For anyone coming to this review at least a few months after this was posted, Elektron has provided a few updates to the Syntakt, including a full song mode (in contrast to just the simple pattern chaining it had before) just in case that changes your evaluation.
I watch loopops videos fairly casually to get an idea of what a piece of gear can do. Then watch in insane detail when I actually get it. I've done thus with the microfreak, deepmind 12D, hydrasynth desktop, sl mk3 and now, very proudly, after months of waiting and saving the cash, ill be doing it for syntakt 😍. And I have no regrets about any of the gear. Loopop is truly the gear review GOAT
Absolutely love was Elektron has done here. Read some rant comments here… no stereo, no polyphony, no sampling, no song mode, high price etc. Imo people don‘t understand the Elektron line up and the history what this new maschine has. Its a modern digital/analog drummaschine and not a sampler. Elektron has two samplers in its line up. People who are looking for stereo sampling and a song mode, the big dawless package in one maschine, just should buy an new akai mpc or another studio sampler. I really like whats coming out of this maschine, the whole fx chain thing is brilliant. A lot of people just waited just for this, a new interpretation maschinedrum/monomaschine. Great review as always btw.
Nonsense, they have gone down the road of selling customers so very short and charging a high insane price for something that is not even needed. Not even sure what you are on about with go buy an MPC that seems a very snobbish comment to say. Now I just see a greedy 'apple' like company that has lost its key people by the droves and have brought this thing out at 40% more than the Digi & co.
You think stereo sampling is comparable with a song mode as a feature request? They could easily implement a song mode or, for the love of god, at least a way to save a pattern chain. Sold my Digitakt for Polyend Tracker for that reason.
I am warming up to this. If a person is new to the Elektron universe, I think it is a good place to start. If a person does not want to have a long row of boxes on their desk or table and does want to focus on making music within the confines of one box and without sampling, it seems like a good choice.
Those analog synth tracks are SCREAMING to be used in DnB. Never been huge on Elektron boxes, have M:C, but this actually looks to speak to my love of drums/groove boxes with some other tricks thrown in.
I just received my Syntakt, and am familiar with the basics of the workflow, from having a Model:Cycles. But you are showing me that Syntakt can do so much more. I am learning about many features I would have missed, had I not watched your excellent video. Syntakt is like a Cycles, with superpowers. So many things I wished my Cycles had, that are now present in the Syntakt. Thanks for this wonderful video, and all your other content. You are the superstar of new gear review/tutorials. Have a wonderful day, and best wishes for your continued success.
@@cristiancapretti1427 I’d say the Syntakt can do what the Cycles can do, and a lot more. I think the Syntakt has more versatility for drums, as it has analog + digital drum machines. I’m really enjoying it, but I also still love my Cycles. They are both great, but have different features, and of course the Syntakt has more, and just received a nice firmware update, that adds even more cool stuff.
While this may be somewhat redundant in my and many peoples studios, I can’t help but think this was exactly what I was searching for a few purchases back. It covers a decent set of fundamental “must haves” for a hardware setup packaged into the fast and fun Elektron workflow. This and a sampler covers most of the main bases.
@@bhaktabilly4669 right, I hear mixed things tbh. The larger boxes seem to be more complex and less intuitive maybe. I own a digitone and I find it really one of the easiest and funnest pieces of gear I own. Which is especially notable given it’s an FM synth - a category not especially known to be easy to program. I can’t say how much it’s workflow diverges from a rhythm/a4 however.
@@bhaktabilly4669 I've owned all of the Elektron boxes (and sold all of them apart from the Digitakt). The Digitakt was the first time the workflow really gelled for me. Knowing what I know now I think I'll be able to get things moving really quickly with the Syntakt.
Those factory patterns in Elektron boxes are always so inventive... sounds like a great box... if I only could remember how to use these boxes after 1 week away...
This is exactly why I sold my Digitone. However the Model:Samples has been fine - its the sweet spot between complexity and simplicity. If only the pads didn't bruise my fingertips trying to trigger them.
I think this is a very underrated comment. Elektron machines require a level of investment in them and that’s why there are always a lot on the 2nd hand market, because for everyone who loves them there are also those who are overwhelmed or just don’t want to menu dive too much. ( I actually got pretty good with the octatrack and think it’s great but ended up finding the programming and menu diving a bit fatiguing)
@@jonridley thanks! I love their stuff... really do.. but as a traditional musician type who plays piano and synths I tend to dip in and out of tech stuff and forget how to use these boxes. I have MPC boxes, modular gear, et al and have owned Digitakt stuff and just find it too difficult to retain the knowledge... a real pity because once I'm in the zone I'm connecting with it.
@@weplaywax there's your problem right there. You have 2 before you even mastered 1. I started with the digitone keys, learned the soundpool function and started loading in some sounds I liked. One track for linear drums only, one track 3 note chords, one track bass(sometimes unison) and another track lead. Start real simple with it and use the presets, start to tweak them and see how each part affects the sound. Then dabble in making your own sounds once you understand it. The sequencer is insane!! So versatile. I then after maybe 6-8 months grabbed a digitakt as I often would run out of voices and wanted a standalone drum machine to open up more possibilities. Looove it. Was so easy to grasp after learning the digitone inside out. Now this Syntakt. Hmmm I've started gigging and the keys is too cumbersome to take out the house so I resample my digitakt drum patterns to take up less tracks and sample the digitone parts onto the digitakt when I'm happy with them. It's great and all but the digitakt isn't the perfect sampler either. It's a lot of work to do all this and get the perfect loop etc and by resampling whole drum sections and digitone sequences I am giving up a lot of tweaking ability. I really feel like the Syntakt could simplify everything for me down to one box... Maybe.. but not quite.. Sure I'm loosing depth and features from each DT and DNK but there's a lot to say for simplicity in avoiding option paralysis. In a perfect world the Syntakt samples. In a perfect world, the Syntakt synths are as deep as the digitone. But it's not like that. I imagine I'll use the Syntakt for drums specifically because they sound insane and I get option paralysis with the digitakt for this (too many samples), sample over some nice one shot synth sounds from the ST, and keep the digitone keys in the studio for sampling and song writing. It's also an amazing midi keyboard. I'm sorry, what was the question again? Oh ye... I'd say start with the digitone.. sorry for thinking out loud/in writing. This Syntakt got me thinking big time. I think as far as my experience has gone, the digitone taught me the fundamentals and made me say Func Yes to Elektron.
So here I am again, new device ordered, watching your video to get a heads up of what I can expect when it arrives. I've been here several times before 😅. This video is by far the most informative I've seen yet. Thanks, as always for your effort making this. 👏🏻
After owning a Digitakt and Digitone I bought a Model Cycles last year and was surprised at how good it was and that although on paper it was a simplified Digitone, in reality it was a different beast altogether and an interesting one at that. So for me now the Syntakt is really the suped up version of the Cycles. I would recommend it to someone who is new to Electron and interested in sound design but I am not looking to add it to my current Electron arsenal.
I bought a syntakt, my first instrument ever, have been playing with it uninformed in my spare time for a couple months and I love it, just wish I could find a guide for midi chain with it.
The lack of an arpeggiator is glaring to me. It’s literally one of the most requested features. That being said, I don’t know how you would squeeze one in there, given the real estate. I guess you can Squarp it if it’s important to you haha
Or Keystep it. Still, an arp would have been welcome, but people come to Elektron for the sequencer, that's the star of the Elektron show, so if they had to make some cuts, they chose wisely.
Sold my digitakt years ago and been missing that fast workflow, FM sounds and the event trigger functions etc etc so much, having all this in a full fledged groovebox is amazing!
I'm actually excited for this. I've owned the rytm 4 times, 3 in its mki variant and one in the mkii and I now find the sound quality not up to par with Elektron's more modern machines. Also I didn't really care about every track being analog, just certain tracks. This is a step toward a fundamentally more useful machine. They trimmed the fat of the rytm to its most useful parts, analog were it matters, digital where it doesn't, imperceptible noise floor and a much better sound overall. I'll likely buy this.
I just want to see what Cenk aka Mr. Dataline does with it. He’s a damn genius when it comes to the Elektron gear or anything else he uses. Another level.
Very good box for getting new elektron users into the workflow but as a digitone, A4, AR owner it doesn't add much for me. I would've preferred a flagship larger machine as the mkii's with deeper wavetable and physical modeling engines.
Agreed, I'm digitone, Rytm mkii, A4 mkii, AHeat. This would be so redundant. As a stand alone groove box tho, this thing is killer, possibly the new Op-1.
so very excited to get my hands on this, as a huge fan of cycles, this is gonna be great! i love the direction elektron is taking with their new boxes.
I have Cycles too, and think this would add a lot of features I miss on the Cycles. I have grown to love the Elektron work flow. I have an MPC, but am not using it much, as I get distracted by the complexity of setting things up, before I start to have fun with it.
It sounds great and the Elektron workfow is just awesome. I hope they add some kind of shared polyphony like the Digitone has. With polyphony this could be an awesome groovebox
@@jayjones2821 You know what you like, at least you tried a few and figured out what was right for you. Personally, I didn't care for the workflow either until my third time owning a Digitakt XD
Looks like a pretty comprehensive groove box . Sounds great . However Elektron and Novation both if you’re listening...please stop making such low polyphony midi tracks so that these grove boxes can drive a live setup . 8 notes was all but standard on late 80’s hardware sequencers .
I so agree. You could use two tracks to one synth, but there is really no reason to need to do such a workaround, 12 note midi tracks should be the default.
@@index7787 Yeah, if you don't like workarounds then elektron stuff is not for you. The puzzle can be fun sometimes, and can lead to surprising results, but is sometimes just annoying.
I agree completely. Poly midi is not asking for very much out of modern boxes with modern firmware. Still my favorite strength of the digitone! Having four tracks of polyphonic midi just makes that thing incredibly powerful for being so small.
I think Deluge (or MPC) remains the best studio head for this reason. Seems lazy to not include more midi capability in this day and age, since it’s not a computationally heavy task.
I have a Digitakt (which I really love) and a Digitone (which is lovely but sees a lot less use, I often end up sampling it 😂) but I don't think this one's for me. It seems like a grab-bag of groovebox ideas. I like my other Elektron boxes because they are more "These are the features, see what you can do with it" (especially Digitakt) whereas this seems more "This is intended to be used this way". 🤷♂️ Great review as always though. Thank you. 🙌
@@EnochDark yeah maybe so. I just can't help comparing it to the Electribes and products like that, which are so much cheaper. I appreciate this has a ton of development effort gone into it plus the Elektron sequencer so it's a high-value proposition, but I think for people who don't already have a lot of outboard it might not look like very good value. Clearly it's sold out already anyway, but I don't know who's buying it. 🤷♂️
@@kevteop word. i was in the game when the og tribes dropped and had and ES-1 (then the red one later) and the first EM in town (bought the demo/display) i don't care if it's a one trick or two or 3 trick pony... it still a pony and i want a wild stallion/mustang nah mean
I have been reading up on this and watching videos everywhere to make sure this was something I wanted. The second I saw it I was like "This is like the perfect addition for me", but the price tag and a good level of restraint made me think a little. I have recently transitioned into a DAWless setup, and "all" I have is an MPC Live II. I love it to bits, and its amazing for both creating tracks and live play, however at two months of ownership and plenty of use, it starts having issues when it comes to live sets. I was looking into expanding with maybe two more machines, and I was looking at something that could give me drum sounds and melodic sounds that I could sequence with the Live II, and this looks like the answer. After watching this video and Andrew Huang's, I have realized that my intuition was correct, and this is exactly the correct machine to expand into. Easy-to-use sound designing with live performance built into the encoders (something the MPC lacks) and plenty of good sampling tools. All I need is a polyphonic synth for extra chord or arp layering and live jamming, and I am set. So theoretically my final setup will be MPC Live II, Syntakt and the Arturia MicroFreak. Thank you loopop for explaining everything in detail!
I own a couple of grooveboxes, mpc's and elektron machines. Be aware that elektron machines have a specific sound character that might surprise you as you coming from MPC. You have to adjust as well to the workflow, you migh as well look and found a path so the machine suits your needs. I suggest, if you can to try it to test it. I bought the syntakt and i'm having a playfull and great experience with it even if i found a lot of limitations. I found the price a tiny bit to hight considering it is closer to a digitone/model cycles than a analog rytm/analog four.
@@HenriDeCarvalho the price isn't something I consider limiting for the simple fact that as a student and with summer coming up, I can get that money quickly because I have no major finances to pay. That said, I love it when things have limitations, I am a firm believer in two things: Less is More, and Limitations Breed Creativity. However, I will definitely take what you said overall into consideration, because I truly can't tell if I will dig the workflow. That said, my friend owns both a Digitone and a Digitakt and I like their sound, so I hope that won't be an issue. Thank you very much for your informative reply!
Yeah, whichever sound and interface suits you. Got so used to using the MC707 as a hub that it'd be a hassle to change it all now. No doubt though, this box, the MPC, the 707, they're all great modern machines to choose from
The Monomachine seems to be the closest relative to this with so many machines and all. Also it makes sense for Elektron to go full groovebox. The other Elektron boxes were not conceived as such but can be used as standalone grooveboxes quite convincingly. The only thing I am missing is samples. Imagine if you could layer samples with all the machine goodness like on the AR.
Yup, I just need to be able to load my acoustic drum samples and this would be the perfect box for me, it looks like I'll be holding onto my DT for now. I'm hoping some of the performance features make their way to the next DT update!
Bought the Syntakt after a hiatus from Hardware. Sent it back after a week. Thank god for Andertons return policy. I was very underwhelmed. Underwhelmed by it's sound and realised (yet again) that software is much more powerful, much more flexible, and it sounds better. For me, it was an expensive luxury.
@@Gigosula I mean it sounds more pleasing to my ears. The syntakt felt very samey, very quickly and needed processing further in the DAW. For me and my experiences, hardware was an unnecessary distraction for my creative process and the syntakt proved no exception. Hey, this is just one of many opinions. There is no right or wrong
@@jimmywheelo Yes, get it, i always had a feeling that Elektron hardware sounds very 'monotonous'. Can't decide with drumcomputer - Analogy Rytm is expensive and lacks decent sampling, Jomox Alpha Base does not habe microtiming, Perkons - too expensive, Pulsar to expensive and too wired, TR8S too Roland
@@Gigosula yeah the perkons is great. Played one at Synthfest and loved it but the price!!!! After several years of buying and selling drum machines I went back into the DAW and found my ability to finish tracks improved. Hardware is great for live play and performance but for me it slowed everything down when it came down to production. Best thing I ever did was
Hey ziv, hope you are good bro. Been away from my syntakt for a while and had a brush up, thanks to you. Have a good christmas. I know there are a lot of people who care for you in this odd youtube world, hopefully, the real world too. ✊️
If you write songs, sing or also play an instrument, the lack of a song mode ruins all these devices. A decent song mode delivers arrangement without breaking the non-linear workflow we love about building songs from chunks. Why omit it?
Um all mk2, and every even now with this is all recycle, sorely disappointed in the lack of flagship that the depth of this deserves. This is sad. Great box hamstrung to make $
@@themooz4118 I think after market prices years later will determine a better view of value. They are making these machines to sell not tools for inspiration. It’s the dismal tide of a companies ethos being trumped by money. And item Selling out does not address the critique nor tarnish its validity.
@@bernardlindeman739 yeah, but a mkII isn't pretending to be a new product. Historically, Elektron products don't have much cross over with their other products, often times to the complaints of the users (not happy missing the arpeggiator for the midi out on the digitone? just get an Octatrack!). This just feels like lazy cannibalisation.
Wow, they put Model:Cycles in a black box and improved it with more Machines! What a nice piece of gear with its own place in setup. Thanks for super-timely and, as usual, thorough review.
@@index7787 Elektron claimed they used a Digitone brain to create Cycles, an FM drum synth. (Digitone on its own can hardly be called a drum synth.) Cycles has 4 macro controls that sometimes feel like scrolling through presets. It’s fun to play but no low-level control. This Syntakt is supposed to fill this gap and provide that low-level sound design capabilities. Love shaping drum sound in details like in DAW! All other drum synths are overly simplified. And this is much more than just a drum synth.
@@orangewiggler6838 man if they were going to go digi format they should have just made a pure cv/MIDI sequencer, but they should have gone for a flagship and they didn’t, even if one wants to cite inflation as a reason not to go big, it would be an argument against the suntakt because look what you get for the price, just dumb.
Excellently clear and comprehensive content, as usual. I do have some feedback, though. When you demonstrate parameters for a sound your tendency is to show the extremes of the ranges - which is of course extremely useful. However, equally (or even more?) useful, for me anyway, would be to hear you tweaking parameters trying to find the "sweet spots". This is the way most people will use the device, plus it will hopefully show off how "good" it can sound. Just my 2 Euro cents worth. Keep up the good work, fella!
Thanks - always open to constructive advice. I do go through the ranges of most of the parameters as I play the notes. You're right that I usually do it one parameter at a time though - otherwise this video would be way longer - I try to strike a balance. There are indeed many many sweet spots in each machine, so you are right about that.
As always: a great review! IMHO Syntakt seems to be a great "all in one" Elektron box with it's great sequencing capabilities. But, because of the heavily simplified controls over the sound, I kind of feel highly underwhelmed. The Digitone has a way deeper fm engine - a must with fm synthesis - and Digitakt has sampling capabilities amongst other things. To me, it would've been a lot more interesting if they'd made an Analogue Rhythm in the Digitakt/tone format. Modifiers look nice, but on the Digitone there's a modulation matrix covering most - actually a lot more - of modulation possibilities. So all in all - in my opinion - this is a missed opportunity. I honestly don't see this as an added value in my DT and DN setup, which I kinda regret.
@@elpiulas9937 I don’t really need the DT to be polyphonic in my setup, but I’m aware many users have been requesting it. I’d rather have the mod matrix on the Digitakt like you have on the Digitone.
I was initially thinking this would be the perfect all-in-one Elektron groovebox (drums AND melodies), but I have to agree with you that the synth sounds are underwhelming. With some clever use of analog drive, it's possible to push it into more interesting territory though (at 54:40 there's a good example). But out of the gate, the Digitone sounds way more capable as a pure synthesizer. Also, the Syntakt lacks an aroeggiator, a must for a groovebox in my opinion.
I’m really curious how this will do in the long run. At first glance it just feels unnecessary but I suppose if you’re choosing your first one and didn’t own the others this could appeal to you if you want a synth/ drum machine. Seems to alienate the digitone more as a choice for someone.
I actually think this fits really well into the mix. If you want a deep deep Poly synth you still need the Digitone. If you need a Sampler / Drum machine you need the Digitakt. If you need a pro level Drum Synth + groove box to act as the base of your production this seems to fill that gap. I’m excited!
I was about to cop a digitone this week, but for some reason i didnt and now this one came out and i dont know what to do, i guess 12 tracks versus 4 tracks to make compositions is a landslide win but im not sure about the synthesis potential of the syntakt, what do you guys think i should go for as a first?
@@halpehalpe from the feature set I'd say it really depends on your needs: do you have drums and sequencing covered or not? The digitone is more of an addition to an existing setup that needs some digital flavor with melodies, pads and bleeps. The Syntakt is more of a complete groovebox for building an entire beat in one box (except sampling), with a focus on drums, percussion and snappy melodies. It also lets you sequence much more external gear, so if you don't have a sequencer yet, and don't have much other gear, then the Syntakt is probably better suited. Both can do some of what the other does, but the focus is very different. Disclaimer: I own neither, I have the Digitakt
Awesome job as always Ziv, mine shipped today, can’t wait! Thanks for the great tutorial. My holy grail was machine drum, so I am super stoked for this! 🎶✌️🎹
No polyphonic sequences?!? .... is it so hard to join 2-4 tracks and avoid the "deal breaker" effect on such a basic functionality? (BTW great review!)
I've been on the fence about getting a Digitakt for quite a while now, but this looks definitely like the better choice. Great video as usual. Weird how I had this overwhelming compulsion to smash like...
Imo, Generally, I feel like this form factor doesn’t play well for elektron gear. They are trying to follow the trend for compact gear, but at the same time elektron gear is so feature rich that you end up with 2-5 functions per knob/button design. Which is very hard to memorize and efficiently use in a live situation. This is the reason I sold my digitakt and bought a model:samples.
@@Claidheambmor trigger button means one thing, trigger button in different mode (record active for example) means another thing, trigger button while func is pressed means third thing, trigger button while func is pressed and in record mode means fourth thing, etc. this is my main problem with elektron gear.
Stellar as always, thank you-and you seem in a such a good mood, which makes me happy! I do kinda worry that at some point even your giant brain is just going to explode from cramming in all this info on our account, and then where would we be…?!:)
I was ready to drop the money…. but now I think I pass this one…. 😕 Pretty sure it‘s a great groovebox but just not enough innovation to justify a buy for owners of a couple of other elektron boxes
Agreed. I was hyped and gonna pre-order but not any more. Got a lot of the other elektron boxes. I want a mk2 all digital analog four/8 with deep wavetable (wt import) and physical modeling. Dunno if the superficial wavetabling physical modeling in the box is worth it compared to focused/deeper alternatives just for elektron sequencing.
ive wanted the syntalt for a couple years now, and im just now almost able to get it, but now the Digitakt II scares me that there will be a new syntakt in the next two years..
Lol, Teenage Engineering just released a $1199 tiny mixer. I got all hype for a split second because of its features and size and portability. Then this is released the same day for $999. Mixer/ Groovebox. Not a hard decision at all.
@@harveytherobot The whole audio interface, 6 in 12 out is a pretty big selling point for those who want an interface that can track out multiple pieces of gear straight into a daw with midi sync'd.
For anyone coming to this review at least a few months after this was posted, Elektron has provided a few updates to the Syntakt, including a full song mode (in contrast to just the simple pattern chaining it had before) just in case that changes your evaluation.
thanks! make or break update for sure
I now need a t-shirt that says " FUNC YES!" and "FUNC NO!" lol. This thing is looking to be a little beast!
LOL!
for french people it's "save putain! reload putain!" (that's how I read save ptn and load ptn anyway)
I think it’s a great idea :)
I’d wear the func out of that.
That’s actually pretty good
I watch loopops videos fairly casually to get an idea of what a piece of gear can do. Then watch in insane detail when I actually get it. I've done thus with the microfreak, deepmind 12D, hydrasynth desktop, sl mk3 and now, very proudly, after months of waiting and saving the cash, ill be doing it for syntakt 😍. And I have no regrets about any of the gear. Loopop is truly the gear review GOAT
6:58.... "Func no or Func yes"..... Well played Elektron! A machine that speaks my language!!!
😂
My
Thoughts
Exactly!!
😁😂
Absolutely love was Elektron has done here. Read some rant comments here… no stereo, no polyphony, no sampling, no song mode, high price etc. Imo people don‘t understand the Elektron line up and the history what this new maschine has. Its a modern digital/analog drummaschine and not a sampler. Elektron has two samplers in its line up. People who are looking for stereo sampling and a song mode, the big dawless package in one maschine, just should buy an new akai mpc or another studio sampler. I really like whats coming out of this maschine, the whole fx chain thing is brilliant. A lot of people just waited just for this, a new interpretation maschinedrum/monomaschine. Great review as always btw.
Nonsense, they have gone down the road of selling customers so very short and charging a high insane price for something that is not even needed. Not even sure what you are on about with go buy an MPC that seems a very snobbish comment to say.
Now I just see a greedy 'apple' like company that has lost its key people by the droves and have brought this thing out at 40% more than the Digi & co.
They have 3 samplers in their line up, octotrack, analog rhythm and digitakt
@@musicjunkie696 your're right. didnt count the rytm as real sampler here. a question of perspective.
You think stereo sampling is comparable with a song mode as a feature request? They could easily implement a song mode or, for the love of god, at least a way to save a pattern chain. Sold my Digitakt for Polyend Tracker for that reason.
I am warming up to this. If a person is new to the Elektron universe, I think it is a good place to start. If a person does not want to have a long row of boxes on their desk or table and does want to focus on making music within the confines of one box and without sampling, it seems like a good choice.
They really went wild with the graphics. Awesome instrument, awesome company.
Nice! I was hoping you would have a video ready for all of us Elektron-nerds, thank youuu. ✨
Those analog synth tracks are SCREAMING to be used in DnB. Never been huge on Elektron boxes, have M:C, but this actually looks to speak to my love of drums/groove boxes with some other tricks thrown in.
Amen, brother!
@@ikeaaron I see what you did there, haha
I just received my Syntakt, and am familiar with the basics of the workflow, from having a Model:Cycles.
But you are showing me that Syntakt can do so much more.
I am learning about many features I would have missed, had I not watched your excellent video.
Syntakt is like a Cycles, with superpowers. So many things I wished my Cycles had, that are now present in the Syntakt.
Thanks for this wonderful video, and all your other content.
You are the superstar of new gear review/tutorials.
Have a wonderful day, and best wishes for your continued success.
what differences did you find between cycles and syntakt ? I get the feeling that cycles is better for creating drums, but what do you think?
@@cristiancapretti1427 I’d say the Syntakt can do what the Cycles can do, and a lot more.
I think the Syntakt has more versatility for drums, as it has analog + digital drum machines.
I’m really enjoying it, but I also still love my Cycles.
They are both great, but have different features, and of course the Syntakt has more, and just received a nice firmware update, that adds even more cool stuff.
Couldn't tell you why but I always skip to the Pros & Cons of your videos, then go back and watch from the beginning lol great stuff!
Pretty good way of watching
You get an over view so you no which parts to pay attention to
Yah, love how this channel delivers the definitive demos of any gear. (;
While this may be somewhat redundant in my and many peoples studios, I can’t help but think this was exactly what I was searching for a few purchases back. It covers a decent set of fundamental “must haves” for a hardware setup packaged into the fast and fun Elektron workflow. This and a sampler covers most of the main bases.
I never really heard of Elektron as a fast and fun workflow...
Own a RYTM and had A4.
@@bhaktabilly4669 right, I hear mixed things tbh. The larger boxes seem to be more complex and less intuitive maybe. I own a digitone and I find it really one of the easiest and funnest pieces of gear I own. Which is especially notable given it’s an FM synth - a category not especially known to be easy to program. I can’t say how much it’s workflow diverges from a rhythm/a4 however.
@@bhaktabilly4669 I've owned all of the Elektron boxes (and sold all of them apart from the Digitakt). The Digitakt was the first time the workflow really gelled for me. Knowing what I know now I think I'll be able to get things moving really quickly with the Syntakt.
Those factory patterns in Elektron boxes are always so inventive... sounds like a great box... if I only could remember how to use these boxes after 1 week away...
Dude the Space Cafe preset pattern is super convincing, some of the others sound like hi-fi version of N64 Jungle/dnb songs
This is exactly why I sold my Digitone. However the Model:Samples has been fine - its the sweet spot between complexity and simplicity. If only the pads didn't bruise my fingertips trying to trigger them.
I think this is a very underrated comment. Elektron machines require a level of investment in them and that’s why there are always a lot on the 2nd hand market, because for everyone who loves them there are also those who are overwhelmed or just don’t want to menu dive too much. ( I actually got pretty good with the octatrack and think it’s great but ended up finding the programming and menu diving a bit fatiguing)
@@jonridley thanks! I love their stuff... really do.. but as a traditional musician type who plays piano and synths I tend to dip in and out of tech stuff and forget how to use these boxes. I have MPC boxes, modular gear, et al and have owned Digitakt stuff and just find it too difficult to retain the knowledge... a real pity because once I'm in the zone I'm connecting with it.
@@weplaywax there's your problem right there. You have 2 before you even mastered 1. I started with the digitone keys, learned the soundpool function and started loading in some sounds I liked. One track for linear drums only, one track 3 note chords, one track bass(sometimes unison) and another track lead. Start real simple with it and use the presets, start to tweak them and see how each part affects the sound. Then dabble in making your own sounds once you understand it. The sequencer is insane!! So versatile.
I then after maybe 6-8 months grabbed a digitakt as I often would run out of voices and wanted a standalone drum machine to open up more possibilities. Looove it. Was so easy to grasp after learning the digitone inside out.
Now this Syntakt. Hmmm I've started gigging and the keys is too cumbersome to take out the house so I resample my digitakt drum patterns to take up less tracks and sample the digitone parts onto the digitakt when I'm happy with them. It's great and all but the digitakt isn't the perfect sampler either.
It's a lot of work to do all this and get the perfect loop etc and by resampling whole drum sections and digitone sequences I am giving up a lot of tweaking ability.
I really feel like the Syntakt could simplify everything for me down to one box... Maybe.. but not quite.. Sure I'm loosing depth and features from each DT and DNK but there's a lot to say for simplicity in avoiding option paralysis. In a perfect world the Syntakt samples. In a perfect world, the Syntakt synths are as deep as the digitone. But it's not like that.
I imagine I'll use the Syntakt for drums specifically because they sound insane and I get option paralysis with the digitakt for this (too many samples), sample over some nice one shot synth sounds from the ST, and keep the digitone keys in the studio for sampling and song writing. It's also an amazing midi keyboard.
I'm sorry, what was the question again?
Oh ye... I'd say start with the digitone.. sorry for thinking out loud/in writing. This Syntakt got me thinking big time. I think as far as my experience has gone, the digitone taught me the fundamentals and made me say Func Yes to Elektron.
Duuuuuude. I can't wait to watch all the Digitone/Digitakt/Syntakt jams that are about to get posted on UA-cam. Elektron is just killing it!
There are few with the 3
The Loopop review means it’s REALLY here. Thank you as always for a great walkthrough!
@@weplaywax Debbie downer go home, @Chris Orzeske was simply being complimentary to loopop. Maybe you're a little JEALOUS????
@@weplaywax I’m just a Loopop fan, man!
Scrolling thru comments while listening to the patterns at the end was pretty nice. Comprehensive review as always!
You're the first channel I check whenever new gear comes out. I'm glad you got your hands on one. Thanks for the review!
Zb
So here I am again, new device ordered, watching your video to get a heads up of what I can expect when it arrives. I've been here several times before 😅. This video is by far the most informative I've seen yet. Thanks, as always for your effort making this. 👏🏻
After owning a Digitakt and Digitone I bought a Model Cycles last year and was surprised at how good it was and that although on paper it was a simplified Digitone, in reality it was a different beast altogether and an interesting one at that. So for me now the Syntakt is really the suped up version of the Cycles. I would recommend it to someone who is new to Electron and interested in sound design but I am not looking to add it to my current Electron arsenal.
yes i have a Cycles too and pleased with it. Not sure if this has enough extra to warrant the substantial price tag.
i have similar feels
I think this sounds veeeery similar to the cycles.
@@enensis seems to be the case but offers more control and some other sounds too? not paying 1k for one though that's ridic
@@EnochDark Jesus I didn't know it was that much. Concidering it doesn't even have a song mode that is a straight up no from me.
I picked up this machine as my first Elektron box the other day.
Thanks for the comprehensive overview.
The dual VCO is certainly a powerful machine!
I bought a syntakt, my first instrument ever, have been playing with it uninformed in my spare time for a couple months and I love it, just wish I could find a guide for midi chain with it.
I was wrong about the Syntakt. I got my hands on one of these yesterday and the videos don't do this thing justice. This machine is a beast.
I would like to see those performance mod options make their way into the existing Digi boxes though. They would be really useful.
The lack of an arpeggiator is glaring to me. It’s literally one of the most requested features. That being said, I don’t know how you would squeeze one in there, given the real estate. I guess you can Squarp it if it’s important to you haha
yes like a basic feature for a synth with keys or sequencer, cmooooonn!
Or Keystep it. Still, an arp would have been welcome, but people come to Elektron for the sequencer, that's the star of the Elektron show, so if they had to make some cuts, they chose wisely.
I’m one of the few people who actually doesn’t like an arpeggiator.
Sold my digitakt years ago and been missing that fast workflow, FM sounds and the event trigger functions etc etc so much, having all this in a full fledged groovebox is amazing!
Who needs to go to the movies when we got 1h of this?! .. Grabs popcorn.
Although to be fair you should really go see Everything Everywhere All at Once
I'm actually excited for this. I've owned the rytm 4 times, 3 in its mki variant and one in the mkii and I now find the sound quality not up to par with Elektron's more modern machines. Also I didn't really care about every track being analog, just certain tracks. This is a step toward a fundamentally more useful machine. They trimmed the fat of the rytm to its most useful parts, analog were it matters, digital where it doesn't, imperceptible noise floor and a much better sound overall. I'll likely buy this.
IMO, I feel the RYTM has way more ooommf to it's sounds. Hell, even Dataline mentions how it's lacking...
I have both the syntakt and the rytm mk1. The syntakts analog stuff sounds better
your reviews are fantastic! indepth, considered, useful and none of the "what's up guys!?" mindless hype. thankyou
Just ordered one! This completes the setup. Love how you’re explaining every little corner
I just want to see what Cenk aka Mr. Dataline does with it. He’s a damn genius when it comes to the Elektron gear or anything else he uses. Another level.
Hybrid analog/digital gear should just be the norm for EVERYTHING.
Sounds good. Looks cool. Packed with a ton of features...and its a familiar digitakt layout. Def liking it.
Very good box for getting new elektron users into the workflow but as a digitone, A4, AR owner it doesn't add much for me. I would've preferred a flagship larger machine as the mkii's with deeper wavetable and physical modeling engines.
Agreed, I'm digitone, Rytm mkii, A4 mkii, AHeat. This would be so redundant.
As a stand alone groove box tho, this thing is killer, possibly the new Op-1.
That was my thought... not at all complaining and kinda happy to be saving a few $$$ 😆
Same
This is an amazing video and packed with straight to the point 'how tos',,, thank you very much!
Func+yeah! Perfect addition to my setup of Digitakt, Digitone, and Octatrack MK2.
Perfect addition to my Digitone, Digitakt, Analog Heat, Analog Rytm, Analog Four, Octatrack
G.a.s is huge here....
Really interesting to hear all these different synthesis techniques in a single device!
so very excited to get my hands on this, as a huge fan of cycles, this is gonna be great! i love the direction elektron is taking with their new boxes.
I have Cycles too, and think this would add a lot of features I miss on the Cycles.
I have grown to love the Elektron work flow.
I have an MPC, but am not using it much, as I get distracted by the complexity of setting things up, before I start to have fun with it.
This was a fantastic review ✌️ I greatly appreciate how thorough your analysis is. Thanks for what you do. Damn, do I need a Syntakt now!? 😂
Great overview, thanks! Looks like a winner to me. Plenty of sound engines plus the Elektron sequencer will keep us busy for months.
This is the Syntakt video we've all been waiting for!
It sounds great and the Elektron workfow is just awesome. I hope they add some kind of shared polyphony like the Digitone has. With polyphony this could be an awesome groovebox
I have had many elektron machines and always sold them because I absolutely hate the workflow. Maybe it’s just not for me, huh?
@@jayjones2821 nope it´s not just you, count me in
@@jayjones2821 You know what you like, at least you tried a few and figured out what was right for you. Personally, I didn't care for the workflow either until my third time owning a Digitakt XD
Looks like a pretty comprehensive groove box . Sounds great .
However Elektron and Novation both if you’re listening...please stop making such low polyphony midi tracks so that these grove boxes can drive a live setup . 8 notes was all but standard on late 80’s hardware sequencers .
you can apply multiple midi tracks to one midi channel. You can even get creative that way being able to mute half of the notes of your polyphony.
I so agree.
You could use two tracks to one synth, but there is really no reason to need to do such a workaround, 12 note midi tracks should be the default.
@@index7787 Yeah, if you don't like workarounds then elektron stuff is not for you. The puzzle can be fun sometimes, and can lead to surprising results, but is sometimes just annoying.
I agree completely. Poly midi is not asking for very much out of modern boxes with modern firmware. Still my favorite strength of the digitone! Having four tracks of polyphonic midi just makes that thing incredibly powerful for being so small.
I think Deluge (or MPC) remains the best studio head for this reason. Seems lazy to not include more midi capability in this day and age, since it’s not a computationally heavy task.
Your YT channel, Sir, is the most sought after commodity we, peasants wannabee electronic musicians, could dream of.🤗 May God bless You.🙏🏻
What I heard: "If you like what you hear just press 'f*ck no', and if you like it press 'f*ck yes!'..... " ... I like this device.
I have a Digitakt (which I really love) and a Digitone (which is lovely but sees a lot less use, I often end up sampling it 😂) but I don't think this one's for me. It seems like a grab-bag of groovebox ideas. I like my other Elektron boxes because they are more "These are the features, see what you can do with it" (especially Digitakt) whereas this seems more "This is intended to be used this way". 🤷♂️
Great review as always though. Thank you. 🙌
#Intendo
@@EnochDark sure, and they've already sold out so clearly there's a market for it.
@@kevteop anyone who doesn't already have some kind of elektron box or more than 1 mostly
@@EnochDark yeah maybe so. I just can't help comparing it to the Electribes and products like that, which are so much cheaper. I appreciate this has a ton of development effort gone into it plus the Elektron sequencer so it's a high-value proposition, but I think for people who don't already have a lot of outboard it might not look like very good value.
Clearly it's sold out already anyway, but I don't know who's buying it. 🤷♂️
@@kevteop word. i was in the game when the og tribes dropped and had and ES-1 (then the red one later) and the first EM in town (bought the demo/display) i don't care if it's a one trick or two or 3 trick pony... it still a pony and i want a wild stallion/mustang nah mean
I have been reading up on this and watching videos everywhere to make sure this was something I wanted. The second I saw it I was like "This is like the perfect addition for me", but the price tag and a good level of restraint made me think a little. I have recently transitioned into a DAWless setup, and "all" I have is an MPC Live II. I love it to bits, and its amazing for both creating tracks and live play, however at two months of ownership and plenty of use, it starts having issues when it comes to live sets. I was looking into expanding with maybe two more machines, and I was looking at something that could give me drum sounds and melodic sounds that I could sequence with the Live II, and this looks like the answer. After watching this video and Andrew Huang's, I have realized that my intuition was correct, and this is exactly the correct machine to expand into. Easy-to-use sound designing with live performance built into the encoders (something the MPC lacks) and plenty of good sampling tools. All I need is a polyphonic synth for extra chord or arp layering and live jamming, and I am set. So theoretically my final setup will be MPC Live II, Syntakt and the Arturia MicroFreak. Thank you loopop for explaining everything in detail!
I own a couple of grooveboxes, mpc's and elektron machines. Be aware that elektron machines have a specific sound character that might surprise you as you coming from MPC. You have to adjust as well to the workflow, you migh as well look and found a path so the machine suits your needs. I suggest, if you can to try it to test it. I bought the syntakt and i'm having a playfull and great experience with it even if i found a lot of limitations. I found the price a tiny bit to hight considering it is closer to a digitone/model cycles than a analog rytm/analog four.
@@HenriDeCarvalho the price isn't something I consider limiting for the simple fact that as a student and with summer coming up, I can get that money quickly because I have no major finances to pay. That said, I love it when things have limitations, I am a firm believer in two things: Less is More, and Limitations Breed Creativity. However, I will definitely take what you said overall into consideration, because I truly can't tell if I will dig the workflow. That said, my friend owns both a Digitone and a Digitakt and I like their sound, so I hope that won't be an issue. Thank you very much for your informative reply!
@@zenassi9127 Have fun !
Yeah, whichever sound and interface suits you. Got so used to using the MC707 as a hub that it'd be a hassle to change it all now. No doubt though, this box, the MPC, the 707, they're all great modern machines to choose from
The Monomachine seems to be the closest relative to this with so many machines and all.
Also it makes sense for Elektron to go full groovebox. The other Elektron boxes were not conceived as such but can be used as standalone grooveboxes quite convincingly.
The only thing I am missing is samples. Imagine if you could layer samples with all the machine goodness like on the AR.
Sampling would probably cannabalize their digitakt sales, so I understand the exclusion..but it would have been nice.
Yup, I just need to be able to load my acoustic drum samples and this would be the perfect box for me, it looks like I'll be holding onto my DT for now. I'm hoping some of the performance features make their way to the next DT update!
Get an octatrack!
When I see a video from you, I immediately skip to the pros & cons section first :)
Bought the Syntakt after a hiatus from Hardware.
Sent it back after a week. Thank god for Andertons return policy.
I was very underwhelmed. Underwhelmed by it's sound and realised (yet again) that software is much more powerful, much more flexible, and it sounds better.
For me, it was an expensive luxury.
What do you mean software sounds better? in comparison to what? Thinking of getting Syntakt for analog drums
@@Gigosula I mean it sounds more pleasing to my ears. The syntakt felt very samey, very quickly and needed processing further in the DAW.
For me and my experiences, hardware was an unnecessary distraction for my creative process and the syntakt proved no exception.
Hey, this is just one of many opinions. There is no right or wrong
@@jimmywheelo Yes, get it, i always had a feeling that Elektron hardware sounds very 'monotonous'. Can't decide with drumcomputer - Analogy Rytm is expensive and lacks decent sampling, Jomox Alpha Base does not habe microtiming, Perkons - too expensive, Pulsar to expensive and too wired, TR8S too Roland
@@Gigosula yeah the perkons is great. Played one at Synthfest and loved it but the price!!!!
After several years of buying and selling drum machines I went back into the DAW and found my ability to finish tracks improved.
Hardware is great for live play and performance but for me it slowed everything down when it came down to production.
Best thing I ever did was
@@jimmywheelo I want to partially get away from DAW, i tend to overwork things till i loose a creative spark, thats why wanted to get a drummachine
The addition of the physical models and chord synths sold me.
Very cool machine. Wish the price was in line with their other devices in this form factor. I know times are tough, but 1k USD on this beast stings.
@@jphwacheski Dititakt & Digitone, obviously. Even the name is similar, and the box itself is basically a Digitakt with new "brains".
The times yes, also analog costs more
Syntakt vs rythm would be great video 🔥 thanks for info ℹ️
Rythm died today bro
@@marcosrotllan i dont think so :)) too many ppl said same when digitakt came in shop but i bought octatrack 🤪
@Lipo-exe&Marcos Rotllan: Rytm* I know it's confusing but that's how they spell it.
@@marcosrotllan no it did not.
@@marcosrotllan *Laughs in Rytm MK2 and no plans to stopping using it whatsoever*
44:33
"It's better if they're related..."
Debate-able.
I'll take it, dude you got to 44:33 that's a huge compliment right there
Getting mine tomorrow!! Can’t wait to jam out some Electro with this little box
Have you got any Electro tracks on here? would love to hear,I’m thinking of getting one for some moody electro,Plant 43,Morphology,Zwishenwelt style.
We need a shirt that says "Func No."
Hey ziv, hope you are good bro. Been away from my syntakt for a while and had a brush up, thanks to you. Have a good christmas. I know there are a lot of people who care for you in this odd youtube world, hopefully, the real world too. ✊️
Thanks for taking the time to write - happy holidays and best wishes to you too!
@@loopop Seriously, I can’t believe how much of a gentleman you are. Thank you sir.
Bro..... This machine is fire!!
1h-video. Just a deliverer !!! Thanx man.
If you write songs, sing or also play an instrument, the lack of a song mode ruins all these devices. A decent song mode delivers arrangement without breaking the non-linear workflow we love about building songs from chunks. Why omit it?
They often add functionality in later updates. I’m sure it will be an addition in the future.
Wow, listening to the first factory patterns seems to be a Nine Inch Nails machine. Love it
You, Sir, are electronic musicians wannabee most sought after commodity🤗. God Bless You.🙏🏻
I absolutely lost it at 14:16 with the animation for BIT REDUCTION 😂
8 tracks of model: cycles with a couple new features and 4 striped down rytm tracks. Is this the first elektron product to recycle existing products?
Um all mk2, and every even now with this is all recycle, sorely disappointed in the lack of flagship that the depth of this deserves. This is sad. Great box hamstrung to make $
@@bernardlindeman739 also the new fashion is out of stock items though 😅
iElektron Pro
@@themooz4118 I think after market prices years later will determine a better view of value. They are making these machines to sell not tools for inspiration. It’s the dismal tide of a companies ethos being trumped by money. And item Selling out does not address the critique nor tarnish its validity.
@@bernardlindeman739 yeah, but a mkII isn't pretending to be a new product. Historically, Elektron products don't have much cross over with their other products, often times to the complaints of the users (not happy missing the arpeggiator for the midi out on the digitone? just get an Octatrack!). This just feels like lazy cannibalisation.
Wow, they put Model:Cycles in a black box and improved it with more Machines! What a nice piece of gear with its own place in setup. Thanks for super-timely and, as usual, thorough review.
Does cycles have analog? That would be a significant difference/upgrade.
@@index7787 Elektron claimed they used a Digitone brain to create Cycles, an FM drum synth. (Digitone on its own can hardly be called a drum synth.) Cycles has 4 macro controls that sometimes feel like scrolling through presets. It’s fun to play but no low-level control. This Syntakt is supposed to fill this gap and provide that low-level sound design capabilities. Love shaping drum sound in details like in DAW! All other drum synths are overly simplified. And this is much more than just a drum synth.
Price is a bit dear. You can get a Mode:Cycles + a MPC One for that price.
Mpc one destroys this really.
@@bigmoneysteppa yes, it just misses a stand alone plug-in/instrument for 8bits and FM
Must… Resist… Temptati-
Nah. Might just have to get a Digi box again.
Thanks for your incredible in-depth reviews, Loopop.
Getting Volca Drum vibes from a lot of the digital machine sounds
Feels like Christmas. This is all so exciting X)
a lot of those factory patterns sound like the music cracks and keygens included back in the day...
That little blob that squishes to the ceiling is cute af
Great video as usual :) Too bad they missed to add CV/Gate for analog gear
i'm using mine ( Digitakt) over USB to CV my modular its even Better 😉
It’s not so simple as “they missed”. Higher production cost = higher price tag.
@@marike1100 they MISSED lol, this is more wack than cycles release. What a waste of effort.
I Agree. Hope to see a new Octatrack with cv inputs.
@@orangewiggler6838 man if they were going to go digi format they should have just made a pure cv/MIDI sequencer, but they should have gone for a flagship and they didn’t, even if one wants to cite inflation as a reason not to go big, it would be an argument against the suntakt because look what you get for the price, just dumb.
6:58 I heard "If you're unhappy with what you did hit fu*k no" which in retrospect would have also worked as a button label! 😆
Perfect timing, Loopop review + new Elektron machine + cup of☕ = 1 hr well spent!! Let's Gooooo 🙂
I want this device on my chest like darth vader. Take it everywhere
not feeling the red on black
full of very good stuffs always, you and the syntakt
This looks fantastic. I already own far too many devices, so will feel ever so guilty. It's so small too. Oooooooh!
Excellently clear and comprehensive content, as usual. I do have some feedback, though. When you demonstrate parameters for a sound your tendency is to show the extremes of the ranges - which is of course extremely useful. However, equally (or even more?) useful, for me anyway, would be to hear you tweaking parameters trying to find the "sweet spots". This is the way most people will use the device, plus it will hopefully show off how "good" it can sound. Just my 2 Euro cents worth. Keep up the good work, fella!
Thanks - always open to constructive advice. I do go through the ranges of most of the parameters as I play the notes. You're right that I usually do it one parameter at a time though - otherwise this video would be way longer - I try to strike a balance. There are indeed many many sweet spots in each machine, so you are right about that.
As always: a great review! IMHO Syntakt seems to be a great "all in one" Elektron box with it's great sequencing capabilities. But, because of the heavily simplified controls over the sound, I kind of feel highly underwhelmed. The Digitone has a way deeper fm engine - a must with fm synthesis - and Digitakt has sampling capabilities amongst other things. To me, it would've been a lot more interesting if they'd made an Analogue Rhythm in the Digitakt/tone format. Modifiers look nice, but on the Digitone there's a modulation matrix covering most - actually a lot more - of modulation possibilities. So all in all - in my opinion - this is a missed opportunity. I honestly don't see this as an added value in my DT and DN setup, which I kinda regret.
Also a Polyphonic Digitatk. It would have been great.
I agree with what you said. This would be a great entry to the Elektron workflow but not worth it to someone who has a DT and/or DN already.
@@elpiulas9937 I don’t really need the DT to be polyphonic in my setup, but I’m aware many users have been requesting it. I’d rather have the mod matrix on the Digitakt like you have on the Digitone.
@@zardewmusic at this price point - 999€ - you can almost find a used DT and DN.
I was initially thinking this would be the perfect all-in-one Elektron groovebox (drums AND melodies), but I have to agree with you that the synth sounds are underwhelming. With some clever use of analog drive, it's possible to push it into more interesting territory though (at 54:40 there's a good example). But out of the gate, the Digitone sounds way more capable as a pure synthesizer. Also, the Syntakt lacks an aroeggiator, a must for a groovebox in my opinion.
I hate the font of the “FX” button. Great review (as usual) !
I’m really curious how this will do in the long run. At first glance it just feels unnecessary but I suppose if you’re choosing your first one and didn’t own the others this could appeal to you if you want a synth/ drum machine. Seems to alienate the digitone more as a choice for someone.
I actually think this fits really well into the mix. If you want a deep deep Poly synth you still need the Digitone. If you need a Sampler / Drum machine you need the Digitakt. If you need a pro level Drum Synth + groove box to act as the base of your production this seems to fill that gap. I’m excited!
@@superlean5991 🤔hmmm now you got me thinking!
I was about to cop a digitone this week, but for some reason i didnt and now this one came out and i dont know what to do, i guess 12 tracks versus 4 tracks to make compositions is a landslide win but im not sure about the synthesis potential of the syntakt, what do you guys think i should go for as a first?
@@halpehalpe from the feature set I'd say it really depends on your needs: do you have drums and sequencing covered or not? The digitone is more of an addition to an existing setup that needs some digital flavor with melodies, pads and bleeps. The Syntakt is more of a complete groovebox for building an entire beat in one box (except sampling), with a focus on drums, percussion and snappy melodies. It also lets you sequence much more external gear, so if you don't have a sequencer yet, and don't have much other gear, then the Syntakt is probably better suited.
Both can do some of what the other does, but the focus is very different.
Disclaimer: I own neither, I have the Digitakt
It took me years to decide for a tr8s... Now im lost again.
After one week i still want a tr8s
yes, it can play backwards.
Awesome job as always Ziv, mine shipped today, can’t wait! Thanks for the great tutorial. My holy grail was machine drum, so I am super stoked for this! 🎶✌️🎹
No polyphonic sequences?!? .... is it so hard to join 2-4 tracks and avoid the "deal breaker" effect on such a basic functionality? (BTW great review!)
Thanks! yes you can create poly sequences on multiple tracks but like I mention it's "manual labor", not very hard, just extra steps
@@loopop ... yes but extra steps (and unnatural handling of thr polyphony) ... hoping in a firmware fix ...
I've been on the fence about getting a Digitakt for quite a while now, but this looks definitely like the better choice. Great video as usual. Weird how I had this overwhelming compulsion to smash like...
Thanks and mission accomplished :)
yes but... DT has sampling..!!
@@Limbic1000 Dt is a beast .
Imo, Generally, I feel like this form factor doesn’t play well for elektron gear. They are trying to follow the trend for compact gear, but at the same time elektron gear is so feature rich that you end up with 2-5 functions per knob/button design. Which is very hard to memorize and efficiently use in a live situation. This is the reason I sold my digitakt and bought a model:samples.
Which functions requires a fifth function on a knob/button, or a fourth, or even a third?
@@Claidheambmor trigger button means one thing, trigger button in different mode (record active for example) means another thing, trigger button while func is pressed means third thing, trigger button while func is pressed and in record mode means fourth thing, etc. this is my main problem with elektron gear.
yes, too many functions, so little knobs
Agreed. Their gear looks/sounds great but requires very steep learning curves compared to anything else in my studio. I avoid Elektron.
Just ordered mine tonight. Can’t wait to unbox it. Hopefully gonna be a good companion with my MPC.
Aren’t these the machines from the Elektron Model:Cycles?!
And Analog Rytm seemingly.
Stellar as always, thank you-and you seem in a such a good mood, which makes me happy! I do kinda worry that at some point even your giant brain is just going to explode from cramming in all this info on our account, and then where would we be…?!:)
LOL indeed it feels like it's about to explode at times but someone has to take that risk for the greater good :)
Dope but the red type is gonna be a problem in the club.
Thanks now back to my MC-707 🙃
I'm going to dupe a few of these factory loops on my own MC707
My god, they've done it. They fit Autechre into a single Elektron box.
Also for those nights you can’t sleep you can put this on your lap in bed and make techno.
Top notch organization and editing
I was ready to drop the money…. but now I think I pass this one…. 😕 Pretty sure it‘s a great groovebox but just not enough innovation to justify a buy for owners of a couple of other elektron boxes
Agreed. I was hyped and gonna pre-order but not any more. Got a lot of the other elektron boxes. I want a mk2 all digital analog four/8 with deep wavetable (wt import) and physical modeling. Dunno if the superficial wavetabling physical modeling in the box is worth it compared to focused/deeper alternatives just for elektron sequencing.
ive wanted the syntalt for a couple years now, and im just now almost able to get it, but now the Digitakt II scares me that there will be a new syntakt in the next two years..
Can you choose differents machines for every different step along the same track?
different sounds, yes, so, sort of
Mmmmmmmm...not the same but helfull :)
✅ Func No or Func Yes 😀😀😀😀
Lol, Teenage Engineering just released a $1199 tiny mixer. I got all hype for a split second because of its features and size and portability. Then this is released the same day for $999. Mixer/ Groovebox. Not a hard decision at all.
I mean the Teenage Engineering thing does have a synth inside. But the lackluster control set does hold it back significantly
Both overpriced
It's a beautiful mixer but the 1010 Bluebox is a better value imo.
@@harveytherobot The whole audio interface, 6 in 12 out is a pretty big selling point for those who want an interface that can track out multiple pieces of gear straight into a daw with midi sync'd.