What is the future of Maschine mk3?

I like his channel as well. I watch a ton of channel, def not trying to imply the Loopop was the "only" channel I watch. There's probably about 5-6 music YT'ers that I watch on a regular basis.

I agree, I think Jef like most respectable people would simply not review a piece of gear before they would make a video just completely ripping something to shreds.

I did see his new Arturia review, no aftertouch? What's up with that? Otherwise looks like a nice keyboard.

Yes, I do think at some extent they chose people that they trust (and, as you say, the ones that they know will make only good videos about their products). In the end, they are one of the biggest company in the market, therefore I think they could chose anyone they want. Why not choosing someone they know they can count on?

I don’t think we are saying something really different. By “trust” I mean exactly what you are saying: people they know that will bring sales to them. By being largely followed, by doing “reviews” that are completely biased, and also, I hope, by doing good videos that showcase their products in a proper way. Jef belongs to this third category imo. And at least he always says “I want to be sure you buy something only if it’s the right tool for you and what you want”. Half of his videos are overviews and half “educationals”. Another point for him, and another reason why I’m interested in them also when they are just showcasing a product: I know I’m watching someone who knows what he is talking about

About them having affiliate links…you are right about it being potentially a dangerous thing, since in this way they have interest in people buying the thing. But I also think that it is more than correct: in the end these people are doing a work for them, advertising their product. Why shouldn’t they be paid for it? They are already succeeding in having users here in the forum doing for free part of the job they should do without having to hire people to do it and having to pay them…at least if they want to have videos on the internet promoting their stuff, make them pay the little amount deriving from the affiliate links 😏

It all comes down to the integrity of the guy making the video. If they find a good balance between being honest (to us and to themselves) and protecting the work they do…why not?

As you say…it’s not that difficult to recognize the ones that sold their souls to the devil at a crossroad…and just stop watching them 😏 (unless, as some good ol’ bluesmen, their pact with the devil allowed them to make some good damn’d music…and at that point…who cares…let’s listen to it 😉)

TL;DR:

Jef is THE GOAT!

I am saying that a review will never be objective or unbiased. Because we are human beings and we inherently have biases, preferences, and absolutely will allow relationships we have built to influence how we critique those people. It's natural and inescapable IMO.

Having said that, of course I agree that there is only so much I can take, there is definitely a line it can cross where it's ridiculous and just annoying advertisement at that point. But as long as it strikes a reasonable balance and still provides useful info, I don't really have an issue with it.

Yeah I know you aren't the type to call people shills, but man oh man do I hear that word tossed around a lot these days in regards to the 'Synthfluencers.' Like some people get really, REALLY angry about it all. Also - yeah, it doesn't surprise me in the least that those old magazine "reviews" were pretty much pay-to-play ads.