Model Cycles & Samples, Headphones/Mixer

Elektron Gear Model:Cycles
#1

Just got a Model:Cycles and I’m pleasently surprised. This thing is far more powerful than I thought it would be. It sounds very good. And I do like the aesthetics as well (I know, not everybody does).

Now I’m thinking about getting a Model:Samples as well. And here comes the issue. As long as I only have one of the Models, it’s pretty straightforward to make music and listen via Headphones. But how do you deal with 2 of these machines? Of course I could use a (mini-/micro)mixer. But do I really need to buy one of these in order to connect the Models? No other option than that (and possibly an audio interface)?

To be honest, I personally think it’s pretty weird selling these machines without an option to easily connect them together – I mean in a portable, nice way (without a shi**y plastic cheap bad sounding china imported mixer). I’m actually close to buying a 1010 Bluebox for this. A bit stupid though, because I don’t need most of the features (though I might learn to need them when I have it).

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#2

I have the same dilemma. If I expand from M:C to add an M:S I’m inevitably looking at buying a mixer and if I want to use the same keyboard with both, then I’m also looking at adding a midi split/merge utility of some sort (or swapping cables/fiddling with configuration a lot).

For this reason I’m considering a 1010 BlackBox instead, which I think gets round both requirements, while still giving me a set up that’s easy to take to the park.

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#3

Just get a Mackie 402VLZ or equivalent, will give you a decent headphone amp and RCA in/out for audio interfacing.

If you want something no-compromise with some room to expand that’s also an iOS and DAW interface, take a long look at the Radial Key Largo.

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#4

I bought a small Rolls mixer for about $80. Made in the US, good build quality and sound, battery option. I’ve already outgrown it but it will still come in handy for little setups.

#5

The Radial Key Largo looks very interesting indeed. So thanks for that hint – I didn’t come across that one so far.

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#6

Thanks. I’ve read some bad reviews on the Rolls (with regards to humming) – but yes, definitely an option (although the stereo option is around € 150 here).

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#7

I think what people don’t realize with the Rolls is that the knobs at midpoint are 100% and above that is gain. They crank them all the way up and then they can hear noise.

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#8

Which Rolls mixer … this one ?

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#9

No, that is passive, and I worried about attenuation. I bought the MX44.

https://www.rolls.com/product/MX44-P

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#10

I do not own a M:S just a M:C so i’ve never tried this before but i know the M:C can take in audio over usb hence the trim settings in the settings menu so if the M:S can do audio over usb just like the M:C than isn’t it possible to feed audio from one to the other via a simple usb cable and monitor them both with one headphone out?

#11

No. Both are USB peripheral devices and therefore need to be connected to a USB host (such as a computer).

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#12

That’s an interesting idea as well. I recently asked Elektron about connecting the M:C and M:S and they said a Mixer is necessary. So my assumption would be that this is not possible. Question is: has anyone ever tried? Because from a theroetical perspective, it sounds reasonable.

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#13

Yeah i figured this would not be an option because then people would be all over it and i’ve never seen anybody post about it. But at the same time i don’t understand why it’s not possible and i really don’t understand why the made the option of USB audio in if not for this reason.

#14

You can read some basic information about how USB works here:

It’s a nice option to have for people who use computer audio as well as a M:S or M:C, in some cases saving on the need for a basic audio interface.

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#15

To be honest, there’s a lot of gear that gives the possibility of audio in. It would be more expensive though.

To be honest, that’s not how audio over usb works.

Sorry for feeling a bit sassy for a moment. But sometimes people can expect (demand) so much from things/others, even when uninformed / unrealistic / impossible.

The models are actually quite impressively spec’d for their price point. But you’ll have to make do with their limitations:)

#16

Fair point! Thinking of getting a Digitakt/Digitone-Combo instead. Maybe that´s the idea of Elektron in the first place: Limiting the Model series to make people buy the other products (no offense meant). Might work with me.

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#17

Totally agree with that. IMHO these machines are quite impressive. It’s just a bummer that there’s no easy, portable connection. But yeah, so much to love about this gear.

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#19

Will those really drive headphones ?

| Output Impedance | 1k – 4k Ω |
| Insertion Loss | 12dB (typical) |

#20

Octatrack is a great Mixer :wink: and does so much more to such a setup :wink:

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#21

Deleting my comment. I think you’re right! I’m not using mine in that application, but my comment comes from a vid of someone using it as a headphone splitter. I’m guessing that they must have had some sort of amplifier between the mixer and phones