Devices that punch above their weight?

djadonis206 · 2024-04-03T23:13:27.517Z

Akai Force - once it clicks (and you get over the size of it) hands down my favorite and most functional and intuitive sampler/sequencer.

I own pretty much all the popular ones (OT, Live 2, Maschine etc)

thumperjack · 2024-04-03T23:26:26.505Z

vit41iq:

way more value (and fun) than they cost

for performance, Roland TR-6S

Individual track lengths, individual hardware level sliders, individual track FX, master effects, step loop. You can make a lot of racket with just four fingers resting on the top of it.

my favorite thing about individual level sliders on TR-6S is having heavy distortion on the master FX, the level sliders become like the volume knob on Angus Youngs guitar, rolled back u got old crunchy radio, rolled up you get system meltdown. kick and snare become just intermodulation distortion sources

kirlian · 2024-04-04T00:12:49.544Z

Microfreak is magic. Sound is kinda thin straight out of box, but it’s endless enjoyment to program and play. I need to check that update.

lowph · 2024-04-04T06:06:45.464Z

thumperjack:

octatrack punches below the waist

Sometimes when the Octatrack punches you below the waist, you just sit there scratching your head, thinking “why didn’t I feel the punch this time…?” And then you consult the manual, read the same paragraph two or three times until you realize you forgot to put a trig on the… “Fuck!! That hurts!!”

Zelio · 2024-04-04T06:14:44.289Z

After this awesome update (even before the update, let’s be real), I’d say the SP404 mk2. Especially considering the second hand market, having all these features for that price is crazy.

monk_1 · 2024-04-04T08:40:21.667Z

You prefer Force to Maschine (+) ?Interested in the benefits…)

Rhythmuskorb · 2024-04-04T08:41:55.810Z

We are talking in the past, right? As far as I am aware it has been discontinued and is no longer in store with any major retailer. And 86 seems way too low…?

JohnnyEgo · 2024-04-04T08:43:58.069Z

major sell out in the past for like idk 30h…

86€ for a brand new Analog Drive (sealed box), no joke

Gral_Kerkila · 2024-04-04T08:52:07.618Z

A Raspberry Pi 4B with Renoise installed. A very cheap way to have an almost do whatever you want small device. Obviously you still need a screen, keyboard and mouse, but those can come very cheap or free if you’re not picky. Renoise is insanely well optimized to even run on this, but it runs very smoothly as well.

Otherwise from gear, the M8 (expensive, but not for what it is under the hood with keeping it’s portability in mind). Now, SP 404 mk2 it seems, especially with the new update out.

I own and love many other devices, but wouldn’t exactly call them bang for your buck.

IlTritacarne · 2024-04-04T09:17:31.977Z

My advice is Mutable instruments Shruthi, in xt or “normal” version. It s an underrated really great instrument. It can do very great bass sound or FX sound.

I ve got an XT with rolandish filter. On second hand market you can find it a very low prices (for what you get)

Dr.K · 2024-04-04T09:53:25.531Z

I want to add the Opsix and the Hydra Explorer. For 500 bucks each they provide an extreme amount of sound exploration. Imo they’re real nerd synths.
The muscular Moog might beat you up but the witty Opsix and the clever Hydra will cuss you out until the whole class laughs at you.

AMBello · 2024-04-04T13:46:13.505Z

Speaking of things that punch above their weight, the zoom ms70cdr. It’s Microfreak’s best friend but in reality it pairs well with any synth.

BrokenGadget · 2024-04-04T15:39:01.358Z

Not sexy, but the FMR really nice compressor is a good addition to a DAWless set up. Any thoughts on other value end of audio chain processors out there?

Ciaba · 2024-04-04T15:47:40.085Z

FilipNest:

If they made one (same size) with a tiny screen

I always wish for an android/iOS anytime soon, but a standalone unit could be supercool indeed!

Brokenfader · 2024-04-04T16:08:01.353Z

They’re not inexpensive, but it’s pretty impressive what all you can coax out of a Korg Modwave.

mynewcolour · 2024-04-04T16:21:07.808Z

The Make Noise Ø-Coast

Tchu · 2024-04-04T16:21:18.678Z

GFI System Specular Tempus.

sacguy71 · 2024-04-04T16:21:35.101Z

teenage engineering pocket operators

monquixote · 2024-04-04T16:22:32.595Z

Mostly been mentioned but:

Drumbrute Impact is so fun and inspirational and costs very little
Roland S-1 is just a crazy bargain

My suggestion
Poiyend Tracker at the current crazy cheap prices. At that price it would be a bargain if it was just a really powerful MIDI sequencer, but add in a sampler and synth mode and it’s a total bargain.

lowph · 2024-04-04T16:35:39.671Z

monquixote:

Poiyend Tracker at the current crazy cheap prices. At that price it would be a bargain if it was just a really powerful MIDI sequencer, but add in a sampler and synth mode and it’s a total bargain.

Yeah, at these prices it’s a steal. I sold mine a while ago, at a really low price (about where the discount is these days) and I think it was a deal for the buyer. Personally, I only got rid of it because I already had too many pieces of gear that fit that category, so I wasn’t using it enough.

Sometimes I still miss that FM radio sampling. More samplers should include that feature. Or shortwave radio sampling would be pretty rad too!