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Hardware Grooveboxes
Curious what recommendations you all have for a hardware groovebox. Something like Pure Acid or GR-16 but hardware. And I want something with it’s own speakers so I don’t need to connect it to something else.
Someone on Reddit recommended the Novation Circuit which seems promising, but UI curious what all the group might suggest.
I do already have a handful of Pocket Operators and I love them.
Comments
Been lusting after an OP-1 myself, but it's so damn expensive. Then again, your Pocket Operators are made by Teenage Engineering, so it probably wouldn't be a stretch to nab OP-1.
Yeah the OP-1 and OP-Z both look pretty baller but definitely more than I want to drop anytime soon.
Check out the Synthstrom Deluge.
I see too many folks on Youtube who have more than one.
You're pretty much screwed if you GAS for one of them, because you'll end up GASsing for several
I have the Circuit. I haven’t really been using it lately, but it was definitely fun and quick to use one you get the hang of it. The new version can do a lot more but is the same interface. The synth engine is very limited. No sustain pedal, mod wheel, expression pedal, etc support. It’s a pretty dated synth engine and you will need a computer to edit it mostly. IPad as a non-official editor that does work. The new version of Circuit you can load samples with USB stick, I believe.
The built in speaker of the Circuit is terrible. I don’t know if the new version I think called Circuit Tracks is any better. The original speaker do not rely on for even marginally acceptable speaker quality.
GR-16 is very close to Korg hardware Electribe 2. (There's a Sample version too.) Personally, I feel the ESX-1 is more fun.
I like the POs too. And maybe you'll like OP-Z? I heard some complaints about its build quality, so check first whether they say anything about the updated version if any. Alternatively, how about Electron Models: series? P-lock and Elektron sequencer with many knobs, and not too expensive.
None of these has a built-in speaker, though. But you'd e better off with a small, portable speaker anyway.
Although I like the Elektrons and even more my sweet Korg EMX-1, I think that the iPad is already an excellent groovebox with fairly good speakers. And it's even more portable than any of the dedicated hardware units which usually need wires anyway, be it for the power bank or the headphones/loudspeakers.
Looking at GR-16 which is more powerful than any Electribe Korg has ever built, Gadget with its insane resource of sounds and samples, Electribe Wave with its own unique concept, Koala for super fast live sampling or Drambo for endless modular synth goodness, I wouldn't want to go back.
MPC Live has a pretty good built in speaker.
I think another used iPhone or iPad would be more versatile.
Unless limitations are needed to boost creativity.
The current MPC line has some great built in plugins and fx inserts, and each new (free) upgrade brings even more new plugs. For instance, they had Arp Odyssey and Solina String plugins, and the latest update brought autehentic Mellotron sounds in addition to a great vocal suite and half time effect. They're all free, come with box.
https://www.akaipro.com/mpc-plugin-instruments-insert-effects
I think these plugins, sampling, and the great sequencer add up to a combination that probably makes it the 'best' standalone groovebox, at least for traditional composing. If you want to get more experimental, or are looking for different kinds of sequencing modes (euclidian, polyrhythmic, different playback modes), then there are more niche sequencers out there for sure. Most of those 'special' sequencers may not have many tracks though, and almost certainly no built in synths. So for an all in one solution, the MPC is very hard to beat (especially now that it supports up to 32 in / outs by connecting a class compliant interface).
I've been happy with my MPC1000 JJOS, but the latest MPC 2.10 update has me seriously considering upgrading. I'm waiting for reports on if the MPC can record CV with DC coupled interfaces. If that's a yes, and the CV sample files can be mangled the way I believe they can be, then I'm going all on board. Hardware wise, very little can compete with that.
GR-16 is basicaly clone o Korg Electribe 2 with MANY improvements - it's soo much better than original HW in all thinkable areas than purchasing Electribe HW after having experience with GR-16 is like going back in time into stone age :-D
Then you're pretty much limited to Novation Circuit, OP-1 or MPC Live. I suggest you rethink this criteria, you are ruling out some pretty amazing options.
I'm groovebox man, i was always attracted to HW grooveboxes and i had lot of them in past (roland, korg, novation, yamaha) and nothing i had was even remotely comparable with Elektron Digitakt and Digitone i own now. Cannot be more happy, for me perfect grooveboxes. Amazing sound, super intuitive sequencer, infinite posibilities, gigantic fun factor.
Yes, they seriously improved their line-up
I tried an MPC Studio (just the control unit for the PC/Mac software) and was much surprised by it‘s functional performance.
When budget allows I‘ll add a MPC-X, for it’s large display and 16 controller dials with individual displays.
The latter sold it to me
Most built-in speakers in most gear sucks 😂
I'm not sure about the speaker thing, but my GAS currently has the following contenders:
Model:Cycles, MC-101, OP-Z and OP-1, Korg Monotribe, Digitakt and Digitone.
To be honest, some I just dream of, because Teenage ENgineering and Elektron stuff don't come normally to my country, only if someone imports it, and it costs waaay too much.
Not a groovebox but I (and from what i've seen lately, many others on the webs) treat my trusty old Yamaha QY-70 as one. I can sequence and record whole stuff, have loads of effects, and if I ever want it, plug it into my ipad and play the sequence and record the midi to Xequence. (In fact, Xequence is my go-to backup for all my grooveboxes: EMX-1, MC-303, EA, ER, TD-3) and it pairs nicely with the SP-404sx, with the QY acting as sequencer and sound source for sampling
If you don't necessarily want a synth inside it, but you want good sound design possibilities and a great sequencer, a Digitakt is amazing. It can stream audio in/out from iOS devices so you can sample any iOS synth into it.
The Novation Circuit Rhythm is a nice new addition to the lineup too.
The OP-Z is also very nice and powerful, and it has a build in synth too.
MPC One is also awesome, and it got a substantial update a few days ago. But it's more complex and daw like. But you can definitely finish a song in it
check out Gabe Miller's youtube. He's a groovebox fanatic like me and he has some really nice comparisons.
Thanks for the ideas, everyone. Sounds like I have some options to look into.
This is spot on. If you get a chargeable Bluetooth speaker with a Line Input you can add speakers to almost any groovebox
GR-16 with Launchpad Pro mk3 comes close to competitive except that I read it doesnt work with the AUv3, huge limitation that Atom2 was able to support but without nice drum sequencing
OP-Z would be my choice too if you HAVE to have a built in speaker, Circuit would be a close runner up.
Like someone else mentioned the speakers in all of them suck though, so not sure how useful they are in real use. You’re still going to need to connect decent headphones or speakers at some point to actually hear any bass. At least the OP-Z has the wonderful rumble module you can buy that lets you feel it I guess.
It was not entirely clear to me what doesn't work with AUv3
I am a big fan of the Korg Electribe 2s. I seem to be more productive on these machines, limited though they are, than alot of other gear. I love them!
It's such a difficult task since there is no "perfect" groovebox yet in hardware form, and the closer and closer you get, the more it starts to feel like a iPad or even a DAW.
I'm struggling with this stuff at the moment too.
Genre plays a big role too:
My suggestions based on genre:
Almost anything works for ambient, techno and house so you're good no matter where you go there.
for more niche stuff
Drum and bass/jungle: Polyend tracker
Sample based Hip hop: mpc-one
Metal, jazz, rock and acid techno: mc101 or 707
Industrial/ IDM/ experimental: digitakt
Live recording long tracks with other instruments: 1010 blackbox
There's a lot of overlap between the boxes too.
Nothing hardware can really compete with drambo or a combo of gr-16 and koala sampler, maybe with cubasis for finishing of the tracks. Gadget is a whole other beast; don't get me started about gadget 🤣
How do you compare it to GR-16?
@DukeWonder what do you want to accomplish with a physical Groove box? I have a Circuit Tracks and since discovering GR-16 it sits practically collecting dust. I bought it for the inspiration / workflow, but GR-16 let me do everything in there, for the circuit you need to prepare your samples/synths on a PC beforehand to get the best of it, it defeated the purpose for it.
Any other more complex groove box (like the deluge or the polyend tracker) is not as performance focused as the Circuit or the iPad and if I really need more I much prefer using the DAW.
That's true.
Bloody hell those prices are sky high. It'd be worth it though, not gonna lie. The only thing stopping me from possibly getting the OP-1 (aside from price) is the fact a PC/Mac is required for transferring files to and from said OP-1. (Unless can an iPad Mini 5 with camera connection kit be used to transfer files? If that's the case, then I'm definitely going to save up for an OP-1!)
That said, when it comes to iOS Grooveboxes, Pure Acid and GR-16 are pretty much god tier. Drambo (I believe) started off as a modular groovebox oddly enough, but it has evolved so much further beyond than being a simple modular groovebox despite the fact it can function like one.
+1 on Digitakt for fun and a piece of hardware that takes to you to places you didn’t expect. The downside is I end up screwing with the sound so much on the Digitakt I usually need to add a “proper” beat on Zenbeats after. So I mainly use it as a sound design and mangler tool.
What I like less about the Digitakt is that you can’t save kits and finding sounds is sort of tedious, which goes in line with the “mangler” thing… I end up using whatever sample and mess it with. It’s really a lot of fun and the size, feel, knobs are just fantastic.
I gravitate towards Elektrons stuff. I have the Digitakt, Digitone and the Analog Keys. Each one of these are perfectly capable of cranking out very sophisticated tracks. But you gotta talk Elektrons language to get the most out of them.
Yes, this is very true. However the Circuit is especially terrible and almost not worth using even in a rare circumstance. At least the original. I can’t compare the new version.