I’d suggest a synth module that isn’t an Elektron.
DNII has a lot of overlap with the sequencer, midi, effects etc whereas it sounds like you want something just as a sample source and to play with the DTII that’s more focused.
perhaps a mini freak, or one of the korg modules. the wave state looks very nice for pads.
Maybe just a simple mono synth to get a feel for having something alongside your DTII.
also nice to read that the DTII is pushing you into more experimental territory. It’s nice when something puts you on a path, I think the DTII is incredibly good, i find it so intuitive and creative.
Have you considered the Arturia Minifreak? Portable, lots of sound design options, good mod matrix, built in sequencer, vocoder, and still actively supported by Arturia. And if you’re in the budget range for a Hydrasynth (assuming the OG) then you’ll have plenty of budget left over for other gear.
I believe the appeal of the DNII is getting stronger. I can see the possibilities of this Elektron combo a little better.
I will master already the general workflow , and I imagine that the formation of Dave Mech for example can help me to get started with the synthesizing part.
I have a an original digfitone and had a hydra desktop. Digfitone is miles away from hydrasynth. For me it sounds much much better, is multitimbral, it has a very good sequencer, everything. You can pair it later with a key step and get a synth monster.
The hydrasynth is good, but with DT2 is enough for years.
Honestly though, pick a holiday destination, somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. Pick your favorite person. Take a camera. Take lots of photos. Make lots of memories.
It’s planned, birthday or not. We’re just waiting for the little one to be a little bigger so that the trip doesn’t turn into a nightmare. Young parents know what I’m talking about.
I say get the Hydrasynth. You will love the DNII but you can get it later. It would give you more instant gratification and infinite ear candy, but that’s the problem: it will be too easy to just get neat sounds by blundering around randomly, but not really learning how to get the sounds you imagine.
The Hydrasynth will feel limiting and frustrating at first, and you will keep getting sounds you like but then losing control of them or getting confused trying to figure out why turning a knob changes them so much. But you will develop a much, much deeper understanding of synthesis (helped by the best-in-class front panel design) and you will be able to produce a much greater range of sounds.
Hydrasynth is a good choice for a pure sound designer, but it’s not multitimbral, so it’s stays a bit in the periphery at some point.
Roland SH4D might be a good choice, but the UX is very weird, the Roland way: the device sounds great and seems almost perfect until one thing you use all the time takes like 4 steps (like, saving a patch for instance.
Very different from Elektron, at least.
Id’ say DNII. It’s OK whatever your profile, IMO.
It’s still my favorite synth and I own way too many, so this means something.
It’s pretty powerful, and pairs very well with the DTII.
The polyphony is well implemented IMO.
It sounds really nicely, you can get very different sounds from VA to FM madness.
Digitone 2 is one of the best pieces of gear I’ve ever owned.
With the new machines, it covers more ground than most any synth out there.
Paired with a DT2 and you’ve got the whole package.
That would be my rec
If you are used to and comfortable with the DT2, then I would say DN2 is the obvious choice. In fact I think a better set of options would be between other Elektrons, such as the A4 and ST.
I’ve used all the Elektron machines except the MnM and TV, and for me the A4/AK is the one to beat. Endless possibilities.
In fact, the complexity of the M8 is greatly exaggerated. Watching just a few reviews on YouTube was enough for me to understand how the project is structured and to memorize a couple of shortcuts (which is essentially the main challenge). With that, I was able to create a complete and complex track packed with automation, synthesizers, and samples on the very first evening after the M8 arrived. I’ve never been able to finish tracks on Elektrons, but the M8 is specifically designed for this — the Song Mode is the first screen you see (like the clip grid in Ableton), and you’re always working within the framework of a song. Clips are easy to move, copy, and insert.
The advantages are endless. Samples can be of any length since they’re streamed directly from the SD card, slicing is simple, projects load instantly without any pauses, there are plenty of built-in synths, and you can even load WAV files with multi-sampled instruments. And if the screen feels too small — the M8 can always be connected to a computer via USB, allowing you to set the device aside and control it using your laptop’s keyboard. The audio is also streamed to the computer via USB. I do this all the time. And when you’re heading out, you just toss it in your pocket and continue working on your music while sitting on a park bench. Really nice device… ah, Novation Launchpad can be used with it too.
Maybe a A4 Keys or Digitone Keys might be nice and now pretty much a bargain. Have the best of both words - you still have another Elektron sequencer that you are familiar with plus the Keyboard (which may also come in handy with the DTII)
I agree with this take. I think the DN is great if you want to get into FM synthesis or are happy with its presets, but as someone new to synthesis, I found it hard to get the sounds I wanted from it. It felt like more work to learn it than the DT.
But then again, I’m pretty thickheaded and have accumulated a fair amount of brain damage over the years.
If you’re not much of a keyboardist, I agree with the others who suggested getting a monosynth. That would give you sample fodder, an easier intro to synthesis, and something to practice controlling through your DT’s midi tracks.
