Digitone Keys - what's new? Review, tutorial and comparison to Digitone
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- What's new in Digitone Keys? Here's a detailed review, tutorial and comparison between Digitone Keys and the original Digitone from Elektron
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TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:20 The hardware
2:10 Connectivity
2:45 The keybed
3:05 New controls
4:20 Five new buttons
6:25 Eight new encoders
8:50 FM synth overview
11:00 Modulation
12:25 Other FM params
15:00 Filters
16:00 Effects
17:10 LFOs
17:45 Input control
18:05 Managing voices
19:00 Sequencing
20:30 Param locks
21:15 Sound locks
22:50 Trig conditions
24:00 MIDI sequencing
24:30 Control all, chains
25:15 Overbridge
26:35 Pros and cons
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NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
Here's link to my multimap tutorial
Beautiful instrument. Reminds me of the synthesizer market shakeup when the Nord Lead hit in 1995. Those Swedes are truly ingenious! I am generally not an Elektron fan, but this is beautiful.
I like your explanation of Modulation. I was a Ground Radio Technician in the Air Force... it is very interesting the overlap between Radio Communications and Synthesizers!
I am so impressed. I love the digitone, and this is the most logical evolution. Incredible.
Nah, where's the expanded version with the ability to load custom engines from all the elektron range
Beautiful video, you have the great ability of explaining hard stuff in an easy and very comprehensive way, keep it up man!
Thank you very much for the tutorial. Was not exploiting this machine to its full potential but you unlocked it for me!
Great overview. I recently found a DK discounted and it has become the centerpiece of my setup. Just finished a EP and used it on every track. Thanks for making this, fantastic guide to its features.✌️🎶🎹
I have to say- I this form-factor extremely attractive. I did not even know this thing existed until I caught it hiding in a Sweetwater catalog and then came to UA-cam to find out if loopop had a take on it!
Agreed, this form factor sold me
I was playing my Analog Keys and loving it then I thought to myself if Elektron would make another Keys. Here we are I guess question answered. Bummer they didn’t make it with a X-Y joystick 🕹
I just bought one and I've been acoustic for a few years and just getting back into it. This helps a lot. I grew up on West coast in college and FM and vst with Kurzweil after college. But it's been 15 years since I've played synthesis. I'm already having fun and this is the first day. BTW you sound just like cgp Grey
A bit late to the game but definitely getting this. I need a decent keyboard with a synth and a sequencer. As a Digitakt user, I've been admiring Digitone from far but now I'm ready for it - with the Keys.
Thanks for the review @loopop!
Great demo as usual, thanks. I licated my digitone on the left of my keyboard to give it a try and I have to say controlling a digitone only with my left hand increase a lot my left hand control. A few more days and I should be able to write with it
I love the sound! Great Review!
Wow. Always first out the gate LP!! I want this now!!!!
I’ve watched so many of your videos I think I get a dopamine release when I hear “hi..” it’s like the dog and the dinner bell
A Digitakt Keys would have sold it for me, great review as always! One of the best reviewers on youtube.
@D’Marco Jackson for someone like me who loves samples and can play keys, i would.
Especially if they made it poly!
Where is the keytar grip!?
haha
haha. that would be weird indeed.
@Fürst von Metternix it's a joke dude
@Fürst von Metternix are you data from star trek or something?
Home Depot
Loopop your videos are amazing
What a weird looking device. It looks intriguing, but seriously weird at the same time.
Thanks for sharing this video, Loopop. Top quality, as always.
OMG i never knew about the randomise ability thank you loopop!
Not your fault :) It’s new to this OS
@@loopop oh right thanks all the same love your work
Thank you! Good review> It's lovely fm synth & great partner! Enjoy and be creative! You can find great packs and learn a lot great staff!
Looks pretty cool! Not something I as a sequencer guy would need, but I am sure it's perfect for some.
Cool video, very detailed thanks a bunch! Question: are the user assignable pots/controllers addressable/mappable to control external MIDI gear?
I think I am the only one who actually likes this...
I do like it - in fact, bought one as my main polysynth.
strongocho haha I was thinking same
strongocho I even really like the way it looks. I definitely don’t think it’s ugly AF as been stated. I think it’s quite handsome.
@@fredericmailloux6167 so did I 👍
@@fredericmailloux6167 So, you've had it for a bit now, how is it?
When I saw this design first time in the synth group I thought it was a joke until this video
there is a monomachine with this crazy design
I really like it's design although it does look silly.
The Monomachine always reminded me of the Roland SH-3a, which is one of the most desirable synths of all time.
Totally. I even thought it was lame as a joke. Jeez.
Although it does make sense as it’s exactly what it needed!
Oh boy this looks quite interesting
I just picked up one of these and, so far, think it's really cool. One big reason I got it, though, was Overbridge. If you've ever played with a Virus TI or TI2, the way Access integrated the VST / AU with the DAW was amazing at the time, and still is. One can make changes on the Virus, and they reflect in the plugin, and vice versa, and it does it completely independently of whatever audio interface you're using (a big plus for me because my Apollo x8 is already full). This is what I'm really hoping Overbridge will allow me to do with the Digitone Keys. So far, I've gotten almost all of that to work. I'm hopeful I'll get the final bits working soon.
Hey bro, Im curious how this worked for you? I am interested in the key
Nice! Very good video and awesome explained!
Thanks! I think you made the preset I mess with in the intro - if so... awesome job!
@@loopop I was not sure about that piano patch at the beginning. If "FP" is at the end of a patchname, then it's from me, yep :) Thanks! Very nice played btw :)
@@loopop 0:19 yeah the "kumite arp"! It's actually a replica of a previous song that I made as demo for my last soundpack for the analog four / keys. Since there is now the possibility to save an Arp, I've just made this one for the digitone keys :) Maybe you already know it? soundcloud.com/floppydisk-pirates/kumite
This is great.
Proud owner of the Monomachine. I like this. The keyboard is perfect for leads. Don't expect to play with both hands. It's a different animal.
I just got the Digitone, last month, and"?..now i wish i knew THIS would happen,and i would have. Bought the keys , but i still love Elektron,- especially in tandem with my Deepmind and Grandmother.
Hmmm, could you route an LFO to the mod wheel and with that control five different settings (all individually attenuated!) with one LFO?
it looks interesting. I wonder if with this update you will get all the new sounds for the regular Digitone?
The new sounds will be made available as a free download on the Elektron website soon.
Interested in seeing you use the expression inputs. Would like to see it both with standard sustain/expression pedals and with CV, apparently it can handle 2 CV per input?
Maybe also talk about the output routing. Pros/cons. I'm guessing going via those outputs bypasses the main effects, but i guess you can just route them back in through the inputs after your effects chain.
Hi, thanks for for the way you explain and express things... I am recently starting using Ableton Live (before only doing music with hardware) and i wonder what setup could be more rational, since the Digitone Keys has 4 midi channels look very promissing for live performance, but i still want to incorporate my Akai Force (since now it can "control" Ableton... Any suggestion?
Super cool and it looks a lot like a black Monomachine
I prefer pairing my Digitone with my Novation SL MkIII. You could get a regular Digitone and a 49 key SL MkIII for about the same price ( maybe less since they both are also sometimes on sale), and the SL MkIII has all the same added features of this keyboard PLUS a lot more features. This Digitone Keys kind of just seems like they wanted to have a new release for Superbooth and didn't have any better ideas. In my opinion, instead of spending their resources on this "new" product, they should focus on improving the issues with their current products (e.g. getting Overbridge out of beta after years keep passing).
This will be a Epic fail!
OK. The good thing is everyone has different needs, workspace sizes, and ways of working. Elektron and others understand that giving users lots of choices and configuration possibilities benefits everyone. Kudos.
The Digitone Keys and the Digitone Desktop will get both a new OS. I am currently a closed Beta Tester and cant tell more, just that all booh sayers will be surprised positively soon.
@@leNotstrom I'm not saying anything bad about the Digitone, I love mine. I love most of their products actually as I have most of them. The lack of actual innovation with the Model Samples and now this Digitone Keys just leaves me disappointed they're coming out with new stuff before finishing improving their existing ones. You're a beta tester now, but who knows how long this secret beta you speak of will actually come to fruition, as all their beta testing takes a long ass time.
@@mikedurden Well OS 2.0 just dropped.
I love the electric piano patch that starts the video. Is that patch built-in or did you craft it? Love all you do!
Thanks! If I remember correctly it's a preset - maybe I tweaked it a bit
Very exciting synthesizer! 👍 Thanks for the in depth review. 👍
This is a good tutorial
So many people here call this weird or really spewing some synth hate on it Now I"m intrigued and will give this a chance at the local synth shop. Must be interesting if the form factor beats the usual banal expectations
Yeah go for it, let me know how that works out for you LOL.
@@paxlibertas2494 I will.
When you disconnect the Digitone form the keys "and it gets all purpley", can you use the keys as a controller; are the sequencer and arpeggiator still available to drive external gear?
Hello.
Just curious about the individual track outputs - do they output each track with send effects or just raw sounds?
(It sounded like the effects came through individually in overbridge ?!)
Thanks! Your channel is amazing!
This device would get me into the Elektron world for sure.
Can the 4 track outputs be connected to individual keyboards to incorporate sounds from keyboards for each of the 4 tracks?
im in the process of making a pitch bend/modulation wheel break out box for my digitone with a teensy. i would love it if elektron made a break box but this will do. :)
So are the updated patches available for the standard digitone?
Great review as always. Is there a limit to the number of notes per step on the Digitone sequencer? I'm assuming it's the same for both synth and MIDI.
Thanks! It's not with me now but I think 8 notes per step per track
As a master control keyboard the digitone sequencer is awesome and better than a keystep, it should be for the price though. This could easily be the centre of a fully hardware setup. I already have a digitone and a master keyboard so this isn't for me, but I can see its value.
hey love your videos! what's the name of the oscilloscope VST, and the Frequency Spectrum VST :3
Thanks! Scopes by Melda
Wow the design really looks a lot like the Elektron Monomachine.
Excellent breakdown. 👍
Quick question: With Overbridge is it possible to multitrack record into your DAW with both the Digitone Keys and a Digitakt - ie. simultaneously recording 12 channels of audio and the FX channels?
(With the intention of capturing a live jam with both devices running in tandem).
Bravo! Have you spent time with Overbridge with this device (and/or) others? Some of us have trouble with the little screen and the issues it presents. A GUI is always preferable, but of course an addition complication.
Yes, I have - check out towards the end of the video. The Overbridge UI is a great way to learn more about what's hidden in Elektron devices, I recommend using it as a starting point, but ultimately you'll make more out of the gear if you use the on device controls IMHO
Do you know when they’ll be releasing the working VST for Digitone? As far as I know the latest release still says the VST will come in the future... I only ask because you have access to a version in this video.
I love my digitone so much - helped me create my sound and I almost feel there are no limits to its power - the separate audio outs that this offers is a really compelling reason to upgrade and I’ll keep it in mind.
It came out today. www.elektronauts.com/news/474
One question. Does the Digitone send the KB-Chord over midi to a external gear, like the chord-mode of the Keystep37?
Nice Intro :)
Your exiting music, was that done on these keys, and it would be amazing to see it live or more so a tutorial, I’m overwhelmed here!
Thanks! Yes of course all performed live. I try to explain the principles behind what I did in the video
Does the regular digitone have all the features and new presents - the physical changes ( 5 buttons, 8 encoders, keys)
Lovely video as always! I have a question... You mentioned that there is no option to us the arpeggiator with MIDI, what about the hold and chord functions too? Is that purely for the Digitone synth engine?
Marlon Robinson thanks! Honestly it’s been a while so I don’t remember - if it’s not covered in the video check the manual or email the company. Good luck!
Did you ever figure this out? I'd imagine it would send all the normal midi notes, especially with overbridge 2.0.
With the last two Elektron releases being this and the model: samples, I am happy to say my GAS has not been activated. Perhaps I have fully transitioned from a gas to a solid state?
It's rather Elektron having transitioned from an innovator to a greedy cow-milker
Just has a weird form factor. They shouldve released this and an a4mkii in a matching form factor with the knobs split above the keys. This setup just sits odd
@@Rooftopaccessorizer If youre an FM junky like me this thing is a dream synth. its like if the dx7 and the digitakt had a baby and then they threw on a good keyboard. I'm a big fan of making fm drums and i know this thing would be a blast to use as a drum machine. its a good master sequencer as well. If you like more analog stuff though its obviously pretty bad. but idk im buying this soon.
the only downfalls i can think of are that it only has sine waves and 4 operators.
@loopop Hey Ziv! Thanks for the tutorial! I'm wondering what freq. analyzer you're using here - it looks amazing! It looks like the o-scope is the built-in VCV Rack one, is the new freq. analyzer also a VCV Rack module?? =D
Thanks! Yes it’s just the standard VCV scope
@@loopop- Oh, I was wondering about the spectrum/frequency analyzer you were using - Does VCV Rack provide one that looks that good? The Bog audio one is a little too crowded for my tastes.
Like here - what is the thing on the right? Really like the display of harmonics. imgur.com/a/YNs1ywd
Oh no that’s from Melda
Funny thing, This past weekend I was just complaining that Overbridge Beta didn't have Digitone support and Voila! i'll be updating the OS and will now dive into OverBridge for my AR Mkii and digitone (sans Keys) - Question - does the OS upgrade include the new Digitone keys presets or are they Keys only ready?
I wish it was in the shape of the Analoge Keys 😫 it’s so long!
Great job as usual. What are the overall dimensions?
Thanks! sorry to send you to their site I don't have them on me
Hello Mr. Loopop. ✋Could you help me please and tell how many sounds(patches) I will have from both Digitone and Digitone keys from the box! Thank you.
I watched this again to see that whatever track is active can be played with the keys, what you'd expect. I don't seem to be able to do that with the regular Digitone and a Komplete Kontrol (always plays track 1) even though I made a KK template that sends midi to channel 10 that I use as auto channel on the Digitone. Quite frustrating. Also in the overbridge plugin the tracks 2-4 only respond to the internal Digitone keyboard. Does anyone have a solution? Btw I use all the latest beta updates of OB and DN.
Wow, great center piece for minimalism/sequencer music... this and a couple of Dreadboxes.... 🤔
This, a dreadbox nyx and a moog minitaur would be ideal for a minimal but dense setup.
S†. Clou† Nice! I would also consider an Erebus, AS-1, Mother-32, Odyssey desktop and ... for poly: Peak, DeepMind desktop, and Minilogue XD module.
Nice one table studio!
@@blushingfrieza minitaur and a nymphes now 😎
Great video weird product.
Would. be sweet to MIDI control a monomachine with this, and run it though the Digitone's FX, since reverb was weak on the MM.
My question is how much?
This will be my 1st elektron product. The music playing during over bridge was niiiiice
I think they should have used a different form factor for the controls, especially if they're charging $1200 US. They could have placed the controls above the keyboard for convenience. Yes, they would not be able to use the same bread boards but again... $1200 US. I still want one though. 🤣🤣🤣 I do like the additional buttons.💖 You mentioned the elephant in the room. 💖
What do you use for your Vectroscopes?
Scopes by VCV and Melda
Thank for the review. It would be nice to compare the digitone sound with a real FM synth like the yamaha DX7
what makes the digitone less real than the DX7?
Can this control an arp odyssey module?
Maybe i missed it, but can you do glide on this? Adding glide to notes would make for some wild funk solos and some nutty pads edit: is that portamento?
Does the electron have a sampler ? or is the audio inputs used just for mixing external audio only ?
This one does not have a sample, just processes external audio
@loopop do you have any idea if they are going to add portamento to the digitone module - it's a frequently requested feature!
I think I spy a portamento label for function+leftmost button above the keyboard! 🙌
I think they included it in the new os update
loopop confirmed in the 1.20 firmware documentation!!
So. Should everyone just save the money and buy the original, getting a nice 3rd party controller if they don’t already own one?
How much would really be missed out on?
Thanks for the fantastic demo as always,
I have one question :
I tried it quickly in a local store, and it really shines in bell like sounds and weird FM piano sounds, but I found the pads a bit thin, is this true or maybe I didnt take more time in exploring it
Thanks and stay safe
Thanks. I think it sounds great, certainly not thin in my opinion, but I've found appreciation of sound subjective quite often
loopop thanks for the confirmation
I havd a MFB Dominion and LXR drum machine,and was looking to add something with noce bellish and lushy pads
Blofeld and digitone keys came into mind,I am a keyboard guy so normally I dont buy the rack versions.
I will wait till shops open again and do a deeper test for the digitone keys
Hello,
Just a quick question. With the new Arturia Keystep 37, would you choose Digitone + Keystep or Digitone Keys ? Best wishes,
Digitone + Keystep for me. One of the things I love about the smaller form factor of the Digitone is that I can just grab it and comfortably play from the couch or anywhere else where I might be inspired to sketch out an idea. If I'm trying to capture a more expressive performance I can just go plugin to the Keystep at my workstation.
I think a lot of manufacturers should make more desktops......,Elektron does it the other way around! All those keyboards take up a lot of space in the studio. Otherwise Nice product, and as always premium vid/review. 👍✌️👌greetz
I agree!!! to many keyboards out there.
I saw some guy modded it's korg monologue cut "in half", to get rid of keys. it looks amazing.
I'd like manufacturers to put more desktop modules, digital, polyphonic ( with full direct hand-control over params NO MENU DIVING... ) .
Now Novation can release the 51-knob Circuit!
(Seriously, I can’t believe this is an actual instrument. I’m just fine with my Digitone and Keystep)
In chord mode can each note be a different chord?
Devon Blue Whitaker You choose a key and a mode and the chords are quantized to that, so each key plays the chord in the scale/mode.
Digitakt keys next
How would one sync this to semi-modular set-up, specifically Moog Mother series: Mother-32, dfam, grandmother? Thanks!
midi, all of those have midi.
If you want direct CV control, you could use a midi to CV module.
Can anyone tell me why some of the trigs are green?
The electric piano preset at the start of this video is the best sound I've heard from the Digitone yet. Really makes me interested in getting one. Could you load/dial in the same patch on a regular Digitone and use a midi keyboard with pressure sensitive keys, aftertouch and pitch bend to get the same effect?
I haven't tried by I'm sure there shouldn't be a difference
@@loopop That's what I'm thinking. The sound engines seem identical and I believe you can set up the regular Digitone to respond to velocity, aftertouch, pitch bends and mod wheels. I reckon a Digitone plus midi keyboard should get you most of the way there (minus the hold function and individual audio outs). Thanks!
looks cool to me
It sounds so amazing. I'd be using a different delay and reverb, though. That delay sounds awful to me and since I'd want the revreb after the delay, I'd have to do that in something else.
You know, I don't even hate this form factor as much as everyone else does (sometimes your studio/desk space is limited to depth more than width), but there's no way I'm paying the asking price for this. Good luck, Elektron.
I just bought a Digitone but it can't be recognized by my mac, I'm using big sur. Is anyone having this problem?
Why when I play my keyboard and a step it only records a monophonic note..? Any help is appreciated.
Hey boys and girls 🙋 i have two question to all of you, who own this device.
If i am use the midi-mapping function and split in 3 parts (part1=int. Synt, part2+3=ext. Synths). Is it possible, to use the new hold-function (latch) also for the external gear or only for internal synth? And, if its possible, can i use the hold-function parallel of each device of the midi-mapped parts?
Thank you and stay healthy,
John
Cool, Nord Lead 3 with sequencer
i have been wanting a digitone really bad, i had no idea this existed! I regret not get the MPC keys when i got my MPC one, mostly because i want a bigger keyboard. Maybe i made the mistake for a reason!
Wow very cool! Another great presentation
great review, no song mode?
No, only pattern chaining which doesn’t survive shutdown
Aphex inspired sound at 22:25 ?
this digitone is both better and worse than drugs. nice review, as always.
We’re the link to multimap tutorial I
Don’t see it ?
Can the digitone keys act as a keyboard for other synths ?
Yes