2022: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2022)

[justin3am]

Yeah, I'd probably suggest investing in a patch bay. You can connect the I/O from your synths and audio interface to the back of the patchbay and if you have each column set to half-normalled, you can have the outputs (top row) connected to the inputs (bottom row) by default. This way, the default connection will only be broken, when you connect things to the bottom row, from the front. This makes it much easier to change routing up, in the long run. If you are mostly using desktop effects or pedals, you can simply make the connections to the front of the patchbay.

[WatchTheGuitar]

Or get a setup like mine, my RME Digiface software lets me virtually patch things so no need for a physical patchbay. More expensive interfaces come with assignable latency free DSP driven effects buses too.

Another option for standalone of course would be something like a Behringer X32, a smart mixing desk that comes with loads of inputs and built in inline effects.

[justin3am]

You're probably right. I tend to suggest patchbays to everyone because I've found them to be just as useful with 128 channels of I/O as they are with 4 channels of I/O but not everyone works the way I do.
If you are mostly handling routing via a computer anyway, then an interface with more I/O may be the way to go.

[thecontrolcentre]

I've just ordered some IK iLouds as a second pair of monitors (got to justify the Baby RAM ) ... should be a good contrast to my Genelecs. I've been pondering over this for quite a while now, but I finally caved and ordered a Dreadbox Nymphes. Can't wait to find out what a 6-voice analog is capable of

I tried to order them from only one shop, but couldn't find a good deal anywhere in the UK. Ended up having to buy them separately. Maybe there's been a run on iLouds ...

[Constructed Identity]

Think I have decided on THE drum machine -

I've been using 808 samples since the 1990's so this feels weird, but the [STEREO]analog filter and great layout are so enticing that I don't think I could pass it up.
Gotta wait until MkII is available because... well who knows.

[909Sounds]

I just purchased the boutique 808. I couldn’t justify buying the original. I do own the OG 909 though.
Samples are just fine though

[TheFrozenSea]

Got myself an Elektron Octatrack mk1. Been messing with a small live rig using the Nord Lead 4 and Elektron Model Samples with some nice results, but the Octatrack will give me way more channels, built-in mixer, more fx and a more flexible sample player, among other things

[justin3am]

Octatrack is still one of my most used tools, after more than 10 years. I’ve been thinking of getting a mk2 but my second mk1 is still alive and kicking.

[WatchTheGuitar]

Octatrack is still one of my most used tools, after more than 10 years. I’ve been thinking of getting a mk2 but my second mk1 is still alive and kicking.

Some B-Stock mk1s are going a lot cheaper than the mk2s, what did the mk2 add other than the redesign?
And possibly balanced outputs to control eurorack/modular?
Controls-wise I can just see a few buttons added on the top left to directly deal with projects and parts, but I presume those functions are still available on Mk 1 just buried in a menu?

Talking of Elektron I'm kind of tempted to save up for a Rytm II to replace my TR-8S. Much as I like the TR-8S there are limitations to the sequencing and just having one parameter per drum per track is annoying plus if I could replace the 8 physical audio outs with Rytm's overbridge based audio I could free up a whole set of inputs for more synths down the line.

[justin3am]

Octatrack is still one of my most used tools, after more than 10 years. I’ve been thinking of getting a mk2 but my second mk1 is still alive and kicking.

Some B-Stock mk1s are going a lot cheaper than the mk2s, what did the mk2 add other than the redesign?
And possibly balanced outputs to control eurorack/modular?
Controls-wise I can just see a few buttons added on the top left to directly deal with projects and parts, but I presume those functions are still available on Mk 1 just buried in a menu?

I'm not so concerned about the cost. The mk1 and mk2 are basically identical in terms of functionality, aside from a few dedicated buttons. The display looks nicer. The outputs on the mk1 are impedance balanced, just like the mk2. The mk2's inputs are also balanced (on the mk1 they were not) and they appear to handle hot signals better. But those aren't significant changes, as far as I'm concerned.

Really, I'd just like to get a new one. No particular rationality behind it.

[WatchTheGuitar]

Ah ok, the mk i becomes more tempting now

[justin3am]

I just noticed this part of your comment:

And possibly balanced outputs to control eurorack/modular?

Balanced outputs don't allow you to control modular stuff. DC coupled outputs are required, the OT's are not. Balanced outputs are actually not well suited for CVs, since you need a floating ring cable, to prevent the inverted signal from being connected to ground. Anyone who's used a MOTU or UA audio interface to generate CVs has probably experienced this.

I also have a Analog Rythm MK2 and I like it a lot. I don't use Overbridge with my Analog Four very often but I do use it with the AR and my Analog Heat. It works really nicely for me and simplifies routing quite a bit. I still tend to use the analog outs when I want to run it through outboard gear. I've even found that you can send the individual outs to an outboard mixer, then send the 2-mix to the audio ins on the AR, so that the mix can still go through the AR's master effects. It's a handy feature for DAWless jams. The drum synths on the AR sound pretty outstanding and of course parameter locks and the scenes functions make it easy to take a simple sequence into completely new territory.

[foosnark]

I modified this parametric synth stand design to hopefully work well with my Minibrute 2S, though with less rounded corners and no rubber feet. I thought about making them in plywood, but instead I'm having them printed in black PLA through Treatstock.

I'm giving up on the idea of getting a Strega, or really any other synths. I don't think I can make room for it in my setup without giving up something else, and the exchange doesn't make sense. So that budget will be saved for another bass later. A used Wing or Miezo would be fantastic, or maybe a new FingyBass (they're all half-scale "neckless" travel basses an octave or a fifth up from a regular bass).

[pekbro]

I modified this parametric synth stand design to hopefully work well with my Minibrute 2S, though with less rounded corners and no rubber feet. I thought about making them in plywood, but instead I'm having them printed in black PLA through Treatstock.

You might want to make a cross bar or bridge between those out of plywood or something to bolt
them together. I've had similar stands and a bridge will add much needed stability. Easy to add
after the fact with a drill and few nuts and bolts. They are so light, they tend to move around.

Just sayin.

[foosnark]

You might want to make a cross bar or bridge between those out of plywood or something to bolt
them together. I've had similar stands and a bridge will add much needed stability. Easy to add
after the fact with a drill and few nuts and bolts. They are so light, they tend to move around.

It's possible. I made them a little extra wide, and it's going to sit on a carpeted rack box. A crossbar or two and/or Velcro on the bottom will get them stable enough if need be.

At any rate this is much cheaper than a stand from CremaCaffe, Loci, KVGear, 3DWaves etc. and should definitely beat the wobbly mandolin stand it's on now.