I’m new here, this forum looks really helpful !
Obviously, I apologize if this topic has already been covered previously.
As a new Digitakt user, I’m completely amazed by the sequencer and the workflow.
Sampling, composing, and arranging a song is really fun; no problems there. The difficulties start with mixing.
At my modest level, I’ve been mixing on DAW for several years and I think I’ve mastered the theory, but this is my first time mixing in dawless. I read some comments recommending mixing everything on the machine to keep that distinctive Elektron sound.
But my first mixes don’t sound the way I want. It sounds too “rude”.
So, for those who have gone through this transition before me, have you noticed any mixing processes (even subtle ones) specific to Digitakt, any things to do and don’t compared to mixing in a DAW?
I would like to point out that I am looking for rather specific and advanced advice. We all know that it is the sum of small things that makes the difference.
I know that there is no magic formula and that it is practice that will make me progress, but perhaps some of you can save me (us) some precious time!
I record while twisting knobs to DAW without focusing too much on muting. I keep levels loud enough so I can mix later. Then I add mutes, fades in DAW, and FX. There is no benefit in mixing on the device unless you plan to play live.
The most painless way would be in the DAW via overbridge. Depends how much control you want over the detail within the mix. Theres only so much you can do within the DT mixing-wise, and of course you can resample which adds some economy, but overall its likely that the resulting mix may be a bit rough and ready. Which is fine of course, but maybe not what you are aiming for. Theres definitely no bragging-rights to be gained from purely mixing in the DT out of principle, youre just creating hassle for yourself
I play live (or re-create using reference demo) to record automation data in overbridge. Then I switch audio routing settings on DT to record individual tracks from master channel. Mixing on DT itself is nice, but using specific compressor, saturation and mid/side control plugins per track in DAW boosts overall result rapidly.
Still, mixing inside the unit itself can be good enough for some genres.
I do not like mixing inside the Digitakt - you could use an analog mixer if you need to mix Digitakt with other instruments otherwise the fact that Digitakt does not have individual outputs is a big weak point of this machine IMO
Finally, so many of you think it’s better to mix separate tracks in the DAW.
I admit I was attracted by the idea of being able to mix directly on the machine while sitting comfortably on my couch.
Perhaps I should approach the problem from the other side and try adapting my compositions to the Digitakt’s mixing capabilities.
I always mix inside the DT2, there’s two very flexible filters per track that make this dead easy for me. Plus the master compressor (when used judiciously) sounds decent too.
I also mix inside dt2
I need less technology (computer, overbridge, soundcard, daw) and the results are good enough.
I use filter 2 to cut low and high end
I use pattern volume, trackvolume, compressor for sidechaining and if I dont use a filter on filter1, it will be an eq (I like dt2 eq a lot)
I use ah fx for compressor, saturation and bass-monoing
For me, it is better to make things as not complex as possible, complexity stagnates creativity.
For me running Ableton as a sound source and mixer streamlines everything towards a sound I like rather than feeling complex.
Being able to mix itb and run the +FX per channel, have access to much more flexible effects is all such a positive. My music is pretty effects driven tho so it all depends.
I do a lot of the main mixing in the DTII but find my template in Ableton helps lead to a sound I’m happier with.
something else that springs to mind regarding mixing in the digitakt is what you’re playing back.
sometimes I sample from ableton, and will make things sound nice there, maybe remove resonances etc, then mixing can be done more easily in the DTII
it’s all case dependant of course, so whilst there’s useful info in here, i’d encourage you to give both ways a go and see what works - also you can do both, that’s the beauty of overbridge imo.
Yes, I understand. You can’t mix everything in DigiTakt, that’s for sure. Hence the importance of choosing your samples carefully and premixing them.
Thanks for the feedback.
