Do you think this synth is a good choice for someone new to FM, or would they be better off starting with something simpler? How did you approach learning FM yourself?
I think its the best FM synth for beginners, it simplifies many things but still gives you a lot of flexibility and creativity with options (like 2 LFOs which can attach to anything!)
I would agree, I have the Digitone Keys as the central brain of my setup, it just perfectly suits my composition style but so few people actually use it and I can't understand why, its versatility is just overwhelming. I recently started putting it through both a Strymon BlueSky and a Hologram Microcosm.
some years ago i sold my digitone to get the keys version and im absolutely glad i did. it's my favorite instrument ever. shout-out to my fellow digikeys lovers ✌️
Indeed! It seems that with the current big analog polysynth obession, the Digitone Keys goes largely unnoticed. But I can't imagine myself parting with mine ever :)
I have a used Digitone on it's way to me now, very excited for it. I've had one before and always regretted selling. I like the idea of the keys version, but it's not made anymore and I've never seen someone selling one, at least in Canada! But the base Digitone is all I need! I think it's a great machine for someone who wants to learn FM because it's tuned to sound nice and musical at most settings! So even though you can certainly make it nasty if you try, generally sweeping through things and using Ctrl all will usually sound cool 😁 Nice video my friend!
You convinced me to pick one up and sell my regular Digitone + Akai MPK Plus. I'll miss the arp but if I really need it I have other sequencers. Just got it today and look forward to using it.
I really wanted to get one but unfortunately it’s too heavy to lug around, so went with the box plus arturia keystep, a nice compact alternative that is portable! 🙂
Heres a soltution ive found for the keys double registering... It works. You start the synth in test mode, pop the key off having the problem, use a pen and tap the white exposed button multiple times with a vaccum cleaner close to the hole. Did this to my YES key and it never double triggered since. Tap it rapidly to dislodge any dust whoch is potentially the cause or, its a software thing and just does the trick. As i said, have not had a problem arise again.
For your key triggering issue, try blowing out the keys with a can of compressed air. Sounds like 'Key Chatter' which effects mechanical comptuer keyboards (which this is using the same type of key switch)
Thanks! I've sprayed it with some contact spray and it seems the situation is better now, although I might need another spray on a couple of them. Chatter is exactly what the issue is like :)
You're right! That's one synth I'm never getting rid of, and why I've made it the centerpiece of my whole setup. More on that in the latest video th-cam.com/video/xUoLQU3-QxM/w-d-xo.html
My track 1 key is the only one that exhibits the same problem as some of yours. Pressing it once seems to always open the sound selection menu. I adore the digitone keys but I must admit I am considering parting with it as it’s lack of song position pointer support like the OT and analogs have is a real pain to use for writing. Having to play an entire pattern through to hear one or two changes you made on like page 4 is the worst part of the elektron workflow and they need to adopt the new RYTM/DT2 page loop functionality across the board asap
That's a very good point and a pain in the ass for me as well. In that case, I'll usually copy just the last page to another pattern as I'm making changes and once I'm happy, I'll bring it back to the 4-page pattern. But I can see how another workflow would make that much easier....
Do you think this synth is a good choice for someone new to FM, or would they be better off starting with something simpler? How did you approach learning FM yourself?
I do. Lot's to understand, but a comprehensive manual really helps!
I think its the best FM synth for beginners, it simplifies many things but still gives you a lot of flexibility and creativity with options (like 2 LFOs which can attach to anything!)
@@emraho5765 Absolutely! Easy to get into, but deceptively deep. I love messing with the oscillator ratios via the LFOs.
Following. Liked. subscribed. No one has done a video like this. Please do more videos on the digitone keys.
Lead our cult!
I would agree, I have the Digitone Keys as the central brain of my setup, it just perfectly suits my composition style but so few people actually use it and I can't understand why, its versatility is just overwhelming. I recently started putting it through both a Strymon BlueSky and a Hologram Microcosm.
some years ago i sold my digitone to get the keys version and im absolutely glad i did. it's my favorite instrument ever. shout-out to my fellow digikeys lovers ✌️
Indeed! It seems that with the current big analog polysynth obession, the Digitone Keys goes largely unnoticed. But I can't imagine myself parting with mine ever :)
I have a used Digitone on it's way to me now, very excited for it. I've had one before and always regretted selling. I like the idea of the keys version, but it's not made anymore and I've never seen someone selling one, at least in Canada! But the base Digitone is all I need!
I think it's a great machine for someone who wants to learn FM because it's tuned to sound nice and musical at most settings! So even though you can certainly make it nasty if you try, generally sweeping through things and using Ctrl all will usually sound cool 😁
Nice video my friend!
Thanks man! You gonna have a blast with it (again) 😁
@@nedogled Hehe yes I think so!
Thanks for a great overview of 3 years of use. I've owned one for just under a week, and already know I'll never get rid of it!
Thanks! And I agree, this is a synth for life :) Even at current prices, I think it's a steal in terms of what you're able to accomplish with it.
You convinced me to pick one up and sell my regular Digitone + Akai MPK Plus. I'll miss the arp but if I really need it I have other sequencers. Just got it today and look forward to using it.
Excellent! It would make a lot of sense for the Arp on the Digitone to work on MIDI as well in a future update... been waiting on that for years 😅
once i got a reel to reel, it's hard to use tape saturation plugs.
Man, why you gotta stoke my G.A.S. like that 😁
Haha
I really wanted to get one but unfortunately it’s too heavy to lug around, so went with the box plus arturia keystep, a nice compact alternative that is portable! 🙂
Inded it's quite hefty, although Elektron does make a nice carrying case.
Heres a soltution ive found for the keys double registering... It works.
You start the synth in test mode, pop the key off having the problem, use a pen and tap the white exposed button multiple times with a vaccum cleaner close to the hole. Did this to my YES key and it never double triggered since. Tap it rapidly to dislodge any dust whoch is potentially the cause or, its a software thing and just does the trick. As i said, have not had a problem arise again.
Wow man I really need to give this a try! I had no idea the keys were so easy to pop off :) Thanks a bunch!
@@nedogled I fixed mine with PRF Kontakt 7-78 Cleaner Spray
@@deniss9296 that might be the easiest way to go. i'll give it a try, thanks!
For your key triggering issue, try blowing out the keys with a can of compressed air. Sounds like 'Key Chatter' which effects mechanical comptuer keyboards (which this is using the same type of key switch)
Thanks! I've sprayed it with some contact spray and it seems the situation is better now, although I might need another spray on a couple of them. Chatter is exactly what the issue is like :)
We that’s the king of fm nothing I’ve ever played sounded so clean and it’s sooooo amazing nothing like it.
You're right! That's one synth I'm never getting rid of, and why I've made it the centerpiece of my whole setup. More on that in the latest video th-cam.com/video/xUoLQU3-QxM/w-d-xo.html
My track 1 key is the only one that exhibits the same problem as some of yours. Pressing it once seems to always open the sound selection menu. I adore the digitone keys but I must admit I am considering parting with it as it’s lack of song position pointer support like the OT and analogs have is a real pain to use for writing. Having to play an entire pattern through to hear one or two changes you made on like page 4 is the worst part of the elektron workflow and they need to adopt the new RYTM/DT2 page loop functionality across the board asap
That's a very good point and a pain in the ass for me as well. In that case, I'll usually copy just the last page to another pattern as I'm making changes and once I'm happy, I'll bring it back to the 4-page pattern. But I can see how another workflow would make that much easier....
Love my keys version. Makes shit so easier to sequence with lol
Hell yeah! Incredible sequencer AND sound engine... Smash 2 birds with one synth 😁
Sticky buttons are a known problem with the digi boxes.
I guess it's a well known issue now... when I first reached out to Elektron a few years back, they were surprised to hear it.
I had the issue.
Elektron sent me a new
motherboard keys ...
Elektron are awesome
Hey thanks, that's great to know! I'll get in touch with them to see if this is an option now.