s possible to do better in a such compact form factor. Perfect toy to go out or sleep with haha

[@gregbeaudry]

The real saying is “Jack of all trades master of none, is sometimes better than a master of one”. Just defending the multitaskers!✌🏻

[@slash213]

I'm on your side, but we'll need to work on that slogan

[@SwiftDreamer]

Interesting device indeed, but I think its needs a few firmware updates before I consider buying one

[@GizzyDillespee]

What the world needs is a master of all trades, jack of none.

[@TheBestMethod]

Oh wow I never heard the full version

[@emixbase]

What would you take into ATOMIC END OF THE WORLD ! Vault backpack ... I guess NOT field or not op 1 cos you need that extra $2.000 for supplies 🍻🍻🍻 lots of beers down under the ground, and of course an instrument similar to that posted above to keep you from losing your mind 🤣🤣🤣🍻Cheers (p.s. trust me you would rather be digging deep to the heat of the earth's core and eat roasted rodents, compared to starving and freezing to death, up above...

[@dawvideokanal7369]

It is insane how many functions you have compared to other workstations and samplers, but so intuitive to use!

[@manfrombkk]

You can buy five of these little wonders for the price of one OP 1 Field.

[@Patriotic_Eagle1995]

I was considering buying one of these, but had doubts that my eyesight would be up to it. Having seen this video I realise I was right- it really isn't designed for the visually impaired! Really awesome, creative device for someone else though. Super cool to see it in action, thank you.

[@JRosevelt]

whenever some new synth, sampler or groovebox drops, I feel like we all need to shine up the Batman city light in the sky with the Loopop symbole in it instead. You always come thru with the dopest most thorough reviews. Thanks again for another extremely informative video.

[@AndrossUT]

I can't wait for this baby! Hope the Kickstarter early bird batch ships soon

[@virgilwilliams2378]

They could have put an HDMI video display port being that the screen is so small.

[@InkyDaCaT]

Backed this as I don't want to take out my expensive big gear out to an EMOM this, a circuit and a couple of small analogu synths going to be a winner, streaming straight to phone😸🙌

[@jumpingman8160]

Inky, did you get it?

[@rickbustamante]

Loop, that red and black is crazy outta site, WOW, love it, thx for the great vids, cheers.

[@hvhvgitaar]

Another excellent review/tutorial. Thank you ! I find the really unique feature of this device the “global” tracks with 3 takes each. Apart from the Roland Verselab, I don’t know of any other box that gives you this kind of support for song level audio tracks. This makes it a real songwriter’s tool, where you can add vocals and say guitar over a drum/base/pad groove. The lack of swing and unquantised recording is a bummer, and I would have liked to see multi sample instruments. Finally the single insert effect and single send effect are disappointing. Given what it already does, I suspect the processing power is there to do all the above, and it’s only a matter of coding. Having coded myself, I obviously don’t underestimate the work involved…

[@AdamsBrew78]

Love to see more options in this lower price range. Great value for something that packs so much punch.

[@joelou]

I love that they put a tripod mount on the bottom

[@StrillLife]

Great in-depth review. Can't wait to get my hands on my copy. Hopefully Sonicware well be able to expand on the units capabilities and work out some of the bugs and gripes people have about the unit.

[@StrillLife]

@Dr. Octogon yeah I know it's going to be awesome.

[@playeveryday01]

I'll keep my 404 mk2 but I could see this as a good accompaniment tool for live musicians, especially if you wanted a more complex looper/sequencer without the RC 505 prices. Or if you didn't want to bring a laptop.

[@AndrossUT]

I'm gonna use it as a song mode for the 404 and the rest of my hardware rig

[@Deaphdot1]

@@AndrossUT same

[@teabreakbeats]

Interesting concept. I think I'll prefer the 4 tracks on the MC-101 instead of the more (limited) tracks of the SmplTrek but more competition is a good thing, I hope more small battery powered devices get released!

[@tedpedersen123]

Hey Ziv! I backed this project and mine arrived today. 🎉🎉🎉 I get to dive in fast and deep thanks to the best synth professor on YT, great tutorial, thank you my friend!!! ✌️🎶🎹

[@loopop]

My pleasure - enjoy!

[@AndyVonal]

Thanks for this, Loopop! Can't wait for mine to arrive! So excited!

[@ChurBoBaggins]

no undo?? man thats a real bummer, plz sonicware add UNDO!

[@obshaky]

Niche hardware with reggaeton as a default sample track? Amazing.

[@jesseeatsbrains]

NO ONE KNOWS HOW LONG IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@P-S-T]

Thanks for great videos! Seen them all since 2-3 years back. Would be really great to see your setup, a bit about what makes you do this videos and how it all started. 😊

[@loopop]

Thanks and noted! Re my setup - my Matrix Setup video is one which I constantly swap smaller synths in and out of - the bigger one has yet to be organized...

[@P-S-T]

@@loopop Got mine now. I found it very limiting, as you stated, not be able to step sequencing while playing the clip you are working on. Heard anything from Sonicware about that? Also move notes/undo is a bit of a bummer as it is right now.

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

Instant Classic! The Digitakt, SP404Mk2, Octatrack, MPC Live Killer that I've been looking for. Thank you sir, your videos are always a bright light in this dark world. Here's a drink to world peace!

[@AdamsBrew78]

“OT and MPC Live killer” might be setting expectations a bit too high. Price wise, I agree it’s killer though. OT’s still in another ballcamp for sample mangling/sound design and being more of an instrument than just a basic daw in a box. It seems closer to a pared down MPC Lite. But for $400, you can’t beat it. Amazing value.

[@rorz999]

I'll reserve judgement until I try one, but based on this video it isn't going to kill any of those devices. Octatrack and MPC Live especially can do WAY more

[@jacobhanson4203]

Not a competitor to a Live; a Live can do way more at a higher price point

[@RollrightKnights]

I thought the Blackbox screen was small! 😝

[@SwiftDreamer]

The UI looks pretty phenomenal (minus the screen) for being so small

[@DavidDeLuge]

It does look really good but I already have a Roland SP-404MKII, which I think is probably a more feature rich option and seems to be cheaper in the UK too!

[@jojojiles]

Feels a lot like 1010 Blackbox except with buttons instead of a touchscreen. It would be interesting to compare the two considering this is around 250 bucks cheaper.

[@fluim0102]

I will hold onto my Blackbox for now... Has a usb host port, supports multisamples, proper timestretch and i'm quite sure sounds a lot better...

[@bullet1218]

I Always wait for Loopop review before purchasing a new product...💯👍

[@coxidelic]

Thanks for another killer review.. the Bitwig style launcher totally sold me. I'm done with laptops, but I do love the Bitwig/Ableton style clip launching workflow. Wonder if they could put the speaker on the side and enlarge the screen?

[@machinate]

They should just completely remove the speaker, imo. Or put a tiny piezo inside it, hidden away. This has some of the hallmarks of really really GOOD gear, like the 3/8th socket on the back, but speakers in gear brings it further back into "toy-category" in my dumb opinion.

[@briannhinton]

I personally love the speaker.

[@xelvonid5874]

Speaker is the best part that what I love about the live mpc 2 no cables just grab and go

[@inthefade]

As an Akai Force user, I love the small format XD

[@demogorii]

So happy to see this review!

[@ildafons]

Nice for live performance taking into consideration it's size. The screen is so tiny that it needs some magnifying glass as an accessory/option :)

[@night_speed]

This might be what I've been wanting for years. A portable sketch pad that's not over a thousand dollars. Of course I'd love to have an OP1 or deluge but I can't see spending that much on something that will get knocked around a bit. I'm torn between this and the Polyend Play. This has a built in mic and runs on batteries so I might have to go with this. And get the Polyend later as a studio tool.

[@VerySexyBaby]

Could I interest you in looking at the Dirtywave M8? I feel like it's the OP-1 killer (as someone with an og op-1 and the field, I feel I'm allowed to say this) and it just has so many wonderful features and sounds and is so damn portable.

[@night_speed]

@@VerySexyBaby I find it difficult to wrap my head around trackers. I understand how they work and i really wish I was good with them but it's so alien to me.

[@r3dsnow757]

@@night_speed i feel the same way, i ended up getting an og op1, but i find myself being very gentle with it even though it feels solid , i wish i had something cheaper just for peace of mind.

[@jjrusy7438]

you can see the evolution as these devices become dedicated processors with specific UI's that continue to minimize hardware, and of course, cost. so the game becomes: "how to trim the hardware, maintain features, not get too fiddly" in the goal to get some pretty amazing performance at a decent price

[@darkuniversesound]

Well put 👏👏🌌

[@loslosbaby]

Encoders: Maybe some FUNC or other shift for faster rate? Thanks for your vids, super nice, BEST possible production value! Appreciate it!

[@loopop]

Thanks! That's indeed a possible workaround but would require two hands so a bit of a hassle - there are many instruments where manufacturers have figured out a way to get this to work well one-handed (not sure it's possible technically with these encoders though)

[@funkbungus137]

holllly shit its here, Backed this one, Im stoked.

[@cecilkeebler4254]

Great overview @loopop. Thx!

[@nelio123]

Awesome review, this helped me a lot, Thank you! :)

[@cecilkeebler4254]

It seems like all the announcements lately have been about firmware challenges they have been having. Hopefully that all gets sorted by the time they ship it out (hopefully) next week.

[@TrueTempleDog]

Yeah, last backer update asked for 1 week to knock out a serious kink...which backers (myself included) enthusiastically endorsed. No rush here. I'm tempted to park it under my tree and only open it for Xmas.

[@machinate]

This is potentially also because this thing is a total feature-hog. There's SO much going on.

[@Daphoid]

Awesome. I can see where this won't fit for some people, the limitations will be roadblocks. But for people that need it, are fine with it, and most likely don't have a big 10-20 year pile of gear they've been amassing over time (often I see folks "but the octatrack is better" well yes it's also orders of magnitude more expensive for someone starting out) - I think this'll fit a lot of people just wanting to explore gear!

[@djpuzzleofficial]

Pretty stoked. Still waiting for mine.

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

The fact that this machine exists (and costs $399) clearly shows how far elektron went in taking your money and giving you poor specs Sure the Digitakt is nice and sounds great but the lack of stereo samples, streaming from the card (or at least your own drive), polyphonic internal tracks, sample edit and having only 2 fx sends with no insert fx is teasing your customers

[@Kdkjdjewerdnxa]

If you are okay with tracker workflows I’d opt for a m8 tracker over this. Still has midi+audio in/out, sample slicing, and it’s far more portable, is rechargeable and has a larger screen.

[@am5790]

what do you think about the sound quality of PT with samples.....?

[@ruffark]

I have an m8, but I also backed this one up. Simply because sometimes I just want to play with some pads. Come up with ideas while ‘doodling’ on some keys. After that I will sample everything in the m8 :)

[@mauchkimberly]

This machine has been of interest to me. But my eye sight isn't what it used to be so tiny screens have become increasingly problematic. Because of that, I'm just not sure this would work out for me. But I like a lot of other performance aspects.

[@mikemeengs5720]

I'm in the same boat and totally agree. My diminishing eyesight is one reason why I've gone DAWless over the last couple of years...too many years in front of the old PC hasn't helped. I'd go bonkers trying to do everything behind this tiny screen. I mean, you could dig a grave with a spoon, but wouldn't a shovel be better?

[@GizzyDillespee]

How did I?... We're in the same boat? I'm in a boat?! You guys think YOUR eyesight is getting bad, but I don't even remember getting on a boat

[@isnortair]

Have you considered the magnifying glass accessory it comes with for an extra 50 dollars?

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@isnortair What? Why was that no mentioned in this review? Source?

[@adamkrasneski3679]

Thing is, w this device the idea is its a handeld, not a desktop unit. As such, the screen isnt as bad as people would think. The black and yellow contrast is preatty simple to follow. I do have a little trouble seeing it on a desktop, but the only reason i notice is i happen to look at the screen before finger drumming. Dont get me wrong, a bigger clscreen wouldve been nice, its just not as bad as ppl have been making it out to be. At least not for my old eyes.

[@mack_solo]

If you come from a device with a mobile phone or ipad sized display than this is clearly a bit crusher to the eyesight. BUT, if you're coming from pocket devices the likes of pocket operator or kaossilator mini, or you sit with your nose right in your monologue or microfreak keyboard, then this looks to be a great hand held or close contact machine with plenty of options. Apart from firmware shortcomings as mentioned above (most, if not all, should be addressable via updates IMO), my gripes are SIX AA battery operation (how many of you own a six battery charger??), and no SDXC card support (it's 2022 - some stores don't even sell SDHC's anymore...). However those are not deal breakers. The deal breaker is a lack of availability until some time next year 😄

[@Roboprogs]

I have a bunch of AA powered stuff. 8 cell charger.

[@felipefs106]

Quite powerful device, I Wish it had a bigger screen, there's even space for a bigger one tho...

[@rorz999]

I agree, something with this much functionality needs a bigger screen. I'm definitely going to serve this one

[@OnceSolem]

Tapping out early on this one, my sausage finger recoil at the sight of those Roland boutique-sized knobs !! :O

[@jacquesmertens3369]

This tiny DIY-style box sells for 555 EUR where I live. That's a crazy high price for such a basic product. And what happened to midi 2.0 ? The year is almost 2023 and where's the 2.0 gear? I do hope it comes with a free magnifying glass to help you locate the screen, and a free microscope to see what's on the screen after you've located it.

[@mattsmith1440]

Apparently there's an optional magnifying glass. As far as midi 2, well they only just released midi one 1 fairly recently, give them time!

[@VJFranzK]

19:50 "No Rachets"? Hmm, we must request those, for IDM and obviously Trap. And "it ain't got that Swing?"

[@rorz999]

Wow, it's pretty tiny! I wasn't expecting it to be so small

[@ohboy6971]

I get that a lot.

[@coxidelic]

thats a plus for me. too much hardware needs a desk to do much with

[@Swenglish]

You can't chop to a kit? That seems like a glaring omission. I hope they amend that, because that seems essential to the workflow. I'm a backer, and I'd hate for this to be another dust collector.

[@pheotus]

Get rid of the speaker and put in a bigger screen seems obvious

[@TABE-O]

Another great unbiased review. U da man

[@gettingcomfy]

ive been torn between this and a sp404mk2 for portable sampling (and not having to haul a huge setup to my gfs place haha) and youve helped me narrow it down a littke considering the sp404 is 50€ cheaper i think ill go w it

[@tricitytypebeat8622]

You better get that 404! This thing will be in people's garbage cans in a few years while the sp404 will be crankin out hits!

[@garyspong]

Thanks!

[@blkrbbt]

Happy holidays, Ziv!

[@loopop]

And to you!

[@marioaloe3628]

on the cons side i second what you loopop said about the tiny screen, i was expected larger (or at least, less caracters or "things", as you said in the comments); another thing i agree on your suggestions (pro and cons side) is i also hope Sonicware will add some generative parameters (probabilities and random stuff); i also hope they developp automations better (are they already live-recordable, as, for example, volca's motion seq?)

[@ruffiankick]

They need to add micro timing and unquantized recording.

[@dollarstorekeyboard]

I agree, I'd be interested in checking this out if it did.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Id like to use an audio rate LFO to modulate between the 3 "takes". I don't even know why, anymore. I just do.

[@cresshead]

Insert FX - one per track or 1 per project? Send FX - one fx but you can put it on all track to various levels? POWER - comes with a psu? - power - can it be powered via usb power bank?

[@loopop]

1 insert FX per project unfortunately, yes one send and multiple send levels for all tracks, yes it comes with a PSU and no, it can't be powered by USB

[@cresshead]

@@loopop excellent thank you the prompt reply, appreciated.

[@nebula0697]

Every time one of these boxes comes out i get my hopes up but there's still not one that meets my apparently crazy demands. The new sampler just released by Sonicware also looks promising but the favorite box for me remains Novation Circuit Tracks, which has huge limitations. I want something much less deep than Maschine or MPC, that samples, that has two octaves of keyboard pads, and that's also a rompler with all the bread and butter sounds you could ever want, all the sap. And not as tiny or expensive as OP-1. Price point 500 to 700 dollars. And the verselab won't do because of its interface and price

[@idnagoogle6541]

!!:-) Nice i am the 200.001 Abo guy ! THX for your work !

[@Schtoopot]

Polyphonic samples. YES!

[@RosssRoyce]

It’s a typing machine and a box of candies at the same time -amazing!!,😀😝 Supernice review, thanks! This machine would be good for travelers I guess.

[@Rowe4900candymachine]

The form factor and 1/4 inch in and out on this thing was tempting me to sell my looper pedal and replace it with this. The lack of overdubbing pretty much killed the dream though.

[@adamkrasneski3679]

I grabbed this hoping it would replace my korg es2. I love the onboard sequencing on this so much more than the es2. Sample editing is more to my liking as well. If we can get swing/shuffle in a firmware, it'll be time to let go of the es2 for this little guy and his much smaller real estate footprint.

[@synth-studio]

"These don't spark joy." 😂

[@skyddsrum3350]

Thank you for this, great work as always! 👍🏻 If you have 3 instrument tracks playing, is the 8 note polyphony spread through those three tracks or is it 8 notes per instrument track?

[@loopop]

Thanks! It should work but I didn't stress test it - the company claims 30+ voices polyphony

[@mpmi7588]

Digitackt and The 404 had a baby

[@BB69175]

Solid pass from me

[@synthanatomy]

thanks for the video, however, waiting for your minilogue bass in-depth video ;)

[@loopop]

I still exploring the colors and panel design in depth…

[@particular_noise]

I'm pretty jealous you got one before me, but I can wait another week or so and I'll know how to use it when it gets here. So thanks I guess 👍

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Lots of nice features, but these eyes could not handle the tiny screen. Wonder if you could put a Fresnel lens on it to magnify the screen. I do like the form factor, built in mic, speaker, and external inputs. For now, I will stick to my MC-101, TR-06S, J-6, T-8, Volcas, and Model:Cycles, for portable jam boxs. Also, word to the wise...Don't buy until after they get all the bugs worked out, and features added that you want.

[@ricardomilice2470]

😂 This is better than that $2,000 Op1 operator……you gotta get a loan or sell your a#s 😂 j/k🙏🏾. Excellent review as always. I’ll wait until they add all those other features that’s missing to get one, I need it to kick ass from the beginning……because it’s not prettiest looking machine 😂.

[@ErikAnders]

2 questions you might know the answer to. 1.Can you export patterns as midi files to import into a DAW? 2. Can the midi note be changed or assigned to any value?

[@Paul-uy1ru]

Too bad they did not get to include a larger screen. Apart from that this looks like everything the digitakt has missing to be the greatest groovebox. Let’s see how it develops with firmware updates.

[@koskey06]

I just heard of this like a week ago but with really no hands on videos/reviews I was hesitant......but now that u made a video a hour ago.....they are sold out everywhere!! Lol so now the price will go from expensive...to CRAZY so the ones who really need something this wont be able to get it....

[@roryjineffect]

It has not hit the market yet, officially. Crowd funding backers should be getting theirs in the coming weeks.

[@mack_solo]

0:12 - ...I sense "Korg minilogue bass" video coming up... 😄

[@terrypmusic]

Very good, keep it up

[@DTZinatbakhsh]

This feels like a digitakt expansion. It's everything I'm missing in that machine with an eeriely similar vibe and a different enough opinion on workflow. Would be perfect if they nail crossfading. Anyone try using this together with an elektron box?

[@Sorcerers_Apprentice_11]

Are you going to do a Liven Lofi 12 Review?

[@loopop]

Not likely

[@Sorcerers_Apprentice_11]

@@loopop Shit, now I’ll never learn how to use it.. lol

[@manucontrovento]

Hi, watching at this video once again, I realized I wanted to ask you this question: did you ever think comparing the Blackbox and the Smpltrek? it seems to me they could have a lot of common features... could one consider them alternatively?

[@loopop]

Yes for sure there's an overlap. I couldn't easily sum up the differences in a quick comment though... but watching both my videos will tell you everything I know (obviously, also look at the many release notes/firmware updates in Blackbox since my video was made)

[@derekholland3328]

only thing stopping me from hardware are those tiny screens..but if thats fixed, they seem very plausible...a design issue only.

[@mpstrgc112]

I backed it for polyphony and velocity sensitivity. Bit disappointed with the insert effect situation. One per track is ok but only available on 1 single track? I foresee quota bit of resampling.

[@DionteBOOMstudio]

Wanted this real bad. But I just bought the SP404 MkII. Maybe someday.

[@adamkrasneski3679]

Been playing around w this thing and i will say the biggest con 4 me so far (other than the actual sd card system set up) is only having 1 insert effect. Not per track, just one period. Thats a rough limitation.

[@LambruscoPeter]

I have a couple of the Sonicware stuff, but I'm probably not gonna get this, I already have a Digitakt and a Polyend Tracker

[@zmmmzmmmz]

Volca for scale is all fun and games until a device is actually 1/3 as big as expected

[@SonicVibe]

It has the right idea 💡 but I think they slightly missed the mark

[@eddy_sonik]

I LOVE ! 🧡

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

Straight to EBAY beauty 😁😁

[@ReligionAndMaterialismDebunked]

The USB also connects to the superior than iPhone, Android. (;

[@VJFranzK]

Can't mute individual drums? Argh! 4:05

[@electrosonicnebula]

I guess mounting a magnifying glass over that screen could work.

[@WyattLite-n-inn]

This needs a phone /pad app