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Elektron's Analog Heat gets a refresh with more effects and a customizable signal path
Elektron’s Analog Heat audio processor was already a fantastic tool for adding saturation and warmth to digital instruments, but now the company is upping the ante with a hardware refresh. The Analog Heat +FX picks up where the MK2 left off, with the addition of new digital effects to complement the pre-existing saturation options.
Elektron's Syntakt wants to be the only groovebox you'll ever need
The Syntakt combines digital and analog synthesis with the ability to control a larger setup.
Elektron's Model:Cycles and Model:Samples grooveboxes are on sale for $249 each
You can save $50 if you pick up one of the sequencers now.
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Engadget's tech reviews this week include the Beats Studio Buds, the ASUS ROG Strix G15 Advantage laptop and the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 laptop.
Elektron’s Power Handle makes its grooveboxes truly portable
The Model:Cycles and Model:Samples finally get battery power. But is it worth $50?
Elektron's Analog Four and Rytm get both design and software upgrades
Elektron's Analog Four MKII and Analog Rytm MKII are both serious high-end instruments. They're $1,399 and $1,699 respectively. But, despite being at the top of the Elektron heap, they've been missing some of the big features that make its more affordable Digi- and Model: lines so exciting.
The best headphones, speakers and audio gear for students
Here's a list of the best headphones, speakers, and other audio gear that are best for students' budgets and needs.
Overbridge 2 tears down the wall between your PC and your synth
But now Overbridge 2 is finally and officially here.
Elektron's Model:Samples groovebox gets improved pitch control
Elektron has made a name for itself making complex and expensive electronic music gear, but over the last year or so it's made a serious bid for the entry-level market -- consumers that are keen to have a tinker around a newbie-friendly instrument rather than professional musicians. Its Model:Samples -- which launched for $449, but is now only $299 -- was designed to simplify Elektron's unique workflow for beginners, and now it's been given an update to give it even beefier features.
Model:Cycles review: An affordable and approachable FM groovebox
Fair or not, Elektron has a reputation for making complex and kinda pricey electronic music gear. Last year though, it made a serious play for the entry level with the Model:Samples ($299), an affordable, sample-based groovebox that simplified Elektron's unique workflow for beginners. In a lot of ways, it's a stripped-down version of the company's Digitakt sampler. If you're familiar with the Digitakt, you've no doubt often seen it paired with the Digitone, a sort of sibling groovebox that relies on FM synthesis instead of samples. So it only makes sense that Elektron would want to give the Model:Samples its own FM-based partner in crime. Physically the Model:Cycles is basically a palette-swapped version of the Model:Samples -- Subzero to the M:S' Scorpion. At its core it's the same six-track monophonic sequencer -- but with a streamlined version of the Digitone's sound engine under the hood. Obviously though sacrifices had to be made to hit that $299 price point. As a result, the Cycles isn't exactly a budget-friendly replacement for the Digitone. It's very much its own instrument.
Elektron's Model:Samples groovebox is $100 off for the holidays
Elektron's synths, samplers, drum machines and grooveboxes are known for their top-notch sound and unique sequencing features. Once thing they're not known for, though, is being affordable. The Model:Samples is the big exception to that rule. And it's getting even cheaper for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Most retailers have knocked $100 of the price, bringing the Model:Samples price to just $299 -- making it perhaps the best bargain in grooveboxes right now.
Elektron turned its Digitone groove box into a proper synth
If you're into synths and grooveboxes at all, chances are you're familiar with Elektron's Digitone. It's part of it's mid-range "Digi" line of instruments, and it's loaded with all sorts of gorgeous FM sounds. It's not quite as cold as the classic FM synths of yore like the DX7, but it's still capable complex digital tones, metallic chimes and retro pads. The Digitone Keys is basically the same instrument, but with a keyboard attached.
Elektron Model:Samples review: A powerful groovebox for beginners
Note: The video above mistakenly states that the Novation Circuit does not have velocity sensitive pads. The review below correctly reflects that it does. Synthesizers and samplers are starting to look more and more like consumer electronics. That's been driven in large part by companies like Korg and Roland building small, affordable devices that make instant gratification a priority. Price and ease of use are finally being treated with the same importance as sound quality, which is key for reaching budding electronic musicians and producers. Elektron, on the other hand, has always been one of those companies that focused on making high-end toys for "serious" musicians. Even its relatively affordable instruments -- the Digitakt and Digitone -- cost around $750. But the Model:Samples is different. It's a legitimate entry-level device that tries to deliver everything special about Elektron gear at a beginner-friendly price.
Elektron is making its powerful music-making sequencers more affordable
Elektron has a reputation for building high-end synths, samplers and grooveboxes with matching high-end prices. It's "affordable" options -- the Digitakt and Digitone -- have a list price of $759. Yikes. For NAMM 2019 though, it's making a legitimate play for a more budget conscious consumer with the unfortunately named Model:Samples. It has a list price of $449, but we're already seeing it for as little as $399 on some sites.
Ariel's electric supercar promises 1180 horsepower
No sooner had rumors started circulating that car manufacturer Ariel had something special in the works than the company came out and confirmed it was true. An electric supercar with more than 1000 horsepower is on its way, and fittingly for a vehicle capable of such impressive speeds, it'll be arriving soon, unveiled fully in 2019 and on sale in 2020.
Elektron's Analog Heat upgrades your synth and drum machine
The proliferation of digital modeling of analog synths has lowered the barrier for cash-strapped, would-be musicians hoping to become the next big synth group like S U R V I V E (the band responsible for the Stranger Things theme). Cheaper synths and drum machines are great, but because they don't decay like analog instruments, they also lend themselves to everyone sounding the same. For anyone looking to add more warmth and variety to her sound, Elektron recently started shipping the Analog Heat sound processor.
Six folding electric bikes that fit practically anywhere
By Cat DiStasio Imagine being able to carry a clean energy vehicle with you, just about wherever you go. Enter the folding electric bike. Battery-powered bicycles are on the rise as two-wheeled commuting gains popularity in places with heavy traffic and limited parking. Having the ability to fold up an e-bike and toss it in your trunk -- or even in a backpack -- expands your range of transportation options. There are a few big-name car companies like Ford and Volkswagen getting in on the action, while other innovations come from tech startups and university research groups. They all have one thing in common, though: They take a 300-year-old design for a two-wheeled vehicle and make it address modern transportation issues.
Elektron announces Analog Four synthesizer, spends the naming budget on viral teaser (video)
Elektron makes button-heavy synths and samplers, it also makes great teaser videos. If you needed any proof, then its newest offering, Analog Four (and accompanying video), should be plenty. This time, we have a little exclusive advanced info to go with it. The latest box of sonic tricks is a four voice analog synth (with two analog oscillators each), comes with an internal step-sequencer, plus multiple LFOs and the usual array of filters and effects. One other nice addition is the inclusion of CV/Gate and DIN outputs, meaning you can also control some of those older pre-MIDI synths you might have lying around (there is MIDI functionality too, of course). There's also a live performance mode, so you can shake up the pattern on the fly, along with other creative tools like arpeggio toggling. Features are all good and well, but what does it sound like? Well, head past the break for a demo, plus that extravagant teaser vid. If, however, you were sold at "four voice analog synth," keep your eyes (and filters) open for December 3rd availability
