Can't decide... First Elektron Device

Elektron Gear
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Hello everyone, I have the following concern: I produce industrial hard techno, which, unlike usual, is rather dark and thrives on ambiente. My DAW is Ableton. For some time now I’ve been thinking about purchasing electronics and other hardware to give my tracks even more uniqueness. I also want to get away from the DAW workflow for a bit. With the Elektron hardware, I’m fascinated by the idea of ​​a sequencer to help me focus better.

All in all, I’ve been dealing with the topic for some time and since then I’ve had the problem that I want to start with the correct device.

I don’t want to realize after a week that I’ve invested in the wrong thing (I don’t want it to be a dust collector! I want to produce and have fun doing it). Primarily I want to use it as studio gear.

Live with the equipment is not an issue at first.

I don’t just want to be able to create drums, but also synth (extra device being considered). I don’t make melodies, just dark, industrial distorted sounds with Hard industrial Kicks.

What I have found relevant to me so far:

  1. AR = samples possible, not so many tracks, disadvantage I see: distortion on the sum (disadvantage because I would like the distortion to be individual)

  2. Syntakt = no samples possible, 12 tracks (4 analog), distortion can be assigned individually, disadvantage I see: Limited in sound because no sample option => recognition of the artist’s sound

  3. Digitakt 2 = ONLY samples possible, assigning distortion ripples possible, disadvantage I see: the first one is probably not on my list. I can also use my DAW for this (or I don’t yet see the advantage of using it as the first device), considering it as a second or third purchase

  4. Digitone = waiting for a version 2, still unclear, could there also be a cheaper Hydrasynth that is also more flexible?

So I don’t really know which purchase makes the most sense for me and what I should start with. I would prefer a device as a symbiosis of Syntakt and Digitakt 2 :grin: + Digiton 2/Hydrasynth

Maybe the realization is that everything is nonsense or even that nothing or everything fits :slight_smile:

I would be really grateful for any insights!

Thanks!

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Do you want to manipulate existing sounds or create new ones? Start there. If the former, go with the Digitakt or Octatrack. If you want to make your own sounds, go Syntakt or Digitone. The Rytm will give you a bit of both, but I never gelled with it.

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Irrelevant because CCMP's answer is better

For a small setup, I’d be inclined to recommend AR(a mk1 if you’re timid and don’t expect to record samples directly onto the device)

From my experience- the AR is fun to use as a solo box, but I didn’t care for it in a larger setup(and being able to use synthesis and samples is pretty cool.

If you’re wanting to use it in conjunction with Ableton then the LFO limitation is nonexistent.

But this rec is based on very little because I don’t know how you like to work musically or the sounds you like to work with

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Top of your list should be the OG Digitakt.
By the time you’ve properly learnt how to use that you’ll know what the next one should be… it’s the best time to get an OG Digitakt too.

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Completely agree with this. OG is a steal on the used market now…it’s an amazing machine and will be a very good Segway to other Elektron family members if you gel with it.

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I would definitely go with either DTII or ST - they are the most self contained of the 4. Both are also very good for harsh industrial stuff.

If you want immediacy and don’t want to bother with sampels then ST. Otherwise DTII is obviously more flexible.

EDIT:

But the OG DT suggestion does have a lot of merit. : )

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I would add that DTII is a really great synth when using it with Single Cycles. It can sounds very weird in a good way.

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No need to wait for Digitone 2, who knows when or if they will ever release it. Current Digitone is perfectly fine, such an amazing FM synth.

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Thank you! can you tell me why the OG and not the II?

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cycles is amazing for the price

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The OG is quite a bargain used right now, and it does quite a lot. DT2 has some nice new features and a potentially great update path ahead of it, but is still shaking out release bugs.

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Thank you for your answer. In sum, all of it (existing and create). That’s the reason, why it is so hard for me to get the best choice for beginning. As I said. I don’t want to buy the wrong first device. But at all I know, that I will not need only one device in future :slight_smile:

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Ah okay! So the DT II will also do it quit well right? Here in Germany the price for a OG is around 550 Euro. For this price I will spend 400 more and get the newest one I think.

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DT2. It’s a hugely flexible sound design tool, particularly with the comb filter (and other filter types), 3rd LFO etc. Wavetable synthesis also totally possible on it, so there is some synthesis there, plus s a bunch of other great features etc. The DT1 was/is great too, but the DT2 is a whole lot deeper.

Never been that convinced with the syntakt, despite giving it a few shots. Really like the FX block tho, that might be up your street

tbf you could apply this to the overall question and have done with it. A DAW will (IMO) always be more flexible and certainly more capable than any of this gear (certainly when it comes to getting tracks finished); there’s really not much that you can do with the digitakt that can’t technically be done with Simpler, and likewise Digitone/Operator, and particularly when you throw Roar into the equation, you have some really nice distortion modelling that you would otherwise be paying a premium for in the Rytm.

This is pure speculation off the back of the release of the DT2 that I think is completely unsubstantiated, and I dont see there being a like-for-like update for each of the digi-boxes just because the DT got one. The DN is a great machine and can be found pretty cheap second hand. Like I said, you can do much of what it does in Operator, but if you really want to have a hardware equivalent you can do worse than checking it out

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Video below illustrates what can be done by working with Analog RYTM Mk2 and Ableton Live in hybrid mode:

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good point of view at all! really! thank you. roar = correct. one of the best new devices in Ableton 12!

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It certainly will. There are some very compelling new features on DT2 – the comb filter, the ADSR envelope, improved possibilities with single-cycle waveforms – in addition to the more publicized ones like stereo samples and 16 flexible tracks. Until the day before it was leaked, I would have recommended DT1 as a first device (possibly not in your specific case). If the difference in price is not a concern, DT2 is a very good option.

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Digitakt MKI is currently a great value for money second hand. You can use it as a drum machine or a synthesizer, and they go for peanuts in second hand market now that MK2 is out. It reflects the Elektron workflow pretty nicely, it is a complete tool to make music with, sounds great, and you can see later on if sticking to Elektron or going somewhere else after testing it.

That would be my recommendation :slight_smile:

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Great, pretty much any of them have, more or less, the same sequencer.

Perfect, pretty much all of them will do it.

The closest thing, on paper, is the Rytm.

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You should find one for less than 400€.
Don’t hesitate to bargain, many Digitakt lovers want a Digitakt II right now.

23 DTs on sale here in France (and Belgium) on Audiofanzine.fr right now, starting at 350€. Killer deal.

I do believe a DT OG is a good way to learn the Elektron workflow, see if it boosts your creativity to have some fine hardware in your hands and if you’re ok with the limitations…
For the price, not a huge risk. You can always resell with a small loss.

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