Elektron’s range of instruments are held in high regard among their users, and the company have a good track record of introducing new features though major OS updates over their lifetimes. In keeping with the tradition, the Digitakt II and Digitone II have just received an update that sees them exchange some current features with each other, as well as gaining some entirely new functions.
Digitakt II
With the arrival of its latest OS update, the Digitakt II gains the Comb+ filter from Digitone II, adding a 'metallic flavour' to its selection of filter options, while routable overdrive, distortion and base-width filter functionality now allows users to decide whether their saturation processing takes place before or after their filters. Mono sampling makes its return, too, joining the existing stereo sampling capabilities and offering greater flexibility when capturing sound. The instrument also gains the keytrack modulation function from its younger sibling.
Digitone II
First up for the Digitone II is the addition of Chord Mode, which is said to be more powerful than ever, includes a selection of modes and boasts a Chord Memory function that maximises the instrument’s harmonic flexibility. Overbridge streaming is now possible, allowing for multitrack audio streaming straight to a computer — the plug-in is currently in beta testing and will be released soon. The Arpeggiator has also been treated to an update, and is now capable of rotating offsets to create new melodic sequences as well as benefitting from a greater selection of speeds.
Both Instruments
The update also introduces an array of features that will appear in both instruments. Track Swap makes it possible to switch two tracks — with all their settings, presets and sequencer info attached — helping users to get organised for live shows or just keep things tidy. A Parameter Lock function for active trigs allows for quick parameters editing on all active trigs on a page or track, while Live Record Overdub allows notes to be recorded on top of existing trigs instead of overwriting them. There’s also an option for live recording Parameter Locks to active trigs only, along with new track select options.
And More!
As well as the headline features, the update introduces a new shortcut to toggle the metronome on and off, kit previews for the Digitone II and a new velocity to volume curve on Digitakt II. It delivers some GUI and performance improvements. A full list of the new features, improvements and bug fixes can be found in the release notes on the Elektron website.
SOS Reviews
We've put both instruments to the test here at SOS, you can check out our full reviews below.
- Digitakt II
- Digitone II (print / web / app / replica / PDF editions)
Availability
The 1.10 update for the Digitakt II and Digitone II is available now from the Elektron website.
