Machinedrum 10 year review & Deep Dive

[@MrRachele]

I like to call my Machinedrum a drum synth. But I hear you on the modular front. Coming back to the MD after learning modular synth techniques, the MD did open up and now I love it even more than before. Staple in the studio and live. Still my favourite Elektron box. Although admittedly I have none of the newer mk2 or square boxes. All the old boxes are enough for me.

[@whatistau]

It has such a unique sound.. Gerlad Donald (Heinrich Mueller, Arpanet) used it extensively on many of his late albums. Quantum Transposition is made almost entrely on MD & MM

[@J1M0TEE]

Yes mate! So good to see some love for the OG non-UW Machinedrum! 🙏🏻🧡 I recently picked one up and absolutely love it. The sound design possibilities are incredibly vast on this beast. I love the sounds and patterns you’ve teased out of it. Thanks for sharing, brother ✌🏻

[@mattkaz9604]

It's still the drum machine that I find most interesting and versatile. It lacks some newer sequencer developments from the newer elektrons, but the sound of it is still more unique and inspiring.

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

Yeah the Machinedrum was my first Elektron box… it’s still one of my favorites! What it lacks I. Modern Elektron sequencer power, it makes up for with the assignable 16 LFOs!!!

[@RP-mp4ow]

Individual track sounds would be nice. The rest can be externally sequenced, but that's where my workflow with this incredible machine broke(and would break again if I ever got another opportunity with this machine(drum)) Still, no other drum machine was as deep or as boundless feeling as this one. Still my favorite despite its shortcomings

[@DanielD.mp3]

Was really hoping you’d get into some of the programming techniques on these! Every pattern is magical.

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

I'll make a video about my programing approach to the MD. Thanks!

[@jehr897]

Great beats. Would also love to see a workflow video along with how you apply ROM/RAM machines for some crazy IDM stuff. A tutorial would be sick! Keep up the killer grooves.

[@Claidheambmor]

@@jehr897 Gonna be hard to demo on the Mk1 non-UW

[@jehr897]

@@Claidheambmor just noticed this!

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Hugely helpful to hear long term experiences, big thanks

[@ubiquitousreverser]

Mmm, yes, yes. Love the sound. I always enjoy your vibe w/your music & this just makes me want to sample this video and others use of the MD and get to cutting and shaping the sonics in the OT. ❤ Also have enjoyed these ‘long term’ reviews to hear on the experienced perspective of gear rather than the first impressions. Thanks for sharing the MD love.

[@subradial]

Love the sounds and patterns, thanks for great video! It is my favourite Elektron box along with Monomachine and Octatrack, pretty much endless possibilities of sonic manipulations / modulations and palette, especially when combined together, nothing comes close apart from modular setups. If I have to sell all my gear but could keep 3 boxes - those will be the keepers!

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

Awesome, thank you! Yeah if I had a monomachine I would keep those three as well!

[@KentBuchla]

Very nice programs and use of modulation, Shiro.

[@JoshBeavers]

You've made some amazing and sick patterns. Great work on this thing!

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

Glad you like them! Thanks.

[@browe]

Happy New Year! Peace and respect. MD is a beautiful instrument (I loved my MK II--no special pedigree like yours) and makes a lovely companion to its sister the Monomachine.

[@churlishbeardo]

Oh, that’s a MK1 - I’d forgotten that they only sported two bars. Great kits and patterns here, thanks.

[@kablehead]

I wish they would bring it out again. And i'd like to have a red display on all my elektron devices. 🙂

[@hesher2301]

White or black displays much better ))

[@kablehead]

​@@hesher2301 Red displays very much better )))

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Excellent demo. Thx so much. I have a MKII arriving in a couple of days. Excited? Errr, just a bit.

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

yeah! thats a great reason to get excited. congrats

[@ElectronicazMusic]

@@VoltageCtrlRtv 🤗

[@SONICrider]

Happy I found this... Have one 2 and this gave me new directions, thanks \0/

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

Yeah! it's one of my all time favorite instruments after the modular synthesizer

[@SONICrider]

@@VoltageCtrlRtv - kinda agree, modular is my first go to... take care!

[@ricardovtoledo7139]

Buen video maestro, gracia por el gran trabajo

[@ukbloke28]

all your beats are so fresh! 7:14 - how are you getting the reversed reverb effect on the clap here? sounds so good

[@jamiekent673]

Great video 👌, I remember trying to get my hands on either a Machinedrum or a Monomachine from 2006 till about 2009, they seemed so expensive for my student pokets. They just looked so cool and different and everyone who owned one just seemed content, like they had seen the light or something 😅... Anyway never did manage to get the cash together to buy one and went through a string of cheaper hardware synths... So when I walked into a music store in 2017 and saw a digitakt for the first time my mouth just dropped... It's been my "go to" everything since... I sometimes sequence a nord drum with it for some pseudo Machinedrum vibes 😏...

[@blindeveloper]

happy owner of one. it's magical box. I had OT and DT sold them. MD is keeper for sure. ps: great video! ambient kits were amazing!

[@SpikesStudio3]

Ah bro, that was sweet. Im UW but the md is one of the best drum machines ever made. It was "right place, right time". "With love from sweden" it says in the box. Gold.

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

Absolutely one of the best drum machine ever! Thanks.

[@fsuchs]

Exciting video!

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

glad you enjoyed it.

[@fsuchs]

Really you beat composing skills are enjoyable :) I need to work on my MD a bit more ;)

[@blush_response]

dope grooves, Shiro :)

[@dracul74]

Sounds great!

[@OrignialDublix]

awesome demo! impressive projects

[@tolookatyou]

Love this!

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

Thanks for ya eyes and ears!

[@tteejj_]

Great video! I just got my hands on one but it needs a little love. Who do I get at the Elektron office in LA to send to? Thanks again!

[@SONWU]

Hey! The kit starting at 04:13 …is that snare synthesized? If yes, that is impressive!

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

All sounds were made with the Machinedrum machines, no samples on the OG MD. Peace bro!

[@SONWU]

Thanks for your answer! woweee…very nice :)@@VoltageCtrlRtv

[@ukbloke28]

Every beat is incredible. Do you have anywhere I can buy full length versions, I’d listen to this all day?

[@adamjohnson5152]

Hey Voltage Control, great content. Your beat compositions are inspiring. Do you think it’s worth getting the UX version over the non UX version? I am looking for an instrument where I can learn drum sound design and synthesis, but that last me awhile in terms of versatility. I was considering the Tempest, but the Machine Drum seems like a better place to start. Would appreciate your insight.

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

I like the original Machinedrum, I didn't need the sampling capabilities. I like the synth engines in it, it's sooo good for sound design... the Machinedrum is like a digital modular synth disguised as a drum machine. I do have to say the Tempest is an incredible instrument, damn it, now you got me thinking about adding one to the collection. hahaa

[@adamjohnson5152]

@@VoltageCtrlRtv I appreciate for your input. Thank you. Do you know if the synth engine is different in the original Machine Drum from the UW version? I couldn’t find any comparison in terms of sound. Also, I would be curious what you could do with the Tempest.

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

They have the same synth machines, the UW version is really cool, I just didn't need to spend extra for more sampling, I already have 2 Octatracks, a Digitakt, OP-1, OP-Z and my OG MPC60II. Send help. hahaha

[@adamjohnson5152]

@@VoltageCtrlRtv Thanks for the advice. I’ll pick up the non UW, so I can focus on design and composition. I think a limited palette may work better to just develop my skill set first. I noticed you also use the Bluebox mixer. What are your thoughts on this unit? Would you prefer an analog mixer over this?

[@adamjohnson5152]

Hey VC, just got the Machinedrum drum original version. I have to wrap my head around and see what we can do. Thanks for the inspiration. Your demos convinced me.

[@whoadog8725]

Man… I regret selling mine. I love the Syntakt, but it’s not same mane.

[@patrikkonat3085]

VoltageCTRLRtv have you considered trying out the MegaCommand Live? It really makes the Machinedrum a little younger.

[@cold00n]

[@goutemouassa7537]

Amazing video, just discovered your channel. Does the Syntakt get into MD territories ? 2nd hand price in France are similar for a non UW version

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

thanks for tuning in! The Syntakt tiptoes a litte bit in the Machinedrum direction, but the MD has deeper options for sound design.

[@lewis9898]

Elektron need to reissue the MD or make a Mk 3 asap!!

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

Yes indeed!

[@arhnstaylor4061]

Yes.

[@onesmallthought]

2:56 ✊ Which model do you have?

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

It's the OG non UW version.

[@delsinnisled9443]

how come the scale setup button has only 3 leds? fake machine?

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

I have the MK1 version, the 1st led is for 1/16 notes and the other 2 are for 1/32 notes that are split between page 1 and 2.

[@onesmallthought]

Just keep coming back to this video. it sounds like you're modulating the delay time with an lfo. How do you do that?

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

the 16 lfo's are assignable to pretty much every function in the Machinedrum, you can use multiple lfo's per sound if they are unused on other tracks.

[@quiddam]

sounds 100x better than the syntakt. I sold mine like a dumbass back in the day when I didn't know any better

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

I don't like pitting the Elektron boxes against each other, but I have to admit the Machinedrum is incredible!, and 100x better then the Syntakt. I really like being able to assign the unused LFO's to as many modulation points to one sound/machine. I just wish the MD had the modern day Elektron sequencer and it would be in god mode! I'm going to start a campaign/petition "Return of the Silver Elektrons" Machinedrum & Monomachine with modern sequencers and overbridge! Thanks in advance Elektron. LOL

[@irok81]

What model is this machine drum?

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

MK1

[@irok81]

@@VoltageCtrlRtv koo

[@irok81]

@@VoltageCtrlRtv thanks

[@ronsone8373]

Still relevant in 2024

[@CUSTOMERSERVICE-p3f]

Shameless plug that I'm selling mine :)

[@VoltageCtrlRtv]

no shame in that... you're in the right place.

[@Claidheambmor]

Considering you've not said where in the world you are or how much you're asking, it's not much of a plug.

[@mofateam1]

I still like my MD, it has a character of its own - the only not so great thing about it is the cheap reverb...

[@tristansotomayor8354]

The what reverb??

[@mofateam1]

@@tristansotomayor8354 I don´t like the sound of the MDs reverb...

[@NUNUA]

Infamous = well known for some bad quality or deed. This is the dictionary meaning.