Elektron Tonverk Leak: Elektron’s Official Response
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Elektron Tonverk is just a prototype? · Source: Elektron
Elektron Tonverk · Source: Reddit
Looks legit... · Source: Reddit
The original poster even photographed the PCB! · Source: Reddit
[30 September 2024] The company responds to the Elektron Tonverk rumors, hinting it’s just a prototype, revealing Overbridge for Digitakt II is “soon done.”
Elektron Tonverk Leak: It’s a… Protoype?
Last week, images appeared on the internet of a supposed new Elektron device, the Tonverk. Was this the new Octatrack? Or some other new device?
Now Elektron has made an official comment on the Elektronauts site in response to the speculation:
“It’s great to see the speculation in the threads even if things occasionally drift a little off-piste. At any given time there are a number of prototypes in various stages of development. It would be strange if we didn’t have any since creating music machines is what we love doing. Some eventually see the light of day and others stay in the proto stage.”
So, just a prototype device that somehow got out of the office and onto a Chinese auction site (which is apparently where the pictures are from)? The Tonverk could just be an idea that they’re kicking around – or the message itself could be spin. Only time will tell.
In other news, Elektron did mention in the same post that the company was closing in on a release for Overbridge for Digitakt II, among other things.
Elektron Tonverk Leak! Is This the New Octatrack?
[24 September 2024] Multiple sound engines! Two USB-C ports! SD card slot! Onboard keyboard! Is the Elektron Tonverk even real?
Elektron Tonverk Leak
The synthernet is all abuzz with pictures of a leaked Elektron instrument. Called Tonverk, it first appeared on Elektronauts, Elektron’s forum site, before being deleted and making the jump to Reddit r/synthesizers.
Where the photos came from, no one knows, but they appear to show a (rather dusty) new device, the Elektron Tonverk. Elektron superfans will know that the company registered the name Tonverk as a trademark in February of this year. Is this it?
Elektron Tonverk: Pure Spekulation
As there was no accompanying information and Elektron has yet to confirm or deny anything (other than deleting the original post), all we can do is speculate on what’s in the photos.
The photos (are they Chinese?) show a new tabletop instrument in typical Elektron style, wider than a Digitakt and closer to an Oktatrak in size. It has DX7-like teal and purple color accents, suggesting possible inclusion of FM, but also some hints that sampling will be involved, like audio in and an SD card slot.
The display screen in the photo shows “Engine inactive,” suggesting multiple sound engines. My money is on at least FM and sampling but an analog engine would be nice too.
Elektron Tonverk: Sequencer, Keyboard and Effects
From the photo, it’s likely that this possible Elektron Tonverk has a 16-step sequencer, 13-key button-style keyboard and 10 rotary encoders. Audio and MIDI track buttons also suggest that it will have eight audio and 12 MIDI tracks.
There also appear to be effects. One eagle-eyed Reddit user commented, “The MOD/Matrix button and the three Send FX trigs are very interesting. That suggests more programmable effects routing than just the fixed Reverb/Delay/Chorus sends the other small boxes have, more like the Octatrack.”
Elektron Tonverk: Connectivity
Connectivity labeling reveals some surprising things, such as two USB-C ports. There’s an SD card slot suggesting sample import plus two audio-in ports, which also suggest sampling. In terms of outputs, there are four: A/B for main outs and C/D as a secondary out pair. It will also have MIDI in/out and thru.
Elektron Tonverk: Thoughts
Many people are saying that – assuming this is real – the Elektron Tonverk will be the new Octatrack. The original Octatrack was immensely popular, with techno producers particularly using it in their live sets. The Octatrack MKII came out in 2017, so we’re definitely overdue for a refresh of the series.
As for the name, I’m no expert on European languages but that ‘ton’ part had me intrigued. Turns out that tonwerk with a W means musical composition in German. This suggests an instrument that is more than just a drum machine, with synthesizer-like composition elements as well.
Elektron has yet to comment on the possible Tonverk. Of course, no price or availability information as of yet. First we have to confirm that it’s real. Stay tuned.
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- Elektron home page
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5 responses to “Elektron Tonverk Leak: Elektron’s Official Response”
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Its developer box.
Syntakt, Analog 4, and Digitone had a baby
I dunno why we’re looking up the German definitions, since Elektron are Swedish. Isn’t it obvious to anyone that speaks English already, though? Tonwerk -> Tone Work
It seems like it could be a combination of Digitakt II and Digitone. Not fond of this new width.. the smaller boxes fit side-by-side in a rack and the new mk2 modules fit great in a rack alone
No crossfader makes me think this is in no way an Octatrack replacement
Verk in swedish does not translate to the verb work, but the noun, though it sounds old timey if you use it for anything else than a composition or art piece. That is probably the most common usage, an art piece is a “verk” in Swedish
It can also in certain combinations mean something like factory or work site – sågverk, ”saw worksite” is a sawmill
Ton is musical note as well as tone, so my spontanious interpretation as a swedish person is ”musical note factory” and ”art piece made of musical notes” and sound vaguely archaic
Maybe tonverk has been used for musical compositions in the past, not sure, but the modern term would be just verk.
love to see the make a machine with more than 2 or 3 midi outs to control external gear