Elektron Analog Rytm MKIIFrom real comments

Name: Elektron Analog Rytm MKII
Rating: 3.2 (12 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 12 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%

PROS 67%

CONS 33%

Rank based on 12 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a genuinely distinctive, massive analog drum sound rather than a Roland clone
You're an experienced Elektron user drawn to deep sound design and onboard FX
You like the idea of building full tracks using just the Rytm's engine and effects

What users love

Massive, distinctive analog drum sound0 mentions

Strongly positive

Praised by long-time and new users alike0 mentions

Strongly positive

Capable of full, polished tracks on its own0 mentions

Strongly positive

More than just a drum machine0 mentions

Widely praised

Generates strong anticipation/desire0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You're sensitive to distortion or noise character in kick and snare sounds
You're on a tight budget and mainly want it for hip-hop style production
You'd be bothered by non-removable colored pad lighting

What users complain about

Harsh or distorted default tone for some0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Snare tone can sound lo-fi or grating0 mentions

Generally negative

Perceived poor value for some genres0 mentions

Generally negative

Pad lighting may be unwanted by some0 mentions

Mildly negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Articulate sound

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Strong overall tone quality

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Long-term reliability and board loyalty

Simple, intuitive controls

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Distortion at high settings

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Sweet, low-gain tone quality

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Deluxe loses some original character

Limited mid control

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Demo videos undersell the pedal

Noticeable noise floor

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5Premium

Eventide Orville

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High-quality warm pitch shifting

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Cheaper alternatives may suffice

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6Premium

Origin Effects Deluxe61

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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

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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

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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

Wampler Tumnus V2

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Two-channel routing complexity

Dry signal bleed-through

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You are here

31Premium

Elektron Analog Rytm MKII

Capable of full, polished tracks on its ownMassive, distinctive analog drum soundPraised by long-time and new users alikeHarsh or distorted default tone for somePad lighting may be unwanted by somePerceived poor value for some genres

Elektron Analog Rytm MKII

Capable of full, polished tracks on its own

Massive, distinctive analog drum sound

Praised by long-time and new users alike

Harsh or distorted default tone for some

Pad lighting may be unwanted by some

Perceived poor value for some genres

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Elektron Analog Rytm MKIIarrow_downward1
2. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
3. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Its analog sound engine is praised as massive and genuinely different from typical drum machines. Multiple commenters highlight that the Rytm MKII doesn't just imitate classic Roland drum machine tones, instead offering its own huge, rumbling analog kick and percussion character. A drummer specifically wants this kind of real analog rumble to differentiate their live sound from sample-based triggers, while a 20-year Elektron veteran calls a demo track 'next level.'

Viewers are impressed by full tracks built using the Rytm's own FX and sound design. One commenter asks in detail whether wide reverb and string-like textures in a demo come from the Rytm's onboard reverb and delay, or outboard gear, and inquires about Analog Heat versus the built-in Analog Drive. This curiosity, paired with praise like 'the best music I've heard on the rytm mk2,' shows the machine is seen as capable of producing polished, complete tracks on its own.

Not everyone loves its raw, distorted tone or its price for certain use cases. One listener dismisses a kick sound as 'garbage,' attributing it to a taste for distortion and noise they don't share, while another finds a snare's slightly lo-fi character grating and asks if it 'cleans up' well. A separate commenter feels that for the money, the Rytm isn't worth it for hip-hop-style production, suggesting its aggressive analog character and price won't suit every genre or budget.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqMassive, distinctive analog drum sound

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Commenters praise the Rytm MKII for having a huge, unique analog kick and percussion character that doesn't just imitate classic Roland drum machines. A drummer specifically seeks this kind of real analog rumble to stand out from sample-based triggers.

@Meteotrance

This is exactly what i need to listen from an analog drum machine this thing is not trying to be a TR 909 or 808 , it's massive kick and other analog perc try to be something else and we realy need something new in E Drum sound the Nord Drum sound engine can be the way the Roland TR 1000 is great but too expensive and not as massive sounding as this thing. Im probably buying analog drum module that replicated the Simmons drum sound and also the Pearl Syncussion rebuild by Behringer i need to get outside the scope of classical Roland drum sound, im also a drummer that have expand is acoustic drum kit with a lot of DDrum and Roland trigger module i just need massive analog synth on my kit sampling is already easy to use on my kit. But real analog rumble should make a difference on stage . I can play as straight as '' Blue Monday '' stuff or even drum n bass so, if i get analog synth kick and snare and tom sound, i could devellop my musical project based on drum and electronic dance music ...

smart_display

May 11, 2026

@samgamgie-tan5980

Superb ! No talking and huge sound, all we love about this machine (that i own at last :-))

smart_display

May 27, 2025

thumb_upPraised by long-time and new users alike

2 mentions

Strongly positive

A 20-year Elektron veteran calls a demo 'next level,' while another commenter is thrilled to finally own the machine and hear its full sound.

@samgamgie-tan5980

Superb ! No talking and huge sound, all we love about this machine (that i own at last :-))

smart_display

May 27, 2025

@theway3058

This is so next level it’s nuts. An I’ve been on the Elektron’s for 20 years I think. So sic.

smart_display

October 18, 2020

equalizerCapable of full, polished tracks on its own

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Viewers are impressed that entire tracks with wide FX, reverb and delay-like textures can reportedly be made 'just' on the Rytm, prompting detailed questions about its onboard effects versus outboard gear.

@leonprofes8544

Yo man you need to release more of these. Amaziung stuff. I am trying to educate myself on the Rytm MK2 upfront. I know Digitakt II is more capable when it comes to sample manglig but what I am after is sound and simplicity. That said I am trying to understand how do you get such nice wide FX and strings etc. Are these sent to Rytm MK2 reverb or this is some outboard reverb and delay? Is this track really \"just\" Rytm ? Btw do you have opinion on Analog Heat versus Analog drive on Rytm? Do I need Heat? My idea for now is to invest in Rytm MK2 and learn it. Then maybe and perhaps maybe Tonewerk for some ridiculous sample mangling...Anyway looking forward to your opinion + this track is killller!!!!!!!!!!!!

smart_display

September 17, 2025

@alexanderjansson8689

This is pretty amazing! Probably the best music I’ve heard on the rytm mk2 🎉😏

smart_display

September 8, 2025

appsMore than just a drum machine

1 mentions

Widely praised

A user calls it 'amazing' and notes it does more than drums, especially with the latest iOS integration.

@Jerbear1975

Rytm is a amazing drum machine and more. With the latest iOS it’s just insane

smart_display

November 27, 2019

favoriteGenerates strong anticipation/desire

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter says they 'can't wait' to get their own unit after hearing the sound, reflecting positive buzz around the machine.

@northerntao

Sounds really great. Can't wait to get mine - hint, hint. :)

smart_display

January 18, 2018

warningHarsh or distorted default tone for some

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One listener bluntly calls a demoed kick sound 'garbage,' attributing the character to excessive distortion and noise that they personally dislike.

@snoolee7950

why you pick the garbage kick drum sound. you might enjoy distortion and noise. I don't. -but I still put an upvote.

smart_display

December 23, 2019

volume_offSnare tone can sound lo-fi or grating

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter describes a snare as having an '8-bit' quality that's 'pretty icky,' asking whether it can be cleaned up to sound less raw.

@alyeska4226

Just as i was complaining about the 8-bit sound, the snare jumped in to water my mouth. Pretty icky. Does this clean up pretty well?

smart_display

November 17, 2018

attach_moneyPerceived poor value for some genres

1 mentions

Generally negative

One commenter feels that for the price, the Rytm isn't worth it when used for hip-hop style production, suggesting a mismatch between cost and their intended use.

@carlmartinez5234

for that type of money; sound to hip hop. not worth it!

smart_display

January 22, 2019

lightbulbPad lighting may be unwanted by some

1 mentions

Mildly negative

A viewer asks whether the colored lights on the pads can be switched off, implying they may find the lighting unnecessary or distracting.

@johncameron1303

Can you switch the coloured lights on the pads off or are they necessary?

smart_display

September 2, 2018

Elektron Analog Rytm MKIIchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Elektron Analog Rytm MKIIFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression