Hi all. Haven’t been here for a while but thinking about getting an Elektron machine. I previously (briefly) owned a DT and DN but sent them back. I’m THAT guy that can’t make his mind up. I’m now considering either an A4 or an OT but no matter how many videos I watch I can’t work out if any Elektron machines allow you to edit one pattern whilst another is playing. I want to be able to improvise without ever stopping the sequencer and it seems hard to do this if I can’t edit one pattern whilst another is playing.
I appreciate that some degree of pre-preparation is common for electronic music performers and I’m only talking about messing about at home for my own enjoyment but it seems like an important concept in order to improvise.
Also happy to take it under advice if there are workarounds that would help me. I know I can do live looping from internal tracks with OT so I’m sure that must be a popular technique.
On a side note - likely to be any Black Friday sales on Elektron gear?! I’m patiently waiting until this coming Friday which is also payday!
The Elektron instruments don’t allow you to edit one pattern while another is playing BUT the Octatrack’s sampling capabilities mean that you can play a pattern, re-sample it and crossfade to the re-sample, change pattern (and edit it) while the re-sample plays, and finally crossfade back to the second pattern. This is usually called the transition trick, and was developed from a similar procedure on the Machinedrum UW.
There is plenty of scope to improvise (within the limits of the instruments) without off-line editing of patterns and any ‘jam’ video will show you what is possible.
Seemingly, most major retailers have sales at this time of year. As far as I know, Elektron does not have Black Friday discounts on sales from its website.
Thanks for the help. It’s was never exactly a “blocker” to buying Elektron machines but I was just curious. The OT sampling trick sounds interesting. One reason I’m leaning in that direction is because of the huge amount of flexibility in terms of real-time sampling and looping on the OT. I’m not put off by the legendary complexity if I can take manageable steps and use the simple features first and then build up in complexity. I got up and running with the DT very quickly when I had it.
That said, I’m also very curious about the A4. I find FM synthesis very daunting but subtractive analogue synthesis I can handle. I’ve heard some amazing stuff from the A4 alone on YouTube which makes me think it’s very capable as a standalone groovebox. I also took a decent look at some model:samples videos the last couple of days and even though it’s the “baby” Elektron device it’s looks very tactile and fun. I’m tempted to believe that other “model” devices might be forthcoming but let’s not go down that rabbit hole…
The A4/AK is a wonderfull synth with lots of depth, plenty of modulation capabilities and of course plocks to go even further.
Get a used one for cheap and get blown away. 600-700€ currently.
I’m too risk averse to buy second hand electronics! I’d rather spend the extra £200 and have the warranty!
I briefly owned a MiniBrute 2S and I could make everything from fat basses to drums on it but couldn’t make a whole song or improvise anything of substance because it was essentially a mono instrument and had no FX or presets etc. I think it made me realise that modular is fun but the convenience of digital sequencing, presets and song storage etc is hard to let go of (coming from using software).
Having the 4 tracks with p-locks and 4x the powerful synth engine seems like it could go a long way with some practise.
Of course, the joy of going the other route with a sample-based machine is that you’ll never run out of raw material! Seems like the OT is much more complex machine that will require a bigger time investment but that’s not necessarily a problem. I do enjoy immediacy and working from a subtractive synth engine has that. I can go from nothing and make some sound very quickly. I guess that would be the case with the OT after the initial learning curve.
Unfortunately I don’t have the money or the space to dedicate to having a larger setup. At least not right now. I want a single machine to keep me entertained for the moment.
I’ve been back and forth with DAW software (mainly Bitwig) but I always quickly end up frustrated. Even with dedicated controllers there’s just a disconnect and lack of tactility that always frustrates me. Ive been messing with Bitwig Grid lately (a modular environment) and it’s very powerful but it’s still time in front of a computer. I’m a software developer by day so I really don’t want to come home and then fire up my laptop again.
Need dedicated hardware groovebox and I keep coming back to Elektron! I’ve looked at the latest Roland stuff and I’m not excited by it. Menu-diving hell and lack of dedicated controls. Korg Electribe also menu hell and unimpressive sound/sequencing. Volcas are fun but limited.
I know I’m preaching to the converted but Elektron really seem to be miles ahead in this area as far as I can tell. So few other machines have the sequencing power combined with the analog heft or sophisticated sample mangling. I must have watch 100s hours of videos and nothing else seems to come close.
Get an OT then I’d say. But this powerhouse really dtarts to shine when playing along with other stuff that it can sample.
Really consider getting a cheap MKI, they last like forever. Getting a new one is just a waste of money imho.
I own a lot of stuff and only bought two pieces new (AR1 and Circuit), MD, OT, OT2 MnM, AK, virus, even my qu pac etc… all got to me at least second hand.
These devices are not mobile phones or consumer electronics. Build to last. Consider it.
