+- Elektronmods (https://elektronmods.com)
+-- Forum: Elektron Hardware (https://elektronmods.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Syntakt (https://elektronmods.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=9)
+---- Forum: Software (https://elektronmods.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=40)
+---- Thread: GOOD NEWS, EVERYONE! Syntakt MAX 1.0 – Multiple Custom Firmware Mods in One Build! (/showthread.php?tid=81)
GOOD NEWS, EVERYONE! Syntakt MAX 1.0 – Multiple Custom Firmware Mods in One Build! - kariGardarsson - 10-17-2026
GOOD NEWS, EVERYONE!
So, after spending way too much time messing around with Elektron firmware lately, I've got something else to share
This time it's the Syntakt!
There's already been some pretty amazing work done by people in the Syntakt firmware modding community, but trying out different mods isn't exactly straightforward unless you're comfortable digging through firmware tools and code
So I figured, why not try to bring as much of that work together as possible and make it accessible to everyone?
And here we are!
Introducing Syntakt MAX 1.0!
It's a collection of community-developed firmware mods combined into a single build, running on actual Syntakt hardware
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
- Master Compressor — analog master compression with gain-reduction display
- Third Send FX — chorus, flanger, phaser and bitcrusher
- Beat Repeat — repeat sequencer steps across digital and analog tracks
- Dual Mono Input — independent left and right external input levels
- Readable Parameter Values — Hz, dB, ms and percentages instead of just abstract numbers
- Déjà Vu LFOs — looping random modulation with free-running and trigger-reset modes
- 31 New SY CHORD Waveforms — new saw, pulse, harmonic, synthetic and chord textures
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
I've also put together a standalone Windows firmware builder, so you don't need to know anything about programming to try it
Just download the official Syntakt OS 1.41 from Elektron, select it in the builder, click Build, and you'll get your own Syntakt MAX .syx file ready to install using Elektron Transfer
No Python, no command line, no complicated setup, and no Elektron firmware included in the download
DOWNLOAD
Syntakt MAX 1.0 — first public beta:
https://github.com/karigardarsson/Synthack-OS/releases/tag/syntakt-max-v1.0
HUGE THANKS!
I want to give a huge shoutout to Angelo-politek / SyntHack and Bezronczek / Syntakt Firmware Workbench
They're responsible for the original firmware mods and much of the research that made this possible. My contribution has been bringing these modifications together into one build, adding the MAX waveform selection, and making a Windows builder so people can actually use it without having to mess around with development tools
Also thanks to Marcel Bierling for the elektron-firmware-tool project
This wouldn't have been possible without their work!
A LITTLE HEADS-UP
I've tested MAX on my own Syntakt, and the firmware and its features are working. The Windows builder has also been tested successfully
It's still experimental, unofficial firmware, though, and broader compatibility testing is ongoing. Back up your projects and familiarize yourself with the stock firmware recovery procedure before installing
Anyway, it's been a pretty wild couple of days, and I thought some of you might enjoy playing around with this!
Let me know what you think, and feel free to spread the news!
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Quick update!
A couple of useful bug reports have come in, including FX3 parameters appearing on MIDI tracks and a brief compressor volume dip during FUNC + NO operations
I've reproduced the MIDI UI issue on my own Syntakt, and I'm investigating both
Thanks to everyone reporting these things! It's helping me track down issues I wouldn't necessarily have caught on my own
I'll post an update once I have confirmed fixes