You can check Sonicware Liven in stores here: Thomann: thmn.to/thoprod/555755?offid=1&affid=623 in stock at Perfect Circuit: bit.ly/LivenLofi (and they are doing a discount on other Livens right now) And you support the channel in the process. Affiliate links means I earn a small % of anything you buy at no cost to you. Your cable purchases fund my coffee addiction!
@@atetraxx I couldn't find it for sale anywhere either and their site link for the Lofi-12 gave an error. But if you go to their main site and select Products, you'll see that you can add it to cart. I haven't attempted a purchase there, so I can't confirm beyond adding to cart.
The more I break away from having the ability to use 16+ tracks to using only 4, the more I find my musical ideas/work flow getting quite a bit deeper.
Thats how I started making music, on the homecomputer Amiga 500 in the late 80ies. 4 channel of 8bit samples with a total of 4 voices, and up to 512kB sample ram (usually around 300 or so availble). And its also cause of this Amiga I dont get impressed with 10 voices polyphony 32 years later.. and with a pricetag of the Amiga 500. If it had atleast 32 voices it would be an instant buy. The Amiga you could also sample and edit your waveforms visually. And one channel was usually drums.. one bass. one sampled chords and one for the lead.
@@AndrewTSq I'm starting to mess with the rhythm/drums channel also having bass. But mixing is difficult with hats and cymbals. It's almost sensible to sequence based on the frequency I will mix, but then I'm scarifying the very limited polyphony on my 4 track.
This is everything the Model:Samples should have been. Stereo. 10 voice. Dedicated Envelope Generators + LFO. Multi FX. Variable sample rates. Bitcrusher. AND IT SAMPLES!
You serious? Man. Legend! A couple of the presets on there sound like they're straight out of the ST-xx library. With 8-bit and more aliasing with pitching it would be identical.
@@alecsbuga I so very nearly bought one of those, and then regretted not getting it. I can't remember what it was about the spec that didn't quite hit the spot for me, I'll have to go read an old review....
Dang it. Did not want to buy another sampler but I really like the sound of this. On paper this really doesn't have much power as compared to my Circuit Rhythm (closest modern comparison I can think of) but the sonics really catch my ear. It's also exactly what I hoped they would do next from the Liven series. Odd to release two samplers at the same time but Sonicware does things their own way.
You didn't think ALL OF the previous Liven instruments sounded "that good" ? Compared to WHAT? Not going to lie, I wonder about music gear influencers.
Well people bought for a bigger amount of money a op1. They told us that it was the limitation from the op1 that worked inspiring. Nothing wrong to make music for only yourself. For my self making music means to express myself and I don’t care what other people think about it. My music is at first ment to be for myself. The simpel joy it gives to creat something is the reward of the mind. And that’s why I think the lofi 12 is a wonderful low-priced machine. Greetings from Germany ( but I am Dutch and live in, like the Romans spoke, Germania Superior 😝)
Honestly I am a synth guy, I love the lo-fi sound and I want to incorporate those beats into my chillout sessions but I have never really been a sample guy. Do you think this is a good place to start?
I’m a synth guy as well. I got into samplers a few years ago with octatrack. This seems like a good one to start on. I’m thinking of getting this for when I don’t feel like dedicating a day to just doing insane things on octatrack. This seems more quick and inspiring. Then you may want an octatrack one day. It’s very sound design and synth once you get to know it. It’s worth the learning curve.
I’m really surprised that it’s taken until now for a hardware manufacturer to do this. Considering how sought after the old Akai S950 is. Thanks for the video!
Because is also 12bit? It’s like saying my Toyota Corolla is as fast as a Ferrari because it’s also red. The sound of an s950 comes mainly from its converters and filter.
@@zalione - it’s not like saying that at all. Some people lust after 12 bit samplers in the same way that some people lust after vintage synths. There a lots of modern analog synth clones but no modern 12 bit samplers. Do you see my point now? Shame about the Corolla 😉
@@leftmono1016 my point is that people often think 12bit stands for a special sound but it don’t. 12bit will not automatically give you THAT „lofi sound“. It’s in the converters, the analog circuit, filters, and in case of an akai s950 that it not have pitch interpolation but can change the samplerate for each voice independently in real time.
@@zalione - I see what you mean, it’s the complete package, but it’s still surprising that no one has tapped into the ‘old sampler’ market. Not a complete S950 copy 👍
@@leftmono1016 its not just 12 bit samplers. There is almost no modern professional samplers out there. I mean pure samplers and not groove boxes and funny toy machines. That’s because people today use software for this task.
Yep, this has a vibe. I was on the beta for the first Sonic Liven 8bit warps and found it too lo fi (chip tune) and asked if it could do 12 bits and was told it wasn't in the cards for the 8bit Warp.. I guess there are a lot of people who love that chunky sound. I have a old Ensoniq EPS and this gets there sonically I am sold. Great video as usual Bo.
To me, this is much more interesting and compelling than the OP-1. For the price, the feature set and sound quality is perfect for my type of music-making.
@@captainpawpawchannel Yeah, with a deck saer or case to protect the buttons I could see throwing this thing in my bag to use on bus rides or ferry trips. It might be a good Christmas ask.
I love my Op-1 but the lack of quantization and the limited fx can be a bit frustrating. I think the Liven Lo-fi 12 could replace the Op-1 unless you are really set on the 4 track tape workflow.
@@elsantoproductora The sampling quality is better in the OP1 but the price is crazy (and some will enjoy the lo-fi sound of the lofi), plus I'm not fan of the design of the OP1, the lofi seems pretty fun (I won't buy it but I would have loved it a long time ago)
Wow Bo ! ~ I've been enjoying your show for FIVE YEARS now ! I first watched an early Circuit viddy and then a Digitakt viddy and I decided to slowly build a DAWless set up ! ~ My Digitakt arrived yesterday and it will join the Circuit Tracks and Rhythm and assorted hardware synths, sound modules, effects pedals and mixer ! It will act as the central controller for my rig ! It's gonna be fun ! ! ~ 😁~ Thanks for all your help along the way Bo 😊 ! Peace !
Do I like the sound? From what I can tell from the constraints of a RU-vid video, yes. Do I think it's somewhat gimmicky? Yes. Do I see actual potential for it to be a useful tool? Yes. Do I think it's a good value proposition? Yes. Am I somewhat surprised it has a full size Midi plug? Yes. Do I wish that, pretty much across the board, the manufacturers of these small desktop "value" synths would use better materials and just charge us an extra $30-$50? YES. Will I buy it? Hmm... Maybe. Yes. (But would I be just a little MORE likely to buy it if it were a VST? Probably.)
Ahh I have an mpc (did have 3 mpcs and multiple akai rack samplers, Roland rack samplers, and some extra sequencers etc.. I downsized to just one of the newer mpcs. Didn't think I'd be wanting to buy anything else sampler/sequencer related, but I'm really being sold on this
SmplTrek = can do long samples, live loop (in future fw), drum kits, and much more. This one is super basic in comprison but has per track insert fx and an arp. And samples super short lofi samples
I’m going to team this up with my AKAI Force for some deep house and lofi flavors. Instant buy. I hope they will continue to add features as it gains popularity and feedback.
I would love to see Op-1 style drumkits on this device. I think this is an absolute winner but I don't like the drum programming workflow. It has a step sequencer, a keyboard and parameter locks so I guess some sort of drumkit mode could be implemented via firmware. Thanks for the video!
I’m curious but not overly impressed. There is a serious hole in the market for a hardware sampler with polyphony and Adsr/filter/ Lfo like the op-1. It’s hard to have a sampler though without a screen to edit the waveform.
Personally I dont like using Livens with an external sequencer or in a larger setup. I prefer using them standalone. But you could absolutely use it in any synth setup
Well. This is interesting. They just released SMPLTRK and then this. I would have liked the feature list of SMPLTRK (or hweva its spelllt) in this form factor. On the form factor, why dont they ditch the naff speaker and tighten up the model-name font and utilise that 'real estate' with more knob-per-function. All their models have a quirky/chaotic UI design and I dont like the overlay, but sure its to avoid using a more tech-screen and inevitable menu-dive. But I dunno. Menu-dive or cumbersomeclumsyon/off overlay malarkey.... Its got good points and if they were faster with it I might have snapped one up: I ve been looking for a 2nd HW sampler; went with a VolcaSample1 Pajen-loaded. I think one the face of it (right now), the Model:Samples is cheaper and more powerful than this , and even the Pajen-pimped VS will give this a good run, given that has 10parts/4-note polyphony. But sure no Res or LFO on the VS. Thought the 32Khz VS was lofi but 12/24Khz. Woh. Crunch. Chyyyy. :D Well, that my impressions watching this and the SMPLTRKKK reviews. I suppose really I should try this out....and I could probably be really cheeky and ask Bo to borrow his....do I live close to Bo tho. :D #lund #hintthint
It would have been nice to not have force myself to like and use this thing. It’s about as much fun as programming a DX7 in the dark. I assume you’ll review the XT? If so will you be honest and reveal how we all (maybe not you) paid for a product that over promised and under delivered in the Lofi 12, how funny is it that every frustrating keystroke and layover required edit is now remedied with the XT. SMH
Bo! Love this video, this kind of groovebox is much more my style with the lo-fi aesthetic and sampling capabilities, may even pick one up. Found this review while hunting around for videos on Volcas, and was wondering what happened to your old review on the Volca Kick? I remember it from a while back, can't seem to find it any more though. Did it get taken down?
I'm really looking forward to getting this, the Bass & Beats has proved a worthy addition to my set up and sound. This is just what I've been looking for to add some extra old school crunchy breaks! Nice run down Bo 👍
Nice, I have two questions : Can you reprocess the input tracks as external audio without recording them, I mean effect them. Another question can you use it as a midi sequencer to sequence for example a Vermona analog drum machine ? Thanks!
It's fine but I just don't see the purpose of grabbing this over the many capable groove boxes out there. Tbh, the only real advantage I see is the way it looks, which is adorable and somewhat important, but not enough for me.
I have the Elektron Model:Samples and it can do most of this stuff but it can't sample, which oddly makes it less fun because you have to bust out the computer to make samples on the fly and that breaks the flow. This is the last thing I need but it actually looks really fun for building out some DAW-less sections or intros.
I couldn't get along with Bass & Beats well for various reasons, and I was not sure if I wanted to get lofi-12. This video convinced me to get one, and I'm pretty satisfied with my purchase :)
Interesting how a supposedly less capable device has more control over parameters than the SmplTrek... Probability, global swing, effects on every track. Granted it only has four tracks but it seems to be more flexible in many regards.
@@blazrodic makes sense. I'm hoping the features are expanded and work flow simplified. I haven't gotten my unit yet but ppl seem to say working on it is convoluted. It would be a shame if using it was more a chore than fun.
Darnit. I wanted to not buy anymore sonicware due to bad treatment but .. yeah it has me looking. 8bit is the best one so far IMO so imagine will be good. Now let's see if this perfectly fine comment is censored or spammed with a bot like before ...
@NoxBoxdy What kind of bad treatment did you receive? I’ve only tried the 8 bit as well and thought it was alright, but I’ve never dealt with the company.
Lol. Man it's been a thing! Now that I actually made some "content" im seeing there is still massive unwarranted censorship and problems mostly from creators. Love the new tools to be more a dictatorship on here. Lol. So much for 2 pt authentication. 😂 Or a sense of community. Or freedom. Good times... Anyhow... Back to the subject matter in hand... Darnit .. I dont need but want that one.
Long story short is bad rep with misrepresenting I simply asked about an editor mentioned. And got blocked and censored. Emailed 3 times for help and to find out why it happened. Nothing. Was told it was Google. Google tells me it is not. There is mass censorship on here by people that simply dont want to be real. And then wont take responsibility in real life. I feel Google needs to do better in preventing it. Anyhow. Just stupidity and no customer support for me. That said I freakin love the 8bit warps and the xfm as glitchy as it is..super cool! So hopefully the other will improve as a growing overseas company. I do think if Bo can represent more product then this will not be an issue. Fanboys go crazy over any little thing and cause problems on here. So I wont mention my MPC. 🤣
So let me get this straight the only way to save to pc and load back to the lofi 12 is by Sysex midi dump ??? Taking us back to the late 80’s. -90’s 😂😂😂😂
I really don't like the idea of limiting things to "lofi". Tech has advanced. Definitely add methods to make things lofi, but i still want to be able to work with high quality audio of i want to. If all you ever wanna make is lofi stuff, then it's fine, but i make a lot of different shit, but i like the workflow of hardware samplers
Why does it have such low sample time? Missed opportunity i think. Does it come with sample library? Volca sample much longer. Teenage engineering KO is like a minute
Why the arbitrary 24khz and 2 seconds of sample time? Dumb. Allowing you to set at least 44.1/32/24/12 and minimum 4 seconds at 16/44.1 and I'd have bought at least 2 of these. That classic Akai sound which the color scheme of these suggests is 12/32 or 12/44.1 for me, this is more like the SP1200 which was better suited for beats and loops at even that was 26khz I think. Why can nobody get samplers right in 2022, drives me nuts. Oh and usb transfer, surely people want that sound from the 80s/90s not the workflow.
How would I snag a sample from audio being played on my computer? I'd love to see a h/w device that has XLR, just one would be fine, and would double as an audio interface so you could use it for zoom calls and grab samples in real time while playing music on your PC outputted to the sampler over USB. Why the heck isn't anyone adding this feature?
It sounds great and they've done a fantastic job with connection options, but what a shame they used the rubbish 7 digit display instead of a $2 OLED.... SIGH
Disappointed it same speaker problem op-1 had. Facing me and blowing out left/right ear. Manufacturers please integrate cell phone tech into speaker placement, will add more space onto instrument deck and save my ears..
Probably not. Its a bit complicated and limited. Better to get something more beginner friendly. Perhaps an MPC One? Or Maschine+? They are more expensive but easier and more versatile
Been trying to find out about Polyphony. It is stated that the lofi12 is 10 Voice polyphonic.. but I think this just means it can cope with 10 track layers all voicing at the same time. How is the Polyphony when chromatically playing a voice on a single track? Is there any Polyphony, or is the chromatic keyboard only Monophonic in this case? Amazing how hard it has been to come by this information. Hope you can help! Much Thanks!
Its reminding me of the ZOOM sampletrak. (yeah...ZOOM) i love mine. its the first sampler i ever bought. so, ill probably buy this. Their other devices...eh..not much interest. but this...yeah.
