Hi guys. I’m looking for some gear to add to Syntakt to widen my sound pallette that can also allow resampling the sounds I make on Syntakt. I researched what the possible options are and I’m having a hard time deciding, I’ve narrowed it down to digitakt, analog Rytm 2, Ableton push, and Deluge.
First of all I was wondering if resampling external audio into push is a straightforward ordeal? I’m leaning towards push because it will allow polyphony and will be the most versatile choice, the huge downside is having to hook it up to a laptop and I’d need to buy a new table to have more space. Push standalone is an option but I’m wondering if it would be as accessible as far as resampling goes and if the cpu handle a custom drum rack with several max4live devices per pad. Also can I use standalone to load custom instrument racks? I’m also wondering if the price is justifiable when I already have Live suite and can use overbridge. Which brings up the question of how much I’d be missing out on if I opt for a used push 2 instead of a push 3 (does the standalones also have LFO? And can they be assigned mouse free?). Finally currently I use Ableton to allow smooth parameter automation with syntakt and also use it to add extra midi cc LFO to syntakt. Would this still be possible with push standalone (to send midi back into syntakt from push while also receiving midi)
Option 2 is digitakt II. Obvious downside is no polyphony but I can probably integrate it along with syntakt into Ableton (which is the setup I have now for resampling). Upside is I don’t need a computer like with push. The downside for me is how overbridge handles the analog FX block and how it requires level matching it from inside Ableton and I’d prefer a mouse free hands on approach. I have it set up to be hands on as possible right now using midi controllers but having to look at the laptop screen is unavoidable.
I’ve thought about the Rytm 2 but it seems it would be a waste buying something that has so much overlap with the machines on Syntakt and isn’t geared towards melodic stuff, thought the internal resampling is quite tempting and was wondering if there is enough filtering control on the sample machines to allow easy layering. I can also see myself using the master compressor and at least having some way of doing polyphony by having spare tracks to spread sampled syntakt voices across (thought I Guess digitakt can do that too)
Finally Deluge also seems like a viable option but but I’m worried about the workflow being tedious compare to elektron boxes. And I haven’t found any demos that show off how the drum synth and tonal synth engines sound without samples in the mix (I almost always prefer synthesizing all my sounds and only use sampling to resample sounds I make). If anyone has some synth only demos I can compare to syntakt and the Ableton synths that would be really helpful. Between deluge and push which one makes it easier to resample and which has a smoother overall workflow? And does it have MIDI LFO’s that I can route to syntakt?
Also open to alternative suggestions. What setup options have you had to complement syntakt that you find flexible?
I’ve also been looking at the little 1010music boxes and considering that as a totally dawless setup as they would offer options for polyphonic parts. But then I’d be sacrificing access to the sequencers on digitakt or push
Deluge doesn’t have separate outs, this could be a bit annoying for you workflow, unless you decide to stay mainly out of the box.
If you’re a heavy Ablrton user, Push 3 seems obvious. Not the perfect device, I find the UX inconsistent and often lack some controls, but it is very powerful. And with time you can make it be what you want it to be. I’m not there, personally.
DTII doesn’t have polyphony (I have high hopes but it’s not for a close future I guess).
This said, it’s where I’m most efficient, even OT is a bit jealous.
This said, OT is still, for me, the queen for live sampling and mangling!
I have never tried the 1010mudic Blackbox but it might fit your workflow.
Another possibility for the polyphony could be controlling a tiny synth. Micromonsta 2 is a good choice, S-1 is very rewarding.
Check out the EP133/KO2. It’s cheap relatively to something like a push standalone, no frills but fun and creative. If you want to get deep into sound design, I always find it quicker and easier just on the laptop. I also have a Roland s1 now which is proving also really surprising. And another vote for push standalone, though it helps to have and set intentions using it as it’s possible to be overwhelmed by it doing anything. My current setup is perkons+push as I switched my syntakt to perkons recently, but syntakt + push is a good combo too
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I’ve also been leaning towards push, but the only thing holding me back is whether or not it will have the resampling and sequencer immediacy of the digitakt and the fact I’d need a computer to use it (I’m thinking push 3 standalone is a bit out of my budget range for what you get). Though I saw somone on reddit who turned a push 2 into a standalone by strapping a small portable PC onto it which would solve the issue of a lack of space for gear.
With digitakt I suppose I could use Ableton synths and a midi controller to cover polyphony needs. I’m drawn to the easy workflow, wondering if push 3 can feel as immediate? What about push 2?
Push is marmite. It either gells with you or doesn’t. If you don’t need MPE or an audio interface, pick up a cheap push2, give it a go and if it’s not for you you can resell without much of a loss and test its workflow.
Thanks for the advice. Is the workflow with push 2 the same as push 3? I saw mention of workflow improvements so I’d want something that feels as immediate as possible
Also how easy is it to sample syntakt’s output into it workflow wise? I’m hoping there isn’t any menu diving involved and instead some easy way to open a clip in simpler or sampler? Would digitakt make resampling syntakt any easier?
Good to know. I’ve pretty much already removed it as an option, I found some synth demos of the drum synths and wasn’t a fan of how they sound, nowhere near the sonic interestingness and punchyneas of elektron boxes
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ve considered going for a DT1 already and have put lots of thought into it, but if I get another elektron box it will porbably have to be a digitakt 2. I need all those extra LFO and the extra cc knobs on the midi tracks
Digitakt with an rk002 cable does polyphony. It’s like €50 and works perfectly, simple and cheap solution, minimal setup, no computer, no extra power supplies. DT2 has enough tracks to enable 8 voice poly with 8 left for regular duties.
Personally I’d pick a Digitakt II any day of the week (and did), and I’d add an RK002 cable from retro kits. That way I can dedicate 4 tracks to play four voices of polyphony, and one MIDI track to control them.
If you want something that’s more natively inclined towards polyphony, then an MPC seems the obvious choice. Probably the MPC Live 2 or MPC Key 37 would be my choices.
Another interesting and cheaper option might be to get an sp404mk2 to handle sampler and fx duties, with polyphony, but sequence it using the Syntakts midi channels.
I’ve only got experience of the first option, but if I had unlimited funds, or people to borrow the kit from, I’d definitely like to explore what these other two options bring to the table.
That sounds enticing, what does the cable do exactly? Kind of a round robin MPE I’m guessing? Would it allow playing the polyphonic parts via midi keyboard? That’s an important thing for me
Thanks. Wonderful suggestions. Never considered an MPC. Does it do any synthesis? If yes how is the synthesis engine? Regarding the sp404, I think I’d prefer to keep as many syntakt tracks dedicated to synthesis as possible and then control whatever polyphonic thing I add to it with a midi keyboard rather than sequencer
Regarding the SP404, how are it’s sample mangling capabilities? A digitakt isn’t out of my price range so if it offers more flexibility I’d want the most sonically fleixble setup possible
MPCs have many polyphonic plugins such as a polyphonic Moog D, Juno 106 copy, FM synth, rompers, and can play polyphonic multi samples. It’s also a class sequencer in its own right
Amazing :). Thank you for pointing this thing out. This seems like a great dawless solution and is cheaper than a push 3.
And then I’ll probably buy a push in the future anyways .
So if I go this dawless route, is there some compact piece of gear that can capture midi of a performance (and maybe audio)? (I feel like I’m asking for a DAW in dawless form ).
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