Totally new to Elektron. First post here. I’m looking at getting either an AR Mk1 or a Digitakt. Can get both for around the same price used where I am. I’m leaning towards the AR, but I’d really like to do some sample manipulation with whatever I end up getting. Setting start/stop points, looping a sample, and getting weird granular sounds and such is high on my list of priorities. I realize the Digitakt is designed specifically for this (amongst other things), but I’m wondering if the capabilities of the AR Mk1 are actually good enough in this department, particularly with the current firmware. Can anyone comment based on experience? Thanks!
I’d say go with your gut and get the Rytm if you don’t need sampling, IMHO it is better than the DT in every other aspect, plus the dual VCO synth and some of the other analog machines are great.
Using the performance pads to change the start and end points can give some extremely fine resolution for granular looping. Its definitely one of my favorite parts about the Rytm
Yeah I wonder if it would be too much of an architecture change for the AR. AR does have some unique ness around having start/end vs start/loop/length on the DT. If start passes the end point then the sample will play in reverse I believe where start/length dont cross on DT and you are setting the playback mode for reverse loop. DT probably has a general advantage for sample mangling overall and makes sense for using an LFO to move grains about while also locking stuff like loop point and reverse gives some pretty nutty results.
I still sample my microgranny 2 all the time though, it samples splendidly in the DT for even further mangling. Not sure what it is about how it handles the grains I guess because the slice doesnt move until completed it has a very precise form of granular where digitakt is a bit more loose and free… I’m pretty sure with enough tweaking you could make DT act basically the same though.
Ok well now we’ve gone outside the OPs original gear list I must say that if you’re serious about granular either yes modular or an iPad. Granular is great with a touch screen for control and lots of amazing options.
Limited! I think it’s easier on the DT if you want me to forget the OT for a few lines. I’m curious about the minimum LENgth possible with DT.
2 octave up counts too!
No, I can’t forget OT :
(64 samples LENgth max for, 1 octave up max , stereo )
I do think digitakt just sounds a bit better doing mono synth type sounds than the OT, So if you wanted a track to act as a granular mono synth of sorts I think it would be the choice, OT would win out for doing granular processing of a full stereo loop or something along those lines. I think the loop point is another thing that is done a bit differently on the digitakt (can you modulate loop point on the octa?)
, stereo 
)