Elektron Tonverk Officially Announced, And Out Now
We have known about the existence of Elektron’s Tonverk since leaked images of a prototype unit appeared online almost a year ago.
Today, Elektron officially introduced Tonverk, a new polyphonic multisampler and audio processor.
The Elektron Tonverk has eight audio tracks that can be used in a variety of ways. There are a further eight tracks for buses, sends, and mix. Each of the 16 tracks has its own sequencer.
Tonverk offers polyphonic stereo sampling, multisampled instruments, tracks within tracks, flexible routing, a kaleidoscope of effects and modulation, and the extended 256-step Elektron sequencer.
The Elektron Tonverk features three sound creation machines, plus another for MIDI.
- Each audio track can work in one of three ways, making use of Elektron’s system of playback ‘machines’. The first of these is the Single Player machine, which lets users record and playback both mono and stereo samples polyphonically, with the ability to adjust sample length and playback behaviour, as well as set loop points and crossfading.
- The second machine mode is labelled Multi Player, which allows Tonverk to create and load multi-sampled instruments that can be played back polyphonically. To make full use of this, Tonverk introduces an Auto Sampler function, which uses MIDI to automatically multi-sample hardware instruments.
- The final audio track mode is called Subtracks. This allows each audio track to play host to eight individual monophonic sample players, each with its own sample parameters and sequencer track. This allows a single audio track to be used as a full drum kit or a means to layer monophonic ideas.
Audio tracks can also function as a MIDI track for controlling external gear.
Each of these tracks can make use of what Elektron describes as ‘a kaleidoscope of effects and huge modulation possibilities’. In practice, that equates to features including two assignable LFOs and two effect LFOs per audio track, an assignable envelope for each audio track, plus two LFOs for each bus/send track. There’s also a flexible mod matrix for routing pitch bend, mod wheel, breath control and aftertouch.
On the effect front, Tonverk has a total of 17 modules available across its various track types (options differ from track to track). Many of these are new for Tonverk, and feature enticing titles such as Infinite Flanger, Phase 98, Dirtshaper, Chrono Pitch and Supervoid Reverb.
In typical Elektron fashion, each of Tonverk’s tracks can be controlled using a deep and flexible step sequencing workflow. Tonverk’s sequencer can program up-to 256 steps per track and comes equipped with functionality including parameter lock automation, an arpeggiator, probability-based sequencing, per-track sequence lengths and micro-timing adjustments.
According to Elektron: “Whether you’re multi-sampling your favorite synth, crafting drum kits, routing things all over the place or sending sounds out and back in for further alchemy, Tonverk is made for expansive sound design and immediate play.”
With its ability to save fully-fledged multi-sampled instruments and multi-part drum kits, as well as its routing and sequencing tools, Tonverk looks like the closest thing Elektron has released to a true ‘DAW in a box’ system.
The obvious question is whether or not Tonverk is intended as a replacement for Elektron’s similarly-priced Octatrack. On paper, Tonverk looks a lot like an upgrade to the Octatrack’s eight-track design; keeping the stereo sampling but expanding it with new modes and internal routing options.
in addition, Tonverk lacks some popular Octatrack features such as its crossfader and, at first glance at least, appears to put less emphasis on live performance and more on studio functionality.
In terms of the Tonverk hardware itself, the rear panel features four balanced jack outputs, two balanced jack inputs, a stereo headphone output, and MIDI in, out and through ports. There’s also an SD card port providing expandable memory, along with two USB-C ports.
Tonverk can function as a class compliant USB audio device. There’s currently no word on compatibility with Elektron’s Overbridge software.
Tonverk will come loaded with a sound library containing single samples, multi-sampled instruments, drum kits and preset projects.
Here’s an overview of the Tonverk:
Features:
- 8 voices per audio track
- 4 × selectable machines per audio track:
- Single Player
- Multi Player
- SubtracksMIDI (also selectable on the bus tracks)
- 8 × stereo audio tracks
- 4 × bus tracks
- 3 × send effect tracks
- 1 × mix track
- 1 × digital base-width filter per track/subtrack
- 2 × assignable LFOs per track
- 1 × assignable modulation envelope per voice
- 2 × assignable FX LFOs per audio track
- 2 × assignable LFOs per effect bus, send effect, and mix
- Modulation setup per track for pitch bend, mod wheel, breath control, aftertouch
- Step Edit
- Extensive routing options
- Diverse sound library (single samples, drum sets, multi-sampled instruments, and pres
- MIDI track features:
- 16 note polyphony per step
- 16 × assignable CC controls
- 2 × assignable LFOs per track
- Performance features:
- 2 × Trig modes
- Tracks
- Velocity
- Keyboard mode with 36 different scales
- Song mode
- Chord mode
- Sequencer features:
- Up to 256 steps per pattern and track
- Arpeggiator per audio & MIDI track
- Polyphonic sequencing
- Individual pattern length per track
- Individual time scale multiplier per track
- Parameter locks
- Trig conditions & trig chance
- Retrig (audio & MIDI tracks only)
- Micro timing
- Sequencer lanes
- Effects:
- Comb +/- Filter
- Filterbank
- Low-pass Filter
- Multimode Filter
- Infinite Flanger
- Panoramic Chorus
- Phase 98
- Warble
- Chrono Pitch
- Frequency Warper
- Compressor
- Degrader
- Dirtshaper
- Daisy Delay
- Saturator Delay
- Rumsklang Reverb
- Supervoid Reverb
- Hardware:
- 128 × 64 pixel OLED screen
- 4 × ¼” impedance balanced audio out jacks
- 2 × ¼” balanced audio in jacks
- 1 × ¼” stereo headphone jack
- 48 kHz, 24-bit D/A and A/D converters
- 2 × USB-C port
- MIDI In/Out/Thru with DIN Sync out
- SD Card slot
- Physical specifications:
- Sturdy steel casing
- Dimensions: W 286 × D 176 × H 63 mm (11.3? × 6.9? × 2.5?) (including knobs and feet)
- Weight: approximately 1.85 kg (4.08 lbs)
- 100 × 100 mm VESA mounting holes. Use M4 screws with a max length of 7 mm
- Miscellaneous
- Class Compliant USB Audio
- External Input mixer with routable outputs
- 3 year Elektron warranty
- Included in the box:
- 64 GB SD card
- Power Supply PSU-5
- Elektron USB-C cable
- Exclusive artwork
Tonverk is the first device of in Elektron’s latest platform and the say “certainly not the last”.
Check out the details and share your thoughts on the Tonverk in the comments!
The Elektron Tonverk is priced at $1,599 / €1,399/ £1,199. It’s currently listed as ‘out of stock’ at the Elektron site, but retailers are starting to list it for pre-order.
