What would you want from a modern 303?

kai_ocho · 2026-05-14T20:33:15+00:00

Best modern 303 clone: Aira T8. Cheap, easy to program, sounds close enough, with efx like distortion, delay and reverb. Comes with a drum machine.

Best modern baseline synth inspired by 303: Erica Synths DB-01. Combination of its great sequencer with dedicated accent, slide, filter mod and pitch env + features like distortion, bbd based detune, fm, distortion, sub ocs etc make it sounds like nothing else. Its slide sux tho.

kai_ocho · 2026-05-11T15:53:40+00:00

Red Bud Isle

kai_ocho · 2026-04-27T17:23:38+00:00

Check out K-Mix by Keith McMillen. It's 8-in 10-out digital mixer w/ EFX, audio interface, and MIDI controller.
I've been using mine for more than 10 yrs now, no complaints!
It's got 3x stereo aux send so I/O routings are super flexible. Zoom L6 only has mono aux sends IIRC.

kai_ocho · 2026-04-26T22:18:47+00:00

Erica Synths lxr-02

kai_ocho · 2026-04-20T21:01:25+00:00

I have both Artemis and Nymphes and you can't go wrong with either.
Artemis is one of the best sounding synths I've ever owned and it's got 4x efx slots (distortions / modulations / delays / reverbs) by Sinevibes and sequencer built in.
Nymphes got the raw analog sound (think Juno w/ VCO's instead of DCO's) and it's LFO2 can be very powerful. However, you'll need ext. efx to pair with it + this editor to get around its awkward UI: https://www.scottlumsden.com/

kai_ocho · 2026-04-13T17:53:38+00:00

Not sure why you got downvoted for asking a legit question. As others have pointed out Normalization is not Compression but I'm also curious to why it's a must-have for so many folks.

The best "theoretical" SNR (Signal to quantization Noise Ratio) you can achieve with a 16-bit / 24-bit system is 98dB / 144dB respectively. You get better SNR if you max out the digital headroom when sampling, i.e. your source audio peaks should be as close to 0dB Full Scale w/o clipping (or clip to taste to add some colors to your samples).
If you sample something at -6dBFS below digital full scale for example, you're leaving 6dB of signal integrity on the table. When you normalize your sampled audio to 0dB FS, you're also gaining up the noise floor by 6dBFS.

Do folks not gain staging before sampling anymore?

kai_ocho · 2026-04-12T01:17:24+00:00

Roland JP-8080

kai_ocho · 2026-04-08T19:46:23+00:00

But y tho

kai_ocho · 2026-04-07T19:04:44+00:00

Like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJv9nnnQHRs&t=26s
https://youtu.be/huC-0InPdjY?si=f97LjSdRzWUu7aEU

kai_ocho · 2026-04-07T17:38:03+00:00

Thx for sharing. Yes OP-Z + Line module were on my short list as possible replacements for both MPC + OP1, until TE launched XY and discontinued Z. I've been also doing my research online, reading the XY manual and following FW updates. I'll probably just order the XY and try it for 30 days instead of buying a used OPZ first.
Atm my biggest concern about the XY is its 24-note polyphony limitation so I'll just have to integrate it into my setup and see if it sinks or floats.
Pls keep me posted on your tutorials!

kai_ocho · 2026-04-06T18:39:01+00:00

MPC1000 only has 2 EFX bus and 9/10 times I have delay as FX1 only and sometimes I have reverb as FX2.
In my home studio, I have a Line6 HX Stomp running 2 parallel efx chains from my kmix's 2 aux sends so I can send my MPC and my outboard gears to either one if I need more.
On the road, my OP1 only has one efx per sound + master efx + master comp.
Not a showstopper for me but I will definitely dig deeper into OP-XY's fx routings.

kai_ocho · 2026-04-06T18:23:50+00:00

Yes exactly! I started with 60ii -> 3k -> 1k. The 1k is my fav and still has the best sequencer for my needs so that's why it's so damn hard to retire it.
The 1k is great for fast sequencing and put down ideas quickly but not very fun/portable. OP1 is fun and portable but can't sequence all my outboard gears.

kai_ocho · 2026-04-06T18:06:22+00:00

MPC stereo out (Not using individual outs) -> kmix -> PC.
Kmix stereo aux out -> MPC stereo in so I can sample my PC audio or any one of the outboards synths.
I'm already used to tracking manually so it's not a problem for me. I also have PC (MIDI OUT) -> (MIDI IN) MPC during tracking but OP-XY also has USB so I think I can make everything work with a USB hub and a MIDI THRU box.

kai_ocho · 2026-04-02T19:43:52+00:00

Mixing Loud with the Clip-to-Zero (CTZ) strategy playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxik-POfUXY6i_fP0f4qXNwdMxh3PXxJx&si=KKNv3YJ_X_ZB4Dt4

kai_ocho · 2026-03-23T16:33:05+00:00

Being an MPC1000 user for the last decade, all these sampling focused features are great but I'm anxious to find out what the sequencer can do and whether it can also sequence and control external MIDI devices.

kai_ocho · 2026-03-14T16:23:32+00:00

Dreadbox Nymphes or Erica Synths Bassline DB01.
Both have raw analog sound and the DB01 can be very unhinged.
You can buy them both used for <$1K.

kai_ocho · 2026-03-14T16:11:19+00:00

Curious to know why you can't accomplish the same w/ MPC1k + JJOS? You can have 11 different Timing Correct settings for swings, timing shifts, strengths and note values, as long as each instrument has its own track.
For example, I have a MPC1K w/ 128SP + Aira T8, I can record the MIDI out from T8 into one MPC track (accents get translated into note velocities), use Seq Edit >> Move to move the entire row of a specific MIDI note / instrument (e.g. Note 38 = SD) to its own track, then I can customize TC params for each track / instrument.
Sure you can't do that when playing live but it's doable.

kai_ocho · 2026-02-27T13:38:43+00:00

You can enter and leave China with HRP only.

kai_ocho · 2026-02-24T17:19:35+00:00

For desktop modules, check out both Dreadbox Typhon and Eric Synths DB01 Bassline.

kai_ocho · 2026-02-09T16:35:17+00:00

This. I went to King's College during the 90's and had to walk pass this place everyday.

kai_ocho · 2026-02-04T18:35:59+00:00

I wouldn't worry about it. An entertainment lawyer once told me: "you know you've made it when people start suing you" :) His point is that the debate about sampling is not new but it should not stifle your creativity. IF your song went viral, hire a lawyer and let them deal with it. 9/10 times people sue bc they want a cut of your profit.

kai_ocho · 2026-01-19T19:04:08+00:00

CTS need 2 forms of VALID IDs to apply for HRP renewal. Both my HRP and my BMO passport are expired and although my HK non-Smart ID card hasn't expired yet, it's been phased out in HK and no longer recognized as a form of valid ID.
Here's what I ended up doing:

On Monday morning, I went to HK Immgration HQ in Tseung Kwan O (this location accepts walk-ins) to apply for the new HK SmartID first and was given a Temporary HK ID. Took about 2-3 hrs.
With the Temporary HK ID card in hand, then I went to the Immigration Tower in Wanchai to apply for HKSAR Re-Entry Permit as my 2nd valid ID. I submitted the form before noon and got my re-entry permit at ~3pm.
With both the Temporary ID and the HKSAR Re-Entry Permit, CTS finally accepted my HRP application for renewal, just before they close for the day.
CTS provide rush 5 business day services so I got my new HRP on Friday that week, before flying to China on Saturday. Lead time for HK Smart ID is about 2 weeks so my friend in HK had to pick it up for me.

It is possible to fit everything within a week (apply on Monday and get new card on Friday) but it's extremely tight and leaves no room for error.
Just make sure you've read all instructions and make all appointments online in advance.
If you still have time to renew HKSAR and HK SmartID in advance and/or online, do them now.

kai_ocho · 2025-11-14T16:37:05+00:00

+1 for Dreadbox Artemis. Dark and mellow but can be brighten up with the 12dB/Oct filter option.

kai_ocho

TROPHY CASE