StudioLogic Sledge 8 Voice Virtual Analog Poly

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

We really need Gaz to update this review with his opinions on his new Sledge 2.0. Nick vs Gaz - compare and contrast? Awesome reviews as ever - thanks Nick!

[@mark-evans]

I have been thinking about buying the Sledge 2.0 and I have watched many videos about these, and I just wanted to say this is one of the most informative videos about these things. This guy really digs into the nuts and bolts about this thing, where the other videos they kinda gloss over everything. This guy is an outstanding reviewer. I have decided I AM going to buy the 2.0 Thanks for the info. :)

[@simonkamakazi]

the black and grey looks cool on sledge 2

[@rchiiibob]

Hello. Would you please do a video on the Sublogic SLEDGE 2.0? I'd like to hear how it has been improved from the original SLEDGE.

[@foggydrifty]

This synth sounds badass to me, much different than most of the same stuff being made today.

[@crunchyfrog555]

I really love the layout of this synth. I could jump in and get used to this synth within minutes, I'm sure.

[@nicklandovich]

Is there any chance you could do an update on this synth with its 2.0 firmware? Seems it made some massive changes (split function as well as more polyphony, etc). I would be very grateful if you could.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

bump

[@mjhobo5520]

Bumpity bump

[@noelcosgrave113]

Bumpity bumpity bump!

[@michaelscottpettis]

Bump it

[@Tron01000]

Thanks - always great! I would like also see and updated version of this review with version 2.0!

[@sonicstate]

Not for lack of trying, I've been at them for months.

[@PlaceUnseen]

7:15 - “I can’t find a way to map velocity to either filter cutoff or the filter envelope amount.” Gordon Reid’s SOS review indicates that velocity can affect filter contour. He noted, however, that “the Velocity knob on the review unit had a fault; the parameter value returned to zero unless I held the knob in position.” Perhaps your review unit had the same fault. Nick, thanks for the fair and unbiased review. I still want one!

[@michelkasday]

Setting the Filter/Env Amount at about 1 o’clock (if 0 was 12 o'clock) then velocity at 3 o’clock. Then the filter Decay setting, to a higher value than envelope Decay. The greater the difference between them the more that the velocity will open the filter, but the cutoff needs to be down enough to establish the starting point for the intended minimum velocity. The opposite is true if you set the amount to negative values. I felt important to address how to actually get some real velocity response into the filter.

[@jjlacey1970]

my favourite reviewer this guy. he docent fuck about, he gets straight in there banging all the effects, loo's, oscillators and that to the max. i get that.

[@ratface1987]

Just the thought of all those knobs makes me want it. I've kind of become jaded with the whole hardware virtual analog thing, but those knobs... they're just so beautiful... *tear*...

[@devmiles]

virtual analog is soooo late 90's 00's why not 8 voice analog? rather get a juno 60 or 106 and a tape echo, but again all personal....

[@ShoreyJr]

Great to see another proper synth review in the Lab! Loving it:)

[@bloodyhell6378]

Liking the jacks on the sides. I hate how nearly every piece of electonic gear has their jacks in the back, making it near impossible for a neat desktop setup (e. g. setting gear in front of other gear) and makes it look rather messy and scattered. The only other synths I know of that do this are the Seiko DS, Casio MT-400v and a Hohner keyboard, whose model I don't remember.

[@JoelBouchillon]

Just demo'ed the Sledge. The Sledge has a nice little arpeggio that you did not mention.

[@thelantern9075]

Hey Nick, how about an updated video with the Black and new features?

[@Digiphex]

Why discourage sales immediately by making it a polarizing yellow? I guess selling them was not a huge priority. Anyway, nice demo. I think I could do a lot with that but I am pretty sure I would save up a bit for the Prophet 12 (or P12 module to get closer to the price) and get worlds more utility and quality.

[@synthesizerhome2041]

I guess the idea was to make it look different. White, red, orange, black keyboards exist - but not many yellow ones ;-)

[@samueladams7]

The Waldof Q is yellow too. Does that make it less marketable?...I think not. It's all about the sound.

[@openchallenge]

An analog filter would have made this synth an instant classic. People don't mind That hybrid in polysynths. It's an emulation of an original synth? That's lovecraftian.

[@kikkirow5406]

Gosh that thing is f'n beautiful

[@xoio]

Nick should re-visit this synth now that it's long had a version 2.x firmware update. Which gave it 24 note poly, dual timbrality, sample playback, osc sync, etc etc.....

[@fatherpeepee]

this synth is the real deal. try one in person before you comment.

[@andy-ford]

I bought the sledge 2 and it went back within a week. I thought it sounded really dire.

[@kidtronic]

I bought a Blofeld and there was a steady stream of positive upgrades to the OS. Far better than a company with no OS improvements. I think that price is, nicely and delicately put by the way, a tough point with products like the analog 4 or the morpho 4x being cheaper..

[@rivalo5]

The reverb is a bit digital according to sonicstate. But aren't reverbs always digital?

[@navboi12]

If it's good enough for Jordan Rudess..

[@snuppssynthchannel]

And Rick wakeman.

[@rg2027x]

+ brother Geoff Downes

[@UBERLADEN69]

Jordan Rudess: the Rick Roll of Keyboarding

[@synesthetica]

Does anyone know if velocity to filter and other routing options were added in version 2.0? I can't find any info on that. Either way I suspect we're going to see Sledge being blown out at around 500 euros from stores quite soon. WIthout unison detuning and unison stereo spread, velocity to filter envelope, syncable LFOs, independent PWM for each oscillator, independent mod amount to each osc pitch and independently assignable aftertouch and modwheel I wouldn't pay more than 600 euros for this, although I must admit I like its sound quite a bit. It's weird how features that were almost a standard on 90's VA synths are being omitted these days. What's going on? Where are two independent filters? Only two FX? In a monotimbral digital synth with an enormous price tag? It should have at least 4 simultaneous FX. And good ones that is. I only like the chorus on this synth. Delay and reverb are for auditioning sounds only. I wouldn't use these in production. Multitimbrality? Come on! Is it really that difficult to implement this? Make it at least bitimbral if four part multitimbral is too much of a hassle. Weird times... STUDIOLOGIC, get these things right, please. And while your'e at it, improve the reverb algorithms and add some more options in the menu. The same goes for the delay. Congratulations for the chorus, though! Thank you ;)

[@kai77789]

Bloody awesome. You have a clearly laid out synthesizer section. If you can't make a decent sound with these beautifully laid out knobs, please buy a softsynth and use patches... This is lovely. At a pricepoint no other manufacturer can seem to get close...

[@cresshead]

Q. will you do a patch video similar to the venom/moog slim fatty as i'd like to hear sequenced basslines, strings, lead lines, pads from it if possible?

[@RobotsX2]

Lock, stock, and two smoking oscilators accent right there. This guy should be in the next Guy Ritchie movie

[@infindebula]

@devmiles: the sounds that we are hearing starting at around 9:45 could never be realized on any vintage Juno, or even Jupiter for that matter. I'm happy to see the virtual analog technology continuing to evolve (but I love my analog stuff too)

[@strykermoonfall2220]

Highly underrated synth

[@mattsynth]

Wavetable OSC is the real different ticket here. I can not wait to play one. Could be a good addition to my studio of synths. Great price for such a different type of synth. Thanks for the demo.

[@TheodoreChell]

A great review as usual. The synth is a bit disapointing though, I was expecting a blofeld hands-on but it really lacks in modulation possibilies; too bad. Thanks for all the vid's and podcast, very usefull.

[@dcashley303]

This actually looks pretty good, I like the interface of the knobs and the sounds seems smooth but have a lot of character. Perhaps not as dirty or crazy as I'd like though!

[@Cooperman666ROFL]

waldorf Q msut be brought back that good ol' banana.

[@gladtobeangry]

Amen to that. I own the humble Micro Q, and even that is a monster of a synthesizer. It took a while to grow on me. I was actually about to sell it, when I needed it for a project, and using it for that project, I finally dug a little deeper into the engine. It's now 1,5 years later, I've been playing with it on an almost daily basis, and it feels like I haven't reached the bottom yet. The Sledge, on the other hand, seems too limited for me, but I guess it's more aimed at synth players than at sound designers.

[@MrQurutin]

For once we have something cheap here in Europe. Glad to see that every European company hasn't hopped into "let's make it 999USD and sell it with zero profit in the US". Fair play. You can have Sledge for 990 euros, which is less than 1300 USD, and it's hard to think anything with better features/interface/sound/price-ratio. The only point for hardware VA synths for me is the interface, and Sledge is definitely serious in that area.

[@Chevytravelleruk]

Great review Nick.. I've been interested in this one for a while. Nice to see a synth that is just a "synth" and not a product of commitee. hope they address some of the modulation possibilities with a software update

[@M3sslah]

You can tell it's Waldorf I just love their harder metallic sound only they have. And to my ears it sound better than any Vsti anyway so not sure what the problem is.

[@hadrianmyers]

Excellent review! Although if you're after the Waldorf sound with knobs, please please please find a Waldorf Q! Vastly superior synthesis capabilities, more hands-on control (by quite a lot), and stronger sound from what I could hear. Barring that, Blofeld, the menus are way faster than you think, the matrix editor really helps. Definitely not impressed by the sound or synth power of this machine in comparison.

[@mjw555]

I was playing with one the other day - it sounds quite nice and was easy to use. A major disappointment was the feel of the keys themselves...they aren't completely awful but they would definitely make me think twice about buying one.

[@sonicstate]

Interesting, but I dont think ours had that fault, I got it to affect amplitude ok.

[@Psychlist1972]

I really want to like this synth. Some odd things: the control area is probably twice as large as it needs to be with even the same knobs and stuff. If you're space constrained that and the jacks on the left are both minor annoyances. I'd like to try one and see how the keyboard really is. Fatar makes a number of different levels, and from the opening comment here, I assume this is one of the cheaper ones. That said, knobs make just about anything better. Wish a local store had one to play with!

[@gallen5042]

Somone's made some changes from the Blofeld. The sound is less bright, with less on the high end.

[@evosixtechnologies8095]

I don't understand why the effects section is so limited since they are digital, and why the polyphony is limit to 8. And no sync???

[@keybern6457]

osc 2 and osc 3 are no sub-oscs on the Sledge either. You can clearly see the detune and semitone knobs for both of them...

[@avatai]

For that price, I think I'll just stay with my MicroKORG and DX7. I was totally expecting that to be around MAYBE $800 max... then again, it is Waldorf. It also (now, this could just be me) sounds just way too digital, though it does have a nice sound on its own. Sounds like it could use a couple filters or an EQ after it, though. Great demo!

[@jakebutler1095]

That thing is so fucking hefty hopefully one day i'll get one.

[@TrendyMessiah]

There is still some software bugs. But as always updates are fixing the issues. Most of the original sounds are crap. But start to tweak and you'll see what superb synth it is. And I love to have it all in front of me. Not in and out of menus all the time.

[@JohnLRice]

hi Pete, I just noticed this keyboard. I think it sounds great in the two demos I've heard.

[@EdmundQip]

When it comes to virtual analog 8-voice synth first thing I think about is Alesis Ion, which is still in my opinion has greatest va engine if you want to get somtheng close to classic sounds.. It's a shame that Alesis stopped producing Ion leaving only Micron that certainly lacks knobby-knobs' action. But I think if you want to get something like Sledge you should anyway consider looking for a second hand Ion, It lacks wavetables though

[@mCKENIC]

Brilliant review Nick! Been waiting to see/hear this and the review was perfect! I have a Blofeld but have to admit - those knobs look inviting :) As you say - perhaps when the price comes down a little!

[@sonicstate]

fixed, thanks for the spot

[@MinimalWave1982]

This synth will swim in water ^^

[@Bubnazty]

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check out the SH-201 again. I think I passed over it because I like the looks of the Gaia better. The 201 looks like they forgot to put knobs on the pots! But the 201 is just as capable if not more and cheaper which is always good.

[@mccreature]

Thanks for the review! So is there no input for processing external audio? I'm digging this synth overall...I hope that other manufacturers follow this example of giving so much hands on control! Happy Christmas!

[@MykTheOccultist]

found one locally for $550. is it worth it?

[@snuppssynthchannel]

MykTheOccultist yes absolutely. its a powerful easily programable light, robust and well sounding synth.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Ide be so happy to find one that cheap locally.

[@aksen303]

as the owner of a blofeld, i was hoping this would be simply a blofeld with a knobby interface as was originally rumoured (not that programming the blofeld is hard - the screen is gorgeous and makes it fairly painless). however, it looks like the synth engine is fairly cut back from the blofeld - not multitimbral, less filter types, only 1 filter per voice, less lfos and envs per voice, no modulation matrix...a little disappointing really.

[@indieclock]

i think this thing looks fun and sounds really great... then again i often gravitate towards the synths people dislike...

[@dionysiaex5538]

+indieclock I bet you have 10 Jupiter 80s then

[@barbarosbozkir3740]

I really wonder who will be the competitors with sledge. Any ideas? I'm not sure but maybe could be better with 4 octave keyboard.

[@lanceeriksen]

i played this synth at namm. it sounded great, it just felt like it was gonna fall apart constantly

[@HatredPrime]

you are right , I would add plus two wavetable oscillators. Wave morphing would be cool

[@superprim12]

Thank you so much for the awesome reviews.. I have purchased three of my latest synths based on reviews great job........

[@TheNeedlefactory]

Endless sonic possibilities with this me thinks. shame its such an odd looking beast. l often choose synths based on how they are going to look on stage. I'd have to mount this one vertically to get all those lovely knobs on display. Orange is the new black. Another nice review Nick.

[@imyouandurme]

It's too bad you can't map velocity to the filter, that's sort of a staple for me. And the fact that the mod wheel and the aftertouch are both modulating the same targets...hmm, that's a big snafu. But I love the egg yolk color! Sadly, there's just not enough going for it to shell out 1600 smackaroons.

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

Appealingly direct interface. Good review. Re - comments relating to 'classic' sounds and the 8 voice limit.. isn't the voice limit part of the 'classic' sound.. imagine a 64 voice jupiter.. it would be too dense. No mention of oscillator sync (in wavetables or menus?), a source of many cliched P5 and JP8 sounds.. yet if used subtly can make a lot of interesting timbres.

[@MadelnMachines]

From what I can tell from this if doesn't seem to have the same grit and harshness of the blofeld. It's a shame it doesn't come with a plugin version but quite nice especially when compared to the price of the virus

[@MarctheDarc]

I tried this in my local store, and it is a very nice synth, and i liked the sound. But the price sits it against some heavy competition on and below its mark. This is 2.5x more than the Blofeld module (where i live), and i must admit, with the synthesis engine being so similar, i'd be seriously hard pressed to shell out that much more money. Eventhough the interface is extremely nice. I can't help but feel this lacks that little something that makes it THE choice.

[@cnoriga]

it mentions an arpeggiator in the specs, where would that be?

[@jdrukman]

For that kind of money, this thing should be built like a tank and have a ton more options. I can't understand who this is targeted at. Studio musicians can have much more for the same price (all the waldorf plugins + native instruments komplete + a decent controller) and a gigging musician would want something that won't fall apart after 2 shows.

[@wackenthaljef]

I very much like this synth,clear front,very good sounds,(wavetables),stereo,low prices,funny color;..it changes.But if you like it,be careful the Sledge 2 is coming.

[@wackenthaljef]

***** In France no...ive not saw it already.

[@wackenthaljef]

***** yes! thanks!

[@tombird8543]

jeff wackenthal yes, now with Version 2 it has 24 Voices, new units have the sample option built in and the old Version can be upgraded. Cool stuff.

[@tombird8543]

jeff wackenthal yes, now with Version 2 it has 24 Voices, new units have the sample option built in and the old Version can be upgraded. Cool stuff.

[@ChemicalComedown]

It's hard to believe this synth is not proper analog !!! ;D Great demo BTW

[@BluffMunkey]

Not being able to modulate the filter cutoff with velocity seems absurd. Bit of a missed opportunity here I think. Even if it were only accessible via a software editor.

[@TrendyMessiah]

Why are people comparing this to several old Roland synths(Ive had them all)? The Sledge is a totally different synth. It sound special and I say yes. We need different unique instruments. I say yes to them all. And I buys what I want. Is it kids or people on social welfare who gives all the complaints? Just asking. Jealous cz u can't buy things? I'm a worker with a normal salary and still I can buy most of what I want to. I got to save of course. But I do I do I do.

[@aksen303]

no. ignoring recording in a proper room, both plate and spring reverbs aren't digital. not sure how easy it is to find a true plate reverb these days, but there are plenty of spring reverbs out there.

[@weatherkop]

Its so ironic that I have a Fatar and a Microwave XT on top of it and then looking at this synth. Not exactly wavetable but I think the VA is an old market that is well saturated unless its the real deal. I pre-ordred the Korg MS-20 mini for 600$. Something to think about Waldorf.

[@Mocuischalom]

input and output on the side , rare, but is it convenient ? what did you use as cable audio output ? about this wonderfull yellow color and other red clavia, i think that there are a lot of work about the design of keyboard in general, when i see the explosion of colors in world of guitar and that one............it's the day and night

[@kristallin]

Please tell me it comes in other colors...

[@NathanChisholm041]

black

[@drtritri]

Probably not.. as this seem to lack some very basic functions like pitch ENV, velocity modulation of the filter, envelope modulation of the wavetable etc it's hard to believe that it would have anything even slightly more exotic functions either. I guess it's more like "what you see is what you get" type of instrument. Waldorf might want to keep advantage of their own synths by leaving some limitations in this one. I am just guessing. Still I have to say, Q (and even XT) is FAR more advanced!

[@ianwilson7637]

Pitch ENV and Wavetable ENV envelope can be done using an LFO and Ramp/ Velocity Mod of the filter can be done using the amp velocity knob, but it is obviously limited because it affects amplitude and filter cutoff.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Rooi Valk Q & XTK kill the Sledge easily.

[@Senj1n]

Impressed with the review but not with the Sledge.. Keep em coming. Nice work

[@Desmaad]

Why only eight voices? The reason the original polysynths only had eight was because any more would've been too expensive. However, with a digital synth, you can go wild!

[@TrendyMessiah]

Thank you to Sonic State for a great review, As always. And I do agree about the filter knob. Irritating placement.

[@kidtronic]

nicely balanced and knowledgable review. Yours looked orangish. I thought there was some discussion about yellow and stage lites in other reviews. Has the colour been changed?

[@Non73audio]

Wow! A really good demonstration video! Thanks.

[@pianoman42421]

Wavestrike Electronics this synth is £650. A prophet 12 is £2000. A prophet 12 module is around £1600. That's one big price gap.

[@bobcatt2294]

Deal breaker = 8 voice however the Studiologic Sledge is 24 voice :)

[@Jauly]

it sadly lacks keysynced lfos, but can I use the 1st oscillator on the deepest setting as a key starting lfo?

[@esoteric6178]

I really like the looks of this synth. can someone tell me how this synth is different from an analog modeling synth? I mean are synth like this entirely independent or do they have to be used with a computer with a plugin?

[@esoteric6178]

I ended up buying it. The encoders started having issues after less than a week. Sent it back and sent the company another hundred to send back a black one, then SL delayed the shipment by another month so ended getting the deep mind 12 instead. Sure glad it happened that way. Deep mind is a much better sounding synth for the money.

[@ianwilson7637]

So have you heard the synth in person or just on KZbin, because if it's just KZbin then you have no valid comparison. I like both and they are completely different, but the Sledge can do lot more than the DM12. For example, wavetables, FM, samples.

[@maayaa77]

Sample and hold ? Arpeggiator ? Chunky = minibrute

[@scottspeidel]

Great review, as usual! This synth looks pretty fun, but not enough to buy. Thanks for saving me the money.

[@Anusideral]

Is it as bugged as the Blofeld on release? 8 voices? ...

[@Casious_Productions]

Can someone please explain the virtual? "Virtual analog poly"....virtual???...is it a vst/vsti...i don't get it...looks pretty real and solid to me...not virtual...what???

[@OfficialTragicBeatz]

How do you guys think this compares to the system 8 by roland?

[@ianwilson7637]

It is easier to program than the System 8 and capable of a wider variety of sounds, even with all 3 factory plugouts and the new waveforms on the S8. They sound totally different though. The FX on the S8 are far beyond what is on the Sledge, but the Sledge is just so immediate and intuitive.

[@Bubnazty]

Was thinking about getting the blofeld but I would much rather get this for the extra $400. I hate menu diving. I mean look at all those knobs! how can you say no to that? I wish more companies would go this route. I was tempted by the GAIA but I think this is the better choice, although it is much more expensive.

[@SparkAttack86]

Hi, what audio cables he using to record this synth? e.g. seen here in video with the blue end and angled-spring like neck. Can't seem to find these types of instrument cable anywhere ;(

[@infindebula]

@PapunaOffical: "Virtual Analog" = digital emulation of analog

[@Jauly]

could sonicstate answer this maybe?

[@BLACKxYOUTH]

Does anyone know if the oscillators have their own individual filters or if they are shared?

[@Morne555]

each voice has its own filter

[@ianwilson7637]

They are not individual. The filter and amplitude sections come after the mixer, so they affect all oscillators.

[@christianblade2052]

Yeah, it's the Waldorf engine and the control surface your paying the big dollars for, certainly not the cheap plasteek keys and casing.

[@SendyTheEndless]

Everything sounds better than Gaia :)

[@marike1100]

This board is almost 3 times the price of the Gaia, it should sound better. That said, the Gaia has some fat sounds and is really not a bad deal at all.

[@verve92]

TBH, Not 3x better than the Gaia. I have a Gaia I carry around to write songs with and take on vacation. Its not a Nord or Virus, but not supposed to be. Its a beginner synth like a Honer Les Paul Copy vs a Gibson. The Gaia should not be the only synth in a pro studio. I use the Prophet 08, DX-7, Juno 60 and Moog Voyager and Nord G2 Modular to record with. I don't get all the hate for the Gaia. Its GREAT to learn synthesis on as its interface is the best at that price range. Nobody, including Roland claimed it is a professional synth.

[@verve92]

Andrew Piatek My wife looks like shit in the morning, but she is amazing!! Booooooom!!!!!!

[@markuscone]

I quite like my Gaia. It has such a clean sound...and does blend well. I've used it to fill in space between more rough or harsh textures. Also I quite like the design, kind of 2001ish. Anyways, I'm also a fan of the microkorg, which also gets a lot of hate. This sounds awesome, and looks awesome. If it were just 200 dollars cheaper, i would buy

[@highthai7]

farts through a fisher price vocoder sound better that the Gaia.

[@TrendyMessiah]

Yes. Some bugs, Bought mine last summer. Some updates now and then. But still missing some fixes. Do you need more than 8 voices?