Why Elektron Digitakt II is more important than you think 

I keep thinking this :)

Profit

I think it's lack of imagination, or perhaps fear of investing by money into a project that they feel could severely cripple the company if it would fail. But all those Kickstarter project that are getting funded within no time, tells me there is a wish for more advanced samplers with hands on controls etc.

There are still lots of samples that are polyphonic. MPCs, MC707 etc On the other hand you could also argue that if you want two samples to play on the same time, just put them on separate tracks. It is/was ment as a drum machine I guess with Elektron they want to keep things simple. Same goes for the Digitone that has less FM operators per voice then the DX7.

stupid, self entitled, Millenials happend.

It's a fantastic little cable that can do so many useful things.

How do you feel the 404 compliments your DT? Do they work well together? I have some issues with modern Roland stuff. I always feel there is a lots of button pressing and menu diving to do even the simplest of things.

@@ThePlughugger There's a bunch of odd button combinations most definitely, but coming from the Digitakt it's not so hard to wrap my head around. Things like the roll function or motion recording or editing of step sequences are a lot of fun once you get the hang of it, and I think you could chalk it up to spending time with whatever machine you decide speaks to you the most. Given the the Digi II costs more than a lot of its competitors with a limited-ish workset, I'm more than happy using the Digi MK1 and the 404 MK2 as a tiny SP1200/S950 combination. I think they work SUPER well together, no matter who's controlling who thru MIDI (even though I really love the Digi's sequencer a little more).

Thanks for taking the time to write down your thoughts. And how do you feel about it can be run on batteries? Is that something you use or not?

@@ThePlughuggerThe 404’s battery feature is nice, but I only use them both in my studio for work. It’s a really cool addition for producers who wanna bring it with em wherever they go, but for me it’s a non-factor.

Yeah... I have to make a video about that. If I just say it out loud everybody will think I am a loon.

Good point!

Congratulations! The Maschine+ looks cool. I have the mk3 and I have a strange relationship with it. I like it when I use it - but I rarely do. No idea why.

I've tried them all (really - all of them!) and I just don't like the workflow. Or maybe it's my fingers that doesn't like the touch interface. I never seem to get a good connection between the screen and my fingers. But just looking on the tech spec, the MPCs are absolutely fantastic.

@@ThePlughugger In order to arrange songs and play synths/control other HW, I prefer the Mpc, but to experiment and come up with interesting stuff I prefer the Digitakt.

That's a really interesting workflow. Never thought of it that way. How do you use them? Separately or do you sync them?

@@ThePlughugger I usually have them synced when I want to use the Digitakt, then I might sample the Digitakt back on my Mpc key 37 or in the Roland mc 707. Sometimes I might start something on the Digitakt and move it somewhere else

Interesting - do you do all the work on the hardwares or do you involve the computer as well?

You bring up a good point. Elektron gear are a bit like that. Either you go into it fully and enter a state of nirvana, or you try to use it "as you want" - the latter is a road to frustrations. I've tried so many times. Torso? I think that have slipped my radar completely. What's coming?

@@ThePlughugger s4 granular sampler

Thanks - looks really cool, almost like a polyphonic Polyend.

That's a really good point. But now with the bigger memory, and upgraded internals, I could actually see that happening. Amazing though, that the Octatrack still is such an amazing instrument.

@@ThePlughugger yes I would almost just get a second Octatrack instead of the new Digitakt, since it can do so much, has the scene slider and multiple outputs But the extra 8 channels, better time stretching and filters does make the new Digitackt interesting

It really does. But that damn Octatrack crossfader is so much fun :)

that crossfader is the single most impressive thing i've seen on any machine ever, in my limited (yet 35 years of) experience. if i had the money it would go to the octatrack...

That and the MPC range. It a trend I hope will continue.

I’m wondering the same thing

Yeah - that's something I really should break down and make a video on.

@@ThePlughugger can't wait! mine is the Dirtywave M8

The tiny tracker thing? That's your number one piece of gear? I never used it, but I've heard lots of positive things about it. What is it that you like about it?

Why duophonic?

@@ThePlughugger cause you want chopped drum samples to have a bit of release to overlap, preventing silence and keeping the character of the sample.

agreed !!

Right. That Elektron is about one step away to create a mode that could turn the Digitakt into a poly sampler. It's been shown both with software and the Retrokits MIDI cable it's not difficult at all. The DT2 have more voices, stereo and more storage - so technically it should be a perfect candidate.

@@ThePlughugger they had years of opportunity to do this and chose not to for launch, not sure why they would bury that lede

@@ThePlughuggermy guess is that TonVerk might have it and share a lot of the Digitakt engine

The S6000 is one of the Akais I've never owned. Looks fantastic. Do you have one?

I actually have owned a couple of them. Just sold my last one to a friend.

I'm not a coder, but I thought exactly the same thing. I shouldn't be too hard to make something like that happen.

@@ThePlughugger the same thing would be useful for single waveform samples that could be played like an instrument

Same thing with The Analog 4. It was only 4 mono voices when released, and they later added polyphony via voice stealing.

Right, so technically it should be doable. The Digitone and A4 does this.

Mine is already on it's way. Cool days ahead!

@@ThePlughugger Jealous, I live in Vietnam, so it'll be a while before I see one. :)

Then we are jealous of each other :) Vietnam is a beautiful place!

In the beginning I was a bit skeptical about the "hype" of stereo sampling, but it's really a big thing when sampling synthesizers. Just put a chorus on the synth and the stereo field increases dramatically.

I would like polyphony instead of stereo samples on DT2 as the new chorus can create pseudo stereo and there is a third lfo to automate the panning.

Whenever I want this on my og DT I just record a stereo track into my daw and bounce as stereo split and the 2 files on 2 tracks panned hard left and right. I understand that this is hassle for some people and they don't like sacrificing 2 tracks but I find it easy and like to keep my music minimal in terms of tracks anyway.

@@soundofmai Not a bad solution at all. Sure, two tracks are gone - but you've solved the problem.👍

@@ThePlughugger You can make also make up for using 2 tracks by using sound locks to use multiple sounds on 1 track. You can then get very interesting results when you change the parameters of whatever machine (slice, werp etc.) is on that track because it affects them all at the same time. I love the way creativity can arise as a result of limitations on Elektron machines and I honestly feel that just as good music (not just drums) could be made on the og DT as the DTII.

Yes you have a point. But a poly sampler is like a polyphonic synth, it adds a layer of possibilities. Music made with polys vs monos have different poles they naturally drift towards. I have nothings against monos - it's just that monos have been the majority of releases the last couple of years.

@@ThePlughugger and I agree and wonder why Elektron can’t upgrade their sequencer forever now. Maybe Digitone mk2 is gonna do it? :)

On paper, the Digitakt (OG or II) sounds like a basic instrument. I think the problem just reading tech specs is that you miss out on the value of the whole. If the OG became my second most inspirational piece of gear, this update will surely not make it less powerful.

@@ThePlughugger good points

Thanks - you got a nice channel btw. Been looking for things to put me on track with the SP404!

@@ThePlughugger thank you 🙏 I’m still trying to give the sp 404 some more love now that I got the time work slowed down

I really love that it runs on batteries. Looking forward to check out your videos on it.

Hm. Good point. Doesn't the Analog Rytm have slide trigs? And the A4?

@@ThePlughugger yea both do

Yeah - that's definitely missing. Just by curiosity - how do you use the slide trigs? I never got into them.

Agreed! And I still miss the Toraiz a bit. It could have been such a cool instrument if Pioneer worked on it a bit more. The filters were absolutely lovely.

I just bought a second hand SP16 a few weeks before the announcement of the DT2. But I am very happy with it, I pair it with the syntakt and actually I think that the form factor and the operation being different from one box to another helps me to perform them live better. The SP16 and the Syntakt play very well together, maybe that both have analog filters and saturation helps to that. I´m just starting with that setup and it feels great from second one.

@@FernandoCarvalhoprod I really liked my SP16. The filters were the best thing with it. I have no problems with the Elektron filters but the Dave Smith filters really really works well on the Toraiz.

True. The MPCs fit that bill, but the interface doesn't work for me. I think it's because touch screens / my fingers are not very conductive. With the modern MPCs I'm spending more time trying to do things than actually doing them.

Try to negotiate! One cat often leads to more cats. Or am I thinking of synths now...?

@@ThePlughugger I like the way you socket too me Plughugger - my synth situation is more analogous to rabbits than cats.I noted once that the most difficult challenge a human being can face in their life time is to own just ONE synth.Nigh on impossible !

And you feel happy with the MPC?

How's that working out for you?

I hated MPC One... sure it's powerful but the interface is dogshit

It's really more like a workstation when compared with something streamlined as the Elektron Digitakt. The problem with the modern MPCs are they are trying to do too much. Older MPCs (maybe not the 4000 and 5000 models) were like the Elektrons. You just turned them on and started working.

@@ukbloke28 those were my feelings exactly.

Thanks! (cool demo reel by the way)

@@ThePlughugger Thanks you 🙏

I've heard lots of good things about 1010s stuff.

Same here - and the Blackbox is a couple of years old and does 16 polyphonic stereo samples with no problems whatsoever. @Elektron: where's your problem? 😱

@@g3cd Couple of years old? Ha! My old EPS 16+ have 20 voices is from the 90s and probably has the processing power of 1/100th of the Elektron.

@@g3cd I have DT1 and BB. totally different philosophy. the DT is first and foremost a drum machine. yes it can do other stuff but people want it to be everything to everyone and its never going to be that. the BB is better in some ways and worse in others. they complement each other well I think. I havent explored integrating them much yet, im interested to hear what others have done with this.

It's a possibility. Maybe. Things have changed a lot at Elektron lately, and they started to listen more to their customers, so yeah - it might be a possibility.

​@@ThePlughuggermaybe for example a poly group machine and if you select this one for three channels, this machine is working with the same sample and you can play chord with three notes. Just an idea 😅

It's a good idea! I think that's how the Digitone works. And of course the Analog Four. So it should be possible.

@@ThePlughugger thanks for your positive feedback and sharing your opinion!

I'm really, really happy about Elektron bringing in a chorus. Maybe it's imported from the Analog Heat FX? In either case. My unit is arriving on Tuesday.

So excited for the S-4.

The S4 looks really cool I agree. Sounds amazing too. I have to look into this one.

I tried to find the specs / manual for the S4 but I can't seem to find any of that. Is it still a pre-production build? Curious on how many voices you can get out of it.

@@ThePlughugger It's a new product so I'm not sure if they finished the manual and stuff. The last thing I read is that they didnt decide the amount of polyphony yet. But I'm sure it has polyphony. It has different modes, and one of them is using it as a polyphonic synth/sampler. You can see it being used that way on their channel, looks really cool.

@@ThePlughugger supposed to be releasing in a week or two, so lots more info will be available. But it does for sure have polyphonic sampling, granular mangling, looping- all the things the DTII doesn’t have.

Indeed! But what I am thinking of is that (maybe) we are (hopefully) seeing a trend of going from monos to polys. Don't agree with you on the modern Akais though. They are capable, but I have owned every one except the Keys and I didn't enjoy working with them. But that's just a matter of personal preference of course.

I agree with you actually. Polyphonic sampling isn't the end all be all. I use my Ensoniqs for polyphonic work all the time. It's not about making Rachmaninov chords - for me it I use it for long release tails and or adding an interval here and there. The doctrine of Mono Sampling Elektron is effing glorious though. It teaches you to think and work differently, and as you said with 16 channels you are set for almost anything. That being said. If Elektron would release a polyphonic sampler with the Elektron workflow I would be the first in line to buy it. Example, sample a normal sine wave with an Ensoniq. Give it a long release tail and maybe a reverb. Now feed this into some tube saturation and just play notes with the tails overlapping each other. The release start to interact with the distortion in incredible ways.

And so is the new Teenage Engineering KO 2 if I am not mistaken. But the Boss should be worth checking out. Do you own one?

I forgot about the Electribe 2! Very true. And amazing it's still being made. Wasn't there some clever guy who made a hacked OS for it not too long time ago?

“You just need the knobs to plug into it…” it’s called a FaderFox EC4. And I prefer to use my tablet (iPad Pro).

@@EverettVinzant The "knobs" is any USB midi controller you find useful, over OTG.

@@PaulSpades I just wanted to provide a starting point for an option. Saying “it’s anything you like” is nice when you know some things to like. Not everyone starts there.

@@EverettVinzant Yep - that's a cool working solution. But dedicated hardware always trumps generic controllers in terms of workflow.

The Deluge is a bit of a headscratcher for me. I own both the Digitakt and the Deluge, and I much much prefer the sound and the workflow of the Digitakt. Yes, you can do more with the Deluge. But the effects, filters and general sound in the Digitakt is much better to my personal taste.

Everything went downhill since Hector stopped doing the presentations 😨

This makes a lot more sense once you realize that Elektron still want you to buy an Octatrack.

An internal battery would have been awesome. I think that was made me most disappointed about the Elektron Model series, that the battery / carrying handle was faulty and discontinued. I would love to have a battery power in an Elektron.