Elektron Musical Instruments

> my problem is this.  I was about to order a monomachine last week, 
> but the "horror stories" Ive read of problems with midi, sound etc 
> etc have put me off :-(  So, can I ask if:-

Hmmm... what horror stories are these?
 
> a) In your opinion do you find the keyboard version or the laptop 
> version more reliable

Only used the kbd version, so I cannot compare. But the heart of the 
instrument is the same, so I assume both instruments are equally 
reliable.

> b) do the latest units ship with the new o/s?

I'm 99% percent sure they do. You can verify this at their website. 
 
> c) Does the new o/s cause problems? what has it supposedly fixed?

I find it very reliable. Some bugs are still in there, but they're 
not major. You should download the OS 1.04 at the MnM site, a text 
file in the download lists all bugs and bug fixes. I must say that 
the Elektron products are extremely stable hardware-wise. The "horror 
stories" you've heard probably spring from bugs in early OS's, which 
the Elektron guys work with continually to improve. 

> d) does it make better sense to order it from a nearby distributor 
> rather than elektron themselves?

Depends on where you live I guess.. Both ways should work just fine.

Elektron instruments are highly recommended. Intuitive, original and 
fat-sounding. I've done gigs with Machinedrums only.

Regards,
Nils