So I get the big picture role of the RYTM: performance drum machine/groovebox that uses mix of analog synthesis & sampling
can some one explain to me Sounds/presets? how “immediate” is the RYTHM in choosing sounds? for example, I load Plastic BD machine and I get a list of presets to choose from? how many “presets” per machine are there?
I come from a Korg ESX1 and really like the immediacy of the varied samples and am less of a synthesis/sound designer. im looking for varied sound presets with nice analog sound in contrast to just samples. how is the rytm in this regard?
The “machine” you choose does not in itself have presets.
Presets are “sounds”. You would sculpt a “sound” with a machine and then save it as a Sound into the Sound drive from where you can load the saved Sounds later.
So I want the reverse - a Sound-centric workflow where I start with the sound/preset and break it down from there are opposed to build/creating one to save for later. For example how many kick “sounds” are available on the rytm?
I don’t know how many exactly, but a lot. I don’t know whether the sounds that were released with the “new” machines (Ive had my AR awhile) - including the BD Plastic - are already made available on the new units. I’m sure you can find the sysex somewhere.
The RYTM I’ve found is the one Elektron outlier in my setup that doesn’t really conform to the pick and choose sound language of their other gear (like the Analog 4/Digitone/Digitakt). It’s much much more kit orientated. There’s a sound-browser but it’s mostly empty in my RYTM. It’s also relatively basic sound sculpting that more relies on the engine/sample than what’s going on with settings, unlike the Digitone/A4.
Just download a few packs and explore forth at what params do what.
While the ARmkII is my only Elektron (thus far…), I tend to agree. My two-ish weeks with it have had me using patterns in combination with kits for music making, really a bit like I’m using any other groovebox. I did take the time to grab a few sound packs that focus more on synthesis, though, and I think that using the pool for sound locking of the synth engines as opposed to the samples it gonna open up my workflow.
What type of music are you making? Have you got any examples online?
Sure there are good presets in the RYTM but it doesn’t take long to fiddle around with some parameters to dial in the sound I want. It’s an expensive instrument to buy for just presets. I find the RYTM very immediate and I have owned the Dark Trinity.
I’ll never forget reading about the Sysex that Autechre released. It was very apparent how much time they put into carving the sounds they want.
I’ve been using it since the summer and it’s been a lot of fun learning the instrument. Playing around with the synthesis is a MASSIVE part of the instrument.
I am struggling to find what attracts you to the RYTM??
You say you ‘are not much of a synthesist’. You probably want to make drum synthesis your ‘thing’ if you buy a RYTM.
im not here for preset surfing. what i want is immediacy in choice of starting points for my sounds and not have to spend time build the exact sound i want before using it. “ok, kicks good enough, lets fine tune it from here” kinda thing
what attracts me? analog circuitry with digital parameters, scenes, performance mode, individual outs, the list goes on…
Can’t remember how many there are exactly but it was plentiful for me.
The reason I asked about what type of music you were making is because I think there are some presets that would be ready to go straight off the bat. I have to tweak mine for Grime. There are none. That said, I still don’t have to tweak it much. Which brings me back to my first sentence above^^
You’ll be fine!
Ahhhhh RYTM is amazing. All those points you mentioned are incredible. I didn’t use half of the performance controls yet and I’m overly happy. This box is genius! How have you been creating music in the past? The Korg and in the box?
Yep. Just load up a ton of your favourite samples, and download the free soundpacks from Elektron. Plenty of starting points, and the sound packs are all tagged - so it’s pretty easy to browse for the type of sound you want.
yeah i started ITB then got totally disillusioned with computer music til i discovered live sets and got my self and ESX - the rytm is just a natural upgrade
i make “drum machine music” i really love the sound of drum synths and sequences as opposed to techno that just relies on a good kick and groove
