#8

That’s a weird looking synth.

Edit:
I do get the monomachine reference here, but what a terrible shape for a studio. A full sized synth with handicapped keys.

1 Like
#9

It does look a bit odd having the wheels that far away from the left edge of the keybed, but there’s only 37 keys so I don’t think it would ever be that much of a stretch. Really I just think it’s weird to have wheels on this thing at all given that every other Elektron product with keys had a joystick.

#10

With this comes Digitone OS 1.20 which adds portmanteau to the original Digitone. Very excited about this feature.

2 Likes
#11

I get that impression too. To me it seems functionally worse than having a Digitone and a separate controller keyboard.

2 Likes
#12

To be fair, I have wanted separate outs on my Digitone for a while. However, that form factor isn’t worth that feature to me.

#13

Just found this mockup that someone made. If the layout looked more like this I think I’d be more on board with the design (sorry, poor quality image).

unknown

13 Likes
#14

It’s really nice to have the four separate stereo outs, and to have the dedicated controls for things like the filter cutoff. But I would certainly agree it isn’t pretty to look at.

And considering the people who would be most likely to buy this are existing Digitone owners, I’m surprised they didn’t find some way to create some sort of break-out unit with the keybed, extra knobs, etc. that connects to the Digitone. As it stands, I’m certainly not going to pick something like this up, even though I’ve kind of fallen for the original Digitone.

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#15

I’m a fan of the throwback design. Though agree with the thoughts on the wheels, a more interesting modulator would have been cool. Maybe even a crossfader :cowboy_hat_face:

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#16

2 videos

#17

Try thinking of the new layout as “2 player”!

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#18

I can’t help think the design is somewhat reminiscent of the Roland SH2000 or the Minikorg 700s

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#19

this reminds me just how well designed was Analog Keys. (Except the MIDI controversy).

Elektron new Berlin studio looks great.

#20

I like the digitone keys design, for me its fresh and provides some space behind the keys for other synth modules (this is how i would used it). Given that is has 4 polyphonic MIDI tracks, it would work really well in combination with other desktop synths like the peak, DSI stuff etc etc.

I could definitely see myself getting this one as a masterkeyboard + sequencer for other gear.

#21

I like the new keys, but feel like the A4 based Analog keys was a bit more robust in terms of possible sound pallets. I also would have much preferred the traditional joystick. I get the impression it wasn’t included here as a cost savings measure.

However I loved the iconic design of the monomachine and am glad to see them do something similar here.

1 Like
#22

this design is really wild… beautiful in a way, but impractical in many other ways. it’s almost like they designed it with the retro synth collectors of the 2060s-2070s in mind instead of today’s players.

3 Likes
#23

They do run this whole Blade Runner-esque, cyber-punk kitsch campaign along with the launch :slight_smile:

#24

the campaign was something I enjoyed a lot. I was thinking they will release new wavetable digibox responsible the soundscapes in the promo video.

#25

The thing that excites me about the ‘tacked’ on nature of this hardware is that it’s possible that the 4 extra stereo outs are enabled in software with some extended hardware.

Which means it’s possible that we could hardware hack existing digitones to have multiple outs.

2 Likes
#26

I dig it! Really handy sequencing the Perfourmer with the 4 midi tracks.

image
27F4BF80-7914-4365-9247-832165629EB1.jpeg4032×3024 3.35 MB

12 Likes
#27

Loved the Digitone, and finally got my Digitone Keys now.

Not that it doesn’t have its flaws (strange CV implementation, i.e.), its workflow feels quite natural for me. Also, the keyboard, wheels, aftertouch and the 8 additional new user-assignable knobs make FM really shine. And: thanks to individual outs, the overall output doesn’t sound so muddy anymore.

I like it, although it‘s overpriced. (But hey, speaking of overpriced: I have Eurorack also).

1 Like