Elektron Syntakt

69

12 Track Drum Machine And Synthesizer

  • 8 Digital tracks: 10 selectable machines, digital overdrive, digital multimode filter, digital base-width filter and 2x LFO per track
  • 3 Analog drum tracks: 15 selectable machines, analog overdrive, analog multimode filter and 2 LFOs per track
  • 1 Analog cymbal track: 12 selectable machines, analog overdrive, analog multimode filter and 2 LFOs per track
  • Each of the 12 tracks can be used as a MIDI track
  • Four expressive modifiers
  • Additional FX track with delay, reverb, analog distortion etc.
  • Keyboard mode with 36 different scales
  • Sequencer: 64 steps per pattern and track
  • Individual pattern length per track
  • Adjustable clock divider per track
  • Parameter locks and retrig
  • MIDI In/Out/Thru
  • 2 Inputs: 6.3 mm jack
  • 2 Outputs: 6.3 mm jack
  • Headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 215 x 176 x 63 mm
  • Weight: 1.53 kg
Available since April 2022
Item number 541892
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Sound Synthesis Analog, Synthese
Pads 16
Effects Yes
Bass No
Display Yes
MIDI interface 1x In, 1x Out, 1x Thru
Number of analog outputs 2
Headphone Connector Yes
Mains Operation Yes
Battery Operation No
Footswitch connection 0
Extras Overbridge Support
Shape Desktop
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B-Stock from 10.890 kr available
12.590 kr
Free shipping incl. VAT
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12-track drum computer & synth

The Syntakt is the modern successor to a true legend: The Elektron Machinedrum. Its 35 "Machines", which are described in detail below, generate a vast spectrum of percussion (and percussive) sounds as well as a host of playable bass and synth tones, together in lockstep with captivating patterns. Analogue and digital technologies operate hand in hand here – the Syntakt combines the best of both worlds and takes it even further. The Syntakt's MIDI tracks, along with its internal sequencer, allow it to polyphonically control other synthesizers. Simultaneously, the audio signal from any source (synths controlled by the Syntakt, other instruments, a sampler, etc.) can be recorded and processed within the device using its powerful internal effects, all perfectly synchronised. The Syntakt, and its contemporary flair, seamlessly integrate into Elektron's ensemble of groove-focused instruments, alongside its Digitone and Digitakt models.

Elektron Syntakt Display

Analogue and digital soundscapes

The Elektron Syntakt can generate up to eight digital and four analogue instruments, referred to as "Machines", each dedicated to a specific drum type or tone generator. The digital "Machines" offer a choice of six percussive and four melodic synth variants. The first three analogue "Machines" feature 12 percussion and three synth sounds, while the fourth analogue track is optimised for hi-hats, cymbals, and more. Each track can alternatively activate one of four "MIDI-Machines" allowing control of up to four voices and eight MIDI CCs on an external synthesizer. The internal sounds on each track feature "Overdrive" and "Multimode-Filter", in both digital and analogue formats. As mentioned above, external audio can be recorded and enhanced with the powerful built-in effects. The sequencer supports 128 patterns with up to 64 steps, allowing each track to have a different length and record "Parameter Locks", fixing the value of a given parameter per sequence step.

Elektron Syntakt Drum Computer control knobs

Performing drums

For beat enthusiasts who might find the Analog Rytm (Elektron's flagship) a little daunting or the Model:Cycles a bit limiting, the Syntakt emerges as the perfect solution. This compact drum machine offers an array of intuitive sound-shaping possibilities, steering clear of intricate menus and other potentially overwhelming features so that the focus remains on the freedom to jam at will. Moreover, the Syntakt seamlessly integrates into larger studio setups thanks to its Overbridge technology and its built-in Class Compliant USB audio interface, compatible with all common operating systems. Owners of slightly older hardware synths can also synchronise their favourite rhythm or bass generators with the Syntakt, using the optionally available DIN-Sync interface.

Elektron Syntakt USB

About Elektron

The Swedish firm Elektron was founded in Gothenburg in 1998. The company develops tools for producers, artists, and DJs to perfect their respective crafts. The company's award-winning Overbridge software is designed to seamlessly integrate electronic musical instruments into computer-based DAWs as controllers and as external sound cards. Elektron is continuously bringing new innovations to the market in order to seamlessly integrate music into our day-to-day lives.

Not a knock-off

The Elektron Syntakt delivers the kind of sound that doesn't seek to imitate any other – even though it could, including certain "cult" sounds from worshipped machines from the past. Unique rhythms and grooves emerge from the elaborate combinations of analogue and digital tones. External polyphonic synthesizers are easily blended via the “MIDI-Machines” and the audio input, creating complex rhythms and vast soundscapes – all generated by this compact, sturdy, and very portable piece of hardware. The sequencer is designed to make the user want to play and encourages spontaneity and creativity, both on stage and in the studio. Finally, the high-quality 24-bit/48kHz converters do an excellent job when connected to a digital mixer or digital audio interface.

Inputs and outputs on the Elektron Syntakt

In the spotlight

69 Customer ratings

4.7 / 5

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43 Reviews

L
Great All-In-One Box
Lot49 06.06.2022
I upgraded from the Model: Cycles, which I really liked, to Syntakt. You get 12 tracks instead of 6 and two LFOs per track. The sound design machines seem a bit more limited but there are more of them so, overall, you probably have more sound design options. I've not owned a Digitone or Analog Rytm but it seems like you've got both combined in one box. There is no sampling, obviously, and you are limited to a specific set of FM-type synth sounds - although the analogue dual VCO can create a surprising range of sounds because of the multitude of waveform combinations available: from Moog-style bass to disruptive noise. And the analogue drums are great. I've only had Syntakt a week but I can see that it's going to get a lot of use. With a bit of imagination you could almost certainly do a live set with the Syntakt alone. It's easy to create generic house, techno etc but if you experiment with varying track lengths and probability settings you can go beyond rigid, grid-like dance music. It works really well for ambient and generative music, for example. As with all Elektron products, the manual is long and there is a steep learning curve - but if you are familiar with their sequencers from other products then that will speed things up a bit. For me, the advantage to Elektron products is their portability: they get you away from the DAW and allow you to make music anywhere - and with 12 tracks that really can mean complete songs. Mine will be going on holiday with me this summer.

Edit: I've had this for about three months now and it's probably the best piece of gear I have ever bought. I own a modular synth and loads of other stuff but this is getting far more use at the moment. The range of sounds you can get from it is really surprising: Aphex- style IDM, cold wave, chip tune, dark ambient - even gamelan-style percussion. It's a complete analogue and digital drum machine AND analogue and digital synthesiser. Yes, there are limits to it - as with all gear - but there are usually workarounds. The only thing it doesn't really do is lush synth pads - so I bought the Digitone for that. The Digitone has more depth for pad sound design but it's difficult to put together complete songs with only four tracks, even with sound locks etc. But together they make a pretty fantastic combination. In fact, Elektron gear is so good that I'm now thinking of getting the Digitakt in the distant future when I can afford it. I'm definitely a convert.
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Lo
So many strange limitations
Lizard of Oz 13.11.2022
As an all-in-one groovebox without sampling, the Syntakt is ok. It doesn't have a compressor (even though you can use the amp section in the analog FX for a somewhat similar effect in some cases). It can't use samples, even though a gig of sample memory would have cost €0.50 extra, and the software is already finished (inside the Digitakt). What's also strange is that the analog sounds are fixed to slots 9-12, you can't assign slots according to function in your tracks. Makes playing live a bit harder, and unnecessarily so. Ok for people who do this as their main job, but for everyone else, this is a mess. I was looking for drum sounds, and I would have preferred more variation in the digital models here, because 40% of those are synth sounds I'm not interested in. And the variation of the analog models is still extremely limited, i can choose between 10 cymbal models, but only use one of them in my track. Same with the other analog tracks: 15 models, but only 3 simultaneously. What's more, when I want to use Midi tracks, I have to sacrifice a (digital or analog) track. The Digitakt or the Octratrack each have 8 Midi tracks, so why the limitation here, the analog tracks don't use more processing power than an MIdi track anyway. I also don't get why the macro controls are hidden so deep inside the menu structure, because Macros give you a lot of control over the machine, almost like a performance mode. A real performance mode would be even greater, but that is also missing. And of course kits, because every piece of music that uses more than one pattern would benefit from having kits, or else you end up copy-pasting each an every change in sound to the other patterns, and with 12 tracks that is 12 separate copy operations between patterns. So easy to mess this up.

So basically the thing gets in the way of what I want to do, due to all the strange limitations, which are entirely by design, and not by coincidence.

I really wanted to like this thing. Over the years, I have owned 7 different Electron boxes, of which I still have 3, and after 6 months, the Syntakt is still the one I find the least inspiring.
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R
An Almost Perfect Little Box
Rakun 20.05.2022
This thing is amazing in almost all regards! The only real problem is: no easy ability to create full songs.. which is a shame really. I would also like an integrated battery, as it is quite portable otherwise.

Other than that, no complaints!
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DM
Best groovebox
Dee Ma 21.06.2022
If you ever used Elektron Model Cycles - you will recognize that original sound. If not - this is the best groove box ever made with it's own unique sound character. Small and well build - feels like a solid product with that metal chassis, controls at your fingertips, Syntakt combines FM synthesis with an analog feel. Plus, there is all Elektron original sequencer features such as parameter and sound locks. And you easily can transfer all your tracks to your DAW with a "Transfer" application - what else can you wish for?
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