Hello all! I’m currently preparing to dive into the world of hardware to use in production. I’ve had my eye on a sub 37 for a long time and it being tax season, i’ve finally decided to pull the trigger on it. I’ve been wanting to pair some type of sequencer to it and was originally looking at either a TR8/TR8S or a drumbrute. That was before I discovered Elektron. I’ve since shifted gears and am super interested in both the digitakt and the rytm mk2. I’m having a lot of difficulty deciding between the two. I’m also now considering picking up a second synth either with the sub and whichever piece of kit I end up deciding on or a bit later (likely a bass station 2 or a digitone). I’d love to hear some input from the community on this. I’m having extreme difficulty deciding between the two units. Of it helps, I make mostly techno/tech house/deep house type stuff. The fact that the digitakt could act as a brain for other gear in the future and sequence over midi is super appealing whereas having an analogue drum machine is also super appealing. Decisions, decisions.
The 2 or the 3 ?
Digitone has midi tracks too.
Analog Four can be used as a drum machine and a synth.
Octatrack is THE brain.
Machinedrum and Monomachine have midi tracks too.
The 3 or the 7 ?
Part of my issue is the fact that a lot of the products in the line have overlapping features so it’s hard to decide which is best for me. Especially having never used an Elektron product before. Right now I’m primarily interested in something to use for drums to pair with my incoming sub 37. Rytm seems the best for that although the digitakt seems better if I’m thinking long term to incorporate other gear. But the two of those together seems a bit redundant and that’s where I’m struggling lol.
I think the biggest thing between the Rytm & DT is that the Rytm has drum synth(s), right? I have a Digitakt, never used a Rytm so can’t really compare in depth, but I would say that’s the biggest thing you need to ask yourself. If you’re OK with using samples then I would think the DT should be plenty for you? Then also if you really want to be able to sequence other gear, is that not something the Rytm can do? If not, then again it kind of points to DT. So the biggest question seems to be, do you want that analog drum synthesis or not.
Since you already have other synthesizers, I highly recommend either the Digitakt or the Octatrack. Both do a great job but the Octatrack has more features and costs more. Learning curve is steep on the Octatrack but it is very powerful. I sampled all my synths including my Moog Sub 37 this weekend on mine.
I also have an Analog 4 which is a great synthesizer and sequencer but it cannot sample or save tracks like the Octatrack. It works well with modular gear due to the CV ports. I just got mine working with my semi modular Make Noise 0-coast gear. You can use the Digitakt and Analog 4 like drum machines as well.
If I were to get only one piece of Elektron gear, it would either be the Digitakt or Octatrack. Octatrack does way more but costs twice as much and has a steeper learning curve. I would try them out and see what fits your needs best.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the Octatrack isn’t as much of a groove box as the digitakt is, is it not? It seems like it’s more for performing samples and sampling, arranging songs rather than sequencing/producing. I could be very wrong though.
Actually the hidden secret that most folks including myself don’t realize is that the OT indeed can be an awesome groove box and so much more!
I found out in learning the OT that it comes jam packed with TONS and TONS of free samples from Elektron and other places like Samples from Mars. Load those up to the 8 tracks and you have a world of grooves. Tweak those with the many cool effects in the OT and you have a world of groovy jam ideas. My favorite feature so far in the OT is the LFO creator- you can build your very own wave form and apply to tracks and samples. How cool is that?
BUT the OT is twice price of Digitakt, larger and steep learning curve. I am just scratching the surface of mine and learning the ropes. If you can invest the time and money the OT is way to go. BUT as I think Cuckoo said in one of his comparison videos, if you want to plugin and play and not spend a lot of time the Digitakt is for you.
BEFORE you buy anything, I do highly recommend this video that goes into detail on the differences between the OT and Digitakt:
Go for the Digi. That one will have a place in your rig no matter where you go from there. It sounds great, is comparatively easy to use, has a convenient size and is a bit of a no-nonsense instrument, compared to most other Elektrons. Using the Midi sequencer to create loops on the Sub37 and then sample those straight into the Takt is a blast.
As a first time user…and main usage drum machine…Digitakt. Everything Else has either a steep learning curve or is rather fitted for other than drum machine duties.
I picked Digitakt because it does samples and let’s me sequence my cc capable synth units much like you can sequence any elektron gear. There is midi resolution to worry about on the lfo but for the most part it just gives you the freedom to pick a synth you like and make it better and then sample drums, chords, short loops from it to flesh out tracks. I guess price wise I think Digitakt + a 4 voice synth or other drum module is just going to give more choice and more tailored to what you want results when compared to grabbing an Analog Rytm MK2. What you want might be exactly what the AR is and then it makes plenty of sense but DT just has that potential of combinations that to me is very enticing.
Then An incredible offer for a Machinedrum came along. And although I did not need it, I could not pass it.
At this moment I have lots of fun with the Machinedrum. It has a super steep learning curve, but it flattens out pretty fast. It also has a lot of limitations. If your are relative new to these kind of instruments, I think limitations is a great thing. For me, I’m pretty sure that the limitations on the Machinedrum will make my understanding of the digitakt so much better.
The Octatrack - I think it’s too unlimited to start out with. Way too many options and terminology.
One more thing. The layout (user interface) of the Machinedrum is almost perfect.
I’m going out on a limb here and recomending you get an Analog Rytm MKI. It’s pretty much the same workflow as the Digitakt but has more performance features, functioning overbridge, analog synthesis, and is stupid cheap right now. You can easily compose full tracks with it if you strategize your voice allocations and it’s a great intro box to learn the basics of the Elektron sequencer. It doesn’t sequence external gear but other than that it’s a no brainer imo. Unless you are absolutely stuck on the idea of sampling straight to the box itself I don’t see much reason to buy an MKII.
You can’t go wrong with either a Rytm, Digitakt or Octatrack for techno drums.
For sequencing Sub37 & additional midi gear down the track though, either Octatrack or Digitakt.
For the long game outlook, definitely the Octatrack over the Digitakt.
A second hand OT mk1 you can get for the same price as a Digitakt.
No doubt you’ll get recommended every Elektron box in this thread, and for good reason, but I personally reckon the OT is a stone cold classic.
