What's next for Elektron?

Elektron Gear Other Elektron Gear
#9483

It seems they changed the basic sound of the unit for the revision, and my ears don’t like it at all. The Digitakt for me occupied a unique sweet spot between vintage sampler and modern/sterile DAW sample playback. It definitely has a sound, and this was a very strong argument for it. The II sounds very crisp, but for me, in a rather bad way, giving me bad vibes, in your face digital aggressive…? At least in the presets and examples I heard so far.

I will stay away until someone can show me its beauty.

#9484

Oh weird it wasn’t showing for me for a bit but it’s there now. Preordered lol

1 Like
#9487

It does, Loopop has demonstrated it in his video.

#9488

That sounds like a really long drive! My guy said they’re expecting them next week.

1 Like
#9489

On the truck to Sweetwater :slight_smile:

Then another to me.

2 Likes
#9490

Let’s continue the discussion there:

#9491

Let’s get back to topic now ^^

#9492

OTII confirmed

5 Likes
#9493

Just as a reminder, for Digitone II and TonVerk wild speculations we already have these discussions:

For feature requests, please choose the appropriate thread.

https://www.elektronauts.com/search?q=feature%20requests

Nothing above fits: this thread is the right one!

3 Likes
#9494

So, what’s the new programming platform use in DT2?

Should we expect, eventually, new boxes in the 3 tiers (Big-expensive, Digis, Cheap line) in this new platorm in the next 5~7 years?

Or, are we going to see a narrower of the lines? (No more Big-Boxes, neither Cheap ones) Just DT2 form/features/price in the future?

2 Likes
#9495

I hope not. I really love my M:S. If Elektron managed to solve the battery issue, as well as adding a few more quality of life shift functions like attack, loop start/end, it would be even better!

3 Likes
#9496

I’m not sure they are looking to solve the battery problem. From the wording at the time it sounded very much like “we are recalling all the battery containers and writing it off as a bad idea”.

Of course I have no inside knowledge, but from what I can remember it was definitely not worded “we are recalling the battery containers until we have improved them”.

2 Likes
#9497

The current Models line share their hardware components with the now discontinued DT1 including most of them being end of their life cycle.

  1. THGBMDG5D1LBAIT is the 4GB eMMC NAND Flash device. This would account for the 1GB +Drive size for the M:S (same as the DT1). Replaced in the DT2 with Kingston EMMC32G-TX29 eMMC NAND (TLC) Flash, 256Gbit (32GB).

  2. S25FL128S 128Mbit SPI Flash memory, also replaced in the DT2 with the Winbond W25Q128JVFQ , which is a QSPI NOR Flash device with 128MBit (16MB) , also very hard to find online.

  3. NT5TU128M8HE - 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, not replaced in DT2, can also be found in DT1.

This is interesting to note that despite very similar components the models have much “weaker” features. This could lead one to believe there is still a lot of processing power available that could be used for future updates.

Unfortunately the timing of the last piece of informations on the models, a Live dispatch and a video from Ricky Tinez this winter, along with a discount in price, seems to make one believe they are probably not going to support the models anymore and looking at closing this chapter.

As for a successor, a “mk2” or simply a new, cheaper, line of Elektron instruments… That would be interesting but a risky investment when something as highly priced as the DT2 already sells so well.

If we start thinking that every new elektron product will have the SHARC DSP, this means a lot more power even for the cheaper line, which might makes the upgrade path much harder to maintain. See how many people already considering not buying the DT2 when they already have the DT1…

M:S PCB

[Album] Elektron Model:Samples PCB

DT1 PCB

[Album] Elektron Digitakt Teardown
10 Likes
Cycles multitracks on Ableton
#9498

Yeah, that is kinda just marketing fluff. Basically they mean that the filters work like their own Machines with different filter types. Also I noticed they changed the LFO button to MOD. I am wondering if they are going to bring more modulation machines eventually. An envelope that you can chose the destination of would be nice.

1 Like
#9499

Wait, so if a new Octatrack comes along and it’ll have significantly different insides, will it be Octatrack MKIII? Or, going by the new naming logic, Octatrack II? Which would be hella confusing.

I think this confirms OT will not get an upgrade, because naming it will be too difficult.

3 Likes
#9500

Interesting…
Now I really wish they’d give the M:C a 2nd lfo and/or lfo modes (especially S&H)

#9501

Who wants an Octatrack mk3 when you could wish for an HexadecaTrack?

8 Likes
#9502

They kind of cornered themselves with the “no secondary function” design philosophy for the models. It makes any wish of adding feature a bit of a nightmare when you have to consider that you absolutely cannot create any new function using knobs/buttons/keys that already got one.

Though it does mean the models will never turn into sp-404 combo monsters. Fast workflow and jamming potential.

Even with this in mind, there is “room” for updates, and it does not seem like the issue is the hardware being too weak for most of the features requested.

2 Likes
#9503

Some knobs (like reverb and delay) have secondary functions so it’s not as if they can’t add more where it makes the most sense!

1 Like
#9504

I think what they meant by this is they do not want to give extra functions to knobs which have not existing secondary functions clearly written already for them. Which makes sense as it would be a bit confusing having to guess in the middle of a jam that FUNC + volume now changes the attack of your current sound… for example.

2 Likes