The ELZ-1 PLAY takes the concept of the original and expands on it. Clearly stealing from the SmplTrek, the ELZ_1 PLAY now features a 4-track looper that can not only loop internal sounds but also external audio via the Line In or USB Audio. Rhythms can be created using the STK Drummer, a sample-based drum engine with 5 kits and 100 patterns. This engine is compatible with SmplTrek kits!
The keyboard has also been improved to support velocity on all keys. Speakers are built into the side panels and there are connections for 5-pin DIN MIDI, USB-C and an SD card slot for storage. Another addition is MIDI CC support. Other connections include Sync In/Out as well as Line out for audio and a headphone socket.
ELZ_1 play has expanded features and interface to take advantage of its unique sound without modifying the original ELZ_1’s core sound engines & effects.
14 synth engines + 26 effects that fans of the ELZ_1 know and love.
New 4-track looper for easy one-touch record/playback/overdub.
Velocity-enabled keyboard, stereo speakers built into the side panel, USB audio & MIDI.
no commentary on the functionality but the hardware of the new version somehow looks cheaper to me, as in the manufacturing. those backlit buttons look a bit crude.
Video demo of the ELZ_1 play’s looper functionality -
I somehow wasn’t aware that the original existed until a couple of weeks ago when Limbic Bits did a preset demo vid on it. Seems like a nice compact form factor for all the sound engines it has, and the addition of velocity sensitive keys is a really nice improvement.
I am amused when people comment on things looking cheap. People spend hundreds on old cheap Casios. It’s about the sound and the elz does really sound great. 32-bit float and a lot of sound shaping possibilities. I disliked the key bed, and sound storage and sequencer limitations of the original.
If the soft buttons shown are like the ones on the SmplTrek I really like them they have a nice feel.
Indeed, I was semi interested by this new project as the only Sonicware device I have sounds absolutely perfect to my ear(lofi-12) but the price makes it enter Hydrasynth explorer/Minifreak/sh4-d/Waldorf blodfeld or even the Korg op-six/minilogue XD territory and I don’t think it can compare to these instruments just yet… Would totally pre order it at 400-450 though!
Been confirmed the body is metal, so there’s that at least…
Keybed is confirmed to be the same plastic cheap horrible liven one unfortunately…
Yes it’s actually not saying liven keys but it says they are plastic keys unlike the smpltrek keys (and look awfully like the liven keys). I did as a more specific question to Dr Yuendo, hopefully will get an answer quick.
Functionality-wise, when I had an ELZ-1 THE FX and modulation of it made me desire the ability to use it as an FX processor- they were so neat.
Granted, based on the description, it sounds like it MIGHT be reserved for the looper- i don’t know how it wouldn’t be eligible for a live feed. But hey, as long as external sounds could be ported in- i suppose that’s close enough.
So, as far as functionality is concerned- its pretty neat.
Interface, personally I found interacting with the interface to be somewhere between a nuisance and a nightmare. Maybe I’m just deeper into Elektron love than I even realize, but editing parameters just didn’t feel wonderful on a tactile level. Playing sounds on that keyboard also felt disappointing on a tactile level. At its best moments, it felt like hiking on a scenic trail with sharp pebbles in your shoe.
I liked it and may get one at some point in time. Should have made a larger screen but I guess it is just ELZ_1 Play which probably meant the same device but added interface to support live play.
