Elektron Digitakt

Other Gear
241
Yeah, it looks fun and sounds great.

How very true. As a former OT user I have been enjoying my DT more than I ever did my OT and at £540 it cost £300 less than my OT did. You enjoy tapping glass with your Beatmaker 3 and I will continue enjoying my DT. Everyone’s happy.

hahaha

242
Yeah, it looks fun and sounds great.

How very true. As a former OT user I have been enjoying my DT more than I ever did my OT and at £540 it cost £300 less than my OT did. You enjoy tapping glass with your Beatmaker 3 and I will continue enjoying my DT. Everyone’s happy.

Bit unnecessarily defensive/personal no? I was talking about a product. In a thread about that product. In a non-elektron forum. Saying imo Elektron under-achieved with it. As far as a sampler. I didn’t mock anyone for buying it. Or intimate that it sucked for what it was. Only that it is expensive and easily could/should have been a more serious sampler for that money, without neccessarily making it as hectic as OT…

You make things kinda personal with that 'you enjoy tapping glass…'comment. For no reason…

Fwiw if BM3 continues to impress I’ll prob cop a wireless pads/knobs controller… So you just carry on enjoying clicking your little computer keyboard keys on DT (without velocity…) plugged in to the wall, running midi loopback cables to squeeze out a couple extra Lfos, while I’m in the garden with killer pads that feel like an expressive musical instrument, exploring a sampler that’s representative of the year we’re in and wondering what I can spend £650 on :wink:

Not really down for arguing with humans about gear, but you took it there unnecessarily…

243
Yeah, it looks fun and sounds great.

How very true. As a former OT user I have been enjoying my DT more than I ever did my OT and at £540 it cost £300 less than my OT did. You enjoy tapping glass with your Beatmaker 3 and I will continue enjoying my DT. Everyone’s happy.

Especially the dude who buys your OT, hehe

244
"You make things kinda personal with that 'you enjoy tapping glass...'comment."

Haha. I didn’t take it personally, I took it as banter and was going to reply with ‘touche’.


:slight_smile:

Actually seeing a lot of people having fun with the Digitakt. I can see the appeal being a lot more approachable and instant than the Octatrack.

245
"You make things kinda personal with that 'you enjoy tapping glass...'comment."

Haha. I didn’t take it personally, I took it as banter and was going to reply with ‘touche’.


:slight_smile:

Actually seeing a lot of people having fun with the Digitakt. I can see the appeal being a lot more approachable and instant than the Octatrack.

Haha, Maybe I mis-read it as unnecessarily personal, I’m probably kind of defensive/paranoid myself on forums atm after a messy exit from Elektronauts.com recently… Apologies @ghostly606 if I bit back unnecessarily :wink:

Yeah, that’s the thing I kept making sure I mentioned. That it does look like a fun box! But from a company like Elektron, that made OT 6+ years ago… I would just expect way way more, even in their ‘entry level’… Simple/accessible doesn’t have to = ommisions. That just seems like the easy route to simplicity…

I’ve said (more than) enough on it now :wink: I should have ignored this thread :wink:

246

No idea, it was banter so I just had a chuckle. :stuck_out_tongue: I do remember when you first got your OP1 @Callofthevoid - you were OP1-bashing in a few threads how under-specc’d it was (the RAM size and number of patch storage slots being a particularly bugbear) and that the build quality wasn’t up to scratch for a premium device, etc. I further remember, as the days turned to weeks, your criticism eroded away. And why? Yes, portability was a big factor. But also because it was fun and because creatively it made you do things differently.


How is the Digitakt any different, conceptually, to your first experiences of the OP1?

Anyway, I have an iPad and I really can’t be bothered to fight with all the extra bits and bobs I’d need to get things up and running, possibly because I use it for general browsing and YouTube etc as well. Maybe a second, music app only device would suit me? Anyway, it really doesn’t matter, I am not going to start bashing it because it works for some peeps, like yourself. Tapping away at the glass. :smiley: Seriously though, Beatmaker 3 does look like the business if you are happy with that way of working.

247

(getting same vibes as you though, something is definitely up with Elektronauts… some serious attitude kicking about).

248

I love that we’re working so hard to shift and keep this thread positive… I came in here to say that after I don’t know how many weeks with my Digitakt (bought it week 1 of availability), I’ve found new ways to appreciate my OP1, Moog, Minilogue, 0coast (never get bored of that thing), and even my Boomerang III (midi syncing) for saxophone loop-locking. It’s been an absolute joy to create. The conditional trigs create some amazing permutations that I would never have, or could have, programmed in Ableton! It’s opened up so many ways to create quickly. I can’t wait for over bridge to begin bringing it back to the DAW for finished tracks. For now, it’s like I’m just “playing live” all the time in the moment, and I haven’t had that in a long time.

249
I love that we're working so hard to shift and keep this thread positive....

That’s because the operator-1 forum is the best forum on the interweb. great vibes all around all the time!

Even if people sell their OP-1’s, they’ll still hang around here for the chat.

250

First of all, when the Digitakt as announced, although I just posted the news here and didn´t bashed it (learned years ago that this kind of attitude about things not yet released/just released and not tested poisons good communities like this one - and I´m not being ironic about anyone here, I really think the discussion is getting it´s way nicely, maybe a little less hippie than the general spirit of the forum but def better than in other corners of the internet :), I wasn´t very anxious about it and ranted a lot with a friend which is also into Elektron about they losing their grip - just to be desperately importing two Digitakts with this friend last month…:slight_smile:


As pointed by a brother here, this EXACTLY the same situation of the OP-1, that we know so well: “the specs are not impressive”, “should be done like this or like that”, “it´s expensive”, “the XYZ sampler does it better”, “it´s a shame that Elektron didn´t included that essential feature”, “dont believe that in 2017 they are still doing this that way” etc, but when you turn it up and start playing in 5 minutes you understand that the Digitakt have a kind of sound magic that makes it a truly amazing gear - the same thing that happens with the OP-1 (or, as recently mentioned by RDJ in the interview with Tatsuya Takashi, with old school synths like the ARP, which don´t have shinning specs but sounds so good and settle really well in the mix etc).

I got the same experience of @ghostly606: I´m also an Octatrack user (got mine 3 years ago) and never ever ever had 10% of the fun or the results with the OT that I got in the last five days using the Digitakt - and I´m not only jamming, but building from the scratch my new live, for a gig next week, so I´m also talking about a really practical and objective side of it.

Obviously the Octatrack is amazing, really powerful and have an wonderful arpeggiator (as I learned here, the best use to it for me is controlling all those little synths and drum machines) but the sampling workflow of the Digitakt is so much faster and smart. It´s very efficient - like an advanced SP404SX (or, better, the 303, with it´s sound on sound feature lost in the newer ones) or more sample oriented OP1 - and sounds so good, giving me the same feeling that I had the first time that I powered up the Analog Rytm.

Although you got less effects, what do got is exactly what you need. The filter is juicy (obviously can´t compare with an analog one like the used in the AR, perfect for acid tunes, but I was surprised with it´s capacity of doing a lot of liquid sounds, which I´m using in everything, against all limits of reasonable use :)). You got a lot of possibilites for the delay and the reverb is the most robust one that I have ever seen in the multi fx of a hardware. Just turn it up a little bit and it gives the sample and deepness and tri dimensionality that makes you forget that it is not stereo. It´s brilliant. Everything sounds full, rich and shinning with little details that generates inner rhytms and unusual harmonies.

It´s hard to describe because we lose this kind of subtleness and degree of detail in Youtube videos, but the point is: the Digitakt sounds really really really good with a minimum effort. It doesn´t feel stripped down, but in a kind of musical side, if I can describe it that way, paradoxically you get the impression that you are using something more powerful than the Octatrack. I can´t proof it, I do believe that this is very subjective (although some cats tells the same thing in reviews), probably the DAC are the same, I already checked the comparative videos in YT, etc but the truth is: it sounds better and feels more practical and musical to use.

I´m not trying to convince nobody that it is a superior gear, as I don´t think that this is exactly the point and I´m pretty sure that there´s a lot of people here and abroad that are masters of the singular capabilities of the Octatrack (scenes, crossfader, timestretching, arpeggiator design, the looper that I never managed to understand etc) that are obviously not present in the Digitakt, but as a sampler to be paired with other gear, I found that the DT is the most interesting and efficient that I ever used. And because of this, I´m selling my OT (and also my Novation Circuit) this week (if you´re from Brasil and wants an Octatrack, send me a private message! :D).




251

Operator-1.com is the forum equivalent of this video:


- YouTube

(I just can’t get enough of this :smiley: )

252
Operator-1.com is the forum equivalent of this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBXv37PFcAQ

(I just can't get enough of this :D )

YES. Indeed, is the most kind, lovely and groovy forum that I ever knew. Lose yourself to dance! :slight_smile:


253

Instead of debating what samplers lack what, let’s discuss which guitar is the best! lol


But really, debating samplers seems like it isn’t really relevant anymore. People are paying way more for MPC60’s and SP1200’s than a brand-new feature-laden MPC Live, OT, DT, whatever. And it is all exclusively about sound and feel. The newest samplers all seem to fall into camps of differing philosophy. And comparing iPad Apps on top of it only further muddies the debate. If you can get everything you need out of a $20 app, then more power to you! The apps have to be cheap, because apps are still viewed as very disposable. If you priced out a $200 app, then you would sell far fewer of them, but also have to deal with all the “why is it missing this?” and “when will you add more memory to my iPad to make it better?” comments from users.

When it boils down to it, it feels unnecessary for us to be debating about what we don’t want to buy. Instead, let’s focus on what we do own or are interested in buying – and then advocating for the positives of those devices. Otherwise, it just dissolves into us vs them and trying to convince people who already bought something that they shouldn’t like it because someone else wouldn’t buy it or vice versa. Seems like most people made up their mind already on this one. I own a DT and love it. Some of you don’t own it and don’t love it. That’s ok.
254

Absolutely agree with you, @GCF. It´s pointless. I got full respect and understand those cats that pays 5 grand for a SP 1200 - as I also respect my dad, which is making full albums in his retirement only using an iPad and Garageband (!). And this is not even a discussion about “everything is good”, “the important is the sound not the tools” etc because I REALLY believe that gears with powerful designs and unique sounds are central to good music (we are OP-1 users, after all).


However, I think is important to cast a light to the fact that the Digitakt shines much more than it´s specs and it doesn´t feels stripped down, lite, lesser, redux, etc :slight_smile: I´m not saying this to convince cats that have already formed a legitime opinion about the DT (ex: the brother that needs timestretch, which will obviously not find it in Digitakt, even using oldschool tricks), but pointing to other fellas that wanna give a try and are in doubt about it.

255
I´m selling my OT (and also my Novation Circuit) this week

I would imagine that the DT and Circuit could be best of friends, especially with all the CC options available, did they not get on?

256
Operator-1.com is the forum equivalent of this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBXv37PFcAQ

(I just can't get enough of this :D )

Bagsy I’m the cat with the dark green flares and navy vest over his white shirt.

257

I’m the robot dude with the criss-cross braces (c. 4:24)

258

I´m the purple one swinging :stuck_out_tongue: (2:05)

259

Yeah agreed. Will try to keep posts more on the positive (and short :wink: in future.

But quickly, I wasn’t really debating what I don’t want to buy, I totally agree that that’s a super negative and pointless trip. I was more like lamenting that the boxes that I do want to buy seem to repeatedly get shelved or steered elsewhere at some point in dev/company meetings… And DT is another one of those for me. Felt like the right thread to vent in but looking back it was kinda killjoy! Sorry. No two people want/need exactly the same box so guess I just gotta wait it out til it’s my turn to get hyped :slight_smile:

Fwiw you should check BM3 if you get a chance. I traditionally hate ipads for sampling too but this is a big step up from any sampling app I used on it before. The UI is ok on touchscreen and with a controller I have a feeling it’ll feel pretty much like hardware. Nothing like using my OT (I never said BM3 could be a DT equivalent/killer…The Workflow/sequencer is way too different to the Elektron way. I’m also a big fan of Elektron sequencer and p-locks :wink: I was talking more about the effort that the devs put in on the sampling features.), and Op1 still has tricks of its own too, but seems to be kind of on par with the mpc live experience from what I’ve seen. But with modulation coming out the wazoo :wink: and devs being super open about roadmap on the forum. Some big stuff on its way. If anyone’s on the fence about it I’d probably grab while it’s on offer :wink: No bad vibes meant in these paragraphs, just a friendly heads up about a good deal that runs out in a few days :slight_smile:

@lyingdalai already got me intrigued enough about DT to wanna try one some time. I will asap. I’d be glad to come back and eat my words like I did re Op1 :wink: Its not like I’m rooting to not dig gear and not be blown away… Totally the opposite! And I’m stoked for everyone that is :slight_smile:

260

Not wanting to play devils advocate but a common response is “i have had more fun with DT than months of Octatrack”, could that fun be short lived (because of the supposed short comings) and soon be wanting to return to the Octatrack?


Also i wonder how many DT users will trade theirs for the forthcoming Rytm MK2 once Cenk uploads some moody busy beats with it on youtube? The Rytm and DT do overlap somewhat in their purpose no?