DIGITONE FM SYNTHESIS OVERVIEW

At its core, the Digitone (and Digitone Keys) is a four operator Frequency Modulation (FM) synth in the style of the classic 80s implementations. However, unlike the early FM synths, the Digitone use its FM engine more like a complex tone generator than a complete synthesizer voice (although it does have this capability too). The Digitone signal path is more similar to a typical subtractive synth than a classic FM voice.

The idea of this design is to harness the raw, and often complex, soundscapes of FM synthesis and use a more well-known and approachable subtractive method for the overall sound shaping.
FM is a synthesis method where you add harmonics to the timbre by using modulation or layering to shape the sound. You add harmonics by modulating one oscillator’s pitch with the output of another oscillator. FM works similarly to how you would apply vibrato via an LFO. At slower modulation rates, it is simply vibrato, but when the modulating frequency reaches audio rate, the vibrato effect becomes a part of the sound and turns into a timbral effect instead.

Read more about the separate parts of the Digitone FM syntheses

• OPERATORS

• ALGORITHMS

• FM RATIOS

• OPERATOR ENVELOPES

• HARMONICS

In FM synthesis the oscillators are called operators. Unlike the analog oscillator, the operator also contains an envelope and specific input and outputs, making it a sort of macro oscillator. FM combines two or more operators to generate a more harmonically rich output. An operator that is used to modulate another operator is called a modulator. The operator that generates, or carries, the resulting tone is called a carrier.
Feedback is used to increase the sharpness of a sound. Feedback is only applied to modulators. The output of the operator is fed back into itself, resulting in added harmonics. In Digitone, an operator with feedback with a parameter value around 35 results in a sawtooth waveform. If pushed to higher values, the feedback soon results in noise.

In some instances, an operator can be both carrier and modulator. This means that it outputs its result as a tone while also using it to modulate another operator. We have divided the operators into three groups: C, A, and B (B1 and B2) to lessen the complexity and make the Digitone easier to use. Since group B consist of two operators, the parameter controls for B are macro mapped to both operators.

Read more about the Digitone FM synthesis here:
Digitone FM synthesis overview.

This information applies Analog Rytm, Analog Four, Analog Keys, Digitakt, Digitone, Digitone Keys. The screens look a little different depending on which unit you are using, but the steps are the same.

Access the global settings menu by pressing the cogwheel button (Digitakt, Digitone/Keys, Analog Four MKII, Analog Rytm MKII), Function + Track (Analog Rytm MKI), Function + Song (Analog Keys), Function + Keyboard C2 (Analog Four MKI).

In the global settings menu, select SYSTEM

In the SYSTEM submenu, select FORMAT +DRIVE

In the FORMAT +DRIVE submenu, select which items you want to format and then choose to ERASE SELECTED DATA

PROJECTS+SOUNDS is available on all machines and will remove sounds and projects created by the user, factory sounds, and the factory preset project.

SAMPLES is only available on Analog Rytm and Digitakt and will remove all user items, but the factory samples will remain (the factory samples do not occupy space on the +Drive and cannot be deleted). 

An algorithm is a set routing, or combination, of the operators. Routing the modulation in different ways gives you several different methods of applying modulation and different sonic results.

Pictured above is a 2 operator algorithm, which is FM synthesis in its most basic form. The Digitone has four operators available which can be routed in many different ways. Different algorithms dramatically changes the characteristics of the output - for example stacking four operators can lead to very complex timbres.
The Digitone has eight different algorithms where the four operators are routed in different ways. Each algorithm has two carrier outputs (X and Y) that come from two different operators depending on what algorithm you chose. It is possible to use the MIX parameter to mix between these outputs so that you can cross-fade between two separate timbres.

The lines going to X and Y indicate the output from a carrier. There are two different ways a carrier output is sent to the X/Y outputs: 1. Its amplitude is unaffected by the operator envelope (dotted line). 2. Its amplitude is affected by the operator envelope (filled line). The sound from the X/Y outputs is then routed via the overdrive to the filters.

Read more about the Digitone FM synthesis here:
Digitone FM synthesis overview.

Frequency modulation is applied in multipliers of the principal frequency to retain the tonality of the sound. These multipliers are known as ratios. Each operator group’s ratio is a multiplier of the input pitch (note value). The higher the ratio, the higher the pitch frequency. For example, when applying modulation with a ratio of 1:2 (carrier:modulator), the carrier output resembles a square wave. A ratio of 1:1 sounds like a sawtooth, and odd numbers can be used for various metallic or other “natural” sounds. In Digitone, the FM ratios for the different operator groups works like this:

• C which always works like a carrier, is limited mostly to integers since it is generally used for carrying the base note of the sound.

• A has a more extensive number of ratio values to allow for more inharmonic relationships.

• B (B1 and B2) controls both operators at the same time. The minimum value for B1 and B2 is .25. As you turn the encoder, B2 increases until it reaches the max (16). It then starts over from .25 and B1 increases to the next value (0.5). This revolving behavior continues until both operators reach the maximum value. This parameter behavior is similar to the movement of the hands-on a watch.

Read more about the Digitone FM synthesis here:
Digitone FM synthesis overview.

If you modulate one oscillator directly with another it creates very harsh harmonics, so you need to limit the modulation level to control the amount of modulation. In Digitone you use an envelope and a level (LEV) parameter control to attenuate the amount of how much the modulator affects the carrier. The envelopes also give the possibility to control the modulation over time. A piano for example, when first struck, the timbre is sharp but quickly fades to a softer tone. Envelopes and modulation level are vital elements in FM synthesis and are the tools that you use to shape the sounds you want to achieve.

The Digitone FM engine has two operator envelopes that are designed to be practical and easy to use. One envelope is for operator group A, and one is for group B (B1 and B2).

The envelopes are essentially expanded AD (Attack Decay) envelopes, but with an added adjustable end level (the amplitude level the sound reaches at the end of the decay stage). Normally, an AD envelope always ends at zero level, but with FM you often want to retain some modulation after a short pluck or fade in for example.

Please note that operator envelope B controls the output from both B1 and B2.

The envelopes can be either triggered or gated - making it either an ADE (Attack Decay End) or an ASDE (Attack Sustain Decay End) envelope. The sustain phase does not have an envelope level. It is instead the LEV parameter that sets the sustain level. The note length defines the length of the sustain phase.

Trigged (ATRG/BTRG ON)

Gated (ATRG/BTRG OFF)

You can also set if the envelopes should reset or not when they are retrigged.
Reset on (ARST/BRST ON)

Reset off (ARST/BRST OFF)

The LEV parameters on the SYN2 page controls the amount of modulation from the A and B operators. The LEV parameter for B is macro mapped to both operator B1 and B2 and control their modulation amount as per this graph:

Read more about the Digitone FM synthesis here:
Digitone FM synthesis overview.

The default output from an operator is a sine wave, but you can use the HARM parameter to add upper partials to some of the operators’ sine waves to create more harmonically rich waveforms. The HARM parameter is bipolar. Negative parameter values change the harmonics of operator C, while positive parameter values change the harmonics of operators A and B1.

When changing harmonics, intermediate values interpolates between the current and the next harmonic. This interpolation works much like in wavetable synthesis, sweeping between the harmonics, smoothly
transitioning from one timbre to another. The harmonic series for the operators looks like this:

The Digitone uses a form of additive synthesis to create the harmonic series for the HARM parameter. Additive synthesis is one of the oldest forms of electronic sound generation. It is a quite simple form of synthesis but still very powerful. The basic principle is to add multiple sine waves together to form complex timbres. Each sine wave is called a partial. Typically, each part is one octave above the previous. You retain the frequency of the tone by keeping the partials spread across octaves. By attenuating each partial, the timbre changes its harmonic content, resulting in different waveforms.

The first partial is always kept at full volume, which keeps the base octave intact.
Adding every partial in series will replicate a sawtooth. Note how the volume decreases for each partial, creating a natural falloff.
Adding every odd partial in series will approximate a square wave.
The additive method can be used to make many different timbres. This combination of partials, for example, sounds close to a bell tone.

Read more about the Digitone FM synthesis here:
Digitone FM synthesis overview.

This information applies to Analog Four, Analog Keys, Analog Four MKII, Analog Heat, Analog Heat MKII, Analog Heat +FX, Analog Rytm, Analog Rytm MKII, Digitakt, Digitakt II, Digitone, Digitone Keys, Digitone II, Syntakt, Model:Cycles, and Model:Samples

To perform a Factory Reset, hold down the [FUNCTION] button ([ACTIVE]/[ON] button for Analog Heat) while powering on the device, then press the appropriate button when the startup menu appears. When the reset has been completed, the unit will reboot.

When you perform a factory reset on Analog Keys or Analog Four or Analog Four MKII, the following happens:

• Project slot 001 will be overwritten and re-initialized with the factory preset project.
• The currently loaded project will be cleared and the factory preset project will be loaded to memory.
• Soundbanks A and B will be overwritten with the factory preset sounds.

The remaining project slots and sound banks will not be overwritten.

If you wish to keep the active project, remember to save it to a project slot higher than 001 before you perform the factory reset. If you have saved your own sounds to soundbanks A or B, you need to move them to a different bank if you want to keep them.

When you perform a factory reset on Analog Heat MKI or MKII, the following happens:

Preset slots 001–016 will be overwritten with the factory presets. The remaining preset slots will be cleared.

When you perform a factory reset on Analog Heat +FX, the following happens:

Preset slots A001–A019 will be overwritten with the factory presets. The remaining preset slots will be cleared.

When you perform a factory reset on Analog Rytm or Analog Rytm MKII, the following happens:

• Project slot 001 will be overwritten and re-initialized with the factory preset project.
• The currently loaded project will be cleared and the factory preset project will be loaded to memory.
• Soundbank A will be overwritten with the factory preset sounds.

The remaining project slots and sound banks will not be overwritten.

If you wish to keep the active project, remember to save it to a project slot higher than 001 before you perform the factory reset. If you have saved your own sounds to soundbank A, you need to move them to a different bank if you want to keep them.

When you perform a factory reset on a Digitakt or Digitakt II, the following happens:

• Project slot 001 will be overwritten and re-initialized with the factory preset project.
• The currently loaded project will be cleared and the factory preset project will be loaded to memory.
• Sound/preset bank A will be overwritten with the factory presets.

The remaining project slots and sound/preset banks will not be overwritten. Any samples that you have transferred to the unit or recorded directly into the unit will remain on the +Drive after a factory reset.

If you wish to keep the active project, remember to save it to a project slot higher than 001 before you perform the factory reset. If you have saved your own sounds/presets to soundbank A, you need to move them to a different bank if you want to keep them.

When you perform a factory reset on Digitone or Digitone Keys or Digitone II, the following happens:

• Project slot 001 will be overwritten and re-initialized with the factory preset project.
• The currently loaded project will be cleared and the factory preset project will be loaded to memory.
• Soundbanks A and B will be overwritten with the factory preset sounds.

The remaining project slots and sound banks will not be overwritten.

If you wish to keep the active project, remember to save it to a project slot higher than 001 before you perform the factory reset. If you have saved your own sounds to soundbanks A or B, you need to move them to a different bank if you want to keep them.

When you perform a factory reset on Syntakt, the following happens:

• Project slot 001 will be overwritten and re-initialized with the factory preset project.
• The currently loaded project will be cleared and the factory preset project will be loaded to memory.
• Soundbanks A through E will be overwritten with the factory preset sounds.

The remaining project slots and sound banks will not be overwritten.

If you wish to keep the active project, remember to save it to a project slot higher than 001 before you perform the factory reset. If you have saved your own sounds to soundbanks A through E, you need to move them to a different bank if you want to keep them.

When you perform a factory reset on Model:Cycles or Model:Samples, the following happens:

• Project slot 01 will be overwritten and re-initialized with the factory preset project.
• The currently loaded project will be cleared and the factory preset project will be loaded to memory.

The remaining project slots and sound banks will not be overwritten.

If you wish to keep the active project, remember to save it to a project slot higher than 01 before you perform the factory reset.

In order to update your device using the method described in this article, your device needs to run at least the OS version listed below. The OS version is visible in the bottom right corner of the device screen when it is being powered on.

If the device is running an older version than the one listed below, you need to update your device using sysex transfer. Refer to the following article for information on how to update using sysex transfer. Once your device is running at least the OS version listed above, you can use the method described in this article for future OS updates.

Connect your device to one of the USB ports of your computer and start Elektron Transfer, make sure the unit is selected as the MIDI in and MIDI out ports, and then click the Connect button.

Unzip the archive and drag and drop the .syx file containing the OS update onto the big area with the text "Drop files here".

When you drop the OS file, it will automatically be transferred to the device.

When OS has been transferred, Elektron Transfer will let you know that you need to press the YES button on your device to perfrom the upgrade. Press the YES button and follow the instructions on the device screen. DO NOT TURN THE DEVICE OFF UNTIL THE UPGRADE IS COMPLETED.

You can manually remove Overbridge device entries if they are corrupt, or cause other problems.

REMOVING DEVICE ENTRIES IN WINDOWS

1. Press Win+R, and then write "regedit" in the box, and then press OK to open the Registry Editor.
   

   

2. Navigate to this key (a key is like a folder):
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ELEKTRON_OVERBRIDGE_USB
   

   

3. Here you see subkeys that are in this format:
   Parameters_1935_xxxx_yyyy
   The xxxx is the product ID. See below for more information*
   The yyyy is the unique ID of your particular device.

4. Right-click the device you want to remove and select "Delete" Do this for all subkeys related to your device

REMOVING DEVICE ENTRIES IN MACOS

This will delete all known devices from the ControlPanel and the CoreAudio plugin.

1. Start a terminal session.

2. Unload coreaudio daemon (or else you will not be able to move the coreaudio plist files)
   sudo launchctl unload /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.audio.coreaudiod.plist
   sudo killall coreaudiod
   The second line is just in case the first one doesn't work.

3. Move / delete the plist files to another location:
   mkdir ~/Desktop/PlistBackup/
   sudo mv /Library/Preferences/Audio/com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist ~/Desktop/PlistBackup/
   sudo mv /Library/Preferences/Audio/com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist ~/Desktop/PlistBackup/
   sudo mv ~/Library/Preferences/se.elektron.OverbridgeControlPanel.plist ~/Desktop/PlistBackup/
   sudo mv ~/Library/Preferences/se.elektron.overbridge.hal.plist ~/Desktop/PlistBackup/

4. Restart macOS

5. Remove PlistBackup folder on your desktop.

*Product ID table

Here you can find detailed specifications of the power supplies (PSU’s) for the different Elektron devices.

MODEL:SAMPLES, MODEL:CYCLES

Current Elektron power supply: PSU-4b. These devices were originally shipped with PSU-4 and still work with PSU-4. The PSU-4b power supply includes adapters for the following regions: North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Australia, and China. The PSU-4b power supply handles voltages of 100-240 VAC, 50/60Hz.

The power supply you want to use must meet the following specifications:

• Voltage: 5 VDC

• Minimum Current Rating: 1.2 A

• Barrel Connector Size: 3.5 mm outer diameter, 1.35 mm inner diameter

• Polarity: Positive center

ANALOG RYTM MKI/MKII, ANALOG FOUR MKI/MKII, OCTATRACK MKII, ANALOG DRIVE, ANALOG HEAT MKI/MKII, DIGITAKT, DIGITONE, DIGITONE KEYS, SYNTAKT

Current Elektron power supply: PSU-3c. These devices were originally shipped with PSU-3, PSU-3b, or PSU-3c. All these devices work with PSU-3 and PSU-3b (With the exception of Analog Drive which doesn’t work with PSU-3). The PSU-3c power supply handles voltages of 100-240 VAC, 50/60Hz.

The power supply you want to use must meet the following specifications:

• Voltage: 12 VDC

• Minimum Current Rating: 2 A

• Barrel Connector Size: 5.5 mm outer diameter, 2.5 mm inner diameter

• Polarity: Positive center

MONOMACHINE MKII, MACHINEDRUM MKII, OCTATRACK MKI

Current Elektron power supply: PSU-2b. These devices were originally shipped with PSU-2. The PSU-2b power supply handles voltages of 100-240 VAC, 50/60Hz.

The power supply you want to use must meet the following specifications:

• Voltage: 6 VDC

• Minimum Current Rating: 3 A

• Barrel Connector Size: 5.5 mm outer diameter, 2.5 mm inner diameter, 6 mm length

• Polarity: Positive center

MONOMACHINE MKI, MACHINEDRUM MKI

Original (and now obsolete) Elektron power supply: PSU-1 (two versions depending on voltage standard)

Please note that the power supply output must be AC!

The power supply you want to use must meet the following specifications:

• Voltage: 6 VAC, 50/60Hz

• Minimum Current Rating: 2.5 A

• Barrel Connector Size: 5.5 mm outer diameter, 2.5 mm inner diameter, 6 mm length

SIDSTATION

The power supply you use must meet the following specifications:

• Voltage: 6 VDC

• Minimum Current Rating: 400 mA

• Barrel Connector Size: 5.5 mm outer diameter, 2.1 mm inner diameter

• Polarity: Positive center

OVERHUB

In most cases, you don't need to use a power supply together with the Overhub. However, if you want to use it together with a non-self powered device (for example, an external hard drive), you must connect a power supply to the Overhub.

Please note that the Overhub is not shipped with a power supply.

The power supply you use must meet the following specifications:

• Voltage: 5 V DC

• Minimum Current: 4 A (3 A on earlier devices.) This number is written on the Overhub itself so you can see there which version you have.)

• Barrel Connector Size: 3.5 mm outer diameter, 1.35 mm inner diameter, 6 mm length

• Polarity: Positive center