Have both, like 'em both, I’ll stay in ‘Switzerland mode’ 
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my opinion on this has changed a bit
the recent updates have arguably raised the dn2 into the tier of a flagship-adjacent device
the differences between the generations are becoming increasingly evident and harder to reconcile once you get accustomed to things like scale lock, track swap, chord mode, compression, and the updated trig conditions
with that being said, it’s still sometimes a relief to return to the syntakt and begin a track with a kick or snare that sounds good and can evolve into a million different other sounds with just a few parameter adjustments/locks (as opposed to being sometimes mired in sound design on the dn2)
the strength of the dn2 lies in the fact that its growing complexity doesn’t inhibit its intuitiveness
it maintains what’s essential about the groovebox- fun and ease of use- and its new features only build on this even more
not selling the syntakt (again lol) but dn2 has become the desert island elektron
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What function are you thinking of? Syntakt has scales to, but afaic none of the newer machines have scale lock like the Octatrack has, where any trig you add will bend to the scale?
It’s still the case that the syntakt is more than the sum of its parts, but from a feature list I 100% agree.
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There’s an argument to be made that the more features the II‘s get, the more attractive ST becomes as a fast but versatile groovebox. Yes, you can ignore most features of the II‘s and some stuff would also benefit ST. But more features can sometimes lead to you feeling bad because you’re not using the machine to its full potential. Or getting lost in trying out new stuff instead of just making music.
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Wouldn’t the ST be able to make up the gap a bit by an update? I’d think the ST isn’t at it’s full capacity yet. I assume several of the new feature could be incorporated into the ST.
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Chances are good that some things will come to ST, like with previous updates. If nothing is ported, that might be a hint that some kind of ST II is incoming.
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Indeed, because there will be no more flagships
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Good point, although personally I don’t see the need for them (yet) to replace the Syntakt. Capacity-wise it can still run with the rest, is usable when it comes to number of tracks, and has it’s own niche with the analog subsystem.
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Toneverk might end up being one, though… Wait and see…
FWIW ezbot said in a recent video that toneverk wasn’t going to happen. It was a prototype that’s not being progressed.
“There is no Toneverk. I’ve talked to Elektron about it a bunch.”
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on the digitone II (and digitakt II), there’s an option in the personalize menu to set the note parameter to “scale”
when this is is done, any note selected on the trig page will adhere to whatever scale has been selected in the keyboard setup menu
you’re right, there’s often a self-imposed obligation to do things that aren’t necessary just bc the option is there and an element of guilt when it’s neglected (even if it’s not the best way to achieve what you want)
you’re right about this too- i spent some time with the syntakt before bed last night and was more productive in twenty minutes with it than i was in a whole hour and a half with the digitone 2 (even after my glowing post about the latter lol)
this is primarily bc the syntakt feels like my home base; it’s the first elektron that i really emotionally connected with (and it does take longer to get things done when you start with a sine wave and have a million directions ahead of you)
everything with the dn2 is still in an exploratory phase, but the time invested will hopefully be worth the reward bc the potential results with the dn2 can arguably be more dynamic, expressive, and powerful
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I’m taking this source as very non-authoritative, but I’m also not surprised, and not expecting it to see the light of day
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Missed it completely, that’s amazing!!! Thanks for the info!
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It’s not stopping me from buying a syntakt for the immediacy and fx track but a good way to get the sound design time back from the dn2 is to spend a session building yourself a nice kit of presets you really like then to jam, just load up your kit to start off then get tracks down and then you can have more fun fine tuning the sounds with locks in the patterns themselves later as you develop the vision. I basically spent the first few days on how to get synths I liked quickly then have stuck in a kit of good ones to get a feel for the other features.
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I’m much more of a preset guy. I have no desire or time for sound design, but EZBOT made a great video that speaks to this topic. I found it helpful, and it actually made me want to try it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPeRAul9gTA
So after spending some time with the DN2 (6 months) I came to the same conclusion as @janbert.
On paper, DN2 is my “dream groovebox” regarding features, fx, sound design posibilities, polyphony (and a real polyphonic sequencer) and so much more.
But I realised (once again) that a musical device is not just a sum of its features. It’s also about ease (and speed) of use, the sound “signature”, design philosophy, and in a way its limitations.
And FM synthesis, it’s just not my thing. It feels like a second language: I can read it, I can have a conversation with it, but expression with nuance costs me so much more energy because I have to do math all the time to keep up the pace.
With Syntakt I got used to the “algorithms” of the machines very fast. They are limited, but there are enough machines to create enough variation in sound (especially after 1.30). And the analog tracks have something extra, emphasised by the analog filters.
For example, I’m a big fan of @Nils music created with the Syntakt, sometimes posted in the that syntakt sound thread (for example this 2nd track, the chord progression, it’s awesome, just like this one).
It has something sparkling, organic, which inspires me all the time.
And it makes me miss my Syntakt, my most productive groovebox ever, which I sold to finance the DN2. I regret it so I’m going back. On Syntakt, sound design costs me no effort. It fits my brain, I was very productive with it and of all the boxes out there I enjoy(ed) the Syntakt the most.
Life lesson: Never sell your Syntakt (again)!
EDIT: Found a good deal for a DNII so now I have both 
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Appreciate articulations about those honest feelings about Syntakt vs. DN2. Me also got the feeling, that DN2 got so much to offer yet it is harder to reach all of it. I was and still are on the edge of getting a DN2, knowing that it is a powerhouse of a polysynth. And also in creating drums. But all this kind of posts in here strengthen me in the sentiment that there is so much more to explore in my ST and using my Minifreak as my goto poly, especially after all the updates, that i hold myself back. And after every session with my ST and MF iam like „wow exactly what i want and still there are sounds and possibilties waiting inside of them“.
A DN2… mhh maybe one day but now and for a long time to come, loving the immidiacy and deepness at the same time of my ST.
Of course iam hoping for some logical and doable updates on it to keep up with the DT2 and DN2 in some simple improvements. But still…an underestimated gem of digital and analog plus fx device and i got tons of ideas out of it. Thanks DN2, you are awesome yeah but the most important thing for me: you got me getting a ST for a bargain and iam in love with it.
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Hello everyone,
After 4 years, I’m finally considering giving electron products another go. I’ve spent this time mainly learning Ableton and now feel better about adding another sound source to my workflow.
I’m still a bit torn on where to start though.
Initially, I was very interested in the Digitone 2… However after watching lots of videos, it felt like it doesn’t really have that much of an update compared to the original. Mainly more options but same sounds… at least to my ears (?)
That’s where I feel the syntakt shines a bit… each machine feels more distinct maybe? so you have more interested sound sculpting options…
Wondering what everything thinks… which machine did you all prefer…
I know there is no one answer but just curious…
I will also be using the machine to mainly make house/tech house tunes if that matters… what I’m looking for is a machine that has unique/interesting sounds to add on top of what I already have in Ableton.
Other than the original FM engine, the new engines in the Digiton 2 are a bit uninspiring maybe? I think a better combo would be DN + Syntakt lol
For house/tech house, Syntakt hits different. Feels like a proper extension of your DAW setup instead of just another synth voice. Digitone’s great, but the mkII didn’t blow me away, just a few extra engines that kinda blend in
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