If I sold all my gear, here's what I'd keep
Vložit
- čas přidán 13. 02. 2024
- If I had to sell most of my music production gear and keep as little as possible, this is what I would hang onto.
We have shirts now! www.etsy.com/shop/CoastlandCr...
Subscribe for more electronic music!
Subscribe to my second channel: / gabemiller2
Get my $5 sample pack: gumroad.com/l/gabeoneshots
Get my MPC Keygroup pack: gabemiller.gumroad.com/l/keyg...
Get my $3.50 MicroFreak patch pack: gum.co/GabeMicroFreak
Edited by Coastland Creative: www.coastlandcreative.com
Stickers! www.redbubble.com/people/Gabe...
Get 7% off your first year of DistroKid: distrokid.com/vip/gabe
My current favorite music production gear:
MPC One: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Circuit Tracks: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Circuit Rhythm: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Roland MC-101: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Arturia MicroFreak: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
ATH M40 headphones: www.zzounds.com/a--3972602/it...
Note that some of the above links are affiliate links, which give me a commission (at NO extra cost to you!) if you use them to buy something.
Website: GabeMillerMusic.com
Instagram: GabeMillerMusic
Soundcloud: Soundcloud.com/GabeMillerMusic1 - Hudba
"Gabe likes portable, grid-based grooveboxes". Deluge, baby.
Definitely Circuit Tracks! 🤩 But not even an honorable mention for Synthstrom Deluge 😢 their willingness to upgrade the hardware and go open source with the public was brilliant and unheard of in the industry, along with the amazing customer service and community, surrounding this device. I'd say it has to be one of the most *ultimate* groove boxes ever invented. IMO
To qualify for "gear he won't sell," he'd have to own it first.
@@DjangoFlaherty didn't we recall he had one in the closet (never get's used) in a previous video? 🤔 Unless he already sold it! 😂
I sold my Deluge, and don't regret it.🫣
Deluge is very inaccessible (lack of distribution in Europe) and thus insanely expensive. I could buy four MC-101s for that money.
@@DjangoFlaherty I’m surprised he hasn’t borrowed one yet. Deluge would be the ideal hardware for him, since it’s basically a grown up “Pro” Circuit - but with far fewer limitations.
Glad to hear the MC-101 is there! Your videos on the MC-101 was the main reason for me picking one up
I really like the circuit tracks, but some of the limitations got to me and I got a Deluge instead. However, the circuit was a really good entrance into that kind of workflow for me, and helped me realize that's the general kind of workflow I wanted. I've since lent the circuit tracks to a friend to help him down the rabbit hole as well. (Oh, and the roland sh-4d is an amazing companion to the CT or deluge, you should try it if you don't already have it lying about in a corner somewhere)
Akai Force is imo the most versatile; it's quite huge (64 velocity/after touch pads, difficult to make it smaller), 8 stereos audios tracks, 8 synths, nearly unlimited MIDI tracks, a lot of settings for everything, not sure I would need something else apart a GAS explosion... I feel definitely more limited by myself than by this (for what would take too much time on it because of small screen editing, I would Ableton Live on my PC). Anyway again it's super versatile, and last step before going to your computer DAW first!
Force + one synth. That's my happy place. Other than that, I'd kinda like a no-effort jam / practice device for couch use, but I don't know what. Maybe a Microkorg 2 since it's small-ish and has a looper built in?
I totally agree on MC-101 - there is no better small form groovebox. Period. Best sounds, best portability, best playability (sound module) for midi keyboard.
With an audio input and more sample time it would be p.e.r.f.e.c.t.
I would argue the big brother MC707 is better and just as portable (fits in a backpack).
I dig your enthusiasm and approach. This is coming from someone who doesn't share your preferences for gear or genre. I don’t find any of that to be a hindrance to enjoying learning from your perspective!
My own preferences lean towards modular and harsh noise / industrial timbres. But I can appreciate different people like different things for different reasons, and I like to learn from a variety of people's experiences.
Cheers from another engineer / hobby synth nerd.
Thanks for the awesome rundown! I recently sold a lot of stuff to finance other stuff (like Analog Rytm as a sister for my Syntakt). Circuit Tracks is still here, such a lovely thing, all I missed from it was the ability to send program changes to other gear (which seems now possible? Just looked at the online manual!) ;)
I haven't tested the program changes with gear other than a different Circuit, but yeah theoretically that's what midi channel 16 is reserved for
The MC101 is on my "must try that one day" list for shure.
Thanks for this video.
I'm glad to see the 101 made the cut, I love my MC-707 and that synth engine is fantastic. I'm unwilling to part with my TR-8S too, it's just too much fun and does so much. Plus the two work together very well and with me mostly doing techno and house the two of them practically cover all my hardware needs to the point I can produce with nothing but the two of them comfortably.
Same here, TR8S for all drums/percussion and 707 for bass, leads, pads, atmosphere/fx. Between the two there’s 19 channels of different sounds to use which is comparable to how many I usually use in a daw anyway, so I don’t feel like I’m really limiting myself. Just wanted to second that this a good hardware duo especially for techno/house :)
Yeah that's how I am I don't feel limited with the setup. Hell once I fix my computer I've got like half a dozen tracks that are just waiting to be mixed that where composed and arranged on just the hardware. Hell I can even do the mix on the hardware if I wanted to. I feel like at least synth tube sleeps on the MC-707 a bit even though I see tons of them popping up in jam videos and spot it and the TR8S in a ton of studio set ups.
Really enjoyed this video & perspective. Agreed on the MC-101 for sure. Haven’t had a chance to try the Circuit Tracks, and I’m also intrigued by the Deluge with all its flexibility though.
Glad to see the force was on your list. :) Your force tutorials are very inspiring. Thanks for your videos. I just subscribed.
If only Akai would show 1/100th of the love that Gabe does! Force fkn rules.
Great information with Bass music needing a DAW. that answered a lot of my questions!
I agree with you on everything. I have all that same gear, and what you say is just right. I Love my Akai Force, I can’t believe more people don’t love this thing. Great video. Thank you
For me it’s the OG circuit!
Sits centrally in my studio and whenever I need to control anything I’m a cable away. Loaded my favourite drum samples in and sketching drums on it is really efficient and fun.
Also, if I left my house ever, that in built speaker would be very useful.
I love my circuit tracks for everything it has. but now I don’t travel often, and I want to exchange its compactness for the greater functionality of the mc-707. I currently own a Roland mv-1, and it allows me to leave the PC alone to get creative, but it's not suitable for live performances. Therefore, with a heavy heart, I am selling Circuit tracks to save up money for the mc-707 :)
Its cool that you found some great devices for you. I'm still looking. The m8 will probably always stay in my workflow, but I'd love to add one more groovebox. I'm hopeful that something like the seqtrak can fill the void for me, especially if they add some sort of stem export in a firmware update. The circuit tracks and mc101 are definitely not for me, but I can see how a lot of people would like them. I still need to give a modern Akai device another shot and I'd love to also try the Deluge.
You want a full power Circuit and you want to be able to arrange like a pro?
Ableton Push.
You didn't just take yourself down that rabbit hole. I wasn't even in to grove boxes at all. Found your channel. Your proficiency on the Circuit...I own two. The OG and the mono-station. Haven't pulled the trigger on the Trax, but if I keep watching these videos...
Look forward to listening! It makes your reviews means a lot more to hear you come and say which gear merits keeping over others. FWIW, I never grokked the appeal of the MicroFreak. It honestly never sounded that great to me. Not bad, just too meh to hold my interest. Sold it and other gear to get a used OB-6... which is definitely not meh.
Great stuff. I have a ton of hardware gear. If there had to be only one I’d keep it would be the mc 707 (sort of surprising saying it). The reason is that it is a fantastic portable sound library and equally great sketch pad. I often make an 8 track 16 bar beat and stream record it over usb into Ableton) and then add/subtract/replace to build a full song. I also just as often record some midi into my Mpc or Ableton and the hook it up to the mc 707 to sample it. I also sample it to tape or to my Digitakt. Just a million uses for it…
The first two are my travel synths, These two seen quite some hotelrooms.
Love the idea of being mobile with it.
The MC-101 is so underrated IMO. It's my one groovebox and it can do everything I want it to and need it to. Sure more tracks would be great, but it's plenty. But it definitely helps that it's my main machine and I can learn every shortcut and I can get pretty fast at using it. But I also understand some people don't find the workflow super intuitive or inspiring. And honestly it's not as fun to use as a circuit. But I couldn't justify getting something else to replace it even if money wasn't an object. Most alternatives I would consider would have me give up the rhodes, piano, bass, violin sounds or don't have the freedom I want. So it's as close to perfect for me as I have seen. Maybe the new Yamaha thing or an OP-Z would be a good fun sketch pad for synthy stuff to have on the side, but I'm not GASsing for them because it does so much.
Interesting that this should pop up. I have finally come to the decision to sell my MPC. Not because I don’t like it, it’s an amazing bit of equipment and it kickstarted my desire to make music again. I have started getting back into using a computer based daw with a midi controller after years away, and I just don’t have the time to use both.
I'm down to one hardware device... The Roland SH-4D. Despite its flaws, it's versitile and it sounds great. I overcame my g.a.s. and dumped all of my analog stuff in favor of software. Speaking of... I use Sugar-Bytes Drum Computer almost exclusively for rythyms and I've discovered an amazing soft synth called Icarus by Tone 2. It creates amazing presets for you. It's got a monster sequencer, a drum machine and a glitch sequencer all on one page. You might check it out. Great stuff as always Gabe. Keep on rockin' lil' Bro!
great picks!
This video was so very nearly "If I sold some of my gear, here's what I'd let go off" 😛
The original Circuit got me into Grooveboxes (Thanks, Gabe!). I then purchased a Polyend Play Plus, which was cool in thoery, but in retrospect, I should have gotten an MPC One or even a Deluge.
Update: sold the Polyend (too buggy and surprisingly limited) and got an MPC One Plus and I love it! The 404 and the MPC X might be purchases in the future.
As someone who samples a lot, I hated using the force. It crashed often and the UI would bug out and send my cursor elsewhere in the sampler because of its poor handling of pinches and zooms on the touchscreen. Arming tracks for recording sucked, fanangling the screen in the arranger mode sucked, it just felt like a bunch of little nitpicks I couldn't get over. My main gear has now wound up being octatrack + digitakt + digitone... a fool and his money are easily parted. At least the OT sampler doesn't crash on me all the time.
You've sold me on the MC-101! I was worried about workflow issues a lot of people on the Elektronauts message board seem keen to complain about, but it really doesn't seem that bad.
It seems to be a love it or hate it thing that takes some patience to get into. If you end up getting one, hopefully you enjoy it!
Agree with all your thoughts and rationale. I think we have similar goals and perspectives on gear and grooveboxes. The One synth i would keep is my trusty Roland JU-06a. Also going to buy the JURA and Mini D on the Force when they go on sale..
I also wish the MC-101 and Circuit Tracks would have a baby, or do a Circuit Tracks Pro, or Roland MC-Keys.. lol
Yes the MC 101 has the 80s stack ! I think a wanna buy one of that !
I went feom og circuit, to circuit tracks, and now i have an akai force. Im never getting rid of my tracks but it's no longer hooked up to my set-up. The force is pretty much everything i could possibly ask for. I wished its polyphonic step sequencing worked a little more like the circuit but thats my only real complaint.
I sold my Circuit Tracks. Definitely missing it. Also, I bought an MV-1 and it's still in it's box, the 101 might have been a better purchase.
I sold my Force… it just wasn’t getting the use but its updates made it a serious bit of kit. The shaky start meant I didn’t quite gel with it.
I quite fancy a Tracks. I have the Rythym, and an Ipad and theres a synth editor on ipad that does the Tracks synth… so i feel a lot of mileage could be had from that, and i like novations sysnths anyhow.
Got the circuit og, doubted a lot about the tracks but went to the polyendplay together with the microfreak.
Спасибо, Гейб. Твоя работа помогла мне определиться с выбором, спасибо за то, что ты делаешь.
OP-1 is rough on the edges, had it for 2 years. Tempted to get an MPC 37 Keys
Never is a long time for you. Thought I never would sell my guitars. Allong came CTS, and away they went.
I really enjoyed this video. I have an Akai force and although I have not used it a lot, I do find it very useful and I understand what it could do, even in its current firmware state. You mention live situations, I have thought about the MPC Key 61 for a like keyboard at church, not going crazy with sound switching. I have thought about the akai force as a sound module paired with a midi keyboard, setup seems like an overkill. Especially since I already setup a pedal board and my iPad.
I had forgotten about the MC-101, would it work as a sound module for a midi keyboard? Would be a way smaller and easier setup. I guess I am looking for a keyboard that could be more than just a keyboard but also work well for a sub par keyboard player/guitarist on a worship band. The MPC Keys 61 seems to fit the bill and a great combination production and potential live keyboard rig.
I've not tried using the MC-101 as a sound module for a keyboard, but since it works great as a sound module for a groovebox, I think that could work.
Pretty cool shirts. Again, the groovebox guru exactly right. Interface of the Circuit + sounds of the Roland is perfect. Which is why Novation should up their samples/PCM game. The circuit synth is cool but you need all kinds of sounds it can't make. MC101 has infernal interface but cool sound set. What combines cool sounds and cool interface in affordable boxes is TE KO II. But no resampling. Pleeeease someone make a box that addresses all that
I had a vague idea that i wanted to make electronic music ! You can't be vague about wanting to learn to play violin or piano,for example and the mechanics of use is straightforward - press a key/move the bow - you get a sound.Simples.Find a teacher,start to learn from a professional musician,have a practice discipline and a perceived,defineable outcome - a path/goal in other words and off you go.Now consider the same journey but with synths/grooveboxes etc if you have no prior knowledge or experience of either music theory or the fact that it takes time and dedication to learn how to make music with them too - hence the naive and impatient among us ends up with the dreaded GAS.What's to do then ? Select say 4 things to focus on and learn to use them and box the rest up and put out of sight perhaps ?
If the circuit tracks had two more tracks, the internals of the MC101 and a way of transferring samples to it via Bluetooth I think it would be the perfect device for me.
I got rid of the Circuit Tracks because it was missing 2 more synth tracks to be self-sufficient as a groovebox. I hope Novation takes note.
I agree that they should have at least made the midi tracks possible synth tracks as well. I like connecting other synths to it but occasionally just wanna sit on the couch with the tracks. I can make full tracks either way but without external synths I end up just having to make a bass track pull double duty and also run a lead line on it many octaves up
I like my Lightpad Block - I use it with my MPC One to let me trigger samples while using the MPC's pads for track mutes. It makes the MPC a little less jam-hostile. Unfortunately I don't have the dexterity to accurately menu-dive in a live situation the way some folks can.
I've also experimented with the Korg nanoKONTROL2 to add faders but the MPC is so janky to set up a controller with - it shouldn't be on a separate page, it should be...
1. touch a little learn icon on the task bar at the top of the screen
2. touch the item to be controlled
3. waggle the knob/slider on the controller
...or even
1. Touch and hold the item to be controlled
2. Waggle the fader or knob
3. Let go of both
I was just wondering if MC-101 is still your go-to as the primary device to pair with the Tracks. I guess I have my answer! Thanks for the vid. I have the Tracks and looking to buy a 101 next.
Definitely agree on the MC101 and on the relative quality of dawless, I tried dawless and just couldn’t get the results I wanted. So now I use my MC101 and guitars with reaper. I would love it if an 8 track mc101 were available. I have just got a Behringer pro VS which is wonderful and I’m toying with either an Akai, a Seqtreq or a woovebox. Although the SeqTrak looks pretty good I’m wondering if it actually gives me anything over the mc101 so it might be the woovebox…
I do think that even if I wasn’t in a budget I’d probably only keep a few devices, mostly so as to keep me making tracks rather than teaching the my equipment new tricks…
I see you still didn't find your way to Deluge :-) With latest comminity update, the new "grid" view is really game changer, you should give it a try in case you still have it in your closet :-D
Love my Tracks, it's so intuitive for jamming melodies and chords - just wish you could sample straight in and timestretch. I'd get rid of my Digitakt if I could do that.
Things I miss on the MC-101 are more midi tracks, audio input and a sidechain compressor. Midi sequencing and sampling can be somewhat "solved" adding a phone or any other device with class compliant audio/midi, but sidechain compression, unless added in post (like Gabe usually does), can't. Roland, please add sidechain in a future firmware update. We know that we can fake it with the motion designer but is not the same. You already added the other most requested effect (SP-404 lofi in the form of "Phonograph"), so please?
I know hardware nerds will hate for saying this...
I have a roomful of grooveboxes, but on a recent trip I took nothing more than the very cheapest mini laptop with just enough drive space to run Reason 11.
Had lots of fun squinting at a small shiny screen on the beach but also ended up making a fully arranged tune every day for a week.
🐫 🌴
I can dig it! Ultimately it's about finding the tools that let you best and most enjoyably make the music you want to make
All a matter of preference, but I personally sold my MC101 and kept my Dirtywave M8. For some reason, its tracker workflow clicked much better with me.
The M8 is awesome
OH MY GOSH THANK YOU FOR ADMITTING AND POINTING OUT THAT DAWLESS MUSIC SOUNDS DAWLESS! Hahaha. It's not a BAD thing, but there is, without question, a limitation in final product in DAWless music that the DAWless world pretends doesn't exist. I tried the DAWless thing in 2022 through early 2023 and it didn't work.
I'm an r&b/jazz/gospel keyboardist and I also play some classical piano... I tried to apply my compositional techniques to DAWless (MPC Ome, Force, and SP404mk2) and the ONLY ONE that came even close to being able to handle that was the Force... except its time signature limitation. If the Force had proper time signature change and off time signatuee capabilities, I'd take it, but alas, it does not. Haha.
agreed about the tracks being better then the rhythm more versatile the sh-4d does synthwave and dubstep-bass music pretty good for a dawless groovebox
There's only a few pieces of gear I know I won't sell in the next 5 years. I used to just keep getting gear but realized less is more for me. I don't need 20 synths or guitars. I'm fine with 3-6 synths, 4-5 guitars, a guitar/bass/effects modeler, laptop, interface, a handful of microphones, and a pop filter.
I'm new to the Circuit Tracks, just bought it over a week ago, and it's partly your fault! So far it seems great for what I want, which is mostly as a drum machine for making folk/indie. but the pads come in handy, and sometimes I'll do the bass on the Tracks, too. I love how small and light it is, and that it runs off USB power. Bargain! (secondhand £190)
Dude! Maschine+ & Jam for my desert Island.... Maybe Oxi One too 😍🤙🌌
I was wondering what your thoughts are on the Yamaha Seqtrak?
Love my MC 707, never gonna give it up, never gonna let it down, never gonna turn around and desert it
Hehe nice.
I didn't buy the Circuit Tracks because it has the same sound engine as the Mininova which I wont sell, I like it. I dont thing the Nova sound engine is bad, its basic and simple vs say the Peak or Summit Oxford engine but still good imo.
Hey Gabe do you find that having the MC-101 makes the JU-06A a bit redundant? Meaning, does the MC-101 scratch that "Juno itch" well enough? Cheers
I do find it a tad redundant, the 101 definitely scratches the Juno itch for me.
Akai work flow is really good once you get it
I’m having such a hard time deciding. Mpc one+ or mpc one og
Im considering selling my mc101, simply because the last update didn't open it enough to be my portable sound design power house. 😢 want access to step lfos and key groups, please! 🙏
I'm keeping my og op-1.
What happened to yours??
I had 2 pieces of gear, both had 8 synth engine tracks, both had disk streaming, both could sample. both clip launched, both had super saws, one could fit in your pocket , one could fit in your car. One got more synth engines for free, one got more synth engines for money. One I no longer Have.
respect for the 1000% honesty
Yo what about multitrack recordings video…I got a TASCAM X8 last night
Have you tried the Deluge yet?
What do you think about Ableton Push 3?
Can it beat all grooveboxes?
I haven't looked super deeply into it. I think it could become a go-to for a lot of people, but the cost, size, and complexity (plus lack of hands on song mode) mean that it can still be beaten by other stuff.
*surprise pick* Bastl Kastle, for some reason?
Pretty much every piece of gear I’ve ever had I’ve claimed is the best ever and will never get sold. A couple months later I see something else and it gets sold. I have to keep telling myself FL is all I need.
The MC-101 is the only correct answer... 😏 MC-707 if you don't mind missing the portability. I have to agree that the full access to the synth engine introduced in the last FW update was a game changer - never mind all the other things that have been added via FW updates since the MC's dropped. It's like they are very different products from what was introduced over 4 years ago.
Yes, this comment wreaks of Roland fanboyism... Can't help it; been a fan since 1987.
What are the main bugs you've encountered in the force?
I have the Force and Live MK2 and would sell the Force first. I love the interface and think it’s a much better device but being stuck in 4/4 makes it useless to me.
Fair. I'm making dance music, so that's no problem, but it would be super limiting the second you try to make something more adventurous.
Gabe, Did you sell your Electribe? Why don't it doest't enter in this list?
I've still got it! It just doesn't fit the sound I'm almost always going for as much as some of the other devices I have. That means I haven't used it a ton lately, and that the devices on this list would take priority.
Basically, the ultimate groovebox would be the tracks combined with the mc101 sounds.
I would love that
Open for kp1 or kp3 if you want to offload
FORCE for the win🏆
ever consider a s-1?
🎉
What is that light on the tripod!
It's a Sutefoto light bar
What is the lightsaber light bar in the corner?
I was looking at that as well.
Kinda cool looking
It's a Sutefoto light bar, one of the more affordable light bars I found
My M8 forever!!
Would love to see a new circuit on steroids. Similar to the tracks but more synth engine controls on the device.
Yeah, I had hopes for a Circuit Pro at NAMM 2024, but alas no.
I think Yamaha have shown the way, and a combined Tracks and Rhythm would actually immediately solve a number of issues that some of us have who try to use both at the same time.
Akai Force.... Well it's not popular coz it costs a grand and people usually ending up spending this money on a laptop that can do the same and some extra.
Yeah I basically argued that in my "is the Akai force worth it" video. It's niche but very much up my alley.
@@GabeMillerMusic very good and underrated piece of gear anyway! deserves the attention
will u try the Seqtrak?
Not at the moment, but I'll at least look into it to see if it's something I'd be interested in trying.
Do you sing/write songs⁉️
I don't sing, but I do write songs. Mostly instrumental, but I do occasionally get vocalists to sing lyrics I've written.
@@GabeMillerMusic that’s cool good to hear…maybe you should try your hand with it…I started going to music studio’s last year…I kinda want some live instruments for my new music and some good hardware analog beats…but I will send you some lyrics or music sometime take care🎹🎶🎧🎤‼️
Timestamps dude, timestamps
I didn't hear the word "Elektron" once -- blasphemy! :)
I know I know! I actually currently don't own any Elektron devices. I've enjoyed all of them that I've tried, they just don't click for me as well as some of the other stuff.
@@GabeMillerMusic very strange, i figured you for a Syntakt guy! then again, no polyphony = bad for synthwave :)
unsub and THX for your time
What happened to Electribe? 🥲
I still have it! I just haven't used it in a while.