Probably 2-3 is the sweet spot for most if you plan on actively using all of them during a set… obvious adding in other complex instruments will lower the number a bit. Something like the A4 sounds really lively to me even if you just run sequences live with out tweaking, if you spent the time building interesting patches, while digitakt likes to get a bit more attention. But yeah I think all the boxes can benefit from more input which is why solo elektron jams usually are awesome also.
For the studio recording I don’t think there is a definitive answer as it is so dependent on what your overall workflow is. Personally I’ve never had more than two on the go at one.
For live I do think that a more slimmed down approach should be favoured unless you’ve got a road crew to do the setup and break-down for you. I’d say two would be the maximum I’d be comfortable with but only if it was the two Elektron boxes only as that’s plenty to be dealing with. Probably with a notional split of one being for rhythms and one being for melodic/harmonic/random sounds.
I am in the (very, very) slow process of pulling together a liveset and one of the goals is for it to fit in a backpack. So, I’m just going with one… it’ll be the DT acting as the main hub with some external boxes to be sequenced by it. Right now, leaning towards DT, Skulpt, Acid8 and Volca Sample. I think that hits the sweet spot of flexibility and complexity.
That sounds nice mate. I’m working on a track for my first ever release of my own music, a thematic release. Hopefully it’ll be done by the end of the year even though it’ll be under 30 minutes lol. I think I might release a jam/skeleton of the track, unmastered and such with minimal effects. I like to do things in one shot (aka live) if I can but sometimes it’s hard managing all the devices and a guitar.
Would be great to hear what you make with that setup, sounds like a great combo.
3 Likes
I like just working with the OT. Occasionally ponder the Digitone, but wish the operator relationships were more flexible. May get a TX81Z instead. But with the A4 and OT it just felt like too much. I’m not big on pattern sequencing though, so to really PLAY the Octatrack, that alone keeps me plenty busy 
1 Like
Two for me. RYTM and OT. Plus a couple of nice peddles.
1 Like
Still got a wee bit to go with it… all the components are sorted out but I need to sequence out the various parts of songs and practice and all that good stuff. I’ll likely share with the Elektronauts when I get there!
I couldn’t imagine handling a guitar at the same time but then I struggle to stand up and play guitar at the same time. I’d imagine that conditional trigs would be a life-saver for keeping things from getting too stale while you’re focusing on guitar parts.
Just the Rytm sending clock to M32 and 0-Coast is all I need!
1 Like
THE TRINITY!
Ok, a trinity, now that there are so many to choose from.
1 Like
Post a groove 
1 Like
I posted one today but wow, it’s terrible due to the mastering. I’ve never mastered in my life, I need to practice some more and well, read an entire book on it.
I just wanted to get something out for Jamuary since I’ve never released any of my tracks. I’m working with the Digitakt compressor currently and cleaning up the song in my DAW, or at least trying to based on mastering tutorials.
Be warned… I recorded this whole thing in 2 hours at 4AM and tried to master it for the first time after, so the dynamics are all over the place and some of the filtering is botched… Sigh… I’m more of a musician than a sound engineer, guess I gotta work on the second part for stuff that isn’t live.
3 Likes
I am also trying to put together a live set and am using DT+DN. They are are fixed to a board and everything stays plugged in (MIDI and audio DT->DN), I only need to connect to power. It fits in a small flight case.
This pair works really well and I’m becoming pretty fluent with both, but I started filming myself and I feel like it lacks a “performance” element to make it more interesting to an audience. I’m considering adding a mono synth with a keyboard to play some parts live, or a guitar/bass (but that would make pattern changes trickier).
Pattern changes are pretty nice with them due to the pattern change MIDI send. Two button presses total, surely no more than 3 seconds if you know where you want to go.
You can do it!
This idea doesn’t really work if you’ve got everything setup within a flight case however I think part of the issue with that is you tend to be very still. Having your gear spread out on a desk a little bit so there is a little leaning from one side to the other just breaks the impression of being immobile. Obviously not too far apart that it’s a pain to perform with or it looks contrived… just a gentle lean. But if you’re considering adding a small monosynth then that can definitely help in that respect.
Very nice arrangement and chest-thumping synth chords. I think I hear the Digitone. Man, I want a Digitone badder than a mofo, though!
1 Like
My first piece of Elektron gear… it will always have a special place in my heart. The whole opening is just the Digitone except for the tambourine and vocal chant (which is so horribly mastered it’s cringe worthy).
Then I got the Digitakt for Christmas. Still learning the ins and outs, never sampled anything before. The two go together like peas in a pod.
I use 3 octa as drum machine + a4 and digitone, perfect combo. Will add vīrus ti2 in future. Not big fan of fm pads so need something more
1 Like
Yeah, it’s only a matter of practice I guess 
That’s pretty clever, but I prefer to add an instrument to play live and improvise on.
Well, I’m unsure if it’s clever… just what I’ve observed from having been to so many gigs over the years. The other thing that I reckon has a similar disconnect from the audience is someone sat at a table tweaking their devices (or laptop!!). Being stood up just seems more active.
I was at a gig last Saturday and the opening guy was just sat there with a table of volcas/boutiques and headphones playing some pretty banging stuff but the audience pretty much ignored him. The next one was someone who was signing/faux rapping to a pretty poorly produced backing mp3 and the folks were lapping it up…
OT being brain most of the time , for studio, 1 or 2 Elektrons with sequencers (I don’t count AH and AD as they are very simple in comparison). I got stuck with 3. May change, but I’m not interested in a static setup for the moment.
Best Elektron pairs
For live I still don’t know. I’d like to use guitar / bass / vocals, and other non sequenced stuff, OT recording / sequencing / mangling.
I’d like another sequencer for drums, I find MD sequencer too static, A4 a bit complicated for that purpose in live, so I think an AR or DT I don’t have would be interesting to concentrate on other instruments…
1 Like
Hey mate I dunno if you know this, but something I’ve been using a bunch ever since that track I posted (I completely forgot about it the entire time) is Global Change on the DT…
aka. hold down “TRK” and every parameter you alter changes the parameters on every track, then you can “FUNC” + “NO” to reload pattern once you’re done mangling… It’s the closest thing we have on the DT to live performance features IMO based on the magnitude of changes. For instance you can reverse the entire pattern at the same time, add bitcrush, change the tuning, then reload it and it immediately switches back. It’s very nice for immediate performance.
1 Like