Elektron launches Syntakt, a 12-track drum computer and synthesizer

Introducing Syntakt

Swedish musical instrument company Elektron today launched Syntakt, a 12 track drum computer and synthesizer.

Elektron invites you into a sonic metropolis that melts analog and digital synthesis into one instrument of outrageous opportunity. All your sound crafting, sequencing, and performance needs are fulfilled, in an all-round music mega box that fits in your lap.

Syntakt is a drum specialist, full of percussive possibilities, but its four analog and eight digital tracks can be used for melody, harmony, and bass sounds too. Experience epic sounds from the past, pulling others into existence from the future, using 35 analog and digital machines.

“The team here cherishes the musical creativity and output of the Elektron community,” said CPO Gösta Wellmer. “When designing Syntakt we always had the musician in mind. Our goal was to design a highly creative instrument, that is consistent to navigate but with many side tracks to shape your own unique, individual sound. We can’t wait to see and hear what people dream up.”

Add analog distortion and filtering to your mix or separate tracks, using the FX block. Run wild and free with the four expressive modifiers, with different velocities, retrigs, and varied settings of other parameters at your fingertips. Access a variety of different scales via the keyboard mode. And create dynamic soundscapes with the phenomenal sequencer.

Digital and Analog. In full fusion.

Welcome to a new era of sound-crafting expression. A melting pot combining the warmth of analog with harmonic digital sounds.
There are 35 sound-generating machines to call on, some reimagined from Analog Rytm and Model:Cycles, with deeper sound control for the latter, while others are entirely new to the world. For you to create and personalize your sound, we’ve made sure you’ve got a set of parameter controls tailor-made for each machine. They let you quickly tweak the nature of each type of sound, showing you just the relevant options. If you want to invite your other instruments to Syn City, they’re more than welcome. A MIDI machine can be assigned to any of the 12 synth tracks.

The graphics more than play their part too, with plenty of animated icons offering visual guidance and extra clarity on how each parameter affects the sound. The joys of tweaking shouldn’t only be for the ears after all.

The streets of Syntakt are never-ending, the neon lights are never-dimming, its underground is fathomless. Discover worlds within worlds.

Adore now. Explore forever.

Syntakt lets you route any of your synth tracks or external audio sources through the FX block. This gives you analog distortion and filtering, and a couple of LFOs to go to town with. Additionally, you can also call on Delay and Reverb as powerhouse send effects.

And all of the above effects can be sequenced with the FX track. Have them kick in at just the right moment. Add accents and dramatic changes to the selected tracks or external audio. Or use it as a master track for ducking and gating effects.

With up to four Modifiers, you can set your parameters to four levels of intensity. Unleash your sounds with different velocities, retrigs, and varied settings of other parameters. This offers a bunch of bouncy playability when performing live, and can also be recorded to the sequencer to make sure you capture the good stuff.

Syntakt comes full of filter and envelope goodness. All tracks have a Multimode filter to put to use allowing you to emphasize different parts of your sound, with the digital tracks also able to call on Parametric EQ and a Base-width filter – an additional filter giving you even more sonic control.

Choose from two amplitude envelope types to define the ideal contour of your sound. Try out the ADSR envelope – for your wicked synth lines – or the simpler AHD envelope – perfect for transient percussive sounds.

And last, but by no means least, the world class 64-step Elektron sequencer lets you bring dynamic soundscapes into existence.

Get ready to write your own Syntakt story.

Product Specifications

Digital track features (×8)

• 10 × selectable machine
  • 1 × Bass drum
  • 2 × Snare drum
  • 1 × Cymbal/hihat
  • 1 × Percussion
  • 1 × Clap
  • 4 × Tonal synth
• 1 × digital overdrive per track
• 1 × digital multimode filter per track
• 1 × digital base-width filter per track
• 2 × assignable LFOs per track
• Switchable to MIDI machine

Analog Drum track features (×3)

• 15 × selectable machine
  • 6 × Bass drum
  • 4 × Snare drum
  • 2 × Rimshot
  • 1 × Dual VCO synth
  • 1 × Impulse
  • 1 × Noise generator
• 1 × analog overdrive per track
• 1 × analog multimode filter per track
• 2 × assignable LFOs per track
• Switchable to MIDI machine

Analog Cymbal track features (×1)

• 12 × selectable machine
  • 5 × Hihat
  • 3 × Cymbal
  • 2 × Cowbell
  • 1 × Impulse
  • 1 × Noise generator
• 1 × analog overdrive per track
• 1 × analog multimode filter per track
• 2 × assignable LFOs per track
• Switchable to MIDI Machine

FX track features (×1)

• Delay and reverb automation
• Analog stereo overdrive
• Analog stereo multimode filter
• 2 × assignable LFOs
• Assignable to each track
• External in

Performance features

• 1 × Retrig modifier
• 1 × Velocity modifier
• 2 × Assignable trig modifiers
• Keyboard mode with 36 different scales

MIDI Machine features

• 4 note polyphony per step
• 8 × assignable CC controls
• 2 × assignable LFOs per track

Sequencer features

• 64 steps per pattern and track
• Individual pattern length per track
• Individual time scale multiplier per track
• Parameter locks
• Trig conditions & trig chance
• Retrig
• Micro timing

Send effects

• Delay
• Reverb

Hardware

• 128 × 64 pixel OLED screen
• 2 × ¼” impedance balanced audio out jacks
• 2 × ¼” 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

• W215 × D176 × H63 mm (8.5″ × 6.9″ × 2.5″) including knobs, power switch and rubber feet
• Weight approx. 1.53 kg (3.6 lbs)

Miscellaneous

• Overbridge enabled
• Class Compliant USB Audio
• External Input mixer
• 3 year Elektron warranty

Included in the box

• Power Supply PSU-3c
• Elektron USB cable
• Quick Guide
• Exclusive artwork & epic stickers

• Pricing & availability

  Initial demand for Syntakt has been huge. For the moment we have sold out, but we will restock soon. Until then, please visit a local retailer carrying the Elektron range of products. Prices on elektron.se are 999 USD/999 EUR/849 GBP.

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