Elektron Digitone KeysFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment46%
PROS 46%
CONS 54%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want the Digitone's FM engine with a built-in keyboard, extra knobs, and multi-out stereo channels
  • You value distinctive, tank-built Elektron design and don't mind an unconventional offset layout
  • You're a left-handed player or don't mind wheels positioned on the left side

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're price-sensitive and could buy a standalone Digitone plus Digitakt for similar money
  • You're right-handed and want ergonomic mod/pitch wheel placement without 'happy accidents'
  • You want a full 5-octave keyboard rather than a compact 37-key layout with knobs taking up width

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
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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
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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 Digitone Keys
Distinctive FM Sound EngineDistinctive, Eye-Catching DesignStrong Community EnthusiasmHigh Price PremiumAwkward Ergonomics for Right-Handed PlayersPolarizing Overall Design
Elektron Digitone Keys
Distinctive FM Sound Engine
Distinctive, Eye-Catching Design
Strong Community Enthusiasm
High Price Premium
Awkward Ergonomics for Right-Handed Players
Polarizing Overall Design

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The FM sound engine remains the star of the show, praised as fresh and inspiring. Multiple commenters highlight that the Digitone Keys retains the same powerful, distinctive FM synthesis that made the original Digitone beloved, describing it as anti-EDM, punchy, and reminiscent of classic FM-driven records. Even skeptics of the design admit the sounds it produces are incredible and that the instrument can be used to create outstanding music. One user noted struggling with menu diving on the keyless version, suggesting the keyboard and extra knobs improve accessibility to those sounds.

The offset knobs-left, keys-right layout is the most divisive design choice. Several right-handed users report awkward mod and pitch wheel placement causing 'happy accidents' and wishing knobs were on the right side instead. Others love the unconventional look, comparing it to the classic Monomachine SFX-6, and appreciate that the form factor lets other Elektron gear be mounted directly behind it for a compact rack-like setup, though some call it fragile-looking or a lazy design effort.

Price is the most consistently cited barrier to purchase. Commenters repeatedly note the Digitone Keys costs far more than a standalone Digitone for essentially adding a 3-octave keyboard, with some citing price gaps of 450-600+ in local currency. Many suggest buying two Digitones, or a Digitone plus Digitakt, delivers more value for similar money. Several say they'd buy it if the price dropped, and note used prices have already fallen, making it more attractive secondhand.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?