Monomachine SFX6 MK2 © 2004 Elektron
The Elektron Monomachine SFX-60 MKII was a digital synthesizer and step sequencer designed for experimental sound design and performance-based sequencing. Developed by Elektron Music Machines, it combined multiple synthesis engines (including virtual analog, FM, wavetable-style digital synthesis, and SID-style emulation) with a powerful 6-track sequencer featuring parameter locks. The MKII revision introduced hardware refinements, improved signal-to-noise ratio, and expanded waveform capabilities.
The Monomachine provides 6 independent tracks, each capable of running a different synthesis engine simultaneously.
It includes multiple synthesis methods such as SID (chip-style synthesis), FM+, SuperWave (virtual analog), DigiPro (digital/wavetable-style), and VO (vocal/formant synthesis).
Its sequencer is one of the defining elements of Elektron instruments, featuring parameter locks, allowing per-step automation of any sound parameter.
It supports both internal sound generation and external MIDI sequencing, making it a hybrid synth + control hub.
The SFX-6 keyboard version was a limited production run (often cited around ~500 units), making it significantly rarer than the desktop SFX-60.
Each track can be programmed independently, allowing complex polyrhythmic and multilayered arrangements from a single machine.
It was widely used in experimental electronic music, IDM, techno, and glitch scenes due to its unconventional sound engines and sequencing style.
The Monomachine shares the same design philosophy as the Machinedrum, forming part of Elektron’s early “performance sequencer” ecosystem.
Production ended in 2016, and it is now considered a cult classic in hardware electronic music production.