2024: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2024)

[elxsound]

theres a new module announcement video on wednesday, would they call a standalone "a module"?

I would tend to think not. But that could just be my dyslexic interpretation/perception of a module comprising a component(s) of a 'module-lar' system. Sounds cool, whatever it is.

You make a great point. Now I’m curious to know what they called their standalones when first announced.

Edit, so they never called them modules before. They called Strega and 0-Ctrl synthesizers but added hashtags for Eurorack modular.

0-Coast looks like there was no teaser/build-ups?

[mixyguy2]

When the holidays come around, I hope to get a Sennheiser 935 on a good sale.

I probably should get one of those too. I never bought a shure sm58/57 or similar dynamic mic, but have the sm7b.

Seems essential and I probably would have used one many times already.

Best mic in its class IMO, and have heard artists say the same. A year or two ago it was on sale half price and I didn't really need one, so I passed...I still don't "need" one, but it would be good to have around.

[mjolnir]

i'm getting tired of computer-based DAW stuff so I'm hoping to get some kind of non-networked, non-internet, audio-only type of gear.
I'm not sure yet which. But it'd be nice to have some kind of standalone sampling drum machine again.

[egbert101]

i'm getting tired of computer-based DAW stuff so I'm hoping to get some kind of non-networked, non-internet, audio-only type of gear.
I'm not sure yet which. But it'd be nice to have some kind of standalone sampling drum machine again.

Tired of the corporate shills in the software industry? Welcome to the corporate shills of the hardware industry!

[PieBerger]

I finally upgraded to a proper studio desk with a pull out tray. I'll have the same worktop space as before, so I can keep my same modular setup but I can get my Hydrasynth Exploer back into play and justify replacing it with a Summit or another fullsize keyboard synth, at some point in the future!

[elxsound]

theres a new module announcement video on wednesday, would they call a standalone "a module"?

Tomorrow, they’ll announce it!

awesome!
i may have misread it, or rather just assumed when i got the notification.


it does seem a bit more than a delay though, theres a lot of reverb type sound too, but theyve just retired erbe, and said theres no plans for a replacement reverb at present?
so maybe it is a standalone?

spacewise, im definitely looking at a fourth mantis (or equivalent sized case) but as im moving in the next few months, would prefer to wait.

hopefully ill see you live tomorrow!

its definitely hinting at strega in the video though...

First time I guessed right! Stegra's delay in the rack.

I can kinda make space by displacing Data Bender, but I'm not sure I want to do that when I have Strega.

Seriously tough to justify, but I do want it!

[cryophonik]

i'm getting tired of computer-based DAW stuff so I'm hoping to get some kind of non-networked, non-internet, audio-only type of gear.
I'm not sure yet which. But it'd be nice to have some kind of standalone sampling drum machine again.

I'd suggest looking at the Elektron Digitakt 1 or 2. The v2 just came out and has some very nice improvements, and prices on secondhand original Digitakts are very good right now. They're both excellent standalone sampling drum machines/grooveboxes.

[PieBerger]

The used Cobalt 8X I bought turned out to be the standard 37 key version, which explains why it was going for £300, but think I’ll keep it anyway as it turns out to be “can be used on the couch” sized.

You are only limited by the size of your couch

[vurt]

theres a new module announcement video on wednesday, would they call a standalone "a module"?

Tomorrow, they’ll announce it!

awesome!
i may have misread it, or rather just assumed when i got the notification.


it does seem a bit more than a delay though, theres a lot of reverb type sound too, but theyve just retired erbe, and said theres no plans for a replacement reverb at present?
so maybe it is a standalone?

spacewise, im definitely looking at a fourth mantis (or equivalent sized case) but as im moving in the next few months, would prefer to wait.

hopefully ill see you live tomorrow!

its definitely hinting at strega in the video though...

First time I guessed right! Stegra's delay in the rack.

I can kinda make space by displacing Data Bender, but I'm not sure I want to do that when I have Strega.

Seriously tough to justify, but I do want it!

i understand that, but while it does have some crossover with strega, there seemed to be some ranges/sounds that go beyond the strega fx section.
that could be from whatever theyre feeding it i guess.

think ill be ordering it though, as i cant help but think of feedback loops through all the make noise bits!!!

[elxsound]

One big pro to buying it is that it’s cheaper than buying a 2nd Strega. Even though they’r not identical - still gets me closer to two, without buying two.

So, I’d be saving money!

[vurt]

One big pro to buying it is that it’s cheaper than buying a 2nd Strega. Even though they’r not identical - still gets me closer to two, without buying two.

So, I’d be saving money!

thats what im thinking too!
as i was planning a second strega, mainly for the fx section, this "may" cover my needs there.

[ghettosynth]

Thats a nice guitar, tho i have yet to encounter an acoustic guitar without
a traditional sound hole that sounded
good, imo. Those neat looking ovations
and whatnot, dont sound good to me.
Never tried the ibanez tho so...

Not that they sound bad, i just dont like
the muffled sound they make. Ive never
asked any musician types, but most folks
cant even hear it ime. To me its quite
pronounced, even in a $8k ovation.

I do like the taylor t5 series, but for
the elect part.

For sure. You have to define what good means for you though. Do you want an acoustic quality sound when played acoustically? If so, then don't buy the Ibanez. Like all of these guitars, it's a compromise. The sound hole on the top, however, is brilliant for my use case. In my standard "couch position" it's about six to eight inches from my right ear. I can clearly hear the low strings resonating with the body from the sound hole.

I was specifically looking for something with a thin body that was comfortable to hold in that position. I would even say that, given a choice, I'd accept further compromise on the sound if the body were just a touch smaller. It is not loud and, again, that's part of the appeal. It's loud enough for me to enjoy playing and singing songs, but not so loud that it dominates the room. I can sit and noodle while I watch TV with the XYL and the cat and nobody is bothered. That sound hole right at me ear gives me a bit more than everyone else. The tuner is right there, meaning, I don't have to go looking for where I left it last or take it over to the rack and plug it in to tune it. Finally, if I want to record it, it's a much better acoustic sound than anything that I can come up with in my relatively untreated space. I even have decent small diaphragm condensers, but, trying to record acoustic guitar has always been an exercise in frustration that's not worth the hassle compared to using built in pickups. The nylon strings help to soften that acoustic pickup sound.

So yeah, it sounds like consumption++ for me to talk about a guitar just for the couch, but that is my need for an acoustic. As I've said before, my most played guitar isn't a guitar, it's my guitarlele. That's because it was my old couch guitar. While I like it because of its size, it's not a guitar and feels very different.

[Shabdahbriah]

One big pro to buying it is that it’s cheaper than buying a 2nd Strega. Even though they’r not identical - still gets me closer to two, without buying two.

So, I’d be saving money!

thats what im thinking too!
as i was planning a second strega, mainly for the fx section, this "may" cover my needs there.

I suspect so... Some * very interesting things going on with this module, that I think I can duplicate close enough with my Q-Bit delays/verbs, DataBender, and Echophones. But, it does sound really cool. Will be watching the next series of vids closely, as it's pre-order only, and doesn't ship until October.

FEATURES

Echoverb signal processor which shares origins with Strega
Well tuned to work nicely in a Eurorack modular system
All analog dry signal path blended with digital/ analog hybrid signal processor
Analog CV inputs with wide range capable of audio rate modulation
*Time control with massive, smoothly variable range
*Linear FM input with attenuator allows for fluttering of Time
*Absorb and Filter controls dramatically shape the echo tone and reflections
*New unique CV outputs for use in self-patching or mutual patching with other modules

[...] that could be from whatever they're feeding it i guess.

... Indeed. Of course feeding two Stregas would be pretty cool I suppose, but this has some very (seemingly) unique 'textural' (?) characteristics with what appeared to be more 'ambient tones' (feed), which i liked very much.

[pekbro]

Thats a nice guitar, tho i have yet to encounter an acoustic guitar without
a traditional sound hole that sounded
good, imo. Those neat looking ovations
and whatnot, dont sound good to me.
Never tried the ibanez tho so...

Not that they sound bad, i just dont like
the muffled sound they make. Ive never
asked any musician types, but most folks
cant even hear it ime. To me its quite
pronounced, even in a $8k ovation.

I do like the taylor t5 series, but for
the elect part.

For sure. You have to define what good means for you though. Do you want an acoustic quality sound when played acoustically? If so, then don't buy the Ibanez. Like all of these guitars, it's a compromise. The sound hole on the top, however, is brilliant for my use case. In my standard "couch position" it's about six to eight inches from my right ear. I can clearly hear the low strings resonating with the body from the sound hole.

I was specifically looking for something with a thin body that was comfortable to hold in that position. I would even say that, given a choice, I'd accept further compromise on the sound if the body were just a touch smaller. It is not loud and, again, that's part of the appeal. It's loud enough for me to enjoy playing and singing songs, but not so loud that it dominates the room. I can sit and noodle while I watch TV with the XYL and the cat and nobody is bothered. That sound hole right at me ear gives me a bit more than everyone else. The tuner is right there, meaning, I don't have to go looking for where I left it last or take it over to the rack and plug it in to tune it. Finally, if I want to record it, it's a much better acoustic sound than anything that I can come up with in my relatively untreated space. I even have decent small diaphragm condensers, but, trying to record acoustic guitar has always been an exercise in frustration that's not worth the hassle compared to using built in pickups. The nylon strings help to soften that acoustic pickup sound.

So yeah, it sounds like consumption++ for me to talk about a guitar just for the couch, but that is my need for an acoustic. As I've said before, my most played guitar isn't a guitar, it's my guitarlele. That's because it was my old couch guitar. While I like it because of its size, it's not a guitar and feels very different.

Of course, I didn't say I didn't want one, especially the Taylor, just a bit too much scratch to get one for me.

[foosnark]

Contemplating Bruxa is making me realize that I don't use Strega as an effect for other things enough and I'm missing out. I need to experiment more with the time/filter experiment!

But the Brutewitch pairing still works nicely for that... running Strega's output through Minibrute 2S' folder and filter is pretty glorious even without using any of their oscillators.

I feel like I don't really need Bruxa. I've got plenty of delays to work with, even if only Strega sounds like Strega and it's mono. But following it up with other delays that *are* stereo works very nicely anyhow.

In fact I've been listening to a Marbles > Algo > Natural Gate > Strega > Minibrute > Integer > Hinder patch for about 15 minutes now. I finally remembered to start recording, but naturally Marbles switched from the perfect Cortini-like sequence to a less interesting one right before i did it. I still might use it on the next release though.

Shopping around a bit, a used Strega isn't that much more than a new Bruxa. But I think my real issue is trying to clear out 18HP for another delay -- I'd have to pick two from { Peradam, Katowice, Koszalin, Melotus Versio } to give up and that's a hard thing to ask.

(This is my favorite kind of new gear announcement: something cool but which gets me inspired to use gear I already have in different/new ways )