Elektron Analog Rytm

Usual Trio + USB supports twelve o'clock noon.
4 effects on the master:
- A reverb and digital delay (the same as the A4).
- A distortion and an analog compressor (compression // possible)

There are 12 analog tracks lined simple. It is standard.
The analog path is monstrous possibilities while remaining simple (hat) and the ability to add or replace the sample / COD by this sample is a good source of sound design.

Update the OS and loading samples via USB C6 utility.

New OS are interesting:
- The Retrig which, as the name suggests allows increased TRIGS on the same step. This is configurable. A sort of roll. This is well thought fast to implement.

The scenes that capture for each pattern 12 (1 per pad) variation of parameters. A kind of Meta Plock.
Same, well thought out and (slightly less) Quick to implement.

The velocity of the pad is not editable but found our 12 instruments on 12 1st step sequencer mode full velocity.

Polyphony is not complete but nothing insurmountable. On the contrary.
The HHC cut HHO, the bell cut the wrinkle etc ... Me it does not shock me.

I put 8 because it lacks only 2 outputs. As the idea of ​​spliter 2 instruments on each channel of a stereo output is very good. As the sharing of two pairs of output slowed recording instruments.

Small regret: unlike MDUW no direct sampling with the machine. I do not know if it is feasible via an OS Update, but it really would make this almost perfect machine.

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is not simple Hyper but it is not insurmountable.
The manual is clear but in English.

There is no bcp sailing in sub pages to wait for the right menu. But there are many parameters.

As mentioned previously, the synthesis parameters are simplified and consistent with the expected behavior of luck instrument. There, bravo. It's really simple. It sounds created very quickly without asking too many questions if one has already handle an editable BAR.

From a global viewpoint the machine pleasant to use. It looks solid, screen is readable, encoders and pads resist until it takes. The rest of the sequencer buttons: like that, they are fake. It moves it click, it's not very nice. However, I have the A4 for over a year and no failure at this level (or elsewhere).

The ergonomics invite to the game. It happens live! For me it is a machine that is clearly thought to live and which proves quite feasible in the studio. On this point, the Elektron is just marketing: they make instruments! Not tools.

SOUNDS

So yes it sends, but not that!
If I compare my old BAR, a Jomox Xbase 999 is less wild. But this is not a defect. The AR fit easily into the mix. the sound is deep. somehow, precision leads to a form of savagery.

I can not find all the stiff side (which for me is not a fault) of the A4. That said we do not expect the same of a synth and a BAR.

The royal path is, it has many easy to use tools to draw sound: the source, through the filters, vac and overdrive. It has plenty to do. The sample section provides two things: it complements the available sounds. I think there especially to HH that analog, are quite limited (tsss tsss). And it extends the possibilities by the layering.

Personally I love the sound it produces: it is accurate, deep and soft. All I expect from a BAR.

OVERALL OPINION

I do not recommend it to a beginner who may be frustrated with the "core" Elektron to know before you would have fun with. on the other hand, if you should have a BAR in your set, take the time to try it.
It goes a long way, it's not very complicated to handle and it sounds !!

I filled in the data sheet. This BAR is complete but beware very different from MachineDrum. There are 12 tracks (Pads), including 4 Channels 8 (BD1, SD2, BT5 and LT6) with full potential for sounds with long releases see loops or samples very long, however, currently limited to 2MB. (Likely to change any time in the next update, I'm talking about 1.01b) and 4 shared (RS3/CP4 - MT7/HT8 ​​- CH9/OH10 - CY11/CB12) most appropriate for short sound effects or "Open / Closed "such as charleston, ie one section another.

In terms of connectivity we have the classic headphones output, two jack master outputs (Left Right) and 8 separate channels but we find our 12 tracks except that shared lanes are mixed recording. You will get no problems Kick mono for example, but the hihat open and closed hihat will be merged into your registry. (You can still route the hihat close to the master and open its separate output)

In terms of effects we have a delay and reverb send in the 12 runs and a distortion and a compressor at Masters level. (That is to say that these effects are not so on separate outputs but the Master Output Stereo)

How Sounds are available, this is the first complaint that has this machine. There are 32 kits ranging from electronic to acoustic, we can say listening patterns that is oriented electronics and Urban rather good patterns Techno, TechHouse, Deep Techno, Hip Hop, Rap, Trap, Electronica ... (unlike the MachineDrum proposing broader things thanks to its acoustic models but believe me one like the other can go anywhere since there is the possibility to add samples in the two ) In terms of modeling: there Hard BD, BD and BD Classic FM (Model for Kicks synthesis) Hard SD, SD and SD Classic FM. Classic rimshot and Hard. [et] 1 single model for TOM Bass, Low Tom, Mid Tom, Hi Tom, Hihat Close, Open Hihat, Cymbal and Cowbell.

In terms of sound, let's say presets (Layering or not synthesis and sample) was 16 and 16 different Kicks Snares different this time. Moreover, it is on this point that it is criticized. But believe me, from design models and start adding sample is very simple and fast. In my opinion more understandable than the MachineDrum which requires more experience.

The + Drive has several sample files but you can not load in the pool 127 samples (yes vs. enough to pool all the Drive can contain him a sacred sound package 4096 (1giga) see specific machine ! But you need a little time to adapt to understand the organization and structure of the machine in terms of backup and import / export.
Need the TM1, import / export is via a USB cable.

In terms MIDI was the classic trio IN-OUT-THRU.

The characteristics of the sequencer (P-Locks, Sound-Locks, Retrig etc ...) are the strength Electron, 64 that you can not wish for a model of poly-rhythmic insane ... you can really do things completely crazy. If you're a freak in the microscopic editing your Beats Sequencer DAW you make your completely organic rhythms. FAN modulation and variations (Biensur LFOs routable and are present both on the synthesis of the effects), this is perfect for you. But also for those who prefer right, robotics and course hypnotic stuff.

For here I give 10! Even if the machine is all fresh, there is still room for improvement but it's true they arrive and the machine is READY! Overbridge over the coming end of the year and will allow full integration, a little to the idea of ​​Virus ... but all its functionalities are not yet unveiled ... but it smells GOOD.

UTILIZATION

Yes the setup is simple if you already have Elektron machines if you like sequencers or TR oriented Groovebox. There is the structure of the machine to understand, like any machine. But I think it gets off very quickly, very quickly one moves with hours to make music ... And you especially do not be distracted by Facebook or other virus. With a machine is ZIK item. And that's really deadly.

The manual is in PDF, many tutorials including 1 hour Walkthrough Cuckoo on youtube:

The usual functions are available in 1 or 2 clicks, these machines are made for live therefore has 36 pages go to achieve what you want ...

SOUNDS

I truly believe that if I want a BAR for acoustic things I go to the MachineDrum and if I want to do Electronics (Deep, Dubby, House, Dance, Techno, Hardtek ...) I go to the Analog Rytm . But I say here for the novice both are really capable. Against by the big kick and low end without too impressive live sound design is CASH on Analog Rytm. No need to spend hours and hours of synthesis and learning. (Note this is also an interesting way)

Yes expression is also the feature of this machine with Chromatic modes, Scene and performance you can really do things completely crazy this is not the case with MachineDrum. Those are new features!

The effects are well I think they fulfill their role, distortion and overdrive here is caviar finally, to my taste ...

I do not hate anything. Sorry. Limit I want two. hahaha. that is to say

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a month. Frankly I really listened to a bunch of drum machine. I am interested in the synthesis and in this sense, if you want a modern BAR, which opens new horizons without going too far from classic TR808 TR909 is the machine for you. That is my opinion.

I really love this machine, it literally allows you to live rhythmic.
Can be a bit expensive yes, but it's upscale BAR.