Yes, without a doubt, it has a special something you cannot mistake when using it. It probably wouldn’t be reason enough for samples alone to justify the jump, but if you liked the rest of the tools on the AR2 then it adds up - its compressor and especially drive are great. DT2 is a different beast on a number of levels, it has more in some ways but no analog synthesis or other big box luxuries.
The one ‘ooh’ aspect i recall on first and subsequent listens was just how open and lively samples sounded, very good … especially compared to an OT at that time before DT2 … it presents sound very nicely fwiw - but don’t think it makes sense for you if you don’t want the rest of it
For me, nothing sounds as good as the AR2 for percussion, low end, pads, even melodic samples. This is why I returned the DT2 (still own DT1), as I was hoping to work in just one box. I have wondered about a DT2 + Heat FX combo, but the AR2 is such a joy to play, even if it does lack some bells and whistles. I think it’s a classic.
I love AR2 very much, but I’d throw out some things that others haven’t mentioned about DT2.
One thing to consider, which will be dependent on your use case, is that you get 1 LFO per track on AR2 compared to 2 on the DT2. Also, you get 16 tracks with individual voices compared to 12 tracks, some of which choke each other for a total of 8 voices.
If the analog signal path is worth it to you then I say go for AR2. If these other features sound interesting, maybe consider DT2. I’ve only used DT1, so maybe take with a grain of salt.
Basically the biggest selling point of the AR is the drum synth engines, as a sampler it’s pretty basic. Sounds good across the board though.
But if you are mainly about samples, the AH does a pretty great job of applying an analogue signal chain and character, from driven Mackie territory to pretty luxurious saturation, to destruction. Imho a far wider palette to play with than the AR. And if you want external effects the newer AH models have that as well.
You could pair it with a DT, but it’ll allow you to pour that same sauce on other gear, as well giving a bit of weight to soft synths via overbridge, which is one of my personal favourite uses.
I have the AR2 but I think for you probably the DTII is a better choice. You get stereo samples, slicing of samples, timestretch. IIRC, the DTII has an extra filter per sound which is huge for sound shaping
The only reason I’d opt for an AR is if you need the performance options (PERF/SCENES, pads, etc)
I find the AR really interesting for playing long loopable waveform. The drive and filter are really incredible and it can sound like an analog mono synth this way.
I use to play as well one shot sample which sound really good thru the filter.
But the sampler is basic, it has a real analog color but you don’t have fancy feature like on the DT/DT2.
If you use one shot or loopable waveform it’s a really good box. The 12 track 8 voice is plenty for drums taking into account you can use different sample on the same track ( I don’t do that but that’s fully possible).
I’d say get the DTII. Stereo, Grid (Slice) Mode, 16 Tracks. Also the new filter modes …
If you don’t like the digital Master Overdrive of the DTII, you could get an Analog Heat MKII and add that. You can send program changes from the DTII, so the AH settings are included in your DTII project files.
DT2 I think is the way to go, AR has some cool features, but lack of multiple LFOs really limits it, the sample stuff on AR is pretty painful to use except for basic one shots. DT2 has 3 LFOs per track. DT2 also has the base-width filter which AR lacks which is super necessary for limiting frequency mess, unless you’re running all of the AR’s individual outputs through a mixer with EQ, otherwise things get very muddy quickly.
That said AR has some cool stuff like instant pattern switching, the pads for performance/scene/chromatic stuff. DT is also much much much better at midi stuff.
I always found the AR to be way more fun and inspiring to use than the small boxes. It’s nice having more dedicated buttons for functions (like muting). A big diff between the big electron boxes and the small ones is that the big ones separate kits from patterns, so you can freely crank out a ton of patterns and then make adjustments to the kit once and hear them across all patterns. The flip side of this is you have to manage your kits well or you might accidentally lose some good sounds. On the small boxes your entire kit / mix is saved per pattern which means the mix might be preserved over a few patterns, but matching your mix across many patterns is a copy paste hassle.
If all you do is one shots then the AR is great. And yes the analog path sounds great. No one ever talks about the distortion circuit but it’s one of the best things about the box.
Yeah having kits on AR is great, and the distortion is awesome. I haven’t used the master overdrive on the DT2 (only have a DT1), but maybe it can get close?
Personal I find the quick mute controls on the AR a bit tedious to use quickly compared to the DT unless you leave it in mute mode, func+track is much faster for muting to me than having to reach all the way up the top for the tiny mute button and then hitting the pads. But if you’re happy leaving it in mute mode its fine.
I know what you mean… it would be faster if AR had a “hold > mute > release to return to previous mode” method like DT. Super fast. But I guess I stay in mute mode a lot and I personally prefer having mutes visually separated from the trigs. I find the small elektron boxes disorienting because the trig keys perform so many function at once.
Actually it looks like DT 2 added kits! So OP, if you go digitakt, get the DT2. The main differences between DT 2 and AR 2 (that are relevant to your request) are price, analog architecture, and user interface. DT 2 has the better price, AR 2 has the more comfortable UI and analog path.
Yeah, I love the small box for form factor but the multipurpose use of the trigs can indeed be a pain. I love AR for the synths but I think for a mostly sample based workflow DT2 or OT is the way to go.
Actually, i would always go with the ARMKII over my DTmki, samples just sound better loaded into it. But imo if you are sample based. Nothing would beat ARMKII and an OTMKII. Flavour where you need it, digital stereo slice and dice on top…
The thing that keeps bringing me to the AR is the analog signal path and the individual outs. But I’m looking for a 1 box solution and the 8 tracks on the AR seem quite limiting.
I guess once OB is out for the DT2, I’ll be able to do individual FX sends easily and use some good soft-FX and analog emulations.
The AR or the DT?
This could be a good option. I’m not interested in the synthesis side of the AR at all and already have quite a few AR sample collections from various places for that sound.
Thanks, no I don’t need those performance options.
You’re selling the AR to me here! But, I’d want it to do all duties, not just drums, so 8 voices probably isn’t enough.
This looks lovely, but it is digital. Is it worth it over software?