To accompany a Syntakt

Elektron Gear Syntakt
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My Syntakt has become the center of my noise-making activities (mostly based on workflow and having a proper song mode) but there’s obviously some things it can’t do.

This thread is for discussing things to accompany a Syntakt and fill in the gaps.

Note that comments here aren’t necessarily reviews or criticisms of other devices, they have to be seen in the context of “with a Syntakt”.

Important criteria:
a) It has to fill in a gap, do something the Syntakt can’t do.
b) It has to have a reasonably good/complete MIDI implementation - I’ll be using song mode and the Syntakt will be controlling it.

I’ll put some results here… Opinions are my own, all scores are purely in the context of this thread and may not apply outside it.

***The good***

Digitakt

Genre: Sampler/MIDI sequencer
Summary: 100% integration with Syntakt, frees up Syntakt MIDI tracks.
Score: 10/10
Value: They’re not cheap, but…,
Downside: You have to enjoy hunting for samples online

Roland S1

Genre: Subtractive synth
Summary: All of Roland’s greatest hits in a little box.
Score: 10/10
Discussion: To accompany a Syntakt - #69 by Flekk

Behringer Pro VS Mini

Genre: Vector synth
Summary: 5 voice paraphonic, a sonic BEAST for only $90!
Score: 10/10
Discussion: To accompany a Syntakt - #222 by Flekk

***The Bad***

MicroFreak

Genre: Synthesizer/sampler
Summary: Oscillators are unintuitive, sampler is limited, sound is weak
Score: 5/10
Discussion: To accompany a Syntakt - #46 by Flekk

***The Ugly***

(synths that are really close to greatness, but … there’s a showstopper)

Roland P6

Genre: Sampler
Summary: Cheap, very close to greatness but fatal flaw in MIDI implementation
Score: 5/10
Discussion: To accompany a Syntakt - #3 by Flekk

Roland TB3

Genre: Synth
Summary: Amazing soundz but needs PC to edit them. Big failz in MIDI.
Score: 4/10
Discussion: To accompany a Syntakt - #158 by Flekk

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Obviously, we need to start from the list of what exactly it can’t do :joy:

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Roland P6 sampler

The P6 is three instruments in one:

  • Chromatic sampler (pitch shifted notes)
  • 48 sample pads, each is a different MIDI note.
  • Granular synthesizer

It can do all three simultaneously, each one has its own MIDI channel and there’s 16 sound polyphony.

It has separate FX settings for each sound - reverb, echo, etc.

It’s cheap, it’s compact and has built-in battery.

Sample memory is fairly limited and you have to connect it to a PC to load a different set of sounds.

Edit: I just found a huge limitation with it that I hadn’t noticed in my experimenting yesterday - no way to select the chromatic sound via MIDI. This has to be deliberate.

This flaw limits it to non-chromatic sounds if you’re controlling it via MIDI.

ie. You have to press buttons on the P6 to select the sound. Song mode users like me, beware.

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DN II

  • chords
  • deeper FM
  • arp
  • large voice count
  • 3 LFOs

Granted I’ve been in honeymoon for close to a year now, so I keep bringing it back.
I understand a sampler can bring additional flavors, but if you’re into sounds that can drastically change over time, FM synthesis still is the most solid tool :smiley:

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…i always say…to cover all essentials, u need one synth based device and one sample based device and ur good to go anywhere u like…

and if we’re talking elektron only here, all ur s takt might miss is a d takt…

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To add to this, they also make good companions based on routing configs. Digitone II running into Syntakt FX block can add some decent grit with the analog filters and even more overdriving, or the other way around with Syntakt running into Digitone II’s compressor.

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I use the Syntakt with a Digitone II quite often and it is a wonderful combo for sure. An analog poly would also be a good match, I’d think. I’ve used my Syntakt with an Octatrack as well and love that. Syntakt and Kodamo EssesnceFM is a lovely combo too. These are just my experiences

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Maybe a Nord Lead Rack? 4 part multitimbral, 20 voice polyphony. Haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my GAS list for some day.

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You could try an RK002 and see how far you can get with polyphony while keeping it all in-house.

Definitely some advantage to this.

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I don’t own an syntakt but the SP-404 MKII makes a sweet side piece for the non sampling takts! I have mine with a DN and it’s awesome!

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Defenitely ! Cheap and covers these :

I only use it for polyphonic stuff, I am not in programing it despite its incredible possibilities.

I am biased, I sold my Syntakt for it.
I really miss the 4 analog tracks, nothing to replace them.
Another cool thing with Digitone II is 16 voices polyphony and overdub for each midi track.

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When I got my DNII I briefly considered selling my Syntakt…very glad I didn’t :slight_smile:

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So do I :slight_smile:

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So did I :slightly_smiling_face:

On topic response: I’d choose a good polysynth, any of your liking. Most synths have good MIDI implementations nowadays. I’m using a Minilogue XD now with the Syntakt, I can use it as a MIDI keyboard as well.

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Yep, as polysynths I particularly like Hydrasynth and Micromonsta 2, I liked Minifreak but it is redundant with what I already have.
I’d also recommend the Digitakt 1/2 as sampler.

For granular I didn’t gel with P6, I prefered Lemondrop, didn’t gel with S4 (too limited granular fx), and now I have the Tempera I enjoy a lot. Not interested in Mega GR anymore ! Here I synced it to Digitone 2 :

Same pattern with granular morphing…

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I say Octatrack is a nice accompaniment for any device (even other samplers).

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I pair my Syntakt with my Korg Opsix usually.

Right now though I’m using a Polyend Synth as both a MIDI controller and sound source.

I think all the Syntakt really needs is a nice controller with aftertouch or other modulations. A polyphonic synth or sampler makes a lot of sense too.

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Yeah had fun today with this combo:

Syntakt on a thru machine doin bass and drums
Octatrack playing a breakbeat on a cue track that goes into the Syntakt for that awesome analog FX drive

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To accompany a Syntakt, I suggest a good bottle of red wine, or perhaps a well-aged Scotch. No MIDI needed.

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This has been my hardware setup for the past year and I’ve felt zero need to add anything else to it. Of course there are things that would be cool to have, but the MicroFreak and minilogue can both do polyphony and produce a wide range of sounds, minilogue has its own effects and can be expanded with logueSDK… it’s just a really well-rounded setup for me. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.

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