I could probably just get a TR-1000 and cover all my drum machine needs… But dear God, no. ‘]
Sometimes it feels like we build myths around certain machines and then spend years convincing ourselves they deserve that status.
Let’s be honest though, Elektron made a huge breakthrough with the Analog Rytm over ten years ago. It was genuinely innovative, and in many ways it still is today.
If I wanted that classic TR territory, I’d probably go with a TR-8S. Or, if I was chasing more of that 909 spirit, I’d honestly pick the Hexdrums.
Rytm is my gold standard for modern drum machines. I’ve had a mk1 since they came out. I’ve tried to replace it many times but it’s just been the most capable for my uses. Maybe it’s due to spending so much time with it, but it’s the quickest drum synth for me to dial up specific sounds on. There are aspects of it I don’t like—I find the hi hats to be terrible (but you can throw a sample onto any channel make up for that), and some very powerful features are buried in the menu architecture. But the master analog drive/compressor, the analog filter on every channel, performance macros, scenes, fills, manual retrigs, all add up to a very creative flow.
My dream is that they make another Rytm with more UI controls. I’m trying out a TR-1000 because it has such a hands-on layout, but I am still finding the Rytm more capable overall. If the Rytm had a less menu-driven interface, or even just sliders for each channel’s volume, I’d stop looking for something to replace it with.
Magerit updated the METRO drum module with sounds and fx and i love it even more now. If you got a good pattern going, you better start recording, but it can spit out really unique deep, dub & detroit drums.
it has more than meets the eyes and lot of options. I do wish they had added more modulation options and the ability to save kits and projects. Definitely fun box! Makes awesome hard techno 909 style.
For sure you can, it’s just nice having everything integrated so you don’t have to deal with extra setup and cables and config, extra cases for transport. Luxury problems
As for your dream, I recently hooked up 2xFaderfox to my Syntakt and it is a total gamechanger! I now have hands on controll to a lot of parameters (96 Rotary encoders, 12 faders, 36 buttons) without menu diving. I also (not in the screenshot) added a Torso T1 Sequencer. My signal chain is now Torso->MX12->PC12->Syntakt->Typhon. Audio is routed: Syntakt → Sidekick Ch2 Typhon → Sideckick Ch1 (which im sure to keep, as I think about routing the Typhon through the Syntakt and make use of the AFX VCA ducking for a sidechain fx, since the tracks can trigger other channels now).
Great thing is, that I can have some buttons as momentary track “chokes” and some as mute/unmute and it works great. Triggering the same CC, MX12 is connected via Ehternet cable to the PC12 and the PC12 registers changes and vice versa, so double occupied buttons react to each other.
Ah and btw. as for the Topic, SYNTAKT is my favorite for now, followed by the Rytm MK2, then by the Cycles:
And for the why it is the SYNTAKT? It combines aspects of both of my other favourites Cycles and Rytm, the combination of the analog machines and digital ones + FX track for sidechaining duties. The ability to sample now! Channels that “choke” each other or trigger each other, is just mental.
Here is a “proof of concept” type of video - not musical
ah no I know why he calls himself KiNK! Cool video and would love to play a Modor as not very common. I used to be an analog snob but after getting digital synths like LXR02 and Virus, I am convinced that digital can sound awesome and has neat features.
I’ve always wanted one of these! I’ve previously owned AR2 and Alpha Base but for some reason I can’t bring myself to buy this (similarly priced) one even though I use the sample pack I have for it all the time. Its metallic sound are razor sharp.
In a semi-recent update the Modor DR-2 added a bass engine with saw, square, sine, and a 2-op fm bass sounds. It’s a one person company but he has continuously updated the machine over the years into a very mature beast.
You can, i had my rytm mk2 setup with intech faders. Worked really well.
Rytm overall is great, but, i really hate having 4 sets of choke groups and i felt i would lose track of my plocks, spending more time being clinical. It’s put away right now.
I think Poised encouraged not selling it, and I’m probably going to take that advice. Though I’d ultimately like to switch to a gray version instead of black. Or find someone local to do some powder coating/cerakote coating to complete change the color of the whole unit.
I don’t care about choke groups apart from hats. And I like the idea of sound locks and sample locks but find them tedious to program. But I realized you can think of AR as an 8 track groovebox with 4 extra sub tracks you can put a second sound lock or sample lock on that still has full independent editing of all of the pages and you don’t have to program it in, you can just play it and record.
I think some people see it as 12 tracks but 4 of them are compromised but if you think of it as 8 tracks but you have 4 extra sounds you can access quickly then it’s pretty cool imo. They don’t have to be realated like CH, OH, it can just be anything.
8 tracks is a good way to think about it, but I don’t think you get all machines on each track. For samples it makes sense. Thing is, i tend to use up all my 12 tracks, so the chokes really kill the flow
Yes, talking about price, it used to be a bit expensive for me. However, in spite of inflation and all, the price hasn’t changed over the years. So I’d say it has now become good bang for the buck.
(If I haven’t got one yet, it is more due to the space it takes and the fact that, all things considered, I just don’t need it in my production setup right now. But it’s surely a beautiful piece that I would like to own one day…)
