opsix vs Digitone – Modern FM machines head-to-head
Korg and Elektron’s instruments are the only hardware FM synths in town, but are similar in their quest to present a more modern and tweakable take on that notoriously awkward synthesis type. So what are their pros and cons?
Korg’s new ‘altered FM’ synth opsix and Elektron’s Digitone/Digitone Keys each take the established foundation of DX-style FM synthesis and update it for modern users. In some ways, the two are very much comparable, seeing as each aims to take a famously complex and fiddly approach to sound design and make it accessible yet expressive. The two instruments develop the FM concept in very different ways though, so it’s not a simple case of saying one is more successful than the other. Let’s see how they stack up side by side…
Engines
There are several fundamental differences to the two FM engines here. Digitone uses four-operator FM synthesis, as opposed to the opsix’s six, and has a polyphony of just eight voices compared to opsix’s 32. While that might make it look like opsix is considerably more powerful, it’s worth noting that Digitone is four-part multitimbral, so can play or sequence up to four fully independent sounds simultaneously.
Both instruments build on old-school FM by letting users change the operator waveshape, but opsix goes far further with its multiple operator modes for ring mod, wavefolding and more.
The two are broadly on a par on the filter and modulation fronts – although opsix offers a range of analogue filter emulations, which is a nice touch. In terms of effects, opsix has a broader range of processors, but Digitone has gritty per-voice overdrive, and well spec’ed reverb, chorus and delay sends.
Control
Each synth uses a similar setup for parameter control with a bank of rotaries – six for opsix, eight Digitone – used to adjust parameters across a series of menus. opsix, however, goes further with its operator faders/ rotaries, which give direct access to the levels, tuning, wave and mode of each operator.
Where Digitone goes further, however, is in its compatibility with Elektron’s Overbridge software. This gives users full plugin-style control over the synth from within a DAW, including automation and modulation of parameters, plus full recall. Overbridge also lets users stream audio to a computer via USB.
Keys
The original Digitone is desktop only, but the more recent Digitone Keys adds a 37-note keyboard, albeit at a higher price and wedged onto the side of the module in a style that can be divisive. Unlike opsix, Digitone Keys features aftertouch sensitivity.
Sequencing
Both synths pack onboard sequencers and, while the opsix’s no slouch, here Digitone wins hands-down. Both sequencers are polyphonic and capable of some form of parameter automation. For opsix this involves four Motion Sequencing lanes, but the Digitone goes further with full Parameter Lock automation for every element of the synth engine. This even allows the sequencer to trigger completely different sounds on each step.
Digitone also features advanced sequencing tools such as probability and conditional sequencing, micro-timing and step rolls.