Hello,
I recently got an Analog Rytm for the Techno Fair.
I’d like to apply distortion to only one pad (the kick). From what I’ve read so far, the distortion can only be used on the master, so it can’t be applied to just a single element like my kick.
Has anyone here run into this issue before?
Are there any solutions or techniques to work around this limitation?
Thanks in advance!
Yes, the distortion is a master effect only.
Resample your kick with the distortion applied.
Ok,
I imagined this solution, I’ll try, but a little frustrated not to be able to play with live distortion on a single track.
Well, thank you for your answer !
AR does have per-track distortion, it’s on the amp page, knob D, OVR = overdrive
Embrace resampling, seriously.
It’s liberating.
OK! Thank you very much for your answers, I had tried the overdrive, but the results obtained were a little too far from my expectations.
I will look into the subject of resampling, thank you 
Syntakt solves exactely this issue: You can select which tracks are routed to the drive.
However, on the Rytm I used my workaround that I use a really strong distortion using the Compressor, but only a few percent wet, like really 2-5%.
What do you mean? The master distortion doesn’t have a dry/wet mix, only amount (which is not dry/wet) and symmetry.
Woops I mean using the Compressor for distortion. I‘ll edit my post. It was a long day 
I started wondering if I’m missing something here. 
but the drive on ST isn’t as gnarly as the one on rytm, it’s a heavy hitter ^^
you can basically incorporate nearly all the syntakt routing features by strictly working with patch-cables from individual outs to CV-in AND from individual outs to the Audio input…all the missing links are within the patching, modular approach.
custom envelopes, lfos, gates, sidechain, external processing and all kinds of routing possibilities.
the syntakt and digiline adopted these things in software, which is convenient but also restricted and iam sure Elektron will do a backlash on the Analogs to make em complete and show why these are flagship machines.
Fortunately on the Rytm there is the amp overdrive, the master distortion and the makeup gain.
All these different stages work so well together and they all sound so fucking nice.
exactly, the parts of the analog path are there for forming the natural sounding drum sounds, this immediately becomes clear when using them side by side and in my case iam really trustworthy in designing parts on the rytm because „natural feeling“
syntakt got some drive stages too but the digiline won‘t allow to exit the „rubberband“ limiter on the actual outputs which leads to a „too much in the mix, no more headroom situation“ and changes in distortion or levels will result in non audible changes, it just won‘t cut thru anymore.
so it has been said a million times, but still
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKCXBSqJrUg&list=PL-MKoQp4lob1fUD5DAyDqKQuutxNeZsZI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7SRRRHJFuQ&list=PL-MKoQp4lob1fUD5DAyDqKQuutxNeZsZI&index=4
(I don’t know if I misunderstood you, but 4 of the 12 tracks, their filters, as well as Filter and Drive of the Syntakt’s FX Block, and lastly the Syntakt’s Amps are analog.)
I’m not quite sure what you mean by “natural”. I’ve never used the Syntakt unfortunately so I can’t really say much on how they compare. All I know that I really love the gain staging and coloration the Rytm offers. Exploring it is a great pleasure.
for sure but Analog is only one part of the story because the actual parts within the Analog signal path (imagine a breadboard with basically „more“ parts) it‘ll develop a different outcome and form the instrument.
that’s what makes the overall difference which can’t be masked with workflow improvements, which should be on the analogs anyways 
the actual sound of a drum-hit is more rounded, basically 3 dimensional, the punch and grit let them feel natural in context, the rimshot is a good example, cowbell and clap machine
I understood you as saying Syntakt’s FX Drive is tame.
But maybe with “gnarly” you do NOT mean the opposite of “tame”
In any case, of course thye sound totally different, since all the components in the Syntakt are different. Having used both a lot, it feels like that even the analog oscillators - despite the “machines” having the same names and parameters - are a different kind.
The wildest difference is actually track overdrive, which is really special on the Rytm (creates tons of harmonics and low-end). Its character shows that originally it was supposed to be just a drumcomputer, while the Syntakt is tought to be more universal. Personally, I dislike in both cases that the Filter can’t be put before Track Overdrive, which circles back to the original post’s problem …
yes. you can apply another overdrive (master) thru hardware routing only
I always imagined a device that plugs into one of the outputs, goes back into an input, is midi controlled and has overdrive and a lowpass filter (after the overdrive). In a nice case, without wiggly cables exposed, except the Midi cable.
I also contemplated the idea to mod one of the tracks with a permanent lowpass filter (another gripe with the Rytm.)
But in the end, I just want to use a device as is, thus I put it aside until a different setting and need comes around.