Syntakt, but what next?

Jeanne · 2023-01-13T21:57:04.211Z

Annihilation_Squares:

1010 Blackbox

oh yeah, something smaller or really small … like a Teenage Engineering PO-33 … so it’s not “two boxes”, where one falls off the knee, but one box with a little something on the side on the Sofa …

Microtribe · 2023-01-13T22:25:19.861Z

@ezilybored see? Do what @Jeanne does

Got machine, get good with it.

No other gear needed.

Annihilation_Squares · 2023-01-13T23:57:59.375Z

Exactly! The BB is quite capable for something so tiny. I haven’t tried the PO-33 but that one and the Microtonic one always seemed like pretty nice little items.

Buad · 2023-01-14T00:27:28.814Z

Haven’t had an AR, however I have had the DT and currently the OT. It’s your money & your time and such so I would take in what you can if your yearning for some specific features. My recommendation would be the Digitakt. You already have an analog drum machine in the Syntakt unless you trade it and samples can get you there no problem. However effects you can do after the fact or get a small external unit.

The OT does too much in ways. Having it for 2yrs now getting familiar enough with it is slow. If your serious then templates of a workflow are important to have spontaneous use otherwise you can get stuck in the constantly learning and not getting things done. The Digitakt is a great intro and it’s still quite flexible if you want to try different approaches. It is very much more to the point while still giving you as many options as you can imagine. You can create effects using resampling and controls or p-locking and more. The OT is really for the serious performer. But you don’t have to be one to enjoy it.

J3RK · 2023-01-14T01:43:52.189Z

If you don’t need delay much, then a timed and filtered delay line works well too

J3RK · 2023-01-14T01:44:47.834Z

Those two are great, as well as the Megaman one for synth lines. More versatile than it appears.

cogsy · 2023-01-14T05:06:05.746Z

ezilybored:

Keep Syntakt, add Digitakt. The cheapest option (if Digi is 2nd hand). Gives samples and resampling. However, more boxes which makes it less portable and more wires on the sofa.

Keep Syntakt and add Octatrack. Is the most expensive option. I get per channel effects. resampling and samples. However this loses overbridge which I quite like for when I eventually need to get the tracks into my DAW.

Trade Syntakt for Analog Rtm Mk2. Is the second most expensive at a few hundred £ more than the Syntakt/Digitakt option. Gets all options in one box and gives most things needed. However, not sure if the sampling is as good as the Digitakt or Octatrack

I have the Rytm and Octa, have owned a DT. For your use case, I’d go option 1. If what you want is sampling/resampling workflow, Digitakt is a good way to go. The Rytm can be a sampler, but it has limitations in resolution of start/end, LFO, choke groups. The DVCO is awesome for bass, but you have that with Syntakt.

The channel FX on the OT are quirky, to say the least. The reverb certainly isn’t as lush as the modern boxes. Everything else should be achievable with resampling with external FX. I wouldn’t get the OT unless you really want to get into loops. As just an FX box, there are certainly better solutions, unless you want to lean into scenes/performances, in which case it gets crazy.

But others have a good point. Learn your new gear some more. Push yourself until you hit the wall. Once you hit your limits, you’ll know better what you need

selfup · 2023-01-14T05:09:58.841Z

+1 for BB. I am biased as I have two… but they are delightful machines. Syntakt + BB would be quite the combo. While the FX on the BB are lacking the ability to easily sample and playback super duper long samples is what makes it attractive.

If you like modulation and FX after what you are creating… the DT is fun but limited in playback as well as mono.

“Just” do what @Jeanne does and then consider a sampler. Otherwise have fun melting faces!

bangonadigi · 2023-01-14T05:20:45.252Z

Can DAWs really sample though? Or do people mean use the DAW as a sample player/ editor? I find it’s not very fun to direct sample into a computer DAW.

selfup · 2023-01-14T05:21:58.096Z

Clip workflows can absolutely feel like a sampler. I sample all of my gear this way. I am partial to Bitwig but other daws can achieve the same workflow.

Cosmic · 2023-01-14T05:24:35.654Z

That’s truly great, love your style, need some hard liquor now to go with it though

technolover303 · 2023-01-14T06:21:42.812Z

Still couldn’t figure out how to make a kick rumble with only one or two tracks and without using a reverb… would you mind explaining it ?

ezilybored · 2023-01-14T10:04:32.183Z

I’ve narrowed my choice down to Digitakt, Blackbox or SP404 mk2. Have found second hand for all. My decision may be decided by the fates of the online auction.

@technolover303 I still haven’t got it yet either. Going to be playing around later today.

For those asking why I need to not use laptop. I also use my laptop for work. I’m a web dev so need to keep a lot of stuff open and running while I also make music. It isn’t ideal, but it’s what I have.

I’ve also just been informed that my studio room is to become my sons “teenage bedroom” so my music space is going to be severely downsized soon

technolover303 · 2023-01-14T10:46:37.147Z

I know what you face having children made my studio smaller too !

I think you made the good choice. Even if the AR is awesome you would have missed the ST digital machines for sure

Jeanne · 2023-01-14T13:45:57.096Z

technolover303:

Still couldn’t figure out how to make a kick rumble with only one or two tracks and without using a reverb… would you mind explaining it ?

Edit: Removed since I developed better techniques than those I wrote here. Those also do not utilize reverb and/or delay.

Sternenlicht · 2023-01-14T14:05:29.326Z

I say mpc live or akai force, ok the reverb sucks, but make a rumble on the daw, import it, and do all other sounds with ease, best couch device imho because it has wifi, dont does emails, can resample everything (pads, audio tracks etc) the synth sound good, add maybe their fm synth, done. Probability is also there and you could sample in the syntakt you already have. maybe the reverb also works if you distort it anyways or add delay for the rumble etc. Layering samples is also an easy task. 4 layers for hard hitting drums, drum synth build in etc…

ezilybored · 2023-01-14T15:25:44.498Z

Those all sound great. Haven’t got around to having a play yet today. Will try these techniques together later. Thanks

ezilybored · 2023-01-14T15:41:59.920Z

Went with the Digitakt too. Just picked one up. Looking forward to having a play in a few days

Claid · 2023-01-14T15:44:45.946Z

Added complexity = added stress and less music being made. Sequence your DAW with the Syntakt. Seriously, it’s great for that. In Ableton Live and utilising Overbridge, you can set up a drum rack which pipes in the different channels of the Syntakt to the drum rack cells, and layer in a sample that plays at the same time on the same cell. You can even layer multiple samples to play alongside your Syntakt channels, mix in the volumes of each sample, apply filters, endless LFOs and yes, even per-cell effects. How about beefing up your Syntakt sub bass with another synth entirely? You can even layer entire synths alongside your Syntakt sound and samples on the drum rack cells. It really gets that deep. And you have all that already in your computer. No additional money being spent, no additional plug sockets, no additional wires snaking back and forth across your desk. Quick and powerful.

geronimo · 2023-01-14T17:02:05.160Z

I’ve owned the Digitakt and the 404MK2, and both are amazing. I’ve boiled my setup down to Syntakt and the 404, however.

Reasons? I rarely use 12 tracks on Syntakt, so I can apply Elektron sequencing to the 404. Also, I personally love having the battery powered option of the 404, which means I can easily grab and go with one box if I’m inclined. Finally - the FX (and resampling) are fantastic.