Vongon Replay : When Unique Design Sounds Beautiful

I love when a unique design translates also in a beautiful sounding instrument. The Replay is the Vongon's take on vintage synths like the Juno and the Polysix, with emphasis on playability and arpeggiator fun.
I will demo the Replay with the other Vongon creation, the Polyphase and the Ultrasheer, showing you how this brand is following a precise aesthetic.
As usual, lot of sounds demo at the end of the video.
■ My new EP "Inverni" with Luca Longobardi is out ♫ :
open.spotify.com/album/3s9G4s...
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US
Vongon Replay : tinyurl.com/bddntjfj
Vongon Polyphrase : tinyurl.com/yd57u6cj
Vongon Ultrasheer : tinyurl.com/bdhp3s3k
EU
My favorite things : thmn.to/thocf/iqfskolosq
00:00 Introduction
03:08 How to support me
03:50 Overview
06:30 The keyboard
07:40 The LFO and VCO section
10:20 The VCF and VCA section
13:30 The Arpeggiator and its modes
19:40 The secret menu
20:21 The WHY of this instrument
23:52 Patch from scratch
26:00 Sound example 1 / Arpeggios
27:54 Sound example 2 / Vintage vibes and Poly 2
29:14 Sound example 3 / Pulsating sound
30:17 Sound example 4 / Dub stabs
31:48 Sound example 5 / Bass delight!
32:20 Conclusions
#vongon #juno106 #polysix #ultrasheer #polyphrase #vongonreplay
More Oora:
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Bandcamp oora.bandcamp.com
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[@OoraMusic]

This channel is supported by my Patreons, become a member here : www.patreon.com/ooramusic

[@SixteenVoice]

I get the Juno and PolySix connection but why are VA synths releasing with only 6 voices in 2024? 😐

[@cesarsjogren]

That was my reaction... I mean it's digital what are we doing here? Lol

[@groovejunky2549]

Nice looking and sounding synth toy being sold for 3 times its value. I've spent a lot of money on boutique gear, but this feels kind of insulting for what you get

[@DalelCampbell]

I agree completely.

[@synlfo7828]

agreed

[@Alphonso_026]

"insulting" was the word I am looking for, thank you!

[@antikytheramechanism7909]

For a fully digital synth on a chip, I don't understand why there is not a sequencer, effects and hundreds of presets. Dreadbox Nymphes and others seem to give you tons more. Roland used to put a nice silk screen on the front to tell you what is what!

[@Hrotti]

Because instruments should not be made with checklists.

[@SixteenVoice]

​@@Hrottibut consequently, they ought to be priced appropriately. Of course they are free to charge what they want, but they are also free to go bankrupt if they cannot recoup their expenses at that price.

[@Dudderlyful]

Because iot costs 20$ to produce and they want a sizeable markup, understandable but perhaps not on this scale!

[@zoned7609]

​@@Hrotti they should justify their price though. This one isn't.

[@valdir7426]

it has a sequencer in fact; it's demonstrated in the video.

[@cooksoni.a]

wow another roland-inspired (virtual) analog synth. we dont have enough of those. especially for that steal of a price!

[@PayneSculptures]

Help me understand because HUNDREDS of people keep saying this but I have not heard one Roland VA synth that sounds as good as all the demos I'm seeing of the Vongon. Why is that? I'm honestly trying to understand why this is.

[@cooksoni.a]

@@PayneSculptures The majority of modern analog and va synths are inspired by roland schematics dude. If you like it then do you… but im so bored with it

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

@@PayneSculpturesit does sound really good

[@PayneSculptures]

@@cooksoni.a People keep saying that but honestly I’ve done deep dives on all of the Roland VAs recently and none of them actually sound like the Vongon. A lot of people keep saying it’s just like a overpriced, digital Juno, but really it doesn’t sound like any of the Junos

[@osirismaximus2787]

Looks very cool, but not worth $900. 1 oscillator. No stereo, not even a Chorus button. 6 voice is not horrible but not great. No effects. I love your channel very much. Not trying to be a hater at all. I just dont understand the price. They keep saying its based on a Juno but there's no Chorus. The stereo chorus was perhaps its defining feature besides its simple layout. Thats like saying its based on a PPG wave but it has no wavetables. I really love the look of this thing but im highly disappointed in stripped down features.

[@OoraMusic]

Definitely fair points. As I mentioned in the video we live in a time where we can have tons of different things at tons of different prices, and it become hard to judge what something is worth. Let me tell you a silly story about myself: I had a Sony camera , probably the most capable camera in the market. I hated it. The UI was the opposite of what im looking for in a tool. I sold it and bought a Leica( after 20 years lusting after one). It has the same quality of the Sony ( maybe less actually) and cost way more. But I am happier and I love to use it. So I feel that cover the premium price I paid for it. My takeaway: the UI is to me the most important thing. How a thing look and feel sometimes get over a more rational choice.

[@Ambientnauts]

We gotta give ourselves a break as artists. What resonates is not always what has the best spec sheet. Sometimes it's just what makes us want to play it and discover more.@@OoraMusic

[@zoned7609]

​@@Ambientnautswhile I partially agree, the disparity between this and say... The ko-2 is huge. I at least feel like my 300 dollar calculator has enough features to justify the price despite limitations.

[@Ambientnauts]

I get what you're saying. Buddy of mine has that and loves the hell out of it. @@zoned7609

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Will be interesting to see how many of these are on the secondhand market soon enough I’ll be ready. On a positive note and a huge fan of your videos you have great demos and make wonderful music

[@OoraMusic]

Thanks for your kind words about my videos ! I feel they did something out of passion and definitely risky, I dont think this was supposed to be an easy selling instrument.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

@@OoraMusicI agree. It does sound really good though

[@dalkov93]

This looks cool and sounds pretty cool. But i really don’t see what makes it any better than a nymphes for like half the price. Or you could even get a second hand novation peak for the same price

[@culturite]

Would love to try the Peak

[@Reroute836]

Love my Peak

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Well, for one thing, the sound quality is better in my opinion, and I own the nymphes. This just sounds warmer and closer to an actual Juno.

[@BinauralBae]

Vongon poetry is widely accepted as the 3rd worst in the universe

[@greliot]

🤣

[@OoraMusic]

:0

[@stoatystoat174]

😂🤖 it's a bit depressing

[@BinauralBae]

@@stoatystoat174 “Are you saying that deep down inside I’m a good person? *jettison the prisoners*

[@elektrenai219]

Nice demo Federico..Grazie from Cuneo

[@OoraMusic]

Grazie a te!

[@RikMaxSpeed]

The Arturia MiniFreak outclasses this in every way, with more versatile oscillators, a decent velocity sensitive keyboard, genuine analogue filters, built-in FX, and it costs less. I simply don’t understand this VA synth.

[@OoraMusic]

it fascinates me and I like using it, to me is enough, but of course its a matter of personal taste! Not always more features means a better experience.

[@inlandempirestudio]

I rarely comment on new products unless I feel I have some unanswered questions. With this release I am really split in two. I love the sound of the mid 80s era (and the Replay) and the transition from VCOs to DCOs and the very no nonsense bread an butter layouts. With that I would really like to love the Vongon Replay. I personally believe, as also mentioned in the video, that it is very brave to design and create a synth like this, but on the other hand pretty weird - and to be honest I have no idea what Vongons market is. As mentioned by other in the comments it is virtual analog synth in a mini format using crazy keyboard style click keys as a keybed. That houses a very limited sound engine (great sounding though) - At the cost of €899. Seriously Come on! I fell down the chair! This is a €599 synth...some would argue even cheaper I am sure (I have plenty of highend analog synths so I AM willing to pay for gear). The Replay seems has the features of a gadget and definitely looks like one - a really nice one... is the idea to have people pay 899 for that?. For the looks? I know you cannot answer these questions. Summed up I believe this is WAY too expensive. When doing a beautiful slick and brave design like that you will have to be just as brave with the engine to justify a clearly high market price when looking into the current market trends. I feel that Vongon is falling between two chairs.

[@OoraMusic]

I don't like to comment on pricing ( also it would be hypocritical of me, getting most of these stuff for free ), but I want to bring the example of a Leica vs Sony cameras: they both do the same images and one cost double and has less features. But guess what? I love shooting with leica and had to pay the premium. Things like this one are niche instruments that works for a few. I know you might think I am biased , but I honestly love using it. Do I think 900 is a lot? Yes, it is definitely a high price point, but no one is forcing you to buy, and I dont get all of these people feeling entitled in commenting what a company should do. I dont understand why is so triggering . This is a boutique brand doing a boutique synth and I am happy that project like these are happening!

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Your opinion. How do you like this compared to the nymphes Sound wise

[@Gerald_Daniel]

I miss the sub DCO. That expensive & still no built in chorus.

[@ozymandias404]

I guess it's a synth for people who already own a lot of pedals and need a solid, concentrated and playable source of sound. I don't like to drown in features so I'd buy it, but is way too pricy for me. Btw I'm wondering why so many people compare it to Minifreak, it's more like Yamaha Reface CS in more aesthetic box.

[@OoraMusic]

I am lost too with all this kind of comments, but it is what it is. I feel too is a great starting platform to use with pedals, which make lot of sense considering Vongon do pedals.

[@apendica1]

The Yamaha Reface is $300, this is $900. Also no-one is comparing it to the Minifreak, they are simply gobsmacked at the lack of justification for the price they have placed on this synthesizer.

[@TheGreenKingdom]

Love my Reface cs for what it is, dirt simple and sounds great!

[@philphilphil]

Sequential any day ;-)

[@OoraMusic]

go for it!

[@valdir7426]

It's elegant and sounds good. Very much a luxury item but I get the appeal, even as a controller. Will keep my nymphes though.

[@neuzethmusic131]

Really love the sound and design of this box, very special. But at 1.049 Euro from Schneiders Laden (I live in Austria) it is a little too pricey. But thanks for showing us the Replay, Federico!

[@d.u.o.2digitalunitoperated818]

Of course, there are also plenty of useless and very expensive gadgets on the market (and this Vongon as a synth looks like just a very expensive gadgets and a poor synth), but they are almost always made of special materials and with very high quality components, while it seems to me that this Vongon Replay, apart from the nice design (screwed a little from Love Hultén's synths design - google this name), is not even made of special materials or with very high quality components and cost $900. Not to mention that with about $300 more you can buy a big new Moog that besides being a real synth that comes from a brand that is a guarantee, not even among the cheapest. 😉 The fair price for this item should be a little higher than that of a Korg Volca.

[@OoraMusic]

my pleasure!

[@neuzethmusic131]

@@d.u.o.2digitalunitoperated818 Funny thing is, just got a used TE OP-1 in January... also a piece of gear nearly everybody is moaning about... and I have to say its my favourite hardware synth in 15 years of music making. I think a fair price for the Vongon would be around $700 imho. It is a boutique synth from a small company. It cannot be very cheap.

[@adamshatwell]

What a little beauty ! Great demo

[@OoraMusic]

Thanks!

[@stewarthenson7558]

Do another review where you play only this synth with no other pedals or loopers or daws. Blow our minds and make us want it. I dare you

[@OoraMusic]

Oooor not :)

[@stewarthenson7558]

@@OoraMusic is it because you can't actually do this because this synth secretly sucks? Honestly though.....I'm on the edge of buying one of these..... Can you honestly tell me from your personal perspective and opinion that it's awesome?

[@valdir7426]

@@stewarthenson7558 look at the video again; there's a whole section where it's used without effects. Other youtubers have done videos on it. I think it sounds really good on its own.

[@stewarthenson7558]

​@@valdir7426which section??

[@rvller]

Kinda strange synth for the $$

[@cmddelete2169]

So fed up of seeing this on my feed.

[@OoraMusic]

it is the release day mate, sorry for the suffering

[@SteveMc870]

We’ve already got one company in this space emphasizing form over function. Do we really need a second? This is an easy pass for me.

[@OoraMusic]

I disagree. The more the merrier, this bring fresh ideas in the pool. Let's keep reminding ourselves that in no way we need to buy anything, it's just great to see small companies experimenting :)

[@mickd22]

I’d have to disagree that there’s just one. This is a real problem nowadays.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

I keep asking why would someone get this over a dread box nymphes along with the Keystep for about $550 versus 950 for this synthesizer I’m truly curious

[@OoraMusic]

For the same reason someone would buy a Rolex instead of a Casio. They do the same thing. There is not a rational answer here, but the question for me is why people get triggered by price?

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

@@OoraMusic honestly the price doesn’t bother me I’m just trying to figure out if I wanna sell my Nymphes and buy one of these. Lol. this sounds warmer than the nymphes. I keep listening to this. And I like this more.

[@stevenicholsonproducer]

Looks like some one sprayed a midi keyboard white 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@OoraMusic]

:)

[@SpiralFyre]

I'm quite surprised by how good this thing sounds, especially the warmth in the low end. The labelling is a bit silly, but the form factor & UI looks brilliant. I'm at a point like you where I know what I like and anything that gets me there quickly gets used. For complex analog sounds I have the modular so most of the time if I reach for a poly it ends being a simple sound that doesn't crowd the mix. This appeals to me as a solo artist looking to actually gig and I could imagine rocking up with my small modular system, the Replay and a few pedals and have a really fun portable setup.

[@zoned7609]

I feel like I saw you post this exact comment on another vongon replay paid video

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

It’s $900. 🎉.

[@electronicbagatelle]

sounds great and looks beautiful.

[@OoraMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@chambre466]

well there s a little difference between this one and the boutique, It doesn't t have the sub oscillator and I believe that this one could play only one oscillator at the time

[@chambre466]

sounds great

[@OoraMusic]

I think the boutique has more features for sure

[@chambre466]

yes but it hasten t 6 voix@@OoraMusic

[@enochroot9438]

Vongon $900!!! and all you need to make it sound decent is two pedals $700!!! Bargain!

[@OoraMusic]

sounds great without pedals tho.

[@dualtrx]

Cool instagramable toy, and only that. Reminds me of Chompi. This is not even close of what a juno 106 is. I would pick anytime a Minifreak or Ambika over this. For obvious reasons. For Vongon: I get the boutique idea, but please do more reasearch first. Don't release without a very good positive feedback from the community.

[@eleanorzissou]

What?

[@OoraMusic]

the great thing is that you can do whatever you want :D

[@dualtrx]

@@OoraMusic so nice to have options in life, it gives you the impression you are free.

[@mntlpics]

Money is a funny thing. It impacts our decision on almost everything, where we live, what we eat, the instruments we choose etc. etc. etc. But, if you take money out of the equation, specifically in this case what are you left with? A thing on your desk that with the push of a button, magic happens and endorphins are released, and bliss follows in a big way for those that are open to it. Think about it, a group of people envisioned it, took the time and engineering, knowhow and patience to create it, then manufacture it and shipped to your door, and all we have to do is not eat out 9 times to enjoy it. Thanks for yet ANOTHER wonderful video!

[@OoraMusic]

loved what you wrote

[@phillymopwater]

reading the comments in here is like a black mirror episode. People are so lost.

[@OoraMusic]

ahah I hear you

[@philipviana9814]

Totally agree. Chill people jeez

[@zoned7609]

​@@OoraMusiclol are you sure he meant what you think he means? Because I have the same reaction as someone who sees this synth as absurdly priced for an insanely limited feature set that gets overlapped by even the most basic juno inspired boutique.

[@zoned7609]

​@@philipviana9814 people are chill. I see a lot of level headed chill comments critically analyzing the price point vs feature set.

[@philipviana9814]

Oora's just trying to share something fun and everyone's tearing it apart. He's not saying it's this perfect synth that everyone should by. He knows it's a unique boutique thing that won't appeal to everyone. Can't it just exist on its own as a thing some people enjoy - why does it have to compete with something else?@@zoned7609

[@gianfry1980]

$899.00 USD for a virtual when Roland Boutique Sh-01a do much more,No thanks.For me also the design is horrible.I don't see the text but only a cream colour that remember me the 1960!

[@laboratory0470]

vongon makes the best pedals but this thing is just not right, looks and sounds like an opz to me at that price.

[@OoraMusic]

I really like the sound tho

[@cesarsjogren]

Well, it's pretty.

[@OoraMusic]

I think so too

[@g3cd]

I think white labels on a white synth is not "unique", it's terrible. Even though I have a Vongon polyphrase pedal and quite like what they're doing. But this synth comes with a terrible user interface design choice. Not going to support this.

[@OoraMusic]

had a similar initial reaction. Now I dont need to read anything , because is just very easy to operate. But , of course, brave choice.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

It does look pretty simple. Though i must say, as a 52 year old with failing eyes, this design choice makes me mad.

[@zoned7609]

​@@OoraMusic brave? That's unnecessarily snarky for someone pointing out the terrible value proposition and ux choices. Notice how you had to slather it in fx. Fx that it doesn't come with despite being a digital synth made by a pedal company.

[@Qwiv]

How about junk keys on a way to expensive synth…..

[@pjforde1978]

@@OoraMusic you say brave, I say hostile to the vision impaired. I have no issue with them offering this as an option, but it's bonkers that they didn't offer a colorway with visible labels.

[@ryanhursh6322]

I expected it to be expensive given the price of their pedals and being a boutique brand but it’s just not worth the for me. It’s great looking and I’m definitely someone who will buy something because it’s beautiful but it’s also a bit cold. I’d really like it if they followed the aesthetics of their pedals… maybe I’d be sold then. The Ultrasheer is the nicest reverb I’ve ever owned and I’ll buy the Polyphrase eventually but it’s a pass on the Replay… Sort of a lame name tbh. I do respect them for taking a chance and hope it works out well for them.

[@OoraMusic]

I appreciate the fact that they took a risk with this design. I had doubts too, but after few hours of use this thing really gets you. Plus I think would look killer on a live set!

[@Solersoler]

@@OoraMusic what doubts man? you didn't pay for it and they pay you to review it wtf doubts. Can you KZbinr guys please start being honest?

[@UberSynth]

That colour is a bad choice. Those keys remind me of the OP-1. It sounds like nothing new. I’m waiting to see what Elektron comes up with over the next year or so.

[@OoraMusic]

Fair enough!

[@GTChris]

I hope you didn't spend a penny on this.

[@OoraMusic]

It was sent to me to test

[@earlsfield]

1. plasticky cheep look - check 2. digital - check 3. limited use and buffed price - check 4. lack of features digital synth should have - check 5. sounds like Lossy is incorporated - check HYPSTER SYYYNTH. Also mate please show us stuff without effects. I get the Journey or whatnot but still, lets hear the synth clean. Also, I have Jupiter and had the Juno both 106 and Alpha, and this is not the Roland sound.

[@OoraMusic]

I understand your points, but I really like it. There is a fair amount of sounds without fx, plus by now you should now me, my benchmark is always how synth sounds with my favorite fx. I believe this is a very niche instrument and I am happy that some people can build stuff like that.

[@earlsfield]

@@OoraMusic yeah fair enough, just thought this thingy for 900 quid should have tons of features, since it is digital. Yeah you do drench everything in 1.5 minutes of reverb decay, that’s fine :) but I was expecting this to at least have some kind of wave shaping etc. what is it that gives you Juno vibe?

[@LordoftheBadgers]

Yep. Minifreak for gods sake. Also hydrasynth Explorer. The various korg offerings. Aren't these all cheaper and more featured...? Let's not play the teenage engineering card too much eh 😂

[@harveytherobot]

@@LordoftheBadgers Who cares? Some people want a metal enclosure and a unique interface and want to pay a lot of money and other people want to buy a cheaper mass market synth that does more. Why do you care if people want something different? Maybe some people just want to collect pretty synthesizers or they want one that is super limited. Who gives a shit?

[@inlandempirestudio]

It is powder coated metal casing to be fair.

[@SkeeverKid]

How to tell if a creator has absolutely no integrity

[@OoraMusic]

How to tell how entitled a person is by a stupid comment.

[@nagchumpalot]

Sorry that is one overpriced badly designed synth .. Plastic switches?

[@OoraMusic]

I actually like the design a lot. The keys are plastic the rest is metal. I dont know any other synth that doesn't use plastic keys tho?

[@Solersoler]

Nice, another digital analog synth. Another youtuber's synth. Another crazy boring and expensive synth.

[@OoraMusic]

Indeed! Please save us from the boredom!!!!

[@Solersoler]

@@OoraMusic lol

[@ErinIsBlueBlue]

I'm very happy with my Dreadbox Nymphes and my 50 effect pedals.

[@harveytherobot]

Fifty?!

[@culturite]

lol same

[@OoraMusic]

the nymphs is a great instrument