Elektron has released Outbox 8, an eight-channel audio and CV breakout box that adds individual outputs to its grooveboxes. It is out now at $349, €299 or £259. Separate outputs have been the longest-running request from Elektron owners, whose machines have historically offered a stereo main out and little else.
Outbox 8 provides eight fully configurable quarter-inch outputs, impedance-balanced and DC-coupled, running 48kHz 32-bit converters. Each output can carry audio or control voltage in any combination the connected device supports.
On the CV side the range is plus or minus 5V, and output types cover grounded, pitch V/oct, pitch Hz/V, linear value, trig, gate and clock. That also lets it work as a standalone USB MIDI-to-CV converter for sequencing modular systems, or for playing them from a MIDI controller.
It doubles as an eight-output USB audio interface for a computer, tablet or phone, and MIDI from a DAW can be routed to any output as CV at the same time.
Connectivity is two USB-C ports, one for data and one for power, with a front-panel status LED. The unit measures 176 by 90 by 28mm and weighs about 0.35kg. Elektron includes a three-year warranty.
Multitrack audio is supported on Digitakt I and II, Digitone I, II and Keys, Syntakt, Analog Rytm MKI and MKII, Analog Four MKI, MKII and Keys, and Tonverk.
Analog Heat MKI, MKII and +FX, Model:Samples and Model:Cycles are limited to two-track, and the Model boxes can only route audio from the main outputs. Octatrack MKI and MKII, Machinedrum and Monomachine connect over MIDI only.
Setup happens in-device on Digitakt I and II, Digitone I, II and Keys, Syntakt, Analog Rytm MKII and Analog Four MKII. Everything else configures through the Outbox 8 web app, which also covers a wide range of non-Elektron class-compliant USB devices.
Two caveats worth knowing. Tonverk has limited functionality, with high audio streaming latency and no in-device setup. DIN or TRS MIDI needs converting to USB MIDI with a class-compliant interface.
On Digitakt II and Digitone I and II, outputs can be configured in-device as individual mono outputs or as combined stereo pairs.
Outbox 8 is in stock now through Elektron and its dealers. It arrives after Bonnier Capital took a majority stake in the company earlier this year, and lands in a category of problem-solving hardware rather than new sound sources.
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