Hello all, there is an analog rytm mki for sale close to me. It is from the original owner, looks to be in great shape, original box packaging manual etc.
I have been thinking about getting an AR for some time, but I don’t have lots of money and they aren’t cheap. I can continue to save for a new mkii (they do look great!) that’s always an option.
But this one for sale is $1000…
So I am kindly just asking for your thoughts.
Do you think it’s a deal I shouldn’t pass on or continue to save for a mkii? Again, I can be patient and save, that’s no big deal. Just wondering what your thoughts are.
Thank you in advance!
$1000 seems kind of high? I am not in the US so might not be though?
But how much extra would a mk2 cost because IMHO unless you really dislike the larger case a mk2 is better in many ways. I still prefer the mk1 style cases but the extra controls, sampling and CV ins are what caused me to upgrade.
That said the mk1 is still an awesome machine.
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It’s not an insanely good deal, if it were like $700 I wouldn’t even ask, but this is great feedback and sort of where I’m leaning anyways so I really appreciate it.
$1000 USD, or some other currency? Because I’ve seen the Mk1s go for as low as $800 USD. For $800 or less I’d say go for it, but at $1k, I’d pass. If you hold out you may be able to find a grey Mk2 for not too much more.
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I have mki, nice gear, great drum machine. But if you can, wait and take mkii.
Futhermore, 1000$ seems a bit high priced for me, as Daren said
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Awesome, ok thanks so much. Yes I’m in the US and you’re all reinforcing what I was thinking anyways but it’s exactly what I needed to hear.
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For me the sampling of the mk2 is something that the mk1 should have had, but obviously it still can load samples so if sampling isn’t important on the device then you might consider mk1.
Pads are better on mk2 but not superb, the CV ins and performance knob are very nice too.
I’m one of the few weirdos who prefer the graphics of the mk1 display with the knobs rather than the representations that the mk2 uses.
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Yeah, 1k seems a little high to me. I think I bought my 2 mkI’s for around $800 a few years ago. Maybe you can bargain with them or just wait. Would you miss the sampling capabilities of the mkII?
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I like mk2 better.
Better build: paint, screen, encoders, buttons… compering to my a4mk1, it feels better.
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I think I would, yes. I really appreciate all the feedback, this is sort of letting me talk through a decision out loud with you all and it’s very helpful. The aesthetic differences don’t mean a whole lot to me, the mki and mkii both appeal to me visually in their own way. But I think ultimately, some of the additional physical features(I know those mki pads are supposed to be tough) and sampling have now swung my vote. A very big thank you to all:)
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Even without the sampling, the mk2 also has a much better display with visualised filters, envelopes and sample waves. You also get more buttons, meaning less menu diving.
Also even if you won’t sample with it, resampling really opens up your options. You can bounce down multiple tracks, do detailed start/release tweaking and then apply bitrate reduction, overdrive, filter, master distortion and compression a second (third, fourth…) time!
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I’ll echo the price concerns.
$800-$850 USD is more going rate (actually paid in the end, not just price listed) for Rytm MK1s in excellent condition.
You shouldn’t need to go north of $900 USD in the US for one in absolutely mint condition.
I owned both the MK1 and MK2, and have to say I preferred the MK1.
Without the need to sample from the inputs, and plenty of analog outputs to not need the higher bandwidth USB 2.0 enabled Overbridge, it suited me better, and I preferred the smaller footprint.
YMMV, if you really want sampling and multi-track OB, then the MK2 is the way to go. But if you want a relatively affordable analog drum machine with sample playback capability, great fx/compressor, and a fast interface, the MK1 is hard to beat for the price.
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I’m getting to be as repetitive as my music here (self burn!) but seriously, thank you all this is exactly the feedback I was needing/hoping for.
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Its a tough one. If you find it for a better price you could literally pick up both a mk1 Rytm and a mk1 Octatrack or A4 for the price of a brand new mk2. Whether its worth it kind of depends on what your setup is like and what you’re looking to achieve with it.
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I hear you. I have a mkii OT that I’ve been having a lot of success making insane drums with lots of lfo’s and wild stuff that I love. I have a digitone/cycles/samples/SE02/sh01a/oto boum. It’s an excellent excellent bit of kit. The only itch I can’t currently scratch is big old analog drums. And I am a bit of an elektron loyalist.
If you’re purely looking for analog drums in your setup, the mk1 and mk2 would be pretty similar. Again, the mk2 gives you cool (re)sampling options and a much nicer interface.
If I were in your shoes, I’d keep saving for a mk2, but get a mk1 if a good deal on one pops up. If you miss the extra features you can then flip it and get the newer model.
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I think you’re absolutely right. Pretty much where my head was, I just really appreciate being able to talk it through a bit with all of you. Thanks very much.
Offer $800, take it at $850, and walk away if there’s any haggling north of that. If it doesn’t work out, spend the time saving up for a MKII while keeping an eye out for an $800 MKI 
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$1000 is too much
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The price is too high - I frequently see MK1 Rytms usually listed for around $800 USD (as others have said too).
It is not a 1:1 comparison, but I had the MKI Rytm and currently have the MKII A4 and the new form factor is much more ergonomic. I am glad I spent the extra money.
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