I realize this is a highly subjective topic, but am I the only one who:
doesn’t like the new look of the mark 2 models (minus the Octatrack, because of my next point)
doesn’t understand why we went with a bigger non-uniform design instead of the super awesome black box harkening back to the early thinkpad days?
The labeling on the buttons while super useful also makes it look childish, where as the old mark 1 versions were so solid and utilitarian.
The Octatrack mk2 is an exception of course because while it is using the new buttons and labels it retained it’s awesome in a box style.
Now, because these are mark 2 models, I’m not ruling out that the overall size increase and form factor departure are because of necessity, due to additional hardware as of yet annouced and perhaps for future feature announcements.
I guess this departure is also justified because of the form factors the heat, digitakt, and digitone have.
Not sure about the necessity for the format change, maybe it has something to do with distances of parts on the PCBs to enable higher USB bandwidth. I do find the mini keyboard on the A4 MK2 much more useful than the one on the MK1 and that partly can be attributed to the increase in size. The design has grown on me over the past few months. On the downside I’m less likely to take the machines with me these days, I rather use the DT/DN when traveling.
I’m totally with you. I’ll but used MKI machines in a heartbeat over the MKII A4 and AR, I think the MKII are really ugly. The OT, I could potentially pick up a MKII one day, but it still kind of loses the beauty of the original (not to mention it being a slightly different size). I def. think the original boxes are good for traveling, while the new ones are to big. The DT/DO sizes are pretty nice, but the machines themselves are a bit to crippled for my liking.
I prefer - by far - the MKI looks, but the updated shape and size in the MKII’s have led to more possibilities in the workflow department, which makes them overall better.
In general, Elektron’s not leading the pack in looks anyway. Moog and DSI are the lookers for classic style, and after that it’s anything goes, I guess.
So it doesn’t really matter to me, cause looks were never Elektron’s strongest forte anyway.
See I totally disagree, at least with the mk1 series. I also never thought Elektron was trying to look classic at all. They just happened to use a timeless classic form with modern hardware.
I think Elektron has always had really solid designs. The AK for example is almost perfect, if they would have just used the extra space in the panel area.
The Octa MK2 is super solid. I really just can’t stand the voices button. Hahahaha.
The design has grown on me over the past few months. On the downside I’m less likely to take the machines with me these days, I rather use the DT/DN when traveling.
My thoughts exactly.
You really have to use the mk2 before judging the looks.
Getting back to mk1 feels really weird, I assure you.
Things change people, Im no fan of the new design, but it is a good, modern design, younger people will like it better IMHO
Not sure about the size, haven’t seen a MK2 in person, I really really love the old box size, have an AK and Rytm and Im seriously considering buying an A4 just to take to gigs (instead of the AK), old black boxes are ridiculously perfect for gigging
I preferred the A4Mk2 when I had it. I suspect the form factor changes are as much to do with Elektron’s Overbridge vision as anything else. ie. these are desktop modules to sit along side a laptop.
The old form factor is better for those wanting to get away from a computer with a hardware focus.
Sure there is more to it than that but I thought the Mk2 looked fantastic and was great to use when I had it.
Yeah, I feel like you’re right here. I’ve been feeling for a while that Elektron is trying to go for a ‘laptop companion’ sort of deal.
I think it’s a good way of reaching a new audience. Instead of a Maschine, get a Rytm and stream all the tracks to your laptop. I can see it taking off.
Redesign is definitely not for everyone including me but I feel that we might see some other color options in the future or at least just a black version. It’s really a quite strange decision to go with that light grey.
