Rytm as a groovebox?

[Sternenlicht]

Syntakt Hihat and Ride sucks, i vote for Analog Rytm, its more flexible with the performance macro you can make the beat alive. It demands dedication, its not like the TR8s, you need to sink time into it. And you can select the sounds /samples you need from your libary. Syntakt has some good sides aswell, but it needs a pairing with a sampler. With Rytm its a more contained solution.

[Monobear]

If you just want one groovebox I would go with rytm. OT is fun as well, but Its better when in plays with other stuff naturally. It samples.

[Sleepyhead]

I’m pleasently surprised by the love the AR is getting in this thread! I always felt like it is kind of considered an underdog to the OT on this forum.

I own both and the AR is my favorite machine of all time. To me it is the greatest all in one groovebox to use as a standalone machine next to a daw, because it is great at the things daws are bad at:
-great hands on workflow and sequencing
-limitations which spark creativity
-analog synthesis
-analog filters, drive, distortion and compression
-great performance features (scenes, perf mode, slide trigs, etc)
-amazing sound

On the other hand daws are good at the things the AR is bad at:
-clean sound
-endless tracks, polyphony, sounds
-endless fx
-very detailed sample chopping
-stereo samples

The OT to me is more like a replacement for a daw, so it works better as a centerpiece along lots of other machines. As a standalone groovebox I’d suggest the AR over the OT, but I’d also advice you to look into the DT as well, as it is very much like the AR, minus some of its benefits (analog synthesis, kits, indiv outs etc) but also minus some of its quirks (weird workarounds, clicks, sometimes too heavy sound). If you know how to use the DT, you know how to use the AR, so you can always upgrade down the line.

[anthonynordge]

Wow!!! Im overwhelmed by the responses and the welcoming :)!

I will read and reply to all the comments tomorrow!, i have a final oral examination tomorrow for a study ive been working on:)! Once im done ill reply asap :D!

[loopdude]

If you want you can write a little about what style you make and how you work. Maybe that will help finding the best machine.

[Stone262]

I only opened this thread to check if it was just me experiencing this haha… every time I scrolled past it…

[bodymechanics]

@anthonynordge

since its too complex for a first timer

It’s far less complicated than Ableton.
the OT is kind of like a simplified Live Lite in a way.

The RYTM is a great machine, however it’s much more simple.
It’s great as what it does, but I personally feel like it’s synthesis capabilities are narrow.
It does make samples sound great, and single cycle waveforms really open up possibilities.
Samples on the RYTM can be difficult to manage across projects.
Navigating using samples can in some ways be more challenging on the RYTM than the OT.
Project management is not as good on RYTM as it is on other Elektron machines.

The OT is definitely more performance friendly device and does many things.
Although it’s sample based it has a broader range to some degree.
Learning the OT is not hard, and once you grasp it, all other Elektron’s are simple to understand as well.

If I were you I’d consider the A4 as a first Elektron.
To me it’s the most interesting Elektron. It does so much, but feels streamlined.
It’s bangs as a drum machine and offers more in depth but still basic synthesis.
The A4 is also a wonderful performance device.
I would read through this before pulling the trigger on the OT or AR.

Isn't the Analog Four the most incredible and deep instrument from Elektron so far?

I recently got chance to get an mki and currently reading the manual and testing it so far, but isn’t the A4 the most incredible and deep instrument from Elektron so far? I currently own an octa mki, a machinedrum SPS1 mkii, a Digitakt, and a Digitone. Thinking about selling the Digitakt and staying with the rest tho I am so impressed by the many different options that A4 allows for sound creation, isn’t it? I am just blown away by it and sounding wise…love at first sight! What a tremendous syn…

Lastly, once you get your first Elektron you’ll probably want more.
So it almost doesn’t matter which you get first because another is destiny

[anthonynordge]

@MichalHo

OT gives you slightly more options in the long term esp. if you get more gear (sequencing, sampling), but AR tends to yield a more homogeneous “techno” sound and I find it slightly more accessible when composing or performing.
OT sampling > synthesis
AR synthesis > sampling

yes thats whats selling the OT for me, is that it can be expanded to everything and can be routed to everything but its a sampler which something i dont like when it comes to sound design with synths, but then i just found out that it can also synthesize ? i think its called single wave cycle synth? not sure, so sampling a flat sine wave then you can basically turn it into anything u want to and you can sample or buy sample packs that have other wave shapes and that could solve my problem with samplers?

[anthonynordge]

@reeloy

…warm welcome…

thanks friend!

@reeloy

the tactile factor is for many people a huge deal…for others, it’s not really worth the effort to really step out of the box and to get their hands “dirty” with any realworld hardware investments…

this is very important for me, i love ableton and everything about it, but sometimes i need touch and just a mouse and a screen

@reeloy

but never the less, a 2nd hand ot is a great option to find out…if ur firm with ur daw, no real need to worry if ur capable to handle the ot properly…ur getting there for sure…and if u like it, it’s the perfect centerpiece for any further hw to come and host…

while the rytm is the way bigger investment…but apart from any live concepts, it could offer u, in a studio set up, for sure new colours/timbres u might not found covered yet on ur ableton planet…
another thing to consider is the fact, that ot as we know it, will never talk overbridge…the rytm does…

yeah thinking about the rytm price is a bit tough especially its stuck in my head as a drum machine and i never want to pay that much for a drum machine, although it can do more than that absolutely seen some videos and the one’s i linked up in my post was a really good display of rytm’s possibilities

and the overbridge thing also with the OT i dont know what to feel about it, but im sure i can still record my audio track into ableton as a full on track from the OT no? so if i wanna add some EQ or mastering to my track i can do that

@reeloy

but if i would have to walk in ur shoes right now, i’d invest in a push3 setup…

this came in mind cause push 3 just came out and its a standalone now, but its not available in my country sadly. Ableton doesnt ship to where i live, ive already checked

[anthonynordge]

@yoyz2k

I would see the AR more as a Groovebox than the OT. But people can see things differently.

especially the pads its very tempting hahah,

@yoyz2k

and short sample player. With lots of tweakability. And good possibility to color the sample you use on it.

i can also use single wave samples on the rytm as well?

[anthonynordge]

@George_Michael

I would say the AR is significantly more immediate and infinitely simpler (though probably more limited) than the OT. They’re both extremely jammable, as is most Elektron gear. As another member mentioned the AR has vastly simpler sampling capabilities, and much, much less sampling time per project. If you’re looking to work with longer sample loops I would say the OT over the AR all day. I personally really enjoy writing melodies and chord progressions on the AR using chromatic mode. If you’re clever with setting up your samples you can really get some mileage there. Also the appeal of the analog drum circuits and filters is really nice. I don’t want to say it’s more of an instrument than the OT (almost more of a DAW maybe?) but for whatever reason it feels so to me. Here’s recent standalone of mine that I feel best illustrates it’s possibilities with samples. Hope this helps!

nice jam :D!

@George_Michael

I personally really enjoy writing melodies and chord progressions on the AR using chromatic mode. If you’re clever with setting up your samples you can really get some mileage there. Also the appeal of the analog drum circuits and filters is really nice. I don’t want to say it’s more of an instrument than the OT (almost more of a DAW maybe?) but for whatever reason it feels so to me. Here’s recent standalone of mine that I feel best illustrates it’s possibilities with samples. Hope this helps!

oh wow! i just noticed that this jam is purely with samples:)! nice :D!
correct me if im wrong but the AR seems to me that its best for performance, and that its strong point over the OT, even though the OT is labeled by elektron as in a performance machine sampler

samples are great i use them purely for percussions and drums and sometimes for textures in my tracks nothing else than that, i synthesize all of my basslines and leads and textures and all of that stuff. and thats the main selling point for me for the AR that it can do all that? i know im stuck with only 8 voices, but i usually dont need anything above that, my tracks are basically (kick,bass,lead,hats,rides,hats2,claps,and maybe toms)

but i do have lots of effect chains and and lots of mangling effects so i use lots of processing in my productions, thats why the OT feels tempting as well, that it can mangle sounds and do all sorts of weird stuff so kinda like ableton in a sense? so maybe OT fits better for that style of workflow?

[ringokidf]

The pads on the mkl are not that great but I think the mkll pads are pretty good

[MichalHo]

https://www.elektronauts.com/files/459

Exactly, search for ‚single cycle‘ on here and you will find a few free packs like this one.
You can even go beyond subtractive synthesis on the OT. (LFO=FM, etc.)

[alechko]

@anthonynordge

i can also use single wave samples on the rytm as well?

besides the factory single cycle waveforms coming with the rytm theres Hardcore/Softcore apps you can use to generate, just a note that rytm has ±2 octaves so if you want more range you should generate couple of them with different root notes

Hard/Softcore - single cycle waveform tools for Digitakt et al

Some of you might have seen me working on a piece of software that can generate single cycle waveforms for Digitakt, Octatrack, Monomachine, Rytm, Renoise and so on… [hard_n_soft_inv] Hardcore & Softcore lets you sculpt your own waveforms and export them as single cycle wavetables, compatible with any capable device. Grab them at Floats.se Get Windows version Get Mac version Specifically made for, but not exclusive to, Elektron Digitakt, Rytm, Monomachine and Octatrack. Available for free…

[anthonynordge]

@lesstalkmoredisco

Is there a reason you’re not considering Syntakt?

In the front of user interface I definitely think Rytm beats Syntakt, but otherwise Syntakt gives you a lot of Rytm and way more. Specifically, more of a groovebox package.

i was considering one at first then i thought id prefer to get one of the big boxes since ive been saving up for one,

@Kraus

I bought my AR intending to use it exclusively for analog drum synthesis, but actually enjoy it more as a heavy-sounding sample mangler/sequencer. It’s a lot deeper than people realise, and has a lot of great live-performance features. And it sounds AMAZING.

I think for techno AR is perfect. Also you can load a bunch of breakbeats to do jungle etc.

Good idea to get an OT later, as AR and OT complement each other brilliantly.

yeah ive read that it has simpler sampling capabilities but i might be doubting it too much hahah

yeah the live performing features are awesome especially with the pads routing pads to increase drive or open up a filter based on how you touch the pads is pretty sick, and also some jungle and breakbeats!!! i figured it would be easier since everyone is saying OT is very hard to learn

[anthonynordge]

@scarfypedia

hey! welcome, you have very good english! very easy to read and follow along

thanks :D!

@scarfypedia

Octatrack can do similar things but is much deeper in sampling and stacking the digital effects, whereas the Rytm is a much more simple sampler but has analog synthesis and some analog effects like the compressor and distortion on the master output which are very cool.

If you want to tweak your sounds on the fly and slowly build up your sound design as you’re composing, the Rytm is for you. If you have a lot of other synths to sample or you want to work with a library of sample selections and compose that way, the Octratrack would be a good choice.

wait the OT has more effects than the rytm? i really enjoy effect stacking and going places with processing with effects

i know the AR has analog effects where the OT is digital but i thought they had similar effects?

@alechko

with OT you would be limited to 4 (you can utilize cues as outs right?) so mixing of everything would need to be in the box which is a point to consider.

wait i thought the OT can 8 audio voices? cause it has 8 midi 8 audio for samples,

@alechko

I own AR but I definitely see myself getting OT at some point for stereo samples, mangling, dj style transitions, etc.

i think im gonna end up with both boxes eventually hahahha the elektron loophole, but i think its good to go into my first purchase with the mentality of “im getting only one box that does everything that i want it” since i wanna save up for modular later

@alechko

btw check this guy doing amazing stuff with AR

thanks for the share ill check it out now

[alechko]

@anthonynordge

wait i thought the OT can 8 audio voices? cause it has 8 midi 8 audio for samples,

yes, it has 8 audio tracks and 8 midi, I meant that AR has individual out for each voice (that’s 12 tracks - 8 + 4 shared voices) that you can record separately from the individual outs or overbridge, while OT has 2 outs and 2 cue outs which I’m not sure if you can use as extra 2 outs, and OT does not have overbridge support so you must record it stereo or 4 outs max.

vs

[Haesten]

The OT is harder to grasp and understand. To me its harder to understand than Ableton and its samplers.

The Rytm is a lot more straight forward, AND is has overbridge which lets you stream all the tracks of the Rytm directly to separate tracks in your daw. Yes its a great feature. It has analog synth engines too.

Then OT is kinda special, stereo and long samples. But it has a learning curve, and it is bound to be replaced soon(i would say).

If youre a restless person who want results quick, go Rytm. If you have all the time in the world, maybe go OT

If you dont absolutely need samples, go/try Syntakt first. 12 tracks and easy to get going with, analog and digital synthetis. The most inviting elektron machine i would say. Good luck!

[yoyz2k]

@anthonynordge

i can also use single wave samples on the rytm as well?

Yes indeed, you can use single cycle waveform on it. But there is no wavetable support (no lfo between multiple single cycle ).

What I do is a real old sampling tricks. I sample a synth for 2s with no ADSR and no LFO. Then I loop the sample until I found the spot without clipping. Usually it is around 1s.
The sound is generally more interesting than a single cycle.

If you are interested in wavetable. The only box from Elektron which manage that quite correctly is the model:sample. Quite weird, but I have better results on MS than on Digitakt or Rythm.

But the Rythm is for me one of the best box I have. It tick all the boxes

[plragde]

@DaveMech

Just here to say I heard the melody of Rhythm is a Dancer when I saw the topic title.

For me, it was an older and more obscure reference, a paraphrase of the Slits, “Groovebox is a Rytm too”.