Digitakt’s and Digitone’s new sibling has arrived.

Elektron’s latest product, Syntakt, is another groovebox/ drum machine in the same physical format as the very popular Digitakt and Digitone.

So what it is? Syntakt is a 12-Track Drum Computer and Synthesizer with analog and digital engines. It is more focused on drum synthesis making a very similar device to the Analog Rytm also by Elektron, without the sampling capabilities the Rytm II has but with more melodic features than the Rytm.

In general, Syntakt is a product that sits in between the more expensive Rytm and the less expensive Model: Cycles being an analog/ digital drum synthesizer and melody synthesizer with the beloved Elektron Sequencer and a powerful effects engine. There are a lot of things to explore so let’s go through its specs.

Essentially, Syntakt is a drum machine - synthesizer fusion just like the Model: Cycles leaning more onto the drum synthesis side. It has 4 analog and 8 digital tracks with 35 synthesis engines. Most engines are based on creating Bassdrums, Cymbals, Percussion, and Snares but you can also find some tonal engines to write melodic stuff. The variety of different algorithms (Elektron calls them machines) is quite big so you can take your sound design to the extreme and create some unique percussion sounds.

To further shape your sounds, Syntakt offers a Multi-mode Filter for all tracks while the digital tracks have an additional Parametric EQ and Base-width-filter for more manipulation. You also have two envelopes, an ADSR and a simpler AHD aimed at percussive sounds, and two LFOs with many waveforms and destinations to modulate everything.

Another cool feature is the Modifier tracks. You have four Modifiers, two for the retrig and velocity and two for modifying the intensity of other parameters. The 64-step sequencer needs no introductions. Elektron is famously known for its sequencing capabilities and this one is just like the other models with parameter locking for everything.

I believe that the effects section is another key feature that makes the Syntakt stand out from the Digitakt and Digitone. You can route your synth tracks or external gear through the FX block. Here you will find an analog distortion, filtering, two LFOs, plus a Delay and a Reverb that can be used as send effects. But the fun part is at the FX track where you can sequence your effects to add movements and accents making things very interesting. Lastly, Syntakt can also be operated as an amazing MIDI sequencer with all 12 tracks available to be used as MIDI tracks and sequence your whole studio with it.

Specs

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
1 × 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

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

Conclusion

Syntakt is definitely interesting. Personally, I love drum machines with different algorithms and a fresh sound, 808s and 909s are cool but way overused nowadays so an analog drum synthesis machine is a refreshing instrument. Just like the Analog Rytm that was quite unique when it was first released. I’ve Elektron devices in the studio and they definitely know how to make deep, intuitive, and inspiring instruments. Sometimes they get too deep but even if you just scratch the surface they still sound great and can be a very useful tool.

The problem I see with Syntakt is that it lacks identity. It is an instrument hard to categorize. It is a drum machine, a synthesizer, and an effects processor at the same time with its drum synthesis features being in the center. I think that Elektron tried to make a cheaper Analog Rytm while adding some Model: Cycles synths and Effects to justify the price boost of the series. If they swapped the four modifier tracks with four sample-based tracks then you would have the all-in-one Elektron device and the Syntakt would probably cannibalize all Elektron products.

Syntakt is 200€ more than the Digitakt and Digitone despite they share the same enclosure and that had to be justified in some way. And to be fair to Elektron, it is a company that has a very fair and competitive pricing model while still being a premium manufacturer.

If someone asked who is for, I would have a hard time answering that. And at the same time, it is an amazing device for any Electronic music producer. I guess you should answer that question for yourself…