Stimming reviews the Elektron Model:Samples (Electronic Beats TV)

Hamburg studio wizard Stimming knows his tech. That’s why he’s Telekom Electronic Beats TV resident gear expert, and that’s why he's reviewing Elektron's new, entry-level groovebox. Retailing at €450, the Model:Samples is the Gothenburg electronic instrument-maker’s cheapest groovebox yet. But does it measure up to its more substantial siblings like the Elektron Digitakt and Octatrack? See what Stimming says above, and check out his other reviews here: bit.ly/EB-Gear_Reviews
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[@naturligfunktion4232]

These reviews are great, mainly because Stimming seem honest and point out everything that is bad with each machine. That is very rare

[@benmironmd]

NaturligFunktion definitely the most objective review - very good! Tells it like it is and shows what it's useful for.

[@jaimepaiva8847]

true that. usually the pros are exaggerated while the downsides are limited to a timid footnote mentioned at the end of reviews, but these should have as much weight - if not more - on a fair analysis.

[@jimmin4483]

@@benmironmd j

[@xisotopex]

i feel like the best reviews are not necessarily negative, but should focus on what something CANT do. for example you can watch a whole review about the digitakt and not know that it cant slice samples. for some people it may not matter but if it does, and you bought one, you are going to be very disappointed

[@iThinkWeGotIt]

Yeah. I subscribed solely bc you can tell dude is being honest about his reviews

[@MichaalHell]

Stimming is my no.1 gear reviewer. Loved this and also his review of the drumbrute impact. The sole reason is because he reviews the devices from a musicians perspective and not a technical perspective. And that is rare!

[@73Fluxx1]

Stimming is hands down the best reviewer I've ever watched and this little machine looks and sounds the absolute business.

[@JayDeLaFunk]

I love these reviews. In depth, entertaining, informative, and just overall great when compared to many others. Keep them coming.

[@GeorgeL909]

I think this thing is a hidden gem. It was probably hurt greatly by its missing features at launch, but after all the updates, it's a powerhouse, especially if you don't have a digitakt, and costs less that half the price right now. Great review though.

[@m.g.kroger]

Stimming reviews are the best, most useful, clear, deep, honest, and, last but not least, full of nice humor.

[@girlinagale]

So nice, listening to Stimming at work is a peaceful time, inspiring, hopeful and energetic.

[@KDemis]

Very good reviews. Both in-depth and humorous. Love them.

[@soundcheck6885]

Now that it has parameter and sample locks, and costs 25% less, this is the best instrument in its price range.

[@cougarman8]

After my second day with it I'm loving it more and more. It's living up to the excitement I've had since it was announced!! Super fun and powerful!

[@TriangleWaveRecords]

"I'm going to do it in English, again; just so my German fellows have something to complain" hahahah you got my attention right there buddy!

[@Mode-7]

This is the first time I've come across your videos. I love your review style. Great info and low key humor. Subbed.

[@valdiskrebs566]

What a great demo - I like this guy’s style. I learned a lot ... like this groove box!

[@busch028]

Stimming always provides amazing reviews on products!!!

[@wavefold9069]

Stimming keeps delivering the best gear reviews out there

[@LouisSerieusement]

thank you, your reviews are always very great !!! cheers from France =)

[@jankvaca8788]

Stimming is such a nice guy. Love his reviews.

[@uli069]

Ich liebe diese Reviews von Stimming :-D so authentisch, sympathisch und extrem fähig. Freue mich auf mehr mit ihm!

[@JayFrederick]

"....and here you get some stickers with it." haha.. says it all. Love Stimming's reviews!

[@thepyre]

Stimming, please review more products! The depth of knowledge and thoughtfulness here puts very popular reviewers to shame. Thank you.

[@paulburkhart2619]

Very nice demo of the wave looping capabilities! Thank u

[@leNotstrom]

Sample Locks are now possible with the latest OS update

[@palindromeAU]

Best feature yet

[@oliverwerner884]

Großartig! Mehr Stimming reviews bitte! Sehr sympathisch und was lernen kann man auch immer ;-)

[@simonyricools]

Great, honest, informed review. You're hilarious.

[@dylanparis8838]

This is an awesome overview, makes me want the device for sure

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

I was sceptic.....now i’m convinced ;) great demo!

[@cpele9009]

20:33 - casually stands up rytm lengthwise onto table. Holy cow. This guy lives on the edge.

[@JH-lo9ut]

Yeah, I get the feeling he has confidence in the build of Elektron gear. Overall, Martin Stimming seems to make a point of not being too delicate when handling gear. I guess, if it's going to break, its better that it breaks in the studio than on stage. Chenk from Elektron claimed in one interview, that he had thrown the model:samples out the window, just to test the build quality. Apparently it didn't destroy the thing, but he didn't disclose how high up the window was. Edit: (Got curious and had too look it up.) Elektron HQ resides on the fifth floor, according to the adress info on their site.

[@cls6200]

A beautiful review - perfect. And Elektron has patched many of the issues you pointed out like pitch changes now go to the .1 cent level and you can sample lock each step in a sequence to use different samples on the same track. I can't recall off-hand the limit for sample locks per project. Lovely overview of a fun, easy and very powerful machine. Wish it had polyphonic sequencing but I am also happy with the limitation for the price, and, besides, that is why we have other synths and MIDI. :)

[@smguy7]

I have two Elektron machines. I am tempted by this new instrument. Thank you for this informative and well presented video.

[@NostalgicRuckus]

Such a great machine. Don't go by first impression. Been having too much fun with this thing.

[@Labyrinth1010]

Am I the only one who can listen to Stimming do reviews and demos all day?

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

Nope :-) There is a 1h + video coming soon. Ask The Producer: Stimming

[@jjoker6540]

Stimming is SOOOO passive aggressive!!!...love it!!!

[@miroslav_official]

underrated comment

[@sophos.sophos]

Love this review, very expressive and warm. Very nice way to put techs with feeling and human skills. So Nice

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

More on musictalk.tech

[@maleficenthardware]

Schlimming's reviews are THE best.

[@tr1co0]

Dang, that slow beat with the chord progression is so beautiful. Really shows the range of this box.

[@scottharris7222]

Listening as I am wiring up some gear.. I had to stop to watch at 19:00... really loving that groove when you start to use the waveforms. Great content as usual. AND again at 24.00 great stuff to my ears.

[@DocBolus]

I really love the look of this box as a performance tool. Looks really interesting indeed.

[@kurtstrickland7916]

Thank you mate, I love your music and now I love watching your reviews. You are a legend. Let me know when you make it back to Oz. I will buy you a beer. Cheers Kurt

[@VocalChainsStudio]

Awesome review as always

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

You find his new ones on musictalk.tech

[@trevor4835]

Thank you for making this video :) I am looking forward to the battery pack so I can jam out on a mountain top at dusk.

[@SynthesizerBook]

Great review. Thanks!

[@Eevove]

the model:samples now allows for parameter locks on samples, that as well as this review sold this machine for me!

[@Johnalbinm]

Great review and now I believe I want one next to the digitakt I just bought

[@mjpayne899]

Note: An update allows for parameter locking on sample now.

[@bonsaibloom]

really nice review, thanks :)

[@ildarkinildarkin]

Nice review, thank you!

[@thomaswarnemunde3541]

Greta review! BTW> The barrel jack input on the left side makes sense. It is a 5V DC power input. With a USP to barrel jack adapter cable, you can power the unit directly from a power bank and use it off grid :)

[@djgregog]

very nice and interisting review bravo stimming thanx a lot

[@ravemealone]

Schlimming R&D always on Point.

[@techtalkmike4968]

I just flat out like Stimming. The gentleman knows his stuff. He takes a true look at a device, from his point-of-view, and shares it with those of us that want to listen and learn. That said, I wasn't sold on the Model:Samples with some of the earlier Elektron produced videos. After seeing Stimming's review, I'll pull one in and give it a spin. I also hope Elektron brings back their Machinedrum into a similar form factor with similar UI improvements. It is one of my most used instruments and would love to have one in a portable form factor. Thanks @Telekom Electronic Beats for the video!

[@rodrigolaporte274]

Totally amazing review. As many said here, it's so good that you're totally honest with the good and the bad, and also you mention some details that show you really use these machines, not just evaluate them for reviews, which is a very important thing. IDK, I'm between saving for a digitakt or getting this one sooner. I don't have other elektron stuff and I'm not used to their page/param workflow for everything, so this hands on interface looks a LOT more interesting to me. Though I'd really like the 8 midi tracks of the digitakt and the (already?) 8 tracks via overbdridge.

[@jarkokoo]

The main question is: what do you need? For live stuff the dedicated knobs on Model:Samples are probably something really awesome. But for studio use I'd say: get the Digitakt. As you already mentioned, it has 8 midi-out channels and it also has 2 internal channels more than Model:Samples (personally the 6 track limit is the most handicapping thing in this device). DT is also built like a tank and has a direct sampling capability. I'm not saying Model:Samples is a bad device, but if you're already torn between choosing this and the DT, the price difference really isn't that big between them. And about the traditional Elektron workflow: DT actually was my first Elektron device and I was pretty much making new stuff with it in an hour, not kidding. But in the end of the day, it's your call. Like I said: think about what do you need. There is no worse feeling than buying wrong gear/plugin because you didn't have patience wait a bit longer and save more for the device/plugin you really wanted to buy.

[@NaNAmbient]

Thank You Stimming! I was on the fence lately about which sampler/sequencer to buy vs what I need vs what is available (Digitakt is quite hard to come by nowadays, for example) and I found about this little thing, and was wondering if it would suit me. This review sealed the deal. Even with the drawbacks it's still pretty much what I was looking for. Probably gonna buy it next week :P

[@pfmmodule5144]

Paired the Samples with the NDLR. Tons of fun. Good video.

[@CO5MA]

Great idea!

[@Kablehead]

Very good review! One little thing to add: You can choose ftune as a destination for the lfo to finetune samples. But then you lose the lfo for that track. Real finetuning would have been nice.

[@darrinbisson8914]

That groove at 23:00. So good

[@soultrekcentral]

heyy awesome! Stimming's back! in case you never heard of him this guy is virtuosoAF!

[@georgeg147]

Great demo, thank you very much Stimming. My question is if you load your own samples then you have to delete some of the existing ones? Or the unit has enough space to add new samples, keeping at the same time the factory samples?

[@fratomo]

Hey there! Thank you for the review! Are the samples from the model samples?

[@sarcasticmaniac628]

It reminds me of a volca sample with a few more functions. It looks very self explanatory at a glance. I like it.👍🏿

[@Conn30Mtenor]

I love this guy. He's great.

[@churchofaggressiveaudio6498]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@mougabo]

wow, thanks so much! does Stimming do online music production/live performance coaching? he is a great source of inspiration, curiosity and all around fun person to learn from

[@markfontane1298]

Awesome review like always Stimming! Funny, that you dismiss the need for a battery pack. It‘s the only criterium, why I consider buying it. To be able to make beats on the go :) I‘ve had my eye on the Korg Electribe Sampler, but this light little powerhouse seems pretty nice and has an awesome sound. The missing attack parameter gives me a bad feeling though...

[@VJFranzK]

23:33 Is almost "Cool like Dat" by Digable Planets! Like the detailed honest reviews, always.

[@m2ad18]

I hear that . the bass..

[@tsgodman4409]

I love you man, you're so passionate, the music heart is deep in you sir.......thank you for this.

[@GuyTallo]

The reverb sounds nice :)

[@Hell_Inc]

mas, I love your style. great, funny (not silly, though), informative... new subscriber here! keep it up (in english, please lol)

[@kidfromfrance]

Great review! Just out of curiosity, why do you think bass drums should be microtonal?

[@SRDhain]

This has to be the best overview & review I've seen of this so far. Thank you for uploading this; it's affirmed a lot of things for me & answered many questions. In essence, It's a machine of interesting choices, and can deliver fun filled moments. But there are compromises aplenty which i didn't expect. I'm still waiting for an elektron device to enthrall and stimulate as a compositional tool. They're very cleverly designed, but it seems like the engineering department are forcing you into a way of thinking and hence doing , which isn't always musically intuitive. Forcing creativity via workarounds of complex button combinations of 'computer game cheat code length' doesn't always yield satisfying or great results. Your mind tends to end up focussing on the complex technical ergonomical interfacing far more than the sonic & melodic , which takes you further away from the natural flow of composing. Here's hoping their next product will hit all the right notes (pun intended) and be a machine I can flow with.👍

[@SRDhain]

@@MStimming You're right. In comparison to the other instruments in their range, it has a more immediate interface. But at this price point, the competition is tough. I've been fortunate to have owned or used a LOT of groovebox /hardware sequencer/ all in one devices since the late 90s on all sorts of jobs and situations. Elektron devices are unique and require a rethink (or even remix- pun intended) to your approach to writing and even performing . But the 'emotional connect' and subsequent musical payoff for me, just hasn't delivered as of yet. They're always brilliant on the spec sheets, with layer upon layer of options available, but in the real world, it looks like 'gizmoing' ( article : - www.shekhardhain.com/2013/06/washing-machine-syndrome-adding-value.html?m=0 ) I'm still an optimist regards tech development, as I spent years in I.T. & saw over time, how software and hardware have improved to form a much better marriage, with better U.I. on products overall. In effect, I think that in the cost rethinks (and reducing of features) necessary to produce devices that appeal to every level of consumer, the music hardware market has been affected too, just like every other industry. For example, the larger corporates have the pockets to spread the risks over a diverse range of EVERY kinds of product in the sector, and all the time, if absolutely necessary. By comparison, the smaller firm's with a handful of product, are constantly revamping o/s software, and trying to keep their inflows healthy via merchandising and even funding , both private and more public (e.g. patreon). I sympathise, as it's a tough gig. But it's also a choice. And in that regard, there's never been a greater time to get into music, as the variety of ways to go about it are incredibly varied and most importantly, fun.

[@30m3]

This guy is absolutely brilliant at doing reviews.

[@reginaldbraithewaite5833]

I'd love to see an update of this review to find out whether Stimming ended up using this onstage and whether he decided to keep it. Really, I'd love to see an update on all the machines he's reviewed. I've seen his vids on his studio gear, but those are older. He did say that he sold his Model: Cycles.

[@chinmeysway]

the diddy you do at the end there sounds great.

[@theenglisharmy]

could listen to this dude give reviews all day .. no b.s.

[@MadelnMachines]

I like how dissected this machine in so much detail. I don't really like the elektron interface but this seems much better. I agree - their new drum machines should be more like this. If, like on the RYTM, you have to use the display a lot make it big, high resolution and colourful. Having no proper filter / amp envelope on a sample player is borderline criminal though.

[@slluk5136]

I love it. So creative ! The USB class compliant sound card is amazing when you're on Linux !

[@LaymensLament]

I really like the strcuture of these reviews. There is not so much fluff and a lot of different opinion points on different aspects of working with the machines.

[@inkajoo]

I love my Cycles... always wonder if Samples is in my future...

[@paulclifford9008]

Best reviewer I’ve seen

[@iammadeofsound]

Amazing. Building machines is an artform. Ich liebe es! Well done and thanks for making the video ;)

[@dudemandudebro938]

thanks for the good video! Can you please tell me what you think of the sound engine compared to the digitakt. I'm wondering if there is much of a downgrade in quality playing the drums or anything really.

[@spr30]

the break that starts at 22:47 is sickness personified dude

[@nephildevil]

With his experience Stimming always gets to the point immediately, while other reviewers just ramble on as if they're reading the manual without anything to add.

[@jszack]

Great review! You convinced me to take the leap for this fun machine, despite (or because of) the fact I have lot of other Elektron gear that I love. PS--I think you need to move your "B" sticker over one (under trig 8). Thanks!

[@jszack]

Really? I had no idea! Thanks, @@MStimming! I learned something!

[@tinygoldenbook]

you know, actually, the B is right where it should be in the German system, I think

[@charliecarrot]

He's just missing an H sticker ;)

[@6020fsk]

so nice, thanks 👍

[@Kablehead]

Someone from Elektron just confirmed that Digitakt and Model:Samples share the same reverb. It might feel different because the M:S has less reverb parameters to tweak. To me they also sounded a bit different but ears can be deceiving.

[@cougarman8]

Also you don't have to hold function and track to control all. You just have to hold track!

[@AndyHolt72]

I really like this review.... he's great at presenting

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

Check his latest reviews here musictalk.tech

[@The_Invisible_Man]

Awesome 👏 overview, battery will also be a handle/stand type thing hence the holes on either side.

[@jacquispeer867]

omg he's a Tirzah fan!! Amazing

[@Portekberm]

Thanks, good vid sold

[@E4RLIES]

Superb and detailed review - new subscriber here 🙌🏼👍🏼

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

Check his new reviews on musictalk.tech

[@HankAstral]

great review

[@tom639s]

this is amazing

[@GeorgeCopperfield]

He makes this look so fun, i'm not quite sure I could have that much fun with it.

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

😬

[@tobiaswinkler6971]

what a sweet guy. thank youu

[@hannesmittag8558]

Jawohl endlich 😍

[@geoffsmith8172]

To be fair, I see Elektrons with stickers on them all the time. PS - Stimming's reviews are great. Glad to get more English work. :)

[@tali813]

Liked and subbed. They have sample locking now btw :D

[@LudovicCoullet]

Love the DJ Krush-like beat circa 23'00"

[@ishta]

Great review and brutally frank and honest and that is good. Thank you! One of my best friends is from Lübeck and I was able to guess that Mr. Stimming is from that area (Hamburg) based on his accent. Dangerous delay. That is a first.

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

Originally he is from Gießen (Hessen)