freezeetch's Reviews
151 reviews Back to freezeetch's Equipboard
1536
To upgrade or not to upgrade...
I got this to get some more Roland-y drum synth sounds to compliment my Elektron Digitone. It sounds really great, and the workflow honestly feels a little easier to comprehend than the Digi. Love the FM sounds on it as well and ability to import samples I imagine is going to open this thing up quite a bit (have not even touched it yet). I'm already considering upgrading to a TR-8S... Because my GAS is out of control lately... but I do like the more compact form factor, so we'll see!
1536
Compact, nice features
I got this to have around as a convenient mini controller for hardware synths that wouldn't take up too much desktop space. It's the only micro-style controller this small I could find with a 5-pin MIDI output instead of just USB. Keys feel nice, arpeggiator is handy. Not especially keen on the joystick that doubles as both pitch bend and mod wheel, but nice to have the features there at least.
1536
Amazing, with minor caveats
I needed some FM in my set up and also was looking at drum machines. Originally snagged a Model:Cycles and was so impressed by it that I upgraded to the Digitone right away. The sonic range of this thing is quite out there, the sound quality is outstanding and beautiful and they do a decent job of making all the FM stuff relatively comprehensible. I like the features of the Elektron sequencer, but I'm not 100% sold on the whole workflow - Model:Cycles definitely felt a little more immediate, but it also felt more like swatting around blindly in the dark and hoping to stumble into something great without having any clue what you're actually doing, so it's nice to have more clarity with the Digi's screen. I'm not blown away by the effects, but it's nice to have them, and the subtractive filter is handy as well. I love having the 4 MIDI channels and being able to use parameter locks and LFOs and stuff on them. It's quite a box.
27315
Great write up. I'm so tempted to snag one of these; the sound demos I've heard have impressed.
1536
I have a Roland TR-6S on the way because I'm hoping the more traditional drum synth stuff on it will compliment this nicely. Though part of me is wondering if I will end up selling both and getting a TR-8S, as Roland gave it an amazing firmware update with an FM engine - maybe not as robust as the Digitone's but maybe a better balance of depth and user-friendliness than either the M:C or the Digi. TR-6S should give me a taste, so we'll see if I'll be better off with the Digi + TR-6S combo.
27315
I don't own one, but I'm big on the TR-8S. It's exactly what I wanted Roland to offer in the late 90s, instead of all that MC-Groove stuff.
1536
Great quality, some issues
I already had a sustain pedal for use with VSTs, but wanted another I could use with hardware synths, so got this. It wasn't playing very nice with my Hydrasynth for some reason - enabling it on the Hydra produces infinite sustain that could only be canceled by hitting the MIDI panic, and other settings on the Hydra made it totally unresponsive. So I was disappointed, but then I switched it with the other pedal I had and it worked fine for controlling VSTs. I wonder if it has something to do with the half-pedaling functionality? So maybe it's a feature and not a bug and it's intended for very specific keyboards, but regardless it seems to be working. Build quality feels solid, better than my other sustain pedal. So we'll see if it lasts or if I discover any other weird behavior.
1536
Inexpensive, versatile
I got this to replace a Korg microKey 2 49 Air that I was using to control VSTs. The microKey was okay and served it's purpose well enough (saving space and giving basic control), but I got a new studio space and have been tweaking things. The X6 has an extra octave (5, versus the microKey's 4 octaves), plus 4 encoders, transport controls, quick access to functions for switching MIDI channels, assigning CC controls, etc. And! It has a 5-pin DIN MIDI output jack in addition to USB. Also, you get all of this at half the cost of the microKey! Very few micro-style controllers have that kind of versatility, especially at that price point, and the build quality is pretty good too (metal!). That said, there is no special software for it, and I do wish it were black instead of white. Also, as it is an obscure Chinese brand I do worry that I will find out a few weeks or months from now that there is a reason it is inexpensive, but my experience so far has been quite positive. Hanging onto the microKey until I feel 100% confident.
1536
Mind-boggling
I wasn't 100% convinced on the resurgence of digital synths when this originally came out, but I revisited it recently and realized what a ridiculously amazing instrument this is! I got this to replace my Korg Prologue 8, which honestly I was a bit depressed to part with because it's a lovely synth, but I always found myself making the same sounds with it, and the 8 voices, 1 LFO and 1 filter felt rather limiting at times. With the Hydrasynth having 5 LFOs, 5 envelopes, 3 oscillators, 4 "mutators", practically infinite modulation options, an advanced arpeggiator, tons of wavetables, crazy waveshapes, and randomization/chance type controls, the synth engine feels truly bottomless. Add tons of onboard effects, CV connectivity, polyphonic aftertouch, a huge ribbon controller, extremely useful OLED displays, a layout that is relatively easy to understand (considering how complex this thing is), and a formidable build quality, plus a team of people at Ashun Sound Machines pushing out awesome firmware updates, and you have an unbelievably expressive future classic. Astounding!
27315
This is so good to hear. One can only have so many reissues of classic synths. Glad you're loving the Hydrasynth. Your stuff on Soundcloud really slaps too, FWIW. Well done.
1536
Thanks! The stuff on my SoundCloud is mostly half-finished sketches, you can find more polished/complete stuff on my Bandcamp. Here is my newest album, released about a year ago (there is also a new remix mini-album on the Component Recordings Bandcamp):
https://freezeetch.bandcamp.com/album/all-context-vanishes-2020
27315
listening to your Bandcamp right now. These soundscapes have the goods, man. thank you!
1536
Haha, thanks, glad you dig it! =)
1536
Bonkers FM groovebox
Have been curious about Elektron gear for a long time and actually owned an Analog Four for a second, but had to return it immediately because I realized what a huge financial mistake I made, so didn't get much time with it. That being said, they're finally making entry-level gear with the "Model:" series, and for $300 (or less, if you can find a used one), this has insane bang for your buck value and has me itching to upgrade to it's big brother, the Digitone - not because this is insufficient, but just because it sounds so great! It makes FM synthesis a breeze to program, and although you do run into certain limitations, they're not deal-breaker limitations and more like limitations that encourage you to think outside the box. My programming style is maybe not as ultra-complex as others', but the combination of Elektron's advanced sequencer and incredibly versatile sound can definitely be pushed to outrageous limits. On a unit this affordable it's a godsend, especially when I live in a house with a family where my studio is rather isolated from them in the basement, and something portable I can be creative with in other areas of the house is a necessity... Parts of the house with, you know, windows... and less sewage odor wafting up from the drain... and people...
1536
Sturdy, save space, inexpensive
Got a pair of these to stick my JBL LSR305's on. They're very sturdy, and free up space on your desk. They look nice, though I'm not a huge fan of the weird curvy X-shape base, I think it would have looked nicer as just square or something, but that's a moot point. As one of the more inexpensive solutions out there for monitor isolation, there are a lot worse options out there.
1536
Cheap, but does the trick
Got this to help organize my home studio a bit. Didn't want to spend a fortune, and it's not going on the road, so it is good enough for my purposes. The middle shelf can be moved up or down a few pegs, but the top one only sits at two angles, one of which is flat and the other is almost a right angle.
1536
Does the trick, though not particularly well
I don't know why I have this. I thought it would be a good submixer option for my synths, but there is a quiet electrical buzz that doesn't go away. I guess it's fine if your purpose is just to mix some random stereo sources for a live situation, but I wouldn't recommend it in the studio.
1536
Clean sounding compact mixer
I ran out of channels on my MG06X and needed a new submixer for my studio setup. Never used the effects on the MG06X, so I skipped the FX on this one to save a little dough. I like that the level controls are knobs instead of sliders because it saves space (the next model up uses faders). The preamps sound very clean and transparent. Haven't experimented with the compressor controls yet really, but I like knowing they're there and fully expect they will come in handy. I still wish there were more compact mixer options with a bunch of stereo channels (I'm a synth guy), but this will do. =)
1536
For Behringer Pro-1 synth
It holds my Behringer Pro-1 synth just fine and feels pretty solid. Also has a pocket inside for cables. I dig it.
1536
Damn you Behringer...
Behringer keeps cranking out these knock-offs and I keep shaking my head but also salivating a bit. I've had my eye on the Pro-1 and ultimately sprung for it because I was looking for something that could fill a niche in my setup to get some of those classic Skinny Puppy/Klinik/FLA/Mentallo & The Fixer/90s electro-type sounds and stand well on its own in a mostly raw un-effected format and sit well in a mix. The paraphonic mode was the icing on the cake. And so inexpensive! Can't wait to see what I conjure out of this guy.
1536
Haven't used much yet, but looks amazing
Have been looking for a nice metering program, the visualizations in this are simply marvelous. Can't wait to dive in more.
1536
Replacing 5-year-old ASUS ROG
Had an ASUS ROG laptop for about 5 years that served me quite well, though noticed some performance issues when using on stage and when rendering video. My wife needed a laptop, so I gave it to her and upgraded myself to this. Came with 16GB of RAM, but swapped it out for 32GB when it arrived. Has a 256GB solid state and 2TB hybrid drive. Most of the connectivity (USB, HDMI, etc.) is on the back of the unit instead of the sides, which I am MAJORLY thankful for. Still tweaking it, but so far it's sailing along with blazing speed. Will probably eventually upgrade the solid state.
1536
Heaven
I had a set of DT 770 Pro 80 Ohms before these. I still have them, and they sound great. But they're closed back. I wanted something open or semi-open to use in the studio, and I wanted to use the DT 770 at work (because I'm spoiled). When I originally placed the order for the DT 880 they sent me the wrong version (DT 880 Edition) and they sounded good, but I sent them back because I really wanted the black special edition design. When those finally arrived, I noticed the clamping pressure on my head was more gentle than on the Edition model, and they sounded like heaven. A very good decision, and they look so sharp!
1536
Sound great, but small
Was looking for an inexpensive portable headphone option that I could use at work, for casual use and light production use. I guess I didn't do my research on the folding part very well, because they don't fold, they just lay flat. Also, they're marketed as "over-ear", but for my big head they are most definitely "on-ear", and I could feel my ears getting warm and sweaty. But they sound great! So I passed them along to my wife and figure I can use them for reference now and then. Recommended, but only if you have a smaller head/ears.
1536
Dirt cheap, worth it!
Bought form Pro Stage Sound & Lighting (PSSL) site on sale for a ridiculously low price ($13!) to have for home use. Not particularly easy to assemble/disassemble and wouldn't necessarily recommend for travel use since it doesn't fold up. But I just bought it to use in my studio, and does the trick and is very sturdy. Can't beat it at that price point!
1536
Handy standard
I don't work with mics very often, but this is a good one to have around. Hard to beat the industry standard!
1536
Cool! Not sure if I'll keep it.
Pretty cool device, and well built. I can see it being really useful with a Eurorack setup. I got it to supplement the lack of a sequencer on my new Korg Prologue 8, and it works decently for that, but there are a number of things that drive me crazy about it: 1) Programming individual notes with knobs and no screen to give you feedback about which note your turning it to make it feel like I am operating it with a blindfold on. 2) Can't save sequences. 3) Defaults to key of C, which just makes it tedious to program things in other keys. Between these three things, I may just return it and try to figure something else out. But again, I can see this being a very useful tool in a modular setup.