I don’t see digitakt and octatrack as a fat comparison against each other by any view. I’ve said in the past the only thing they really have in common is the fact they both can live sample at the basic level of the two. Individually, they are both extremely deep machines. Digitakt takes the per instrument per step feature like the Analog four is capable of so you can essentially build an entire beat plus sampled synths or whatever you want on one of the eight available audio tracks, which is a huge advantage to expanding how to use each track. Both will sound like what ever you sample, drums, pads, voices, noises, etc., what you do with them is up to your imagination.
I owned the tr-8 and loved how you can mix the kits from all of their different drum machines together, and sounded really good too. But it was very restrictive feeling, I guess bc I was used to the Elektron secquencing options and flexibility. I sold the tr-8 with all expansions bc I planned on getting an analog rythm, which I’m waiting for mk2 now bc I can have all of the traditional and non traditional drum machines saved as samples and manipulated in more ways than the originals could have been.
I have recently acquired the drumbrute, while I’ve only taken it out of the box once to ensure every instrument and button functions as it should, I’ve yet to experiement with it through my analog heat, but it sounds much better in person than in any of the videos I’ve seen. Then again, I’m hung up on the digitakt way of doing things now even with the few bugs and features yet to be unveiled.
I agree with many of the others, and it’s not that we are biased or fanboys, because many of us are very open to many different manufactures, but everyone always sends their praise for the Elektron way of sequencing. Also, remember this, you either gel with it quickly or it takes work to “get it” with Elektron machines, but even the most experienced people with Elektron boxes will learn something new each time they use them. That is definitely something that doesn’t exist with the Roland emulations, or the other drum machines you are considering.
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with any of the drum machines you are considering, but it all comes down to what the operator is looking to get from their drum machine. Personally, I’ve done a lot of trades in the past year to get to nearly have everything I’m looking for until next months release of mk2 products but I’ve learned from one grave mistake, don’t get rid of something until you have explored the machine throughly, but that mistake did lead me to a good friend on this forum.
To get you into drum machines, more specifically an Elektron drum machine, I would advise you to look into the Machinedrum with or without the userwave feature as well. Besides from personal experience, this is a drum machine that (myself included) most people will be very reluctant to get rid of theirs. It has not been considered from what I’ve read. Even though it is a digital drum machine you can make it sound very metal and crispy, but when you learn your way around it you can coax some extremely deep tones and bass. Then learn more about the OG Cntrl-all machine! Which in my opinion blows the one on the digitakt out of the water! And even more, 16 channels to do whatever you want; audio or midi configured for however many you want, multiple outs. Sample and resampling internal or external. Fair priced for a legacy machine.
Not that you’d miss them on any of the other drum machines you’ve listed for consideration except the digitakt, but MDUW doesn’t have conditional trigs, micro-tuning, pretty light up buttons, essentially the current upgrades Elektron sequencer, but what it lacks in the current production sequencers it makes up for in versatility such as lfo per channel, chracter, and more. Research that drum machine just a little and you will see that besides it’s usefulness; even after you get bored with it (like that could happen), you will find new uses for it, or new ways to mangle up a sound you’ve always used; it’s a great way to be introduced into the Elektron way that can be implemented to expand on the rest of their lineup.
Yes I am partial to the Machinedrum, but it ruled as the best drum machine for many years and in many ways it still is. Their newer stuff is great too, but I would go for the “cheaper” drum machines that have already been suggested as an addition to an Elektron drum machine or sampler.
Save your money for for the one you have your heart set on. Adding any machine to any Elektron machine opens those other machines to many more avenues of imagination. You will not find another Elektronaut that will disagree with that.
I’m afraid you may still have to take more than one thing with you to a venue unless you do all of your preprogramming within Ableton and only bring that and the push with you just to have the drum machine sounds with. But if you are playing out live already, why would want to tie your hands by limiting yourself on the creativity for that in the moment vibe you get or you get from your crowd? I don’t like hauling gear around either, but I want to be able to express myself to the fullest potential of the gear I have available. You probably will inevitably have to expand your traveling rig some just to keep your versatility, maybe also start thinking about packs/bags or some kind of mobile case to keep you gear comfy as well. Just my opinions. I’m open to questions or contradictions if I’m coming across too opinionated, somebody has to let me know. Hahaha!
