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Elektron Transfer is the go to tool for transferring samples, presets, sounds, projects and firmware updates to Analog Rytm MKI/MKII, Analog Four MKI/MKII, Analog Heat MKI/MKII, Analog Keys, Digitakt II, Digitakt, Digitone II, Digitone, Digitone Keys, Model:Samples, Model:Cycles, Syntakt and Analog Heat +FX.
Compatible with:
macOS 10.13 High Sierra and later.
Windows 8 and later.
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).
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
Read moreThis 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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
Read moreIn 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.
Device(s) | Minimum required OS version |
Analog Four and Analog Keys | 1.40 |
Analog Rytm | 1.60 |
Analog Heat | 1.20 |
Digitakt | 1.20 |
Digitone and Digitone Keys | 1.30 |
Model:Cycles and Model:Samples | 1.12 |
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.
Press Win+R, and then write "regedit" in the box, and then press OK to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to this key (a key is like a folder):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ELEKTRON_OVERBRIDGE_USB
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.
Right-click the device you want to remove and select "Delete" Do this for all subkeys related to your device
This will delete all known devices from the ControlPanel and the CoreAudio plugin.
Start a terminal session.
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.
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/
Restart macOS
Remove PlistBackup folder on your desktop.
Device | product ID |
---|---|
Analog Four | 0004 |
Analog Keys | 0006 |
Analog Rytm | 0008 |
Analog Heat | 000A |
Digitakt | 000C |
Analog Four MKII | 000E |
Analog Rytm MKII | 0010 |
Digitone | 0014 |
Analog Heat MKII | 0016 |
Model:Samples | 0019 |
Model:Cycles | 001B |
Digitone Keys | 001C |
Here you can find detailed specifications of the power supplies (PSU’s) for the different Elektron devices.
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
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
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
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
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
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
The information in this section is valid for Elektron devices and the connectors they use.
All Elektron devices use standard 1/4" jacks for all audio input and output. Most synths, guitars, and other electronic instruments use these types of connectors, hence the cables sometimes being referred to as “Instrument Cables”. The connectors are generally referred to as plugs (male) and jacks (female). They are also fairly common in pro audio equipment and professional headphones as well. However, there are two different types of 1/4" connectors Elektron devices use, depending on the jack and device.
TS/TRS Connectors
“TS” and “TRS” refers to the contact layout of the connectors. These terms do not define any other specifications for the cable or audio signal such as impedance or channel count. The letters “T”, “R”, and “S” stand for the following:
T: Tip
R: Ring
S: Sleeve
TS (Tip-Sleeve)
When it comes to audio in Elektron Devices, TS is used for:
Unbalanced Mono Audio
TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve)
When it comes to audio in Elektron Devices, TRS is used for:
Balanced Mono Audio
Unbalanced Stereo or Split Signal Audio
Unbalanced/Balanced Audio
An unbalanced audio connection uses a single signal on the Tip of the connector (TS connector). A balanced audio connection uses two signals on Tip and Ring (TRS connectors) in opposite polarity. A balanced connection can, in some circumstances, help to mitigate some of the signal disturbances that may occur.
There is no physical size difference between the 1/4" balanced and unbalanced connectors so it is possible to for example to plug a TRS plug into a TS jack. However, this may alter the characteristics of the signal connection in different ways:
Jack | Plug | Source signal | Result |
---|---|---|---|
TRS balanced output | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is unchanged (balanced). |
TRS balanced output | TS | Balanced | Signal connection is now unbalanced. |
TS unbalanced output | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced output | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is unchanged (balanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Stereo | Does not work. Results in left minus right signal (almost no sound in mono) and only work if audio is hard-panned left. |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Split | Does not work. Results in Tip signal minus Ring signal. |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is now unbalanced. |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced input | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Split | Only the signal on the Tip is transferred. |
TO SUMMARIZE For a balanced signal to remain balanced, all connectors used must be TRS. A balanced signal that passes through a TS connector will be unbalanced. An unbalanced signal always remains unbalanced no matter what type of connector (TS or TRS) is used.
QUICK TIP Using a cable with a TS plug in a balanced TRS jack output is perfectly safe. It simply results in that the signal connection will be unbalanced instead.
WARNING Double ring, TRRS connectors in the 3.5 mm format have become common for mobile device headphones with an attached microphone. Many standard 3.5 mm headphone adapters are not designed for these connectors. The result of this is the apparent lack of sound from the device. Therefore, the use of headphones with TRRS connectors is not recommended.
Audio cable connector and signal cheatsheet for Elektron devices
For Elektron devices, all physical Inputs and Outputs are Line Level. The following tables list the signal uses for the IO of all devices. More in-depth information can be found in the device User Manuals under Technical Information.
Model:Cycles and Model Samples
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Digitone and Digitakt
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Digitone Keys
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Outs Left/Mono 1-4 | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Out Right 1-4 | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Octatrack MKII
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Cue Out L/Cue Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input A-D | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Octatrack MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Cue Out L/Cue Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input A-D | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Four MKII/ Analog Keys
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Out 1-4 | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Four MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Stereo | TS |
Analog Rytm MKII
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
External In L/External In R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Track Outs | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Audio In L/Audio In R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Analog Rytm MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Track Out BD-BT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip: BD, Ring: BT) | TRS |
Track Out SD-LT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip: SD, Ring: LT) | TRS |
Track Out CH/OH-MT/HT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip:CH/OH, Ring:MT/HT) | TRS |
Track Out CY/CB - RS/CP | Unbalanced | Split (Tip:CY/CB, Ring:RS/CP) | TRS |
Analog Drive
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
In | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Out | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Heat
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Out L/Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
In L/In R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Monomachine/Machinedrum
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out A/Left | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Main Out B/Right | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Output C-F | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Input A/Input B | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Sidstation
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
---|---|---|---|
Out | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
External In | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
CV/EXPRESSION CONTROL - QUARTER INCH CONNECTORS
Some Elektron devices can send or receive analog signals to control various parameters and functionalities. These signals are sent and received through connectors using either TS or TRS 1/4" jacks on the Elektron devices. The different types of signals are:
Control Voltages
Expression Pedals
Footswitches
CV Output
Analog Four MKI/MKII and Analog Keys have dedicated Controlled Voltage outputs. The Analog Four MKII has individual 1/4" TS jacks for each CV output. However, the Analog Four MKI and Analog Keys have 1/4" TRS jacks that can output two different CV signals. The configuration of these are:
Analog Four MKI/Analog Keys CV Outputs
Jack | Tip | Ring |
---|---|---|
CV Out AB | CV Out A | CV Out B |
CV Out CD | CV Out C | CV Out D |
CV Input, Expression pedals, and Footswitches
Any Elektron device with inputs labeled “Control In” can be configured to receive and use CV, Expression Pedals, or Footswitches. CV and Footswitches (including Sustain Pedals) use cables with 1/4" TS plugs, while Expression Pedals uses cables with TRS plugs.
The way footswitches and expression pedals work electrically can differ from brand to brand. Elektron devices can be configured to support most footswitches or expression pedals.
On some Elektron devices, like the Digitone Keys, footswitches can be used for Sustain or Sostenuto and are labeled as such in the configuration menu.
The Analog Drive supports direct expression pedal input for Gain and Mid EQ parameters.
5-pin DIN connectors - Most Devices
With the exception of the Model series devices, all Elektron devices have full-size MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, and MIDI THRU ports. (Analog Drive only has MIDI IN and MIDI OUT). All these devices use standard MIDI Cables with 5-pin DIN connectors.
3.5 mm TRS MIDI (Type A and B) connectors - Model:Samples and Model:Cycles
The Model series uses 3.5 mm TRS “Mini” MIDI connectors for their MIDI IN and MIDI OUT/THRU ports. There are two configurations for these connectors, used by different brands, know as Type A and Type B.
MIDI 5-Pin DIN (Male)
MIDI TRS Type A
MIDI TRS Type B
All Model series devices accept both Type A and Type B configurations. The MIDI IN port accepts any configuration. The MIDI OUT/THRU ports must be set manually to use either a Type A or a Type B configuration. This is done by adjusting the OUT POL parameter (CONFIG MENU > MIDI > PORTS). The available settings are:
STD (for Type A)
INV (for Type B)
QUICK TIP If there seems to be trouble connecting to another MIDI device from a Model series device, try changing the MIDI Output Polarity. All Models series devices come with the CA-3 MIDI Adapter kit, which contains two TRS Type A to 5-pin DIN MIDI Adapters.
If you can't find what you are looking for, you may login with your Elektron account and create a support ticket. If you don't have an account already you can create one in the next step.