What is the best elektron machine I can choose to go with a behringer rd9, a behringer neutron and a roland boutique sh01a, I also have an elektron model samples but I would like to replace it. I’m leaning between digitakt and octatrack mk2. I like making hypnotic and experimental techno. Can you help me with which of these I can choose? I can also consider A4 or Analog Rytm2
My pedal setup is a strymoon timeline and an eventide space
Best regards,
Nuno
what’s your budget? what colors do you like? how big are your hands? are you ok with things that are small and a bit cramped, or do you prefer things to be more comfortable and spaced out? what do you want to use the gear for? percussion, melodies, sampling, synthesis, many things… ?
Thanks for your help
I need this for controller my setup synth (neutron and sh01a) has a midi sequencer, use some minimal sounds and to be my brain of my setup. I prefer things to be more comfortable and spaced. I’m leaning towards a Digitakt or Octatrack mk2 ( I found for sale for €900)
If you want quick and easy go digitakt.
If you want the deepest most flexible elektron to play with other gear go octatrack.
You’ve got synths and drums fairly well covered, so if pass of the A4. The DT can get experimental, but the OT can do a whole other universe with scenes. Depends on if you want to jump in the deep end or not.
The Rytm also has (most of) a Digitakt in it, plus that DVCO. If you can swing it, that’s not a bad choice, although it lacks a few features that make granular sampling tricks easy on the DT/OT. It depends on your priorities
digitakt is quick to learn and good at controlling external instruments.
digitone is actually much better at sequencing external instruments because it has a “note” button and is more intuitive for editing melodies. But it’s not a sampler.
i’ve never used an octa so dont know how good it is at sequencing ext stuff.
If stereo sample playback or stereo resampling of your synths is important to you then the Octatrack would be the best choice. Also consider that the OT has 2 stereo ins and 2 stereo outs, so you can use it for mixer/FX duties. Otherwise if those things don’t matter so much to you the Digitakt would probably be fine.
Just be prepared to spend a fair bit of time learning how to use it.
If you want to hit the ground running and like the idea of recording audio over USB the digitakt is the correct choice. If you would like a more performative experience and you intend to heavily sample your other gear thus would prefer a stereo line source but with a more intense learning curve, the octatrack would probably be a good choice.
I think that as far as midi sequencing, you’d find them both equally capable, although I think the dt might be a bit easier to implement as a brain for your setup.
mono samples are a distinct limitation though.
if you’re religious I’d say the digitakt
if not then I’d say the digitakt
amen.
The point is that I found an octatrack mkii at the same price as a new digitakt. Should I choose Digitakt anyway?
Octa all the way, depends how much you value overbridge
If you buy something that doesn’t do what you want it to, then it won’t matter how good of a deal it was. It has to do with your intentions and your needs.
They both have strengths, and there’s really no need to buy a new digitakt, you could buy a secondhand one that’s still under warranty.
Elektron 3 year warranty with no limitation on resale transfer levels the playing field, unless you are dead set on buying it new for the purpose of something like a 30 day return policy (which isn’t a bad idea to try out the digitakt).
But I mean, I’ll put it to you like this: I own 2 digitakts and zero octatracks, I could own one of each, but I don’t.
I always heard that octatrack has everything that digitakt has and much more
yeah well people say a lot of shit don’t they.
Yeah but its each to their own innit. Ive owned both at the same time.
I still have my octatrack which I’ll never part with.
Ive owned a digitakt, didnt like it, sold it.
By this point this thread is useless, as all ‘which peice of gear should I get’ threads inevitably become.
Useless to you certainly. For OP, maybe less so. The question was precise enough.
@Nuno my opinion is that despite OT can do more, DT is faster to learn, and has already a lot of power. The workflow is way more straightforward, and the sound is real good.
It is the best choice imo for a first Elektron.
I’ve got to jump in here @Nuno and advise Octatrack if…
You value longer sections of loops quantized recorded ,ie a 4bar(or more) riff off your Neutron or RD9 and stereo samples are important to you.
You have a good offer on a more expensive machine. It has a cross fade! Loads of techno artists use it and it has a brilliant arp in its midi section, perfect for the type of music you do.
Also the mixer element is one of the powerful aspects of it - not just effects, but applying gates with filters modulated on/off.
I’m sure you are more than capable of sampling with it, and it is the better sampler (well I would say that, I own one, not a DT;)
DT if you plan to go hybrid and/or want to use overbridge to record every track separately.
Otherwise, definitely OT.