Grooveboxes: EXPLAINED

A rapid-fire explainer of groovebox, workstation, and general synth terms to beginners to this whole hardware niche.
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Timestamps:
00:00 What even is a groovebox
02:19 Step sequencer
03:53 Patterns
05:34 Monophonic vs polyphonic
07:41 Mono vs stereo
08:53 Knob per function
09:27 DAW in a box
11:10 Samples vs patches
12:12 MIDI
14:54 Groovebox recommendations

and also me to add some more b-roll... any sloppy editing in this one is my fault.

My current favorite music production gear:

Note that some of the above links are affiliate links, which give me a commission (at NO extra cost to you!) if you use them to buy something.

[GabeMillerMusic]

Quick (anticipated) FAQ:
- *Why the purple hair?* I had some purple hairspray left over from the cyberpunk video last year, and just wanted to feel fancy.
- No, this video was not sponsored by Novation, I just usually use the Circuits as examples to explain grooveboxes to people I know in real life, so it just made sense to use them as examples here too.

[A_Force_Truly_Evil]

I had from the late 90's to the early 2000's some Roland and Korg grooveboxes, without a doubt the most fun gears to use without complications. Circuit Tracks and early electribes were my favourites.

[nikolassehman]

For those wondering, Skrillex does not use ableton anymore in his live shows. He uses 4x Roland CDJs, and all tracks are bounced to stereo. This makes his shows feel more like a traditional DJ, and less like an EDM Producer.

[damelos]

Very educational and informative. Do more videos like this, Gabe.

[geraldclark]

I realized (old guy here) that in the synth world the term "Mono" is really used in 2 contexts: Monophonic vs Polyphonic for synths, and the old audio term Monaural vs. Stereophonic. It wasn't until the mid-60's that records were most commonly released in Stereo, as audio equipment prices dropped into the "college dorm" range. Nice video, thanks!

[goosegaskins]

Thank you for this! I’ve been struggling with the final piece of my music creation, and I’ve been trying analog synths so far. I’m now thinking groovebox might be the best option.

[BROKEN-GVT]

Right now I'm exploring the Dawless setup with a Korg Valca Beats, a Td 30 Mo and a Behringer analog 12 input mix hooked to an amp. It's pretty fun a challenging TBH, I love how I'm not distracted and all, getting pretty good at it.

[feronous]

My first groovebox was a Korg Monotribe!!! still have still love it haha

[jackphoton]

If people still know what a player piano is, they make good analogies. The paper scroll is akin to a sequencer program; except you can program live and instead of playing a piano, the groovebox will play any sound its given or can generate onboard. If kids don't know what player pianos are, then the analogy works well trying to explain this tech to older folk. lolz.

[Pheonix]

Thanks for making this, would have been very helpful when I was starting out

[sofiejensen]

Thanks for this video. I want something with buttons which can do all at the same time... for a beginner. I also work with computers so it is nice to be able to leave the computer behind.

[jaydeepalmer]

Hi Gabe!
I have a question, or maybe a video request:
You often mention Splice, which brings the topic of sample management: is there a quick way to download the samples and audition them? I love Splice but when I download samples it quickly gets messy, since i never know exactly what I got!
That gets in the way of creativity big time, because i'll have to spend hours in front of a screen to manage samples 😅
Btw, kudos to you and your 5$ sample pack, everything is very well laid out and i quickly get what i need without having to search too much 😊
Wish every sample pack was laid out like that!

[le-hu]

dude great informative video! thanks!!!

[mattcero]

Great videos Gabe. I'd like to get a stand-alone groovebox to get some background sound in my talking head videos. New and used, what would you say your 1st and 2nd placed boxes be? Thank you Gabe or anyone else.

[ThatBonsaipanda]

Good stuff as always Gabe. Don't mind me, just adding random engagement. :D

[blastofo]

Can you do complex and nuanced percussion, like fast tempo snare triplets, and jazzy stuff? How would you fit them into a row of only 8 buttons? Currently I have to use pre-recorded beats or buy an electric drum set.

[darklinaleelee]

Hey Gabe, I love your videos. Do you know or any music box, chimey, xylophone sound packs or patches exclusively for Circuit Tracks? Think Melanie Martinez, Jazmin Bean, Ashinkko, Creepy Halloween esque stuff?

If not could you make one? :3

[batphink]

Hi Gabe being an 'Old School' songwriter/musician this would help explain why I can barely find an actual
Drum Machine these days lol! I just bought a brand new Yamaha FGDP (Finger drumpad) only to find it has no 'Quantize' or sequencing function .What would you suggest primarily for drums? Thanks great video btw it helps lol!

[greghoskins]

Thanks dude I am super new used to mess around with do studio but I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t want to get on it sometimes I think it’s because I didn’t want to look at a screen.

Looking at the teenage engineering ko ll for my first groove box, is this a bad choice ?

[namdinh]

Do you know what is the smallest groovebox right now in the marketplace?