Test: Elektron Syntakt

This new Groovebox from Elektron looks like a „Best of“ of the previous products from the Swedes: In the same robust and compact housing as Digitakt and Digitone, Syntakt offers eight digital tracks whose sound generation is based on Model:Cycles and also a bit on the legendary Machine Drum.In addition, there are four analog tracks inspired by Analog Rytm and Analog Four, as well as the separate FX Track. The analog overdrive and the global analog multimode filter can also be applied to external sound generators via the audio inputs or overbridge and is, therefore, effectively a small Analog Heat and, of course, there is also the Elektron-typical sequencer with parameter locks and trigger conditions.

The agony of choice

First, a short overview of the by now rather extensive arsenal of Grooveboxes that Elektron has on offer. For starters, there are the relatively inexpensive Model:Sample (sample-based) and Model:Cycles (FM sound generation), which sit in simple plastic housings and with a clear number of parameters in direct access, allowing even beginners a quick entry into the Elektron universe. Overbridge, that is, lossless digital integration into your DAW, is not available with these smaller models. Then, there are the big Grooveboxes Analog Four, Rytm and Octatrack, which rely on analog sound generation and samples and many connection options. Digitakt, Digitone and now Syntakt come in a somewhat more compact but equally robust housing. Digitakt works with samples and is primarily designed as a drum computer, Digitone on the other hand has an 8-voice FM sound generator for melodies,