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Elektron cannot stop releasing free updates to the Elektron Analog Rytm, including both the current model (Rytm MKII) and the original Rytm (Rytm MKI), introduced back in 2014.

Today, Elektron has announced Analog Rytm OS 1.70, a free comprehensive update that adds new sequencing options, five new machines, new synthesis parameters and more. Owners of the Rytm MKI needn’t miss out, either, as the new OS can be installed on both versions of the drum machine.

OS 1.70’s new machines include HH LAB, a sonic laboratory for designing metallic sounds; BD and SD ACOUSTIC, two machines aimed at recreating acoustic kicks and snares, SY CHIP, a machine that recreates the sound of Elektron’s now-discontinued SidStation synthesizer, and SY RAW, a synth engine lifted from the Syntakt that can be used to create a broad spectrum of melodic elements.

The new OS also upgrades Rytm’s sequencer, adding two Euclidean generators that enable the user to create complex polyrhythmic patterns based on Euclidean sequencing techniques.

Four of the Rytm’s existing machines have been updated and equipped with new parameters, while the Chromatic mode has been bolstered with new tuning capabilities, pad scales and fold functionality to make programming melodies easier.

OS 1.70 also brings a number of workflow tweaks and performance improvements to the Rytm.

Here’s what’s new in Analog Rytm OS 1.70:

• Euclidean Mode – Euclidean rhythms come from algorithms that divide ranges of time into equal parts, controlled by three parameters: steps, pulses, and offset. Elektron has added two Euclidean generators that you can combine to create complex patterns on your sequencer. Giving compositions so much unique adaptability, and so much potential for unexpected fun, all at the twist of a knob.
• New machines – There are five new Machines arriving on the Analog Rytm, bringing it up to a whopping 33. The additions include:
  • HH LAB, a laboratory for the most outrageous of metallic experiments.
  • SY CHIP, inspired by the SidStation, Elektron’s very first machine.
  • BD and SD ACOUSTIC offer new options for kick and snares synthesis.
  • SY RAW, a versatile favorite from Syntakt using Rytm waveforms, that can conjure deep bass tones, towering leads, and melodic percussion.
• New parameters – Four existing machines are getting new parameters to play with:
• Square waveform has been added to BD SHARP’s WAV parameter.
• A new pitch envelope parameter has been added to BT CLASSIC.
• Two new pulse width parameters are available in both CB CLASSIC and CB METALLIC.
• With the arrival of new melodic machines and even more parameters, it’s only natural to add refined tuning, hi-res semitones, pad scales, and fold functionality when using the pads in Chromatic mode.
• Page loop – The newly added Page Loop lets you work continuously with a specific sequencer page. Easily replay the page and take your time to get the sound just right, or go nuts in a live setting by adding tracks in and out of the loop.
• Other features include sound saving from sequencer trigs, random Slew option for LFOs’ RND waveform, customizable record length for sequencer in sampler, advanced parameter lock preview, random pattern name generator, GUI improvements, and performance improvements

Analog Rytm 1.70 Video Guide:

The Analog Rytm OS update is available now as a free download. The #adRytm  is available for $1599 / €1599.  Find out more on Elektron website.

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Teenage Engineering new $299 EP-133 KO II sampler, sequencer and composer looks like a genuine knockout.

Teenage Engineering might be best-known for its more expensive audio gears.

Teenage Engineering today introduced the EP–133 K.O. II, a powerful sampler, sequencer and composer that, priced at $299, is surprisingly affordable.

Now we’re witnessing what Teenage Engineering is calling the “evolution” of the Pocket Operator with the release of EP-133 KO II, a redesigned and enhanced successor to the popular PO-33 KO1 sampler.

The EP–133 K.O. II enables you record sounds around you, sequence your samples and loops, tweak and automate filter, pitch and more, add stereo effects, compressor and punch-in effects, all on a chonky device with retro-sexy vintage calculator vibes.

This does away with the barebones design of the Pocket Operators to offer something far more refined: the EP-33 KO II looks like a fully-finished piece of audio gear rather than something that’s awaiting the fitting of a case. There’s a reworked sequencer, new punch-in 2.0 effects and a supposedly faster workflow.

The EP-33 KO II also offers a built-in mic for instant sampling, and a built-in speaker so that you can use it completely standalone. There are 999 sample slots (the sample rate is 36kHz/16-bit), 64MB memory, a multi-functional fader and a selection of drum, bass and keys samples to get you started.

Those samples can be chopped and looped, and there’s a chromatic keys mode that will enable you to get the most out of the pressure- and velocity-sensitive keys. You can work with six stereo or 12 mono voices, and connectivity includes stereo audio I/O, sync I/O, TRS-A MIDI I/O and USB-C. This last port can be used in MIDI device mode and to provide power, which can also come from four AAA batteries if you’d prefer.

Teenage Engineering EP-133 KO II Features:

• 9 projects each with 80,000 notes
• Projects contain 4 groups, each with 99 patterns
• Patterns have 12 TRACKS for samples and MIDI
• Variable pattern length per group (1 to 99 bars)
• 12 mono / 6 stereo voice polyphony
• Use groups to mix and match patterns on the fly
• Record and automate all 12 fader assignments
• Sequence in free time or quantized with swing
• Assign any pad to one of 16 MIDI channels
• Loop mode from OB-4 with length AND slide
• 12 pressure and velocity sensitive pads
• Instantaneous timE correction and erase
• Slice samples LIVE OR AUTOmatically
• Stereo / mono sampling at 46.875 kHz / 16-bit
• Punch-in 2.0™ effects (PRESSURE SENSITIVE)
• Arrange quickly using the instant commit feature
• 32-bit float signal chain, 24-bit ADC / DAC
• SYNC IO FOR EXT. GEAR. 8TH, 16TH NOTE OR SYNC24
• 6 built-in send fx and a master compressor
• Drag and drop samples using the sample tool

Here’s a video intro from Cuckoo:

This is the most excited about a new Teenage Engineering product. Not only it is totally musician-focused, it also comes at an affordable price of $299, and should ensure that the EP-33 K.O. II is on a lot of people’s Christmas list.

The EP–133 K.O. II is available now for $299 and ships in a 10-inch collector’s case. There are other accessories like a soft carry bag for $69, on Amazon site. Find out more on the Teenage Engineering website.

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Free Music Software: Valhalla DSP has released ValhallaSupermassive 3.0.0, a major update to the free audio effect that adds two new reverb/delay modes, Leo and Virgo.

Leo is the biggest, lushest, densest mode in Supermassive, while Virgo is the smallest, grainiest, most spare reverb mode in the plugin.

“I’ve loved working on Supermassive over the past few years,” says developer Sean Costello. “Since Supermassive is a free plugin, I don’t feel the pressure to make things perfect that I do with the paid plugins. With less pressure, I’m able to experiment with new things, and try out ideas that might be too weird otherwise. All that being said, the last few rounds of Supermassive research have resulted in algorithms that refine some of the original concepts, and just make them better.”

What they say about the new modes:

• The new Leo mode is the most super massive-est of all the Supermassive modes. It has a very slow attack, a long to VERY long decay that is controlled by both Density and Feedback, and a high echo density, with balanced modulation. Leo interleaves the high and low EQ filters throughout the reverb network, which means that the reverb decay can be dark, shrill, bass heavy, whisper light, or just perfectly balanced. I find Leo is ideal for big synthesizer sounds, as well as realistic cathedral sounds and other long reverbs.
• Virgo is the smallest and sparsest mode in Supermassive. It has a fast attack, and basically sounds and behaves like a stereo delay until the Density control is turned up. With higher Density settings, it still sounds like a grainy delay, that kinda sorta turns into a reverb. Virgo is great for pointillistic echoes, spring-ish reverb sounds, and other sparse effects that create more space around your sounds..

Valhalla Supermassive 3.0.0 is available now as a free download for macOS + Windows.