AudioPilz’s Latest Dive: The RAW Truth

So you’re expecting the next Octatrack, are you? Well, bad news – the Elektron Toneverk isn’t it. AudioPilz kicks off with his signature sharp tongue, noting that despite its initial raw appeal, the Toneverk has some glaring drawbacks right from the outset. There’s no crossfader – a glaring miss for any Elektron fan. Try loading from an SD card? Forget it – the RAM is tragically pedestrian at 4GB. The polyphony tech specs are foggy at best, and don’t even get started on the atrocious loading times. It makes you question if the gadget is still in its alpha testing phase. While we might forgive Elektron for their first polyphonic sampler, the lack of something as downright crucial as overbridge support on release is a real kicker.

As we delve deeper into the unpolished heart of the Toneverk, it’s clear that many features leave something to be desired. Beyond sampling and autosampling – a touted feature that’s not up to snuff – there are subtracks, allowing a basic kit-like structure for sample playback. However, the absence of Digitone FM engines or even basic time-stretching feels like a backstep. What keeps the Toneverk from being a complete train wreck are some modern multi-mode filters and up to three LFOs per playback track, letting users indulge in a certain hi-fi thrill. But of course, AudioPilz points out, compared to the mighty Octatrack, some of the best-known Electron features like slicing and slicing are missing. The internal effects, though, are a saving grace, with sends, inserts, and some genuinely impressive FX programs like the Chrono Pitch and Dirt Shaper. It’s almost like Elektron tossed in a medley of effects to mask the shortcomings.

Polyphonic sequencing on DAWless rigs is always a challenge, but Elektron’s taken a stab at it with some intriguing ideas. The Velocityless one-octave keyboard might irritate purists but gives enough info to confidently step edit. Sadly, page LEDs are mysteriously absent, yet the extended pattern lengths – now up to 256 steps – and polyphonic microtiming are definite pluses. For those prey to the shackles of incessant melody adjustments, quick transformation and transposition features might just save their sanity. The new performance mode introduces a strikingly intuitive feature that saves settings temporarily, freeing users to experiment without fear. While the absence of the sought-after Electron arpeggiator from its other machines hits hard, it’s not all despair. There’s chord mode and scales for those who dread a blank musical canvas.

When it comes to connectivity, Elektron seems to come in half-cocked. AudioPilz notes the locked USB is handy for power and computer connections, although it lacks host capability. With six outputs on offer, it’s a step in the right direction, but still shy of perfect. The preset browser is lacking polish, akin to a wet lettuce in terms of execution. Then there’s the matter of cost – cheaper than a new Octatrack MK2, certainly, but still steep for what feels like an extended beta test. It’s as if Electron thought a sprinkling of new features would justify a heady price tag. The new form factor might be darling for deck-saving enthusiasts, but it hardly warrants the premium.