Elektron Digitone "Cataphyll"

video upload by Benjamin Brodie

"Combining deep FM synthesis with a familiar subtractive synthesis signal flow, the Elektron Digitone is an amazingly powerful 8-voice synth. And with Elektron's acclaimed sequencing onboard, your creative potential is practically unlimited. Digitone is ready to create with four independent synth tracks, each with a 4-operator FM synth engine featuring eight different FM algorithms. Those algorithms — along with pretty much everything else — can be locked to different values for each sequence step. Factor in four MIDI tracks, an arpeggiator for each track, two LFOs per synth voice, multimode filtering, and built-in effects, and the Elektron Digitone may just be the FM synth you've always wanted to perform with.

The complex timbres and sonic animation you can create with FM synthesis make it a unique method of sound creation, and Digitone presents it in a welcoming fashion. Each of the four synth tracks features its own 4-operator FM synth engine with eight algorithms. Elektron gave Digitone a familiar subtractive synthesis-style workflow that makes tweaking these voices fun and intuitive. And with the potential to lock a different synth sound into every sequence step, Digitone offers far more sonic potential than most 8-voice synthesizers — or most FM synths in general for that matter.

The elusive song of the desert, caused by grains of sand rubbing against each other, is nature’s own FM synthesizer. Sometimes roaring, sometimes wailing, always enchanting. Enter the alluring dunes of Digitone: a compact synthesizer that fits snugly at home, in the studio, and on stage.

FM synthesis occurs when you modulate the pitch of one oscillator with another, to achieve rich and unexpected timbres. The ratio and rate of modulation impact the resulting sound. Digitone uses four oscillators, or operators, per voice. A particular configuration of operators is called an algorithm. For classical FM synthesis, it ends here.

With the Digitone, you get to shape, enrich and modulate the sound even further, using the powers of subtractive synthesis. Use the multimode filter with its custom envelope to soften or pronounce the wild overtones. Cut off the low, mid, or high frequencies. Sculpt with style and precision. Define the sound decisively using the full-featured amp envelope. Carve the contour of the sound.

You can add more movement to the sound using an LFO or two. Set any sound-shaping parameter in automated, repeated motion. At a very slow or a very fast speed, using a variety of different waveshapes, including a random one. Make your sound sway gently like the ocean, or flutter like a butterfly."