LiamKillen Takes on the Digitone II – A Sonic Beast Unleashed

From the start, Liam brings his viewers into the sound laboratory with the Digitone 2, questioning how this powerhouse of a synth slipped past his radar. Reflecting on his experience with the original Digitone, he admits it didn’t quite meld with his sound preferences, coming across as a bit primitive and FM-heavy. But, like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes, the Digitone II emerges, boasting leaps that place it light years ahead of its predecessor. The addition of various “machines” like FM tone, FM drum, wave tone, and swarmer piques his interest. It’s obvious that Elektron’s been listening to their community, tweaking and refining their offerings for the modern synthwave warrior.

Presets are key, and the Digitone II’s offerings are nothing short of spectacular. Liam gushes over the presets as amazing starting points, a treasure chest of auditory joy. These presets rival anything from a Mario Kart soundtrack to underground Berlin techno; they’ve got range! Liam’s eyes twinkle with excitement as he navigates through them, comparing them favourably to the rather elementary presets of the OG Digitone. He revisits his earlier notion about presets being mere tools, asserting their value as vital creative springboards. The Digitone II’s presets might just make you reconsider how you’ve been approaching synthesis. Whether you’re crafting Super Nintendo soundscapes or tribal techno tributes, the Digitone II has a preset primed and ready to elevate your sound into new dimensions.

Liam jumps into the nitty-gritty of drum creation with the Digitone II, crafting beats from scratch and layering in the elements that give his sound its unique character. Focusing on his favorite kick, BD Busted, he tweaks noise levels and transients to sculpt a rhythm that’s both punchy and rich. Liam marvels at how the Digitone II’s drums stand up to the Analog Rhythm MKII – a shameless punch to the nostalgia gut. He praises the ease with which you can morph presets into unexpected sonic wonders. With each knob twist and parameter tweak, Liam crafts kicks that echo through the digital ether, transforming a simple sound into a complex narrative laden with dark rhythms and atmospheric tension.

In this segment, Liam goes all-in with the sequencer, laying down the law of trigs and mods. It’s a headline act of creativity where random becomes rhythm and chaos turns cool. The typical Elektron sequencer magic is in full force, with Liam charming maximum modulation mayhem out of his setups. He elaborates on his love for manipulating trig parameters – a staple in his production arsenal. Each tweak brings a sonic smile, and it’s evident he’s in his element. From subtle filter changes to bold synth page adventures, Liam paints a soundscape that shifts tectonically with each sequence, maintaining an infectious rhythm throughout. This section is a testament to just how liberating and intoxicating dialling in a perfect patch can be, particularly for those willing to embrace the random and unpredictable.