Need help in selecting the first Elektron device

[natehorn]

Surprised it took this long for someone to big up the AR, although it seems OP has made their choice (and Digitakt rocks!).

AR is the ultimate drum machine - it does samples and has analog engines that can be used simultaneously on each of the 12 tracks - 4 of which are choked (which is a good thing on a drum machine, super useful!). Lots of performance options, cool latching stuff for mutes - has kits! Individual outs also useful, I get the kick out of mine for sidechain on an external compressor. It’s also an excellent bass synth.

I would also consider an OT for a drum machine, stereo samples and the crossfader can be used in so many creative ways - I only don’t use mine as the drum machine because the tracks are too precious (sometimes I do though). If it had 12 I could probably just about squeek it. But I’d consider that a Digitakt+.

Digitakt solid choice though, and much easier to get to grips with and you’ll be making excellent sounding music in no time, it just sounds good.

[ghostbuddy]

Exactly. Rytm pretty much has EVERYTHING you want in a drum machine. Octatrack is cool for drums I guess, but but… It’s capable of so much more that you’ll at some point start exploring it more and maybe find other uses, which leaves you wanting a dedicated drum machine, hah.

Digitakt is great if it’s what you need. A percussion oriented sampler with great FX and a superb midi side. Now with song mode! I personally prefer both the OT and Rytm to DT and would rather take either one over Digitakt or Syntakt.

[Raskal.X]

If you already have a sampler and don’t have a drum machine, I would go for Rytm or Syntakt.

Syntakt is my first and only Elektron and I love it.

[coffeecup.winner]

@plragde

And I look forward to hearing what you do with your Digitakt.

I’ll definitely post my impressions once I receive and spend some time with it

@obscurerobot

you’d need a truly epic modular system to equal a 4op digital FM synth

FWIW I have an Akemie’s Castle which is using new old stock Yamaha IC, but tbh I didn’t spend enough time with it yet to assess the full potential of digital FM - so far I was only able to find a few sweet spots with 2 operators (well op and carrier), but couldn’t get 4-op synthesis sound much different from the 2-op one yet

@therockfrog

I bought a used A4 Mk1 for 600 after having the Mk2 for 6 months and selling it. Just a great deal and the thing is super for so many things.

I’ve read somewhere that A4 mk1 can be found for relatively cheap these days, but I was not sure I’d want a big Elektron machine just yet (I’m a bit space constrained ATM, so have to justify every new piece of gear, especially larger ones).

@hausland

…abstract advice maybe, but it’s the sort of stuff that made me gel with samplers beyond using them as romplers

Great advice actually, same with modular too - I often need to explicitly tell myself to stop treating something as the normal-thing-it-can-do and look for more creative uses

@reeloy

they all go as deep as ur willing to dig…

That’s what I’ve heard Already bought a Synthdawg guide for DT and started reading it when I have a free minute.

@djst

Not sure what the reservation was here - that it has more 4 tracks than the Digitakt?

Hmm, I think that I was thinking that Syntakt required more wiggling to tune in the sound I’d like and DT looked easier to get something decent going, but I can’t be sure without trying either I also have probably just worded this wrong in my original post.

@ghostbuddy

I’d get a Rytm, honestly.

Oh! I actually forgot to write about it I was looking at it indeed, but it’s on the expensive side (a new one seems to be ~2x more than what I’ve paid for a mint used Digitakt), but it did look like an interesting machine. I’m just worried I’d spend so much money and won’t like the workflow whereas with Digitakt it’s easier to accept (and probably easier to sell it if I have to, although not sure about that). I also think I’ve read somewhere that bigger boxes are deeper than the takt/tone trio, so diving straight into that sounded scarier That being said, if I do like the Digitakt, I’ll be looking long and hard at the Rytm

@Raskal.X

If you already have a sampler and don’t have a drum machine

I’ve never had a classic (non-tracker) sampler yet My musical journey is kinda weird - in short, over years, with gaps: acoustic guitar -> electric guitar -> Guitar Pro -> FL with guitar VSTs that got me looking into electronic accompaniment (pads/synths/drums) -> synthesis in DAWs -> modular -> (now) physical groove boxes and non-modular synths to complement what I have (guitars are being somewhat neglected ATM ). In the DAWs I’ve almost never used samples apart from drums VSTs or an occasional background track or a vocal chop, so I have a very limited experience with them I did make a breakbeat track on a Polyend tracker once (which turned out to be amazing for that), hoping DT would also be fun to chop breaks on!

[ghostbuddy]

@coffeecup.winner

Oh! I actually forgot to write about it I was looking at it indeed, but it’s on the expensive side (a new one seems to be ~2x more than what I’ve paid for a mint used Digitakt), but it did look like an interesting machine. I’m just worried I’d spend so much money and won’t like the workflow whereas with Digitakt it’s easier to accept (and probably easier to sell it if I have to, although not sure about that). I also think I’ve read somewhere that bigger boxes are deeper than the takt/tone trio, so diving straight into that sounded scarier That being said, if I do like the Digitakt, I’ll be looking long and hard at the Rytm

I’d take a second look before deciding, honestly. The Rytm isn’t necessarily deeper than the DT, in fact i think Rytm has less bells and whistles. But it really excels at being a drum machine. 12 tracks of analog synthesis, sample slot per track, analog filters & distortion and separate outputs per track. Also master compressor and i like the FX more, too. I really like the pads, too altho some people say they’re too rigid. Velocity sensitive, naturally which the DT lacks completely.

Digitakt is far less capable as a drum machine and lacks synthesis, but has more features for general use i guess. I would never trade my Rytm for a DT.

[Raskal.X]

I’d YouTube the process of chopping anything on the Digitakt. As far as I know, it is really not made for handling loops. It’s more of a one shot machine.

[ghostbuddy]

It handles loops fine! Chopping is easy and fast. But no slices which is a bummer.

[Raskal.X]

Yeah, but not in stereo and with no time stretching? Also, only 8 chops? I guess you could p-lock start points, but that’s tedious and annoying.
No shade on the Digitakt, just saying they’re better tools for chopping samples.

[ghostbuddy]

Yeah, it lacks functionality for sure. But, it’s fun to make loops with, even if it’s quite rudimentary.

Not that Octatrack is good for loops, either.

[Mrintact]

Yeah just grab a RYTM MK1 if you can’t afford an MK11 it’s still a beast and can really create full tracks it forces you to be very creative and can do more than you think… Always.
Individual outs are great too.

[ghostbuddy]

Yeah i have a mk 1 and i love it. Cost just a tad bit more than a used DT.

[Roger]

@ghostbuddy

Velocity sensitive, naturally which the DT lacks completely.

It does respond to it via MIDI in a basic way, at least. Tried it the other day.

[Roger]

@obscurerobot

OT and A4 pair well with modular, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the Elektrons.

Ehhh… I’d steer beginners away from the OT and earlier (not that the other ones are that attractive price-wise to a beginner) They assume a lotta context in the user’s experience.

[coffeecup.winner]

Continuing the discussion from Need help in selecting the first Elektron device:

@ghostbuddy

I’d take a second look before deciding, honestly

Too late (by the time of my first comment even ). I am interested by Rytm probably the most after DT, but for now I have the latter still () in the mail, I’ll be doing a deep dive into that first to see what it’s all about and then checking out the comparison videos to get a sense of what the other boxes offer. So far though the more I read into the DT’s manual, the more I seem to like it

@Raskal.X

I’d YouTube the process of chopping anything on the Digitakt. As far as I know, it is really not made for handling loops. It’s more of a one shot machine.

Hmm, this is a little bit unexpected, but now I do remember not seeing any (?) videos with DT running loops. Still, not that bad - I still have the Polyend Tracker which is amazing for that

Hope I’ll receive my DT in a couple of days and start my journey

[rtme]

@coffeecup.winner

Hmm, this is a little bit unexpected, but now I do remember not seeing any (?) videos with DT running loops.

Although the Digitakt was not designed for loops per sé, it is still possible to work with loops and emulate time stretching and all. @dialectrics video’s are a great source for this:

chopping perfect loops on the digitakt

QUICK and EASY Time Stretching on the Elektron Digitakt

[your_lamp]

Thanks for posting these, both videos are great. Really solid Digi tips here @dialectrics

[aizoyurei]

Genre-wise, my main interests are IDM (think Squarepusher), industrial (think NIN) and, for the lack of a better term, ambient

Well, I think you got the sampling side covered with the devices you already have, no? I think you should go for the Syntakt as it’ll be easier for you to get into the Elektron workflow but also give you the soundscapes you’re looking for for your type of music. Digitakt would be my second recommendation as you could sample all your modular and then mangle it up, but the Elektron way.

To be honest, I think no matter which you’ll choose, you’ll definitely be happy and able to achieve something dope within those genres. I have similar tastes as you and I went with the Digitakt, but my goal is to complete the lil’ blackbox trinity.

Edit: …AND I’m a dummy. Digitakt is win AF tho. Big DUBS.

[coffeecup.winner]

@aizoyurei

Digitakt would be my second recommendation as you could sample all your modular and then mangle it up, but the Elektron way.

So I’ve finally got it a couple days ago and was mostly doing just this. Man this thing is fun So immediate and intuitive (at least compared to the more menu-divey gear I’ve tried). I had zero issues jumping straight into it, building loops and mangling samples. I haven’t felt like this with 95% of my gear purchases, so I’m definitely glad to have taken the plunge Incidentally, I’ve stumbled upon a Digitone video and I think now I understand what the fuss was about, so putting it on my list too, but need to read up on it better first (it sounds just amazing though). And definitely not until I’m fully comfortable with the Elektron workflow (yet to break out of the single loops).

[aizoyurei]

@coffeecup.winner

Digitone video and I think now I understand what the fuss was about, so putting it on my list too

That’s how they getcha!

But glad you’re having fun, yo! Be sure to post your stuff in the “Sounds comin’ out of your gear” thread! Love to hear what you’re manglin’!

[Audiorate]

I recommend Syntakt. It’s sort of the Swiss Army knife of the bunch minus samples/sampling. It sounds good, has a better effects interface, has good machines (think internal plug-in instruments), will probably have its features greatly expanded over the next several years if it’s predecessors are any indication, and is more than capable of sculpting entire electronic music tracks.