shoutout to this channel for being literally the only one that can mix both music and spoken word audio levels to be the same level of loudness, furiously cranking down the volume when the music comes on in other folks' videos is turning me into the joker
Set AS-1 as slave no s/s. Live record and sequence from Digitakt. Rock solid clock plus CC abilities. Use on board sequencer to audition presets. Soundtower editor and plugin is excellent. Stellar sounding compact analog mono synth for the money with built in effects, presets, OLED, metal build and Prophet 6 lineage. Thank you Dave!
I own two because I love mine so much. It's honestly my favorite Mono and I've been through a bunch. It makes my Minitaur jealous. I will die on a hill for this synth. The menu is a bit deep at first but once you get past that you find out that the one knob actually scrolls through all the parameters you'd really need pretty quick.
For someone who's not in love with the Prophet sound but recognizes it's strengths, I don't need more than one voice and there's no way I'm paying the prices that DSI/Sequential polys demand. This seems a more than adequate studio tool for laying down leads and basses the Prophets excel at for a price that doesn't make me wince so hard. I think it's a winner.
I have it. It's a great monophonic synthesizer. Of course, there's menu diving. However, I would recommend getting the AS-1 sound editor. The editor makes you realize the depth of the AS-1
I purchased a Tetra mint for $400 and 2 Morpho's for approximately $125 each in excellent condition.. my Prophet 08 that was factory reconditioned(changed the encoders to potentiometers) was $950. in my opinion it's the synth of the century.. don't underestimate the bright aggressive "American" sounding oscillators an all the gear above they will easily cut through the heaviest mix.. all I write is extremely busy hard abstract techno..
@@jdrukman ..I disagree the Morpho's were cheaper with 4 LFO's and a huge modulation sequencer matrix that's why I bought 2.. I also have a Tetra and Prophet 08 rack( which I think is the synth ofthe century). with the Prophet 08 you can also stack layers A and B to get 4 oscillators per voice with a total of 4 voices.. 4 LFO's per voice and being able to choose a huge LFO signal path easily l blows the Behringer out of the water.. check out the manuals..
If you happen to have an OB-6, its front panel controls map automatically to the correct AS-1 parameters via MIDI, which means you can just do everything on the OB-6. I use mine that way sometimes, but also I map a Novation Launch Control XL to it via Bome Midi Translator. It's not as good as knobs on the front, but i only have to menu dive for some of the more obscure settings. The sequencer timing issues are real, so it's best to use an external sequencer.
The worst thing about the AS-1 is that Pioneer let some complete TOOL run rough shod as admin on their AS-1 support forum. He just insulted customers left, right and centre, must have cost them more in bad reputation and sales than the dodgy MIDI sync, which they never fixed. But the synth itself is quite nice, just a limited interface, and you're better off sequencing it from an external sequencer. Pretty fair review, thanks !!! 🙂
@@AudioPilz Yeah, the Pioneer DJ admin guy just took delight in insulting AS-1 customers asking reasonable questions !! Never seen anything like it with any other synth maker. 😲
@@2112jonr he was a volunteer I believe, which makes the whole thing even more bizarre... but I know who you're talking about and I agree, he is/was a bit of a bellend in general. Although, one time when I had an issue with the SP-16 he was actually very helpful
the responsibility falls directly on Pioneer's feet for allowing such behavior to be allowed. I turn a blind eye to Pioneer's somewhat inability to deliver something that was/ could have been brilliant. Inhalt did a direct comparison with a Pro One, that's what made me get one, well 2. So I have the trifecta, Pro 1, Pro 2 and Pro 3. Could not be happier.
@@seanwieland9763 The AS-1 doesn't drift exactly, it needs to be started clean on the downbeat and once the sequencer is running you can't change patches or sync is lost. I clock mine with MIDI using an ACME-4 which lets you to stop and start each of four connected devices, on the one, without stopping the others. It works perfectly, but the ACME-4 is ridiculously expensive (and fantastic). Clocking the AS-1 with anything other than MIDI reveals real bugs, like the arpeggiator stops working...
The synth I've read so much about over the years but I have never ever in my life seen anywhere. I don't even believe it's real and you can't change my mind!
I love the AS-1. Just something about it. The form factor. And it sounds so good; those VCO's absolutely sound better than Mopho/Tetra's DCO's. It's on my desk a lot. It's a happy accident machine, so easy to get a sequence going to build around. Your music demo is one of your best, but I expected to see the TB-3 beside it.
so I will ask again since you avoided answering my last question, why do you have 1.08K subs, only 127 channel views and 1 video that is something to do with fabric? We get you have bought subs, but why would you have a channel with so many subs and zero content?
@@dankeplace I already answered your question: I used to create content, now I don’t. My material is private because it’s work related. Again, I already told you this, but frankly you are rather dense for it not registering, for not thinking of this obvious scenario, for jumping to conclusions, and for outright accusing someone you don’t know of “buying subscribers” (is that even a real thing?). Seriously, why would someone who doesn’t have posted content “buy subscribers”? Did you think about this at all before popping off? I mean, it’s just so dumb. You like the as-1, I like the as-1. That’s all that matters here bro. If this is a party, you are a serious buzzkill. Maybe go make a video on the as-1 and you too will have 1k subscribers.
@@dankeplace I explicitly already told you this. And you should have thought about it anyway. I’d love to see 2 as-1’s together. I was thinking of getting a second one myself. Maybe go make that video. I'll subscribe. Peace.
Mono will always sound heavier than a poly, you have less equing to worry about when 1 voice vs 6. 1 voice has much more room to play with where as 6 voice would have ~ 1/6 the same sonic arena if all 6 notes were played at once.
Most important part is it sounds great!! Menu is tedious, but useable. 1000 total preset slots with 500 stock presets. Has a free editor/vst. It's an affordable mini DS synth. Far from perfect, but love mine and have zero regrets!! Bonus - Runs on 5v so can be portable with a small battery bank/usb to plug connector.
The amount of work you must put in every single week I can only imagine. One wonders if you have time to eat and sleep, never mind ever take a vacation. As always the jams sound great.
This is a fantastic sounding synth, I love it to bits ! Got it for 400 euros, which is much less than 1/6 of the price for a Prophet 6. I never cared about the DJ marketing and always saw it like an easily transportable and modern Pro 1 with patch memory. I never use onboard sequencers so couldn't care less about midi sync issues... This is a must for EBM and industrial.
Weird seeing this when I was just using my AS1 today. I always thought of this as the secret weapon hidden form everyone. It's basically a monophonic Prophet 6 that doesn't scale down on anything. The sound of this thing is lush and big. I use it with a midi keyboard. Amazing playing experience. Menu is the typical Dave smith type. I heard about clock issues with this and the other Toraiz gear Dave worked on the SP 16. This was made to sync with the Toraiz SP16. That's a very nasty music making combo.I had that too at one point very fun box. Needed some work but it was very fun. The Toraiz community is small but dedicated and when I mean dedicated those guys been waiting YEARS for updates.
This one was inevitable, and it's one of my very favorites. The resonant highpass is so playable and fun. It is absolutely not a groove box, although it looks like one and was unfortunately marketed as one. Another great episode Florian! I first came to this channel for the gear, now I come back every week for the Epic Jams.
Almost had a heart attack while was reading "toraiz squid" in the title, thought my favourite sequencer would be smashed today. Thank you for the video. I would like to see behringer neutron review.
The happy accident machine just like my dx200… Don’t let the name pioneer and cdj look of the toraiz gear fool you!! It’s well thought out set of performance tools!! The SP 16 is also a KILLER machine. The sound of this as1 synth is mature.I am not a super big fan of modern DSI sound but can work with its hifi character if I need to. It’s control limitations are not a problem for me, there is so much memory inside there is always something inspirational to be found, tweaked or performed into something new. The sequencer is limited yes but why do people always complain about rudimentary sequencers and silently still use sh101s internal sequencers. The lack of Automation recording means you have to perform something.. people are spoiled with sophisticated elektrons that sound far from lush and cost 3 times more at least ! A midi controller is available in max4live but it’s a matter of time before someone makes a dedicated controller for as1. The effects inside are decent enough. Just play a bunch of notes and ties into it, easy to get something going. Someone compared this 1 on 1 with a pro1 on RU-vid and he nailed it pretty close… I consider this a poor man’s pro 1 and rather get this secondhand instead of a piece of Behringer junk from the lower construction market shelves. Built quality is great and and the sequencer and performance controls are bonus on top of a really great synth engine. If a dedicated controller arrives I’m the first to buy one.
You know what’s awesome? I head bang to everyone of your intros and you’re my favorite sound gear tech reviewer period. Honest, detailed and pleasantly salty. Love these reviews and you!!
Once again, FLorian...you make a show about a piece of gear that I own. I got this used for a good price and the sound is really incredible. I would never use an onboard sequencer (I know many do, no disresepect.) So the timing with MIDI clocks is a non issue. You didn't mention the amazing build quality on this device vs. other synths in the same price range. It is very weighty and tough. Thanks again, and see you next time!
Nicky and PWM “Easter eggs” are amazing)) After almost 3 years of watching your content, I’ve started to think that I love Fridays even more than ever😄
You should do a ranking of the gear you've reviewed, by type. Or tier lists, whatever young people are into these days. We need a handy guide of what's actually "bad" and what's "misunderstood" gear.
There truly are some fantastic sounds in that little box... if they could knock it out for under 300 planetary tokes, I think I'd buy one without thinking twice...
extremely fair review as always Professor.. I didn't know about this one but instantly recognized the bright aggressive "American" sounding oscillators.. I love my Tetra, Prophet 08 rack (the analog synth of the century in my opinion) and 2 Morpho's.. thank you from Upstate New York
I love how earnestly you announced today's genre, almost like a "FINALLY I've been waiting for this." Funnily enough when I was watching this I was like "Maybe I should get a Pro-1 VST" since I've struggled to find a decent Prophet at an affordable price and stack it. It's how they did stuff in the 60s/70s!
I didn't even know this this thing existed. I have so much learning of new things today. I also learned that I do not want one! (Take THAT, GAS!) Thank you, Florian!
I agree with everything you said, that's why I own 2 of these. They are beasts, I don't internally clock, I use these as modules and as 1 voice of a P6, I got 2 for the $ of 1 AS1. I have made some of my best tracks with the AS1s, I would never want to menu dive but externally sequencing and using the arp gets you some seriously good movement, even with that limited surface control. The AS1 has probably been one of my most inspiring instruments with lacking surface controls, which pushes your imagination, and it screams play me, you have to interact with it or it's going to sound very vanilla. Do the Pioneer Toraiz SP16 next, you will find that is a rough gem too, Pioneer did a deal with the devil himself, they just never followed through with what could have been something magnificent. I am sure Dave was disappointment somewhat, but hell he got paid so I don't think he cared too much. Great upload, thx.
I love the Toriaz Squid. Lots of people talk sh!t about it, but it’s actually an amazing sequencer if you don;t need ‘song’ mode or patterns longer than 4 bars. You can live-chain, but nobody talks about that. Of course sequencers aren’t so useful for ‘Bad Gear’ but the Toriaz Squid is a real gem that gets called garbage.
Really great to see some comments on the quality of the sync. I find this feature of audio gear is often missed altogether in detailed product reviews. If you can continue to comment on sync and stop start, reset functions on the gear you cover that would appreciated. Always entertaining and informative. Great stuff!
I guess "Brilliant Gear With Some Potentially Deal-breaking Quirks" would be a bit of a mouthful of a channel title, although I'm sure it would sound awesome in German.
Love the Proto Bass Jam! It should be mentioned there is a Sound Tower editor for full synth ending from your computer, and I believe the LE version is free.
love mine. its simple and exactly what i expect from a farily cheap monosynth.Of course pioneer abandoned it. Its not bad but they always half ass the total concept then abandon it after a year or 2, leaving a potentially great piece of gear 60% done. Paired with a sp-16, its the perfect Pioneer unfinished gear but still super fun package The toraiz line personifies bad gear videos edit pretty rare to see a little synth get this much love on here good job as always
The best sounding $399 synth I will ever own (got it on clearance). Fabian, you are really reaching on this one. The only way I would call this Bad is if you sleep with your Volcas and cuddle them like a gf or if you like dropping $3500 on DSI full sized keyboards ever couple weeks and have loads and loads of closet space on hand. Also the best build quality of any of the 15+ synths I own.
I've got one too. Build quality is good. Synth engine is good. For absolute beginners, controls focus on the bare essentials, but not quite even that - severely lacking in knobs. The sequencer is tedious as hell to program, but the presets are very nice for a monosynth. Support absolutely sucks to the point of being a joke, and MIDI sync is a problem. The screen is clear, but small, though good for the synth's size. Oh and it's splashproof incase you get any beer over it, or simply get excited at owning something by Dave. It's a nice little monosynth with a very basic sequencer let down by support, and lack of knobs or updates (namely, none).
I never could understand why this synth isn't talked about more; I assumed maybe it's the Pioneer badge and the fact that folks don't associate the brand with synths? After watching this, I realize it may have some shortcomings with the sequencer, thus maybe didn't hit the sweet spot in it's target market. I don't know because I always sequence it using something else and never use the onboard sequencer. I must say.... it is the best sounding bass synth I own ( and I have many of which are many times more expensive), so I use it exclusively for that.
The look-alikes gag at the Overview part sent me loling way more than it should have 😂 we need a Spiderman-meme jam with all of those in use at the same time! I will give that the web vocoder sounds like it would fit into old-school budget sci-fi show voices
Nice double-exposure psychedelia in the final demo in this one! Don't have a ton else to say because it's all pretty self-explanatory as a mini mono Prophet. Nice choice of memes as usual. BTW: whatever settings you dialled-in for GlitchYeen sounds remarkably similar to the vocal effect applied on the "doldrums" in The Phantom Tollbooth! You might want to find a clip of that if you haven't seen it. It also has a lot of visual sequences which could honestly work well for your music videos or video intros!
"mayonnaise is reverb for sandwiches" might be the most controversial thing you've ever put in a bad gear episode And I would argue that salt isn't compression, it's saturation
Just so people know, Inhalt did a comparative vid of a Pro One and the AS1, almost zero difference with the patches. Rather than the B MS101, you can get true linage of a Pro One with a modern take, lack of surface controls may be a putt off, but you will soon understand that a limitation makes this push this machine further than one can imagine.
