I tried Perkons at SuperBooth and got pretty exited about it. I have the LXR-02 and really dislike the cramped and unintuitive interface. Perkons seems to be the opposite with a great sound too and just seems like a lot of fun.
What I’d like to see is for the tempo knob to still work with external tempo but as a global tempo divider in just a few divisions like half and double speed (or more)
As Loopop mentioned in his review it would be great if pitch could be entered or recorded in exact semitones.
And the delay tempo is not synced to global tempo right? Don’t know if it’s an issue for current users but why not have it available?
I don´t use the delay that much but when, I never thought about it being in sync or not, just used it more as texture as a delay.
I know it might be against the idea of the sequencer and free playing but I think some option for the sequencer Reset to be more soft and reset to first sequencer lane when it starts over. If that makes sense
I find, when switching the play modes it´s hard to get back to forward mode in “time” would like an option for a soft Play Mode as well. But it maybe just me that have to embrace the way the Perkons works.
Over all I think its really fun and it´s my go to drum buddy right not.
The Pērkons is an interesting one for me. It feels great to play, the sequencer and voices work beautifully in tandem with kits and sequences and the sound is gorgeous for the most part.
Only two things irk me - the size and the price. Now, I get that this is a small manufacturer and manufacturing is expensive, and comparisons between companies is somewhat reductive, but this also ties in with the size… It’s really light. Like, the case is huge but it feels like there’s room for another Pērkons inside. Compare to the Soma Pulsar-23 for example - a big case but crammed with analogue components, and very heavy. I doubt it would happen, and I’m only saying this because I love it, but to me a smaller/slimmer shell (which wouldn’t need to compromise on the distance between controls, which is perfect) and a slightly reduced price tag would make me more comfortable with owning one.
Again, I’m only saying this because I love the Pērkons and feel this is constructive criticism rather than a rant. It’s a joy to use and is super powerful. Just the lightness of the case vs the size and the price tag is quite hefty compared to more component-laden drum machines. I imagine a sleeker, slimmer Pērkons MK2 and start to drool.
I couldn’t agree more! I thought about mentioning the size too. It’s huge and I know some people like that but it could easily be made smaller and still feel great to use. I usually only buy gear that is not too big and heavy so that I can carry it all to gigs or to the studio without too much transport effort.
I’d love to see a smaller Perkons! Maybe we should let ES know that there’s a demand for this.
I’d much prefer if it was in stereo too. But I guess individual outputs do make up for that.
Yes, stereo would be epic. I was surprised there was no panning of the voices. It’s like it’s designed to be used with the individual outs but then you lose the delay, compression and drive. With the Pulsar-23, I justified the lack of panning by it being a conceptual device where the designer didn’t require panning, plus it’s mainly analogue which may affect things somehow, but the Pērkons, especially with its p-lockable sequencer, is calling out for panning.
The size isn’t an issue in and of itself, but I’m confused why it feels half empty.
Again though, love the sound and the feel. Constructive criticism from a fan.
Yeah I have to imagine the case thickness is just because they are reusing the original syntrx case on different things, only reason syntrx needed to be that thick was to make space for the spring reverb really. I think the size of the boxes is kind of awkward to use seated if you don’t have a stand to tilt it… its fine while standing though, kind of wish they had a built in kick stand like the intelijell performance cases.
I love the size. It’s such a nice change from the trend of making everything tiny. Plus it’s a performance machine. It’s meant to be played like an instrument. Size matters in that respect. They should have added weights inside. So many people are put off by the lightness-to-cost ratio. It is expensive, that is true.
The point, however, is that some people want an instrument to play, with a user interface sized-for-adults and optimized for performance; while others just want the functionality, in as small a package as possible, no matter how fiddly or flimsy…
These ideologies cannot exist in the same space, nor should they be compared.
I love the size. I just started using some eurorack stuff again and I remembered why I hate tiny fiddly things (especially if they are then covered with cables).
Had this on my GAS list forever but the price still makes it more of a luxury item for me sadly. I make most of my beats now ITB, but something I have been doing lately is laying down kick/clap/ohat with Roland machines or samples and then using other stuff to create the groove, if that makes sense.
Also I make left field/deep house, so im not super into making techno (even though I enjoy it, especially the underground genres of it)
Had the DFAM and used it for this, but it was a bit limited. The Perkons would definitely suit me, but I was just curious what else i should check out in the $500 range. I see the LXR02 as an option, but it can be any brand.
My cheap little percussion track option has been the Bastl Kastle drum, which is amazing, but more of an extra percussion layer compared to what I am looking for.
Anyway I ask here because to me this Perkons is truly top tier to me in terms of sound and look. It’s just a bit much for me, but I love it anyway.
It’s fine in the studio. It’s when you have to travel with it where it becomes a bit of an issue. I found solutions but if it was just 2 cm smaller on all sides it would have made a huge difference.
You have to admit though, Dave, that you might be splitting hairs with me, maybe just a little, speaking in terms of 10% here or 2cm there… I mean, that could be said of anything, in either direction, for countless reasons.
I’ve certainly been known to curse aloud, when a given piece of kit almost fits in a roadcase, or something doesn’t quite fit neatly into my setup. Conversely, the knobs on my Electribe are a little too close together for my fingers. But I don’t consider those things design flaws per se.
So, if we’re being objective, there are really only two aesthetics to choose from:
Tiny gear, meant to cram ‘X’ amount of functionality into as small a package as possible, purely for the sake of convenience, not unlike a phone, iPad, or laptop…
Big, luxurious instruments that are designed to indulge the player: i.e. people with the space, time, and money, and the ambition to lug it around, if need be (and by “need”, I’m thinking of the instruments that we tour with, despite the expense and logistical challenges thereof, like a real B3 organ and Leslie cab for example).
To that end, it’s always going to be “if only the gear were smaller or the van were bigger”…
It’s just that the room is there to make it just that bit smaller which would have been nice imho. If that’s splitting hairs, then sure
I’m kind of with you in your argument but I still think it’s a bit too black/white.
Is Digitakt crammmed for the sake of of convenience? Doesn’t feel that way. Or octatrack? Those are definitely not big though and very easy to take with you. Not saying perkons should have been that form factor of course
Maybe it also depends a bit on how big an artist you are and in which scene. I don’t get paid enough to book an extra seat on the plane to take a Rhodes with me (no way I’m putting that in the cargo hold!
