shinhito's Reviews
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283
Polyphonic Heaven
In my burgeoning studio I had an Elektron Monomachine, Elektron Machinedrum, and a MicroKorg. So I decided I needed a good analog poly synth. I did my research and saved up my pennies for the Dave Smith Instruments Prophet '08 and I am glad I did. This is another synth I consider to be a bread 'n butter synth. It's not too revolutionary, but what it does is fantastic. It sounds great without too much work, and has great modulation capabilities.
283
I Wish Elektron Still Made This Machine...
I stupidly sold the Monomachine when I needed money and it's one of my life's biggest regrets. I figured I would be able to rebuy it someday once I saved up again. But alas 2 months after selling, Elektron discontinued the Monomachine. Which I still don't understand as to why. Sure Elektron makes the Analog Four/Keys which is sort of close... but not really. The Monomachine was the most unique synthesizer I have used. It had 6 Tracks you could load up with any combination of synthesis methods which included: SuperWave (virtual analog), SID (digital SidStation recreation), FM+ (FM synthesis), DigiPro (wavetable synthesis and 12-bit drum samples), and VO (voice synthesis). Each of the 6 tracks were monophonic, but with SuperWave and DigiPro machines you could program in chords! Just writing this review makes me sad that I ever let this go. But hopefully I can buy a used one again in the future!
283
Game Changer!
This was my first piece of Elektron gear and it got me hooked. It's probably the most creative and inspiring piece of gear I own. The parameter locks were revolutionary at the time (and still is) and the actual drum machines are incredibly unique and fascinating, and endlessly tweakable. The Ctrl-All machine/effect is insane. Like, there's nothing like it on any other piece of equipment (except on the Monomachine). Also I have the UW version of this which meant it was capable of sampling and mangling audio too kind of like a early version of the Octatrack. The only downside of the MKI version was the limit to 2 Bars in each pattern, as opposed to the MKII's 4 Bar patterns. Other than that, this is truly an amazing drum machine.
283
Another great Elektron Machine.
I absolutely love this synthesizer. I used to own a Monomachine, and this is basically like the analog version of the Monomachine. Not only do you get four monophonic tracks of synthesis (or four voice polyphony if you so desire) but you also get some great effects which can be sequenced and can be applied to external gear. Then you add the Elektron Overbridge, and it's a good workhorse synth.
283
One of the best pieces of equipment you can own.
The Octatrack is a beast. You can sample/loop/effect/mangle audio to your heart's content with this box. You can use it as the heart of your live setup, you can use it in the studio to create music, you can use it as a live looper. The Octatrack is definitely worth its high price of entry.