FM Synth Comparison: Korg opsix and Elektron Digitone
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- Опубліковано 8 гру 2020
- In this video, Mike takes a detailed look at how the brand new and very powerful Korg opsix compares to his beloved Elektron Digitone in terms of features, workflow and sounds. Being both FM synths there is some crossover, but as he discovers, each unit provides a number of unique features.
Disclaimers:
This video was shot prior to the opsix manual being available.
Any reference to pricing is in reference to Australian retail prices.
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#korgopsix #elektrondigitone #fmsynth #fmsynthesisis #bestfmsynth #dx7 #digitone #opsix
Great review. I love them both!
People really need to think of the sound engine on the Digitone as a Subtractive Synth where the "traditional oscillator" is a 4 operator FM synth w/ tricks (where each operator isn't just a sine wave , the HARM parameter to adds to upper partials. In addition. The Digitone uses a form of additive synthesis to create the harmonic series for the HARM parameter. Additive synthesis is one of the oldest forms of electronic sound generation. It is a quite simple form of synthesis but still very powerful. The basic principle is to add multiple sine waves together to form complex timbres. Each sine wave is called a partial. Typically, each part is one octave above the previous. You retain the frequency of the tone by keeping the partials spread across octaves. By attenuating each partial, the timbre changes its harmonic content, resulting in different waveforms, i.e. not just sinewaves.)
As for the subtractive synthesis side, the digital filters on the Digitone sound great, they are snappy, resonant with out sounding too digital, warm. probably my favorite digital filters on any digital synth.
I alway cringe a little when people pigeon hole the Digitone as an "FM Groove box," and that just isn't right.
Great review thanks
For the record, digitone is 8 voice, 8 part multitimbral, the 4 track buttons are sequencer tracks, but you can put 8 different voices AND tones at once on one track if you want. I've seen a couple of folks accidentally misrepresent what the tracks actually are, so hopefully I'm in early enough for people see the correction. If you go into the voice menu, it will show you which of the 8 voices are being triggered at any given time and you can lock voices to a track to guarantee they won't be cut off by other tracks if the polyphony is exceeded by, for instance, long trailing releases of notes overlapping too much.
Also, I never thought I'd say this, but it to me, it seems like Elektron out Korg'd Korg on the FM synth here. I love Korg's 'easy but deep' style of synth/sequencer design. They may trim a feature here and there, but it's all in service of being immediate and fun. Korg's FM synth seems a smidge more complicated than you'd expect them to handle FM. The Digitone feels like a Korg product in this way. They leave off important FM parameters and options, but it's in service of making it fun to make noise on.
Technically correct, Digitone would be 32 part multi-timbral and opsix 6-part multi timbral if you wanted to look at it that way, but it seems fairly standard practice to only count each timbre you can address via a dedicated MIDI channel when it comes to multi-timbral channel counts, so that's what we've gone by.
@@Noisegate one timbre = one midi channel , you’re right.
Multitimbrality refers to how many separate external midi channels can be assigned to different sounds. So although you have 8 note polyphony, you can only use 4 midi channels, that is the 4 tracks, to access these sounds.
There’s no other way to assign midi channels apart from assigning them to tracks.
Parameter locking different sounds to the same track is very useful in its own right, but that’s not related to multitimbrality.
I just got the Opsix, being a techno lover of the metallic sounds of the 90´s and ex dj and producer since 1994 ( 81z) and having Yamaha´s FS1R, DX 100, 81Z, TG 33, TX 802, this Korg sounds as a plug in to me ( I hate plug ins, vst and so on) . Is the Elektron better?@@Noisegate stuff I love ( 81z)ua-cam.com/video/AM-s0eW6OVg/v-deo.html. , ua-cam.com/video/0ORgWVpXfbA/v-deo.html best. edit: it seems the Digitone sounds more 80´s Yamaha ( my taste) than the Korg, do you agree?
Very nice video and easy going voice and karakter explaining things 👍 I own a Digitone... going nowhere as you said too. Wasn’t interested in the Opsix until you’ve explained about the keymapping function per operator. That makes it a six track groovebox when sequencing it from another device... Digitone maybe 🤔😊. There goes my money 😉 Thanks for the video 👍
Thanks Sjoerd! And yes you're absolutely right about the keymapping, worth noting that the onboard sequencer gives you 6 'lanes' of sequencing, so you can actually utilize that to sequence each operator individually if you wish. But teamed with the Digitone's MIDI sequencer that would open up even further to go beyond 16 steps, and get get you all Elektron's neat paramater locking and conditional trigs ;)
6 operators FM of Korg Opsix wins hands down in terms of synthesis power, but no doubt Digitone is a very handy instrument with its own cool multitimbral flavor.
Thanks for the comparison.
Note: lack of aftertouch cripples Opsix (and any other FM synth). I hope Korg does it right in future version of Opsix (61 keys fully functional keyboard).
These are 2 different machines. Not much to compare as Opsix focuses purely on sound synthesis (not just FM)with numerous deep and complex choices and Digitone combines FM synthesis (with limited features), a powerful sequencer and multitimbrality. If you're after a FM synth purely to discover new sounds then the Opsix is the obvious choice, if you prefer the groovebox approach then go for the Digitone and you'll be delighted.
Not sure whether or not to get some cashew nuts this Christmas, but there's still a few days to go to make my mind up.
The sounds on both are nice. Did you have them going through any external effects/pedals?
Hi Jamie, nope! Both synths are dry in this demo. They both have very nice onboard fx, though the Korg has quite a lot more fx options..
As a keyboard player, I find it difficult to get into the zone with the Opsix keys. I've played on digitone keys and the keybed feels much more durable/playable. However I like the sounds of the opsix more.
I'll definitely be routing opsix sounds to a better midi keyboard
Great comparison. Too bad you didn't cover the ultra light build quality and lack of aftertouch on the Opsix. I do love the possibilities it gives, although it sounded a bit less warm than other FM synths including the digitone. I had to return it and pray that Korg puts that engine into another hardware product in the future.
just returned mine yesterday to get the digitone. I hope I made the right decision!
I watched this video blind btw, and now I was going back and forth after guessing which instrument was, and I got the digitone correct every time. So it's just the sound of it that is so nice and what makes a different to me. I can get by with 8 Poly. Just. I wish it was 10 or 12 though to really not limit me with pads.
I just wish the opsix didn’t feel like a child’s toy. The keys are terrible. The prologue for $200 more is soo much better built. It sounds pretty good, tho I do notice some weirdness in the upper ranges. If it felt solid I’m sure I’d enjoy it a lot more. I don’t know, it’s hard to feel compelled by something when the construction and quality is so frail. Just my personal two cents!
Must admit that I enjoy the sound and posibilities of Opsix more. Though I prefer the casing and sequencer of Digitone more.
Elektron sequencers are insanely good. After years of using them (elektron analog Rytm and Four), im finally not intimidated by it anymore 😆 The Opsix is a deeper, completely open FM platform though with excellent modern effects like much improved guitar amp/cab. theyre both great.
Its really hard to decide which one to get....
Thing with Digitone is: It is developed to offer an easily accessible fm engine by providing some solid algorithms and a solid -- not necessarily insanely deep -- fm engine.
Being limited by a certain degree is _wanted_ as the actual deepness of this machine is introduced by its insane sequencing capabilities _combined_ with its fm capabilities...while it's still supposed to be kind of manageable while performing with it.
Sound design wise, Digitone doesn't and doesn't want to offer as much as the Korg opsix, as it's more of a performance tool with rock solid fm capabilities than a pure sound design monster as the opsix obviously is.
I feel the urge to emphasize though, that in this comparison you imho can't really hear the quality of sounds that Digitone is able to generate. No fanboy here, just saying. :)
To sum it up: We are looking at two totally different approaches to fm synthesis. Both doing great in what they were or are made for!
Opsix is one of the most interesting synths to come out in awhile. And that’s saying something, since we’ve been living the golden age of synthesis.
all I see on that icon is "DON'T EDUCATE ME"
@@zoned7609 what icon?
The Opsix is pretty much Sytrus in hardware form. For me, Sytrus is the absolute best software FM synth.
Да, Sytrus это то, что хотелось бы иметь в любом секвенсоре
I have both because I got my hands on the $329 Korg OpSix liquidation sale. I struggle with wanting to sell it, but every time I play it I change my mind. Not to mention I have an Analog case for it. So I guess it’s here to stay. If I did sell it I’d get the $50 plugin version. It makes sounds the Digitone cannot so it’s definitely it’s own thing. The filter on the Digitone is much better then the OpSix filter emulations in my opinion. Over all I’m glad I have them both but if I had to choose it would be the Digitone over the OpSix because I just vibe with it better. Either way, I say ditch most of the factory sounds in both of them and download or make your own presets. There is some really good sound packs for both of them out there. This makes them both more unique.
Cheers
None of these really sound that different to the DX7 to me. Of course effects and sequencing have been added and they have brought fm programming to the masses, which is good, but the basics sounds don’t sound much different to the 80s.
To me, the OpSix sounds wayyyyy richer and more polished than the Digitone. Still waiting for my OpSix...small shipment for the first shipment. :( The OpSix excited me in preview videos. The Digitone...I wouldn't have even considered based on the sounds I'm hearing from it.
It’s hard to give a like for like comparison between 4-6 Op. the Korg is always going to be able to make richer, more complex sounds. The Korg’s strength is in its knob per function UI, at least for the most critical aspects of sound design. It’s very hands on and immediate. The Digitone strength is its sequencer & trig conditions... but the Elektron eco system is far more opaque and menu driven.
This video was really successful in highlighting each machines unique strengths. Great video man!
Stating op6 is almost knob per function is a stretch to far.
@@LukezyM clearly your comprehension is lacking.
I have the digitone as well. I wasn’t really impressed with the OP Six demos on UA-cam. I love the digitone though.
So what you're saying is, stick with the volca fm until you can afford the twisted electrons sega synth
Ive had both and like the opsix way better vs sounds and quick functionality vs menu diving to change something the should be on the surface.
With references to the digitone part of this I’d say you’ve missed the trick with digitone. If you compare it to the op6 in a traditional way it can appear a bit lacking but the way to view the instrument is with the sequencer being part of the sound engine rather then a sequencer that triggers your sound - it’s kind of a pointless comparison- like comparing and F1 car with a tractor. I’ve had my digitone for ages and I’m only just realising what it can do for me. I’ve considered selling it tones of times. Despite the fact I know it well it’s genius is hidden in plain sight
You’re right, the sequencer is an integral part of the Digitone. Or any Elektron product.
Similar to any 303 clone, the synth and sequencer are integral to the distinctive sound.
Opsix for sound design ; Digitone versatile groove box
Yeh god choice
Great synths, truly. The OPSix doesn't entice me enough at its price, sadly. And the Digitone satisfies enough of my FM needs.
The opsix is my Synth of the year and i m a fm guy since my first dx7 in the 80ies. Digitone did not impressed me so much as soundwise a dx7ll could do almost the same with some cc fiddeling. The opsix is even capable of sounds like lyra 8. Unfortunately the demos and presets are really lousy and do not show at all the real potential of this amazing synth
damn you're really making me wanna get one. I think what im missing from synths is something that can make kinda the odd noises. Like i have a decent analog poly and a couple of nice monos. Its like i want something that can make telephone rings and bleep bloops and weird psychedelic space sounds , just those odd little things so many songs i love have, but coming from something with its own voice. An fx/melody synth i guess. do you think this fits the bill?
@@do-bugger5719 Great choice for these sounds and I know exactly what you mean ;-) but when you re looking into weird noises, I can strongly recommend the Soma Synth Lyra-8 from Russia ;-)
@@do-bugger5719 what analog synths do you have that can’t do this?
@@BrunoKramm Or 0 coast, or Mega FM..
3:07 wood piano patch
The Opsix feels like its going to break, but also you said the Digitone was a bit more expensive but they're both 800.
I love the Opsix, but feel like its overpriced for the build quality.
Just get the Opsix VST and sequence it from the Digitone.
Different animals. Conclusion. If techno is your mission
.must have both
Yeh why not
@@Noisegate that dtn makes better drumkick vs rytm btw so u nailed it on is a groovebox . Couldnt agree more
Digitone is far more than primarily a groove box.
But it is a really good groovebox.
Grab a DX100 for a fraction of the price of these and much better sound with its 12bit converters
My recently purchased Yamaha FB-01 is better! Under $100 bucks, 8 note polypony, free PC editor/librarian, grungy, dirty, lofi, aliased sound. Its in a half rack format and looks like a digital alarm clock from the 80s (until you hear the sound).
4 OP architecture is set up like a DX21/27/100. It is worth it just for the Solid Bass preset, which is a Techno/House classic, similar to Lately Bass (called Solbas on FB-01).
Yamaha´s from the 80´s are the real thing.
I personally think the Digitone sounds better. It would be cool if Korg added a Lo-fi Dx-7 mode if you wanted a more grungy sound. Thanks for making this comparison video it’s great to hear these side by side!
It actually does have exactly that! The lofi mode changes the character to mimic those '80s DA converters, missed that in this video, but perhaps we'll A/B it in a future demo
Opsix sounds cheap as well as the build quality,digitone keys has been super solid build with a solid keyboard with a wide range of deep sounds for sound design.Why buy a Korg hardware synth when it sounds as shallow as a vst. Just my opinion the Digitone keys has more depth.
How on earth does the opsix sound cheap?
I know Opsix is powerful so it must just be the factory presets why I hate it. Sometimes, bad factory presets can tarnish a synth for a buyer in a major way IMO especially if you are just flicking through in a store to hear how it sounds. In the Opsix's case, I tried the plugin as apparently the module and synth are just the plugin in a box with this one, and it only gives me 20 minutes then times out then I have to reload it. But I can't save patches and I was in the middle of tweaking it once and the timer ran out and the interface died and that was it. So I told myself I'd go through every factory preset instead to get a feel for it, and to me it's *awful*, one of the worst sounding FM synths ever. So considering the raving on the product, it MUST be just factory preset quality and I think Korg need to hire some sound designers to fix that. OTOH, the Digitone sounds great to me and I am buying one on Monday, even though it only has a fraction of the polyphony and less FM operators. Go figure. I love the tone of it, no pun intended. Edit, spelling.
KORG : OP SIX New model : sintetizador Conpacto : com outros Recursos : Ritmos ; Tons ; Efectos ;
Korg Op six : new : 👍😀😄😀😄😲💡💡💡
The Digitone is just so much better designed. It’s like an Iphone to the OpSix’s Android. Fewer features, more tweakable, but the Digitone is just so much easier and more fun to use. It’s a case study in less is more, from a synthesis perspective. I respect the OpSix, like I respect the Hydrasynth, but I don’t love either because there are too many options.
The digitone sounds like 💩compared to the opsix
And the winner is... the Digitone ❤️👏👌
To state the obvious, if you don't have the skills to play keyboard, then you are not qualified to review keyboards.