How would you feel? I can imagine it being rather polarizing if Elektron were to release a software suite. Especially if some or all of it were behind a paywall.
Would you want to try it? Would you switch to it entirely? What features and integration would you want from it? What would be enough to get you on board with it?
Most importantly, what are your complaints about missing features for this product that doesnt exist? Imaginary important people want to know what you think.
The trouble here is that the main charm of the Elektron devices is the complete opposite of the main charm of computers. The hardware is a ludicrous feat in making one of the most complex sequencers and more hands on non stop playable. The main problem with the hardware is zooming out to see a full arrangement and mix and match patterns / edit all together. Especially for melodic material.
So I suppose some sort of compositional overview for quick large scale editing / transposition and visualisation?
The whole point of Elektron Music Machines since there inception was… no computer, no DAW.
They were true to it for a while, then they strayed.
A machine, that makes music.
(Not that I’m anti DAW, i really dont care, but I enjoy not using one, just using hardware)
Drambo can do that
I was thinking about this exact thing yesterday but the other way round. I was looking for a Companion for a Daw. Would you recommend an Octatrack as the perfect companion?(Not Midi keyboards).
Oxi One for sure. And it can double as a Bitwig controller now.
Compose on the Oxi, arrange in the DAW.
Free if you own any elektron product? Hell yeah!
Paid? No.
I think it would be fine if Elektron added software to their stable of products. If it was something I found useful for me, I would buy it. I don’t think they would ever introduce software that was required for use with their hardware products so I don’t see why anyone would be opposed to it.
Spot on, all points. I do sometimes look enviously at the side-by-side tracks view from the likes of deluge and oxi-one.
A companion iOS or computer app that merely let me take a higher level view, without letting me necessarily change anything, would be awesome.
EDIT: I would pay for that, whether Elektron or third-party, if anyone is listening.
Let’s just throw a hypothetical out there: what if people from the ableton thread were raving about it? Wouldn’t you be curious? Or what if like live, they get you hooked with a light version?
You’re probably still committed to your hill, but I’m just interested because it would feel kinda weird for me to even consider it as it sort of goes against the ethic of what I like about Elektron, but at the same time it would be a progressive business move, especially if it was really a companion which enhanced the products but did not diminish their upcoming releases standalone capability.
I’m not really into the ableton live world but if it had something like @bibenu mentioned with an exploded track view and simple reordering at the free level, I’d probably already want to try it. Then if it had a really intuitive (on an elektron level) interface and was super capable, I’d be tempted to see the rest.
Just got me thinking weird thoughts!
Just chiming in to say MPC Beats is surprisingly good as a free DAW option. I use it to play my old OG MPC Live projects and multi samples but it’s more than capable!
They would have to wow me and would have to offer something that the other DAWs I use don’t in order to get me to be willing to consider spending money.
Regarding your second point of even going as far as considering it, I’m not concerned with the brand’s ethos, I’m just assuming if they did put such product out, then I would get it if free or, if not free, take a look and consider whether it suits me or not, and if subscription I would be way more reticent to even consider it to begin with. Honestly I would 99% write it off entirely if subscription 
So yeah in short if there was a lite version I would probably play with it! If it was entirely free I would definitely get on board.
Should it exist? Idk. I leave that to others to ponder. Based on what I know about the brand I imagine it will never happen.
#hypotheticals
Yeah, I intentionally didn’t go so far as to say subscription because I’ve long made it clear that I don’t support that model. I’m ok with software which is upgraded periodically, and you have a choice to update to the new version, but I’m really hesitant to accept subscription-based digital products. Even the adobe suite makes my skin crawl.
FWIW I’ve found that using Live 12 with a Push 3 in step sequencer mode is the closest to an Elektron workflow I’ve ever come across outside of an actual Elektron box.
Live 12 + Push 3 + ST/DT + Overbridge feels like a pretty integrated setup somehow.
Also there’s a lot in the Ableton design philosophy that reminds me of Elektron including the simple flat UI. Plus of course there’s Fors for Live which is very Elektron-like (no coincidence seeing as the wonderful Cenk is now at Ableton).
I think this software idea would be amazing if it was kept in the style of Elektron simplicity and quickness. I think about all of the Digital machines elektron has across all devices (Cycles, DTII, Digitone, Syntakt). It could be a real powerhouse software groovebox if you had access to these machines, and effects like plugins on tracks.
maybe they could sell a controller box to pair with it? For the folks like me who don’t have the $ or bandwidth for a table full of elektron devices and for those of us who don’t mind interacting with a computer to make music.
I would love to have “all of elektron”, in the box, with an Octatrack or Digi size/style device as a controller. 16 tracks would be more than enough, flexible routing, effects, etc and the power of using any elektron machine on any track would be a freaking trip!
to be fair I don’t think they’d go that route and dilute the power and value of the physical boxes they sell and have made their entire brand on, but it sure would be cool.
If it were a DAW for the sake of being a DAW, I’d not be interested. I’m in the “Elektrons are fine at making music by themselves” camp. I’m pretty happy using them without a computer most of the time. I’ve used Transfer, but not once used Overbridge in my 3.5yrs of Elektron ownership. I don’t even have a spot for a computer on my rack (although I expect I’ll make space for one eventually).
An app that helped manage sounds, kits and patterns, in a consistent way, across all devices, would be appealing. Also, better sample management for the Rytm (and I assume the DT)… a UI that helps get sounds IN whilst you’re making tracks, and helps get them OUT when you need to free up space. Like Transfer, but nicer and integrated into the music making, or “set making” workflows. Sound lobrsrian features would help. It would also need to make it easier to assemble new projects from parts of existing ones. I’m less interested in the “track overview” ideas as I think forcing myswlf to get better at it just using the existing hardware will make me a better performer in the longer term (in the sense of “guitars and pianos don’t have screens”). I’d use it if it existed, tho’.
TBH tho, I think the current system of basically independsnt boxes, and pligins for existing DAWs is good. The right parts are opt-in.
Good evening!
I don’t care.
I like both - dawless, or in the box. And if you want hybrid setups too.
I use it to get my head off the problems of our time, and try to enjoy it. I don’t think too much about this things. I prefer to have ONE hardware sequencer in front of me, a small (max 84hp) euros, and a daw for multitracking in front of me.
I sequence vst with the ONE hardware sequencer too. That’s why I’m seriously consider switch dt2 and get octatrack back onto the table.