Skeptical of adding DN to my DT

sleepfc · 2022-12-25T15:34:34.788Z

Get an Access Virus A or B instead

maymind_trax · 2022-12-25T16:03:31.321Z

I’d also recommend a more hands on synth module than the DN given that you already have the DT sequencer. Having them both can be a bit overkill at once, it’s a lot to keep track of. Something like the Virus, Nord Lead, Minilogue, etc will serve you better IMO.

khapankov · 2022-12-25T16:09:48.841Z

“Get a Digitone” is a default answer on this forum i.e. not very helpful. People tend to overlook it limitations and workflow. So if you are still not convinced by the sounds of DN then the way of arriving to these sounds will downright frustrate you. The same goes for Typhon: praised for sound, fx and value while its frustratingly fiddly UI is ignored.

Annihilation_Squares · 2022-12-25T16:20:00.926Z

Get a Micromonsta 2 and spend the rest of your budget on rad stuff like pizza. Or exceed your budget by a bit and get a Syntakt.

davestasiuk · 2022-12-25T16:37:38.384Z

One thing that makes the DN so nice with the DT is that the form factor and workflows are so similar. It really does behave more like one instrument to use them together.

Another big thing is that the DN has four voices you can split over four tracks. So you can have one five voice pad, a bass, lead, and arp all working together. It being multi timbral is a huge feature.

There are only a few multi timbral synths you’ll find in that price range…like a Blofeld or a used Virus B, as mentioned above. I think the Virus may be your best best, honestly…you have 8 MIDI tracks you can use from the DT, you can also Plock/automate 8 CC’s per MIDI track, and the Virus is going to cover a lot of sonic territory.

The DN can however sound very warm, its dual filters help a ton in taking the wildness of FM, and its wave-shaping ability lets you get close to traditional analog oscillator shapes. A lot of it depends on how much you want to rely on preset and how much you want synthesize your own patches.

comradecry · 2022-12-25T16:46:55.934Z

davestasiuk:

DN has four voices you can split over four tracks

8 voices. Which is one of the biggest reasons its so flexible as a module. Its like having 4 separate small machines that can be pretty much anything.

selfup · 2022-12-25T16:55:13.793Z

DT has two LFOs now AFAIK so you can play around with single cycle waveforms. Can be very powerful without the need of a new synth!

DN can sound warm for sure. Can also mix warm and cold. Being multi timbral helps a lot.

The sequencer overlap isn’t really the same but they do overlap. Especially after the latest updates.

I have a Minilogue XD and it’s a great synth but not multi timbral, so you will have to resort to sampling more than not (mono samples at that). But benefit is you get a keyboard to play around with unless you are shooting for the module.

davestasiuk · 2022-12-25T17:15:08.249Z

Oh yeah, mistyped!

Jedilicious · 2022-12-25T17:20:42.327Z

The DT and DN work very well together. I usually consider them to be a single instrument and I seldom use one without the other.

Also, the multitrimbal aspect is amazing.

That said, if you feel the demos don’t sound like the sound you are after, you are probably not going to be satisfied until you get a more traditional sounding (analog) synth (or an analog heat)

The Minilogue XD is a great entry level synth. Mix that with the single cycle waveforms/samples on the DT and you can cover plenty of ground

Yes, you can def warm up the DN, but I would say it’s def not where it shines. There is a reason why there are videos out there with the title “how to warm up the DN”

Don’t get me wrong, I love the DN for its unique sounds and many other reasons but in your case I am not sure if I would recommend it.

Ps I myself gravitate towards the genres you mentioned in your post and I am very happy with my DN and DT, but only because I have a minitaur that covers the warm/analog/bass sounds

Norb · 2022-12-25T18:03:59.610Z

I love the Digitone but trust your ears. You’ve listened to tons of demos and it wasn’t for you.

Perhaps the analog four is closer to the sonic character you’re after. The mk1 and analog keys can be found for quite cheap nowadays.

I personally find it much more convenient to set up pattern change follow, than mess with midi CC and all that so I prefer working with multiple Elektrons over midi sequencing other synths.

reeloy · 2022-12-25T19:57:35.478Z

…since each elektron sequencer is an instrument of it’s own, never underestimate what it can do to different aproaches of soundconcepts it’s attached to…

sure all the midi options of it are always good to have, but once it’s doing it’s job directly to it’s intented internal soundconcept, it’s always a different beast…

running two independant ones next to each other is by far no waste of money at all…
by now, u got one handling sampling already…another one that treats it’s ways to synthesis is pretty much a must, if ur already hooked to it’s basic concept…

and if the dtone does not tickle u that much, well, the syntakt or an a4 would do for sure…

don’t be fooled by that groovebox thing…the syntakt is many great synthvoices and concepts at once…and so far, u have not experienced what plocking means for real, once it hits on synthesis…

bangonadigi · 2022-12-26T01:02:22.537Z

Thanks everyone for the great feedback.

I think I under-appreciated how the Elektron sequencers could work together and I haven’t even messed with song mode yet on DT.

What I realized from some of the responses on DN’s sound is that my synth expertise is relatively low and I’d probably be happier with something more basic to start with, where it’s easier to dial-in sweet spots.

I’m leaning toward a more modest purchase like Typhon or Korg and learning on that, but keeping open the possibility of adding DN or even Syntakt in the future once I become more comfortable with mastering my DT’s sequencer and synthesis in general.

This community is so helpful , thank you!

peaceful · 2022-12-26T01:19:43.002Z

Digitone sequencer is quite different/augmented from Digitakt. The polyphony and the arp make it much more flexible.

For instance you can easily create 8 bar and 16 bar loops of 16th notes with arps.

sacguy71 · 2022-12-26T01:26:57.126Z

This especially since you can sequence 8 parts on a virus from the DT and virus does way more synth types than DN. Great combo.

Starscream · 2022-12-26T01:31:24.295Z

If you don’t dig FM sounds don’t get the DN.
There is a DN Keys for information.
Find a device that can add a new dimension/most value to whatever you wanted to play.
All Elektron boxes have some level of overlap.
Find a device that help you “cut through the mix” together with DT?
Will you add more after this next device - may be good to plan ahead the overall “studio” in the longer term when deciding the acquisition.
Without more information, I would suggest a polyphonic synth keyboard.
Have fun!

ViolentMeals · 2022-12-26T01:52:15.017Z

bangonadigi:

I’m leaning toward a more modest purchase like Typhon

I have the DN and the Typhon and the DN is WAY easier to design sounds on. The Typhons UI is a pain in the ass. Great synth, but it’s true. I’m not saying you shouldn’t get a Typhon, but don’t kid yourself that it’s going to be easier to learn on than the Digitone.
I started on the DT too, and when I added the DN it was like I’d unlocked the full potential of something. They work REALLY well together.
I highly recommend that combination of instruments.

bangonadigi · 2022-12-26T02:42:54.050Z

Thanks! I guess my thought was that the Typhon was a more natural fit for the sounds I feel I’d want to create, but you are the second person to mention issues with the UI, which is giving me pause…I’ll try to see one in person before I pull the trigger.

comradecry · 2022-12-26T10:15:57.261Z

Typhon is excellent choice. I have DN and i want to add Typhon to it as both effects block and sweet mono synth.

EDIT: Also to multisample it with Blackbox making it into a monster polysynth

yoyz2k · 2022-12-26T11:18:23.906Z

You have mentioned few analog synth in your first comment.
So go for something analog if you like this kind of sound.
Dreadbox user interface is not my taste.
The minilogue XD has a good UI in the other hand.

So I would say, go for an analog synth, forget the DN which won’t sound really warm.
Or at least not as warm as a A4, ST, Rythm.

If you want to stay in comfort zone of Elektron go with ST.
Lots of thing included and not only a sequencer.
You will have 4 analog part but won’t be able to play chord. And the 8 digital are quite flexible.
If you want a handon synth take the minilogue XD at least you will be able to play chord with a good UI.

2or3things · 2022-12-27T08:24:26.405Z

bangonadigi:

I’ve listened to a lot of YT demos and I’m still not convinced on the DN sound palette. I’m also familiar with FM sounds from using iPad apps like KQ Dixie and Ruismaker FM, I enjoy what they can do but I think I would feel somewhat limited with the metallic, colder sounds that I mostly hear coming from this space. It seems like it fits a certain type of techno, IDM and perhaps ambient, but not as diverse for an “only” synth to make a variety of different styles?

The Digitone can ABSOLUTELY sound WARM and close to “analog”.

Sorry to do what can be seen as some shameless promotion but here you can listen all of my “funky” presets for the Digitone (I think most of them sound quite cool ): https://youtu.be/AlIolD0PXFU

“So far I’m considering Korg Minilogue XD”

I like my Minilogue XD but it has very little envelop abilities for the filter, which I HATE. Sounds lovely though.