Donner B1 | Review + Tutorial | Everything you need to know 

Nice. I want more products from those guys.

Firmware 1.1.0 has just been released that gives us the light up notes to indicate what note is in a step. Just like in your simulation! Also a new Song mode allowing pattern chaining. Just missing the shortcut for easy octave up or done editing but hopefully we'll get that in a further update.

@@dafyddthomas5885 we tried the new firmware a few days ago - I'm very happy they followed our suggestions! The machine is now much more comfortable to use. And yes, fingers crossed for the quick octave transposition :)

Song mode has now been added! What a result. Thank you for your review as it's clearly inspired the Devs to follow your suggestions. Also fair play to Donner for not just leaving it

what happens when you are a fair reviewer. you get the company to improve its product's usability and productivity. thank you captain!

Hi Florian, great to see you here! Did you know that some people keep insisting that we are the same person? And look at me, commenting with both accounts on my video ;)

​@@CaptainPikant OH GOD YOU TWO GUYS ❤

@@CaptainPikant 😂

Agreed that this review is very helpful and fair. And the cost vs value of this Donner B1 machine is also fair for what we get....doesn't break the bank so-to-say. Hope you've enjoyed your B1 and have found it helpful to your compositions. /cheers

hell yeah

Yep. First class.

Are the slides fixed?

Hey Albert, glad you liked it :)

Aswell as the slide stuff, they seem to have added a flashing warning that you need to save if you attempt to move off an edited pattern. Anyone know what else they've updated / added? A release note describing changes would be wonderful but no sign of that...

@@dafyddthomas5885 Yes, we did a bit more improvements besides the slide and editing issues. The complete release note can be found before performing the firmware update using our Donner Control software. After you click the "CHECK VERSION", there will be an option said "release note". There you will find all the changes:) Thanks for every suggestions you guys provided. This is currently the best B1 review video I have watched.

@@logantorres7083 Thanks, there is indeed! here are the contents for ease of reading: V1.0.2 Release Notes 1. SAVE behavior improvements When switching from a pattern containing unsaved changes, the SAVE button will now flash 5 seconds for reminding. Press the UP/DOWN button again to switch pattern without saving. The UP&DOWN buttons will light up now to indicate the saving location that can amend when using SAVE 2. SLIDE behavior amendment The SLIDE will not re-trigger the ENV now for a true legato-slide effect 3. HOLD behavior amendment Now, the sequence will keep running while applying the HOLD function. As a result, when performing with multiple devices, the pattern will not be out of sync 4. Fixed the out of sync issue while using SLIDE 5. Fixed the problem which could not edit the first step when using REC/EDIT 6. Fixed multiple issues in ARP

@@dafyddthomas5885 Here are Donner's release notes for both firmware updates. You can see the release notes when you update the software. They also post them in the B1 thread at Gearspace. Firmware Release Note Version1.0.1 1. Clear pending pattern: Press buttons PATTERN+CLEAR to clear the pending pattern in the play/record state. 2. Random note generator: * Press buttons PATTERN+RECORD to generate a random pattern. * There are 2 rules for the random pattern generator as showed below. - #1 , For a blank pattern, note, gatelength, ratchet, slide, accent and rest are randomly generated. - #2 , For an exist pattern, gatelength, ratchet, slide and accent are randomly generated. 3. Set sequencer end step: Press buttons PATTERN+1...16 step number to set the end step during playing the sequencer. 4. MIDI Program Change command not support: It is solved. 5. Led error in dictating in recording state: It is solved. The V1.0.2 Firmware is out! The boy can now slide properly The update can be performed via our DonnerControl, which can be downloaded in www.donnermusic.com/support/downloads/list Here is the release notes: 1. SAVE behavior improvements: ​When switching from a pattern containing unsaved changes, the SAVE button will now flash 5 seconds for reminding. Press the UP/DOWN button again to switch pattern without saving. ​The UP&DOWN buttons will light up now to indicate the saving location that can amend when using SAVE.​ 2. SLIDE behavior amendment: ​The SLIDE won’t re-trigger the ENV now for a true legato-slide effect. 3. HOLD behavior amendment: ​Now, the sequence will keep running while applying the HOLD function. As a result, when performing with multiple devices, the pattern won’t be out of sync. 4. Fixed the out of sync issue while using SLIDE. 5. Fixed the problem which couldn’t edit the first step when using REC/EDIT. 6. Fixed multiple issues in ARP. Have A Nice Weekend!

@@logantorres7083 Hi Logan - Will we see Captain's Pikant's recommendation for visual feedback of what note is on which step, implemented? That would be a big help. Also, real time recording would be great. I struggle with step sequencing bass notes. Thank you.

Hi RSKT, we're using a Fuji XT-3 but honestly any camera with a sharp 4K image will do :)

@@CaptainPikant Thanks for the reply :) I'm never that happy with my footage, but I'll keep trying :)

Thanks! Most of what I'd have to say about the TD-3-MO I already said in the "303 Sequencer From Hell" video. Other than that all the mods are of course awesome if you want more sound options.

Me too. Was really subtle.🤣

How so? I also have the TD-3 and TD-3 MO, and am always looking for ways to make 303 sounds that are slightly different than using the same 303 over and over. I really wish I could get the 303 sound with a more rounded sine wave ish lowend.

Thanks! No we don't but at one point we had a version where I did the whole voiceover from the intro of the show. But ultimately that didn't fit so we had to axe it :)

did you find solution ? i only find it works when i set clock to internal, then are played notes which comes from midi din. i assume you have set transition midi channel on source device same as input midi Chanel on b1

Hi Brian, the patterns can be chained together now as well, there's a song mode :)

@@CaptainPikant Hi, is the 'song mode' in the new firmware update. I only downloaded it today to update the sequencer pattern note display and haven't had a closer look.

@@brianwilliams3621 yes it is, you have to double tap PATTERN to access it. I'm working on an update of our B1 Cheat Sheet right now :)

@@CaptainPikant thanks for that one. I shall give it s go. Being able to make longer sequence patterns of more than 16 steps will be a big improvement.

Do you have to press anything else? I tried double pressing pattern and no chain.

Maybe try compressed air and contact cleaner on the volume pot?

Didn't make a difference for me. In some patterns you can barely hear it, but it becomes really obvious when there are accents on the slides.

And I think the setting you mention ("Multi Trigger") just affects the keyboard playing, not the sequencer. You can hear it when I play "Seven Nation Army" on the keyboard.

@@CaptainPikant does note length have any effect?

​@@Gainn Nope. That was my exact train of thought though as well :)

Immediately, that's why the timing during the end jam was important ;)

Absolutely agree!

Donner should really fix that (non-)legato issue, to make it truly shine.

@@JansKanaal that's the only reason it's probably a no-go for me. I already have a TD-3 so I'll live if I don't end up getting the Donner.

Actually yes, take a look at the pinned comment at the top :)

It's the theme from the 80s TV show Knight Rider :)

Yeah, I mean this is 100% a no go for me with that. That’s maybe 95% of owning anything 303esque honestly

Sadly I don't think so. I've tried every option I could find, even the various bootup key combinations.

@@CaptainPikant Dang, they really dropped the ball. The slides and squelches basically ARE the 303 sound to me. Guess my TD3 doesn’t have a sibling yet. Maybe I’ll get a T8.

Hi Ahmed, creating the slide wasn't the problem, it was the resetting amp and filter envelopes. But it has since been corrected in a firmware update :)

Update to this. I've now updated the firmware successfully. The failing method was using Donner Midi Control Centre, but donner email support pointed me at the Donner Control software download from under the synthesizers section of support bit of their pages and this one worked. Looking forward to future updates hopefully adding the room for improvement tweaks suggested.

@@dafyddthomas5885 TY, I had the same problem

I don't get any hiss on mine. ....when I bought mine their website was messing up and it let me enter a promo discount code 3 times. :D

@@AveragePicker The hiss, in my unit, is loudest when gate is open. Just bought a second one for 65$... but 3 promos at once - lucky u :)

We didn't have any problems syncing it via MIDI, but we haven't tried it with a pocket operator yet.

Couldn't find it either, the links for the manual somehow lead to the software download instead. Maybe you could ask Donner?

@@CaptainPikant I've tried that, seems unless you're buying something they are hard of hearing.... Will update here if I do get one.

the manual and software are on the donnermusic site not on the sales site. I'd be more exact but youtube keeps removing my comment !

@@dafyddthomas5885 seems it did so for the link I posted too...

But the slide is horror,distortion too.

Close, it's the theme from "Knight Rider" ;)

Have you tried the reset we described in the video? If that doesn't work you should probably contact Donner's support.

Where?

Got it for $91

While shopping for one I bought a second TD-3 MO that I found on craigslist instead

Take a look at the pinned comment :)

Donner said they will try to correct it, so hopefully yes :)