Elektron Monomachine
Encyclopedia
The Elektron Monomachine is a synthesizer
and music sequencer
by Elektron
. The Monomachine is available as SFX-60 model, which is a desktop sound module
, and was available as the SFX-6 model, which has a keyboard and a joystick controller. During the last quarter of 2007 Elektron released the SFX-60 MkII, which is a revision providing higher signal-to-noise ratio
, a slimmer design and the ability to add user waveforms, introduced with OS 1.20 in July 2008.
The Monomachine's major difference in comparison to other synthesizers is its sonic flexibility. The unit offers five synthesis methods: SID, VO, FM+, SuperWave, and DigiPro. It also offers multiple effects, which can be applied both to the internally-generated voices and to external sources using the two audio inputs. The sequencer offers six tracksOffers six internal tracks and six external tracks for controlling other MIDI equipment programmable either in real time or via a step input method similar to classic drum machine
s such as the Roland TR-808
. A key feature of the sequencer is what Elektron refer to as "parameter lock", whereby each sequencer step can be associated with a snapshot of all the editable parameters for a sound. This too recalls earlier machines such as the Roland TB-303
, though the range of parameters available in the Monomachine is considerably greater. Signals can be routed externally to three stereo or six mono outputs.
emulation method is based on the sound processor from the Commodore 64
home computer (Elektron formerly offered a separate product known as the SIDStation, each unit of which was built around a SID chip. However, the company has now ceased production, indicating that chips are no longer available). The parameters available in the Monomachine are considerably more limited than those in the SIDStation, employing an interface editable in more conventional terms than the SID's wavetable approach. Saw, triangle, pulse, mixed and noise waveforms are available, and the sounds produced tend to be sharp-edged and gritty in character.
of the 1980s.
series synthesizers, which use frequency modulation
to construct sound.
digital waveform
s. DigiPro-Wave offers 32 waveforms, with interpolation
between adjacent waveforms. DigiPro Beat Box is a drum machine, featuring 24 12-bit percussion samples. DigiPro Doubledraw lets the user to create an oscillator by blending two different waveforms. DigiPro Ensemble resembles the SuperWave Ensemble machine, but is built for use with the fixed DigiPro waveforms or those loaded by the user. The Doubledraw and Ensemble machines are only available on the MkII.
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
and music sequencer
Music sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
by Elektron
Elektron (company)
Elektron is an electronic musical instrument company, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, founded in 1998.Its products include the SID-based SidStation, the Machinedrum percussion synthesizer, the Monomachine synthesizer, and the Octatrack performance sampler....
. The Monomachine is available as SFX-60 model, which is a desktop sound module
Sound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a keyboard, for example. Sound modules have to be "played" using an externally connected device...
, and was available as the SFX-6 model, which has a keyboard and a joystick controller. During the last quarter of 2007 Elektron released the SFX-60 MkII, which is a revision providing higher signal-to-noise ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio is a measure used in science and engineering that compares the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise. It is defined as the ratio of signal power to the noise power. A ratio higher than 1:1 indicates more signal than noise...
, a slimmer design and the ability to add user waveforms, introduced with OS 1.20 in July 2008.
The Monomachine's major difference in comparison to other synthesizers is its sonic flexibility. The unit offers five synthesis methods: SID, VO, FM+, SuperWave, and DigiPro. It also offers multiple effects, which can be applied both to the internally-generated voices and to external sources using the two audio inputs. The sequencer offers six tracksOffers six internal tracks and six external tracks for controlling other MIDI equipment programmable either in real time or via a step input method similar to classic drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
s such as the Roland TR-808
Roland TR-808
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer was one of the first programmable drum machines . Introduced by the Roland Corporation in early 1980, it was originally manufactured for use as a tool for studio musicians to create demos. Like earlier Roland drum machines, it does not sound very much like a real...
. A key feature of the sequencer is what Elektron refer to as "parameter lock", whereby each sequencer step can be associated with a snapshot of all the editable parameters for a sound. This too recalls earlier machines such as the Roland TB-303
Roland TB-303
The Roland TB-303 Bass Line is a bass synthesizer with built-in sequencer manufactured by the Roland corporation from late 1981 to 1984 that had a defining role in the development of contemporary electronic music.-History:...
, though the range of parameters available in the Monomachine is considerably greater. Signals can be routed externally to three stereo or six mono outputs.
Design
According to its designers, the Monomachine is designed to be a creative synthesizer and is not following the specs race as is common for today's synthesizers. The user manual states:
Synthesizers are available in many different types and forms. Nevertheless, for most part they follow the norm how a synthesizer of its era is expected to be. Development for musical tools generally comes in the form of new synthesis techniques or an increase in polyphony, memory or other quantitative elements. The advances in the music machine world have brought numerous good inventions for musicians. However, we believe usability is easily lost in the hunt for the highest specifications.
With the Monomachine we have tried creating a synthesizer free from prejudice, and focus
on what actually spurs creativity without letting technology stand in your way. We want to
inspire you to make sounds and music you haven’t even thought of.
SID
The SIDMOS Technology SID
The MOS Technology 6581/8580 SID is the built-in Programmable Sound Generator chip of Commodore's CBM-II, Commodore 64, Commodore 128 and Commodore MAX Machine home computers...
emulation method is based on the sound processor from the Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
home computer (Elektron formerly offered a separate product known as the SIDStation, each unit of which was built around a SID chip. However, the company has now ceased production, indicating that chips are no longer available). The parameters available in the Monomachine are considerably more limited than those in the SIDStation, employing an interface editable in more conventional terms than the SID's wavetable approach. Saw, triangle, pulse, mixed and noise waveforms are available, and the sounds produced tend to be sharp-edged and gritty in character.
VO
The VO engine is a voice synthesizer similar in sound to the Speak & SpellSpeak & Spell (toy)
The Speak & Spell line is a series of electronic handheld educational toys created by Texas Instruments that consist of a speech synthesizer, a keyboard, and a receptor slot to receive one of a collection of ROM game library modules...
of the 1980s.
FM+
FM+ sounds similar to the Yamaha DXYamaha DX1
The Yamaha DX1 is the top-level member of Yamaha's prolific DX series of FM synthesizers. It featured two sets of the same synthesizer chipset used in the DX7, allowing either double the polyphony or dual simultaneous instrument patches. In addition, it contained twice the amount of patch memory...
series synthesizers, which use frequency modulation
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
to construct sound.
SuperWave
SuperWave is a synth engine. Elektron states it is "based on the analog world of synthesizers."DigiPro
DigiPro is a machine that offers raw, 12-bitBit
A bit is the basic unit of information in computing and telecommunications; it is the amount of information stored by a digital device or other physical system that exists in one of two possible distinct states...
digital waveform
Waveform
Waveform means the shape and form of a signal such as a wave moving in a physical medium or an abstract representation.In many cases the medium in which the wave is being propagated does not permit a direct visual image of the form. In these cases, the term 'waveform' refers to the shape of a graph...
s. DigiPro-Wave offers 32 waveforms, with interpolation
Interpolation
In the mathematical field of numerical analysis, interpolation is a method of constructing new data points within the range of a discrete set of known data points....
between adjacent waveforms. DigiPro Beat Box is a drum machine, featuring 24 12-bit percussion samples. DigiPro Doubledraw lets the user to create an oscillator by blending two different waveforms. DigiPro Ensemble resembles the SuperWave Ensemble machine, but is built for use with the fixed DigiPro waveforms or those loaded by the user. The Doubledraw and Ensemble machines are only available on the MkII.
Bands and Artists that use Monomachine
- Zombie NationZombie Nation (band)Zombie Nation is a German techno and electro project of the Munich based DJ and producer Florian Senfter.-History:The first Zombie Nation five track EP was released in the spring of 1999 on DJ Hell's label, International DeeJay Gigolo Records...
- Boys NoizeBoys NoizeBoys Noize is the stage name of Alexander Ridha, a German electronic music producer and DJ. It is similar to the name of Ridha's label, Boysnoize Records, which he established in 2005...
- AutechreAutechreAutechre are an English electronic music duo consisting of Rob Brown and Sean Booth, both natives of Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1987, they are one of the most prominent acts signed to Warp Records, a label known for its pioneering electronic music and through which all Autechre albums...
- The KnifeThe KnifeThe Knife are a Swedish electronic music duo from Gothenburg, formed in 1999. The group consists of siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer, who together also run their own record company, Rabid Records. They first received international attention after their song "Heartbeats", covered by...
- Jimmy Tamborello
- Hot ChipHot ChipHot Chip are an English electronic indie band. They have released four studio albums—Coming on Strong, The Warning, Made in the Dark and One Life Stand.-Formation:...
- trash80Trash80Trash80 is a micromusic/bitpop project from Timothy Lamb , a pioneer of independent Game Boy music. He has published several songs online under the Creative Commons License under the Trash80 and Tresk banners...
- The Chemical BrothersThe Chemical BrothersThe Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Originating in Manchester in 1991, along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Crystal Method, and fellow acts, they were pioneers at bringing the big beat genre to the forefront of pop culture.- Background...
- White TownWhite TownWhite Town is a musical act from the United Kingdom, and is the work of one man, Jyoti Prakash Mishra.-Career:Mishra was born in Rourkela, Orissa, India on 30 July 1966 and has lived in England since the age of three...