Forgive me for making this thread, but didn’t see any other appropriate threads for this and I just love the Syntakt. It’s an instrument that immediately sparks joy for me. With all the posts from people clamoring for Elektron firmware updates, I feel like it’s helpful to appreciate the depth of what they’ve already put out. 12 tracks of synth power, flexible with MIDI tracks, awesome analog oscs, overdrive and filters. SY_BITS. FX track sequencing and routing. The analog kicks alone are enough reason to love it. It can go as intense or as ambient as you want it to. I know I’m not alone in thinking this way 🥲 it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I can’t imagine ever getting rid of mine. Feels like I could use it the rest of my life and never stop enjoying it.
If only there would be enough space for an internal battery 
Joking aside: it is my “happy little accidents” machine. Didn’t get much love since DTII arrived, so need to get back to it, thx for pointing out.
I like the unpredictability (is it a word?) and sometimes chaotic results. The mentioned FX tracks and overdrive can crumble the results until not being able to recognize the input at all.
The synth engines are plenty and have everything covered for me. Yes, a lack in the cymbal chamber for some, not for me.
I like it. It is complete, but that does not mean that the FW-magicians could not ad a little 
to it later on.
Funny you open this thread now. I didn’t have a lot of time to play with my machines over the last few weeks. I went back to some older Syntakt projects yesterday for half an hour before going to sleep. I was reaffirmed in my belief that the Syntakt is by far the most fun, powerful, immediate and versatile machine I have. It’s also my favorite Elektron. It always inspires me to come up with something cool and useful.
It already feels complete to me and is truly the best of Elektron machine. I would love to have a pro version of it though, which would upgrade it into the “I don’t need anything else than this” territory for me. This version would look something like that:
- bit bigger form factor like OT MK II, maybe AR/A4 MK II
- an additional cue output that can be assigned flexibly
- added performance mode. Could work like on AR, so they could give it some nice pads that also work as performance tools
- give us some form of polyphony. Four voices would be enough for me. Give us an option to sacrifice tracks to achieve this.
- performance trigs 13-16 wouldn’t be needed anymore, so give us an option to make these into MIDI tracks. Or audio tracks, if you’re willing to upgrade the processor.
- if you upgrade the internals, an option to have more than one analog hihat/cymbal machine track would be great
- some quality of life stuff from DT II like 128 steps and the chorus could also be ported
I love it so much!
Started with an Microfreak, had an Arthuria Drumbrute impact and a Minifreak than together with an Effekt mixer ( soundcore signature ) but as soon as tried one Digitone, I sold all that crap and ordered the syntact. Best decision ever. I am finally able to make the sound I am into. Love it so much! It’s still a lot to learn, but I feel, the syntact together with og Digitone is all I ever need 
I’m not going to turn this into a another feature request thread (we already have one) but yes, the Syntakt philosophy is a good thing.
People are obviously comparing it to Digitone II now but not everybody wants machines with four pages of parameters in them, etc. Syntakt is much more immediate for people who just want to make music.
A related topic is: “Why did you buy your Syntakt?”
I got mine after I heard the “Finale” in this video:
I love mine. I was craving better digital hi-hats and polyphony but the latest update and getting a digitakt 2 (maybe soon to be replaced by a tonverk) made the Syntakt so powerful. As many Analogue cymbals as I want and with some resampling, polyphony. A great two box combo.
Got my Syntakt the first week they came out as an upgrade to my Model:Cycles (such a lovely little box), Lots of gear has come and gone but the Syntakt is still here. Awesome machine. Go check out any of the ST Science lab threads here and tell me again how underpowered and limited they are. It can be fast and simple ( while sounding great) or you can deep dive some sound design craziness. Very underrated box, IMO
The Syntakt is a sound design goldmine. I could have an even more focussed box with only SY TOY or BITS and be perfectly happy, instead I have 30+ bonus machines 
Syntakt + Live Intro (to make some poly instruments if you really need that for instance) is a perfectly viable studio.
I guess my contribution to this thread is highly superfluous, but I can’t shut up about my love 
Syntakt is the single most fun and productive instrument I’ve ever owned and I’m approaching 200 synths and drum machines the last 35 or so years 
- surpassing even the Machinedrum. Nothing’s perfect, but the balance between immediacy, depth, original sound and a super quick interface is unsurpassed in my book. The rest of my studio has either been collecting dust or sold off the last two years. I haven’t owned so little gear in 15-20 years, and I haven’t been this productive since I started making music. I’m totally in love 
I got back into music-making a couple years ago and have bought and returned a lot of hardware during that time as I’ve been figuring things out. At one point I had the A4 Mk I, a DT I, a DN I, and a Syntakt: only the Syntakt remains (along with an iPad).
Honestly I’ve tried to talk myself out of keeping the Syntakt too as I moved to a DAW, but when I looked at how many patterns and ideas I had saved on there compared to the other gear/Elektron boxes I had, it was no contest. So fast and fun and even though I don’t go deep with the sound design trickery like some of the impressive folks around here, I still feel like I can produce things that sound like “me.”
Would love to see a FW update with new features, sure, but I bought it for what it is and can’t see myself parting with it.
Syntakt is the only digi size groovebox in the Elektron lineup I rate as highly as the classics - MD, MNM, OT, A4, Rytm. Many people think it has a lot less sounds than it actually has, myself included. I even went as far as to buy a second Syntakt, the E25 model, and replaced my stock Syntakt with it 8though kept the standard encoders and buttons, looks more like a mini MD that way…). I feel its on its way to becoming a modern classic.
I had a Syntakt for only 2 or 3 weeks right when it came out. Now i feel i haven’t really gave it enough time or my taste has changed over the last years. I think i should give it another chance.
But i also feel like Elektron somehow forgot about it. Could it be that the Syntakt is the device that is the least appreciated by Elektron themselves?
Or maybe they are working on it and a new FW is coming soon. 
I personally expect a new FW in the next 6 months or so, but I’m just basing that on vibes - I don’t have any particular reason.
I’ve been pretty far from making finished music lately due to other life stuff getting in the way, but I still reach for my Syntakt more than any other instrument (even more than my guitar, I think). As everyone in the past several posts highlighted, it is very fast to lay out ideas, and still manages to have a lot of depth. Other gear may end up coming and going, but the e25 Syntakt and the modded Analog Keys feel like instruments I want to carry with me into my own old age.
I think before Syntakt reaches EOL (end of life) it will have been updated and made even more powerful / flexible. Not that I’m pinning all my hope on updates, but I do have a fair amount of faith and respect for Elektron in the area of firmware updates.
No need to shut up about it, threads like these are kind of intended for people to gush about the instrument. And I thought I’d point out you’ve posted some of the most inspiring examples of Syntakt’s capabilities on this forum out of everyone. I know my tracks don’t sound as polished or wonderful as yours do yet, but it’s very encouraging to hear so many different examples of how deep the machine can be by itself. Really appreciate your input <3
Just ordered a Syntakt again. It’s funny that the only devices i bought twice are Elektron’s. Probably because i love the sequencer and they have so much potential that i sometimes have to take another try to uncover all the good stuff.
I had Digitone, Octatrack and Model Cycles twice and sold them again. I wonder if the Syntakt will stay this time…
I think elektron know, they said that “syntakt still has many stories to tell”
Hopefully soon. I love it, the fx block is magic
If you are looking for stuff to dissect when you get your ST, I recommend Oxenholmes perc sound pack and James Orvis’s kick pack. Both of these have a bunch of “record ready” sounds, a lot to reverse engineer for your own sound design ideas going forward… also, DL all the sysex/project files from the SSLs for even more stuff to dig into ;}
I did the exact same thing and when I got my second one I instantly fell in love and thought I was an idiot when it released. Even the first patterns I had made with it sounded great when returning to them. Even made an EP out of them.
I read this thread and wonder if, having never done sound synthesis, I would not have had to order an ST in place of the DTII.
I am in a trip-hop style, and I am looking to add melodic elements on a loop made of samples on DTII.
What do you think?
A Syntakt and a Digitakt can be synchronized over MIDI and work together as a team but I think you might end up using the Syntakt more than the Digitakt. 