Can / should we expect some machines of our own?

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.

seiken · 2023-06-10T05:10:52.403Z

I will say first I read only the first post and then responded so if anything I say has been stated or suggested before, I apologize. 400 something pages of posts is a bit of a read. It’s the internet and therefore I must be lazy.

So machines…I’d personally like to see machines as a way to get folks interested in the digitone. Sorta like a beginner mode and the current version is ‘advanced mode’.

That said I think the real question is…are we getting new algorithms and maybe more harmonics options so we can have all non-sinewaves in a sound? These feel far more doable then unending the machineless freedom we have on the DT.

comradecry · 2023-06-10T13:36:19.000Z

seiken:

new algorithms

a bit offtopic - theres not really more algorythms to be had on the digitone?
if you break down them into FM building blocks, you have all possible/unique combinations for 4op engine and more.

love the simple 2op/double the voice, and dedicated drum kit track ideas!

recently thought about how morphing between two FM patch values would sound like, idk if i ever heard how it might sound. Would anyone be interested in a Morph machine? Specify/load 2 patches, choose smooth or stepped interpolation, and if you want algo to be switched or not. Ability to export mid-way morphed sound as a new standalone patch would be hella cool too.

christianlukegates · 2023-06-10T14:27:46.769Z

comradecry:

Morph machine

I had a similar idea, always thought an Octatrack style crossfader for the digitone would be amazing for morphing between different parameters. FM would really lend itself to that sort of interaction

Mistercharlie · 2023-06-10T16:49:55.993Z

How about a recording machine? It records a loop of your current pattern.

Use case: create a drum pattern, record it, and then play it back while you work on, say, bass, chords and melody in another pattern.

Or what about MIDI capture, like Ableton and Logic?

warpigs330 · 2023-06-10T17:47:49.188Z

I have always wanted the crossfader and scenes on a synth/groovebox

Hitachii · 2023-08-16T15:55:00.965Z

Wavetable machine - Synth page 1 contains two identical oscillators. Each of the first three parameters for the oscillators represents an independently morphable waveform (A, B, C for the first, E, F, G for the second). Parameter D is mix, parameter H is FM. The 3 waveform parameters are all identical wavetables with a variety of different shapes. I know that user wavetables would be a pain for developers, who knows if the hardware is even capable, which is why this would be a compromise I’d be willing to take.

Synth page 2 looks identical to the current FM envelope page, but the “level” parameter is instead a “morph” parameter which morphs between the three waveforms from Synth page 1.

Using the LFOs, you could transform the first three parameters making the wavetables very vector-like.
Synth page 1:2 has octave for each oscillator and detune. Synth page 2:2 looks the same.

Physical Modeling Machine - Again separating the first four parameters from the second four parameters on Synth page 1, for the first to control the exciter, the second to control the resonator.

Synth page 2 again controls the envelopes, with the ‘level’ parameters controlling the strength with which the surface was struck.

Karplus Strong Machine - Some sort of dual-oscillator karplus strong engine. Similar to the physical modeling machine, has an exciter section but can use the sounds from the external inputs (?) Has a comb filter and stuff (just kind of winging it now). In my mind this is the machine that makes the crazy Autechre sounds.