Swedish musical instrument company Elektron today introduced Digitone II, a major update that adds new synthesis options, double the polyphony and 16-track sequencing.
They say that Digitone II reimagines the synth as “a multi-machine, many-realm-reaching wonder, taking the evolution of Digitone synthesis and sequencing to new heights.”
Here’s the official video intro:
Elektron Digitone II Key Features:
- Digitone II is a multitimbral polyphonic synth, framed in a modular workflow. Its 16 tracks can be used for any of its synth machines or for MIDI, with 16 voices available across those selectable synth machines. On top of this, there’s also an abundance of filters, an expanded Elektron Sequencer, a powerful note editor, and more.
- Machine by machine – There are four synth machines to play with, each with their own character and options.
- Wavetone, a fresh take on the classic 2-oscillator synthesizer. Morph between oscillator shapes, add phase distortion and oscillator modulation, or define with precision the flavor of your noise.
- Swarmer is a “super saw-in-origin cluster”, offering lots of waveform control across the swarm. Pick your shape, combine detune and noise modulation controls, and reach complex textures.
- FM Tone is the original Digitone FM synthesis engine.
- FM Drum is tailored to creating FM percussion sounds, but is capable of being used melodically, also.
- Modularity & modulation – The Digitone II’s flexible workflow, featuring swappable synth machines and a variety of filter options, offers deep options for shaping your sounds.
- Digitone II’s augmented filters show how much depth is possible. Experiment with Comb- and Comb+, or try out Multi-mode, EQ, Lowpass 4, and Legacy LP/HP.
- The base width filter is also more flexible than ever – place it before the other filter or at the end of the audio track chain.
- ‘There’s also a dedicated amp envelope for each voice: ADSR for increased control and clarity, or AHD, for maximizing percussive sounds.
- It also features three LFOs/voice, and their many destinations give you deep control over your sounds.
- FX – Digitone II offers more sound-refining effects options, including lush delay and reverb, shimmering or dissonant chorus, brutal bit reduction, sample rate reduction, and overdrive that can be placed before or after the filter. Use the master compressor via the mixer page, opening up sidechaining and other parameters, as well as the master overdrive, for even more distortion control.
- The Sequencer – The Digitone II sequencer offers 128 steps with Parameter Locks. Euclidean sequencer mode lets you combine two pulse generators to create mathematically-driven but musical sequences. Per-step conditions, settable probabilities, and retrig mean that you can create sequences that take much longer than 128 steps to repeat, or that go all the way into generative sequencing territory.
We have not seen any info yet from Elektron on whether or not any of Digitone II’s new features are coming to the Digitone mk1 via firmware updates.
Elektron Digitone II Overview:
Elektron Digitone II Synth Machines:
Product Specifications:
- 16 synth or MIDI tracks:
- 16 voice polyphony
- Multiple FM algorithms
- 4 × selectable SYN (synthesis) machines:
- Wavetone
- Swarmer
- FM Tone
- FM Drum
- 6 × selectable FLTR machines:
- Multi-Mode
- Lowpass 4
- Equalizer
- Comb-
- Comb+
- Legacy LP/HP
- 16 × synth or MIDI tracks
- 1 × digital base-width filter per voice
- 1 × digital overdrive per voice
- 1 × digital bit reduction per voice
- 1 × digital sample rate reduction per voice
- 1 × overdrive master effect
- 1 × stereo compressor master effect
- 3 × assignable LFOs per voice
- Modulation setup for pitch bend, velocity, key track, mod wheel, breath control, aftertouch
- Diverse preset library
- MIDI track features:
- 16 note polyphony per step
- 16 × assignable CC controls
- 2 × assignable LFOs per track
- Performance features:
- 4 × Trig modes
- Tracks
- Velocity
- Retrigs (only works on audio tracks)
- Preset pool (only works on audio tracks)
- Keyboard mode with 36 different scales
- Song Mode
- Sequencer features:
- 128 steps per pattern and track
- Arpeggiator per synth track
- Note edit per track
- Polyphonic sequencing
- Sound per step change
- Individual pattern length per track
- Individual time scale multiplier per track
- Parameter locks
- Trig conditions & trig chance
- Retrig (audio tracks only)
- Micro timing
- 1 × Euclidean sequence generator per track
- Page loop
- Send effects:
- Saturator Delay
- Supervoid Reverb
- Panoramic Chorus
- Hardware:
- 128 × 64 pixel OLED screen
- 2 × ¼” impedance balanced audio out jacks
- 2 × ¼” balanced audio in jacks
- 1 × ¼” stereo headphone jack
- 48 kHz, 24-bit D/A and A/D converters
- Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port
- MIDI In/Out/Thru with DIN Sync out
- Physical specifications:
- Sturdy steel casing
- Dimensions: W 215 × D 176 × H 63 mm (8.5″ × 6.9″ × 2.5″) (including knobs and feet)
- Weight: approximately 1.48 kg (3.25 lbs)
- 100 × 100 mm VESA mounting holes. Use M4 screws with a max length of 7 mm.
- Miscellaneous:
- Overbridge enabled* (Overbridge for Digitone II is currently being beta tested, and the good news is that multitracking is near completion.
- More news very soon.)
- Class Compliant USB audio
- External Input mixer
- 3 year Elektron warranty
- Included in the box:
- Power Supply PSU-3c
- Elektron USB cable
- Exclusive artwork
Pricing and Availability:
Digitone II is available now for 999 USD/1049 EUR/ 899 GBP.
Note: The Elektron site currently says that the Digitone II is “Out of stock”.
Going from 64 to 128 sequencer steps is the biggest move Elektron have made on their sequencer since the introduction of conditional trigs. They also seem to be addressing some of the complaints about inflexibility/design shortcomings, this seems very strong all round.
I haven’t really been a fan of the Digi* units because their compact form factor squeezes so many buttons into such a small space, preferring the more spacious layout of the MD/OT/A4. But this is extremely tasty, I’m unexpectedly feeling GAS.
Good things come to those who wait!
Actaully this box does check all my polysynth boxes!
The new “Machines” are great, finally the digitone can do proper Subtractive Synth sounds.
Good that Elektron has gone with the same form factor and similar interface layout to the digitone 2 and has NOT used the prototype tonverk design.
Exactly the elektron device focusing on melody i hoped for!
(PS.: Bet that “Chord Mode” will be in the next update.)
Fantastic box! But I don’t understand why they still refuse to enable the arpeggiator on the MIDI tracks. Octatrack and Monomachine has the arpeggiator, but those don’t sync as well as the Digitone (original model) does.
This might be subjective, but I’m curious – do Electron products feel uninspiring and outdated in terms of design to anyone else? It’s not just the product design but the overall user experience.
Are people choosing these simply because they’re feature-packed, or am I missing something?
People are Elektron fans because the synths do things that no other synths do. I’ve got an Analog Four, and I used it as a polysynth, four monosynths, a sequencer for my analog gear and as an effects process for my modular. I got mine used for $650, and nothing comes close at that price.
There’s a big learning curve when you get started with your first Elektron box, but the sequencer features are pretty consistent across their gear.
I like ‘feature-packed’. That’ll do for starters. As for úninspiring and outdated’, well, I’m still inspired by my piano.
Remember the original elektron box was the “SiD Station”
An instrument based on the “outdated” C64 MOS6581 series of chips.
Ive always thought my digitone keys was undervalued and underloved! I wonder how long the digitone 2 gets supported. 1 thing i have enjoyed is the comparisons between launch date youtube shills, between 1 and 2. The hype for 1 was massive for 2 weeks, hardley a youtube vid since, 🙂