Which Elektron Gear Should I Get First?

Elektron Gear Digitone/Digitone Keys
1

Hello,

I’m planning to buy my first Elektron gear, but all these devices and their different capabilities make it hard for me to choose.

I mainly produce genres like Synthwave, Darkwave, Industrial EBM, and Aggrotech. For synth sounds, I mostly use U-he, Softube, and Arturia soft synths. I also own an Erica Synths Bassline DB-01 as a hardware synth, which mostly covers all my bass needs.

The device I’m looking for should handle drums and percussive sounds. I already have Samples from Mars packs and tons of samples from Splice and Loopcloud, but I’m still not satisfied with any of them (maybe I should stop chasing the perfect sound :slight_smile: ).

Since drum sounds vary across the genres I produce, I can’t decide which device suits me best. For example, Synthwave and Darkwave need more 80s-style drum sounds like TR-707 or LinnDrum, while EBM and Aggrotech require more processed, distorted, rolling 909s.
I’m not too concerned about the synth capabilities of the device since I’m happy with my soft synths, and I’m planning to buy a Sequential Take-5 or a Korg Multi/Poly in the near future.

So the options;

Digitone II

Digitakt II (I know it is a sampler, but I thought I might be more successful to reach ‘‘that sound’’ by using drum samples with it)

Syntakt (its analog drum machine capabilities are very appealing, and I’m sure it would work great for EBM and Aggrotech. However, I’m not sure how well it can deliver authentic 80s-style retro drums like the TR-707 or LinnDrum.)

Any idea from the users and people who produces similar genres?

2

Chances are high that you can’t find a box that has more to offer than your samples you already possess.

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3

For your music it’s Digitone 2 all day long.

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4

Yep. This.

If youve got the samples from mars packs for the 909 707 etc, an elektron box isnt going to offer anything different other than the UI.

Sounds like GAS to me. Youve already got the means to make the music you want.

Based on your post, I wouldnt buy anything at all.

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Yeah. One of the reason could be GAS :smiley: Nevertheless, i want to move towards a dawless or hybrid setup as well :slight_smile:

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There’s a thousand videos out there showing Syntakt and Digitone II drums.

To hear the sounds of each device there’s many threads here. Look for “science lab” threads for Syntakt.

On balance though … it’s probably going to be Digitone II right now. The DN2 drum machine combines an FM drum synth with an overlaid sample (preset samples, not user definable) and an overlaid white noise synth. That covers a lot of ground.

You might even find at DN2 replaces your other synths as well.

PS: If you’re not satisfied by any of the thousands of drum sample packs out there then it may be a lost cause.

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If your plan to go dawless and bought a take 5 or a korg multi poly go for the digitakt II
If your plan is to have an hybrid setup you can take a serious look at the Push3 if you use Ableton. Or the Oxi One sequencer since you already own a bunch of VST and great samples

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