I prefer the sound of the OP-XY. The tracker workflow was actually working out better for me in ways for percussion because it allowed me an easier way to input occasional triplets, but I was really missing the ability to live record when I felt like it (which I like to do with the kick drum).
I really disliked using the M8 for melodic content compared to the OP-XY. I was coming up with better melodies on the OP-XY because I could play them with the keys and capture nuances with micro-timing.
The M8 is better for chopping breaks, but I’m not a fan of the synth engines. I found myself mostly using it as a sampler.
I really liked the M8 and would’ve kept it if I could afford the luxury though.
Thanks! I had guessed some of these but not others. The UI on the Digitone makes a big difference, and I think there are just more ways to sculpt the sound in general, especially with the new version.
Ugh, I tried out the updated version of the project with students, today. Barely better through the cheap speaker in my classroom. I have yet to overcome the M8’s lofi vibe. Even when I was a beginner on the Digitone, this never seemed to be the case. I had a similar experience with the Woovebox in regards to lofi sounding output. Will keep experimenting.
Edit: I think you are correct about there being more ways to sculpt the sound on the Digitone. Am I on crack thinking that 16bit vs. 24bit depth has something to do with the difference between M8 and DN?
No, I think the sound quality of DN is better, even if you avoid the 8-bit Wavsynth. This is probably even more the case with DN2. I think M8 can sound quite good, but one has to be careful. Though people on the Discord are sometimes surprised by how good it sounds through a club system. I have to use low-impedance headphones with the M8; it won’t drive my usual DT 880s to moderately high volume. So it might also be more affected by how you get the sound from it to your ears.
Digitone is processed internally at a very high sample rate, 92k or something I think, might have something to do with it.
M8 can do EQ per track though so you can really sculpt the sound a lot more I think.
I don’t think M8 sounds lofi at all unless that’s what you’re trying to do.
Perhaps part of my problem is that I’m using high impedance headphones on the M8. They are the headphones I’ve used the last few years on the Digitone. I bought them to match the impedance of the Digitone’s headphone output.
My recent M8 projects, when played through the cheap speaker I use in the classroom, sound like they’re lacking in mids and lows, compared to how I EQed them when I produced them. I don’t know if this is a telltale sign of using my high impedance headphones. In other words, am I inadvertently boosting the highs?
I agree with what’s been said before about the input methods making the biggest difference.
The ability to directly touch and input certain things is what makes the OP-XY (and OP-Z) so quick.
OP-XY = sequencer steps + musical keyboard
OT/DT/DN = sequencer steps OR keyboard
M8 = none (not saying it’s worse, it clearly works for a lot of people)
Let me tell you one huge difference. NO BUGS. Well actually M8 has had a few bugs here and there but beta sessions are super super in depth and patches are flying in before you finish typing.
Workflow wise they’re night and day.
But if you like programming you can get VERY creative with the M8 sequencer. It’s step components on steroids.
The major selling point for me in XY is the keys. You can play live your chords, melodies, drums.
M8 although supports midi controllers, recording melodies or drums is a bit finicky. Also chords although possible, can’t be played live.
I am not an expert on these matters, but my impression was that high-impedance headphones lower volume without a drastic change in frequency response. I found my 250Ω headphones too low for working with a subtle sound on one track, and use others with impedances of 63Ω or 48Ω. Some on the Discord agree with me, others are fine with them.
Your cheap speaker is more of an issue. Did you install it? (Them?) If not, what do you know about it? If you want things to sound their best on that, you’re going to have to mix in the classroom.
I’m on a train in a small business trip traveling only with the laptop case. The size and versatility of being able to use the M8 in ANY situation is unique.
Yeah, M8 is definitely thinking for portability and travel.
I love the OP-1 and its format but ultimately you need to have it lay on a surface on your lap. And if you’re in a plane you could be fighting with turbulence. Where the M8 you are holding in your hand and programming and it’s small and just feels quite a bit easier to pull out and tuck away.
and the M8 is more discrete
I have felt like a hipster dork the very few times I have taken out my OP-1 in public
(which probably applies to the OP-XY as well)
