Elektron Digitone II reimagines the original FM Synthesizer groovebox with new three new machines, filters, Euclidean sequencing, and more.
For a few weeks now, the name Tonverk has been making waves in the Synthesizer forums. The pictures that were leaked then made the hot pot boil over. At this point, many were expecting an immediate release of the new groovebox.
Elektron later denied this and referred to prototyping. However, what is not a prototype is the Digitone II that Elektron has pulled out of the hat today.
Elektron Digitone II
Digitone II is the successor of the popular Digitone FM Synthesizer groovebox. Digitone II is more than just an OG with a few new features. Elektron has given the entire engine a massive boost.
It can also already be seen on the tracks. Where the OG still has four tracks and 4 MIDI tracks, the new version features 16 tracks that can be flexibly used as synth or MIDI tracks. This now gives you a 16-time multi-timbral poly synth with 16 freely mappable voices.
For example, you can have eight tracks of drum sequencing and map the other eight voices across the other tracks.
Four Machines
And Digitone II is way more than just a groovebox with a classic FM tone generator. Elektron has supercharged the original concept with more synthesis power. The familiar machines move into the new Digitone II. There are four synth machines to play with, each with its own character and set of tweakable features.
The less exciting and obvious first. The OG Digitone engine is also included and is called FM tone. Then, you have Wavetone, a new 2-oscillator synth engine that morphs between oscillator shapes. It offers phase distortion, oscillator modulation, and noise.
Next to Wavetone is Swarmer, a super-saw-style engine that offers lots of waveform control across the swarm. Pick your shape, combine detune and noise modulation controls, and reach rich, complex textures.
The FM drum engine is also new on the Digitone II menu, which brings new ways to create drum and percussive sounds to the synth groovebox. Elektron promises the engine can also create melodic magic.
New Filters, Modulation & FX Routing
Of course, all this is fully tweakable and packed with modulation goodness. The expansion of the filters is just as extensive. Besides the original lowpass/highpass filters, Elektron adds new comb-, comb+, multimode, EQ, and lowpass 4 filters to the Digitone II.
The base width filter is also more flexible than ever—you can place it before the other filter or at the end of the audio track chain. In my opinion, this is an excellent filter boost for the engine.
Each voice includes a dedicated amp envelope with selectable characteristics on the modulation side, including ADSR for classic sounds and AHD for percussive timbres. Three LFOs with various destinations and controls are also part of the modulation engine.
Elektron has also leveled up the FX section of the new Digitone II. You can now immerse your sound in lush delay and reverb, shimmering or dissonant chorus, or add spice with overdrive and bit- and sample rate reduction. Great, you can now place the FX before or after the filter.
To refine your sounds on the fly, it hosts a master compressor with a side-chain function and a master overdrive in the mixer section.
Powerful Sequencer
Elektron is known for its extensive, playful sequencers. Digitakt II introduced many new sequencer features, which are also incorporated into Digitone II. It now features a 128-step sequencer with the beloved parameter lock functionality, per-step conditions, probability, and retriggers.
On top of that, you can also explore the Euclidean sequencer mode that combines two pulse generators to create mathematically-driven sequences that feel almost primordial, opening up new creative pathways. Plus, it hosts a page loop function, allowing you to perform your sequences.
Further, in note edit, you get full control over your entered note data: tweak the note, length, velocity, or micro-timing. There is also an arpeggiator to explore rhythmic and melodic ideas. Aftertouch, pitch-bend, mod-wheel, velocity, breath control, and all-new key-tracking as a mod source are also onboard.
Four trig modes let the 16 trig keys take on different functions, such as adjusting velocity levels, changing retrig speeds, or selecting multiple preset sounds to record into a single track. Of course, the song mode is also onboard, letting you create playlists of your patterns.
Connectivity
Let’s take a look at the back. Here, you can find a power on/off button, a power supply input, a USB port, a full 5-pin MIDI interface (thru/out/in), stereo inputs and outputs on 3.5mm mono jacks, and a headphone socket.
Sound Management
The new Elektron Digitakt ships with tons of inspiring preset sounds. Save any clutch of special sounds into a kit, storing all your tracks’ sounds, synth parameters, modulation destinations, and more for quick and easy recall when starting the next track.
There are also perform kits to try out wilder tweaks without overwriting your save state.
First Impression
At first glance, the Digitone II is an exciting successor to the original Digitone. It is much more comprehensive and versatile than the original. With the new machines like the FM Drum, the Digitone II has grown up and is now more than just an FM synth. It’s more of a multi-engine groovebox.
Elektron Digitone II is available now for 1049€ (MSRP) and at retailers 999€.
More information: Elektron
Available at my partners
Thomann
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 thee same form factor and similar interface layout to the digitone 2 and has NOT used the prototype tonverk design.
(Ps.: Glad i did wait, not buying the syntakt and use it for melody.)
I did buy a used Syntakt last week 😭. Yeah this does look great.