Elektron-Users

Hmmm... another slightly underwhelmed user here. I can understand the need to update the hardware due to sourcing issues, but the main reason I got my MD (at $1700) was that Elektron had said they would not release newer versions of products that made older models obsolete. We can argue about what obsolete means, but I think you guys know what I mean. Not saying the older (gee it sucks saying that) SPS's are no longer functional or bad ass, just that I have to pay another $1700 now to get the features people have been asking for for years.

Considering how die hard and loyal their fanbase is, I'd have hoped Elektron would have at least something to offer the owners of the now classic units to offset this somewhat at the same time. I too have been pushing for blinking LEDs as a solution 64 Step addition (and would gladly halve my pattern memory for this), and then they also added a way to control master effects and more ROM slots? Even though we have only 2MB of memory, I's still love to have more ROM slots in that space.

I'm happy Elektron can continue to release more products, but still a bit dissapointed if I must be honest.

hageir wrote:
I don't think those updates were really that necessary for them to actually produce new machines..
ok, the monomachine is forgivable due to it's new wavetable feature (nice!)
but the md? what does the md sps-1 (non uw) mkII have?
"The MKII version adds a lot to the already feature-packed SPS-1. Slimmer design, world wide switching power supply, even better signal to noise ratio and last but certainly not least ? the pattern sequencer now has 64 steps!"
that's all?
it isn't anything that couldn't be updated via software, right? (except the sn ratio, which didn't bother anyone except those that didn't do it right)


Err, its pretty much all hardware.

Slimmer design = new case = hardware
New power supply = hardware (Don't really understand why they mention this one, its still external)
64 steps = twice the memory needed for patterns + new LEDs and front panel = hardware (you think they had spare pattern memory sitting around in there before?)

jngpng wrote:

hageir wrote:
I don't think those updates were really that necessary for them to actually produce new machines..
ok, the monomachine is forgivable due to it's new wavetable feature (nice!)
but the md? what does the md sps-1 (non uw) mkII have?
"The MKII version adds a lot to the already feature-packed SPS-1. Slimmer design, world wide switching power supply, even better signal to noise ratio and last but certainly not least ? the pattern sequencer now has 64 steps!"
that's all?
it isn't anything that couldn't be updated via software, right? (except the sn ratio, which didn't bother anyone except those that didn't do it right)


Err, its pretty much all hardware.

Slimmer design = new case = hardware
New power supply = hardware (Don't really understand why they mention this one, its still external)
64 steps = twice the memory needed for patterns + new LEDs and front panel = hardware (you think they had spare pattern memory sitting around in there before?)

hey, I'm not retarded, I'm just saying aren't most of the new updates something that could've been done via os updates?
c'mon do you really need 64 steps?
you can link 2 patterns together for 64 steps..

Tarekith wrote:
Hmmm... another slightly underwhelmed user here. I can understand the need to update the hardware due to sourcing issues, but the main reason I got my MD (at $1700) was that Elektron had said they would not release newer versions of products that made older models obsolete.

where is this stated? please point me to this public statement. i'm not trying to argue but this was never said in this context. here:


Daniel wrote:
...
Again - think about production times mentioned and you'll understand that we (with the current size of the company) can not support releasing new products at the rate many of you expect. While developing we devote time to releasing new versions of the OS:es though, so in effect, the people who bought the first version of any of our synthesizers has gotten much more than they initially payed for. We hope to keep peoples investments intact, and not destroy them by releasing a new version that decline the previous models values. I can't promise it won't ever happen, but it's in our vision to have happy customers that do not feel they bought the wrong product at the wrong time. We think they won't be so happy investing the next time would we do so. we want any time to be a good time to buy any Elektron product.
...


and that isn't even in the same context...LINK HERE

i'm not saying folks can't be disappointed or underwhelmed, to each his own.

Just reiterating, there are other software upgrades below the surface. As well as thinner, new balanced i/o and lower heat producing power supplies. These upgrades were essential for the continued life of the products - both from a hardware point of view (obsolete (!) parts), and from a marketing point of view. Elektron's supply had ran out and they found that some of the parts in the previous MD/MDUW and MnM were no longer manufactured. So they took the opportunity to 'refresh' the units and add a little more functionality.

Elektron has maintained they have other products in the works. This update isn't a must have for everyone.

"Expectations are premeditated resentments" -- unknown

i suppose there was no way everyone is gonna be happy, regardless of their step.

/r

hey, I'm not retarded, I'm just saying aren't most of the new updates something that could've been done via os updates?
c'mon do you really need 64 steps?
you can link 2 patterns together for 64 steps..

You're totally confusing me then. What exactly are these updates in the Mk IIs that could have been implemented as OS updates?

jngpng wrote:

hey, I'm not retarded, I'm just saying aren't most of the new updates something that could've been done via os updates?
c'mon do you really need 64 steps?
you can link 2 patterns together for 64 steps..

You're totally confusing me then. What exactly are these updates in the Mk IIs that could have been implemented as OS updates?

1. You can easily live with the extra 12mm.
2. The SN ratio stuff is just because the users that had that problem weren't using the the gear correctly.
3. 64 steps, it's, technically, there already = 2 patterns linked together = 64.
4. more rom slots? I bet that's probably not a big hassle (I'm guessing the extra 0,5 mb's are for the 2 extra ram machines)

hageir,

I think I have to disagree with you on the 64 steps issue. Part of the reason why I got interested in hardware after using software for so long was the interface. I completely agree that chaining to patterns together is a workable solution, but it's still not as nice/convenient/quick as having 4 pages of steps laid out right there without having to switch back and forth between patterns.

It's a workflow issue (I'm also thinking about it from the perspective of working in tandem with the monomachine). To some people, like me, it presents enough of an improvement that I'm very happy they implemented it.

M

MKII hardware wise... still there are some major points missing:

USB or FireWire: for use as a host on your DAW
Digital I/O: So you have a choice to change the sound character with other converters
Better potknobs: they are still plastic, why not alunium like the new Waldorfs
Three color led style: from the MM also on the MD
Better graphics: for parameter visuals like on this video: Waldorf Blofeld for the filter, envolopes, LFO's and maybe waveform editing.

hageir wrote:

1. You can easily live with the extra 12mm.
2. The SN ratio stuff is just because the users that had that problem weren't using the the gear correctly.
3. 64 steps, it's, technically, there already = 2 patterns linked together = 64.
4. more rom slots? I bet that's probably not a big hassle (I'm guessing the extra 0,5 mb's are for the 2 extra ram machines)

Ok cool, so you're saying you can live without the new features. That's fair enough and for the most part I agree. That's not what you said originally though :-P

I still don't think it's that big of a problem to excuse the md mkII's.
sorry, that's just me.
if they would've added a new type of drum synthesis, hell yes, that would've been a good explanation, but steps+leds+12mm diet+0,5mb more?
not enough!
all good things, but still not enough, IMO.

new encoders, new faceplate, new colors, new lcd, new interface, etc.
the encoders are just as much of a problem as the "heating" powersupplies..