I’ve just took delivery of a Digitone that completes my Elektron collection… I feel slightly embarrassed that I’ve given in to GAS and acquired them in such a short period of time, but, you know, fk it, you only live once… 
It’s got me thinking what my ideal 2x Elektron desert-island set up is (and obvs it depends on what you’re trying to achieve).
I think for me it would be;
Curious what other peoples would be and why…?
In before “two Sidstations”.
Having never had the pleasure of owning anything pre-trinity, it’s the A4 and Octatrack that always feels like the classic combo to me. If the mk1 A4 had four individual outputs to feed the four OT inputs, it’d be perfect. So I guess perhaps the mk2 combo is perfect - I’ll let you know when I can afford it.
If it’s only two Elektron’s and nothing else, then I go A4 and OT.
If I’m allowed other gear, then AR and OT.
…on stage…octatrack/cycles…plus analog heat on cue outs…
…in studio…a4/octatrack…plus analog heat on almost everything…
Never had an OT (and no plans) Have had DT, DN, M:C. Current set up is AR + A4. I recently bought something else in a GAS moment, and I haven’t even taken it out of the box because I am digging AR + A4 so much. Which means I am in accord with the OP.
Why? Sound so good, 12 + 4 tracks is more than enough. Sounds complement each other. If I run out of A4 voices, sample it into the AR and use an AR track instead. Look so good together. Can’t be sure of why except to say that since I got them, I haven’t touched Ableton, my push, or anything else. And I really enjoy using them. It is my happy place. Maybe it will wear off…
That’s similar to me… I haven’t touched Logic in some time now, apart from a bit of mix mastering.
I got to the point where the 64 steps/4 bars felt limiting so added an MPC Live to get past that… but I keep coming back to the AR/A4 rig.
I do love the fact that I can now sample the A4 sounds into the MPC and have poly access to them… it’s seeming that the MPC unlocks all restrictions and stops me having to go back to the computer at all. (I know this isn’t about the MPC though 
)…
OT DN.
Do I really need to point out why?
Yeah, the one GASsing thing I have (heh, AH is the other one) is something to record on to. I was thinking 1010 Bluebox. I also wondering about an MPC (I was looking at the One, or a hipster old 1000) as a sort of “brain” in the middle/DAW for the set up. I feel like I am a good few months away from that though.
OT/AK for me.
It depends what I’m up to.
AR MkII/A4 MkII
MD/OT MkII (or MnM if I had one)
DT/DN
I think Elektron did well with their ‘’pairings’’.
If I had the Models : M:C/M:S
Edit : and, of course, Heat with any pairings.
Dual Octatracks, at the moment. Because it multiplies the flexibility of Elektron’s most capable device.
Also, plenty more answers here (search is your friend) —
https://www.elektronauts.com/t/best-combo-gear/13791/
And here:
Adam, is it possible to make a 128 step sequencer by linking them together?
OT and AH. Them and a bunch of pedals would be fine with me for the rest of my life.
You don’t need two to do that. Pattern chain on one OT will do the job.
Thanks. Never even thought of that.
I do remember the love I felt and the simplicity of OT+AH. Running some great samples through the Heat just sounded ace. I have to work harder with the RYTM to dial in things that sound interesting to me.
Rytm & OT.
King of drums (sorry MD) and king of samplers.
Bit off topic, but:
Eventually my AR will probably marry an A4. Really love the AR and it’s ability to be a Digitakt on steroids. The A4 would be for pads/leads etc.
Only one hesitation: when I had the DT/DN-combo, changing patterns was a disaster.
When I changed pattern lenghts on the DT, the DN would start to lag behind in changing a pattern. How’s that with the combo’s you guys are using?
I am struggling with even basic chaining on Ar + A4. The chain is two patterns. They’re 64 steps long on both AR and A4. I start the chain off on AR. A4 changes from p1 to p2 and then just stays on p2, AR does as you’d expect and loops between p1 and p2. Haven’t figured it out yet.
I also find the clock a bit unreliable. Sometimes A4 is lagging, but a quick stop-start fixes it. BPM is 158…maybe it’s OK at lower BPM?!
EDIT: This isn’t meant to be a cross post, you asked. But I have just created a topic for this today.
Now I’ve added a 3rd pattern to the chain it seems that A4 is just way behind. It gets to the 3rd pattern when the AR is playing the 1st pattern for the 3rd time!
This seems pretty basic. I see the pattern change flashing on the A4, it just doesn’t happen in time. Maybe in chains the Prog Change event is just sent too late.