Can / should we expect some machines of our own?

cutlery · 2023-04-11T12:24:53.385Z

If poly VA machines don’t make sense on the DN (and I can see the logic that they don’t), I wouldn’t mind a new device that builds and expands on the machines in the Syntakt (polyphonically) and also goes in new directions (wavetables, not samples) - something like a successor to the monomachine but with design elements from the DN and A4. The machine simplification approach to wavetables would be neat, I think.

Ess · 2023-04-11T13:48:17.037Z

I think it would be a little strange to add an entirely different kind of synthesis at this point – but I could definitely see some different modes being added to expand the Digitone concept.

I would dream of …

3OP mode with one operator having phase distortion
Simplified 2OP mode with expanded polyphony
Drum synth mode (without needing sound locks)

And since a lot of people are asking for VA, one could consider a VA-like mode which uses FM to achieve analog-style timbres. With FM (Phase Modulation) you can achieve quite complex analog waveforms, including actual PWM.

pidgeo · 2023-04-11T14:00:51.393Z

yes please

Kja · 2023-04-11T14:37:53.107Z

I hope they do something, the used value has plummeted.

alspacka · 2023-04-11T14:40:56.105Z

Ess:

Drum synth mode (without needing sound locks)

This is all I want! Multimap to play different drum sounds is confusing.

RustyRoses · 2023-04-11T14:42:50.262Z

Kja:

I hope they do something, the used value has plummeted

They represent fantastic value right now. I was almost tempted to buy a 2nd.

rrrrrr · 2023-04-11T15:07:43.487Z

Is there anything that would prevent slapping a new interface on top of Algo 2 and calling it VA, with macros for waveshape, octave, detune, osc mix, etc? Sounds fun to me!

Mistercharlie · 2023-04-11T15:19:11.779Z

I can get some pretty gnarly analog-sounding noises out of the DN as it is. I don’t think I’d want non-FM machines. Drum mode would be 100% rad though.

comradecry · 2023-04-11T15:23:30.649Z

ive also never been able to sit through setting up a multimap for a drum kit

thermionic · 2023-04-11T16:58:13.214Z

Kja:

I hope they do something, the used value has plummeted.

kodiakkodiak · 2023-06-03T12:41:47.690Z

Let’s be real, if Elektron developed a Wavetable or VA synth that fits in this format they’d sell them as two different devices… and we’d buy them. DigiWave and Digiva … collect em’ all! lol

Alice · 2023-06-03T13:49:48.502Z

People may wait something more original

Alice · 2023-06-03T14:06:55.558Z

SuperWave

mechakorp · 2023-06-07T11:01:00.560Z

I’ll leave any ideas for plausible synth machines to other people. I’m a synth noob after all.

Still, I’d like to shift focus into the other half of DN: the MIDI tracks. IMHO the Machine concept makes a lot of sense there, to allow new ways to interact with existing features. These are the machines I propose, ordered from “realistic” to “don’t know if possible but would be damn cool”:

MIDI Machine: the one we have now. Nothing changes here.
Performance Machine: Loops back into the corresponding synth track, with controls for all the mod parameters (pitch bend, mod wheel, aftertouch, breath control), and assignable target+values (with proper names instead of CC numbers) that can be tweaked with the machine LFO section, giving us two extra LFOs per track.
Drum Machine: Loops back into the corresponding synth track. Maps 8 sounds to midi notes (track sound, plus seven sounds from the pool). This allows for easier drum track sequencing. Bonus points if there’s a way to filter the sequencer by note, to separate sequencing of each individual sound. More bonus points if the LFO section is used to create two “step loop” sections that can be configured beforehand and activated while performing.
Scene Machine: Some knobs for global FX parameters, so we can P-lock them. Also, some general purpose track-destination-value selectors for both A and B scenes. Crossfading between A and B using midi notes, allowing us to slide a finger across the trig keys, using them as a makeshift crossfader. Bonus points if the trigs illuminate to show the current crossfade position.

Akio_Daku · 2023-06-07T11:15:01.668Z

Love this, best suggestion so far. I’d be chuffed to bits if even one was implemented.

undiagnosed · 2023-06-07T11:59:25.981Z

That would be the definitive upgrade!

the_duckchild · 2023-06-07T12:32:07.853Z

InternalVoice:

-Formants similar to the FS1R?

-buys digitone instantly-

Klaptastic · 2023-06-07T15:19:40.961Z

Yeah, this is good stuff. Digitone for drums is one of my favorite uses, but using up 3 or all of the tracks for drum sounds isn’t very good use of it, programming sound locks AND mod macros is kind of a pain to do over and over again even though its essentially required to manipulate sound locks… not to mention the hassle of setting up a Multimap for a drum kit…

If Elektron could somehow make it super easy and flexible to rock all drums in one track (seems like the machines are a good way), I would be absolutely ecstatic, DN+OP1f+Guitar heaven.

Mistercharlie · 2023-06-07T17:33:47.945Z

Klaptastic:

DN+OP1f+Guitar heaven

The DN and OP-1 F are amazing together. I work around the track limit for drums by making a pattern on the DN and recording it as a loop on the OP-1’s tape.

dannydisaster93 · 2023-06-07T21:57:31.155Z

These are such beautiful ideas, and would be such a huge game changer for the synth. I’m sad to have read your response because I was happy to live in ignorant bliss not thinking about this genius manipulation of the operator setups.