Looks legit… ·
Source:
Reddit
The original poster even photographed the PCB! ·
Source:
Reddit
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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