Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1UW

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span> What connection types are there (audio, MIDI...)?</span>
Midi in, out, thru, headphones out, 6 separates mono outputs (from A to F, A+B can be used as stereo main out) and two in that can be used as trig.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span> How many different sounds and/or styles available?</span>
You have about 9 synths (GND, TRX, EFM, E12, P-I, MID, INP, CTR, ROM and RAM) divided in machines. Machines can be bassdrum, snare, audio in, external/internal midi controller... tons of stuff.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>Can they be edited? Through a Mac/PC utility software?</span>
Elektron made C6 for sysex and samples transfert. You can dump all your kits and patterns, or juste some of them. And for the UW version, you can sand/receive samples in the rom section.
Some people created editors made to work in a musical way.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>Is there an effects section?</span>
Each track have his own FX page, with a two-band filter, a sample rate reducer, a eq thing and a modulator fx that gives something close to ring modulation. Via the routing page, you can send each track to reverb and delay included in the MasterFX wich also contain a compressor and a multi-band eq. But the MasterFX only works in main out mode.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>What are the features/Characteristics of the sequencer?</span>
It's a Tr-like with avanced features : a swing for groovy patterns, the setting is global but you can set the swing steps for each track. Same thing for the accent. Also a mute mode.
Sequencing md is all about the parameter lock. It makes you able to set different machine settings for any step of any track... it is simple to use, and powerfull. There is a slide function that you can activate for any step for all track at once or for each track.
And sound become powerfull and versatile in way you often can't imagine. Seriously.

UTILIZATION

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>Is the sound or effects editing easy?</span>
Oh yeah. This machine is made for live and on the fly work. You can edit everything and hear the result in real time. For each track you got three pages : synth, wich is specific for each machine, efx page and routing page wich is the same for all track. In routing page, you can set the amount of disto, volume, pan, reverb/delay send, lfo speed/depth/mix.
16 lfo, one per track that can be routed the way you like (yes, you can rout 16 lfo to one track), set the speed, the depth, choode one of the 6 waveforms + the same waves reversed. For each lfo you can use two waveforms at once with the mix function, working like a crossfader.

SOUNDS

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>Do the sounds suit your style of music?</span>
Yep. Made for various kind of electronic music. With the sampler... why note make drum'n bass? Nothing is impossible.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>Are they realistic?</span>
Nope, but you can use samples, so...

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>What do you think about the effects?</span>
Good, pretty good. Simple and effective.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>Is the expressiveness acceptable? (touch sensitivity, aftertouch)?</span>
There is no velocity, but you can play with volume setting and accent.
The sequencer is truly binary. I mean, you dont have that groove feeling, like in 909 or 808. It would be sooo cool.

OVERALL OPINION

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>For how long have you been using it?</span>
Two years.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>What thing do you like most/least about it?</span>
His potential, this machine can make so much more than basic rythm... and you work with it totally on the fly, very intuitive, you can put your brain on the desktop and have fun.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>What is your opinion about the value for the price?</span>
Expensive, but it can worth it. It's a matter of the way you work and the sounds you like.

<p class="bbcode-cite">Quote: <span>Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...</span>
Oh yeah. No hesitation.

I will add nothing, everything is already known. We say that having the possibility of adding some samples it is certainly a plus, but indispensable. I have some great right patterns with really top crude machines, and then the possibilities are endless near misses to grind who really knows the trick.
Question samples, I made myself a little sui collect, but beware there are only 48 slots and 2.5MB, and I keep the original set from January to December + 2 or 3 things. For the rest: Bass J106n Moog and Attack (But frankly to real bass, better still used local Drul Bass or a real external synth), chord (this is good), acids sounds and voices.
I just regret quantization view 1/32 1/16 X2. The top would quatiation 1/64 was a live, with a sort of lock paramete like the rest of the machine.

USE

The manual is not always great didactic, but sufficient. Conf machine is top, very complete, but before you enjoy (Ctr machine sample, midi maker) must still spend good hours.

SOUNDS

It is clear that this is an electro machine! From this point of view it is fantastic to find typing in the novel, including eletronica / minimal totally crazy!
After to make good techno / hourse / basic dance no problem either, just as little less.
It is very matalique anyway, but there is little to filter softer.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I've had 3 months. At first I was a little trouble, especially not enough time, but the summer has been there, I looked tricks on the net, and I frankly advanced. We now cover three sounds and Ram Machine, I make sound bombs, deadly! This is the Rolls of the BAR of time, with the side really worked live use. So I think prende a Monomachine! The instruments Elektron think back very advantageously how to produce sound. Tired of parameterization on DAW slayer creativity.

@ +

As mentioned in the news section, two new machines come to be added to those already existing version of SPS-1.

The ROM machine can play samples as with other machines and RAM that can handle an external source remix in real time according to the DJ-oriented rather (not tested for myself because I do not see the usefulness aps

On every hand we can choose a machine ROM with a sample selected from the 32 memory locations available. The 2 MB of memory capacity more than sufficient for the use of samples collected or of short samples of voices or sounds different. But then higher values ​​would have been welcome anyway!

The parameters available to a ROM machine are:
- Pitch, Decay as for existing machines
- Hold: hold time of the amplitude envelope
- BRR: Bit Rate Reduction, which has the same effect for existing machines
- Start and end that define the position of start and end of reading the sample. Handy feature because with a home position after the end position, the sample is read in reverse
- RTRG RTIM and allow a re-triggering of sound (duration and rapid onset of effect for bearings)

As the SPS-1, it is regrettable that the effect module can not be used as the main outputs and not on each separate output

UTILIZATION

Ergonomics exeptionnelle the MD as well for his sound editing module for the sequencer is proven. The addition of these new features mini sampler does not change the philosophy of general editing and sequence (especially for the machine ROM)
Imagine the power sequencer and with parameter locks that can select a different setting for each step played! We can get crazy loops irrréalisables on a drum machine or groove box classic.
The only restriction, but related to the basic architecture of the machine for the tranfer of samples by noon, which is quite slow. Fortunately, once flash memory, sounds aps are deleted at shutdown of the machine.

SOUNDS

The SPS-1 basis for creating original sounds of percussion through its various machines that provided a summary impressive range of sounds. Sample function extends further cete variety of sound.
Sound quality 12-bit is really perfect, no noise, no clip.

OVERALL OPINION

In conclusion I would say Bravo Elektron!
What manufacturer would offer its customers to return their machine for their add additional functionality without having to sell it and buy a new machine!
The ability to play sample adds a dimension that was sorely lacking in the basic MD. Gap filled, for me the MD SPS-1UW is the drum machine par excellence of a century even with these little problems!

I sent a notice in PV, so why not share it with all afiens?

My technical description of the machine is not very extensive, but the docs are arranged on the Elektron website for more details ...

Do not consider my notes on each item, although I really like the AF time ...

UTILIZATION

I think the Machinedrum UW is small wonder of a box ryhtme very easy to use because everything is accessible through the pads and knobs.

You need a computer to fill the sample size wave machine and it can take some time but the software C6 Elektron is free and very well done.
Treatment of the samples are numerous and consistent than it was possible with the synthesis of the original MD. There is no time to stretch (no need in fact, there's just use the computer to work the samples).
2 MB of ROM to store the drum samples is more than enough, and even when then there's 32 locations.

SOUNDS

Compared to other BAR is still difficult to master because the sounds are very numerous and it's true synthesis, not easy to walk around quickly.
The sounds are also very cold with lots of dynamics which can be a little difficult to incorporate into a mix, the proof is that it is very easy to identify on a piece.
Also do not forget that it is a BAR made for electronic music, such as kick with distortion is a marvel for teak and hardcore, synths can produce sounds used in the very Electronica today, lofi effects are nice, sounds very smooth and electronic waiting to be dirty ...

I was not super packaging before the machine starts a sampler because it still has a very particular grain, I therefore mixed with BAR and 808 type TR909. For example I still use it with a lot of the Raveolution309 Quasimidi for HH and percussion ....

Now she can sampler, sounds rotten mugs I stand on the net with a lot of MDUW potato, delicious.

OVERALL OPINION

I'm sure you can easily reach the same result but with the soft feel of the MDUW lot to me.

It is still full of bugs that shall not prevent the creation.
It is very sensitive to changes in electric current and unfortunately I can not lug around with me in my journey.
It is also very very expensive but the stuff of this quality has a price, for my part I have no regrets about anything ...

... absolutely try before you buy