Continuing the discussion from M8 Tracker (Part 1) - #10270 by Sozal.
Previous discussions:
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Help from someone with a Kastle 2 device? Since Bastl’s update added MIDI over USB functionality, can someone confirm if that MIDI functionality works over the M8 v2’s USB port? I’ve had limited success in getting hardware working over that port, but controlling apps to my iPad has worked.
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For USB MIDI one of your devices needs to be a MIDI host. PCs, iPads and some audio devices (eg the OPZ) are hosts… Most devices aren’t however. Neither the Kastle 2 nor M8 are USB MIDI hosts so they won’t work in this way.
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Thanks for the confirmation. Now I’m curious on what the smallest USB-C to MIDI TRS solution would be…or if that would even work.
There are a few options for a Midi host → TRS device, here are two I can think of off the top of my head:
This is one is pretty cheap and small:
More features:
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The KNOT wouldve been perfect for me, if it could run on an internal battery. Ah well.
Not surprised the earlier thread had to be closed after that abomination of a final post! 
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There’s no reason that the M8’s workflow has to work for everyone, especially in comparison to another device that someone is already used to and favours. It was written in a rather trollish manner, though…!
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I have a CME WIDI jack which is pretty cool for a bluetooth solution since it gets its power from the M8s midi out. It’s also incredibly small.
For what you are looking for, the Retrokits could work. I had that before but it was a lot of wires to power it and connect a MIDI keyboard to it…etc.
So I just went with a low latency bluetooth option to make it very easy on myself - Wavvy Monkey with a CME WIDI connected to the M8. I will have everything in a few weeks and can comment further then.
Indeed a rather captain obvious problem and user frustration post - comparing apples and oranges. For myself: the M8 is an utterly brilliant sound design tool and polyend tracker is a brilliant tracker.
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Please do 
Sounds like a cool setup. I hate cables (!!!)
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Ordered on Monday, received today. 
I finally managed to get one.
Can’t wait to dive into the tracker workflow. I’m more of a programmer than a jammer, so I think it’s going to be a great fit for me !
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I’ve been watching yt vids made in the last few months and I’m blown away at how much this can do now compared to when I owned the mk1.
Factoring in the portability and battery life, it’s probably the best hardware production tool on the market as long as you don’t need to live play the parts in with pads.
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You just hurt my Launchpad’s feelings
What really changed things for me in the last updates:
- Launchpad integration - because you can just play it now
- EQ per instrument - because it makes it much easier to fit things into a mix
- OTT - because it just makes everything more powerful (when used cautiously)
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Yeah that’s incredible. Can you real time record with the launchpad? I have the wavy monkey coming which I assume can do a similar thing.
Actually you always could record live from a connected keyboard
The thing with the launchpad is it provides you with a full physical environment, enabling you to launch clips, grid-sequence, play/record notes in real time, loop parts of patterns, etc.
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That’s awesome. I never live recorded with a controller in the past. But these little Bluetooth midi devices have gotten quite cool and will make it easy for me to browse sample slices and play keys. Elektron units are trackers but when you press a trigger you can hear a sound and that’s something I missed. I used to plug a mini keyboard into mine but it got a bit clunky in my lap plus needed a host and power so I just stopped plugging it in after a while.
The launchpad looks incredible for live performance. It’s like a push for the m8.
(Just as a side note, always wanting more, I’m a bit frustrated that it doesn’t support CC things in a slightly better way)
Precisely, indeed
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Ordered it on Monday and got it today ! (Germany)
Man that was fast .
It feels so premium.
Didn’t had much time to test it , I only made a little glitchy beat on it in the first 30 minutes, bur nothing with a melody .
I really hope it’s workflow will click like the Elektron workflow
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