Totally agree. Every time I buy anything from another company it just reminds me how good elektron is. I’ve tried a lot of sequencers and the only one I’d choose over any of the elektrons is a cirklon. There’s something about the tight integration of the sequencer and parameters in the elektrons that is so intuitive and cohesive. It works exactly as it should.
Yes, I agree. And it’s difficult to explain. My experience: after years & years of making music, buying & selling gear, I sold my Yamaha DX7, and bought the Elektron Digitone. I was immediately blown away by how quick I could make a snippet of a song with it. The ‘only 4 tracks’ of the Digitone made it clear I needed to pair it with a Digitakt (+8 tracks). Those two combined are incredible! I can sketch almost-perfect songs with only those 2 boxes no problem. No other gear comes close to this experience. Those boxes thaught me how to make (dance) music quicker and more focused, no need for extra keyboards or synths or sequencers or anything. Power it up, make some sequences, save it, repeat & repeat & hey ho you have a bank full of demo-tracks. I then bought the Analog Four MK2, but in the end it was too different & too complex for me. I chose to sell it to get my focus back only on the Digitakt + Digitone combo. The Model:-series are probably a bit too simplified? So I’d say the Digi-series have the right balance of features & limitations & learning curve & physical design. And yes, the physical design feels solid, so does the pretty OS (no bugs, no crashes, amazing firmware updates), the sequencer & parameter-lock are instant track-writing tools, and the DAW integration via Overbridge (a bit clunky sometimes) makes what you made in the boxes easy to transfer (I also noticed a less interesting sound when exported, maybe it’s the lack of Electron FX in the DAW?). Anyway, I think the Digitakt (and Digitone, combined!) are ‘perfect’ pieces of gear. Don't think I'll ever sell them. Okay bye! :-)
@@kobi-kobsenExactly. They’ve been ignoring everyone’s wishes for an updated Octatrack but they’d rather work on the Models boxes, the Syntakt (which is also just a models box fused with a RYTM) and FX
@@explodingtiger Why not just an 8 track stereo sampler with 4 analog voices and four digitone voices, with an analog multidistortion and multifilter on the master, a crossfader, effect machines, discrete voice outputs and two external stereo effect loops? Charge $$$$ and we'd all still save our pennies to buy it. They could do it, but they never will.
The Elektron things are definitely top products, I just was never able to afford one of them. That's why I decided, first of all, to buy things from Korg. I really enjoy the Volca series and especially the Drumlouge. I think in the end it doesn't matter which instrument from which brand for how much money. The main thing is that you have fun with it. P.s. great Content.
awesome vid. could you make a video of how you control the Digitakt with the fader fox pc12? maybe you already have one. i just got a midi controller and want to control the Digitone and Digitakt.
The TR-8 is the best drum machine/sample player I ever owned, but if it could do what my Digitakt does it would rank supreme. So I tend to use them both for different things. The TR-8s is more of my live jam unit, and the Digitakt is more of a brain/production tool to me. After owning both of them I ended up selling my MPCs, SP404 MKii, and other drum machines because they don’t satisfy my needs for how I like to work and what kind of music I make. So it’s personal preference. I’ve tried many units and these two are all I need. If I could mix there features together and improve upon the internal sample memory I’d be in heaven, but until that day comes I figured out what works for me now. I wish I could audition all my samples on the plus drive or SD card of both units before having to load them into a sample pool for the project. Like some how seamlessly go threw folders listing to how the sample sounds in the sequence before you commit to it. That’s my only beef with them. Something that is not an issue in my DAW/Reason. Regardless I feel fortunate to have a Digitakt and Digitone. There definitely key players in my journey of music, and there memory (sample pool) limitations is just something I have to deal with and make it work. Over all Both of these tools get the job done and Elektron is definitely one of the best for me.
I think the reason why overbridge doesn"t sound as good when you do seperate tracks is because the digitakt bypasses the compressor/fx because those are techincally on the master bus and not on the indiviual tracks. Also you have to use utility on the tracks to boost gain.
This video is very nice and enriching. Elektron is really a feeling. I bought a second-hand Digitakt and resold it before the last update because I thought the Mpc One would suit me. Finally I bought a Digitakt. , I also have the Model Samples that I keep, I tested the Octatrack mk2 but I prefer to wait for an evolution of this one or a new machine from Elektron. My dawless minimalist ideal is Digitakt + another Elektron + the Typhon, all connected to an analog table with real effects!!
My first Elektron device was the Syntakt. I added a Digitakt and love that combination. I also use an H9 and Bluesky for FX and run everything through a Finalizer for mastering and haven't worked with a DAW in so long!
Hi Liam! When I listen to your published songs I am always very impressed by your skills in building and arranging rhythms. Top notch! Do you use dawless drum machines when working on a full song? If so, which are your favourites machines? Or maybe most of the beats are created in DAW? Cheers! :)
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Also, @11.20 when you say it ‘doesn’t sound as good’, I too have observed this and assume it’s primarily the fact that you forgoe whatever master compression you may have had running, and perhaps some differnces between how the Elektron gear is summing the various channels. Obviously, if you are using the delay and reverb sends too, this is another variable. With all that in mind, do you have a systematic approach to mitigate the variation between what you hear in the hardware vs how it sounds in the DAW? OR…do you simply view the Elektron gear as being ‘stem providers’, and work knowing that you will ultimately be processing all of those stems in the DAW anyway wit EQ/Compression/Saturation etc etc, and therefore not be too precious about how it sounds in the hardware?
@@LiamKillenits reverb and delay aren’t as lush as the newer ones. It seems like a great performance mixer but it has many shortcomings like the old fx, old CF card, the price etc
3 Elektron boxes and I'm destined to own one more, the Octatrack. I just made peace with my A4 and now it's my goto drum machines. I love these things and they are so solid and fetish worthy. I don't use my Digitone much but it's the last synth I would sell because I just love it for reasons that I can't explain outside everything you already know. I didn't love my Cycles only because it wasn't what I was looking for but I would buy one again for another drum machine. It really shined in that mode. Which is my last Elektron rant: pretty much all of them besides Heat can be a synth or a drum machine, no problem. That's key to being the Dawless champ.
The Digitakt seems like a great sequencer, especially since the song mode update. But I don’t use samples much and, if I do, I need better time stretching capabilities than it can provide. So it’s too much money for what it would provide to me
I am a rehabilitated MPC user, and I have to say, Elektron is the way to go, I was blind, now I see. In my path I tried an SP404 (also love it) and the Polyend Play (lots of fun but not flexible, and the built quality just doesn’t compare)…
Your way. Many switched from Elektrons to a MPC and they talk the same way. I like the Digitakt but it is so limited. Too less fx, no stereo sampling, bad and way too loud buttons that are not dynamic what is one of the worst flaws. So every, sequence first must be made human after playing in. Just to tell a few flaws.
@@kobi-kobsenin a youTube comment a while ago someone described the MPCs as a DAW but worse, and that’s exactly my experience, Elektron is at least a true Dawless setup. For me what made me jump ship was the terrible build quality and even worse customer service of inMusic. The sequencer, built quality, UI on the digis and syntakt is unmatched
I swear there was a comment on "THE WALL" on Bad Gear of the build quality of either the digitone or digitakt (can't remember) and I was like "wut". I am a recent owner of the digitakt, but I have been buying audio electronics for decades, and it's insane how good it is.
I swear some ppl live in opposite world. I once saw someone claim the Minifreak had good build quality, but the hydrasynth didn't, and I haven't used a minifreak, but if the build quality of microfreak is anything to go by they had to have been on something...
I love my Octatrack - it is sooooo good once you understand its power. and they are tight, tight, tight with timing.... the only pure sequencer that is better is the Cirklon, but its twice the price.
I agree that they are meant for that. But the midi implementation on the octatrack is great, I have one sitting on my pedalboard which plays backing tracks, and it is completely controlled by an external midi controllor (with footswitches). I actually put a cover over it to not accidentally touch it
I also have th Oxi One, and you can perceive it as very expensive sequencer, but it's so much more than that. All the sequencer modes, the generative modes are totally unique and can lead very quickly to interesting results. What the Elektron sequencers will never do, because as good as they are, they are "standard" sequencers.
Sttange I've never had a problem syncing mpc as long its the master... running 6 synths off it? Love digitone but as a master midi device, find mpc easier.
@@LiamKillen they broke midi mapping after 10.1 if you're using a controller to control it or other synths you need to roll back to 10.1 if using usb....but still working on din controllers I think 😉
I think as instruments each is very good when scoped to their purpose, but as a DAWLESS setup you need basically all of them to have a complete rig which is both expensive and unwieldy. I've used almost all of them, and each has had a quirk or issue. - My OG Digitakt had the buttons gradually wear down, so that the numbers weren't visible on many of the keys. - My Syntakt arrived and the board was lose inside it with screws jostling around; luckily it is fine, but it was a wtf moment - They recalled the battery for the Models which was frustrating, and then abandoned the feature - Many pad issues on the rhythm; probably the worst pads in the industry next to the ones on the Models - My Octatrack slider would skip I think Electron excels best when used with a DAW. Since Elektron is 100% the best in the industry when it comes to output. The multitrack output is amazing. But I think any of the grooveboxes are a better option for DAWLESS. I'd vote Maschine Plus, Deluge, or MPC ONE over Elektron if you want to work standalone. I'm planning on selling all my Elektron gear since it has gradually become a big setup with missing features in each that requires all of them to actually have a fully functional setup. Octatrack would be the only one that I think could be the one piece in a setup, but it is missing some of the functions in the Digi boxes that many might want. I think a groovebox with a couple of good synths is a better option.
My issue with the Model Samples was the inability to sample stand alone (since it's not a sampler but a sample manipulation machine), and it's lack of other effects, besides reverb and delay, which are whatever.
Great gear, pissed I sold my machinedrum years ago seeing the price people are asking for them now but I perhaps don't appreciate the way they feel individually limited and handicapped in someway. Its as though they could make super amazing devices but stop and decide not to implement features that would push them in that direction.
You don't have a Syntakt in this video and I'm upset about it. It's my favorite of the modern Elektron boxes! I love the buttons. Edit: Sometimes, I want to push the keys even when the unit is off because it's soooooo satisfying.
For those of us not into sampling as much, the Syntakt has a great selection of analog and digital synth engines, same great sequencer, FX bus that set it apart.
@@LiamKillen Sampling on a Digitakt is way too watered down for my tastes. Mono only?! Geez-louise. Sampling with an MPC L2 is where it's at. I'd rather learn an Octatrack if I absolutely need to have samples in my Elektron setup.
Personally I get the appeal of Elekton gear but their workflow has just never jived with me when I got to borrow a buddies Analog 4 and Octatrak so I've mostly stayed away since then. They do have some amazing build quality and both sounded good just not my cup of tea.
I never had any Elektron gear. For no particular reason, maybe because I do "dawless" music since before DAWs were invented and I was an Akai MPC head from the beginning. Soundwise, I strongly prefer Roland, so I bought some Roland machines and am a happy guy ever since. I probably would get an Octatrack when starting out now. These Elektron boxes are cheap and have lots of interesting features. I wonder how long they will last physically.
@@LiamKillen I guess in the end it's up to how well one can apply the available tools. But regarding the original topic; YES - Elektron is a standard these days. For sure.
Have had my octatrack mk1 for close to 8 years and I bought it used. Have had exactly zero problems with it. Not a button or knob that doesn't work perfectly. Screen still bright with no dead pixels. Case is a tank. Just fantastically well built.
I have never touched an Elektron box - not that I'm a pro but it seems too fancy for me. I've been wanting a Digitone Keys for years however, my current set up has become so - well large, I have no idea where I'd put it.
The OT i could see going either way but the other boxes are just soo good of products. The ot is just brutal learning curve for me. Digi keys is longgg. Id sequence with oxi one or keystep or mpc.
Yeah why is it that exporting out the song through overbridge degrades the quality. Should i just record stereo instead for the same effects and panning?
It’s the same for pretty much any unit- they all sound different even just listening to the exact same thing via (for example) Digitakt headphone out vs audio interface headphone out
The octatrack covers so much ground when it comes to using it for live performances. So say you were to add up the cost of all the gear you would need that it handles you have a mixer, sampler, sequencer, and live looper. Say on the cheap side $300 for each of those, some may cost less but some are probably going to end up costing more, then all the cables probably add another $100, more if every piece of gear it replaces has stereo outs, or possibly more than just a stereo pair. On top of all that it will save a lot of stress due to not having so much gear to setup and teardown, and less fires to tend (so to speak) during your set. Not including a mixer and effects if you are running more than 4 machines, and you think it's all good, I'm fairly willing to bet that you haven't seen enough video of yourself performing, and that you almost certainly both look like you aren't and truly aren't actually enjoying performing. Personally I have a love hate relationship with elektron. Love the workflow, but I think all Digi's and the octa the rytm and the 4 sound like the signal coming out of them is extremely over compressed. I don't think that the model series of products suffer from this, and that may actually may be due to cost factors forcing them to forego something in the hardware to stay within budget with the model series, maybe.
@@ionianechoesi think he's referring to the audio tracks themselves which are all monophonic. On the mpc you can have polyphony on one track. All audio is one voice per track in Elektron world. Limited polyphony, inexpressive midi and purposely limited sound generators are Elektron's ONLY weaknesses in my view.
Hard disagree. I intentionally avoided elektron in my DAWless setup because I’ve rarely heard sounds out of them that I’ve loved. Personally I would say the golden standard is Roland simply because of the 303 and how much DAWless acid that has been produced over the years. I think the elektron ecosystem is somewhat of a trap that keeps people only using other elektron gear because of its Swiss Army knife/ Jack of all trades but master of none capabilitie to price ratio. I would rather get the masters of each specific trade in my DAWless orchestra than the jacks despite the cost/complexity of the setup. Then it will sound like the synths I love instead of the compromise I made. The best jams I hear from others with elektron gear is when they only used one piece from tech from elektron and lots of synths/effects and differentiated their sound from everyone else with an all elektron DAWless system who fell into the elektron ecosystem trap.
Appreciate your take! For me it's the workflow more than the sounds. The units that are actual synths - like the Digitone for example, I actually don't use that often because they're not my go to sounds. But in terms of units like the Digitakt, for example, I find it hard to top that smooth workflow.
@@LiamKillen for workflow personally I like to use a dedicated grid based sequencer like a Misa NSC 32 a Hapax or even a blackbox plus dedicated mixer simply for the channel faders. Takes up more space but the workflow has less menu diving. …and now the YT algorithm thinks I’m considering buying an elektron and my YT feed is flooded with elektron jams 😂 😔
I don't think Liam was saying that using only elektron stuff is the gold standard. I use my digitakt and octatrack with my access virus ti for Dawless jamming/live performances. Works beautifully. The midi out from the digitakt is one of my favorite features. Can set program change on a per step basis with the midi sequencer, can trig lock different CC's, has 8 midi tracks. Heck a good batch of drum samples in the digitakt and th virus are all I need. I use up to 8 different parts on teh virus controlled by the digitakt. A match made in heaven. Sure if I want to release the song, I still have to go into the daw, but with overbridge that is pretty much painless. Of course, I could use the bluebox or some other digital recorder to record the dawless jams, but why? I have a DAW. I just don't always find it inspiring to jam using the DAW.
@@noahsiekmann4275 ya, I also have a virus in my DAWless setup and I would never want to sequence it with an elektron when I can sequence it with my hapax alongside my drum machines, mixer and pedals. 🤷♂️ I prefer having the tactical control.
i find the "Dawless" approach rather amusing. Everyone tries to get away from the "evil Daw that captures all your creativity and puts it in a dungeon" and what you basically get is a fraction of what any Daw combined with any sub 1000- dollar laptop can do with ease though you get a little bit of "customized hands on controllers" but most of what I predominately see (here its costing 3-4k easy) is always money related. I really get the way of thinking don't get me wrong. I myself am also striving to get a "dawless" setup up and running over the years but I also often come to the conclusion that "its not the gear. its literally what you make out of it". This way of "Dawless " thinking a lot of times scares people off leaving them thinking "if I don't-cant afford this I cant reach the next level" which is simply not true. A good idea created in a daw will always sound better than an uninspired idea+execution on an expensive "dawless" setup and the other way around. Conclusion: easy to forget the music itself on the way. I hope you get what I mean as it is not meant as an attack to either side. May creativity and passion keep on rocking your way !
I get all of that, but for a lot of people - myself included - even with all the limitations of hardware, it’s often just more fun and hands on. Also, as someone who works on a computer all day, the last thing I want to do in my leisure time is more work on a computer!
@@johncitizen8828 I don’t argue against fun . Just trying to make people that can’t afford it still feel included. If one likes cars some can buy 5 Ferrari‘s for fun. Does not mean that they love cars more than others. Regarding the dawless setups now , I have quite a bit of hardware myself tbh. I’m my case It does not replace ableton though. It’s a lot of fun but when it comes down to finalizing and producing you end up using a daw in the end. it’s a bit of an abstract opinion and hard to put in precise words so interpret it with a grain of salt please. In my case it’s a lot of fun playing with „dawless“ but when the moment of production comes nothing touches a daw . I love both worlds
I think the reason people like dawless is that its so easy to get a four bar loop going that sounds good by just hitting some buttons and layering things. And then muting stuff makes it sound like a proper song. Where it falls down for me is getting out of that loop - ultimately, a laptop + Ableton is just so much easier to use and so much more flexible.
@@LiamKillen in the elektrnauts forum there's a lot of juice about it. I repair mines with one of the tricks learned there. There's a hidden contrast pot to resolve it mostly, but you have to open the machine.
The old me would jump in here and go keyboard warrior. That ship is old and worn out. I see more having fun with Elektron than not. End of the day, that matters. We can always get more money. We can’t get the time back we waste be hating on things when there are plenty of toys to make noise and have fun with. Lays mic down and exits chat.
Elektron released these pricy gear with no storage. 1gb you gotta be kidding me. Don’t get me wrong I like the Digitakt and own one but elektron has to do better in that regard.
Totally agree. Every time I buy anything from another company it just reminds me how good elektron is. I’ve tried a lot of sequencers and the only one I’d choose over any of the elektrons is a cirklon. There’s something about the tight integration of the sequencer and parameters in the elektrons that is so intuitive and cohesive. It works exactly as it should.
That quality goes a really long way
Yes, I agree. And it’s difficult to explain.
My experience: after years & years of making music, buying & selling gear, I sold my Yamaha DX7, and bought the Elektron Digitone.
I was immediately blown away by how quick I could make a snippet of a song with it. The ‘only 4 tracks’ of the Digitone made it clear I needed to pair it with a Digitakt (+8 tracks). Those two combined are incredible! I can sketch almost-perfect songs with only those 2 boxes no problem.
No other gear comes close to this experience. Those boxes thaught me how to make (dance) music quicker and more focused, no need for extra keyboards or synths or sequencers or anything. Power it up, make some sequences, save it, repeat & repeat & hey ho you have a bank full of demo-tracks.
I then bought the Analog Four MK2, but in the end it was too different & too complex for me. I chose to sell it to get my focus back only on the Digitakt + Digitone combo. The Model:-series are probably a bit too simplified? So I’d say the Digi-series have the right balance of features & limitations & learning curve & physical design.
And yes, the physical design feels solid, so does the pretty OS (no bugs, no crashes, amazing firmware updates), the sequencer & parameter-lock are instant track-writing tools, and the DAW integration via Overbridge (a bit clunky sometimes) makes what you made in the boxes easy to transfer (I also noticed a less interesting sound when exported, maybe it’s the lack of Electron FX in the DAW?).
Anyway, I think the Digitakt (and Digitone, combined!) are ‘perfect’ pieces of gear.
Don't think I'll ever sell them.
Okay bye! :-)
Appreciate this addition! 😊
@@LiamKillen I just bought the Elektron Analog Rytm MK2 lol, so not sure if my above statement wil hold. Fun.
I wish Elektron would introduce melodics-oriented version of Digitakt with stereo samples support and FX from Analog Heat
Maybe they're reading your comment right now! lol
@@LiamKillen maybe not 😔 because they could read these wishes since years. Nothing happend.
@@kobi-kobsenExactly. They’ve been ignoring everyone’s wishes for an updated Octatrack but they’d rather work on the Models boxes, the Syntakt (which is also just a models box fused with a RYTM) and FX
Syntakt with 8 sampling channels instead of the digital oscillators (not a fan) but keep the analog voices and the FX block
@@explodingtiger Why not just an 8 track stereo sampler with 4 analog voices and four digitone voices, with an analog multidistortion and multifilter on the master, a crossfader, effect machines, discrete voice outputs and two external stereo effect loops? Charge $$$$ and we'd all still save our pennies to buy it. They could do it, but they never will.
The Elektron things are definitely top products, I just was never able to afford one of them. That's why I decided, first of all, to buy things from Korg. I really enjoy the Volca series and especially the Drumlouge.
I think in the end it doesn't matter which instrument from which brand for how much money. The main thing is that you have fun with it.
P.s. great Content.
Yeah Korg is another great and more affordable option! Same with Roland.
Great video again mate, have started really liking the content you put out. It's clear and not bloated with very genre-specific music.
Hey thanks man - I really appreciate you watching :0-)
Cool video. Watching your video inspired me to get my digitakt out of the closet and start using it again.
Love to hear this! :-)
Always in the groove! .. cheers to the on point manner in which you bring all the bells and whistles into the light ..
🍻
I am using digitone and digitakt and TB03 to start my music road last year, I just learning and so happy to create music for that.
Loooots to work with there my friend
awesome vid. could you make a video of how you control the Digitakt with the fader fox pc12? maybe you already have one. i just got a midi controller and want to control the Digitone and Digitakt.
I'm actually planning on putting together a PC-12 video soon, yes! More on that soon.
I think the golden standard for DAWless is the Arturia Keystep. :D But then of course you need some fun things that make the sounds.
Yeah that's like the go to keyboard / midi controller.
Nice one! Is that coming before the new octa-digi-tron megadevice to be announced soon? ;)
We all can’t wait for that one lol
The TR-8 is the best drum machine/sample player I ever owned, but if it could do what my Digitakt does it would rank supreme. So I tend to use them both for different things. The TR-8s is more of my live jam unit, and the Digitakt is more of a brain/production tool to me. After owning both of them I ended up selling my MPCs, SP404 MKii, and other drum machines because they don’t satisfy my needs for how I like to work and what kind of music I make. So it’s personal preference. I’ve tried many units and these two are all I need. If I could mix there features together and improve upon the internal sample memory I’d be in heaven, but until that day comes I figured out what works for me now. I wish I could audition all my samples on the plus drive or SD card of both units before having to load them into a sample pool for the project. Like some how seamlessly go threw folders listing to how the sample sounds in the sequence before you commit to it. That’s my only beef with them. Something that is not an issue in my DAW/Reason. Regardless I feel fortunate to have a Digitakt and Digitone. There definitely key players in my journey of music, and there memory (sample pool) limitations is just something I have to deal with and make it work. Over all Both of these tools get the job done and Elektron is definitely one of the best for me.
Really appreciate this addition!
I think the reason why overbridge doesn"t sound as good when you do seperate tracks is because the digitakt bypasses the compressor/fx because those are techincally on the master bus and not on the indiviual tracks. Also you have to use utility on the tracks to boost gain.
Ahhh I think you're right! Thanks for letting us know :-)
@@LiamKillen no worries i was stumped on it too! Great channel bro
This video is very nice and enriching. Elektron is really a feeling. I bought a second-hand Digitakt and resold it before the last update because I thought the Mpc One would suit me. Finally I bought a Digitakt. , I also have the Model Samples that I keep, I tested the Octatrack mk2 but I prefer to wait for an evolution of this one or a new machine from Elektron.
My dawless minimalist ideal is Digitakt + another Elektron + the Typhon, all connected to an analog table with real effects!!
Sounds like Elektron Heaven to me!
My first Elektron device was the Syntakt. I added a Digitakt and love that combination. I also use an H9 and Bluesky for FX and run everything through a Finalizer for mastering and haven't worked with a DAW in so long!
Yeah you're absolutely set with all that :-)
@@LiamKillen ...well, did I mention my Virus TI2...? Now we're all set! 😉
Hi Liam! When I listen to your published songs I am always very impressed by your skills in building and arranging rhythms. Top notch! Do you use dawless drum machines when working on a full song? If so, which are your favourites machines? Or maybe most of the beats are created in DAW? Cheers! :)
I've been using the Digitakt a lot for this actually recently. I'm also really into the TR-8S for the same reason.
They are like the (old) Volvo cars of music gear: boxy and clunky at first sight but powerful and efficient once you get in
Good comparison 😊
I only have a model:samples and I really like it! Eventually would like a digitakt
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Liam, would you consider doing a detailed video on your actual Overbridge workflow?
Also, @11.20 when you say it ‘doesn’t sound as good’, I too have observed this and assume it’s primarily the fact that you forgoe whatever master compression you may have had running, and perhaps some differnces between how the Elektron gear is summing the various channels. Obviously, if you are using the delay and reverb sends too, this is another variable.
With all that in mind, do you have a systematic approach to mitigate the variation between what you hear in the hardware vs how it sounds in the DAW? OR…do you simply view the Elektron gear as being ‘stem providers’, and work knowing that you will ultimately be processing all of those stems in the DAW anyway wit EQ/Compression/Saturation etc etc, and therefore not be too precious about how it sounds in the hardware?
To be considered!
How do you find the FX on the Octatrack? I love the Digitakt/tone FX but I've heard a few people say that the Octatrack FX are only so-so
The Octatrack I think is the best FX / mixer in the game.
@@LiamKillenits reverb and delay aren’t as lush as the newer ones. It seems like a great performance mixer but it has many shortcomings like the old fx, old CF card, the price etc
Regarding the build quality, I only had one component (capacitor) fail in my Octatrack, but apparently that was an easy fix.
Peeps be coming out of the woodwork with Elektron problems lol
There are sticky keys on some of the digi's. Well documented problem worth mentioning. Build quality is high, but not perfect
Haven't had this issue with my boxes but you're right! Nothing is perfect! :-)
3 Elektron boxes and I'm destined to own one more, the Octatrack. I just made peace with my A4 and now it's my goto drum machines.
I love these things and they are so solid and fetish worthy. I don't use my Digitone much but it's the last synth I would sell because I just love it for reasons that I can't explain outside everything you already know.
I didn't love my Cycles only because it wasn't what I was looking for but I would buy one again for another drum machine. It really shined in that mode. Which is my last Elektron rant: pretty much all of them besides Heat can be a synth or a drum machine, no problem. That's key to being the Dawless champ.
The next big one for me is the Analog rhythm 😏
The Digitakt seems like a great sequencer, especially since the song mode update. But I don’t use samples much and, if I do, I need better time stretching capabilities than it can provide. So it’s too much money for what it would provide to me
Yeah that's one weakness with the Digitakt for sure.
I am a rehabilitated MPC user, and I have to say, Elektron is the way to go, I was blind, now I see. In my path I tried an SP404 (also love it) and the Polyend Play (lots of fun but not flexible, and the built quality just doesn’t compare)…
Glad that you see the light! lol
Your way. Many switched from Elektrons to a MPC and they talk the same way. I like the Digitakt but it is so limited. Too less fx, no stereo sampling, bad and way too loud buttons that are not dynamic what is one of the worst flaws. So every, sequence first must be made human after playing in. Just to tell a few flaws.
@@kobi-kobsenin a youTube comment a while ago someone described the MPCs as a DAW but worse, and that’s exactly my experience, Elektron is at least a true Dawless setup. For me what made me jump ship was the terrible build quality and even worse customer service of inMusic. The sequencer, built quality, UI on the digis and syntakt is unmatched
I swear there was a comment on "THE WALL" on Bad Gear of the build quality of either the digitone or digitakt (can't remember) and I was like "wut". I am a recent owner of the digitakt, but I have been buying audio electronics for decades, and it's insane how good it is.
The best out there
The feel almost luxurious to use. Rock solid study, at the very least.
I swear some ppl live in opposite world. I once saw someone claim the Minifreak had good build quality, but the hydrasynth didn't, and I haven't used a minifreak, but if the build quality of microfreak is anything to go by they had to have been on something...
I love my Octatrack - it is sooooo good once you understand its power. and they are tight, tight, tight with timing.... the only pure sequencer that is better is the Cirklon, but its twice the price.
I gotta spend more time with my octa
Elektron is great if it’s the center point of your dawless setup. Besides the Analog heat, these boxes are meant to control, not follow.
They follow pretty well too though with no bugs!
I agree that they are meant for that. But the midi implementation on the octatrack is great, I have one sitting on my pedalboard which plays backing tracks, and it is completely controlled by an external midi controllor (with footswitches). I actually put a cover over it to not accidentally touch it
I also have th Oxi One, and you can perceive it as very expensive sequencer, but it's so much more than that. All the sequencer modes, the generative modes are totally unique and can lead very quickly to interesting results. What the Elektron sequencers will never do, because as good as they are, they are "standard" sequencers.
I 100 % agree with you here. It's truly an instrument in itself - much more powerful than the Elektron Sequencers. Just a different ball game really!
Agree on all points. My Digitakt is solid. Great video.
The best - thank you for watching ! :-)
Sttange I've never had a problem syncing mpc as long its the master... running 6 synths off it? Love digitone but as a master midi device, find mpc easier.
It kills as the master for sure! When you try to control it though it immediately bugs in certain instances
@@LiamKillen they broke midi mapping after 10.1 if you're using a controller to control it or other synths you need to roll back to 10.1 if using usb....but still working on din controllers I think 😉
@@LiamKillen The man in charge is aware....however it might be as usb can be used as audio interface extension....not sure.
I think as instruments each is very good when scoped to their purpose, but as a DAWLESS setup you need basically all of them to have a complete rig which is both expensive and unwieldy.
I've used almost all of them, and each has had a quirk or issue.
- My OG Digitakt had the buttons gradually wear down, so that the numbers weren't visible on many of the keys.
- My Syntakt arrived and the board was lose inside it with screws jostling around; luckily it is fine, but it was a wtf moment
- They recalled the battery for the Models which was frustrating, and then abandoned the feature
- Many pad issues on the rhythm; probably the worst pads in the industry next to the ones on the Models
- My Octatrack slider would skip
I think Electron excels best when used with a DAW. Since Elektron is 100% the best in the industry when it comes to output. The multitrack output is amazing. But I think any of the grooveboxes are a better option for DAWLESS. I'd vote Maschine Plus, Deluge, or MPC ONE over Elektron if you want to work standalone. I'm planning on selling all my Elektron gear since it has gradually become a big setup with missing features in each that requires all of them to actually have a fully functional setup. Octatrack would be the only one that I think could be the one piece in a setup, but it is missing some of the functions in the Digi boxes that many might want. I think a groovebox with a couple of good synths is a better option.
I hear ya. That’s the way I see it. A helluva bucks and in the end you are still not really dawless if you want to produce deeper
Thanks for your take on this!
I traded my mpcone for an analog rytm, never looking back
Whaaaaat great trade!
My issue with the Model Samples was the inability to sample stand alone (since it's not a sampler but a sample manipulation machine), and it's lack of other effects, besides reverb and delay, which are whatever.
Maybe they’ll hit us with an update
@LiamKillen Gonna sound odd to some people, I sold it and got a second Electribe 2 Sampler.
@@artblack01 electribe gang. was also in the market for a elektron bix but ended up with two electribes, the synth one and sampler one.
@@LiamKillen they definitely won't, because they want to sell you a Digitakt
Model Samples is still the best at its price point, but it does leave you wanting more.
Great gear, pissed I sold my machinedrum years ago seeing the price people are asking for them now but I perhaps don't appreciate the way they feel individually limited and handicapped in someway. Its as though they could make super amazing devices but stop and decide not to implement features that would push them in that direction.
After some time I still think it’s the standard in many ways
Really wish elektron would release digitakt and digitone with white screens to match the OT
A sllllick ask!
You don't have a Syntakt in this video and I'm upset about it. It's my favorite of the modern Elektron boxes! I love the buttons. Edit: Sometimes, I want to push the keys even when the unit is off because it's soooooo satisfying.
I’ve tried it a bunch but it’s def not my fav! Digitakt is what has sit the best with me for years now
For those of us not into sampling as much, the Syntakt has a great selection of analog and digital synth engines, same great sequencer, FX bus that set it apart.
@@LiamKillen Sampling on a Digitakt is way too watered down for my tastes. Mono only?! Geez-louise. Sampling with an MPC L2 is where it's at. I'd rather learn an Octatrack if I absolutely need to have samples in my Elektron setup.
Personally I get the appeal of Elekton gear but their workflow has just never jived with me when I got to borrow a buddies Analog 4 and Octatrak so I've mostly stayed away since then. They do have some amazing build quality and both sounded good just not my cup of tea.
Yeah it's not for everyone I guess.
I never had any Elektron gear. For no particular reason, maybe because I do "dawless" music since before DAWs were invented and I was an Akai MPC head from the beginning. Soundwise, I strongly prefer Roland, so I bought some Roland machines and am a happy guy ever since. I probably would get an Octatrack when starting out now. These Elektron boxes are cheap and have lots of interesting features. I wonder how long they will last physically.
Yeah Roland is up there too - they both have their place
@@LiamKillen I guess in the end it's up to how well one can apply the available tools. But regarding the original topic; YES - Elektron is a standard these days. For sure.
Have had my octatrack mk1 for close to 8 years and I bought it used. Have had exactly zero problems with it. Not a button or knob that doesn't work perfectly. Screen still bright with no dead pixels. Case is a tank. Just fantastically well built.
I have never touched an Elektron box - not that I'm a pro but it seems too fancy for me. I've been wanting a Digitone Keys for years however, my current set up has become so - well large, I have no idea where I'd put it.
Yeah it’s not necessary but def at least worth a try 😊
The OT i could see going either way but the other boxes are just soo good of products. The ot is just brutal learning curve for me.
Digi keys is longgg. Id sequence with oxi one or keystep or mpc.
Yeah why is it that exporting out the song through overbridge degrades the quality. Should i just record stereo instead for the same effects and panning?
It’s the same for pretty much any unit- they all sound different even just listening to the exact same thing via (for example) Digitakt headphone out vs audio interface headphone out
The octatrack covers so much ground when it comes to using it for live performances. So say you were to add up the cost of all the gear you would need that it handles you have a mixer, sampler, sequencer, and live looper. Say on the cheap side $300 for each of those, some may cost less but some are probably going to end up costing more, then all the cables probably add another $100, more if every piece of gear it replaces has stereo outs, or possibly more than just a stereo pair. On top of all that it will save a lot of stress due to not having so much gear to setup and teardown, and less fires to tend (so to speak) during your set. Not including a mixer and effects if you are running more than 4 machines, and you think it's all good, I'm fairly willing to bet that you haven't seen enough video of yourself performing, and that you almost certainly both look like you aren't and truly aren't actually enjoying performing.
Personally I have a love hate relationship with elektron. Love the workflow, but I think all Digi's and the octa the rytm and the 4 sound like the signal coming out of them is extremely over compressed. I don't think that the model series of products suffer from this, and that may actually may be due to cost factors forcing them to forego something in the hardware to stay within budget with the model series, maybe.
Thanks for your take on this! And thx for watching :-)
In re quality, my second hand DT has hyperactive encoders.
Elektron users be coming out the woodworks with faulty units in this video.
I need to see a comparison of digitakt, deluge, play, mc707 and max one
All in one video!?
Yes . And add akai force!
Also what I really need is boxes that I can perform a 2 hour set on also. Super important
ua-cam.com/video/RTRui7thpJA/v-deo.htmlsi=XJHs7rcgsENOrHxT
ua-cam.com/video/zBDWKonQkQI/v-deo.htmlsi=Y86BDFKZ7Zfrv5Ax
Negatives: Pirce, monophonic nature, and no batteries. Also song mode was missing.
Just got smashed
I don't think there is a single elektron that is monophonic. All have more than one voice.
@@ionianechoes Monophonic Samples vs Stereo Samples in Digitakt. Octatrack has Stereo Samples.
@@ionianechoesi think he's referring to the audio tracks themselves which are all monophonic. On the mpc you can have polyphony on one track. All audio is one voice per track in Elektron world. Limited polyphony, inexpressive midi and purposely limited sound generators are Elektron's ONLY weaknesses in my view.
What is pirce?
Hard disagree. I intentionally avoided elektron in my DAWless setup because I’ve rarely heard sounds out of them that I’ve loved.
Personally I would say the golden standard is Roland simply because of the 303 and how much DAWless acid that has been produced over the years.
I think the elektron ecosystem is somewhat of a trap that keeps people only using other elektron gear because of its Swiss Army knife/ Jack of all trades but master of none capabilitie to price ratio. I would rather get the masters of each specific trade in my DAWless orchestra than the jacks despite the cost/complexity of the setup. Then it will sound like the synths I love instead of the compromise I made.
The best jams I hear from others with elektron gear is when they only used one piece from tech from elektron and lots of synths/effects and differentiated their sound from everyone else with an all elektron DAWless system who fell into the elektron ecosystem trap.
Appreciate your take! For me it's the workflow more than the sounds. The units that are actual synths - like the Digitone for example, I actually don't use that often because they're not my go to sounds.
But in terms of units like the Digitakt, for example, I find it hard to top that smooth workflow.
@@LiamKillen for workflow personally I like to use a dedicated grid based sequencer like a Misa NSC 32 a Hapax or even a blackbox plus dedicated mixer simply for the channel faders. Takes up more space but the workflow has less menu diving.
…and now the YT algorithm thinks I’m considering buying an elektron and my YT feed is flooded with elektron jams 😂 😔
I don't think Liam was saying that using only elektron stuff is the gold standard. I use my digitakt and octatrack with my access virus ti for Dawless jamming/live performances. Works beautifully. The midi out from the digitakt is one of my favorite features. Can set program change on a per step basis with the midi sequencer, can trig lock different CC's, has 8 midi tracks. Heck a good batch of drum samples in the digitakt and th virus are all I need. I use up to 8 different parts on teh virus controlled by the digitakt. A match made in heaven. Sure if I want to release the song, I still have to go into the daw, but with overbridge that is pretty much painless. Of course, I could use the bluebox or some other digital recorder to record the dawless jams, but why? I have a DAW. I just don't always find it inspiring to jam using the DAW.
@@LiamKillen clarification?
@@noahsiekmann4275 ya, I also have a virus in my DAWless setup and I would never want to sequence it with an elektron when I can sequence it with my hapax alongside my drum machines, mixer and pedals. 🤷♂️ I prefer having the tactical control.
What about OXY?
Way stronger sequencer for sure!
Menudiving DAWless
Yeah that’s a thing lol
i find the "Dawless" approach rather amusing. Everyone tries to get away from the "evil Daw that captures all your creativity and puts it in a dungeon"
and what you basically get is a fraction of what any Daw combined with any sub 1000- dollar laptop can do with ease though you get a little bit of "customized hands on controllers" but most of what I predominately see (here its costing 3-4k easy) is always money related.
I really get the way of thinking don't get me wrong. I myself am also striving to get a "dawless" setup up and running over the years but I also often come to the conclusion that "its not the gear. its literally what you make out of it". This way of "Dawless " thinking a lot of times scares people off leaving them thinking "if I don't-cant afford this I cant reach the next level" which is simply not true.
A good idea created in a daw will always sound better than an uninspired idea+execution on an expensive "dawless" setup and the other way around. Conclusion: easy to forget the music itself on the way. I hope you get what I mean as it is not meant as an attack to either side.
May creativity and passion keep on rocking your way !
I get all of that, but for a lot of people - myself included - even with all the limitations of hardware, it’s often just more fun and hands on.
Also, as someone who works on a computer all day, the last thing I want to do in my leisure time is more work on a computer!
@@johncitizen8828 I don’t argue against fun . Just trying to make people that can’t afford it still feel included. If one likes cars some can buy 5 Ferrari‘s for fun. Does not mean that they love cars more than others.
Regarding the dawless setups now , I have quite a bit of hardware myself tbh. I’m my case It does not replace ableton though. It’s a lot of fun but when it comes down to finalizing and producing you end up using a daw in the end. it’s a bit of an abstract opinion and hard to put in precise words so interpret it with a grain of salt please. In my case it’s a lot of fun playing with „dawless“ but when the moment of production comes nothing touches a daw . I love both worlds
Haha appreciate this take!
💯
I think the reason people like dawless is that its so easy to get a four bar loop going that sounds good by just hitting some buttons and layering things. And then muting stuff makes it sound like a proper song.
Where it falls down for me is getting out of that loop - ultimately, a laptop + Ableton is just so much easier to use and so much more flexible.
Digitakt needs more bars was my only wish.
You can get more out of it using trig conditions, etc. ...
@@meilstone Not the same though is it.
@@AgentsofRushI hear ya, but sometimes limitations are a good thing... There is always Overbridge as a "back door" 😉
@@meilstone Oh I've had fun on it over the years but it could do with a few more bars.
An extra 4 would be cool.
Old mk1 screens fail at some point, the rest I agree totally
That’s literally the first defectiveness I’ve heard of
@@LiamKillen in the elektrnauts forum there's a lot of juice about it. I repair mines with one of the tricks learned there. There's a hidden contrast pot to resolve it mostly, but you have to open the machine.
The old me would jump in here and go keyboard warrior. That ship is old and worn out.
I see more having fun with Elektron than not. End of the day, that matters. We can always get more money.
We can’t get the time back we waste be hating on things when there are plenty of toys to make noise and have fun with.
Lays mic down and exits chat.
Well done my friend- well done
Time to buy a Digitakt, Wabbit!
it’s a daw on its own :)
More or less! A really quirky one!
I saw the electribe 2 is used too much too make a review
Oh is it?
Elektron is the brightest point in this universe of electronic music.
I think you might be right.
@@LiamKillen Elektron gear it’s like meditation in general 😌🧘♂️
Elektron released these pricy gear with no storage. 1gb you gotta be kidding me. Don’t get me wrong I like the Digitakt and own one but elektron has to do better in that regard.
I would also like more storage space on the digitakt.
no batteries, 64 steps, mono samples, monophonic tracks, no synth engine, ... Far behind the MC-707 in my opinion.
Just a different beast in my opinion.
You Sir, have earned an UNSUBSCRIBE! A rocket shaped volume knob on the precious Digitone!?!? BLASPHEMOUS!!!
lol
no
🤔