Great to see you are not putting your ego above the theme unlike some others, so on some videos you have to skip first 5 minutes of them talking about themselves to get to the freakin' point. Well done here!
This is a great sound design demo. The Percussion machine sounds great for melodic bell like sounds. A little delay and reverb and it will sound lush 🎧
I've been watching tutorials on RUclips for quite a while. This is the very first time I really enjoy what I'm watching and listening to and eventually learned something... I am so tired of people talking and talking, listening to their own voice. Even if they might say something interesting every now and then, it is unfortunately lost in that ocean of non stop blah, blah and at the end of the day, I haven't learned anything. It's just a complete waste of time. THANK YOU and please do it again. I believe this is a tutorial as it should be.
Aw thanks for the nice words! I think there are merits to both kinds of video tutorials (e.g. sometimes a tutorial with talking can be better because you don't have to constantly watch the screen) but I definitely understand your frustration. I unfortunately don't have as much time to work on videos anymore, as I have work and uni to deal with for a while, but I may come back to them someday :)
Amazing jam at the end. I struggle making a decision between this beauty and the Aturia Drumbrute Impact as my first drum machine but you might just sold me on the cycles with this one
Great stuff mate , I've got cycles to go with my volcas it's great especially with v drum & v sample some proper weird tunes.Anyway I'm still exploring with all machines, keep up the great music jams.👍
The best demonstration of what this groovebox can do. I'm hearing more acoustic sounding drum sounds than in other videos. I have a model samples and I like it, but I'm considering swapping it out for a cycles if I could dial in sounds easier with it. I'm not expecting it to replace the whole range of sounds a sampler can create, but do you think it is a good replacement for someone who wants a simpler, but good sounding drum machine?
Absolutely! The "macro" controls make it really fast, and easy to get some original sounds going, especially if you're the kind of person who likes to push gear to do weird things.
Great vid thanks! I'm still wondeing tho, on the chord machine, I can't hear the cutoff with the contour knob, on your vid and on my Cycles... Did you actually hear any change while twisting the knob? thanks!
It's subtle in this video, but more apparent when using the brighter Sweep and Color settings. Remember, it's not filter cutoff in the same way as a resonant filter would be, but instead a softer, envelope controlled filter. At 0, it's like having decay/release at infinite length-the filter will never close-but increasing the parameter towards 127 will make the envelope decay more quickly. So you won't be able to get filter sweeps out of it, for instance.
I haven't compared them, but they're very different machines, from what I can tell. The TR-8S is more of an all-rounder, very versatile, in part due to its sampling ability. The Model:Cycles, on the other hand, may appear extremely limited in comparison, but it has so much personality. This is my opinion on all Elektron machines, imo, when compared to devices like the TR-8S/MC-707/Electribes etc. The limitations make it so you need to "work" a bit more to get a unique sound sometimes, but I find that rewarding. Having said that though, the Model:Cycles is by far Elektron's easiest/quickest machine to just pick up and play, and that's evident from my streams where I've started with nothing and played for hours, improvising and coming up with new things on the fly. Fun factor is off the charts, imo :)
Would absolutely love a product that focuses on that amazing chord synth engine it's fantastic. Do they have anything that is just a melodic synth? Not really a fan of any of the drums other than the hi hats lol.
All of the machines are capable of melodies, even the ones named after drums. I played it pretty safe in this video but they can all be taken to extremes. Elektron absolutely do make synths more dedicated to melodies. Digitone, Analog Four and Monomachine are all "melodic" synths. The Digitone is the closest "cousin" of the Model:Cycles, but the chord mode on the M:C has more in common with the wavetable machines in the Monomachine than the Digitone; though, the Digitone is certainly capable of lush chords, you just have to program them yourself.
good point. they have literally everything else you could want in a sequencer. that is the one function i would like. an mlr style position trigger/playhead specific beat repeat function. otherwise you really cant do any better than this
Good video (and in all candor enough to show me I don't want it). I have the samples (which I like) but here you are limited to their sounds and I have never ever like Elektrons "plinky-plonk" sounds.
Not trying to put you off the decision but in fairness there are plenty of sounds in this device that aren't plink plonk (but I know what you mean). They just aren't well overviewed in this particular video.
@@0Fdigital So it is!🙈. Thank you for taking trouble to reply. I'm poised to invest in one as would love to explore Elektron universe and FM more...but keep getting distracted by Circuit Tracks. Is the battery option viable if able to source usd-jack adapter do you know?
This machine got really good reviews and I couldn’t figure out why until I came across this video. Why do other people make such boring music with this thing.
Neo Luddite not weird, just a preproduction model :) And yeah, I'd prefer the blue one, but the sound of the machine distracts me enough away from the colour!
Vague Robots that’d still do my head in haha! So i’d love to hear more the kicks of this thing all demos ive seen have been on fm bits more than full on kicks. Id wanna use this as pure drum machine
I don't like to be babied when building drum sounds with cute little sound doodle knobs that I have to play with to find out what they do, I'll take a volca drum and it's two voice per part basic synthesis parameters. Plus the converters in this thing sound cheap af, everything sounds weak. Volca drum sounds way clearer and snapper than this thing
Good for you. I'm a sound designer as well, and as much as I love going deep and making super elaborate, custom drum sounds on my Nord Modular, I also love to sit with this machine messsing with the macro controls and finding weird little tricks to do with the LFOs/retrig/velocity assignments in order to get unique sounds out of it. I have the Volca Drum, and I haven't made anywhere near as much music with it than I have with the Cycles. It's cool and all, but the interface is a bit too fiddly for me. I would not say the Cycles sounds weak at all, especially once you start using the distortion parameter and the internal overdrive. Additionally, people really need to shut up about converters; DACs in consumer level audio devices haven't mattered since the 90s. Especially in something like this, where it's a digital source, not playing back samples or processing incoming audio in any way.
This is one of the best tutorials I have ever seen. Great concept! I like that you kept it to the point.
Great to see you are not putting your ego above the theme unlike some others, so on some videos you have to skip first 5 minutes of them talking about themselves to get to the freakin' point. Well done here!
i should be using mine but i keep watching your jams and living vicariously through you
That was some wonderful LFO use on the chord machine at 27:44 . Really amazing to see what others do with this machine!
Thank you for showing us the sound spectrum of this unit and the real workflow on it! Nice job man, I like 15:42, instant call to the dance floor!
This is a great sound design demo. The Percussion machine sounds great for melodic bell like sounds. A little delay and reverb and it will sound lush 🎧
12:47 reminds me of an 80's movie like Beverly Hills cop when axel foley is sneaking around investing a warehouse. 13:28 Square tone develops nicely 😊
FM bro ... F...M....
I've been watching tutorials on RUclips for quite a while. This is the very first time I really enjoy what I'm watching and listening to and eventually learned something... I am so tired of people talking and talking, listening to their own voice. Even if they might say something interesting every now and then, it is unfortunately lost in that ocean of non stop blah, blah and at the end of the day, I haven't learned anything. It's just a complete waste of time. THANK YOU and please do it again. I believe this is a tutorial as it should be.
Aw thanks for the nice words!
I think there are merits to both kinds of video tutorials (e.g. sometimes a tutorial with talking can be better because you don't have to constantly watch the screen) but I definitely understand your frustration.
I unfortunately don't have as much time to work on videos anymore, as I have work and uni to deal with for a while, but I may come back to them someday :)
The best creative sound example of the cycles!!! Dope
Thanks for sharing! And the ending jam session is 🔥🔥🔥
Great video! Love the metal machine part and the use of chance!!!
That was nice to see you put it together like that. good tune too.
got mine really love the natural flow of the sequencer very tight rhythms and knob deconstruction movement per step
awesome video, I want more like this format!! with no voice :D relaxing and focused!
The final track sounds like it couldve been on the Streets of Rage soundtrack from the Sega Genesis. Awesome.
spot on
lol Streets of Rage 2020 - Covid19 edition
Amazing jam at the end. I struggle making a decision between this beauty and the Aturia Drumbrute Impact as my first drum machine but you might just sold me on the cycles with this one
Cycles is definitely more capable of unique sounds! Thanks for watching :)
I come from the future. Get the Model: Cycles.
I love my rytm, but this seems so much more immediate and way more flexible than M:S. Can’t wait till they are in stock somewhere!
Model cycles with a samples knob.
As noted in the description.
Amazing - i searched exactly for information like this. Thanks!
Great stuff mate , I've got cycles to go with my volcas it's great especially with v drum & v sample some proper weird tunes.Anyway I'm still exploring with all machines, keep up the great music jams.👍
I’m gunna buy one tomorrow
nice demonstration, you are blessed, thank you Sir.
Holyshit you got two micros?! You are a blessed person lol
What are these micros you speak of?
@@mattsmith1440 Game Boy Micro. They've become quite sought after!
I have 3 of them 🤘
I can wait for ours to arrive .
Thanks mate! Ive just bought cycles and its awesome!
Model Cycles is amazing!
Simple is bliss!
excellent video!!
really helpful thank you!
The best demonstration of what this groovebox can do. I'm hearing more acoustic sounding drum sounds than in other videos. I have a model samples and I like it, but I'm considering swapping it out for a cycles if I could dial in sounds easier with it. I'm not expecting it to replace the whole range of sounds a sampler can create, but do you think it is a good replacement for someone who wants a simpler, but good sounding drum machine?
Absolutely! The "macro" controls make it really fast, and easy to get some original sounds going, especially if you're the kind of person who likes to push gear to do weird things.
@@0Fdigital Thanks!
Best Demo!!
Exlent demostration🎼🥁🎹🎺🎻🎷👌✌️💯
Great vid thanks! I'm still wondeing tho, on the chord machine, I can't hear the cutoff with the contour knob, on your vid and on my Cycles... Did you actually hear any change while twisting the knob?
thanks!
It's subtle in this video, but more apparent when using the brighter Sweep and Color settings. Remember, it's not filter cutoff in the same way as a resonant filter would be, but instead a softer, envelope controlled filter. At 0, it's like having decay/release at infinite length-the filter will never close-but increasing the parameter towards 127 will make the envelope decay more quickly. So you won't be able to get filter sweeps out of it, for instance.
@@0Fdigital oh okay I thought I was missing on filter sweep. Very interesting, thanks a lot for your answer and this great video!
Hi,
Have you compared this to the Roland TR-8S?
I'm mainly curious about fun-level, and how much one would pick up one over the other.
I haven't compared them, but they're very different machines, from what I can tell.
The TR-8S is more of an all-rounder, very versatile, in part due to its sampling ability.
The Model:Cycles, on the other hand, may appear extremely limited in comparison, but it has so much personality. This is my opinion on all Elektron machines, imo, when compared to devices like the TR-8S/MC-707/Electribes etc.
The limitations make it so you need to "work" a bit more to get a unique sound sometimes, but I find that rewarding. Having said that though, the Model:Cycles is by far Elektron's easiest/quickest machine to just pick up and play, and that's evident from my streams where I've started with nothing and played for hours, improvising and coming up with new things on the fly. Fun factor is off the charts, imo :)
This is a great demo! Do you still use your cycles?
I do! Not as much as I did last year but it's a very nice machine to take to gigs.
Good demo mate have you any idea if you can sync this with korg volcas cheers 👍
Yes, it has a MIDI out.
Would absolutely love a product that focuses on that amazing chord synth engine it's fantastic. Do they have anything that is just a melodic synth? Not really a fan of any of the drums other than the hi hats lol.
Does the Digitone do this?
All of the machines are capable of melodies, even the ones named after drums. I played it pretty safe in this video but they can all be taken to extremes.
Elektron absolutely do make synths more dedicated to melodies. Digitone, Analog Four and Monomachine are all "melodic" synths.
The Digitone is the closest "cousin" of the Model:Cycles, but the chord mode on the M:C has more in common with the wavetable machines in the Monomachine than the Digitone; though, the Digitone is certainly capable of lush chords, you just have to program them yourself.
@@0Fdigital Amazing, thanks so much for your response!
epic..
Why did you change the knob to red? I thought it was the Samples for a second 🤣
I explained it in the description.
Super practical demo, helps buying decision ... still wish Elektron would implement Active Step ala Korg though on the sequencer :(
good point. they have literally everything else you could want in a sequencer. that is the one function i would like. an mlr style position trigger/playhead specific beat repeat function. otherwise you really cant do any better than this
@@christdolphin69 spot on
Good video (and in all candor enough to show me I don't want it). I have the samples (which I like) but here you are limited to their sounds and I have never ever like Elektrons "plinky-plonk" sounds.
Not trying to put you off the decision but in fairness there are plenty of sounds in this device that aren't plink plonk (but I know what you mean). They just aren't well overviewed in this particular video.
Looked like the samples for a minute there, as the data pot looks orange in your video! Had you changed it or is it just trick of light?
It's explained in the description. Mine is a beta unit, I guess it was made before the blue caps were finished. I have a blue one on it now though!
@@0Fdigital So it is!🙈. Thank you for taking trouble to reply. I'm poised to invest in one as would love to explore Elektron universe and FM more...but keep getting distracted by Circuit Tracks. Is the battery option viable if able to source usd-jack adapter do you know?
@@stevehart175 yes, I use a USB charger cable designed for a Minirig in the side power input to power mine from a USB battery
Can you save the sounds and patterns?
Of course!
This machine got really good reviews and I couldn’t figure out why until I came across this video. Why do other people make such boring music with this thing.
You swapped blue dial for orange??
Neo Luddite read the description :)
Vague Robots haha weird! That type of stuff would get to me after a while ocd style
Neo Luddite not weird, just a preproduction model :)
And yeah, I'd prefer the blue one, but the sound of the machine distracts me enough away from the colour!
Vague Robots that’d still do my head in haha! So i’d love to hear more the kicks of this thing all demos ive seen have been on fm bits more than full on kicks. Id wanna use this as pure drum machine
I haven't used it as a pure drum machine yet, but my latest stream video has some examples of bigger kicks. You might need to skip around a bit.
I don't like to be babied when building drum sounds with cute little sound doodle knobs that I have to play with to find out what they do, I'll take a volca drum and it's two voice per part basic synthesis parameters. Plus the converters in this thing sound cheap af, everything sounds weak. Volca drum sounds way clearer and snapper than this thing
Good for you.
I'm a sound designer as well, and as much as I love going deep and making super elaborate, custom drum sounds on my Nord Modular, I also love to sit with this machine messsing with the macro controls and finding weird little tricks to do with the LFOs/retrig/velocity assignments in order to get unique sounds out of it.
I have the Volca Drum, and I haven't made anywhere near as much music with it than I have with the Cycles. It's cool and all, but the interface is a bit too fiddly for me.
I would not say the Cycles sounds weak at all, especially once you start using the distortion parameter and the internal overdrive.
Additionally, people really need to shut up about converters; DACs in consumer level audio devices haven't mattered since the 90s. Especially in something like this, where it's a digital source, not playing back samples or processing incoming audio in any way.
lol