Another reason I would never buy the Digitakt I guess. Just seems...backwards compared to even something like the Squid which is maybe half the cost used.
The Digitakt (and to some extent even more so the Digitone) are easily the most *fun* devices I've used for live performances. As a bedside music sketchpad device, they would have been just perfect if they could be powered through usb-c and have a battery compartment - and if the buttons weren't so clickery-clacky. The p-lock and ctrl+all features are just amazing. So immediate and so much fun. And, crucially, they're so musical. The reverb sounds amazing, as does the distortion. I created some of my coolest beats on these machines and really wish they would release a mk2 with the above things addressed. I don't really care about song mode because I do my production on my MPC One anyway. But for the much needed creative inspiration, the Elektron boxes are second to none.
Can I ask how you do your production on the MPC? I got one to use just for that. But do you record your takt/tone directly in as an audio track? Or do you sample it in? Or record to daw through over ridge and then load up into the MpC? Thank you in advance.
I wasn't even considering a comparison of those two devices before I saw your video. I mean, the primary characteristic of a device is at the end the workflow. And with regards to that, the two devices couldn't be more different. It's a huge difference whether you input notes and FX through a spreadsheet and FX lists, or whether you just parameter lock something in a step sequencer. Sure, there is the Perform Mode on the Tracker, but it relies on already more or less finished patterns; so it is more about mangling your pre-programmed tracks while they are on playback; while with Elektron devices you might actually be able to start a track from scratch without listeners even noticing the pattern(s) were empty before you started. That is not to say that one or the other device was 'better' or so; just that it's like comparing a computer keyboard with a paintbrush. Nevertheless of course thanks for the video and all the helpful information!
My next buy will be the Digitakt. I bought the Digitone a few month ago and there is something about the Elektron methodology that is fun and inspiring. As a dedicated DAW user, this was a revelation. Loving your channel, both informative and entertaining.
I got a Digitakt a few years ago and it instantly clicked with me. So much so that I had a gear exodus to fund an Analog Four, Digitone and RYTM. Love them all 😀
I'd for sure be interested in the sampling comparison between these two! And compared to the OT and deluge as well... I know you've done some of those comparisons already with your sampler wars videos. Might be interesting to do a video where you take one sample and try to mangle it in a similar though not identical direction on each device and see where the device brings you?
pls more tutorials on using these instruments...your videos over the last few years have convinced me to buy these cool toys and now im trying to learn them. you are a great teacher and id love to keep learning with you!
The fact that the Digitakt was originally released in 2017 and can still standup against more contemporary competition is a testament to this thing's capabilities. Sure, it's missing some of the quality of life things that I'd maybe use once in a blue moon. But if you are going DAWless or hybrid, there is no better central brain to drive a hardware setup. Plus, the Elecktron sequencer is still one of the best around.
It's only five years, not an old machine. And it is still being updated. If a machine is to be obsloete after only 5 years, it's probably a bad machine.
True. Thinking the same way. Tried to make several songs. DT is not a device that inspiring to make music at home. Every time I need to learn buttons combinations, repeating & fighting with DT workflow.
Huge! Seems like MPCs newest update will put them ahead of the game in the file management and menu diving arena🤟🏻 the tracker feels a bit more menu divey than the digitakt if you’re wondering😉thanks for watching!
I did own many of hardware synths and grooveboxes through last years, and two boxes that i found to be most flexible, easy and intuitive to use where Yamaha Rm1x and Polyend Tracker. Didnt own any elektron boxes so far so cant compare to Pt , but i'm always into searching gear that i can produce na entire track on and as far as i know this is basically more easy to achive on PT because of it's Song mode.
@@_Planeview_ I got both the Digitakt and the Tracker at different times since this. Both have their charms and in my opinion aren't super comparable. I would say I like the Digitakt more between the two, but the Tracker is not without it's charms. The best thing about the Digitakt is that it plays well with your other gear and the sequencer is amazing. If I had to pick one that'd be my choice. I still loved the Tracker though
Hey Dude, thanks for another interesting video! I already thought you are too deep in Elden Ring to make music. Sometimes I wonder where you find the time for all that. I have two daughters and next to the day job and family it is not easy to make time for music. Keep up the good work, a new video from you always makes me happy! Cheers from Germany!
Thanks so much for taking the time and effort comparing these two wonderful devices,in this very nicely put together video. They're both very compelling. Very nice music created with these machines,by the way. Now,..which one to get?
Main pros of DT - knobs & quick access to effects, shortcut-like (buttons combinations) production. Main pros of tracker - big screen, notes processing, it's like writing music book (very helpful if you know musical notation), simplicity. I tried both, but DT is look like device for live performance, feels like advanced pro tool with it's ecosystem. Tracker looks like workstation for music production from start to end. Yes, you can make music on both devices, but if we talking about simplicity & starting making music after device unpacking - elektron-way is more tricky & require more time to dive into full process. Also tracker is a device that I can take with me, it's compact & light. It's like an MPC, but way more portable.
The tracker has a lot more features than the Samples. The Samples has the great sequencer and it's sufficient for people who want a cheaper instrument and are dipping their toes into the Elektron workflow but the tracker is a deeper instrument once you master how trackers are laid out. Bare in mind I own the samples and am trying to upgrade to a Tracker.
I have never been able to get my ripcords to work with the Digitakt or Digitone, with a battery or anything else. The Tracker seems to work perfectly plugged in to just about anything!
Thanks man! That deepness you mentioned is maybe what convinces me of the Tracker. Interesting thing is: you just made a video with the two machines which impressed me the most while searching for the right gear.
Thanks so much for the comparison my dude! This is a super cool comparison and really nice overview. I'll stick to my beloved Digitakt for now but keeping a close eye to all these new trackers out there - I'm not familiar to these workflows but it looks super interesting! Cheers buddy
¡Very interesting! I guess you will be probably thinking about a future video comparison between Polyend tracker and M8. I wanna buy in a future a brain dawless machine and I don't know what to choose: Deluge, M8 or Polyend tracker. I need one of them to join my Minilogue xd and the and my new "toy": Norns Shield (and a PO-33). :)
M8 is smaller and more powerful than the Polyend, plus it has built-in synths. Easy choice for me :D (Deluge also amazing, but workflow is a bit different to a tracker)
Thanks for watching my friend! Push 3 is my current centerpiece. Super fun and powerful and you can continue directly on a DAW if you make something you want to finish. Can’t recommend it enough🤘🏻
Nice comparison - did my first sounds with a tracker back in the days on an Amiga. That concept was quite interesting for everyone who wasn't into keyboards... Guess I would get a tracker as software for my Mac if I ever feel like playing one again. But I will definitely get my Digitakt from the shelf and give it a go with some new samples. Thank you for that video.
I don't have anything to say, i am here to add a comment to just trigger the youtube algorithm in your favour ... No, that's a lie, i really want to thank you for this video.
Great Video! My fav one is Octatrack, bit different then these two, but also a powerful toy. Do you consider making comparison of Analog Rytm vs. Other? Lemme now! Big Thumbs :)
After taking the blackbox out (on a plane) for the first time, I gotta tell you, it's going to be difficult to beat that portability. As far as these particular gizmos go, I don't own either, but I think I favor the sound of the elektron. Getting either at this point would be a rabbit hole I prefer to stay out of, for the time being. I still have an MPC to dig into, that I haven't really touched yet, haha.
100%! Although I always highly recommend having at least one elektron box in the mix for the sequencer, the MPC is more than enough to pump out entire albums by itself👍🏼 thanks for watching my friend!
Thanks for the video. I've owned both and I prefer the Digitakt as I find the sequencer more intuitive than the on the Tracker. I was spending too much time coding and being slightly confused on the Tracker even though I wanted to like it! Like you say they are really both good and suit different brains. I also love Overbridge and using the Digitakt as an interface with 2 external audio ins, 8 audio tracks and 8 midi tracks all live into Ableton for FX and mixing - very powerful! Look forward to the next one 👍
Bro what coding are you talking about (on PT)? I own PT , never had any previous tracker experience and i find it's whole workflow ridicolously easy. You dont really need to pay any attention for all that letters and numbers while recording the sequence.
@@Niko80s by "coding" I suppose I just meant changing the values and scrolling through lists - like I say just didn't click for me - I'm glad it's working for you 👍
Sorry mate ... but you forgot to stipulate whether when having to commit to having your sample rendered through effect on the Polyend.. whether there is a Revert/UNDO? Are there even multiple levels of UNDO? Thanks
@@MidlifeSynthesist I should also mention that if you got that cable a while ago, there's a chance it was part of a bad batch. MyVolts replaced mine when I had them check my order date to see if I was affected. If you're using a 2A+ battery bank and it's not working, definitely reach out to them.
I am looking to add the Digitakt since Roland can't seem to supply any 404mkll(the last place I pre-order now says shipping in October). I never use Elektron gear before and heard it's a steep learning curve. Is it a 40/hr wk learning curve or less?
It's my first groovebox/sampler and I'm an ageing, computer semi-literate piano player. I found Digitakt a little intimidating at first, but once you get used to the workflow it's a joy to use and sounds truly amazing. 40 hours?, yeh you should be able to scratch the surface of what this beast is capable of in that amount of time. Enjoy the ride!
@@derekgreenwood9672 I use the 40/hr work week as a parameter to see if I can figure it out working on it a full time week. Like with my MC707 and MPC One, only took me a week each to wrap my head around the workflow of both.
After watching a bunch of videos and trying to get familiar with trackers, now I'm leaning towards the polyend. But the real question is for both sequencing external gear and sampling, MPC or Tracker?
Both offer very different philosophies and purposes, so much so that I don’t think it would be fair to compare them. MPC has polyphony, 128 midi tracks + 8 audio in standalone, I/O, CV, internal synths, splice and ableton integration etc. Polyend is in the groovebox category while MPC is a full blown music workstation. Both are extremely fun and useful in their own ways. Hope that helps👍🏼
I dont even use my mpc any more but as a brain for a dawless setup its 100% the way to go. my mpc1k I wouldnt sell even if they go up to costing 1k. If you get a mpc1000 instead of one of the new ones get jjos (custom firmware thats worth every penny) and get the fat pads if you like programming velocity by pressure or have a velocity affected synth
i use my tracker more often (not just because one of my mpc buttons broke) purely because I just want a sketchpad and the .it exporting is great as I am a renoise user, but I wouldnt make it the main brain, especially with no individual outs and only 8 channels
Hello my friend! MPC is a full fledged workstation (think computerless DAW). Polyend is awesome, but it’s no contest with the MPC in terms of functionality and horsepower👍🏼 Re: polyend tracker is a pleasure to work drums with
@@MidlifeSynthesist it’s a real problem for me when I use these machines. Mostly Elektron. I can play for like half hour before my neck cramps up from looking down.
The midi is tighter on the polyend, for the people that care about this - you can test this yourself by recording and measuring midi jitter in between notes
Digitakt is better. I have a hardly functioning memory but when I pick it up after many months not using it, it come back instantly with this machine. And I didn’t like look of the software in the Polyend. Huge rectangles when adjusting levels. And those didn’t move smoothly either when turning a pod.
