Syntakt's synthesizer side is a little too simple(not a bad thing). st is more drum than 50:50 drum:synth

[Choice_Studio]

the tag said: drum computer And synthesizer

but the synth side not as serious as mnm, a4, digitone.

kind of drum plus some synth thing. absolutely not 50:50 drum and synth groove box

because:

1. no portamento. how could I compose good bass line or melodic line without porta parameter

2. mono sequencer. no polyphonic ability even in digi synth machine.

3. no chorus fx even in chord machine (if you know mnm. you will experience how single chorus parameter enrich the sound of ens machine to form a beautiful pad). and all real elektron synth have chorus.

4. only 8 parameter in synth machine page. still use one for decay. come on! synth osc don need decay and there’s amp env behind. decay in first page is all for drum things.

so this is a Takt machine more for rytm beat side than melodic harmonic side.

[trytykee]

I haven’t used the Syntakt but for example the machines on MD are also very simple but there is a lot to explore. It’s not as deep as A4 for sure but limitations are great and simplicity is much better to explore another side of a synth. Just try different things.

[brodykauff]

That’s great. Think of the money you will save.

[MichalHo]

I really miss portamento/slide trigs on the ST, in that regard it’s not a replacement for a Rytm.

[Choice_Studio]

i have md uw. if you have really used md. you know how hard to do real melodic thing in md
. md even didn’t have a trig page like new elektron machine(the original Trinity all didn’t have trig page). and tune parameter of synt page is none linear. a real synth need handle these well

[HoldMyBeer]

I think you are thinking of the word “synthesizer” like a Moog Model D, or similar things people think of when they hear the word synth, synthesis, or synthesizer. Most synthesizers are limited, it just depends by how much. I think for drum synthesis, which falls under the term “synthesizer”, the Syntakt offers a nice variety of features. To me the tag reads appropriately. Drum Computer & Synthsizer, as it is both a drum computer and also a synthesizer, even if many of the machines are drum focused. But, you can absolutely use these machines to make melodic elements, and things like the chord machine and Dual VCO are very helpful with that.

I don’t think Elektron is misleading people here. Anyone can read the specs, manual, or even listen to the music that has been made on these (Dublab, Youtube, Soundcloud) and understand the shortcomings. One of the first things I noticed listening to the Dublab recordings was the lack of polyphony.

Anyways, there are lots of other options out there if the Syntakt doesn’t meet one’s needs.

[mokomo]

I’m exploring the ST.

Simple enough machines, but I quite like the limitations so far, though would be good to both push the boundaries and add some other timbres via other 8 parameter machines.

With 12 tracks and a very strong FX capability, less is more on the synth side.

I would not be surprised to see a lot of fresh creativity within its constraints., that help focus the mind.

What I particularly like about the MNM is that a mere 8 knobs can give you wildly different results.

[J0n35y]

Early user impressions leave me thinking yes, the synth machines are a little simple.

From my knowledge of using Elektron devices for years and from listening to ST demos I know that there are a load of options I haven’t got near to build, warp, embellish the synth machines to the point that they can, and do, sound pretty good and a fair bit removed from “simple”.

Would I buy a ST solely for synth duties? Nope. Did I expect it to handle synth duties with aplomb before purchasing? Absolutely not.

So this is me admitting that my perception is down to me and falling into instant gratification expectations. However, I’m happy to give it time to learn some nifty tricks with these “simple” synth machines and looking forward to what I create

[Uija]

There are so many Synthesizers (that don’t event name themself anything else) that are monophonic, don’t have any FX at all, and cost way more than the ST. There are a lot without a sequencer, and nearly none of them are able to do that much drum like.
Sure, there are more Drum-Engines then Synth-Engines, but that’s mainly because its easier that way to get to the sound they want you to have, I use way more tonal tracks then drum tracks.
And currently I am jamming with a 303-Like Bass-Line and it slides like a beast. There is more than one way to get the slides you want without much hasse, using the Sequencer and Pattern-Locks and you have “perfect” control over every slide individually.
To be honest: I expected way more Drum-Focus than there is currently.

Maybe the Syntakt is just nothing for you? Thats totally okay, no-one is forced to buy every device out there!

[Roger]

The decay on the synth page is probably for those “E-Z” machines, same principle as M:C. It shapes the envelopes on the operators as well.

[Choice_Studio]

i am not saying st not good. i really hope saw a all in one 50:50 machine. no more duo. but that is my personal wish. elektron don think so😁
and I agree with you limit is not bad thing.

[avantronica]

Drum Computer and Synthesizer = Drum Computer and Drum Synthesizer = Analog and Digital Drum Synthesizer

With no ARP, and only Retrigs
With no poly and mainly percussive engines
With engines as simple as AR
With no Chorus

It’s quite obviously not 50:50, not even close

It’s a drum/percussive focused device with a few additional side dishes for variety

Plus the whole thing is geared around Control All - so they have a set limit on parameters of 8 per machine

It’s focused, but flexible and fun

There’s no reason to begin to compare it with any traditional synth, it’s just a nicety to have the flexibility to repurpose some things and use some machines not too focused on percussives , heck the machines don’t have attack, but most have punch and operate mainly with AHD envelopes

It’s clearly a drum/percussive focused device, more 90%:10% imho

Sure it’s a matter of perspective, but there’s no point bemoaning what it clearly isn’t intended to be

Look … see … !

[Hitachii]

Ah, this thread confirms the -one parameter page for synth voice- that I was trying to figure out.

Can you fake portamento using LFOs? Is there osc sync? I saw ring mod.

[Uija]

you can do portamento with LFO and Tune, using one shots and put the depth on a p-lock. Analog DVCO has a Bend-Parameter that can go up and down and can do some cool stuff too, when p-locked.

[Choice_Studio]

what did you understand all round?
drum melody in full fusion?

[MichalHo]

Those are the workarounds, and yes, you can do cool stuff. No doubt.

But it’s simply not as elegantly solved as on the AR and OT.
Or an electribe2, to name an example that is less expensive.

[Prints]

I just got my ST last Tuesday and like it so far, but strongly agree with some of the OP’s points. The portamento is very basic and should be there. Chorus is a no-brainer.

[Hawk]

I mean dude , these things they state are completely true; go on youtube and type syntakt, the stuff people are doing with it is wild, beautiful tracks with plenty of basslines and lovely melody, nice drums, etc. Also, it says "Syntakt is a drum specialist, full of percussive possibilities, but its four analog and eight digital tracks can be used for melody, harmony, and bass sounds too. Maybe English isn’t your first language, but this clearly states that it’s PRIMARILY a drum machine that can ALSO do melody, harmony, and bass.

[nilsec]

omg, stop.

is a drum synth a synthesizer? of course it is.

Example: does the Nord Drum have portamento? Probably doesn’t.

Mono sequencer: Does the Nord drum have a sequencer? No it doesn’t.

drum synth != polyphonic subtractive synth.

[sheathe]

you can do fully ambient stuff on the model cycles that sounds amazingly polyphonic and wide. with the extra LFO on the syntakt, you even have a dedicated LFO for a slow attack, and another for pitch/filter whatever. you just have to stop thinking about what it doesn’t have and start making stuff without drums.

you can also get chords (in the end, you will hear it as a chord) from the DVCO machine by rapid firing pre-nudged notes with the oscillators tuned to 4ths or 5ths, and send the result into the delay.