Why I returned my Analog Rytm

KOTARE · 2014-12-02T07:50:05.000Z

You should never be scared of an honest opinion. Otherwise you’re living in a hegemonic dreamworld mate, where your only way to get people to conform is a bit of bullying and a lack of interpersonal respect.

I appreciate all the opinions, not just my own.

t · 2014-12-02T08:49:39.000Z

""em-mohv"":

One thing that really puzzles me (and by all means if I’m missing something let me know) - why does the voice architecture apply to sample playback?. For example, I can’t play samples simultaneously on the CH and OH. In terms of the voice architecture I can understand the limitation considering that aspect is shared on some sounds, but with sample playback I’m puzzled why it’s a limitation to begin with.

The sample playback goes through the same VCF and VCA as the sound from the analog drum circuitry so they’re sharing a large part of the same physical voice architecture.

Deaf_Eric · 2014-12-02T09:20:08.000Z

I wasn’t keen on the hats until I bought the AR808 pack from Justin on this forum somewhere, they sound great and the best thing is, you can see how they’ve been programmed!

Accent · 2014-12-02T09:33:01.000Z

[quote=“” Elektronot""]

[quote=“djadonis206”]I appreciate this thread because it gives a different perspective on the product. I wish there were more. This way, people who are doing their homework get a more robust picture of the product their thinking of buying besides YouTube reviews and tutorials. I was on the fence, and this thread convinced me I don’t need to drop $1200+ on a drum machine right now. Money saved, better decision made.

Trust me, I’ve played on one, read the manual, watched videos, etc etc. I was convinced I needed one, then this thread popped up. Money saved, better decision made.
[/quote]

eh… you know what they say about opinions…
we get irked, write shit. blah blah blah
by all means do your homework get hands on if you can.

Yes, the pads take a minute to break in.
Yes, the input seems like a shot in the foot.
Yes, it feels empty at times.
etc.

now’s a good time to buy.
if you want out of it later, you could probably break even + or -

peace

[/quote]
One thing I’ve learned from gear forums is that everyone is a a Diva.
There will never be that one perfect piece of kit. There is the one that covers enough bases for you that it is worth a buy, and someone else will have a qualm that makes it unusable to them. I’m guilty of it too-limited midi means your product is often irrelevant for me, but that doesn’t mean it is a poor product.
With Elektron, I feel you are buying into a product line that will likely see improvements a decade after your buy-in. If you choose to ride the wave, you won’t feel cheated 2 years later by a new product that does what your initial hardware purchase did. Like many others, I find myself wishing that new options could be added to my old hardware, but I also see that Elektron would add those updates free of charge if they could, and would only sell a new version if they couldn’t add it to the existing model. That is huge.
If you see something that could not be fixed with firmware, maybe it is worth holding your money, but otherwise, I think Elektron have a vested interest in putting out the best possible hardware that they can. It may not happen tomorrow, but I’ve got little doubt that they won’t try to create it instead of putting out the same machine with improved specs for double the cash. I’ve got no interest in buying an AR right now, but if I could swing it I would, because I have little doubt that Elektron will be updating it in a decade.
I’m no fanboy; in fact, I’m pretty critical of how Elektron does business, but they offer something in sequencing and experience that the rest of the market ignores, and instead of trying to rehash a paradigm they invest in their gear. Korg gets a lot of love, but I promise that they will be pushing a new Electribe in 2 years while Elektron will still be tweaking the A4. Gimme the analog goodness with new features over the groovebox with the now anyday.

psynthetic · 2014-12-03T04:20:05.000Z

^ I agree with a lot of what’s above…

FWIW, after a bit of agonising, I decided to take advantage of Elektrons 15% off sale and pulled the trigger on a RYTM… should have it within a couple weeks… luckily, I have 7 days to return it with a full refund here in Australia even if it’s not technically “defective”, so if i’m totally underwhelmed I’ve got an out, most it might cost me is the price of interstate shipping…

But… I’m quietly hoping that the pads will break in and the FW will be updated for sens adjustment… however, as Elektron won’t confirm wether it’s theoretically even possible for sensitivity adjustment to be added, i’ll be judging it quite harshly I think.

Mind you… I won’t be getting an alternative drum machine if I do return the RYTM, there really isn’t anything else on the market with a feature set that compares IMO, i’ll just keep using software until something else catches my eye…

em-mohv · 2014-12-03T06:26:52.000Z

""djadonis206"":

I appreciate this thread because it gives a different perspective on the product. I wish there were more. This way, people who are doing their homework get a more robust picture of the product their thinking of buying besides YouTube reviews and tutorials. I was on the fence, and this thread convinced me I don’t need to drop $1200+ on a drum machine right now. Money saved, better decision made.

Trust me, I’ve played on one, read the manual, watched videos, etc etc. I was convinced I needed one, then this thread popped up. Money saved, better decision made.

Pretty much. I actually bought the Sound on Sound review of the RYTM which helped in my purchase decision, but it’s kind of hard to phrase in writing how much pressure the pads need in order to respond, sort of just something you have to find out on your own to get a more accurate idea. Surprisingly, the review mentioned nothing about the low input level, which is a bummer, but eh - shit happens. Either way, my gripes are kept in check by the fact that it’s a product that is still in its infancy, and will almost certainly see some positive refinement in the near future. At least the RYTM fundamentally does what it’s supposed to do - wish I could say the same about the “Total Integration” VST for my Virus TI2 lol.

newgreyarea · 2014-12-04T04:58:54.000Z

""LarsErik"":

[quote=“djadonis206”][quote=“LarsErik”]If you don’t like a piece of gear just sell it or return it to the store for a refund.

If you have constructive feedback about how things could be improved send the information to Elektron directly.

If you find a bug send the information to Elektron with details so they can reproduce it.

Before buying gear: Do your homework and read the fucking manual.

I appreciate this thread because it gives a different perspective on the product. I wish there were more. This way, people who are doing their homework get a more robust picture of the product their thinking of buying besides YouTube reviews and tutorials. I was on the fence, and this thread convinced me I don’t need to drop $1200+ on a drum machine right now. Money saved, better decision made.

Trust me, I’ve played on one, read the manual, watched videos, etc etc. I was convinced I needed one, then this thread popped up. Money saved, better decision made. [/quote]
More? This forum is already filled to the brim with complaints and negative feedback.[/quote]
You’d think that would be concerning to Elektron but it doesn’t seem to bother them in the least. It’ll be a year before we see features this thing was supposed to ship with. I’m guessing their having a laugh. I might should grab another Octatrack and dump the RYTM. I still think I can sample better stuff out of any other synth I own than what can be made in the MACHINES. I’d miss the Performance pad stuff but I Imagine I’d just have to deal with it.

Mantis66 · 2014-12-04T06:30:57.000Z

""newgreyarea"":

…It’ll be a year before we see features this thing was supposed to ship with. I’m guessing their having a laugh. …

What are these “features” that it was supposed to ship with but didn’t? I don’t love everything about it, but I got everything I was expecting.

dimi3 · 2014-12-04T06:39:11.000Z

When I travel, i want a bit of gear to make music. I take my AR and an OP-1. these two devices give me a flexibility. While I love these two I could do a lot with an AR by itself. Limitations give a designer flexibility!

h4ndcrafted · 2014-12-04T23:53:39.000Z

I think you can discuss its short comings till the cows come home.

Proof of a good machine is in what people produce with it.

I have seen some great videos, but if I’m honest , not that many.

I think I might sell mine, but just because I have found it takes too much processing to get anything I want.

No individual eq on the samples was a big oversite imho, it makes combining them pita, you constantly have to monitor the waveforms produced to makes sure they push right and don’t fight your monitors.

I don’t find the compressor great either compared to using a bus comp vst say.

I like the FM stuff mostly , the other machines are pretty standard don’t have that alive analogue feel that say my Vermont had.

The pads are the real killer though, I hope they get it fixed, because if you like to finger drum, I don’t, but if you do, they’re a bit of an insult atm.

leighzi88 · 2014-12-05T01:05:08.000Z

My AR has taken a secondary role to my MD, basically just to add toms (which are great on the AR) and a few samples here and there to the main MD beat. The drum synthesis on the MD is so much better than the AR imo - the MD kicks are far superior / smoother than AR. I too will consider selling the AR unless elektron come out with some impressive revisions.

em-mohv · 2014-12-05T04:40:20.000Z

""leighzi88"":

My AR has taken a secondary role to my MD, basically just to add toms (which are great on the AR) and a few samples here and there to the main MD beat. The drum synthesis on the MD is so much better than the AR imo - the MD kicks are far superior / smoother than AR. I too will consider selling the AR unless elektron come out with some impressive revisions.

Would you mind elaborating on your comparison of the MD and AR? I don’t own a MD myself (yet) but am curious to hear from someone who owns both. I love my AR and totally agree about the toms (oh god my neighbors hate me), but I’m also thinking that perhaps a MD is more in the realm of what I’m looking for.

twyce · 2014-12-05T08:16:25.000Z

""leighzi88"":

My AR has taken a secondary role to my MD, basically just to add toms (which are great on the AR) and a few samples here and there to the main MD beat. The drum synthesis on the MD is so much better than the AR imo - the MD kicks are far superior / smoother than AR. I too will consider selling the AR unless elektron come out with some impressive revisions.

AR took secondary role to my MD also. I use MD for my main kick, clap, hats, and use the AR to add special sound, sample, fx, kick transition, bass effect.

I did some live track with only MD + AR, and it is a very powerfull set up for noizy tech.

I find AR sometime too much raw (missing simple EQ per track, or HP filter in addition to the multimode filter), but the sonic possibility are deep !

De_wouzer · 2014-12-05T09:26:38.000Z

The toms also drive my neighbours crazy. I don’t like this about the rytm. The toms are so deel andpowerful, i have to use them…

Mivo · 2014-12-05T11:12:55.000Z

""djadonis206"":

Trust me, I’ve played on one, read the manual, watched videos, etc etc. I was convinced I needed one, then this thread popped up. Money saved, better decision made.

But if you’ve read the manual, watched the hands-on videos (say, Cuckoo’s), and – especially – played on one, why would the posts here really matter? First hand impressions, like actually using the device, are so much more meaningful, because everyone has individual preferences.

I read the thread, asked for opinions in a different section, and then bought one when it was on sale (Black Weeks + additional discount by retailer, so it was €1170 without cover, shipped). I’m only scratching on the surface at this time, so I don’t have any in-depth feedback to offer, but so far I’m very happy that I made the decision to get one.

As for “money saved”, well, I don’t know about anyone else (perhaps you’re all more reasonable than me!), but for me it’s rarely a matter of actually saving money. If I don’t buy gadget X, I’ll buy gadget Y. As far as gadgets go, with Elektron you at least know you get something that will get continuously updated, even though perhaps not as fast as one would desire due to limited manpower (but this is infinitely better than with so many other companies’ products where you buy stuff and that’s it – no firmware updates, no new features, nothing).

And you know that if it really doesn’t work out, you can sell the box again and get a good portion of the money back. That’s also not the norm with electronics.

It’s only a “better decision” if what you spend the money on instead gives you more long-term enjoyment.

djadonis206 · 2014-12-06T02:17:21.000Z

When you’re on the fence, all it takes is a little nudge…

avantronica · 2014-12-06T14:29:40.000Z

""djadonis206"":

When you’re on the fence, all it takes is a little nudge…

well, here’s a little nudge towards the greener side … it’s astonishing, i sat on the fence, glad i’m not now, but it helped to be primed on the niggles, they don’t bother me, the sound and flexibility see to that ! I can’t imagine realistically covering the ground i want to with this with either the A4 or OT or pair, it sits in just right and offers complimentary aspects, a good session with it in your own space should help you know, you can’t judge on emotive responses or fanboy ones for that, black weeks together with a black friday discount nudged me over and i’m so glad

Dtroy · 2014-12-06T16:44:47.000Z

""Mivo"":

[quote=“djadonis206”]Trust me, I’ve played on one, read the manual, watched videos, etc etc. I was convinced I needed one, then this thread popped up. Money saved, better decision made.

But if you’ve read the manual, watched the hands-on videos (say, Cuckoo’s), and – especially – played on one, why would the posts here really matter? First hand impressions, like actually using the device, are so much more meaningful, because everyone has individual preferences.

I read the thread, asked for opinions in a different section, and then bought one when it was on sale (Black Weeks + additional discount by retailer, so it was €1170 without cover, shipped). I’m only scratching on the surface at this time, so I don’t have any in-depth feedback to offer, but so far I’m very happy that I made the decision to get one.

As for “money saved”, well, I don’t know about anyone else (perhaps you’re all more reasonable than me!), but for me it’s rarely a matter of actually saving money. If I don’t buy gadget X, I’ll buy gadget Y. As far as gadgets go, with Elektron you at least know you get something that will get continuously updated, even though perhaps not as fast as one would desire due to limited manpower (but this is infinitely better than with so many other companies’ products where you buy stuff and that’s it – no firmware updates, no new features, nothing).

And you know that if it really doesn’t work out, you can sell the box again and get a good portion of the money back. That’s also not the norm with electronics.

It’s only a “better decision” if what you spend the money on instead gives you more long-term enjoyment.[/quote]
I’m just wondering what is a better decision than the Analog Rytm? The Tempest? What other professional analog drum machines are out there that compare to the Rytm? Slim to none.

Housecliche · 2014-12-06T18:11:14.000Z

Dancing Bear? ^^

More constrained in its synthesis and feature set - built out of glue, plywood and old bean cans - but undoubtedly analog and half the price…

De_wouzer · 2014-12-06T18:36:23.000Z

if you don’t like the rytm, then you don’t like the tanzman… i think…

(if money is not the only reason you don’t like the rytm).