“The Swarm” Synth By Artium Instruments | Review & Demo

[@CmdrMic]

Wow, awesome video! You did a great job presenting the product and it's features. BRAVO. They should at the very least give you that unit for payment, if nothing else. Nice work. So many presenter's do not give proper attention to all a unit's features, but your vid, shows all how it should be done! As to the device, I have to admit at first being a bit taken back by it's looks, but that quickly vaporized when I saw what it can do. WOW, it's a must have for droners. Also, excellent price point for what it is. (FYI: Buying DIRECT via the manufacturer's website way cheaper for me: saves me $58.00 than via Amazon.)

[@Tiger.Arcade]

I really appreciate your comment! Thanks for sharing their website deal too! ✌️

[@aerospatialerecordings]

Nice review! I definitely get the Juno comparison with that chorus turned up.

[@Tiger.Arcade]

Thanks for checking it out! Yes, Juno vibes!!!

[@cathedralring]

Was loving the chorus portion. It’s funny you mention the USB-C power because I’ve only recently run into that and it freaked me out at first. I now wish every device ran on it because it’s nice to have a surge protector that isn’t cashed out with 2 wall warts.

[@HaseEins]

I have one from the first Kickstarter batch. Great fun and the limitations are a feature not a bug, immediately usable sounds.

[@dyscotopia]

It sounds lovely and is an interesting concept but given its limitations I was surprised to find out it's completely digital. I guess that's good for firmware updates and apparently you can route other signals through the effects so it's probably worth the price for the right person given there are single function pedals that cost the same. But I'd only give up so much basic functionality if it was analog

[@Tiger.Arcade]

Totally understand! Thanks for checking it out. ✌️

[@bauhnguefyische667]

If you have limited space or just want a backpack synth, $400 is pretty fair. It does have that old sort of late 80’s-early 90’s Roland sound with that chorus.

[@Tiger.Arcade]

Great point! And yes vintage 80s vibes all the way!

[@MarcoPolux]

GAS attack!

[@luisbarrera5740]

Sounds really nice actually. Perfect for a minimalist. And 8 voices. How do you like it?

[@Tiger.Arcade]

I love it! A great value for the voices and functions!

[@G.Man-]

5:23 Lovely sounding Chorus, anyone know of any pedals that give similar results?

[@agerven]

Seems like a very fun and usable thing. There's just one drawback for me: However you look at it, from a music point of view there is only one oscillator. In other words, it is monophonic although it can swarm. What really is a plus for me is the "freeze" option as well as the arpegiator. We used to build boxes like this ourselves, in the 70s, but this one can compete with anyone of those.

[@bumdittybrendan3710]

Wdym it is monophonic? Can it not play 8 voices at once? Is it paraphonic?

[@Tiger.Arcade]

I believe it’s still considered polyphonic in spite of it having one oscillator. It can play chords.

[@ThomasJahn1]

Can you sync the arp clock with a DAW source somehow?

[@Tiger.Arcade]

Yes! The usb c out to your computer usb input. Your computer should detect it.

[@JulianGrimmMusic]

When did 400 dolars became affordable?

[@Tiger.Arcade]

Given it’s features, $400 makes sense. It’s got 8 voices, stereo in outs, 4 effects, and more.

[@hopefiend3436]

Used to be, the cheapest synthesizer one could get cost the same as a vehicle, so comparatively, 400 is quite affordable.

[@curtisaloia]

Unfortunately, when the bag of gummy bears at the gas station became $5 :c

[@DerpRulesAll]

It's not, dude. You could save for it, though, if you really want to try it out.

[@KevinPrice]

Does it do MPE?

[@Tiger.Arcade]

I’ve only used this instrument with my Keystep. So I know the pitch slider can be controlled. I don’t think there’s velocity control.

[@MrJonnydjango]

without an LFO? Would be so much better with one...

[@Tiger.Arcade]

I had forgot to mention this as well. I wonder if a firmware update could correct this by substituting the arp section or one of the knobs. Like press left touch plate and twist arp knob to activate.