Why I Bought the Model:Cycles Instead of the Model:Samples 

Haha yup! It's not the best but it will definitely get you started. Happy jamming!

You made the grown-up decision hahaha. Thanks for watching!

I did misspeak, but I believe there are major 7 chords as well. And after recording my bass drum part I simply turned the click off.

Glad to hear you're loving it! It's been on my list for a while, hoping to get one soon :)

@@FreeBeat Definitely fun. Played m ore with the Model:Cycles and I might have come to the conclusion it's the better piece. While the XFM is polyphonic, it's only 6-note, across 4 tracks. I experienced note-stealing when I was building a pattern. Track priority I think is 4 3 2 1... that was a drag, finding that out. Cycles might have better presets, to start (have no idea how to program it to make interesting ones of my own).... but yeah. 6 tracks. You can have 6 chord tracks if you want, to get some crazy layers and ambient textures. Or, just one, and 5 monophonic tracks. Essentially, the M:C has the edge. The reverb on the Model:Cycles is incredible (like the Samples) because well, Elektron. Reverb on the XFM is a bit weak-sounding. I love how you can add delay/reverb per track, easily, with the M:C. The Verb and Delay on the XFM is global, per-pattern. Definitely think the M:C is the better choice. But the XFM is still really cool. And being able to actually play chords, instead of programming them in, is a huge bonus with the XFM. Then again, the chance/conditions with the M:C.... huge strength. Just wanted to give you an update. I think I totally prefer the M:C.

@@DopamineOverload great comparison thanks

Awesome!

I hope you love the Samples, thanks for watching!

This is what I thought as well (with regards to the Volca FM). Nevertheless I find it _way_ too complicated to actually configure an fm patch on the volca. Like diving through 10 sub-menus etc... Yes it's easier with a PC connection, but that takes eliminates the portability unless you carry a laptop around. It's kind of sad because I think I achieve like 2% of what the volca FM would actually be capable of...

@@bahutu802 I get what you mean. The digitone from elektron is very much in between imo. Way easier to make awesome sounds and sequences and still with a lot of creative freedom. The work flow is great as well.

They are both fantastic. Like I mentioned in this video, I went with the cycles because I wanted a truely all-in-one box, without having to worry about loading samples at all. Let me know which one you get!

Thanks man!

I think it comes down to whether you prefer to work with samples or designing your own sounds. I'm more of a synth person than a sample person, but between these two, I tend to agree that the M:S is more versatile because the FM engine is quite limited. Between the Digitakt and the Digitone though, the Digitone is the clear winner for me as you have endless sound design capabilities which is so cool. There's no right or wrong here. Keep in mind that the M:C has chords mode which makes it easier to create melodies and chord progressions. The M:S has none of that so you need to sample the chords you need and play them as one shots. Generally I'd say that the M:S is a great drum machine, but less of an "instrument". The M:C is more of an instrument with groovebox features as a bonus. Hope this helps.

Well I own a Cycles and hat a go on samples once or twice. Cycles is a magic bix of wonder, samples doesn't tempt me at all in comparison. The synth engine is pretty deep, it's a bit more than just a drummachine. (;

@@7177YT Definitely more than a drum machine! I just meant that between the M:C and the Digitone, the Digitone offers a much deeper synth engine. The M:C sure looks fun to play with. 😊

Like I said I'm the video, I wanted an all in one box haha. Working with samples just doesn't really do it for me honestly. Thanks for watching!

@@sinewaymusic I create my own sample banks (sounds made by modular synths etc) which I load into to my Model Samples

You can indeed have multiple, I believe it's actually 96, but don't quote me on that.

Would you say the minilogue xd and cycles complement each other? Been thinking of adding the xd

@@tijmen1949 They are really 2 very different instruments but mixing the unlikely is what makes our synthesizer world so much fun

@@rockhead11 that’s one of the reasons. Adding warm analog sounds, and polyphony. Bit scared the cycles drowns out next to it though

@@tijmen1949 Ok, I’ll set mine up together and see how musical it is. I’ll let you know ...probably tomorrow

Awesome, glad you love it!

Yes you can! I actually have several episodes here on the channel where I make jams completely out of one sound engine across all six tracks :)

@@FreeBeat AWESOME Thanks man. i’ll go have a peek after I watch this Digitakt video on making Random Arp Patterns. Hesitated on Cycles and Digitone because I already own a Yamaha Reface DX 4 operator FM Synth.

I've looked at the megaFM for a while now but it's just a little out of my price range sadly. I hope you're able to get one and absolutely love it!

​@@FreeBeat if you aren't playing the stock market, it's a LOT easier than it seems. Without that, I wouldn't be quite as eager to fund my GAS :)

I went for a Yamaha Reface DX and sold my Volca FM. Yeah the Reface is ONLY a 4 operator FM Synth but a bargain at $299.99 with 8 voice polyphony.

It depends on how you work with samples. I'm constantly changing things, so it would be fairly frequent for me. I hope you love the M:S though!

Model:Samples is definately more flexible. I still like the Model: Cycles though!

The sequencer is super powerful!

Thanks so much!

@@FreeBeat Bro your contents fantastic

It's on the list of videos I need to make haha, thanks for watching!

Love the channel, been watching for a quite a while now, keep up the great work

fonction chord for ex

Right on, glad you're liking it!

Thank you so much!

Changing banks resets the string, correct. It just means you have to be a little more involved in the training process if you're trying to get all of your songs into one project.

Neither the Model:Cycles or Model:Samples actually let you sample into the units. The Model:Samples lets you load samples into it from a computer via USB, but that's it.

Yeah it's really just about what speaks to you! Thanks for watching :)

It's pretty awesome! If you're in a country that has the sale price going on right now, you still have about a day and a half from the time of me leaving this comment to pick one up at the discounted price!

@@FreeBeat or also what other groove box can I find for like 150-250 euros?

Thanks for watching!

I hope you like the Model:Samples! I might have some questions for you soon about it haha.

That'd be a great combo!

@@FreeBeat The first thing I hooked up to my new NTS-1 was the OM-300. So lush.

Absolutely! Such a simple thing to include but it really makes the whole machine work!

@@FreeBeat cycles and samples are not comparable dork😂

Haha it's actually the baseline to one of my tracks "Ghost in the Galaxy," off of my op-z album "In Over My Head." You can check it out for free on my bandcamp page if you click the link in the description :)

I haven't yet, but it's on my list!

@@FreeBeat hope you will try it, i'm a big fan of this machine and all users are waiting for a major update for this incredible sequencer ⚡

Hahaha sorry!

Thanks for watching!

Right? It's amazing!

I honestly have no interest in the DT haha. However, the Digitone is a different story!

Thanks!

I would probably say the OP-Z, as long as you aren't sampling. That's a hard one though, I've always got you in mind when I'm checking out new gear though!

Thanks so much!

I have been thinking about this a lot. I imagine the best full setup would be a multi machine setup. I actually think something like the Behringer model D (or Moog if you can afford it) would be much more accessible sound design wise as it is literally one knob per function, with no menus, no presets, and no need for any visual feedback. Coupled with a keystep for keys, and perhaps a model cycles purely for drum sounds, since the default on startup sets up tweakable drums, and a tone and chord machine without any menu diving in a predictable and intuitive way. Instead of sequencing everything, perhaps recording directly into a 4 track or 8 track Tascam would be better, since you could just play live and overdub by ear as opposed to trying to guess what step the next note should go on. So imagine, you record a drum sequence live into the cycles. Tweak till you get the sound and tempo to taste, record a few minutes of drum jamming into track 1 on the Tascam or even a loop from the cycles with knob turning for variation. Then you have a beat laid down, you could then play the model D for the bassline on track 2 live, and a lead on track 3 etc. Tweaking each patch until you get a sound you like, and even live tweaking as you play, until you build a full song recorded on the Tascam. This is just one possible idea thinking of maximum flexibility with minimum fuss and memorization. My 2 cents.

Nope haha I just talk with my hands!

@@FreeBeat my apologies...you will be the dopest old person though one day yo with that level of gesticulation swag btw

@@FreeBeat I also talk with my hands haha and I am honestly considering either getting a cycles to work in conjunction with my model:samples. Also yo.....I appreciate(awkward dj Khaled voice) y’all making these videos as it informs others myself included about different pieces of gear

@@FreeBeat bless you though I love your videos bruv.... love from Canada

I think his hand gestures are great-expressive and natural and combined with a lovely clear,articulate voice it is a winner.

Oh wow, $50 USD off! I'm going to have to make a post about this, thanks for pointing out!

In my opinion it is pretty versatile, but you have to put in a lot of work to get past those same sounds. I should have a video coming out with some tips on how to do this soon. Thanks for watching!

Gotta work that box to get results

Thank you!

It does, but unfortunately that doesn't really speak to me. If I'm using samples I want them to be once that I've recorded and created myself.

If you've got samples and a computer to load them onto the Model:Samples then sure :)

@@FreeBeat so you can just buy drum and other sample packs, download them to model samples and play em as a kick and snare and such separately? pry what I need then.

It's definitely a challenge to escape those typical sounds, but it can be done. I should have a video coming out pretty soon with some tips to do just that. Thanks for watching!

Do techno!!!!!

Haha in the almost two years since I posted this video I like to think I've gotten a little better, but who knows!

I need to get my hands on one of those eventually.

I wouldn't necessarily say they are ugly, but they're certainly pretty dull lol.

@@FreeBeatBut I enjoy your video anyway!

They look freaking sick in my opinion. Its all personal taste. I love this alternative kinda look more than smth like an old school 808 or flashy modern roland stuff