Elektron Monomachine SFX60 MKII

The SFX60 MKII is a table top sequencer and synth that has a 6 track sequencer. The effects are really what stand out to me with this synth. The compression is very good and so are the reverbs and chorus effects. There are a total of 54 effects on it and I am a big fan of all of them, most table top synths do give a lot of effects they focus more on the sound engines. There is no sampling on this unit but it does have 2 input types and 6 output types. It is MIDI capable with MIDI in , out and thru. This unit does not work on batteries just on an AC adapter (which comes with it).

UTILIZATION

The value for the price of this sequencer/synth is right on, I think it is priced accordingly. I have been working with it since 2010 and having had any issue with it or had anything stop working. Elektron has always been so good to me and if you keep your eye out or join the mailing list they will send out coupon codes and let you know when they are having sales so you can save some good money.

SOUNDS

This synth/sequencer has 128 user programs and 24 user program songs. There are 6, 1 band EQ’s and up to 6 chorus and ring modulation effects. I do not recommend purchasing the SFX60 MKII unless you have a general knowledge of working with synths of this style because if you are a newbie it could leave you scratching your head for a while. If you are just starting out with table top synths I suggest going with a basic version just to get your feet wet. This synth is definitely for someone who knows what they are doing.

OVERALL OPINION

The sequencer is good and the sounds are even better. This little box can really do a lot for anyone and I recommend spending the money on it because you will your money’s worth out of it pretty quickly.

The Monomachine is one of the best synths I've ever worked with, delivering a huge punch in a small package. I've learned to never judge a book by it's cover. Six individual tracks are employed to create vast sonic soundscapes using any one of the synthesis methods available. The beat box style sequencing allows instant programability. Learning the basics takes only seconds.

UTILIZATION

The real power of this machine lies within the parameter locks, enabling sounds to transform in real time, creating new and exciting textures that are seldom heard. Maybe you only want an LFO on one specific note in a sequence or want to employ one of the effects on that same note (or others). This is easily achieved and with ease. Any of the available parameters may be locked in placed on a note by note, track by track basis, turning some of the most basic synth sounds into strange, far out and complex layers.

SOUNDS


Once you get to know the Monomachines landscape, you'll be tweaking knobs and taking your sounds all over the audible spectrum into places they've never gone. Solid construction allows for mass annihilation of buttons and knobs and is the perfect center piece for any live show. The internal 6 track midi sequencer also makes this the perfect brain for the rest of your gear, ensuring you never miss a beat.

OVERALL OPINION

Although the learning curve is steep, the results in the end will be remarkable. Top producers in the world use these to create sounds that are impossible to achieve with software. As someone who is heavily invested in computer music, this brought me away from my mouse and back to the basics my predecessors reminisce. If you want a hands on approach to making music, this is good as it gets. I recommend you try this out, get away from software and get your hands dirty!

I will not repeat the technical characteristic of the beast .... Forget one would be a mistake!
To make it simple and repeat what has already been briefly explained in the notice below:
Basically the Monomachine is a multitimbral synth monophonic, 6 audio tracks 6 tracks + MIDI sequencing with external devices. No keyboard, but the keyboard pads can be used transposable 8 octaves.
6 outputs, 3 choices: 6 tracks out of 2 outputs (stereo) or 3 stereo outputs, or 6 mono outputs.
3 Midi ports, 1 out, 1 in, 1 thru. Implementing comprehensive Midi.
1 sequencer powerful 64 not max.
1 IN input filter for an external device.
Level audio engine, 6 different types of synthesis, all 12 machines.

In Elektron-called "machine" each internal synth present in the audio engine of the beast.

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use! Elektron first bike for me and I understand completely the craze for the brand!
Simplicity, efficiency, ingenuity! The guys at Elektron are musicians who create machines of their dreams: Powerful, original and authentic!
Few hours to play with the Monomachine and quickly understands the operation. Then, when you start to want to go a little further in the use of the machine just look a little manual to find lots of little tricks and super useful feature (you can choose to copy only a pattern, a melody The settings of a synth or all at once ...)

SOUNDS

Yes Yes Yes!!
Sounds and possibilities of modulations are the great strength of the Monomachine.
You have to listen again and again demos to fully grasp the nature of the beast!
Sounds like a Monomachine .... a MONOMACHINE! He did not have to buy to try to emulate any analogue synth Korg and Roland, it will obviously disappoint!
Crossed lovers test sounds there! All my friends were just amazed by the capabilities of the beautiful ...
Try to do the same thing with a computer requires much more time and energy, believe me ...
Some are hard to tame but misunderstand certain functions ... Djx6 said:
"Tweaker too if you are not necessarily immediately perceive to change but after a while the sound rises and rises to require you to shut down and restart, however, as the backup is automatic, you will completely erase the piece and start or galérer has unmute properly and this can be very difficult. "
I think it's just poor management of time can become evil if you push all settings back!
The Monomachine features a very interesting time for each tracks (6 in total) and can quickly leave feedback if wholesale Pusse the feedback too!

Most demos on youtube show the Monomachine as a groovebox with integrated sequencer but his biggest asset is his connect a MIDI keyboard 49 or 61 keys and use it as a polyphonic synth!! Use it as a mono synth is already great, but when you go in polyphonic mode is just insane!

OVERALL OPINION

Reviews, below, OB-1 and Z @ y @ n, had motivated me to buy it and I reconfirmed after my purchase, the quality of their analysis!!!
The Monomachine is unique, both in its operation and in its sound!
We can not do anything with (do not look for the grain of a MS-20 or Prophet8) but you can do a lot of things, too many things!!
6 mono synths that are sequenced differently and in which we can return 3 LFOs (18 in all so!) It's just amazing!
Elektron wanted to create a machine with its own personality and they are tremendously successful!
I was intrigued that every album released on Warp label, I begin to wonder if they have not all been sponsored by Elektron ...

Some do not like its color and others will fan ... it is also simpler than that. UNMS-20 and Moog will always be appreciated by a larger number because their sound color have been heard thousands of times over thousands of albums ... The sounds of the Monomachine are "atypical" and that is what we love!!

Its price is high we always wonder what we could buy more if you sold it but when you compare the technical specifications of the bike we say a Little Phatty is expensive for what it is ...
I sincerely believe that we can not criticize the Monomachine as it is too surprising and unclassifiable as everything that Elektron elsewhere ... The new price is still high but bought Rolls Royce was never cheap!

Several synthesis engines are available for each track.
Modeling for the SID 8bit samples type battery Drum Machine SP12, FM, wave tables and speech dictation magical kind. Possibility of treating an external signal.
Effects on each track.
Oriented sequencer live (real-time transposition, p-locks) to put it all in rhythm.

UTILIZATION

The trademark is their Elektron sequencers.
the Monomachine no exception to the rule and it is very enjoyable: we start the beast live and work in the steps of the sequence by modulating any parameter. The little tremolo, everything is monaural.

SOUNDS

I hesitated to buy it, I had the MD that I liked, was Elektron promotion: Octatrack between my heart and Monomachine swinging.
And I made the ... bad choice of MM: synthesis engines are really gadgets, I found myself using the SID that, a priori, I was not interested because it sounded ok but was a little light can issue. I do not really understand engines based on wavetables, finally I've used wavetables but just one cycle, I do not see much use, I think they also sound a little nag. Spell and speak about, it's fun to play with, ridiculous when trying to phonemes and once we had a good laugh, you stop using it.

OVERALL OPINION

Not a machine for me, I traded against a spectralis I kept even shorter!
Because of the Mono Machine, now I'm freaking the analog oven!
I love MD and OT, but the pure synthesis side in Elektron disappointed me.