Digitakt Line IN sampling and sample auditioning - can you do it when sequencer plays?

dirtysampling · 2024-01-06T14:03:40.591Z

Hello to the community.

I have a few basic question as I am considering buying a Digitakt, but I couldn’t find the answers in the Manual. These can be dealbreakers for me, so I would very much appreciate users feedback. Thanks a lot in advance.

My usual workflow is to start with a sample I like (usually grabbed from an external source via the Line input), then build a quick sequence, and then I like to audition other audio sources through the line in while the sequencer plays my sequence, until I find something that fits, sample that, assign to sequence, and move on, until I have a sufficient number of samples that wok well together to build a full song.
So here are my questions:
Q1 - Many (old) devices will not enable auditioning the LINE IN when sequencer plays. How does the Digitakt stand on this?
Q2 - I also like to audition samples stored on the device storage, while the sequencer plays; can this be done with Digitakt? Or can you audition only the samples already loaded in the ‘sample pool’?
Q3 - I would like to be able to sample from the LINE IN while the sequencer is playing, so I can actually sample ‘in context’ of the sequence. Can the Digitakt do this? (I don’t mean resampling from the internal sound engine, that’s a nice feature, but not the same thing)

I have a long history with sampling (I started in 1998), and I have yet to find a unit that can manage all 3. For context: my beloved MPC2000xl can’t do any of these (while the MPC1000 and the MPC4000 are yes to 1, but not 2 and 3). The Polyend Tracker and Dirtywave M8 are YES to 1 and 2, but not 3. Similarly, the TE EP133 KOII is also yes to 1 and 2, but not 3. If the Digitakt can handle all 3 it would be amazing, and a game changer for me. I already very much like the fact that the Digitakt lets you set the sampling duration in sequencer steps, which is a very useful feature that I haven’t seen anywhere else.
All have a nice day, and keep making music

GurtTractor · 2024-01-06T14:15:22.946Z

The Octatrack can certainly do all of that, live mixing/sampling is really its speciality. I think the DT is a bit more limited in this regard, not sure if it can live sample in the same way? Others will know more.

mfk · 2024-01-06T14:21:46.943Z

Digitakt: Yes.

dirtysampling · 2024-01-06T14:44:48.955Z

Thank you. I onwed an Octatrack for a couple of years, but never managed to grasp its workflow, it took me ages and constant manual digs to make the simplest things with it, and I eventually let it go with bitter feelings. The digitakt seems a more straightforward unit, this is why I am considering it.

dirtysampling · 2024-01-06T14:45:30.112Z

Thank you mfk, that’s great. I will start looking into the 2nd hand market for an affordable one.

MaikR · 2024-01-06T14:47:05.393Z

@dirtysampling you’re aware the DT is a mono-sampler? Not a problem for its intended use-cases, but just to make sure you’ve taken this one into account.

dirtysampling · 2024-01-06T19:46:39.746Z

I do, thank you. That’s absolutely not a problem for me, I come from an age of RAM limitations, so Mono samples come ‘natural’ to me.

basic_helix · 2024-01-10T12:38:23.831Z

dirtysampling:

Q2 - I also like to audition samples stored on the device storage, while the sequencer plays; can this be done with Digitakt? Or can you audition only the samples already loaded in the ‘sample pool’?

I would like to specify here that auditioning of a sample stored on the device storage mutes the track that is selected (I guess it uses its voice to audition the sample). The rest of tracks play the sequence, of course.

blaize · 2024-01-10T13:40:41.070Z

Q1 : Digitakt can mix the line in signal while playing the sequence. You also can pan, add reverb,.delay and it go thru the master compressor.
When you sample, it sample in mono, without the FX applied ( it all fx sends, and compressor is just before master out)

Q2: Yes, you can listen every sample on your +drive, your sound bank and your sound pool while the sequencer is playing.

Q3: Yes, you can sample while the sequencer is playing, you can even set a number of bar to sample to make perfect loop. You have a basic sample editor where you can trim the start and end of the sample after record then you can save it and assign to a track.

Like someone else pointed out, the sample preview is played on the active track, so it good to keep a free track to listen your sample. If no sound is coming, 99% chance you have selected a midi track.

dirtysampling · 2024-01-10T14:20:57.830Z

Good to know, thank you.

dirtysampling · 2024-01-10T14:21:29.440Z

Merci. very appreciated.