POLL: Should Elektron create "analog percussion"?

Gummi · 2015-03-30T18:18:28.000Z

Every analog drum machine has been usually determined by two things: circuit constraints and cost. Since people couldn’t feasibly make a 40 voice analog drum machine way back when, they stuck with the “basic” sounds such as bass drum, snare, hi hat etc etc.

When sample-based drum machines started, you could quickly have banks of oddball sounds such as marimba + other mallet percussion, odd cymbals, kalimba, guiro etc etc.

There has never been an analog drum machine that has tackled these ideas before. It is wholly original, and adds a lot to analog drum synthesis.

Does anyone here want to see all ranges of analog percussion shown in the Analog Rytm?

reeloy · 2015-03-30T18:37:59.000Z

…really start to know all synth models in the ar inside out and dig a little deeper first…

and then ask yourself again, if you really still asking for some percussion synth…

clunky · 2015-03-30T18:39:48.000Z

""Gummi"":

Every analog drum machine has been usually determined by two things: circuit constraints and cost. Since people couldn’t feasibly make a 40 voice analog drum machine way back when, they stuck with the “basic” sounds such as bass drum, snare, hi hat etc etc.

When sample-based drum machines started, you could quickly have banks of oddball sounds such as marimba + other mallet percussion, odd cymbals, kalimba, guiro etc etc.

There has never been an analog drum machine that has tackled these ideas before. It is wholly original, and adds a lot to analog drum synthesis.

Does anyone here want to see all ranges of analog percussion shown in the Analog Rytm?

i dont fully understand what you’re saying

you can make some of those sounds with other gear like modulars, some synths, the tempest can do a lot

or use samples and back them up with the analog circuits in the ar

there isnt the analog circuits in the ar to do all that with them alone

check out the tr808/cr8000/5000 schematics, if you havent already, you can see
the very specific individual circuits they used to get each sound.

cr80ouyo222o.jpg1283×825 730 KB

bluewolfse7en · 2015-03-30T18:44:17.000Z

^ Yeah I have to agree. (with Reeloy)
Default sounds on the AR are just that!
I was demoing the AR for a mate the other day, he nearly fell over when he heard the Rim Shot, just that one machine is capable of so much.
I’d say most of what you’re looking for is in there already, you just need to find it.

AdamJay · 2015-03-30T19:09:00.000Z

No

LTMH · 2015-03-31T03:25:48.000Z

If they could somehow do more complex percussion instruments like shakers and tambourines that don’t sound like shit (things that are more than single hits/have bounceback/multiple sources in play/natural sounding loops that can scale with the BPM) I’d be into that. not likely though.

pselodux · 2015-03-31T03:52:21.000Z

""LTMH"":

If they could somehow do more complex percussion instruments like shakers and tambourines that don’t sound like shit (things that are more than single hits/have bounceback/multiple sources in play/natural sounding loops that can scale with the BPM) I’d be into that. not likely though.

a proper physical modelling drum synth would be mental

pselodux · 2015-03-31T04:31:35.000Z

I haven’t played much with either, but surely it’s possible to go even deeper?

m4rkb · 2015-03-31T14:00:27.000Z

Complex percussion synthesis doesn’t lend itself to analogue circuitry, and physical modelling most certainly doesn’t…

green-another · 2015-03-31T15:34:46.000Z

[quote=“” bluewolfse7en""]
I was demoing the AR for a mate the other day, he nearly fell over when he heard the Rim Shot, just that one machine is capable of so much.
I’d say most of what you’re looking for is in there already, you just need to find it.
[/quote]

+1 I’m still amazed by the bongo and modular LPG/Buchla type sounds I’m able to coax out of the Rimshot engine (with a bit of LFO on the filter ENV and some creative p-locking).

JuanSOLO · 2015-03-31T16:02:56.000Z

I’m trying to imagine the benefits of analog tambourine vs a sample.
I’m assuming it’s an instant panty dropper.

reeloy · 2015-03-31T16:11:16.000Z

…yup…more instant panty droppers please…

i mean, it really makes no sense at all, to get a true anaolog drum machine with dirfferent dedicated synthmodels, still more to come, AND a Sampling option on top that goes along with EACH single voice…and still asking for more percussion options…

how about getting some roland rompler canvas box instead…

but hey…now that i think about it…next synth model could be one to catch up with taiko drums and huge frame drums…please…

zfigz · 2015-03-31T17:12:21.000Z

No.

virtual_flannel · 2015-03-31T17:43:44.000Z

""m4rkb"":

Complex percussion synthesis doesn’t lend itself to analogue circuitry, and physical modelling most certainly doesn’t…

I agree, the reason analog machines have the character and limitations they have is due to it being physical circuits. I think Elektron tackled this nicely with the Machinedrum, there are so many percussion engines in there that cover realistic to far out. It’s an idea better suited to digital and thats why they already did it!

natrixgli · 2015-03-31T18:02:28.000Z

Of course, everything everyone makes should have every feature everyone wants. It will be prohibitively expensive and of course drive the company out of business. But what good is a functioning business model if you can’t please 100% of the people 100% of the time?

Gummi · 2015-03-31T18:45:36.000Z

I am aware that analog percussion has its limits, and I am not asking this poll as if I think Elektron should make 50 sounds that have little use. Nor am I expecting sample-quality or physical modelling type sounds…

But the circuitry in the AR is pretty modular - the same circuit makes three kicks, three snares, two rimshots and a clap. What else is possible? Obviously they can reroute the oscillators and stages with digital control (that is how the AR functions.) And if they aren’t trying to make an 808 sound, but say “what oddball percussion could we make that has no previous blueprint?” I think we could get some great things. Everything in the AR stems from Roland TR boxes or MachineDrum algorithms for FM. What happens if they go for broke and try to make a new sound or three? Again - not expecting entire banks; the AR machines as is can be flexed quite far to make new sounds. But what else is out there?

One example would be the MULTI on the Vermona DRM. Its loosely a cowbell, but can be made into more. What odd things could be made with this circuitry, and should Elektron implement it? Their gear is closed-source, so a lot of DIY coding isn’t possible, and I am sure there are lots of odd scraps from the design room that might interest some …

pselodux · 2015-03-31T22:27:51.000Z

""m4rkb"":

Complex percussion synthesis doesn’t lend itself to analogue circuitry, and physical modelling most certainly doesn’t…

True. I forgot that we were talking analog here. I actually much prefer digital drum synthesis to analog, especially when you get into FM and such. Perhaps I do need to get the MD after all!