We begin our real NAMM 2017 coverage with offerings from Elektron. Many folks in our community have been anticipating the Digitakt.
The Digitalk is a compact unit combining a drum synth engine, multitrack sequencer with both MIDI and audio capabilities, and sampler. This will be very handy for those who work with those classes of instrument and want a quick and easy set up. While we weren’t able to hear it today, the demo case had a rather interesting video background.
Also on display was the Analog Heat, billed as both an “audio enhancer” and “audio destroyer”.
We were able to play this one. The different preset settings were quite diverse and would add to live performance, given a good sound system. The equalizer and filter sections were interesting to play with as well. They had a clean sound that didn’t muddy the source. Unless of course you want it to. Then it can become the audio destroyer that is is billed as. This is clearly intended as the last in a chain for live use, a final stage before the PA or amp.
It’s that wonderful time of year again! We at CatSynth are heading south for the annual NAMM Show. It should be another good one as were in a golden age of synths. We will also be looking at computer technology, esoteric instruments, and anything else that piques our interest.
