I agree. Analog Rytm MKII is hands down the best drum machine ever made. I also don't consider its high price a negative, because the quality and features absolutely justify it. This is coming from an electronic music producer since the late 80s, who had almost every drum machine at some point these past 30 years (from Tempests to Rolands etc etc). Elektron devices are so well designed and help you be much more creative than other machines. With the addition of the latest Os updates, Analog Rytm is unbeatable.
@@GuitarsAndSynths there are some sweet things that i miss on the rytm that the machinedrum had, for example free asignable lfos (on rytm every track has a dedicated one whereas on the machinedrum you could assign 16 lfos to one track, or lfo to lfo, also lfo could manipulate the retrig features, which the rytm cant - and i really dont know why it cant), probably this has to do with the rytm having real analog signal paths and lfo links would need an own matrix where on the machinedrum this all was digitally solved and so you could also freely assign every output, on the rytm you have dedicated outpouts for every track(-group) and you can only choose to substract it form the main signal. this is probably also because of the analog signal path. actually i would prefer a hybrid between the two machines: analog percussion synthesis + sampling layer, but digital post processing (except for compression, which i am happy its on the main out) both machines are incredible, but since i own the rytm i rarely use the machinedrum and therefore i decided to sell it. (mainly use it for those glitchy retrig lfo things and provably someone else would get more happy with it) so the rytm is a more developed sucessor, but cant replace every feature, and when its about sound, both machines have their very own taste.
I’ve been on the same quest for the best drum machine ever. Tried almost all of them. Vermona DRM MKIV is the best drum synthesizer I’ve found paired with a good sequencer. Just ordered a AR MK2. I think it’ll probably take the top slot. Having an analog compressor and distortion built in is going to be really handy I think in the studio. One less compressor to keep the drums from slamming the 2bus too hard and with the pass through audio ins on the AR I’m pretty sure I can use the compressor in it for another drum machine daisy chained to it if I wanted to.
Great video! You make 2 and a half video really enjoyable, even when I actually own this machine, and absolutely adore it. BTW, there is no CV output per-se, but you can have impulse machine on an output and use it as a trigger. Don't own eurorack (I wish to), but maybe by using module utilities, there are some ways to hack around to use outputs as CV, it's just a matter to get desired, or happy accident voltages. Best regards dude!!!
@@Dzineboy I love DSI stuff, including the Tempest, but pound for pound the rytm beats out the tempest in my books. The sample engine is what puts it over the edge. Unfortunately, as beautiful as the design of the tempest is, compared to the rytm it seems outdated now. I literally have a rytm being shipped as we speak, and can't wait!
@@Dzineboy I forgot to say as well: overbridge 2 is ridiculous. Not only do I have a drum machine, but also a 8 track analog summing box with filters, FX, and the ability to manipulate the tracks with scenes and performance. I don't think there's anything else on the market to compare the Rytm mk2 with. I don't know how it flew under my radar for so long!
@@Dzineboy Tempest even worse than Analog Rytm by Elektron, it’s a standard DSI synth with Linn sample engine on top, it’s main fault for me - impossible to produce stable transients using only synth part and even with sample layer it still a problem, even though I’ve found workaround I got rid of the Tempest no regrets and never back, now I want to try that Elektron, interface looks great but sound wise I’m not impressed so far, my be all people on UA-cam don’t know how to use it right who knows... have to try myself. Cheers. P.S. I don’t care about overbridge and other not related to sound engine bells and whistles. 1-Sound. 2-interface.
Bought one on sale and just arrived today after trying and owning many other drum synths from expensive modular drums to others and love the Rytm the best. Expensive but far less cost to do the same in modular drums and more powerful. It’s really a full modular drum synth in a box without the need to use patch cables!
@@------YeahOK------ I've got a deluge and a 707, and some synths, both poly and mono. Assuming I'm keeping the deluge which is fantastic and the 707 which is also pretty good, which elektron device would you recommend in first? I was thinking rtym then a4? Not a big fm fan btw and don't use many samples (have a big library though!) due to fact its a pain in the backside to find on the deluges tiny screen! And 707 havent tried yet! Comments appreciated ;)
The photographer Chase Jarvis once said “the best camera is the one that's with you”. This is why we say that the smartphone is really the best camera, because you can see the best sunset in the world and if you don't have your £5k worth of kit setup in front of that sunset before it fades then it is worthless kit - but a smartphone that is always on you is priceless. And I would state the same for any kit. The best mixer is the one you have your kit hooked up to, the best synth is the one in front of you, the best groove box is the one on your knee in the park, and the best drum machine is the one you are creating a beat on. Because bad stuff can be done on good gear, good stuff can be done on bad gear, and no stuff gets done on no gear. And most capability goes beyond that of its user. Like look at a groove machine like the Synthstom Deluge which is an extremely capable machine and yet in years I haven't seen a single video that creatively uses the full capability of that machine. I see tonnes of people messing around with a few key features. But it would be a redundant argument regarding is the Deluge the best groove machine as I have yet to see someone exploit half of its features in a single creative endeavor. When someone that just knows the Korg Electribe inside out, as that is their instrument as a pro, could come along and blow all that away. I would say the same about the Rytm. If you are using all of its features live pushing it beyond its limits, as it is the main kit you have used for years, then I think someone could put up an argument for it being the best, but till then... I always admire these people that have had one solid piece of gear for years, and push that one bit of kit beyond its limits, they know it and they use it - that gear is what they do creatively. That is a rare thing today. But anyone playing around in a studio full of a bunch of machines is just playing around, be it as an amateur or professional. Until you know a piece of gear better than you know yourself then it is just a piece of gear that you are playing around with. We rarely see a master oil painter dabbling in acrylic paint, the reason why they are a master of oil painting is because that is what they do passionately every single waking moment of every single day - the are not playing around. And nothing wrong with playing around in a room full of gear, if that makes you happy then have your fun. If a fun process is more important than a mastered outcome then I see nothing wrong within that. As I should know I am a master of messing around in many creative fields and have mastered being really bad at all of it - but hey, I had some fun.
I agree with most of what you're saying here, but if we keep the photography analogy going: The best camera is indeed the one that you have with you. This age old adage, which Chase used as a title for his iPhone photography book, actually comes from street photography and discussion on "the decisive moment." What they meant is that you should always carry a camera with you in case you miss the decisive moment and if the picture is good then the image quality means jack shit. However, what kind of camera do almost all of these street photographers use? An expensive Leica. The rangefinder, which would be analogous to the analog processing found here, offers many real benefits to other cameras. In the context of street photography the fact that you can see outside of your frame through the viewfinder helps you line up your shot, and that manual focus is easy, offer massive benefits for a lot of people. Or how about film over digital? In a sense you're just "toying around with different films," sure, but that in itself is a form of expression. The tool allows the person to be more creative in that case. Specialized tools like this often carry limitations of their own, something that will only increase your creativity. My point being: Yes worrying about gear you don't have is worthless, but if you're a professional finding the tool that fits your needs is only a natural progression. Or to keep in line with your painter analogy: An oil painter might not try acrylic, but he will always be on the lookout for good suppliers of paint and nice brushes.
Dion Suurmond - I agree completely. The thing I like about my current smartphone is a double tap on the power button takes a photo with the screen off, take a bunch of quick street snaps and review later. And then you also have in the photography world so many grades of what is photography; some saying digital is not photography, cropping a frame is cheating, burning and dodging a print is altering too much, editing and montage isn’t photography, or grading and heavy photoshop is too far - the reality is that these are self imposed limitations to suit a mode of operation. It is all good depending on concept, but something satisfying about looking at a good print and knowing that is an unaltered frame from camera. And same with music, we listen back and talk about our output differently if it was built up and edited over hours or it is a live hardware jam with just a bit of light compression.
@@dxtrs_mnpltr I’m the proud owner of a Black Octa 😉. Still, playing around with samples on the AR 1 makes it stand out, compared to other analog drum machines. The Strom app is a really great addition to the sampling workflow of the AR Mark 1. Bonus features are pattern and preset randomizers. €25 isn’t cheap, but I still think it’s worth it.
@@dxtrs_mnpltr for oneshots, the rytm is much more versatile. for longer samples and sample destruction, the octa is an unbeaten device. but if its mainly chords, drum shots and such, the rytm will give you a much faster workflow and more tracks
probably the only true competetor, it offers more interesting sound design possibilties, but workflow can be a pain in the ass and the performance makros on the rytm are outstanding!
Additionally, the world's worst well-kept secret is that the Ry.. Rhyt... Ryth.. sod it, *that machine* is actually a fantastic bass engine as well. Keep up the great work, Gaz!
What I do not understand about a lot of dawless musicians is they don't want to look at a computer screen, so instead they look at a bunch of tiny lcds.. i am not insulting it as the end result of the music matters more than the process to me so whatever works for the i individual (although the process can certainly inspire or not.. and menu diving doesn't inspire me, but I understand not everyone is the same). I have a combo of outboard and in the box, but since I went from my kurzweil k2000 to cubase for sequencing and songwriting about 22 years ago, I have never wanted to go back to hardware sequencers or drum machines (I do use maschine for really responsive pads and assigning drums, but don't use its sequencer either). That said, I have some elektron drum machine samples and they sounf fantastic.
My dawless productions tend to be very minimalist, live playing combined with very simple repetitive sequences, and on equipment that often doesn't even have an LCD screen much less a glowing graphical OLED display; Just knobs and buttons and a few LEDs, and no menus into which to dive. As more arrangement complexity is required, of course I do use the daw. Either way, daw or dawless, my final stereo mixes end up in the daw for mastering. The joy of dawless production is akin to the joy of live performance, it is nice sometimes to make music with one's eyes half closed and never touching a computer mouse.
i think it's also a thing of, for some people their 9-5 Monday to Friday is staring at Computer Screen. then they get home and they sit in front of computer. some people just need to >get away from computer and enjoy that more than anything else. i know someone who uses an old desktop computer from ~15 years ago for their music making, simply cos it's not connected to the internet and is a dedicated machine just for music, and i can appreciate that in a similar "DAW-less" kind of way.
@@bitroast Ah yes, very interesting points. Even with some of the modern loop stations, drum machines, and groove boxes that have detailed screens, one doesn't necessarily need to stare at the display the whole time either. With any computer based daw you're pretty much looking at the screen and twiddling with the mouse the whole time.
I work tech support all day. Even when I'm mastering and Reaper asks to be updated I start to lose it a little. It's just nicer for me to grab a dedicated box and know when I turn it on A: It will work the way I left it and B: Nothing else matters in the world, music will be made. There is also a hard core geek factor on my end. I love using dedicated mini computers with purpose built interfaces. The taktile aspect is part of it but in general it is hard to convey.
I have a Mk1 and love it, it always sounds good in a mix. More engines for the top 2 rows would be good though, I do end up using noise & high reso a lot up there. This and the Digitone are the stars of the Elektrons imo.
@meowington meowsworth yes I had one from about 2013 until just a couple of months ago :) at one point I had a 2nd one set up as as a permanent drum machine using sample chains. If they release an OT mk3 I will definitely buy it. The mk2 was a pointless update really.
I think I need to buckle up and get a rytm. I would like an analog drum machine like this, I don't need a sequencer or a sampler on it, as I have other devices to do this but I would like analog filters and variable adjustments just like on this machine. But I don't think there is any lower priced options right? Like I would like a Digitaktn type device just with no sampling but with the customised synth engine. I guess the closest would be analog four I just like the fixed nature of the drum modules.
The RYTM MKI is my go-to box for starting any ideas. I wish it had better project backup though. As far as I can tell there is no option to export the sound pools that each kit uses and the overall sound pool for the project. It makes taking kits and patterns from different projects and adding them to a single one for a live set difficult without manually adding back the samples. If OB can do it in the studio I'll even take that as long as I can go dawless live.
I love my Rytm mk2. I think it is the best and most versatile drum machine on the market. I had a Tempest and a Jomox Alpha Base, but the Rytm has survived them all 😍😍🤩🤩🥰🥰
Haven't finished watching so not sure if you resolved it, but I'd bet that the CH not sounding was because the synth engine had turned itself off in the TRIG page. I don't understand why this happens sometimes when loading a blank kit - as is often the case with Elektron it might be a bug or it might be user error.
Thank you! What are you using to interface the guitar and mkii? I'm having a hard time getting a clean sound from my electric guitar, tons of fuzz both through my guitar amp and even direct from the guitar. Thanks!
I'm happy with pyramid sequencing a Nord Drum 2 plus digitakt. No multiple outs but I don't care about that. It's probably the same price combined but I like having access to 3 different approaches. The Rytm definitely seems nice but it took me some time to bond with the digitakt... maybe I'll give it a try in a store. Not gassing atm luckily:)
Hiya Gaz! What are your thoughts on the Korg Drumlogue? 🤔 Im thinking about picking one up because of its versatility and open-ended dev aspect (SDK). I could essentially buy three of them for the same price as the Rytm. Or three unique drum machines for that matter. Thanks for sharing ✌️✨
Two features I would love to see in the future: 1: True polymetric capabilities. Right now, every track defaults back to the master meter. Arturia's secuencers really got that feature down. 2: Assigning probabilty to retrigs. Right now, they are either on or off. If those features are in the box and I just didn't see them... Please point me there. :) I love my Rytm and I think it is the current gold standard for drum machines.
Sound, features, built-quality, OS, everything is amazing of the RYTM 2. But it could have been the best drum machine ever only if the MFB Tanzbaer would have never been made. Great video.
“Only” half an hour in, so maybe you’ll get into it still. But wether it’s the “best” I think it’s interesting to see there’s no discussion yet in the chat about the difference vs drum machine and drum synth. I don’t own a Rytm so won’t offer my judgement; but I can imagine it might be the best drum machine but potentially some other contenders might win best drum synth?
Max Marco’s video on the Machinedrum vs the RYTM is interesting. Don’t know if I agree as I haven’t used a RYTM, but I like both the old Elektron stuff and new.
Gaz Williams no that’s clear don’t worry - was just thinking along the lines of the thought experiment! From the perspective of what I long for and what I know of, Rytm is top of the list because of its combination of sequencing power, synthesis and samples. But I’d understand it quite easily if someone would make the case for another machine being favorite on the front of synthesis pure. But as I said, don’t worry, clear that this is just a nice provocation for us all to free our thoughts!
Probably still the 808, MPC, DMX, 909 and a few more genre defining machines, from an iconic point of view. But, yes, I’m a certified drumachineoholic and this one is the most all round perfect and functional, brilliant for live performance and so on. Should have gone for better bigger pads.
for me they could have made it without pads like the machinedrum, still the best drum machine out there. maybe not the bass drum, but i think you can cover the rest of 808 and 909 sounds with it pretty decent.
Yep, this review would definitively be more relevant if you had tested the tempest before (which is widely regarded as best drum machine). Or the jomox alpha base for that matter. That being said, nice chat.
Had all 3. Sold my tempest. Sold my alphabase. If sound was the only criteria, I would have ranked jomox / DSI / Elektron. Then why did I kept the Rythm above all others? Versatility & playability. Main appeal of the jomox (at least for me) is it's famous kickdrum. Nothing kicks like a jomox! But I believe the modbase09 module is a smarter if that's your main appeal. The alphabase also occasionally loses it's sync and drifts, which is a pain. Interfacing is also a bit counter intuitive. As for Tempest, it's an amazing analog percussion synth. Period. Nothing like it out there & if you love the sound & sound designing aspect it gives, you should buy it! But much prefer the flexibility of the rytm. I tried to have these side by side, but didn't work for me for some reason. If I had money & room to spare on my table, I would buy the tempest again 2ndhand. But with the intend of working only with 1 modern featured drummachine (besides my trusted 808 & 909); I've settled for the rythm without regrets :) It's not the very best in some departements, but the overall package it offers is sublime.
Need an mpc-style slicing with zoom and pad assignment! Its a shame that 1500$ device has a very basic sampling functions. 400$ old mpc beats rytm in sampling
see the sampling as a bonus. it is an analog drum synthesizer with outstanding performance and sequencing features, the sampling is probably just an enhancement and mainly used for oneshot, short samples. (not that i would say no to that abilities, but i think it is not really necessary. the price is justified even without any sampling)
It certainly does smite most other drum machines, but as a sampler the fact that stereo was left out is extremely disappointing. My Akai S2000 from 1994 does that
The mono samples is due to the fact that the samples are fed into the analogue circuit path for the filters etc. To make it cable of processing stereo samples would have probably made it too difficult to make or even more expensive by having to double up all the analogue side.
@@GazWilliams Yeah I guess that makes sense when you put it like that. Personally I would trade an all analogue sampler signal path for stereo sampling. Anyways that's neither here nor there. It's a killer machine and the things it can do clearly outshine the things it cannot
I basically live next door to Elektron. Still, I must say the UI on these machines seems incredibly out dated. And with all those buttons and knobs, one would assume more immediacy.
I think they can be incredibly fast and intuitive to use once you have learned the layout. I think the design is incredibly well thought out personally.
I am so happy elektron refused to use coloured/touch screens, they focus on usabilty and once you get into the workflow (maybe ±6 hours training? - what a 1600€ should be worth studying) there is really no other device i ever used that offers that many possibilities. you could easily produce a whole track on that without any post processing. and: if you want hands-on controls without the need to switch the display and parameters knobs to a certain page - just get a midicontroler configured once and you have every parameter on a dedicated knob. make sure you get a midicontroller with enough knobs and faders though, as the sound-generating and manipulating parameters probably will need 200 knobs or so, and still you dont have control over effects, performance controls, scenes, routing....
In the end its all about the sound, right? And that's a matter of taste but have tot say the quirky sequencer is amazing if you know how tot use it!! But soundwise, for me the MFB tänzbar mk1 sounds better..
I just commented the same. RYTM2 is a wonderful machine, sampler, drum synth, drum machine. I love Elektron stuff. But if someone says best drum machine ever, I can only think of the Tanzbaer 1...
40:00 - Hold on. So you can use it as an audio interface with a DAW...? As in.. Stems in DAW > through the RYTM mkii > warm it up with analog goodness > then use the 8 individual outs and send that to an analog mixing desk for all the DUB shenanigans with feedback loop delays etc.. And I can do that while still using it as a Drum machine??
Isn’t there a beat in rock n roll? I mean, isn’t beat essentially rhythm? I think as long as you use sounds that will fit in that genre and program it in the way you need you can do that
You can, but it's not going to sound like a real drummer playing a real kit. A sampler (eg the Octatrack or Akai MPCs) will get you closer to the sound of a real drummer playing a real kit, although still won't be the same. Drum machines like this sound electronic and artificial and that's part of the appeal. If you make rock and roll but use this instead of a real kit it can still sound great, but it's not going to sound like classic rock and roll. Radiohead is an example of a rock band that uses a lot of drum machines, and there are many others.
Gaz Williams nothing to hold you back from making wicked music on. This is pretty much all Temoest the last few minutes is all Temoest and a Deco pedal. soundcloud.com/user-292550358/breezeblock-beats-6?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1
@@automatonpilot5040 Nice tracks man, really great work. I always wondered with the Tempest, how do you change the patterns over time during the track? Do you switch scenes as it plays or something like that. Thanks in advance
Love this video! Very interesting! If somebody could help me, I’m thinking about this every single day 🖤 Which is your personal opinion, between Digitakt and Rytm? I’m talking about production most but live too! Thanks to all 🙏🏻
It´s a bit of a win/loose situation. The Digitakt adds more finetuned granular sampling capabitlities, CTRL-ALL feature, 8 extra MIDI sequencer tracks, but you don´t have song mode and single outs. With Rytm you don´t have the Digitakt mentioned features, but added those analog drum synthesis plus a 2 VCO synthvoice, added single outs. I suggest...get both. ;)
Sounds great but I don't like the Elektron operating system....I have the original drummachine and the rytm and both are hard to use and sometimes the rytm develops a glitch....weird noise I cannot get rid of.....I will never use it live
As far as drum machines go, ever since I got the Rytm, I have had absolutely zero desire for any other drum machine. The only thing that sparks my interest is a DFAM, but that is its own weird thing and would be more of like an enhancement to the Rytm rather than any sort of replacement. My only complaint is that 1 GB is actually not that big, if you load it up with multiple similar samples for “realistic” sounds... also, round-robin sample playback without using the LFO would be fantastic but not required.
I'm not a huge Moog person, but I would have bought a DFAM if... it had MIDI. No MIDI is so weird and such a Moog-ish thing to do. That was an instant deal breaker.
Gaz, the Rytm is absolutely the greatest drum machine ever made! Flexibility, sound design power, sampling functionality, Elektrons sequencer...the only way to improve on it at this point is to kick up the tracks to match the Machinedrums 16 tracks!
Ooh interesting point although I do think 8 tracks is enough for drum programming as you have to work creatively and sample and sound lock it for more action.
@@GazWilliams oh absolutely. Part of the desire for even more parts is selfish but also tied to them adding the basic FM synth engine a while back. While performing lve I build my performances to be continuous mixes and like to have access to two 'drum machines' for the mix between songs. Sometimes I have to recruit a few tracks from my Virus to do additional drum duty along with what the Rytm can provide. The great thing with the 16 tracks in the Machinedrum and its multiple synth engines is the possibility of using it alone as your production machine if you wanted to.
It is in an investment, but you'll be SET for a decade or more. It is absolutely worth it. Get it, master it, and you will not have a need for another drum machine. I can tell you, this thing is inspirational, sturdy and sparks joy. Worth every penny in my experience.
just one thing IMO, for the price range and the possibilitys of this thing, they made the oled screen waaaaaaay to small. absolute dont like this fact.
Hey Gaz and other people I would love your guys Opinions and knowledge on something dumb I’m about to ask because really I’m indecisive I’m finally in a financial situation where I’m going to be able to get into this hobby I would love to hear your guys opinions on what choice I should go with between two machines this MK or the DJS 1000 I would love to hear what one you guys think is worth it both around the same price just want to get my Bang for the buck
I think it is way too expensive for what it offers. People praise it for the ability to stack samples, but what does that really say about the $1500 device if you need $20 sample packs to make it sound interesting in any way. If I would wanted to rely on samples I wouldn't buy a synth, I would buy a sampler. A sampler with higher polyphony and more space. A sampler with better effects and arranger features. The Rytm should come down in price by 40% at least.
You don't "need" sample packs, just like you don't need presets on a synth. Like anything else, they are a starting point if you want them. It is expensive though, but nothing else out there does what it does.
I don’t consider the Rytm to be a sampler per se but rather a drum machine that can be augmented with samples. I love the analogue synth engines personally.
I own both the Rytm and A4 mk2's. When I first got the Analog Four, I thought I'd made an expensive mistake. It took me a year and a half how to learn how to really make unique and thick sounds with it, and I'm still learning new things. These devices can do some truly incredible and unique stuff, and I come up with more happy accidents and quick ideas than I ever do sitting in front of Ableton. But they have a quite deep learning curve and they demand you to really learn them. Once you do, at least for me, nothing else quite compares.
Alpha base for me all day long but rytm aint bad either. But im a simple man i dont have time for complex to figure out machines and the sound just isnt there for such a high price On a side note elektron four is a better 'drum machine' vs rytm:p my humble opinion.
@@GazWilliams if jomox did not had such a primitive sequencer and bugs made by german hand blessings we would forget about elektron long time ago🤣the kick is so demonic it goes out of sync clock like the original 909. An erm does the trick dawless or even daw. Also.firmware on prev gens like your 09 were crap but jomox seems he listened with alpha and keeps making it better even till june it had an update i believe. The thing is i love elektrons i had both gens rytm and machinedrum(legend) . My problem is not only the cold clinical no soul sound is also that everytime i had elektron gear and i had em all except digitakt ive found myself on the experimental side instead of my genre🤣 once i remember i ditched the four and rytm and went in my room with a used dodgy korg monopoly had midi connection kenton and a drumbrute with a sherman a beatstep which wasnt really needed and some reverb..ive had 10x more flow and wasnt feeling locked in an elektron ecosystem. But ok i was not ever the smartest bird . I feel a man with your music pedigree would tame.elektrons. And thats were elektron force is is. Is made for musicians and sound designers For an acid junkie vinylist like me who likes to tune knobs on a minimal diving machines and with just 2 yrs music production/sound design diploma on a local sound school ...elektrons are not wired with my brain🤣
it is really just the steep beginner learning curve, once you get the basics, everything else will float to you. actually every other machines are actually a lot more unlogical and make you have to learn more keybinds and stuff. (i think we can only name the jomox devices and tempest in that league, as every other machine is not even offering half the possibilities)
love combing samples with the synth engines. parameter locks and workflow are superb. build quality is great. only issue is, I'm not a fan of the hats / crash and snare sounds. the kick and toms etc. are great though
great kick, better than the pure analog rytm kick, also better tom sounds and sometimes a little more versatile in the synthesis basics, but not comparable in terms of sequencing or performance possibilities
Having an issue with the audio too. On my iPhone the audio is synced but since this is 2 hours I don’t want to watch on my phone and when I watch on the tv it’s way out of sync. Not sure why?
You should have bullet points for each of the ten points/or sections, timestamps etc.. so we can go straight to them, you can't expect us all to devote 2 and half hrs to watch to see if we find out anything new..?
@@ftj4441 Yeah right, wannabe artists in their bedrooms doing boring UA-cam sessions are all over Elektron for sure ! Actual artists in their studio have at least a 909, most of them have all the classic boxes. Roland made techno possible, that’s a fact.
I have and use a Elektron rytm mark one it is a great drum machine but it isn’t the best . My reasoning is the drum synthesis still have a way to as far as ease of use to get non techno sounds. I mainly use it with samples. It is a programmers dream to step input using grid recording but live playing isn’t it. But truth be told it all depends on the user, the machine it just a tool.
To say "the best" Is really a pest. The rytm is really an astonishing drum machine and for a reason the most famous new drummachine. But it can't be the best. The best in which field? You have to admit a basic patch doesn't sound very pleasing. It is a complex machine and you need to program it. It isn't for beginners. A tanzbär is way more easy.it sounds just good and you can't do wrong. Alphabase is also very different. Most famous doesn't mean "the best". A lot of people just don't need such a complex machine or don't like the sound of it. The rytm is also.very boomy and i am always surprised how well the analog four does drum sounds. Or a vermona drm is also very complex when it comes to synthesis and sounds amazing to my ears. Choose your weapon.
@@jeepo500 yeah, that could be something influencing that, but I think it gets too crazy when you are trying to follow the video for a bit and every few mins there is an impression. No worries, I will do my best to not skip the ads so the channel can get some earnings from the monetisation and see if it decreases the amount of ads it's serving.
That is a very powerful machine tone fair. However my criteria for this supposition is based on drum machines specifically as opposed to full beat maker machines like the MPC.
11 years with maschine and about 3 years with rytm here, being fair if you were to compare the two you would have to only use the drum synths from maschine plus samples limited to the same amount of poly as the rytm or it is not fair, i often do this in maschine but ignoring the samples side - basically i make a duplicate of rytm in maschine, same amount of voices, same amount of fx, basically limit maschine - it is a great way of working but it won't compete with the rytm if you give it the same specs - maschine is an all out monster in normal form or MASCHINE+ form. If you have not used either you should, they are both excellent in their own right
I think Maschine is fabulous groovebox that is transmogrifying into a DAW. Maschine+ looks absolutely amazing but Rytm probably still smokes it in a head to head on the aspect drum machine only.
I will just add to this that they are their own flavor of special. But I owned the Maschine MK3, used it for years. Sold it, because the Rytm makes it feel like a toy in comparison. When I finally got the Rytm it felt like I finally had a real tool to master. The Maschine always just felt like a means to an end, but it never made me light up when I walk into my studio. The Rytm puts a smile on my face every friggin' time.
In terms of longevity, NO. My display went bad and then the unit went bad on one of the first ones made. However, in terms of feature set YES it is the best ever.
That’s a shame but I think In general they are very reliable. I know pre screen saver there were some display burnouts but that is fixed now. Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Sorry Gaz, if you think the Rytm is the best, you really should get yourself a Machinedrum. Still the best Machinedrum made by Elektron. IMO of course. The only way you could say the Rytm is the best drum machine, is to re-categorise the Machindrum as a drum synthesiser.
It is an analog Drum synth first, with a stereo analog compresser and stereo analog distortion. These are VCO's too (not DCO's) and you can layer samples on top. The Digitakt was based on the Rytm sample engine with further enhancements (some of which were brought over to Rytm Mk 2's). It's priced accordingly I think.
I must be the oddball but I’ve owned the MK 2 for over six months and the workflow is disappointing. Velocity on the pads is less than accurate and inconsistent. In my opinion this piece is just a expensive studio piece that can’t do much except sound ok. By the way, Elektron’s customer service is by far the worst I’ve ever dealt with. Good luck fellas 🤙🏽
How would you say it compares with the MC707 (Synth sounds aside)? Have been trying to decide between the two and am wondering how much more inspirational the Rytm Mk2 might be.
the mc707 is a full 8 channel groovebox rather than an analog + samples drum machine they aren't really comparable. If you want to make fully rendered tracks on one box then the mc707 is the superior choice.
It’s a wild beast! The engines are flexible, there’s so much accessibility built in to the sequencer, and if you want more live feeling jams you can control virtually every parameter with pressure pads and performance knob. That’s where rytm sets off on its own, that combination of sequencing power and live sound manipulation. Sampling, cv, midi, overbridge, individual outputs, a wealth of synth engines... add it all up it’s much more than just a drum machine. Inspiration is never in short supply 🥳
zip none aikighost Thanks, very useful views re that they’re not directly comparable and that it’s good for live feeling stuff; didn’t know the pads had pressure control.
ua-cam.com/video/jZWBB9-N3Bo/v-deo.html check out his 30 minute sets, the music may or may not be to your taste but it certainly shows you what is capable on the rytm, also he has mk1 and a lot has changed since, i am yet to see or hear anything like his stuff from the 707 and doubt i ever will
what i hate in Elektron are these small screens with the PACMAN Gaming Style Symbols! For people who get used with Push2 or Maschine MK3, this Elektron seems like the Linux Version for Nurds Producer. Why someone should pay a lot of Money for these Kind of Gear?
I can understand that sentiment but I would say in Elektron’s defence that the screen carries out certain functions perfectly well and in use it’s not a problem at all. You don’t fixate on the screen like you do with some other gear.
I sold my Maschine in favor of the Rytm MKII and that was a huge reason actually. The screen on the Rytm is small and simple because it is focused and deliberate. The Maschine screens look great, don't get me wrong. I am an Apple > Linux kind of guy. I highly prioritize aesthetic and ease of use. I loved my Maschine and this is not a dig on it, but the Rytm makes it feel like a toy in comparison. I also didn't "get" the screen, but now that I own one I absolutely love it and it's quirky little symbols :) For what it's worth, I got the Black MKII and it makes the screen POP
thank you for comforting me for the expense I ve donne. Can t wait to receive it
I agree. Analog Rytm MKII is hands down the best drum machine ever made. I also don't consider its high price a negative, because the quality and features absolutely justify it. This is coming from an electronic music producer since the late 80s, who had almost every drum machine at some point these past 30 years (from Tempests to Rolands etc etc). Elektron devices are so well designed and help you be much more creative than other machines. With the addition of the latest Os updates, Analog Rytm is unbeatable.
close but the original Elektron Machine Drum was my favorite.
@@GuitarsAndSynths I had it, great drum machine, possibly the 2nd best for me!
@@GuitarsAndSynths there are some sweet things that i miss on the rytm that the machinedrum had, for example free asignable lfos (on rytm every track has a dedicated one whereas on the machinedrum you could assign 16 lfos to one track, or lfo to lfo, also lfo could manipulate the retrig features, which the rytm cant - and i really dont know why it cant), probably this has to do with the rytm having real analog signal paths and lfo links would need an own matrix where on the machinedrum this all was digitally solved and so you could also freely assign every output, on the rytm you have dedicated outpouts for every track(-group) and you can only choose to substract it form the main signal. this is probably also because of the analog signal path.
actually i would prefer a hybrid between the two machines: analog percussion synthesis + sampling layer, but digital post processing (except for compression, which i am happy its on the main out)
both machines are incredible, but since i own the rytm i rarely use the machinedrum and therefore i decided to sell it. (mainly use it for those glitchy retrig lfo things and provably someone else would get more happy with it)
so the rytm is a more developed sucessor, but cant replace every feature, and when its about sound, both machines have their very own taste.
I’ve been on the same quest for the best drum machine ever. Tried almost all of them. Vermona DRM MKIV is the best drum synthesizer I’ve found paired with a good sequencer. Just ordered a AR MK2. I think it’ll probably take the top slot. Having an analog compressor and distortion built in is going to be really handy I think in the studio. One less compressor to keep the drums from slamming the 2bus too hard and with the pass through audio ins on the AR I’m pretty sure I can use the compressor in it for another drum machine daisy chained to it if I wanted to.
You just made two and a half hours window cleaning an absolute pleasure! Didn’t know about page randomisation! Cheers Gaz!
Ah I am glad it serves some purpose!
Great video! You make 2 and a half video really enjoyable, even when I actually own this machine, and absolutely adore it.
BTW, there is no CV output per-se, but you can have impulse machine on an output and use it as a trigger. Don't own eurorack (I wish to), but maybe by using module utilities, there are some ways to hack around to use outputs as CV, it's just a matter to get desired, or happy accident voltages. Best regards dude!!!
One of my favorite instruments! Thanks for taking the time
I was going to find a tempest, but didn't realize how badass this thing was.
I appreciate you helping me find the right tool for the job Gaz,
Cheers.
As much as a “badass” the Rytm MKII is, the Tempest takes it to the next level. You really should own both.
@@Dzineboy I love DSI stuff, including the Tempest, but pound for pound the rytm beats out the tempest in my books. The sample engine is what puts it over the edge. Unfortunately, as beautiful as the design of the tempest is, compared to the rytm it seems outdated now.
I literally have a rytm being shipped as we speak, and can't wait!
@@Dzineboy I forgot to say as well: overbridge 2 is ridiculous. Not only do I have a drum machine, but also a 8 track analog summing box with filters, FX, and the ability to manipulate the tracks with scenes and performance.
I don't think there's anything else on the market to compare the Rytm mk2 with. I don't know how it flew under my radar for so long!
@@Dzineboy Tempest even worse than Analog Rytm by Elektron, it’s a standard DSI synth with Linn sample engine on top, it’s main fault for me - impossible to produce stable transients using only synth part and even with sample layer it still a problem, even though I’ve found workaround I got rid of the Tempest no regrets and never back, now I want to try that Elektron, interface looks great but sound wise I’m not impressed so far, my be all people on UA-cam don’t know how to use it right who knows... have to try myself.
Cheers.
P.S. I don’t care about overbridge and other not related to sound engine bells and whistles. 1-Sound. 2-interface.
I vote yes, but I’m a bit biased
Bought one on sale and just arrived today after trying and owning many other drum synths from expensive modular drums to others and love the Rytm the best. Expensive but far less cost to do the same in modular drums and more powerful. It’s really a full modular drum synth in a box without the need to use patch cables!
I've had a similar number of drum machines over the years, RYTM Mk2 is by far my favourite. Goes very nicely with my MC-707 too.
how are you using them together? master sequencer is 707?
@@williamwallace6508 I sold the 707 not long after that comment. I went full Elektron, I found their workflow more intuitive.
@@------YeahOK------
I've got a deluge and a 707, and some synths, both poly and mono.
Assuming I'm keeping the deluge which is fantastic and the 707 which is also pretty good, which elektron device would you recommend in first?
I was thinking rtym then a4?
Not a big fm fan btw and don't use many samples (have a big library though!) due to fact its a pain in the backside to find on the deluges tiny screen! And 707 havent tried yet!
Comments appreciated ;)
Elektron should start a twitch channel to play videogames with Gaz
The photographer Chase Jarvis once said “the best camera is the one that's with you”. This is why we say that the smartphone is really the best camera, because you can see the best sunset in the world and if you don't have your £5k worth of kit setup in front of that sunset before it fades then it is worthless kit - but a smartphone that is always on you is priceless. And I would state the same for any kit. The best mixer is the one you have your kit hooked up to, the best synth is the one in front of you, the best groove box is the one on your knee in the park, and the best drum machine is the one you are creating a beat on. Because bad stuff can be done on good gear, good stuff can be done on bad gear, and no stuff gets done on no gear.
And most capability goes beyond that of its user. Like look at a groove machine like the Synthstom Deluge which is an extremely capable machine and yet in years I haven't seen a single video that creatively uses the full capability of that machine. I see tonnes of people messing around with a few key features. But it would be a redundant argument regarding is the Deluge the best groove machine as I have yet to see someone exploit half of its features in a single creative endeavor. When someone that just knows the Korg Electribe inside out, as that is their instrument as a pro, could come along and blow all that away. I would say the same about the Rytm. If you are using all of its features live pushing it beyond its limits, as it is the main kit you have used for years, then I think someone could put up an argument for it being the best, but till then...
I always admire these people that have had one solid piece of gear for years, and push that one bit of kit beyond its limits, they know it and they use it - that gear is what they do creatively. That is a rare thing today. But anyone playing around in a studio full of a bunch of machines is just playing around, be it as an amateur or professional. Until you know a piece of gear better than you know yourself then it is just a piece of gear that you are playing around with. We rarely see a master oil painter dabbling in acrylic paint, the reason why they are a master of oil painting is because that is what they do passionately every single waking moment of every single day - the are not playing around. And nothing wrong with playing around in a room full of gear, if that makes you happy then have your fun. If a fun process is more important than a mastered outcome then I see nothing wrong within that. As I should know I am a master of messing around in many creative fields and have mastered being really bad at all of it - but hey, I had some fun.
I agree with most of what you're saying here, but if we keep the photography analogy going: The best camera is indeed the one that you have with you. This age old adage, which Chase used as a title for his iPhone photography book, actually comes from street photography and discussion on "the decisive moment." What they meant is that you should always carry a camera with you in case you miss the decisive moment and if the picture is good then the image quality means jack shit.
However, what kind of camera do almost all of these street photographers use? An expensive Leica. The rangefinder, which would be analogous to the analog processing found here, offers many real benefits to other cameras. In the context of street photography the fact that you can see outside of your frame through the viewfinder helps you line up your shot, and that manual focus is easy, offer massive benefits for a lot of people.
Or how about film over digital? In a sense you're just "toying around with different films," sure, but that in itself is a form of expression.
The tool allows the person to be more creative in that case. Specialized tools like this often carry limitations of their own, something that will only increase your creativity.
My point being: Yes worrying about gear you don't have is worthless, but if you're a professional finding the tool that fits your needs is only a natural progression.
Or to keep in line with your painter analogy: An oil painter might not try acrylic, but he will always be on the lookout for good suppliers of paint and nice brushes.
Dion Suurmond - I agree completely. The thing I like about my current smartphone is a double tap on the power button takes a photo with the screen off, take a bunch of quick street snaps and review later. And then you also have in the photography world so many grades of what is photography; some saying digital is not photography, cropping a frame is cheating, burning and dodging a print is altering too much, editing and montage isn’t photography, or grading and heavy photoshop is too far - the reality is that these are self imposed limitations to suit a mode of operation. It is all good depending on concept, but something satisfying about looking at a good print and knowing that is an unaltered frame from camera. And same with music, we listen back and talk about our output differently if it was built up and edited over hours or it is a live hardware jam with just a bit of light compression.
Interesting discussion chaps!
When did you get that Jeff Berlin bass? Nice. 😎🤘
A wonderful love letter to an incredible machine.
You make a compelling argument Gaz, lengthy, but compelling !!!
Ah apologies for the ridiculous running time. I was literally shocked when I saw how long I nattered for.
Gaz Williams Please never apologise for being you ! It’s why we love your show :) Now we need two hours of Subharmonicon noodling :)
It is the best, Elektron are great product designers as well, love the workflow.
Even though I'm still learning, once you get the workflow, all machines make since...
agree- I have the Octatrack best sampler and Analog 4 a superb synth.
Gaz, for sampling from Ext In, simply choose "MAIN" as Source...no need to remove cables...
The MK1 still looks so much better tho! Great piece all the same
The only issue with the Mark 1 is, you need an iPad and the Strom app to make sampling easy and fun.
@@spaceman103 If sampling is what you want tho you have the Octa which is a lot more powerful in that regard
@@dxtrs_mnpltr I’m the proud owner of a Black Octa 😉. Still, playing around with samples on the AR 1 makes it stand out, compared to other analog drum machines. The Strom app is a really great addition to the sampling workflow of the AR Mark 1. Bonus features are pattern and preset randomizers. €25 isn’t cheap, but I still think it’s worth it.
MK2 - Rytm and Octa are better dude. Or they would still be MK1s.
@@dxtrs_mnpltr for oneshots, the rytm is much more versatile. for longer samples and sample destruction, the octa is an unbeaten device. but if its mainly chords, drum shots and such, the rytm will give you a much faster workflow and more tracks
Thank you for your extensive video. What about Jomox Alpha Base? Would be nice if you made a video about it.
probably the only true competetor, it offers more interesting sound design possibilties, but workflow can be a pain in the ass and the performance makros on the rytm are outstanding!
Additionally, the world's worst well-kept secret is that the Ry.. Rhyt... Ryth.. sod it, *that machine* is actually a fantastic bass engine as well. Keep up the great work, Gaz!
it is! (also just since the dual vco update)
No matter what drum machine you buy, this is the one you want.
What I do not understand about a lot of dawless musicians is they don't want to look at a computer screen, so instead they look at a bunch of tiny lcds.. i am not insulting it as the end result of the music matters more than the process to me so whatever works for the i individual (although the process can certainly inspire or not.. and menu diving doesn't inspire me, but I understand not everyone is the same). I have a combo of outboard and in the box, but since I went from my kurzweil k2000 to cubase for sequencing and songwriting about 22 years ago, I have never wanted to go back to hardware sequencers or drum machines (I do use maschine for really responsive pads and assigning drums, but don't use its sequencer either). That said, I have some elektron drum machine samples and they sounf fantastic.
Very interesting points here thanks!
My dawless productions tend to be very minimalist, live playing combined with very simple repetitive sequences, and on equipment that often doesn't even have an LCD screen much less a glowing graphical OLED display; Just knobs and buttons and a few LEDs, and no menus into which to dive. As more arrangement complexity is required, of course I do use the daw. Either way, daw or dawless, my final stereo mixes end up in the daw for mastering. The joy of dawless production is akin to the joy of live performance, it is nice sometimes to make music with one's eyes half closed and never touching a computer mouse.
i think it's also a thing of, for some people their 9-5 Monday to Friday is staring at Computer Screen. then they get home and they sit in front of computer. some people just need to >get away from computer and enjoy that more than anything else. i know someone who uses an old desktop computer from ~15 years ago for their music making, simply cos it's not connected to the internet and is a dedicated machine just for music, and i can appreciate that in a similar "DAW-less" kind of way.
@@bitroast Ah yes, very interesting points. Even with some of the modern loop stations, drum machines, and groove boxes that have detailed screens, one doesn't necessarily need to stare at the display the whole time either. With any computer based daw you're pretty much looking at the screen and twiddling with the mouse the whole time.
I work tech support all day. Even when I'm mastering and Reaper asks to be updated I start to lose it a little. It's just nicer for me to grab a dedicated box and know when I turn it on A: It will work the way I left it and B: Nothing else matters in the world, music will be made.
There is also a hard core geek factor on my end. I love using dedicated mini computers with purpose built interfaces. The taktile aspect is part of it but in general it is hard to convey.
I have a Mk1 and love it, it always sounds good in a mix. More engines for the top 2 rows would be good though, I do end up using noise & high reso a lot up there. This and the Digitone are the stars of the Elektrons imo.
@meowington meowsworth yes I had one from about 2013 until just a couple of months ago :) at one point I had a 2nd one set up as as a permanent drum machine using sample chains. If they release an OT mk3 I will definitely buy it. The mk2 was a pointless update really.
Gaz I love this machine! Will save up for it but right now I got my eye on the Vermona DRM1 mkiv and the RD-8 mkii
I think I need to buckle up and get a rytm. I would like an analog drum machine like this, I don't need a sequencer or a sampler on it, as I have other devices to do this but I would like analog filters and variable adjustments just like on this machine. But I don't think there is any lower priced options right? Like I would like a Digitaktn type device just with no sampling but with the customised synth engine. I guess the closest would be analog four I just like the fixed nature of the drum modules.
helloooooooo
Well hello there Gaz Williams.
Jackpot
@@brunovalente2077 What did we win?
A virtual psychedelic hug!
Can you please confirm/deny the rumor that you once punched a polar bear in the face? Just curious.
it is just what is missing to complete my collection. I hope to get it in the next few years! :)
The RYTM MKI is my go-to box for starting any ideas. I wish it had better project backup though. As far as I can tell there is no option to export the sound pools that each kit uses and the overall sound pool for the project. It makes taking kits and patterns from different projects and adding them to a single one for a live set difficult without manually adding back the samples. If OB can do it in the studio I'll even take that as long as I can go dawless live.
Ah have you checked the improved data management that comes with the 1.6 update?
Gaz, you f**kin crack me up, man! 😂
Gaz has the best voice ever.
I love my Rytm mk2. I think it is the best and most versatile drum machine on the market. I had a Tempest and a Jomox Alpha Base, but the Rytm has survived them all 😍😍🤩🤩🥰🥰
Mine just arrived and yes the most fun drum machine ever coming from other drum synths like Roland TR-08 and DFAM.
Haven't finished watching so not sure if you resolved it, but I'd bet that the CH not sounding was because the synth engine had turned itself off in the TRIG page. I don't understand why this happens sometimes when loading a blank kit - as is often the case with Elektron it might be a bug or it might be user error.
RYTM is the daddy, there is no question
This human gets it
thank you man
Thank you! What are you using to interface the guitar and mkii? I'm having a hard time getting a clean sound from my electric guitar, tons of fuzz both through my guitar amp and even direct from the guitar. Thanks!
I'm happy with pyramid sequencing a Nord Drum 2 plus digitakt. No multiple outs but I don't care about that. It's probably the same price combined but I like having access to 3 different approaches. The Rytm definitely seems nice but it took me some time to bond with the digitakt... maybe I'll give it a try in a store. Not gassing atm luckily:)
I worked at an arcade circa Street Fighter 2-3 era, would love to challenge almighty Cenk!
Watch out I reckon he is a champion arse kicker!
@@GazWilliams it's only fun when you're at the same level of arse kicking, hopefully will get to challenge him at NAMM if it ever happens again...
Hiya Gaz! What are your thoughts on the Korg Drumlogue? 🤔 Im thinking about picking one up because of its versatility and open-ended dev aspect (SDK). I could essentially buy three of them for the same price as the Rytm. Or three unique drum machines for that matter. Thanks for sharing ✌️✨
Two features I would love to see in the future:
1: True polymetric capabilities. Right now, every track defaults back to the master meter. Arturia's secuencers really got that feature down.
2: Assigning probabilty to retrigs. Right now, they are either on or off.
If those features are in the box and I just didn't see them... Please point me there. :)
I love my Rytm and I think it is the current gold standard for drum machines.
Re point 1: The Digitakt has an "inf" setting for when the master meter resets. Doesn't the AR have the same?
Yes, and even better when paired with the Digitakt!
Digitakt is a modern classic!
Digitakt + TR-8S and here’s the ultimate combo!
really? i long thought about getting the dt as well, but i cant really think of something the dt is capable of doing which the rytm cant?
Elektron worklow is a creativty killer. Sounds great albeit scooped. I tend to prefer the flat EQ of the MPC circuitry and the SP1200/S2400 (pending).
@meowington meowsworth I own both. I understand
@meowington meowsworth lol
@meowington meowsworth so true. But I worship satan so he will protect me.
Good demo
outside of analog modular drums, yes and way less expensive as well. MFB Tanzbar and Jomox Alphabase are great as well.
Sound, features, built-quality, OS, everything is amazing of the RYTM 2. But it could have been the best drum machine ever only if the MFB Tanzbaer would have never been made. Great video.
“Only” half an hour in, so maybe you’ll get into it still. But wether it’s the “best” I think it’s interesting to see there’s no discussion yet in the chat about the difference vs drum machine and drum synth. I don’t own a Rytm so won’t offer my judgement; but I can imagine it might be the best drum machine but potentially some other contenders might win best drum synth?
Max Marco’s video on the Machinedrum vs the RYTM is interesting. Don’t know if I agree as I haven’t used a RYTM, but I like both the old Elektron stuff and new.
To be honest using the term “is this the best...” was just to stimulate some interesting chat. It is a highly subjective issue really.
Gaz Williams no that’s clear don’t worry - was just thinking along the lines of the thought experiment! From the perspective of what I long for and what I know of, Rytm is top of the list because of its combination of sequencing power, synthesis and samples. But I’d understand it quite easily if someone would make the case for another machine being favorite on the front of synthesis pure. But as I said, don’t worry, clear that this is just a nice provocation for us all to free our thoughts!
Probably still the 808, MPC, DMX, 909 and a few more genre defining machines, from an iconic point of view. But, yes, I’m a certified drumachineoholic and this one is the most all round perfect and functional, brilliant for live performance and so on. Should have gone for better bigger pads.
for me they could have made it without pads like the machinedrum, still the best drum machine out there. maybe not the bass drum, but i think you can cover the rest of 808 and 909 sounds with it pretty decent.
Yep, this review would definitively be more relevant if you had tested the tempest before (which is widely regarded as best drum machine). Or the jomox alpha base for that matter. That being said, nice chat.
Had all 3. Sold my tempest. Sold my alphabase. If sound was the only criteria, I would have ranked jomox / DSI / Elektron. Then why did I kept the Rythm above all others? Versatility & playability. Main appeal of the jomox (at least for me) is it's famous kickdrum. Nothing kicks like a jomox! But I believe the modbase09 module is a smarter if that's your main appeal. The alphabase also occasionally loses it's sync and drifts, which is a pain. Interfacing is also a bit counter intuitive. As for Tempest, it's an amazing analog percussion synth. Period. Nothing like it out there & if you love the sound & sound designing aspect it gives, you should buy it! But much prefer the flexibility of the rytm. I tried to have these side by side, but didn't work for me for some reason. If I had money & room to spare on my table, I would buy the tempest again 2ndhand. But with the intend of working only with 1 modern featured drummachine (besides my trusted 808 & 909); I've settled for the rythm without regrets :) It's not the very best in some departements, but the overall package it offers is sublime.
Need an mpc-style slicing with zoom and pad assignment! Its a shame that 1500$ device has a very basic sampling functions. 400$ old mpc beats rytm in sampling
see the sampling as a bonus. it is an analog drum synthesizer with outstanding performance and sequencing features, the sampling is probably just an enhancement and mainly used for oneshot, short samples. (not that i would say no to that abilities, but i think it is not really necessary. the price is justified even without any sampling)
@@qpidnyx3329 but what about digitakt? its sampling engine is the same
It certainly does smite most other drum machines, but as a sampler the fact that stereo was left out is extremely disappointing. My Akai S2000 from 1994 does that
The mono samples is due to the fact that the samples are fed into the analogue circuit path for the filters etc. To make it cable of processing stereo samples would have probably made it too difficult to make or even more expensive by having to double up all the analogue side.
@@GazWilliams Yeah I guess that makes sense when you put it like that. Personally I would trade an all analogue sampler signal path for stereo sampling. Anyways that's neither here nor there. It's a killer machine and the things it can do clearly outshine the things it cannot
Gaz Williams Jomox Alpha Base does that in stereo plus reverb as an insert FX and it DOES SMOKE the Rytm big time! 😂
I basically live next door to Elektron. Still, I must say the UI on these machines seems incredibly out dated. And with all those buttons and knobs, one would assume more immediacy.
I think they can be incredibly fast and intuitive to use once you have learned the layout. I think the design is incredibly well thought out personally.
@@GazWilliams Hard agree, Gaz!
I am so happy elektron refused to use coloured/touch screens, they focus on usabilty and once you get into the workflow (maybe ±6 hours training? - what a 1600€ should be worth studying) there is really no other device i ever used that offers that many possibilities. you could easily produce a whole track on that without any post processing.
and: if you want hands-on controls without the need to switch the display and parameters knobs to a certain page - just get a midicontroler configured once and you have every parameter on a dedicated knob. make sure you get a midicontroller with enough knobs and faders though, as the sound-generating and manipulating parameters probably will need 200 knobs or so, and still you dont have control over effects, performance controls, scenes, routing....
@@qpidnyx3329 still, menu diving should always be avoided.
In the end its all about the sound, right? And that's a matter of taste but have tot say the quirky sequencer is amazing if you know how tot use it!! But soundwise, for me the MFB tänzbar mk1 sounds better..
MFB stuff does sound fabulous!
I just commented the same. RYTM2 is a wonderful machine, sampler, drum synth, drum machine. I love Elektron stuff. But if someone says best drum machine ever, I can only think of the Tanzbaer 1...
40:00 - Hold on. So you can use it as an audio interface with a DAW...?
As in.. Stems in DAW > through the RYTM mkii > warm it up with analog goodness > then use the 8 individual outs and send that to an analog mixing desk for all the DUB shenanigans with feedback loop delays etc.. And I can do that while still using it as a Drum machine??
Hey Gaz, can you use the Rytm in non-beat oriented material, like Rock N Roll? I think the beats thing came after my time. Just wonderin,
Isn’t there a beat in rock n roll? I mean, isn’t beat essentially rhythm? I think as long as you use sounds that will fit in that genre and program it in the way you need you can do that
You can, but it's not going to sound like a real drummer playing a real kit. A sampler (eg the Octatrack or Akai MPCs) will get you closer to the sound of a real drummer playing a real kit, although still won't be the same.
Drum machines like this sound electronic and artificial and that's part of the appeal. If you make rock and roll but use this instead of a real kit it can still sound great, but it's not going to sound like classic rock and roll. Radiohead is an example of a rock band that uses a lot of drum machines, and there are many others.
You really need to look in to the Tempest if you haven’t experienced one. It’s easily a contender for best drum machine ever.
Definite contender maybe let down by some show stopping bugs for some.
Gaz Williams nothing to hold you back from making wicked music on. This is pretty much all Temoest the last few minutes is all Temoest and a Deco pedal.
soundcloud.com/user-292550358/breezeblock-beats-6?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1
@@Kung_Fu_Jesus Tempest is deep. I hope Dave Smith/Roger revisit the Tempest in a new version.
@@automatonpilot5040 Nice tracks man, really great work. I always wondered with the Tempest, how do you change the patterns over time during the track? Do you switch scenes as it plays or something like that. Thanks in advance
Love this video! Very interesting! If somebody could help me, I’m thinking about this every single day 🖤 Which is your personal opinion, between Digitakt and Rytm? I’m talking about production most but live too! Thanks to all 🙏🏻
It´s a bit of a win/loose situation. The Digitakt adds more finetuned granular sampling capabitlities, CTRL-ALL feature, 8 extra MIDI sequencer tracks, but you don´t have song mode and single outs. With Rytm you don´t have the Digitakt mentioned features, but added those analog drum synthesis plus a 2 VCO synthvoice, added single outs. I suggest...get both. ;)
Sounds great but I don't like the Elektron operating system....I have the original drummachine and the rytm and both are hard to use and sometimes the rytm develops a glitch....weird noise I cannot get rid of.....I will never use it live
As far as drum machines go, ever since I got the Rytm, I have had absolutely zero desire for any other drum machine. The only thing that sparks my interest is a DFAM, but that is its own weird thing and would be more of like an enhancement to the Rytm rather than any sort of replacement. My only complaint is that 1 GB is actually not that big, if you load it up with multiple similar samples for “realistic” sounds... also, round-robin sample playback without using the LFO would be fantastic but not required.
I'm not a huge Moog person, but I would have bought a DFAM if... it had MIDI. No MIDI is so weird and such a Moog-ish thing to do. That was an instant deal breaker.
@@eddievanheinous666 CV.ocd (or any another midi-to-cv) easily covers this thing, I sequence dfam from Octatrack, for an example.
Gaz, the Rytm is absolutely the greatest drum machine ever made! Flexibility, sound design power, sampling functionality, Elektrons sequencer...the only way to improve on it at this point is to kick up the tracks to match the Machinedrums 16 tracks!
Ooh interesting point although I do think 8 tracks is enough for drum programming as you have to work creatively and sample and sound lock it for more action.
@@GazWilliams oh absolutely. Part of the desire for even more parts is selfish but also tied to them adding the basic FM synth engine a while back. While performing lve I build my performances to be continuous mixes and like to have access to two 'drum machines' for the mix between songs. Sometimes I have to recruit a few tracks from my Virus to do additional drum duty along with what the Rytm can provide. The great thing with the 16 tracks in the Machinedrum and its multiple synth engines is the possibility of using it alone as your production machine if you wanted to.
Maybe increase the voices from 8 to 12?
@@spidos1000 I think that won’t be easy with a (fixed) 8 voice analog sound engine.
Hey Gaz, maybe you could make an edited version of this video with the audio synced because you offer some good dialogue.
I saw that yesterday, it is fine now.
It is. Great! Thanks.
How odd? Numerous people have said about it when it looked fine for me. Thanks for the advice though.
It may be great, but when you said 1500 pounds, I did not want to know any more about it.
Yep that’s the tough part. It is expensive but as I argue in this video the quality is top notch and that comes at a price sadly.
Gaz Williams , That’s what I was afraid of, it would be great and I would want it :-)
xmrtuvgs you can pick up a used MKI (which is probably 80% as good - just trickier with sample management) for about £550
It is in an investment, but you'll be SET for a decade or more. It is absolutely worth it. Get it, master it, and you will not have a need for another drum machine. I can tell you, this thing is inspirational, sturdy and sparks joy. Worth every penny in my experience.
@@saysthetedd this
Elektron Analog Rytm Mk1 !!!!!!!
just one thing IMO, for the price range and the possibilitys of this thing, they made the oled screen waaaaaaay to small. absolute dont like this fact.
Hey Gaz and other people I would love your guys Opinions and knowledge on something dumb I’m about to ask because really I’m indecisive I’m finally in a financial situation where I’m going to be able to get into this hobby I would love to hear your guys opinions on what choice I should go with between two machines this MK or the DJS 1000 I would love to hear what one you guys think is worth it both around the same price just want to get my
Bang for the buck
Try to get your hands on everything you buy. Think about the workflow. Bought to much instruments which I ended up not using alot due to the workflow
I think it is way too expensive for what it offers. People praise it for the ability to stack samples, but what does that really say about the $1500 device if you need $20 sample packs to make it sound interesting in any way. If I would wanted to rely on samples I wouldn't buy a synth, I would buy a sampler. A sampler with higher polyphony and more space. A sampler with better effects and arranger features. The Rytm should come down in price by 40% at least.
t0sh , true get an old e6400 or S5000 and away you go
You don't "need" sample packs, just like you don't need presets on a synth. Like anything else, they are a starting point if you want them. It is expensive though, but nothing else out there does what it does.
I don’t consider the Rytm to be a sampler per se but rather a drum machine that can be augmented with samples. I love the analogue synth engines personally.
I own both the Rytm and A4 mk2's. When I first got the Analog Four, I thought I'd made an expensive mistake. It took me a year and a half how to learn how to really make unique and thick sounds with it, and I'm still learning new things. These devices can do some truly incredible and unique stuff, and I come up with more happy accidents and quick ideas than I ever do sitting in front of Ableton. But they have a quite deep learning curve and they demand you to really learn them. Once you do, at least for me, nothing else quite compares.
@@GazWilliams true the Octatrack is a sampler
Alpha base for me all day long but rytm aint bad either. But im a simple man i dont have time for complex to figure out machines and the sound just isnt there for such a high price
On a side note elektron four is a better 'drum machine' vs rytm:p my humble opinion.
To be fair a phenomenal sounding drum machine. I briefly had an Xbase 09 that sounds superb too.
@@GazWilliams if jomox did not had such a primitive sequencer and bugs made by german hand blessings we would forget about elektron long time ago🤣the kick is so demonic it goes out of sync clock like the original 909. An erm does the trick dawless or even daw. Also.firmware on prev gens like your 09 were crap but jomox seems he listened with alpha and keeps making it better even till june it had an update i believe. The thing is i love elektrons i had both gens rytm and machinedrum(legend) . My problem is not only the cold clinical no soul sound is also that everytime i had elektron gear and i had em all except digitakt ive found myself on the experimental side instead of my genre🤣 once i remember i ditched the four and rytm and went in my room with a used dodgy korg monopoly had midi connection kenton and a drumbrute with a sherman a beatstep which wasnt really needed and some reverb..ive had 10x more flow and wasnt feeling locked in an elektron ecosystem.
But ok i was not ever the smartest bird . I feel a man with your music pedigree would tame.elektrons.
And thats were elektron force is is.
Is made for musicians and sound designers
For an acid junkie vinylist like me who likes to tune knobs on a minimal diving machines and with just 2 yrs music production/sound design diploma on a local sound school ...elektrons are not wired with my brain🤣
Alpha Base is the best drum machine on the market according to Anthony Rother, that speaks volume to me.
That Alpha Base sounds monstrously big! Unbelievable sound from it that other machines would really struggle to match.
The workflow was a creativity killer for me, way too much thinking to get anything done, bass sounded nice though, but got the maschine+ instead.
it is really just the steep beginner learning curve, once you get the basics, everything else will float to you.
actually every other machines are actually a lot more unlogical and make you have to learn more keybinds and stuff. (i think we can only name the jomox devices and tempest in that league, as every other machine is not even offering half the possibilities)
love combing samples with the synth engines. parameter locks and workflow are superb. build quality is great. only issue is, I'm not a fan of the hats / crash and snare sounds. the kick and toms etc. are great though
Have you explored the page randomiser? Maybe could find some unexpected new snares n hats in there?
@@GazWilliams Can you explain please?
@@PitorioTorpini hold a page button and press yes and it will randomize that page. I wish you could randomise all panels at once though.
Yes.
This machine is only missing time stretching. $1600 and no time stretching
How does the MFB Tanzbar 2 compare to this?
great kick, better than the pure analog rytm kick, also better tom sounds and sometimes a little more versatile in the synthesis basics, but not comparable in terms of sequencing or performance possibilities
1:12:27 sounds nice
interesting presentation, but the audio is way out of sync this time and the chat wasn't archived with the video :-(
Ooh how to save the live chat? I thought it did it automatically. Sorry about that. I’ll investigate the sync issue too. Thanks for that.
Having an issue with the audio too. On my iPhone the audio is synced but since this is 2 hours I don’t want to watch on my phone and when I watch on the tv it’s way out of sync. Not sure why?
the analog rytm mk has severe issues and crashes , they should fix that first instead of releasing a new colour
I haven't got any crashes on my unit - talk to their support and they will get you sorted - they are really responsive :)
I didnt ever think that Karl Marx was so cool
Didn't know Karl Marx loves drum machines! Capitalism rocks!!!
😂
You should have bullet points for each of the ten points/or sections, timestamps etc.. so we can go straight to them, you can't expect us all to devote 2 and half hrs to watch to see if we find out anything new..?
Good idea. I really didn’t mean it to last 2 hours 20! So much to say!
In lock down, we have time to kill, so 2hrs of my life well spent.
Depends what genre you’re into, for techno nothing comes close to the Roland boxes!
@@ftj4441 Yeah right, wannabe artists in their bedrooms doing boring UA-cam sessions are all over Elektron for sure !
Actual artists in their studio have at least a 909, most of them have all the classic boxes. Roland made techno possible, that’s a fact.
I have and use a Elektron rytm mark one it is a great drum machine but it isn’t the best . My reasoning is the drum synthesis still have a way to as far as ease of use to get non techno sounds. I mainly use it with samples. It is a programmers dream to step input using grid recording but live playing isn’t it. But truth be told it all depends on the user, the machine it just a tool.
All fair comments and well made counter points.
To say "the best" Is really a pest.
The rytm is really an astonishing drum machine and for a reason the most famous new drummachine.
But it can't be the best. The best in which field?
You have to admit a basic patch doesn't sound very pleasing. It is a complex machine and you need to program it. It isn't for beginners.
A tanzbär is way more easy.it sounds just good and you can't do wrong.
Alphabase is also very different.
Most famous doesn't mean "the best".
A lot of people just don't need such a complex machine or don't like the sound of it.
The rytm is also.very boomy and i am always surprised how well the analog four does drum sounds.
Or a vermona drm is also very complex when it comes to synthesis and sounds amazing to my ears.
Choose your weapon.
Hi Gaz, I like your videos but having an ad every 5 mins in unbearable. :(
Jeepers! I’ll look in to this. I enabled the ads but if is the default setting. Sorry about that.
I think the ad algorithm plays ads more often the more you skip them.
I only had one ad at the beginning
@@jeepo500 yeah, that could be something influencing that, but I think it gets too crazy when you are trying to follow the video for a bit and every few mins there is an impression. No worries, I will do my best to not skip the ads so the channel can get some earnings from the monetisation and see if it decreases the amount of ads it's serving.
Adblock Plus :)
At that price you can get an Akai MPC X
That is a very powerful machine tone fair. However my criteria for this supposition is based on drum machines specifically as opposed to full beat maker machines like the MPC.
How does it compare to machine+?
11 years with maschine and about 3 years with rytm here, being fair if you were to compare the two you would have to only use the drum synths from maschine plus samples limited to the same amount of poly as the rytm or it is not fair, i often do this in maschine but ignoring the samples side - basically i make a duplicate of rytm in maschine, same amount of voices, same amount of fx, basically limit maschine - it is a great way of working but it won't compete with the rytm if you give it the same specs - maschine is an all out monster in normal form or MASCHINE+ form.
If you have not used either you should, they are both excellent in their own right
I think Maschine is fabulous groovebox that is transmogrifying into a DAW. Maschine+ looks absolutely amazing but Rytm probably still smokes it in a head to head on the aspect drum machine only.
I will just add to this that they are their own flavor of special. But I owned the Maschine MK3, used it for years. Sold it, because the Rytm makes it feel like a toy in comparison. When I finally got the Rytm it felt like I finally had a real tool to master. The Maschine always just felt like a means to an end, but it never made me light up when I walk into my studio. The Rytm puts a smile on my face every friggin' time.
This is naughty
An Emu SP1200 is $5-7k... so this is hardly an expensive piece of professional studio equipment.
In terms of longevity, NO. My display went bad and then the unit went bad on one of the first ones made. However, in terms of feature set YES it is the best ever.
That’s a shame but I think In general they are very reliable. I know pre screen saver there were some display burnouts but that is fixed now. Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Sorry Gaz, if you think the Rytm is the best, you really should get yourself a Machinedrum.
Still the best Machinedrum made by Elektron. IMO of course.
The only way you could say the Rytm is the best drum machine, is to re-categorise the Machindrum as a drum synthesiser.
it's a digitakt with a synth voice and performance pads that costs 3 times of a digitakt ....hmmm
It is an analog Drum synth first, with a stereo analog compresser and stereo analog distortion. These are VCO's too (not DCO's) and you can layer samples on top. The Digitakt was based on the Rytm sample engine with further enhancements (some of which were brought over to Rytm Mk 2's). It's priced accordingly I think.
Is it me or is audio sync well out..
I must be the oddball but I’ve owned the MK 2 for over six months and the workflow is disappointing. Velocity on the pads is less than accurate and inconsistent. In my opinion this piece is just a expensive studio piece that can’t do much except sound ok. By the way, Elektron’s customer service is by far the worst I’ve ever dealt with. Good luck fellas 🤙🏽
How would you say it compares with the MC707 (Synth sounds aside)? Have been trying to decide between the two and am wondering how much more inspirational the Rytm Mk2 might be.
the mc707 is a full 8 channel groovebox rather than an analog + samples drum machine they aren't really comparable. If you want to make fully rendered tracks on one box then the mc707 is the superior choice.
It’s a wild beast! The engines are flexible, there’s so much accessibility built in to the sequencer, and if you want more live feeling jams you can control virtually every parameter with pressure pads and performance knob. That’s where rytm sets off on its own, that combination of sequencing power and live sound manipulation. Sampling, cv, midi, overbridge, individual outputs, a wealth of synth engines... add it all up it’s much more than just a drum machine. Inspiration is never in short supply 🥳
zip none aikighost Thanks, very useful views re that they’re not directly comparable and that it’s good for live feeling stuff; didn’t know the pads had pressure control.
a lot more, the 707 is super static in comparison
ua-cam.com/video/jZWBB9-N3Bo/v-deo.html check out his 30 minute sets, the music may or may not be to your taste but it certainly shows you what is capable on the rytm, also he has mk1 and a lot has changed since, i am yet to see or hear anything like his stuff from the 707 and doubt i ever will
what i hate in Elektron are these small screens with the PACMAN Gaming Style Symbols! For people who get used with Push2 or Maschine MK3, this Elektron seems like the Linux Version for Nurds Producer. Why someone should pay a lot of Money for these Kind of Gear?
I can understand that sentiment but I would say in Elektron’s defence that the screen carries out certain functions perfectly well and in use it’s not a problem at all. You don’t fixate on the screen like you do with some other gear.
I sold my Maschine in favor of the Rytm MKII and that was a huge reason actually. The screen on the Rytm is small and simple because it is focused and deliberate. The Maschine screens look great, don't get me wrong. I am an Apple > Linux kind of guy. I highly prioritize aesthetic and ease of use. I loved my Maschine and this is not a dig on it, but the Rytm makes it feel like a toy in comparison.
I also didn't "get" the screen, but now that I own one I absolutely love it and it's quirky little symbols :)
For what it's worth, I got the Black MKII and it makes the screen POP
the screen is just to show parameter values and button labels. it is perfect on the mk2 and we dont need toy touch screens on our pro machines.
The Tempest is a better instrument but the RYTM is better at being a drum machine.
I hear the new black Rytm is warmer sounding.
It's true. HZA @djhypnotize
I would buy one if they would start putting decent displays in the devices. I just can't stand these late 90s display with 8x4 px resolution...
I honestly think that the display is perfectly adequate for the necessary info. You don’t need a big screen for this particular workflow.
That is the best feature! I wish they made the MPC one with this kind of display instead of that Dawy Toyish touchscreen
The screens are perfectly adequate to relay encoder position. There is literally no need for them to be bigger, even the MK1 are fine.
2 hours and sooooo little drum examples.
no
I love that everyone who's skilled at something that's tied to fast bodily movements is a demon. Sampledemon would be a great artist name.
Simple answer: No.
wich one is in your opinion?
@@audunkvam9009 I think there's no best one. And if there were one it wouldn't be the Rytm. :)
@@audunkvam9009 for me it's the pocket operator arcade : )
machinedrum vs rytm? Go!