About to buy am I going to regret not going digitakt?

Elektron Gear Model:Samples
#3

…yes…sounds like u will keep on thinking…keep on asking…keep on hesitating…keep on missing…out.

but both can be catched for reasonable second hand prices…and can be sold again for reasonable prices…so have a look for urself to put an end to ur train of thoughts… find some sonic proove instead of further reasons for further hesitation…start to rock it…

instant fun factor is higher on m:s…deep dive fun and the miracle of sampling comes with the takt…and the bonus of on board swedish sequencing comes with both…

#4

Welcome to the forum. I recently re-bought the M:S and I’ve had DT, OT, and AR in the past. M:S is a great first Elektron device and it’s super hands-on and immediate. The only pain is getting samples on it in the first place via a computer. But, if you carefully select your samples, name them appropriately so you can see them clearly on the limited-character screen, put them in well organised folders, then you won’t have any issues. Then it just a matter of really pushing the box as far as it can go (p-locks, sample-locks) and only upgrading if you’re lacking something the DT has such as dedicated midi tracks, two extra audio tracks, and the ability to sample/resample.

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#5

I think the model samples stands on its own, but it really wants to be fed well prepared samples, with stuff like attack baked into a sample. Digitakt gives you more freedom with envelopes and sample start point loop point type stuff, which is really great for letting you adjust samples to your liking on the fly. I wouldn’t say you will regret it as it is just a matter of learning the workflow and making it work for you. Never too late to switch it up if you feel limited by the model samples.

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#6

If you look once its happenstance. If you look twice its circumstance. If you look thrice it meant to be. If you can afford it buy it.

#7

I bought a Samples knowing I’d want a Digitakt eventually.

The M:S isn’t really a “little brother” to the Digitakt. The M:S has a few things the Digitakt doesn’t. If I had any memory at all I’d list them here. I believe it was user AdamJay that pointed this out. I’m taking the morning off today so I’ll go have a look about and see if I can find it.

Point being, I was lucky enough to be in a place where I could just keep the M:S and have the Digitakt as well. The M:S doesn’t feel like the ‘lite version’ of the DT when I use it. The M:S feels more like an original Electribe Sample to me (ES-1).

I’ll try to find that thread, brb lol

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#8

This is listing the things the M:S can do that the DT can’t. Rather a list of features packed into the M:S that the DT didn’t get.

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#9

i feel the same, remind the first electribe, not a bad thing…

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#10

Absolutely a good thing : )

#11

yep, very fun to use like the first gen electribe :crazy_face:

#12

Tomato - tomahto. I think we agree here though.

They aren’t the same designs, so the features are indeed different. And being different designs, where different decisions were made, leads users down different creative alleys. That’s the only point.

Sure some features are hardware based (velocity sensitive pads)

Some, like sample slots, are software based and the implementation isn’t really one that could be updated without breaking things or losing features on the DT (where the sample slots are midi based).

And others are DSP based (filter designs). Perhaps DT could get that as a tried filter option?

I got tracks and performances out of my MS that I never could have got out of 6 tracks for DT. And vice versa. :grinning:

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#13

You should try the M:S before buying if you can. I found the velocity-sensitive pads on the M:C difficult to work with, so went for the Digitakt.

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#14

Well I’ve dipped my toes in and have just bought a used m:s in great condition. I’m really looking forward to it turning up. I want to jam away from a laptop so having less screen and menu diving is a good thing and I can see how I get on. I’m thinking if I get in with it I might add a model cycles next.

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#15

Nice. Time to get your samples ready then! I’m really appreciating the little things right now (compared to the other Elektron samplers) like having the delay always on the same knob. Enjoy!

#16

I have both. I bought the MS first and then the Digitakt. I really like the Transfer-Samples app for the MS, but haven’t tried it on the Digitakt yet. I’m thinking of keeping both samplers because of the sequencer of the MS. Where am I going to find a better sequencer for the price? But, admittedly I really haven’t used the MS much since I got the Digitakt.

#17

It might actually seem counter intuitive but I really like the Samples for “one box” type projects. I prefer using the Digitakt with other gear.

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#18

Get the digitakt - so much better, consider it an investment in your passion…

#19

Might seem like a bit of hyperbole here but I think the Digitakt is one of the best samplers/drum machines ever made.

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#20

Bit late for that tip! I have no hardware these days - in the past I had an MC303 in 96 then a RM1X, various bits of Novation gear, a Roland JV1010 - I even sequenced from an Alesis MMT 8 at one point.

I think keeping things limited in one box will be just right for me and I can always run audio into Bitwig or Logic.

#21

I think that you’re going to like the Model: Samples a lot. On top of the immediacy of it, it’s got some advantages over the Digitakt.

You can have more samples in a project. Honestly, I don’t even know what the limit is off hand other than you can lock 24 samples in a given pattern whereas on the Digitakt you can lock any of the 127 in your project. But again, that’s for your whole project.

You can much more easily move patterns between projects. On the Digitakt, you need to make sure that everything’s in the new project and that the sample numbers match up. On the Model: Samples, you can just copy and paste. So if you want to put your best stuff in one place, you’ll have an easier time on the Model: Samples.

You can modulate parameters by velocity. When you add this to the fact that the pads are both velocity and pressure sensetive and that you can have pads set to automatically retrigger, you can get some really interesting results. Personally, I just like to use it to get a little extra variation. You can ultimately do a lot more on the Digitakt but I can just play that variation into the Model: Samples once I’ve got it set up. And I appreciate that.

Also, while you’re getting away from the screen, it’s easier to get the Models hooked up to a power bank so that you can use them as portable devices. It’s 5 volts. Hell, if you’ve got an adapter, you can plug the usb into your cell phone and record yourself wherever. I know that theoretically you can connect a Digitakt to a power bank but it seems pretty fraught and I’m not interested in putting mine through that.

If you do wind up getting a Digitakt, I don’t think you’ll regret having purchased the Model: Samples. It’s a good stepping stone to other Elektron stuff and a good piece in it’s own right. That’s my experience anyway.

I guess one tip I’d give you is to second what a lot of other people have said and prep your samples. If you know you need to change the attack, for example, make sure you’ve got it right before you load it up otherwise you’ll have to waste an lfo for an envelope. I’d also recommend making a point of using a folder system that works for you and adding things slowly and deliberately so that you know where everything is. I think that getting bogged down with trying to figure out where a sample is exactly is the quickest way to sap the immediacy of it.

So yeah, congrats on your purchase. Have fun. Make music.

Also, the Cycles is great. They work well together. But if you want to use them together remember that neither has audio ins so while you’re thinking about picking one up remember to also shop for a mixer.

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#22

That’s a new one to me! Wow. That’s pretty slick.

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