Is the Elektron Model : Samples bad gear?

I got one for my son. (I’ve owned a couple and a M:C as well.) My son is a brilliant musician, but he does NOT treat gear with the kindness that it deserves. His still looks fine. There could have been an initial batch issue or something like that maybe like you say.

2 Likes

Chill Bro

This is an important aspect I missed in breaking out the Bad Gear formula. He doesn’t just make a track with the gear; more often than not he makes a track that also slaps.

3 Likes

!@#$%^&*

1 Like

Sometimes I wonder if he just had a pile of trash in his closet and this is a way to boost resale value :stuck_out_tongue:

1 Like

I don’t know where you’re getting that but no. That is not established based on the content of his reviews.

Because you’re not going to afford a top-tier “influencer” mansion on something as niche as a synth jokes channel (even considering Patreon) he can’t afford to keep and purchase everything for years building up to the regular reviews, maybe he’s not as much of an expert as a decades-long user of whatever synth… but the guy spends a great deal of energy on trying to give the best-faith integration of whatever no matter how awkward and buggy the synth interface and build can be.

Because the faulty buttons were resolved pretty quickly, as an early purchaser I had to replace the buttons on one (or both, i forget) of my models but the later revision was thicker in the necessary areas and after a quick e-z swap at home the replacements are fine.

If there’s a legit problem endemic to the Model line, it’s that the barrel connector is so small and loose that intermittencies can occur. If I keep it on a table or hard surface, it’s fine. Couch use or lap where there can be some flex can cause a power-off :frowning:

I still love 'em but that’s an annoyance I can live with.

2 Likes

I`m just collecting MS user experiences.

As of yet I don’t think I’ve heard of anyone complaining of button issues once they spotted the manufacturing flaw and quickly fixed whatever mold.

Paint on buttons, IDK. It depends on environment, constant use, and… body chemistry (seriously.)

Some people have widely varying pH levels in whatever oils and sweat, IDK. I’m not doing boiler room shows or anything but I’ve used mine for years and my buttons are clean and distinguishable without being rubbed off.

At worst, you can request a replacement set of buttons from Elektron!

I would say in aggregate those do not appear to be problems for current owners unless they have an early model and didn’t know to swap out the button panel.

I think angled connector can solve this problem.

3 Likes

Good point, I’ll give a shot my next large parts order and see if it helps anything.

I can also try to reinforce the internal jack with something moldable like sugru, that helped my laptop after my lovely pup repeatedly knocked it off the couch onto its power jack.

No, i can`t.

I am in Russia.
Western companies don`t support russian customers anymore.

3 Likes

I understand payments can be difficult to accept (I’ve been happy to support muscovites who deserve love like Soma Labs, though that last purchase was a bit… indirect) but shipping free items to Russia should still be possible, perhaps they can’t find reasonable customs paperwork as a corporation.

Have you tried contacting either Elektron SE or US? If both have given you that thumbs-down I can try to call their US repair facility directly and see if I can get something to reship in the interest of goodwill.

2 Likes

If you don’t have one yet, you’re unlikely to have the button issue, unless you buy a used one that happens to be from the first batch.

As for the print on the enclosure, yes sadly it can be rubbed off if you use a cleaning product on it. I used some isopropyl alcohol on mine and it thinned out the print a little. It’s unfortunate, I’m not sure why they went for that printing method rather than screenprinting like on the other devices. I wonder if it could be protected by spraying the enclosure with a matte varnish or similar.

People say it`s easily vanishing in places with high humidity. Or just by wiping spilled liquid from the surface.

Ah, you’re very much not likely to receive the flaw at least!

Average annual percentage of humidity in Seattle is 73% according to google (I imagine it’s similar to areas of the UK), the paint/ink doesn’t necessarily come off or dull from regular use. Moisture levels are not to blame, at least. If you’re living in areas more touched by sea salty air, it’ll affect more than just the Model series.

Yeah, I wouldn’t use something so strong as alcohol for cleaning any instruments over mild soap and water.

You could take out the rubber material and spray with some fixative but changing the default texture of the pads would be more notable daily over a scenario that the majority of users do not encounter.

The print issue isn’t with the buttons, it’s the print on the enclosure.

1 Like

Oh lol, thanks. I somehow crossed wires.

I have this on mine, though I have no such on my M:S and regular use hasn’t worn anything on the case printing.

I should wipe it down with a damp cloth though, eesh.

Tbh, being almost knob per function it’s really no big deal once you get your head around the machine. I got to the point with it and the Cycles where I could use them without looking at them.

The thing about Bad Gear is that ‘Bad’ does not necessarily mean bad these days. If something is ‘bad’ it can also mean ‘‘badass’. It’s deeply subjective.

Add to that that Bad Gear is 100% reliant upon what Florian can get his hands on in a timely fashion. He’s pumping out quality content every week and that is not an easy thing to achieve. He had to resort to FL Studio software around Xmas… I must admit though… I really loved that episode. :joy:

Anyway… I digress… the Model Samples is an amazing piece of kit for its price. Like Cycles, the strength is their immediacy and streamlined workflow. There’s not much to get in the way of your creativity. Once you get your head around the brute power of its sequencer & other features, it’s all ‘right brain’ activity man.

Also… super portable and light… I take my Cycles, Battery Pack, & Bluetooth speaker out on hikes and make music out in the wilderness. So much fun… and so inspirational.

3 Likes

Wow that is a very hot take on the Model : Samples. How dare!

1 Like