The Digitakt is a great little machine to get started with. I would combine it with a small affordable “one knob per parameter” synth that can be controlled over MIDI such as the Roland SE-02 or a Roland SH-01A with the K-25m keyboard module, a Korg Monologue, or a Roland System-1.
Adding a synth to the Digitakt means you have something convenient to create new sounds with and to sample from. Having something with a keyboard is also nice because it’s easier to play, and because it helps you figure out scales and chords.
You don’t need a mixer for this; you can connect the outputs of your synth to the inputs on the Digitakt and it will mix the incoming signal with its own sounds (if you turn the monitoring level up).
The reason to get a synth with a “one knob per parameter” interface as your first one instead of a “deep” one with a display and a lot of parameter pages and menu options is that having all parameters laid out in front of you makes it much easier for you as a beginner to learn about synthesis and to create your own sounds.
The reason to get a synth that allows its parameters to be controlled over MIDI instead of something like a Minibrute is that this will allow you to not only sequence notes on your synth from the Digitakt, but also parameter changes. You probably won’t do that initially, but it will be nice to be able to do so once you learn more about the Digitakt.
Both the SH-01A and the System-1 have a very straightforward architecture and a nice classic “Rolandesque” filter. They also both allow you to do up to 4-note polyphony.
The SE-02 is a bit more complex to get into, but a good choice if you’re more into a classic “Moogish” sound. This one is also a bit more expensive.
The Monologue is a bit more “out there” and can sound a bit more “modern” and “weird”. It does has the nicest keys.
Would the digitakt be easily picked up by someone new to using hardware like this? or am I better learning on an electribe?
Both will require you to read the manual and to take the time to learn them. I’ve owned both, and I don’t think any one of them is more or less hard to get into than the other.
I’ve read a few comments about it not being ideal for making entire tracks on, is it really more for loops and improv/live performance?
The Digitakt have no “song mode” which is available on the bigger Elektron boxes. This song mode is rather limited however; it’s just a list of pattern the device will play through.
If you want to arrange full tracks where you can press “Play” and then sit back and listen to all the pattern changes, track mutes, filter sweeps, and other parameter automation that you’ve programmed in, then you should be using a DAW on a computer and not a hardware-only setup.
If you want to create full tracks using a hardware-only setup, you will always have to perform your tracks in the sense that you set up pattern chains, change patterns, mute tracks or voices, and tweak knobs. That’s the whole point of using hardware!
Is there another Eletron that’s better suited in my case?
I’ve owned most Elektron boxes, and I can’t really recommend the Octatrack, Analog Four, or the Rytm for a beginner.
The Octatrack is rather complex, and makes the most sense on its own when you’re using samples and loops you’ve prepared elsewhere. It’s also great for live resampling and loop mangling in a larger setup.
The Analog Four is a pretty deep analogue synth and sequencer which can be hard for a beginner to get into in terms of sound design. As a single device, having only four voices might be limiting unless your music is rather minimal or if you like a challenge.
The Rytm is an awesome sounding drum machine and sample player, but you can’t actually sample on the MkI and it remains to be seen if the sampling workflow will be as nice and direct on the MkII as it is on the Digitakt.
