Bro it’s got a master overdrive and compressor. Just crank those bad boys to the max and you’ve got an instant Dave Friedman drum explosion sound. In fact I’ve thought about reamping drums through the rytm… That would be very fun.
2 Likes
edit: I own my rhythm mk1 for about 5 years now, never had an issue running low on ram or the 1GB drive. You have to put some thoughts into it of course, it‘s not the Octa. Different purpose, different limitations.
1 Like
I don’t like the internal analog engines- I mainly use samples
There are better analog drum machines if that’s what you need.
Which u think sounds better in that direction?
I was impressed by Tempest, Alpha Base by Jomox and Erica Synth Techno System.
I would love owning Tempest to be honest
2 Likes
Originally I thought the Rytm synth engines sounded a bit meh, but then I heard the excellent AR808 sounds.
This inspired me to work a bit harder on the synthesis side. My preference is now to use synth over samples for kick, snare, rim, clap, hats. Open hat I layer with a sample, and same or cymb/rides.
As for alternatives, Jomox sounds are so sweet, but people’s experience with the unit quality and software keeps me away.
2 Likes
A used tempest is like 1k more than a used AR. I just don’t think they’re in the same wheelhouse.
I can get Tempest at 1700€, but I never thought about this cause I am no real Dave Smith machines /sound fan.
I found AR mkl at almost half price. What are the drawbacks of mkl?
Main one: no sampling/resampling
You can load samples, just not record them
Then it’s the more obvious things: screen, smaller pads, older buttons
Advantages: smaller and cheaper
3 Likes
Yeah, sampling and internal resampling, but also the mk2 has two CV/expression inputs, a bigger screen and some additional performance controls (the quick performance knob that lets you “fade” multiple performance macros).
2 Likes
I agree with the A4 suggestion. And pick up Daren Ager’s Druma sound pack for a sweet collection of analog drum patches.
In addition to what others have said, people complain about the Mk1 pads. I do find they’re a bit stiff, but they still respond to velocity and aftertouch really well. I can’t compare them to mk2 as I’ve never felt those. They kind of feel like mpc pads to me. Actually maybe a bit less stiff than mpc.
I don t find so great the demos on youtube with the Tempest. Thing is someone wants to sell it to me for just the price or AR mkll… 
I owned the Tempest. It’s beautiful, sounds amazing and it is also basically a 6 voice polysynth.
I sold mine as although amazing, it was kinda felt to me like it was ‘just a drum machine’.
I bought a Rytm Mkii with the money and LOVE it.
The analog element of the Tempest sounds better than the Rytm IMHO but overall I prefer the Rytm BY FAR. The engines with the samples are the sweet spot (rather than just the analog) but then add the Rytm’s sequencer… its stoopendously good.
My advice, if you can get a Tempest for the price of a Rytm is get the Tempest and if you don’t like it sell it and buy the Rytm.
Whichever you go for it’s a win-win!
3 Likes
Don’t listen to the other guys, AR MkI is superior in every conceivable way that matters (black box, round buttons).
Especially at a good price 
3 Likes
Also isn’t the tempest rumored to have a successor since they discontinued it? I’m keeping an eye out for that as well as whatever the next flagship Elektron product will be.
Not that either of those would be coming out especially soon, it’s probably safe to buy whatever your heart desires.
1 Like
I would be shocked. The firmware update saga was such a scandal that I’m pretty sure Dave swore off ever making anything besides bread and butter synths again. But he did go on to reclaim sequential and release the prophet 5 again… crazy.
Tempest is, however, amazing. It has the best pads of any piece of hardware I’ve ever used. Puts everything else to shame. And you can make patches with polyphonic aftertouch. I could go in my studio right now and make cs80 sounds in a few minutes
The filter isn’t the BEST ever, but once you learn it, it’s familiar and has its strengths. Insane possibilities in the bass department once you figure out the balance between the sine wave, noise and feedback.
It even has 2 op FM.
The difficulties with kick are real, like it will take work to get a boom. It’s not like a cycles where you can just open a kick machine and have the hugest kick ever.
The main 2 things with tempest are
1: fantastic synth engine. Deep mod matrix, 5 envelopes, 2 lfos, all freely assignable.
2: it’s the most playable piece of hardware I’ve ever used. Mute mode plus roll and reverse.
My only gripes are: voice architecture takes a long time to come to grips with, and the high pass filter has no resonance.
This track is 100% tempest, one take. At 2:50 you can hear some live performance rolls and reverses.
5 Likes
Really it’s wishful thinking on my part, I want a tempest 2 to exist. I’d hope that Dave and Co could learn from the tempest (admittedly I’m unfamiliar with the details of the saga) and build on the general idea of it. It sounds so GOOD.
Plus I think I remember him saying he’d never reissue the 5 and here we are haha
1 Like