All user reviews of 4/5 for the Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1UW

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

<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.