DT/MPC vs. DAW and the rest of the world

The Lounge Other Gear
#21

I think it all depends on the individual. I can see both sides and probably sit more on your side of things to be honest. But, this argument can go on forever - why bother owning hardware synths and things when ITB works so well (Kontrol S Series) and sounds so good for example!

From what I’ve seen, DT is, to me, overpriced for what it delivers. I’m sure I’m missing something but with MPC Live (and 2nd hand OT) being c£150 more, it just seems like money better spent. But I guess the benefits in all instrumnets are in the eye of the beholder.

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#22

There is a difference between ‘can do something’ and ‘lends itself to doing something’

Ableton CAN accomplish everything that MPClive or DT could ever hope to do. Can it do those things as easily or elegantly? I spent some time setting up an Ableton template that accomplished everything I love about the OT. It worked and was immensely more powerful than the OT… but somehow… meh…

We are spoiled for choice in all the ways to skin a cat these days. Now the criteria should be how intuitively does the tool skin cats.

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#23

This was going a bit too far…

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#24

I think if you plan on using Ableton and Push 2 alongside the Digitakt in production then most definitely Digitakt would be unnecessary.
The opposite is true If you are working away from the computer (& push), it suddenly makes sense as a good drum sampler and sequencer for other gear.
The Digitakt is a good drum sampler and sequencer, but can’t compare with the power of Ableton / Push 2, and particularly if you have Max 4 Live also.
If you don’t have it yet, my suggestion would be to add Max 4 Live, and forget Digitakt, as there is nothing that can’t be done with the Ableton / Push2 / Max4live combination.

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#25

I have push 2 and while it is good it is a little bit too much of everything tbh. I wish they made a controller in that form but with faders instead of the pads. What I really want is a great mixing environment itb. I’ve basically come to the conclusion that that’s where i am at now. But that’s just me I guess.

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#26

It’ll be interesting to see where Ableton go next with Push. I’d love for an MPE Push 3.

Out of interest, why not go with an APC Mk2? Or even Maschine Jam?

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#27

While ther might be nothing that couldn’t be done with push, live and max, the path to getting where you want to be is unacceptably long for some (like me). Many times I’ve thought to myself “ok now imma build this dream setup with m4l”… And get stuck faffing around in max, only to give up later. So YMMV.

For me, it boils down to having to choose between A) maisc music/playing or B) systems design, DSP/programming… And since I seemingly have the time and energy for only one of these, I’ve ended up choosing A for the moment.

#28

After years of being ITB with Logic Pro (going back to Logic 3.8) and then Ableton, I moved to Push before going hardware only (MPC1000 plus jjos plugged into MD and a bunch of synths) last year. This was mainly because Push didn’t satisfy my need for tactile, one-button-one-function workflow. With Push I still found myself looking at the screen to work out what I was tweaking.

For me, software is easier when I have a clear vision in my head of what I want to achieve, but the beauty of hardware is the ‘happy accidents’ and flow - I can set something up on one bit of kit then move to another to counterpoint/transition etc. After a couple of hours I’ve been lost in the music and ended up at a destination I couldn’t have predicted when I started. I can’t get that looking at a screen and clicking a mouse. With hardware it’s easier to muck around and come up with something completely unexpected. I find this much more satisfying, probably because it forces me to focus on what I’m hearing rather than what I’m seeing on a screen.

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#29

No need for any systems design or DSP programming with M4L.
I’ve never had to program anything as the M4L database on their site is rediculous. Whatever you want has already been made.
Just a case of searching for what you want, downloading the M4L device, load it on a Ableton track and go nuts :loopy:
But anyway we all work different so whatever works, works

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#30

Cenk does an amazing job and the way he demos Elektron products is just other level. My point would be that not everyone has that kind of skill and some people will buy the DT thinking that they’ll be able to do the same stuff as Cenk. I think they’ll be disappointed. With something like Maschine or Ableton even if you lack the skills you can still make something interesting. This thought occurred to me when I watched a vid of the DT at superbooth that was being demoed by another guy from Elektron and not Cenk. Kind of didn’t sound as good. The market these days is about getting crap musicians to come up with something that can be listened to. Eurorack is all about that and that’s why it’s growing.

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#31

Ive looked everywhere for how to plock in ableton. Thought it was using automation …
Any sequencer without the ability to change peramaters per step etc kills me!!

#32

Not sure I follow.
How come you can’t plock with automation in Ableton?
Hit record, turn a knob when sequencer playing, done?

#33

that’s not p-locks that’s standard automation.

#34

As mentioned by @CarlMikaelBjork recently:
You could set almost every automatable parameter in Live through the Push sequencer. They must be inspired by Elektron since it’s press, hold and turn. To get access to the parameters to automate you need to switch to the device view on Push - but everything there can be “parameter locked”.

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#35

Don’t remember when I said this. But it’s true!

Word! And all that. :cat:

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#36

28 posts were split to a new topic: MIDI timing discussion

#37

P-locks are merely step modulation. It has been possible to apply step modulation in Live well before the introduction of Push 1 (via the envelope screen).

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#38

Form is pretty damn brilliant. :slight_smile:

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#39

seem a bit an apples and oranges argument…

a laptop/push2/ableton, opens up so many more possibilities that are just unavailable on a dt/mpc, yet if you want just one box, then its not going to work for you.
(most of the arguments that ableton/push2 cant do X, are usually things that can be worked around e.g. add a midi controller with faders, clocking options etc)

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#40

I use Push 2 all the time and I still put in a pre order for the DT. I totally get what you are saying though. You can set up 8 tracks of anything you want really and go to town. The Push is incredible and the the sample manipulation is unmatched. That being said when I’m in Ableton I use Push 2, Novation LCXL and an Arturia Beatstep pro to handle all my needs, so it’s not really a tidy set up. I’m with you on the sofa jamming, I’m always looking for that next little lazyboy/sofa companion. I’ve been told that a laptop is not very healthy for the two fellows down below, so the DT looks to fit the bill!

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