Elektron Analog RytmFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 42 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment62%
PROS 62%
CONS 38%

Rank based on 42 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want deep, long-term sound design potential in analog drum synthesis
  • You value a company that keeps supporting old hardware with updates
  • You're willing to invest real time learning gain staging and the sequencer

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You want instant gratification without a learning curve
  • You're on a tight budget and a used MK1 or Digitakt fits better
  • You need pristine, clean 909/808-style sounds out of the box

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Elektron Analog Rytm
Deep analog sound designEnduring workhorse reputationLong-term firmware supportSteep learning curveHigh price relative to alternativesPad responsiveness issues
Elektron Analog Rytm
Deep analog sound design
Enduring workhorse reputation
Long-term firmware support
Steep learning curve
High price relative to alternatives
Pad responsiveness issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners describe a machine with enormous long-term sound design depth. Multiple long-term users say the Rytm's analog drum circuits, combined with filter, overdrive and LFO modulation, are extremely capable and where the machine truly shines. Others note that even after years and many demos, there's always more to discover, and that parameter locks let you sculpt sounds to your liking. This depth is repeatedly cited as the reason people keep the machine for a decade or more.

The learning curve and gain staging trip up even experienced users. Commenters call gainstaging the hardest part to grasp, especially when layering samples with analog voices before the filter. Others describe being totally stumped, needing to rewatch tutorials repeatedly, and taking years to fully understand performance modes. Even experienced synth players report a steep, wide learning curve requiring patience before things click.

Pads and stock kick/hat sounds are recurring pain points. Several users find MK2 pads stiff and unresponsive, requiring hard hits for high velocity, though one explains dust on sensors is often the culprit and cleaning restores performance. Kicks and hats are frequently called disappointing out of the box, though users note combining kicks with a rumble sample and distortion, or careful snare tweaking, can yield much better results.

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