Analog Rytm vs Tempest: Sound design comparison and demo 

A ripe apple and a glistening orange are a great combo. Thumbs up for showing examples of how each unit fit into a mix.

I heard so many great sounds while he was dialing the Tempest in, now I want one!

Tempest is incredible.

Probably one of the best VS between these two machines I have seen.

After 3 Temepsts sold and bought:) i can sum it like this. Tempest - a blank slate, with tons of possibilities, NOT only a drum synth, it can be whatever you want crammed in those 6 voices. Sound great, latest 1.5 os fixed some issues, and also we have samples (although we cannot import our own). Do not forget, Tempest is slightly older than AR. Also, yes, architecture is basically Evolver with pads and some drum focused features, easy to use sequencer. You need to design your drums in one session, and compose and use them in another - at least i spent quite some time creating kicks, snares, beeps and blops, and if i have to try and make 808 out of this, i could, easily. In fact you can get kick, snare, toms, clap, kongas to sound EXACTLY like 808 if that is your style. It has crappy presets, as most of DSI/Sequential stuff. Iy has killer distortion and compressor. Feedback loop. No EFFECTS except delay, but ok. The main con - triggering only one sound via external sequencer., and a mess with MIDI triggering sounds externally, wrong notes, wrong sounds, totally random etc.This concept is such a drag. So, to conclude - Tempest - complex blank slate :) AR sounds modern and rich out of the box, reminds me of Maschine with those different drumsyths, and is definitely a contender. I love Tempest. would love to have AR too, but i cannot justify having both as I can make same sounds with Tempest. It is a matter of creative approach, what you prefer more. However, sound quality - I would say Tempest.

I'd love to see an update on this video with the latest operating systems. RYTM does new oscillator modes and the Tempest got a more finished version since 2016.

great video!! you mentioned that you had done some tracks with the tempest drums coming through proud on the final mix....any links that i can hear those cheers?

The Tempest is also a really great sounding and fully featured 6 voice polysynth...complete with VS waves, so there's that too.

Starsky I know it's been a long time since this interesting review but in case you get yourself a Tanzbar 2 at some point I would love to see a workflow comparison between the Tempest and Tanzbar 2 since they do a lot of the same things combining drums and synth voices, both analog and digital.

Tempest all day long ! Great vid

Omg! Only by listening to the samples, I feel like it's an actual finished song! Thank you for sharing and I hope that we can work together in the future.

OMG Starsky baby, I just found this how did I miss it. the crazy part is that it's 7 years ago!! time is flying sooooo fast . I have a Tempest and I think about selling it, then I get on it and refuse to sell it.

how do they keep up with the "alphabase" from jomox?

Q: with Ritm, you could use a bit of the main distort and compressor to get a more "dirty" sound?

I was just watching the SUB37 tuts now this! Do you select first and ask questions later? Nice set up, I only have the SUB37. Vapor Gust

Man this sounds good! Just sold all my tracking gear, converters, microphones, mic pres etc...getting back into production and looking for a great drum machine to program my own sounds. Looks like the Elektron is the one.

The thing about Elektron machines is that they are not just drum machines.. if you are choosing between something like a Tanzbar and a RYTM, you'd likely prefer the Tanzbar in a simple comparison. But the Elektron machines are all about exploration (if you just load a sound and go, you'll be disappointed, it's when you explore the sound-design capabilities that the machines shine.) Try just loading default sounds on a Machinedrum, you'll return it in a few days. Try exploring deeper into the sound design.. you'll keep it for life.

After owning a rytm I can say I probably will be trying to trade it for a tempest. I like it and it is very deep, but I am more into creating the drum sounds like a synth, and that roger linn swing is more tempting.

Again the compressor makes such a huge difference. At 23:09 I bet a lot of novice/hobbyists out there are underwhelmed by most drum machines because they compare them to their favorite recordings, without remembering that those have been mixed and mastered.

Great comparison - could you do one with the new (1.30) os? Loads of new drum / synth engines that make the Analog Rytm an even better machine than it already was.

What about the Tempest vs the Analog Rytm MK2?

Tempest and analog four combo 🖤

Gain staging is same for both ? Rytm sounds a bit tinier ... a bit frightened so to say ... :) Dont get me wrong i've got the Rytm for like 4 years now, but am thinking about something more solid and dense and present and tempest is the only one there is i think.

Thank you!

I think electron definitely stept it up with the introduction of overbridge software GAME CHANGER for the rytm. Is there something similar for the tempest?

Tempest looks sexy as hell far as gear goes, the Rytm MkII does as well. Would love to have the budget for both.

Thanks great video...

It’s nice to have a channel doing such a good content . I’m trying to figure out what is better for me. An Analog Rytm mkt 2 or the digitakt + the syntak. I need one or the other to create my own drum samples in the studio.. I work a lot with sound design and in the DAW I usually use synth and sample layers to make my own drum sounds. When I say digitakt + syntak it’s because I’m thinking about syncing the MIDI of the two devices and layering the synth (of syntak) with samples (of the digitakt). Example: in digitakt a clap sample and in the syntak a synth model clap. I’m trying to figure out which choice has more sound design power. In the Analog Rytm mkt 2 I can resample… but in the digitakt + syntak it looks like there is a bigger range of sounds for me to tweak and experiment with. What would be your suggestion? Thank you!

Would love to have either of these machines, though it’d probably be a bit redundant with what I’ve got, Microfreak, A4 and MD-UW+ .. variety is the spice of life though.

Both are beasts

Ooooo I’m very interested in this, gonna point people to this as they keep asking me to compare these two on my channel and I kinda don’t want to 😂

Hi Starsky Carr, I really like the wooden side of your AR is it a stand ? can you give link for buy it ? or maybe you build yourself THANKS

Analog RYTM has a lot to saturate the sound per channel amp [OVR] and on the master fx [Dist] and I feel like it's almost necessary to do that to make it hit hard enough with my analog synths. It seems to me like the Tempest would be easier to get a cleaner sort of warmth from yea?

delicious demo!

Very helpful, Thanks.

cool ! looking in to getting the tempest. currently using the Yamaha rx11. still new condition

Tempest is one stunning sounding piece of gear, a bit of an arse to operate but worth the trouble

can you control samples chromatically with a midi keyboard on the Rytm?

Im glad everyone likes the rytm dont want my drums sounding the same as everybody else

For your comparison, I liked the sound of the Tempest better than the AR, but maybe you didn't push the AR to its limits? What do you think of the Vermona DRM1 for its sound sculpting since I know these machines do much more besides sound generation.

I have DSI REV2, a Moog Subsequent 37, and some modular gear. Thought of getting a drum machine, so I could jam my music even without a PC. The first try was a Roland TR08s, what a freaky plastic shit of gear. It went directly back to the seller - I wish I would have had the money to throw it directly in the trash. Next was the Analog Rytm MKII. Great gear and very versatile, but the display was freaking me out. I am in my middle ages and my eyes are not getting better. The display way too small and I didn't get comfortable with the workflow. The last and forever is my Tempest. The name says it all!!! I have never regretted my decision and would always decide the same way if I could. Cheers

I find Tempest to be above everything else around. So much sound design in it, and even though I do have a respect for Electron “way” of sequencing, nothing can simply come close to the Tempest engine. In the flood of clones, drumbrutes, even Tanzbars, you get what you paid for - I strongly recommend Tempest to anyone willing to spend money on rhythm synth. You will get much more than standard set - and it unleashes creativity. Pack it and layer it together with some fm drums or a good sampler and you get solid percussion module for any genre. Sure, this is an expensive device, so if you are going for something cheaper look into Electribe or Volca stuff, I personally like Volca drum, nice modeling and layering to get out of the “usual” sonic palette of 808/909. Thats me, maybe you want those and thats fine, then get one, I prefer sculpting my own sounds and to be given a space to do so.

I like the pads better on the Tempest but the workflow on Elektron Rytm better.

if you wanna save correctly a pattern on the Rytm and its drum kit, the trick is to link each pattern to its own Kit. Save pattern, save kit in a new slot. If you use the same kit and tweak another pattern, you're changing Kit data for the previous pattern, it messes it up.

The trouble with making kick drums is, it can induce a thumping headache if you spend too much time tweeking and refining whilst listening to the shape changes I find.

I have never touched a drum machine . Do these have some good preset beats to get me started...how about using them with the Prophet 6.... I could have a Pro 6 + tempest =12 voice synth right ... is this possible with Electron?

I'm between this and a rytm. I like the sound on both, but I want to know can you make off beat music on the rytm? All I hear is techno or house on it. That seems like something pretty expensive to be so limited. I would not like to pay 1500 for a techno or four on the floor machine. The tempest I hear techno, dubstep, and other styles. My question is can you get this on rytm? I don't want to sequence my drums in ableton if I have this haha. Check out "Homers Website". The off beat kick or at least the feel of the off beat kick is what I want to be bale to get. Is it possible with rytm?

i've got both and i have to say the rytm is more handy within livesets, the tempest needs a new project loaded every 16 beats... This is HELL within a 2 hours live set you need to load another project and see that it fills in at the right timing (if you use pre-composed song/liveset parts of your drummachines) however the tempest has this amazing sound and feel, would not want to get rid of it, i'll miss the percussions and 'beautiful' arps too much. Its not a machine for sub and not a machine for baselines..Not at all it's more drums and nice synths but still very nice drums and very nice synths Also I don't get amazing kicks out of it, the jomox xbase 999 does a way better job at this and the elektron rytm also Still the perc side of this machine is heaven, the fact that you can arp all sounds together is just WOWLY MOMA! it's too nice to be true I find it more an instrument, therefore it's more for musicians than for producers (sorry this might hurt your feelings). If you play instruments (guitar, keys,...) you are much more likely to understand the full potential of a Tempest in ways the rytm can't satisfy you (even sound related). In the end there's nog better machine, it's te person holding the machine

Hey, thanks so much. Great kits. The sound quality of these units is so much better that I thought from watching most other demos. And the kit's you put together are so informative to me. I can't believe all this. What compressor are you using on the units in this video? Not the final mix but before that?

I had no idea how flat rytm sounded until I got it from a friend for a few days. literally everything sounds better than elektron in terms of raw analogue sound.

The Analog rytm for me 100% especially with the addition of the duel VCO. Just from a sound perspective I much much prefer the sound of the AR but adding the Elektron sequencing on top it just rockets up to the absolute best drum machine on the market IMO. I don’t dislike the tempest I do like it but I feel that they are different enough in sound and workflow where they actually complement each other well.

I love Elektron devices, though between the Rytm and Tempest I prefer the sound and feel of the latter. It's more 'bouncy', 'juicy' and 'deep' than the Rytm. Hard to explain. But of course the sounds are only as good as the programming behind each sound, and the Rytm excels at being simple to come up with sounds. It's like two opposites - the Tempest gives you clay to sculpt into a vase whereas the Rytm gives you vases already sculpted but lets you deviate wildly from the templates.

Damn the tempest sounds really powerful

Nice, what brand of patch cables do you use, they seems cool.

My Electron broke in less than a year and has been in service for over two month. I have never had any problems with any of my Dave Smith products. Quality and service should always be considered.

so I have owned both for anyone still checking. Personally I think the tempest fits me better because I like to make off beat and strange stuff. The rytm is not bad if you want it quick and the tempest is good if you don't mind making your own sounds from scratch.

Actually, Tempest allows you to easily assign sounds to a specific Voice out by pressing Mod Paths button then hit down arrow button and turn the knob for voice assignment v1 to v6. So you do not need to plug and unplug cables as you said.

How is the Tempest for making 80s synthpop drums?

not really a techno guy but i love to make beats for calypso soca reggae reggaeton dancehall you know music of the world

Rytm seems really more for typic electronic production, like with a vst, sounds really clean not really analoguish. Sequencer seems greath though Tempest sounds really more raw and organic. More dynamic. So for me i guess it's gonna be tempest !

Tempest all the way! It is way more creative and human feeling. Rytm sounds solid on the low end yeah, but do you want to make another generic sounding EDM or tech-house track?

I have time on both. The Tempest punches you in the face and has this flat kick that i love. Starsky is right that it lends itself to hip hop and house. The Rytm tends to sound like a Rytm. You can pick it out of every track it's used in. It's very EDM. Take your pick - I get lost in the file manager of the Rytm, which is a problem. Another thing about the Rytm - the performance mode tricks are becoming a bit overused. And the notion of param locks - I'm starting to hear that in music - I hope the unit doesn't become too cliche. If you like the flavor of the Prophet 5, DMX, LM2 you'll like the Tempest. If you like the Virus Ti2 you'll love the Rytm.

Why not both?

Seems you prefer to use the TP, the AR is much much more versatile than shown here!

I really think I'm just gonna get a DSI Tempest... Seen A LOT of people with issues with an AR MK1/MK2

I am thinking of getting this or the DSI Tempest and the new Octatrack for my live rig.

Tempest all day! I would not mind putting in time to learn the instrument and the analog programming techniques. When i need to work quickly I can use Abelton Live or an MPC.

Analog Rytm just got a 1.3 OS update...new drum engines!

I want a synth that goes pew pew pew!!!

tempest takes forever to do anything. awesome sound but hell...when i get stoned i want to make beats asap! haha rytm is just faster to get started and can do way more.

Oh yeah and about this annoying thing with voices/channels not playing once cable is plugged in - many of the devices have this feature - first one that comes to mind is Drumbrute (and i think Impact has the same approach).

Rytm owner here, now just the AR MKII is on the coner i really prefer to buy the Tempest, the signature Analogue Heat sound is not for me (that´s what is new about the MKII´s sound), But Rytm I is OK hyper Techno machine great for taking the place of the old TR 909 which as become a too boring sounding machine over the years to me, AR can be played very fast as the TR 9O9 can, for impro and even soloing, and the sound is a 100% Techno flavor as well the production manners. Tempest as more Sinthesis capability and is a better Sound Design Machine when you sit down and think, if i´m not confuse even as more oscillators per voice (maybe 3??), regarding the 1700 $ cost of the new AR MKII i will no hesit on picking a Tempest which to me is more fair in cost

A4 and Rytm and boom

I'm really on the fence still. I just sort of want the sound of those classic Linn Drum, DMX with simple programmability like those use to have. I'm sure the Tempest can do that but it seems that I'd be wasting it if I just wanted basic 80s beats like Carpenter, Faltermeyer etc. The Rytm looks nice but I'm not convinced it can have that type of power those classic drum machines had. I think the biggest flaw these days in analog drums is they are too focused on including synth technology with them and not just making them...well...drum machines.

I'm really surprised more people don't use the Tempest (at least in these videos) as what it truly is: a multitrimbral synth and sequencer (and some of those voice of multitimbrality can be drums). You only hinted at this towards the end of your video, but this is its main attribute and advantage over basically every other "drum machine" (Including the Elektron). To get the same sense of level of functionality within a Tempest (in terms of simultaneously sequencing a variety of very different voices, for starters), you really need a more conventional "drum" machine sequenced in tandem with other non-drum/lead synths. That's the conclusion I've come to, anyways.

Do you still have the Tempest?

I like them both but the Tempest costs $500 more than the Analog Rytm and does less. I rather save the $500 for other useful add on gear like money toward another synth or sequencer.

I have a tempest, but I think I want to trade for a Rytm.

The Tempest just seems so dirty n punchy ,says so much more with less! , I want one

Kann man irgendwie nicht wirklich vergleichen, da für mich der Import von eigenen Samples extrem wichtig ist. Daher fällt für mich die Tempest gleich raus.

why are people willing to take an inferior sound quality just because it takes a few minutes to create from scratch. Creating is fun. Every track ive released, ive spent more then a week on each, maybe even more.. taking my time, putting effort into each sound and refining to be just right. people need to stop rushing tracks. " i can get it done sooo quick".... yea and your music will sound just like that............... tempest + mfb Tanzbar + vermona drm = amazing combination.

I think you are working in dsi

If Im getting into the post-$1000 range, even post $750 I might as well spend $1500 and get a tempest (about the means price Im finding used). Miss my 909 and want to step into a new realm of modern classics.

compared to the Tempest the Elektron is a piece of lego.

Elektron gear as a sound, not bad but they all kinda have that Elektron sound... Tempest as you say is dirty and not easily to identify as a "type"

If you gave me a tempest I could do a million things with it

rytm sounds apologetic and refined ...the tempest sounds a bit in your face rude ...very 80s.

I think the real contender of tempest is the uw machinedrum.. not rytm..rytm has the stock core worst sounding of a drum machine ever made while machinedrum is like a modular in a box just like the tempest

1500 Eur for the tempest... I guess I will rather get digitakt and two other Elektron machines or some synths :D

think different... sound different.. be

Owned both and tempest sold, it has a weak sound compared to the Rytm

Rytm wins.

that moment when he says the tempest has a grittier sound than the elektron...lolz. no bro the elektron is strides grittier

I hate the analog rhythm. Tempest is a beast

I will make drum kits with my Pro 3 and sample them into my MPCs and have a better sequencer and sound editor than both of these machines.

I have to laugh... you've got all these awesome and expensize synths, yet have one of the worst Apple keyboards ever made 🤣

Tempest is more of a percussive/weird drums type of machine/synth. The Rytm has much better kicks... horrible snares/claps. Ok hi hats. That's the synth engine, the sample engine is irrelevant as the tempest has only very shitty ROM samples with no import capability.

Elektron: overpriced, overhyped toy junk for hipsters.

This end up being a video about the Tempest because you barely played anything on the RYTM just kept going back to the Tempest. Thumbs down

I always find some of the very best things in life are equally frustrating at times. Tempest for the purists.