Elektron Digitone II Features New Synthesis Options, Double The Polyphony & More
It’s been a busy few weeks for Elektron. The Swedish hardware brand has just dropped updates for its Syntakt and Digitakt II grooveboxes, bringing new analogue sounds to the former and long-awaited Overbridge compatibility to the latter, all while playing down rumours of the imminent announcement of a leaked new instrument named Tonverk. As it transpires, Elektron did have a new instrument ready to announce all along – not Tonverk, but a new version of its synth-come-groovebox Digitone.
Today, Elektron introduces Digitone II, a major update that adds new synthesis options, double the polyphony and 16-track sequencing.
They say that Digitone II reimagines the synth as “a multi-machine, many-realm-reaching wonder, taking the evolution of Digitone synthesis and sequencing to new heights.
While FM synthesis is still at the heart of Digitone II, the update looks to expand the capabilities of the synth engine significantly. Much like Digitakt II, which arrived earlier this year, one of the most notable upgrades here is a doubling of the audio capabilities, raising the overall polyphony from eight to 16 voices. As before, Digitone II is multi-timbral and allows users to split the voice count into four independent synth sounds.
According to Elektron, Digitone II is designed so users can, “pull your sound through the prism and into a spectrum of dazzling tones and timbres.”
Elektron Digitone II Overview:
Elektron Digitone II Synth Machines:
To that end, Digitone II introduces a system of ‘machines’, which effectively allow the user to mix and match a variety of synth engine and filter modules, each with its own characteristics and parameters.
On the synthesis front, Digitone II has four machines to choose from. FM Tone is the original Digitone’s four-operator FM engine. FM Drum is a new machine specifically designed for synthesizing percussive sounds, similar to the engines found in Elektron’s Syntakt and Model:Cycles grooveboxes. Wavetone is a two-oscillator synth engine that allows users to morph between waveshapes and adds phase distortion into the synthesis mix. Finally, Swarmer is a super-saw based cluster oscillator with detune and noise modulation controls.
The new filter modes are similar to those found in Digitakt II. These include a Legacy LP/HP based on the original Digitone design, a new morphable multimode filter, a 24db lowpass filter, parametric EQ and a pair of comb filter modes.
There are also improvements on the effects front, with new sample rate and bit reduction effects, along with overdrive that can be placed pre- or post-filter. Digitone II also gains a master compressor.
Other enhancements from Digitakt II are also present and correct here, including upgraded modulation that now includes three LFOs per synth track and easy routing of external velocity, aftertouch, pitch and mod wheel sources.
On the sequencer side, the original’s 64-step sequencer is doubled to 128 steps, and adds the Euclidean generator present on Digitakt II and Syntakt. Digtone II also adds a variety of other workflow improvements, including improved preset management and song mode.
We have not seen any info yet from Elektron on whether or not any of Digitone II’s new features are coming to the Digitone mk1 via firmware updates.
Elektron Digitone II Key Features:
- Digitone II is a multitimbral polyphonic synth, framed in a modular workflow. Its 16 tracks can be used for any of its synth machines or for MIDI, with 16 voices available across those selectable synth machines. On top of this, there’s also an abundance of filters, an expanded Elektron Sequencer, a powerful note editor, and more.
- Machine by machine – There are four synth machines to play with, each with their own character and options.
- Wavetone, a fresh take on the classic 2-oscillator synthesizer. Morph between oscillator shapes, add phase distortion and oscillator modulation, or define with precision the flavor of your noise.
- Swarmer is a “super saw-in-origin cluster”, offering lots of waveform control across the swarm. Pick your shape, combine detune and noise modulation controls, and reach complex textures.
- FM Tone is the original Digitone FM synthesis engine.
- FM Drum is tailored to creating FM percussion sounds, but is capable of being used melodically, also.
- Modularity & modulation – The Digitone II’s flexible workflow, featuring swappable synth machines and a variety of filter options, offers deep options for shaping your sounds.
- Digitone II’s augmented filters show how much depth is possible. Experiment with Comb- and Comb+, or try out Multi-mode, EQ, Lowpass 4, and Legacy LP/HP.
- The base width filter is also more flexible than ever – place it before the other filter or at the end of the audio track chain.
- ‘There’s also a dedicated amp envelope for each voice: ADSR for increased control and clarity, or AHD, for maximizing percussive sounds.
- It also features three LFOs/voice, and their many destinations give you deep control over your sounds.
- FX – Digitone II offers more sound-refining effects options, including lush delay and reverb, shimmering or dissonant chorus, brutal bit reduction, sample rate reduction, and overdrive that can be placed before or after the filter. Use the master compressor via the mixer page, opening up sidechaining and other parameters, as well as the master overdrive, for even more distortion control.
- The Sequencer – The Digitone II sequencer offers 128 steps with Parameter Locks. Euclidean sequencer mode lets you combine two pulse generators to create mathematically-driven but musical sequences. Per-step conditions, settable probabilities, and retrig mean that you can create sequences that take much longer than 128 steps to repeat, or that go all the way into generative sequencing territory.
Digitone II is available to order now, priced at $999/€1049/£899. Find out more at the Elektron site.
*Note: The Elektron site currently says that the Digitone II is “Out of stock”.
