Right now my set up is a Syntakt and Ableton Push 2. Typically I create a loop on the Syntakt, make a few variations using Ctrl + All, then I port the loops into Ableton and use the Push in Session view to create some variations, along with adding some elements ITB.
It’s been lots of fun and the results are typically ok-to-satisfying, but the process does feel a bit stilted. I’d like to have some more free-flow creativity, and was wondering if it would be worth it to sell my Syntakt and get an Octatrak 2. While I love the Syntakt synth engine—specifically for bass, chord-pads, and texture, I’m not a huge fan of the drums, especially the hats and snares (I just generally much prefer acoustic-sounding hats and snares). I realize the Syntakt and OT2 are completely different machines, I would just have to sell one for the other for money reasons.
The Octatrack seems daunting, but wondering if it might be the best move for me to have a more hands on experience with playing music. I come from a more traditional guitar/rock background and miss the element of “jamming” to create music—still trying to find the right set up that feels most comfortable, quick, and unencumbered.
Wondering if any of you have thoughts!
Personally, I feel the Octatrack requires much more work to get going than any other Elektron. There’s more to learn (it’s not hard, it’s just very flexible so you have to learn enough to be able to configure it). It makes no sound of its own so you have to feed it sounds. You have to decide what you want it to do and then configure it to do that, including configuring which sounds to use. I find it the least jam-y of the Elektrons I’ve used. However, it’s also possibly the most exciting Elektron, because you can mess up your sound in such unusual and dramatic ways.
If you feel the workflow of going between the Syntakt and Live gets in your way, why not (for a while), do more on the Syntakt? Use two or more Patterns per track, jam that into Live, then edit down.
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Yeah I should probably try that! Was also looking at the MPC Live II as the learning curve seems much easier than the OT2, though I understand that I’d lose all the fun Elektron sequencing stuff.
Don’t stress about learning curves. It’s not important. You’ll learn what you need.
Concentrate on sound, music, and tools for shaping sound & music.
Ask yourself: why do you want to change from 12 synths in a box to a sample-based box? What about sampling seems more “more hands-on with music”?
Also, definitely check out the new Machines Syntakt just got: the Acoustic Snare might be just what you were looking for!
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The OT can be very jam-y, you just need to pick a handful of its many features to work with, and practice with it plenty of course.
Even so it might not be what you want, I think we’d need more info about what specifically you might want the device to do before we can give particularly useful advice.
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Oh woa, thanks! Had no idea.
Yeah, @bartlebytaco, I feel that your use case may feel stilted because it may be underused. Of course I am making a wild assumption, but I feel it may be kinda educated too. If that is the case, while I am all for +1-ing an OT, to reiterate what has been said, the OT does require more of a commitment, so I am personally wondering “it kinda doesn’t make sense to go from an underutilized machine to a machine that begs to be dived into, to address a stilted workflow issue” (and again, I am making a wild assumption).
I would for example switch one for the other if I was looking to make a paradigm shift from synthesis to sample manipulation because that is what I artistically and creatively want to lean more on, and most likely after mastering a good chunk of the possibilities of the thing I may consider replacing.
Anyway, that is all highly opinionated, you do you. If I am somewhat right about the ST maybe being underutilized, maybe try to master it first. If I’m wrong, ignore me 
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I have a MPC Live 2 and an OT MK2. I found the OT pretty tough at first, but I’m finding the MPC to be tougher. Probably because I’ve used so many different Elektron machines and love the workflow. Those two machines are tough to compare. MPC audio quality is outstanding as are the fx. Though I find it unintuitive and really hard to get the IDM type nonsense I do on that machine. The OT is the best musical playground ever, but it is weird and has certain limitations compared to the MPC. If I could only keep one it would be OT, hands down. That said, I can’t see me ever selling my Syntakt, especially after today’s update.
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No, you’re probably right! I’ve also been considering getting a Digitakt because it’s both cheaper and easier to operate than the OT2 (as I already know how to use the Syntakt)—I would like to use samples and one-shots outside of Ableton. But to your point: while I’ve watched a ton of videos and feel like I’ve learned a lot about how to “use” the Syntakt, I’m probably underutilizing it creatively, and likely need to spend more time with it.
Yeah I also lean toward making more house / minimal / IDM stuff too, so maybe it’s a smarter move to stick to an Elektron sequencer / music-making model.
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As a counterpoint from most of the comments above, I have decided to sell my ST & DT and concentrate on creating jams with my move / push and then throw them into an OT2, as I just find it more fun for jamming, with the scenes and crossfader. Yes, it has its limitations, but that’s also why I like it.
FYI, I’ve had MPCs and they don’t feel a lot different than my push with Live, but the OT is a wonderful, strange device that throws up some really interesting variations on otherwise quite normal sounding loops 
I must also say though that I have a few years experience with the OT.
If you can dedicate to the OT, it will pay you back …. It’s a karmic bond 
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