Elektron Analog Heat

The Elektron Analog Heat is a stereo analog sound processing unit from Swedish instrument maker Elektron, first released in 2016. Unlike a distortion pedal, it does not make any sound on its own: as Elektron's Jonas Hillman put it in the MKII announcement, "It does not make any sound on its own but does an excellent job enhancing any sound source you plug into it"¹². You choose one of eight analog drive circuits, then shape the result with a multimode filter, EQ, LFO and envelope. Elektron calls it "an eight-in-one stereo analog effects unit"².

The line has three versions: the original Analog Heat (2016), the Analog Heat MKII (2018), and the Analog Heat +FX, which Elektron describes as a "Dynamic Sound Processor" and "an all-around sound colouring and manipulation box"³⁴². The +FX adds effects beyond the original's drive-and-filter core, including a warm tape-style saturation circuit whose equalizer controls accentuate the effect subtly⁴.

What it does: eight analog drive circuits for any sound source

The heart of the unit is a set of eight stereo analog distortion circuits. On the MKII, Elektron describes the range as "Clean boost, tape-like saturation, tube amp-like enhancement, overdrive, crunch, distortion, harmonic fuzz or high gain"¹. Elektron's own summary of the line puts it as "eight different flavors of distortion, enhancement, and fuzz, with customizable modulation options to boot"². The +FX carries the same count, listed as 8 stereo analog distortion circuits³.

For a player, that spread covers the ground of several pedal types at once: a clean boost, tape-style saturation, overdrive, crunch, distortion, harmonic fuzz and high gain, all in one box with presets and MIDI recall. Elektron's earlier Analog Drive pedal used the same eight-circuit idea in stompbox form.

Because it is a line-level stereo processor rather than a floor pedal, it sits as happily on a synth, drum machine or mixer send as in a guitar rig. The +FX adds stereo in and stereo out plus two control inputs for control voltage, expression inputs, or foot switches⁴.

The controls: filter, EQ, LFO, envelope and presets

After the drive circuit, Elektron says you can "customize the sound further through a kick-ass multimode filter, LFO, envelope and EQ"². The +FX's filter is a stereo analog multi-mode filter with 7 filter types³.

One detail worth knowing: the Analog Heat attenuates (lowers) the incoming signal to create headroom for the distortion circuits and the filter, so if the output feels quiet, the LEVEL parameter can gain it back up⁵.

Power and connections

The Analog Heat runs on 12 VDC from Elektron's PSU-3c supply, with a 5.5 mm outer / 2.5 mm inner barrel connector and a minimum current rating of 2 A⁵. The MKI and MKII were originally shipped with PSU-3, PSU-3b, or PSU-3c, and all work with PSU-3 and PSU-3b; the current PSU-3c handles 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz mains input⁵⁶.

Connections on the MKII are 2 × ¼″ balanced inputs, 2 × ¼″ balanced outputs, 2 × ¼″ CV/Expression pedal inputs, and MIDI In/Out/Thru ports¹. The +FX adds a 1 × ¼″ stereo headphones jack and MIDI In/Out/Thru with DIN Sync out, and its control inputs accept levels from -5 V to +5 V³⁴. The MKII measures W215 × D184 × H63 mm (8.5 × 7.2 × 2.5″) including knobs and rubber feet, and weighs approximately 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)¹.

MKI versus MKII versus +FX

The MKII, introduced on July 5, 2018, upgraded the original with "tougher and more precise encoders, back-lit buttons and a larger, sharper OLED screen"¹. It listed at $819 USD (£750 GBP) and was available from select retailers at launch¹.

The +FX is the current version in Elektron's product line³. Its OS 1.01 firmware update is not compatible with the Analog Heat MKI and MKII: only the Analog Heat +FX is supported⁷.

Overbridge and firmware

The Analog Heat MKII's firmware has reached OS 1.21, which followed OS 1.20A⁸. For both the MKI and MKII, Elektron documents the factory reset behavior: preset slots 001 to 016 are overwritten with the factory presets, and the remaining preset slots are cleared⁵.

Factory reset

To factory reset any version, hold down the [ACTIVE]/[ON] button while powering on to enter the startup menu, where the factory reset (and TEST mode) options live⁵⁶⁹. On the MKI and MKII, the reset overwrites preset slots 001 to 016 with the factory presets and clears the remaining preset slots⁵.

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