What did the new firmware add? Sometimes I regret getting rid of mine, but the workflow was so fiddly for me.
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Yes, that’s a good point. More focused workflow, I miss the dedicated track buttons on DNII. Two independant ctrl all groups (and far more predictable ctrl all than DNII). Two independant chorus, delays and reverb. And each DN can have a midi track which acts like a FX track for the other DN. But if you want to make clubby tunes that require a lot of drums and variations, this setup will be pretty limited.
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Got the Digitone II, but there’s no way I’m selling my original Digitone — I’m way too attached to it. Partly because of all the presets and sound packs I made on it, but mostly ‘cause I’ll never get tired of those four little colored buttons. They just make it feel kinda vintage next to its big, shiny new sibling 
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This is my experience of the DN2 too. I’ve realised that I prefer more focussed instruments and something like the DN2 gives me option paralysis. It’s one of the reasons I can’t get along with modern MPCs either.
I thought I would enjoy having drums, FM, and subtractive synthesis all in the same box but it hasn’t worked out that way. I still prefer samples and/or TR-style synthesis of drums, and I have a number of more versatile and (subjectively) better sounding subtractive synths. That just leaves the FM side of things… which the OG DN gave me in a more focussed and ergonomic form.
The only things I’d really miss are the sequencer improvements. Not so much the extra 64 steps but the way polyphonic notes are handled. I wish they’d find a way to port that back to the OG (individual note offsets, lengths and velocities).
Thinking of going to a pairing of OG DN and DT2, with the 4 MIDI tracks of the DN sequencing the modular and becoming sample fodder for the DT2.
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That’s a bit out of this thread, I’ll post my reply on the BlastBeats thread if you don’t mind
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the best way to upgrade an og digitone is to pair it with an og A4.
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Buad’s real name.
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I need to revive this thread for some reason.
I have been revisiting some of my last DN1 recordings lately and I really liked what I did there sonically.
So: While there’s promising midi controllers upcoming and I still want a nice and simple chord companion for my A4 the idea came to my mind why not give the good old DN1 a chance and use it for both duties. Is using the midi channels of the DN sequencer for CCing the A4 a proven, robust and useful setup? At the current 2nd hand prices it would be hard to beat in this case if you aim for a nice and most minimalistic setup, wouldn’t it?
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Not really, the A4 has so much built in modulation already and has performance macros. I couldn’t really find a reason to want to midi control with CCs when the device is directly in front of me anyway. I do find it useful to midi control the performance macro knobs when I am sitting away from my AK, but that doesn’t sound like it fits your use case.
DT1 is great as a poly accompaniment to A4 though.
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Thanks for another perspective on this.
The reason why I’m thinking about a dedicated controller is mainly because A4s performance macros always affect whole tracks including locked sounds. When you think about changing the amp volume of the track’s sound while leaving locked sounds untouched this is impossible. I was hoping to do this with any kind of extra controller, though. Am I wrong here?
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All the midi CCs allow you to do is alter a parameter you can already alter by hand on the synth, so I don’t see how you could set up an external controller to do anything other than what the device itself does, unfortunately.
Well… the amp volume, to stay with that example, can be altered manually without affecting locked sounds. The performance macros on the other hand, alter any selected value as a last layer (don’t find a better description) on top of everything. (including locked sounds)
Oh that’s interesting, do the macros offset from the value, or override it?
Offset. Additive/subtractive so to say.
(there was a very old thread I found sometime ago, have to see if I find it again)
Edit: found it (still not sure if CCs would cause different behaviour, though)
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Kangding Ray is sticking with the OG Digitone
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSNG0DHksYK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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I built this sequence on the original digitone using sound locks and microtiming with unique bar to bar variations in each instrument running for 256 steps before it repeats itself. This is built inside of one pattern and plays straight through twice (16 times) at 176 bpm.
Tired of hearing that a 128 step elektron sequencer can’t fit a sequence into one pattern.
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I’m sticking with the OG DN as well. Mostly because the buttons melted and I’m stuck to it!
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Tired of hearing that too! Looking at you elektron!
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All jokes aside, trigs all good here except they are dirty! Mine, like most gear, lives in the garage in the high humidity months and I’m filthy!
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Dunno if it’s true but I heard if you contact them they’ll sell you a bag of new buttons.