I would +1 this notion. For a starter studio they’re hard to beat in value. Almost any of the Circuits line is golden but the Tracks is my fave.
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If you’re really limited to <$300, then +1 on either Cycles or MicroMonsta 2, depending on what you think you need.
Cycles = 6 more independent monophonic tracks, but of hands-on FM machines.
MicroMonsta2 = 1 or 2 stereo polyphonic tracks + fx (driven by your DT MIDI) of a very deep and great sounding virtual analog + FM + WT, etc. synth.
What kinds of sounds appeal to you and do you want more/alternative drums with your DT or do you want to add rich, layered synth sounds?
Bear in mind, either source can be sampled back into the DT for further mangling or to free up the devices for more stuff.
I found adding an iPad to a DT/DN combo a major headache. Tried running various iOS programs to route MIDI but it kept dropping connections. I know people do it and have a lot of success but wanted to throw my opinion in. Now I’ve got a MIDI splitter that has the DN sending midi to my MS20 and Minilogue.
That’s weird and would be frustrating. I’ve been using iPad with the DT and DNK since the first day they became class compliant audio interfaces and have never experienced those problems even once. Far from being a headache in my experience, it’s been typical plug and play smoothness.
Thanks. I like the idea that for that budget I can instantly add more tracks to my jams. So I think the M:C is hard to beat for that price.
Of course I will be looking for further expansions in the future. But I think it will suit my needs for now, until the inflation lowers a bit.
But will definitely look at the MM2 also.
Dreadbox Typhon is a really fun, very hands on playable synth. I picked mine up used for $300. Sample that thing. Sequence it too.
Ok just listened to this preset pack for the Micromonsta2 and I have to say it’s amazing.
Put myself on the email list for the new batch.
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O no, falling in a hole at the moment.
Is it true that the Waldorf Blofeld is multitimbral and has 16 midichannels, so you can assign all 8 channels to the Blofeld and sequence them af the same time?
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I like this Blofeld idea! It’s multitimbral and the DT has a bunch of MIDI tracks. I’ve always wanted a Blofeld… This thread is making me want to get one. Lol
I think so. I’ve never used one, so I don’t want to say yes for sure, but that’s usually the cool thing about multitimbral synths
Blofeld does work good with Digitakt, minus various things like it not recording pitch bend etc. That stuff is well documented. But Blofeld is great for bass/pads/textures/noise etc, but can take a bit of effort to get the sound you’re after at times. Also I wouldn’t expect to use any more than 3 or 4 actual sounds at once as it all gets a bit muddy and the polyphony will top out. For the price tho it’s a great solution.
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I will advise against M:C. Both DT and M:C are designed to be rhythmical boxes with melodic stuff as a bonus. You can run M:C as a sound module but in this role it’s rather limited. Check my and @bibenu replies in this thread.
As a DT user myself I would suggest you to look for a poly synth with a keyboard first. This way you will not only cover melodic part but also will have useful interface for entering notes into DT: used Minilogues, Microkorgs, Mininovas. Microfreak as well even though it’s paraphonic.
If you are ok with DT’s own keyboard layout search for polyphonic modules like already mentioned Micromonsta or Blofeld.
Then monophonic synths with a keyboard. After them monophonic modules and only then a groove box like MC.
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Thanks. That’s the only thing holding me back on a M:C. I already use a KeyStep pro with my DT to enter notes. So a desktop will be enough. Still looking at the Microfreak though.
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It hasn’t been mentioned so far, but I would look at the Roland MC-101.
It gives you a 4-part multi-timbral world of Roland that you can seq from the DT, it’s a perfect companion to the KeyStep Pro, and it’s ideal sample material for the DT. Plus it’s compact and you can use it on its own.
I’d also look at the iPad route, as the bang for buck and sonic possibilities that combo gives are hard to beat… having got into it recently myself I’d say it’s more powerful than using a laptop.
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Thanks. I ditched that one in my search for a sampler/Groove box when I chose the DT. Had forgotten about it since then. As a companion it looks pretty good though.
So already doubled my budget 
so I guess the iPad is also a contestant now.
I’m in a very similar position but with a Polyend Tracker.
I’ve got an iPad but it takes me out of the hardware flow and just feels like a less capable laptop.
I’m currently pondering a Modal Cobalt 5s as it’s a compact midi controller + a capable synth. I’ve also been thinking about a Digitone or Cycles but the lack of polyphony on the Cycles puts me off a bit.
I have two of the synths you are interested in.
MicroMonsta 2 is wonderful, MicroFreak is also great but different: 1 part, less polyphony, more oscillators and a much more immediate interface for tweaking.
I think the best thing to do with a MicroFreak is to pair with an FX pedal; it really opens up with chorus/delay/reverb. Your budget can cover that.
Sampling the MicroFreak into the DT would be cool!
Selling my MicroFreak (to minimise my studio) if you’re interested:
https://www.elektronauts.com/t/fs-uk-microfreak-250-ono/173851
This is getting harder and harder. I like the Waldorf for the multitimbre options but since I have ADD (you can also tell by jumping from one synth to another in my comments) and know I will get lost in presets and possibilities without actually creating anything, I am afraid I will never learn and use the full possibilities. On the other hand I am not making actual songs. I just like to play around with sounds and coincidental finds. That’s why I bought the DT and not a MPC
Still drawn to the Micromonsta though. Also because of its size. I like to take my DT around the house and plug it in where I like (I know the iPad is maybe the best option there).
Many thanks for all the suggestions!!!
For all the people who mentioned the iPad. I bought a camera kit for my iPhone to keep me busy. It’s pretty bizarre when you think about what possibilities you had in your pocket all the time.
Will be looking further for hardware though.
In this combination I would use the M:C more for beats and percussion so that I have more free tracks on my DT.
I would like to make more glitchy, beat based music, rather than melodic synth wave or ambient.