After having listened to plenty of great sounds on these units I would like to get started learning myself.
Since I am lacking in percussion sources my immediate thought was RYTM MK2, then of course there’s a lot of press on Digitakt, OT.
I understand and like A4 though I don’t own it, thus I feel a drawn to RYTM or Digi, any guidance here is appreciated, thank you!
Budget is not a huge concern, however I would really love to make drums say in the style of Gridlock, older experimental stuff. I believe they used MM for their work I can be mistaken.
I personally don’t own a Rytm (because it’s too expensive for me) but it seems extremely capable, especially since you can add your own samples too (there’s a Silverdrum pack for getting Machinedrum samples now too). So if budget is no concern and you want to start on a flagship box with lots of depth, hands on control and pads, go for it!
If you want to dip a toe in the water for not much outlay, you could pick up a Model:Cycles which seems to be packed with sweet spots and provides an even easier set of controls. It’s pure synthesis tho, so no samples on that one.
and if budget is no big issue, that’s best choice…
don’t worry about sound signature missions u got in mind…
the thing with elektron is, u always end up with ur very own sound designs…
because they’re all as deep as u dig…deeper…
no matter which one u pick…they all provide more than u expect…if u dive in with passion, u’ll get that passion back in sonic results…promise.
but be warned…once ur in sweden, u want more sweden…also a promise…as common ground.
Excellent point thank you, this is why I like RYTM it seems to have its own character and workflow (obviously) compared to much out there it sounds way more personable and feels more approachable. Not too worried about bringing in samplers as there seem to be a lot of options on tap, and OT does seem to do that rather well.
(On the note of wanting more I have effectively budgeted for this, would love to add more, thus focusing on RYTM, and perhaps A4, OT though I have enough synths. )
Thank you for the warm welcome and kind reply! This is a similar conclusion I have come to and definitely would love to use each machine to their strengths.
I appreciate you’re post and feedback, as I felt the same. I spent a few months saving and some of the sound design options floor me, I have time off so I think taking time to learn RYTM could be quite rewarding!
My advice on your last bit is one box at a time. The AR and A4 share some workflow things, but they’re both very deep boxes that require a lot of learning time to get things up and running quickly (AR less so admittedly, but A4 definitely). OT is a box full of so many options, however, I would strongly recommend only adding that on its own and concentrating on using it for a good couple of months to get a handle on how it will work best for you
only those which have a certain spot, that makes them superspecial in overall comparison…
not only within the the swedish familiy business, but on global music hardware machine scale…
the ot…sampling at it’s unique best…
a4…my personal fav, where truu analog vibes go super tight precise because of digital controling…
digitone…for fm synthesis made sonic versatile as fuk…
the heat…because there is no such other thing out there…anyways…
and puuuhh… this new swedish toddler…
cycles has a very very unique sound signature of it’s own, while is easy and exciting to handle per any realtime second to come…
Definitely, though as far as sequencing, parameter locking and that kind of thing, once you have that down on one box, you won’t need to put in so much effort to learn another box as your knowledge will largely translate to learn the extra tricks of each
Rant away! I appreciate the input on each machine is very much appreciated, as noted I come from America where many want everything at once and they don’t always take to reading manuals.
Really enjoyed your rundown on A4, Digitone, etc, made quick sense out of the strengths in each machine.
yes…always take a deep dive…
one after the other…
next to come should always and only happen once u know that one in front of u already for real…
once ur familiar with the stepsequencer, which is the same on all and an instrument of it’s own,
ur learning curves will speed up…
but no matter how many boxes u own end of the day…
never take more than 3 of them at once with u on stage…
u can’t wrap ur head around in realtime on more than three at once…
well ok…four…if the heat is involved…but this damned little thing is the only one, that needs no further explicit attention once spending it’s charme to a signal chain…
and once ur into rytm…and feel for more…by then, u got sampling planet covered already a bit…
so, even if the ot is mindblowing, it might be good to wait here…because this machine will see a truu version two sooner or a little bit later…
while the a4 will match ur rytm perfectly…not only in optics…
Well said taking said second, second deep dive as we speak, definitely amazing words of insight here it makes me excited to start with just one machine rather than all at once until properly acclimated to the eco-system. A4 sounds stellar, love my synths but can see how these lend themselves to a more fluid workflow.
Thanks I appreciate the words here, looking to start by covering drums. Drowning in synths, well not really but want to get more in touch with percussion I know it’s an area where I could use refinement.
Oddly enough the OT is pretty understandable, from what I gather and very powerful, perhaps down the line, I see how two, three are a very potent combo.
Just speaking as someone who went from Digitakt, to Octatrack and then Rytm mk2 in period of 1.5 years … if you want the best drum machine that sounds great and is easy (big buttons!) the Rytm is hands down the best option…for use, functionality, playability and sound quality (that analog distortion!) … I sold my DT mostly as it lacked song mode …and got the OT as I was lured by its DAW in a box do it all feature set …but as I am balancing playing synth and singing , the OT layout was too complex and buttons too small …also the FX were really disappointing, esp the reverb. Only thing I miss from OT is lack of 3x LFOs per track on the Rytm …but then again …it’s a drum machine not a DAW in box so i have adjusted
Also I discovered with the OT that after buying a Novation Peak I really found the sampling workflow too laborious and not for me … I am OK with the simpler sampling of Rytm. I bought a midi looper for my peak synth which i can use via foot pedal so I just need to put bass loops on the Rytm and works pretty good tbh
last word is that OT didn’t feel to me like an instrument as much as the Rytm
Thanks man that’s a really good rundown especially from a similar perspective I definitely appreciate it. We’re definitely similar in this regard I was kicking around Digitakt and after another read on the manual I definitely would prefer RYTM as everyone as noted.
Great to hear that it stuck around for you, singing and playing keys here too, so your take on OT helped settle some “fear of missing out” thoughts.
Feel pretty confident going with RYTM and down the line perhaps A4, once I get the workflow of RYTM!
The machines seem complex but very approachable. Very glad I signed up here! Everyone has been mega helpful!
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