The Digitone remains one of my all-time favorite synthesizers. While some might perceive this as a somewhat condescending remark—after all, the Digitone transcends mere synthesis—it’s true that it serves as a robust multitimbral groovebox paired with one of the most adaptable sequencers available. However, the four tracks and eight voices of polyphony occasionally felt a bit constraining to me. Additionally, its capabilities for drum sounds are not the strongest. This prompted me to position the Digitone on a stand, treating it purely as a desktop synth controlled via a MIDI keyboard.
On paper, the Digitone II appears to address many of these limitations. It boasts 16 voices across 16 tracks and introduces three entirely new synthesizer engines that broaden its sonic range, including one specifically engineered for percussion. In addition to these enhancements, it also incorporates the sequencing, modulation, and filter improvements we witnessed with the Digitakt II (8/10, WIRED Recommends). However, similar to its sample-centric counterpart, the Digitone II has experienced a significant price increase to $999. With the original now obtainable for as little as $350 on the second-hand market, the decision between the two isn’t quite straightforward.
Photograph: Terrence O’Brien
