Elektron Syntakt 12-voice Drum Computer and Synthesizer
- Four expressive modifiers
- Keyboard mode with 36 different scales
- Sequencer: 64 steps per pattern and track
- MIDI In/Out/Thru
Elektron Syntakt Review
After a few quiet years, Elektron‘s newest instrument is finally right here: Syntakt, the 12 Track Drum Computer, and Synthesizer with capabilities for each analog and digital synthesis. This hybrid drum machine/groovebox is the third member of the dear Digi-series, following the Digitakt sampler and Digitone FM synthesizer, and it perfectly completes the trio with its concentrate on highly effective drum synthesis and live performance.
Maybe most clearly, Syntakt looks and functions rather a lot like its most quick sibling Digitakt, although it depends on synthesis for its drum machine sound palette relatively than sampling.
At its core, Syntakt is a Digi-format instrument and subscribes to the identical streamlined menu structuring, organizational programs, and parameterization model as Digitakt and Digitone. Inside a single Project, 128 Patterns store nearly all the data for all 12 tracks, together with sound and sequencer settings.
There is a Sound Pool per Project, which retains 128 totally different sounds accessible throughout all patterns and could also be known as upon via the sequencer on a per-step foundation through sound locks. On top of this, Syntakt additionally supports full Overbridge compatibility and may perform as a class-compliant USB audio interface with computer systems, telephones, and tablets, identical to the other Digi models.
Elektron Syntakt Machines
The sound engine relies on so-called machines that may be compared to algorithms. Impartial programs bundle numerous parameters that make the sound design very simple.
On the first three drum tracks, you’ll be able to choose from 15 totally different machine programs together with totally different bass drums, snare drums, rimshot, a dual VCO synth, impulse, and noise generator.
The fourth and final analog track (cymbal) provides you with another 12 totally different machines together with hi-hats, cymbal, cowbell, impulse, and noise. Then for every analog track, you get an analog overdrive, analog multi-mode filter, and two assignable LFOs.
On the other eight tracks, you’ll be able to uncover and experiment with versatile digital machines. There are 10 to select from: bass drum, snare drum, cymbal/hi-hat, percussion, clap, and 4 tonal synths. Also, you activate per track a digital overdrive, multi-mode filter, base-width filter, and two LFOs.
As with the Digitakt/Digitone, the parameters are visualized with stunning, animated icons that provide you with immediate visible feedback and tons of tweaking fun.
Syntakt Effects
There are a ton of effects options, too: delay, reverb, analog stereo overdrive, and an analog stereo multimode filter, plus 2X LFOs. You possibly can assign these to every track, however, you too can use an external input. The Syntakt is simply as plausible a multi-effects box as a synth, or make it a combo of the 2.
There’s Send Reverb and Delay, too. However – maybe this isn’t apparent, you’ll be able to route something via the Analog FX Block, each internally and externally.
Syntakt Sound Shaping
One other spotlight of the Syntakt is its versatile audio routing. It lets you route any of your synth tracks or exterior audio sources via the FX box that offers analog distortion and filtering in addition to a few LFOs. Moreover, you too can drive them via a delay and reverb. So the Syntakt isn’t just a strong groovebox but in addition an FXTAKT on your external sources.
In addition to the multi-mode filter per track, you too can work with two amplitude envelopes with both an ADSR characteristic for wealthy synth lines or the AHD excellent for transient percussive sounds. There are additionally two fully-featured multi-wave LFOs per track with completely different modulation locations. So plenty of artistic tools to tweak the sounds in new directions.
The Rear Panel
The rear panel provides complete I/O, with stereo inputs and outputs offered on 4 quarter-inch jacks, with MIDI In, Thru, and Out available on DIN connectors. A headphone output is provided on another quarter-inch jack, and a USB connection supplies class-compliant audio to a number machine at 24-bit/48kHz in addition to MIDI over USB. Power is delivered through an exterior 12V PSU.
Syntakt Sequencer
Elektron devices are cherished by many musicians for their very deep and inventive sequencers. That is persistently continued right here. Syntakt comes with a 64-step sequencer with the all-time basic parameter locks performance. So notes, in addition to parameters, could be captured in a short time and intuitively in sequences.
In fact, it additionally helps individual pattern length per track, individual time scale multiplier per track, trig circumstances and chance, retrigger, and micro timing. A lot of what we all know from older gadgets.
The brand new modifiers talked about earlier that provide you with new expressive layers may also be recorded within the sequencer. The same is also for the effects. In this manner, you may exactly plan the input and output phases of the delay or reverb, or selectively modify the shape of sounds.
- 12 Voice Analog + Digital Drum Machine and Synthesizer
- 8 digital voices and 4 analog voices (3 Analog Drum and 1 Analog Cymbal)
- Over 30 different Machines parameterize voices for specific musical goals
- Analog oscillators and multimode filter on analog tracks
- Signature Elektron sequencer with up to 64 steps per track, Parameter Locks, and more
- New Trig Modifiers allow for performative control over retriggering, velocity, and two assignable parameters
- FX Track with its own sequencer, analog filter, analog VCA, digital LFOs
- Delay and Reverb send effects
- Tracks may be configured for audio or MIDI sequencing
- External audio inputs allow for mixing and FX Track processing of outside sources
- Full Overbridge support
- Operational as a Class-Compliant USB audio interface
Why You Need the Elektron Syntakt
Truthfully, for everybody who’s been ready for a brand new Elektron box they’ll use as the hub of a live rig, there’s completely no purpose to not assume that is finally it. Certain, it’s extra square-ish than rectangular, for long-time Elektron purists, but yeah!
It’s loaded with 4-note polyphony per step, 8x assignable CC controls, 1x LFO per track – okay, it’s not a whole sequencer, but the mixture of multi-engine internal sound machines, exterior audio processing, analog and digital, and 6 tracks with MIDI imply it might completely be at the center of some other stuff.
And naturally, all the same old efficiency features are there with trig conditions and trig probability and retrig and micro timing. In brief, your sequences will be artistic and non-repetitive/not overly square.
And also you get +DRIVE and the conventional project/pattern/sound pool approach, all of which will get very acquainted as you begin to work with extra Elektron stuff, particularly because of recent enhancements to their Transfer app.
Conclusion
Well, we believe that we provided quite some details in regards to the Syntakt unit from Elektron, and in case you were wondering whether to go or not for this device, we hope that this will be an incentive extra for you to decide to get it. It is a powerful instrument and will certainly add more to your arsenal in terms of music production.
In case you are having some questions when it comes to the Syntakt, feel free to reach out in the comment section below or contact Elektron.
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