KVR Audio

dangayle · Post by **dangayle** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 6:37 am

I’m going to be selling a bunch of guitar gear (Rivera TBR-1M, 1996 Les Paul Studio, Eden Nemesis RS-700 bass head, bunch of pedals) so I can invest in some synths and drum machines. Basically, selling my 20s to pay for my 40s, lol.

I’ve been watching a bunch of YouTube videos on making music without a DAW (Ricky Tinez is the man), and I’m considering going with two out of these:

Elektron Analog Rytm MkII
Elektron Analog Four MkII
Elektron Octatrack MkII
Elektron Digitone Keys

I think I’m leaning toward Keys + Rytm, but I would like other’s opinions on their experiences with these or with other alternatives that would put me in the same total price range. Maybe an Arturia keyboard plus a regular Digitone would be a better investment?

If it matters, I make bad techno music, and the Overbridge technology really appeals to me.

twolegstoneworks · Post by **twolegstoneworks** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 7:19 am

I had an Analog Four that I swapped for an Analog Four Keys. It's never ever going to leave my studio. It has a sound of it's own and the parameter locking with the sequencer is something I'd wish every synth had!

DrGonzo · Post by **DrGonzo** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:07 am

The Analog Rytm has one of the coolest bass-engines I know of. Excellent tones and weirdness. Analog Four / Keys is a whole different beast fantastic sound capabilities, but it would never be my number one choice for bass. You can absolutely get a deep and heavy bass from it - but that requires you to work for it.

Of your choices I would pick Analog Rytm MkII (probably my favourite piece of gear in my whole studio!) and a Digitone. Then you have covered deep analog basses and FM + analog and digital weirdness, and for techno that's pretty much everything you'd need.

/C

rob_lee · Post by **rob_lee** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:11 am

DrGonzo wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:07 am The Analog Rytm has one of the coolest bass-engines I know of. Excellent tones and weirdness. Analog Four / Keys is a whole different beast fantastic sound capabilities, but it would never be my number one choice for bass. You can absolutely get a deep and heavy bass from it - but that requires you to work for it.

Of your choices I would pick Analog Rytm MkII (probably my favourite piece of gear in my whole studio!) and a Digitone. Then you have covered deep analog basses and FM + analog and digital weirdness, and for techno that's pretty much everything you'd need.

/C

Not Techno but very cool with the Elektron boxes here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKc6XZ9GrJU

DrGonzo · Post by **DrGonzo** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 1:57 pm

Very cool stuff Rob. The more I hear of the Machinedrum the more I want one.

/C

JoeCat · Post by **JoeCat** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 2:33 pm

I'd at least consider a Digitakt on that list - even if you're not into sampling, you can do a ton at I think around half the price of Rytm. I love Rytm (from what I've seen - don't own it), but feel like it's more "boutique" at that price.

dangayle · Post by **dangayle** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 4:17 pm

JoeCat wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2019 2:33 pm I'd at least consider a Digitakt on that list - even if you're not into sampling, you can do a ton at I think around half the price of Rytm. I love Rytm (from what I've seen - don't own it), but feel like it's more "boutique" at that price.

I am more interested in having great analog drums than sampling, but your point is well taken. The Rytm MkII has limited sampling capabilities, so there’s that.

rob_lee · Post by **rob_lee** » Wed Aug 07, 2019 5:14 pm

dangayle wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2019 4:17 pm
JoeCat wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2019 2:33 pm I'd at least consider a Digitakt on that list - even if you're not into sampling, you can do a ton at I think around half the price of Rytm. I love Rytm (from what I've seen - don't own it), but feel like it's more "boutique" at that price.
I am more interested in having great analog drums than sampling, but your point is well taken. The Rytm MkII has limited sampling capabilities, so there’s that.

Hi I have a new MFB Tanzbar 2 here it's absolutely fantastic and you can also load up your own samples in to the unit.

Has a great analog bass synth built in too.
It sound BIG!

Rob

dangayle · Post by **dangayle** » Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:44 am

JoeCat wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2019 2:33 pm I'd at least consider a Digitakt on that list - even if you're not into sampling, you can do a ton at I think around half the price of Rytm. I love Rytm (from what I've seen - don't own it), but feel like it's more "boutique" at that price.

So I found a new-condition used Digitakt at a pawn shop for $550. I think that supersedes a lot of other arguments, lol

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:30 pm

I consider the Analog Rytm MKII one of the greatest electronic instruments of all time. Sound wise, it's got IT. And having a song mode is important to me...

DrGonzo · Post by **DrGonzo** » Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:35 pm

pdxindy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:30 pm I consider the Analog Rytm MKII one of the greatest electronic instruments of all time. Sound wise, it's got IT. And having a song mode is important to me...

+1 It truly a fantastic instrument. Digitakt is brilliant too, but if I had to choose - the Analog Rytm MkII would be my choice.

/C

wickfut · Post by **wickfut** » Thu Aug 08, 2019 4:22 pm

RYTM Mk2.

I knocked this up in about 10 mins when I first bought one to see just how glitchy it could get. Lots of modulation and random sample changing/triggering going on.

recorded direct stereo outputs of the RYTM mk2 and ran though Soothe vst and some cubase limiter I think.

https://youtu.be/5DSkVc3YfHM

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Thu Aug 08, 2019 10:10 pm

DrGonzo wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:35 pm
pdxindy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:30 pm I consider the Analog Rytm MKII one of the greatest electronic instruments of all time. Sound wise, it's got IT. And having a song mode is important to me...
+1 It truly a fantastic instrument. Digitakt is brilliant too, but if I had to choose - the Analog Rytm MkII would be my choice.

/C

The Rytm also has such a lovely grunge! With the Analog Distortion and Analog Compressor and then start P-Locking them

Digital never quite sounds like that!

dangayle · Post by **dangayle** » Fri Aug 09, 2019 5:12 am

rob_lee wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2019 5:14 pm
Hi I have a new MFB Tanzbar 2 here it's absolutely fantastic and you can also load up your own samples in to the unit.

Has a great analog bass synth built in too.
It sound BIG!

Rob

I have some Tanzbar drum samples that I am simply in love with. I’ve looked at that drum machine in the past, but didn’t know that it had been updated.

dangayle · Post by **dangayle** » Fri Aug 09, 2019 5:13 am

wickfut wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2019 4:22 pm RYTM Mk2.

I knocked this up in about 10 mins when I first bought one to see just how glitchy it could get. Lots of modulation and random sample changing/triggering going on.

recorded direct stereo outputs of the RYTM mk2 and ran though Soothe vst and some cubase limiter I think.

https://youtu.be/5DSkVc3YfHM

Love it. If I end up with that machine, I’m gonna come to you

Elektron suggestions and/or alternatives