Elektron Digitone IIFrom real comments

Name: Elektron Digitone II
Rating: 2.8 (28 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 28 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment69%

PROS 69%

CONS 31%

Rank based on 28 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a streamlined 16-track live FM setup with fewer other boxes in the studio
You love deep, weird, experimental FM sound design and per-step editing
You want a powerful standalone FM drum machine alongside synth tracks

What users love

16-track FM sound design depthKey factor0 mentions

Strongly positive

Strong upgrade motivator for original ownersNotable0 mentions

Strongly positive

Powerful, near-unlimited sequencerNotable0 mentions

Strongly positive

Excellent FM drum machine0 mentions

Strongly positive

Great value versus buying separate boxes0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You need more than 4 FM operators or extensive modulation routing like the OpSix/OP-XY
You want simple, immediate straightforward electronic music without a steep learning curve
You're satisfied with a used original Digitone, now much cheaper on the secondhand market

What users complain about

Limited LFOs and modulation routing0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Steep learning curve, geeky workflow0 mentions

Generally negative

Pricing concerns for an iterative update0 mentions

Generally negative

Fewer FM operators than competitors0 mentions

Generally negative

Outdated mixing and EQ tools0 mentions

Generally negative

Possible build-quality issues0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Articulate sound

Great with extended-range guitars

Strong overall tone quality

Price concerns

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Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings

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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

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Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control

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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

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Exceptional versatility

Natural, amp-like tone

Powerful 3-band EQ

Demo videos undersell the pedal

Noticeable noise floor

Volume drop when engaged

5Premium

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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

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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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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

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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

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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

Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones

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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

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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 Digitone II

16-track FM sound design depthStrong upgrade motivator for original ownersPowerful, near-unlimited sequencerLimited LFOs and modulation routingPricing concerns for an iterative updateSteep learning curve, geeky workflow

Elektron Digitone II

16-track FM sound design depth

Strong upgrade motivator for original owners

Powerful, near-unlimited sequencer

Limited LFOs and modulation routing

Pricing concerns for an iterative update

Steep learning curve, geeky workflow

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
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

The 16-track, dual-engine architecture massively expands what one box can do live. Commenters highlight that doubling tracks and voices, adding per-track synth engine choice, and an FM drum machine make the Digitone II ideal for streamlined live setups with fewer other machines. Some specifically upgraded for the 8-track drum machine capability alone, while others note the sequencer is unparalleled and lets them explore modular-style sequencing possibilities they hadn't tried before.

Sound design range is praised as wild, immediate, and endlessly explorable. Users describe obliterating and rebuilding sounds until they 'magically' work, calling FM on the DN2 'wild' and possibilities 'virtually endless.' The wavetable-style engine, morphing controls, and per-step sound editing make patches feel more immediate and satisfying than the original, though several admit they've barely scratched the surface after purchase.

Some feel the modulation and mixing toolkit hasn't kept pace with the marketing. Critics point out only 3 LFOs per track despite 'modular workflow' claims, no assignable envelope, single mod destinations, and outdated EQ/mixing options. Others question why operator count stayed at 4 versus competitors' 6, and one user cites build-quality rumors, suggesting the sequel's price isn't fully justified without future feature updates.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eq16-track FM sound design depthKey factor

6 mentions

Strongly positive

Users repeatedly praise the ability to build and progressively mangle FM sounds into strange, satisfying textures. The doubled track count and per-track synth engines are seen as transformative for live and studio work.

@compucorder64

The Digitone II is probably worth the price for people who are building a stream-lined live setup. Or have relatively few other sound machines in the studio. Because they'd appreciate the doubling of tracks and voices. But in a well-stocked studio, a £400 second-hand Digitone I is great for most things, and you can strap a Volca FM to the external inputs for more FM polysynth voices. The other case where a Digitone II is really worth it, is when you want to use it as a powerful FM drum machine - which the Digitone II is awesome for. If I upgrade mine, it would be for the 8-track drum machine aspect. The four tracks aspect is a bit limiting, when sequencing with Oxi One. You can do workaround things with midi mapping that works in a pinch, but it's honestly a PITA to sequence the Digitone I externally as an 8-voice drum machine.

Elektron Digitone IIchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

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What users lovefavorite_border

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Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Elektron Digitone IIFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression