That is, why I recommend “step by step”. Each step is quite easy. But to take in all options at once makes the OT overwhelming, indeed.
Most complaints I have heard of seem to origin by having wrong expectations and not taking some time to understand the machine … or should I say … machines
If you are the guy, who hates to read a manual or watch some tutorials and needs to have instant gratification, I would rather recommend a MPC instead of the OT. I have both and IMO both are great for similar use-cases.
IMO the major difference between OT MK I and MK II is that Elektron has changed the user interface to the better. It’s more convenient to use, knobs are at better positions, labels are better, the display is better. The sound engines are identical.