Elektron Model:Cycles 5-stars Reviews

Model Cycles <3

This is my first elektron box, and i really happy to have this machine! Love the limitation the cycles have, make you go in different and sometimes unknown territories. Its has great power inside and the elektron sequencer makes it a beast, but not to forget the fm ghosts that live inside the machines...great work Elektron and Ess : ) I will never sell my model cycles :D

A Powerful Groovebox for Sound Sculpting

The Elektron Model:Cycles delivers a powerful FM synth engine and classic Elektron sequencer into a compact, portable groovebox. It offers unique and easygoing sound creation, inspiring sound and literally sculpting, and an intuitive interface that makes it perfect for both beginners and seasoned producers looking to explore new things.

Infinite cycles

So far it is been pleasure experience every time running the device and exploring new patters. It was probably the easiest user interface in my studio to learn and which gives so wide range of possibilities.

I found Model:Cycles useful for live performances and playing with band basically by having background metronome-style addition, worked great for transitions and just filling the silence with pattern when needed.

Integration with other devices through MIDI is easy. Straight forward connection to midi keyboard. Possible source of midi clock within which you can control BPM with single nob.

Macht Spass, klingt toll!

Nach vielen Test-Videos und Produktreviews die ich mir angeschaut habe. Ist das das erste Elektron Gerät, dass ich mir kaufen wollte. Quasi zum Einstieg. Tolles Ding, einfach, klingt super (FM Synthese).

Stabiles Plastikgehäuse. Wirkt wertig.

Womit ich ein wenig Probleme habe ist das Einbinden in Ableton. Midi und Export funktioniert für mich nicht ideal.

Aber sonst, Kaufempfehlung!

Groovebox drum machine

I have used this for awhile now. It is quite good machine for it's price.

Words to describe this small box: beginner friendly, high build quality, lot of features, groovebox and drum machine in one box. Possible to make high quality impressive things.

One thing i do not like so much: the buttons and features needed lot of tweaking initially to get workflow better. Default option choices are not good. So first i was a little bit disappointed about this but later i tweaked all the things in options menu i got it worked how it should.

A new instrument where the sum is infinitive greater than its parts

Elektron's Model Cycles is not a sum of its parts; with 6 'machines' (sound generators), 6 tracks with 6 accordingly pressure sensitive buttons, 3 fx (2 of them send fx), LFO, repeat function, sound locks (set multiple different simultaneous sounds per track), macro function e.t.c. features a virtually limitless sonic arsenal.

Combined with the top notch Elektron' s sequencing capabilities, it would be an understatement to be considered just another drum machine, groove machine, synthesizer or even worse, Digitone's cut down version, which has a totally different 'produced', clean 'hi-fi-ish' sound.

Cycles is so more than that. An instrument with a unique character of its own. A chameleon of moods, mods and genres, where every tiny parameter change or combination of settings, makes a real difference.

A special 'expansion' tip:

Connect Cycles via usb (using an Apple camera connection kit) to any iOS device (simultaneous midi and audio live connection) and control it within AUM iOS app, randomize its sounds or generate genre specific styles with Tension iOS app and get crazy and ever evolving, controlling Cycles' parametres via CC, with the additonal 16 LFOs (!!) of the mLFO ios app.

Can you stand the madness?

For an around 300 - 340$ street price it's a steal. A no brainer for an amateur, an enthusiast, a sound designer or a professional producer. I'm thinking of getting a second one, to expand my 'digital orchestra' to 12 tracks!

P.S. I've put 4 stars in 'features score', not because it lacks in the field, but not to get Elektron too comfortable and push them to keep developing Cycles' features.

Awesome!

Some say that the learning curve is somewhat steep, but I don't think so.

It's an amazing piece of gear. A really great choice. Lot's of fun.

Fm synthesis made simple

The sound of themodel cycles is based on fm synthesis. However, the user interface is known per function and easy to use. The pads are a bit stiff and the screen is very small but otherwise the handling is pretty straightforward. The model cycles has its own distinctive sound and for the price is great value for money

Electro Model Cyles is Dope

Really nice machine, fat sounds, really good for drum programming, easy to use for live electronics <3

Fantastic groovebox

Great value! The unit sounds great, and is remarkably complex and versatile. Especially great for percussive effects, but also a capable melodic/harmonic box. And the sequencer — the sequencer! Absolutely amazing and inspiring. Buy one already!

Very immediate sound machine

Not the most versatile machine you'll find, but so fun and immediate. Great to learn about sequencing. Sound editing is reduced to a barebone but very effective kind of Fm, mostly for drum sounds. (Chords and leads are nice but are going to sound the more samey if you use them a lot) But mostly it sound great, the kicks are great, metallic or snare too. Sounds are quirky or deep. You should listen to audios on the internet first though because it's nos a style that will fit in every kind of music.

An intuitive and simple machine

I was afraid of diving into FM synthesis straightaway and wanted to get this as sort of an "entry-level Digitone", and I'm having so much fun with it. It can be a powerful drum machine or even a melodic synth if you want it to be. Of course the famous Elektron sequencer makes it even more powerful with the trig conditions and the ability to record parameter automations. It's made of plastic, but feels sturdy. Highly recommended for beginners!

Mon premier pas réussi dans la musique modulaire FM

Faire ses premiers pas dans la musique électronique n'est pas si évident que ça au moment de choisir sa première machine. Ici Elektron a composé une machine qui procure beaucoup de plaisir et qui reste simple d'utilisation une fois qu'on a compris la logique du séquenceur Elektron qui offre énormément de possibilité. Ici pas de chichi, de grand écran ou de couleurs multiples. Juste le son et beaucoup de paramètres directement accessibles pour sculpter sa musique en fonction de l'émotion du moment le tout facilité par l'ergonomie bien pensée de la machine.

I love this groove box

I really love a lot of things about this groove box. The FM sounds it creates are insanely good, the kicks sound incredible. It really excells at creating ambient stuff as well as hard hitting techno.

I am releasing my first single in a few weeks and all of the music was created on the cycles, I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

The functionality is great, it is so intuiutve and inspires creativity in so many ways. Just playing around with different delay times can create cool grooves and the chance parameters can make almost generative sequences effortlessly.

A few limitations, as to be expected with something so well priced. Only one LFO can be applied to each track, which has left me wanting more from time to time. Also, you can't send the tracks to record separately through the USB, it records all tracks as one signal. I went around this by recording one track at a time which was time consuming but at least allowed for a good mix.

Over all, I think this an excellent machine and so much fun to get stuck into.

Great FM drum machine

Great product. Easy to use, plenty of low end and enough sounds to explore- save for the claps, a bit low on claps from the factory.

This is the first time I use a drum machine, so I can't really compare it with other products in a fair way. I've been recording with it and what I can say is in my opinion it justifies the 300e you pay for it in every way.

Fresh sounding samples, intuitive workflow once you learn how to use the controls. Well built, doesn't feel cheap in any way and I'm quite satisfied with it so far. The only obvious drawback it might have for someone like me (or someone who might want to do live performance with drum machines) is its classic small size with little pads, altough it has midi inputs and you can use it with another device (like a keyboard).

In my unexperienced opinion, it looks like a modern and more sophisticated answer to the Roland TR-08 or TR-09, which cost the same if not slightly more if I'm not mistaken and I was considering buying had I not found out about this one.

Simply put: straightforward, but does the job and it's fun.

Holy s***!!!

It took me a couple of hours to be confortable with the basics of the workflow, but it should be noted that my experience with any of this digital world was nonexistent until I got the Cycles. Started out just trying to make simple 16-step sequences, and went from there. At the end of my first session I found myself making a couple of Nine Inch Nails covers and having a blast!

It's got it's own sound, and I feel like you either like it or not. It's certainly not as aggresive-sounding as some of my favourite electronic pieces, like Aphex Twin and Autechre, but when playing that kind of stuff, it fills it with it's own vibe, and I definitely love it. Coupled with some pedals makes it pop out even more, and I can honestly say that maybe Elektron is charging too little for this box.

Build quality is great, and all that, but... Come on. The sounds matter most, especially in this price range. And there isn't really anything that I wish was different. It has a powerful sequencer, great FM sounds, easy controls, and a fluid workflow.

Basically, if you're on the fence, just get it!

Great little drum machine

Really nice drum machine, sparks creativity

Great little synth

Very immediate, yet still discovering new features every time I use it. Great fun to play with.