Digitakt II | Time to ditch the Octatrack? | Thomann

Due to it's new features, Digitakt II is now much closer to a real Octatrack alternative. But is it enough?
Gear used:
Digitakt II: thmn.to/thopro...
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[@DKH712]

IMO digitakt 2 fixes almost all the faults of the first one, which was already excellent. The only thing I still miss from the octa are the midi arp features, precise slicing and a second set of outputs. If you are looking more for a sampler then I think digitakt 2 is the one. It's faster. It's easier. It's more intuitive. If you also want a performance mixer/looper, than octatrack is for you

[@s.r.b.4582]

All their drum machines lack arp features sadly, I’d love to get this feature on Syntakt at least

[@howlinberry1645]

I have to be honest, Ive haven't had the heart to sell my Octatrack yet, lol. I keep listing and unlisting it on Reverbe. The OKMK2 is absolutely unique. I use like 20% if that of the machines capabilities but I cannot seem to let it go. However, as I hardly use it it will be best to sell it.

[@ogasi1798]

OT is still the daddy

[@afternoon]

For me it was. I love the streamlined DT workflow. I miss the OT fader, but I can live with that.

[@kcat80]

there needs to be OT successor in their lineup as well imo, 8 actual inputs and overbridge. modern elektron box design and layout, plus loads of unique stuff that sets it apart from the the OT.

[@xjtreex]

I'd take the same exact OT but with updated sound engine and FX and a few more modern sampler additions.

[@kcat80]

@@xjtreex I guess that would be OT mkIII

[@Kpm1985]

That Leon vynehall record is so so so good

[@MotokoKusanagi]

wanted to say that... very good

[@EZBOT_]

Blasphemy until 8:22

[@felixfleer4507]

😂

[@mothershipconnections2826]

Your word is bond! Totally agree

[@iSeeZar]

Since the OG elektron team left, the company seems to be a shell of it's former self. Essentially rereleasing they're now 10-15 year old software/technology in different packages for different price points. It's crazy to me they would rerelease the digitakt again with only stereo outputs and only a few minor (mostly all software) upgrades. I love my two Elektron boxes, but I wish they would release something actually new and exciting like they were doing a decade or two ago. It's odd why they wouldn't repackage the machinedrum or monomachine considering their status and prices now. Makes me think they don't have the IP from the original elektron company. Thanks for the video Felix.

[@el_dani]

This might be true since Ess and Cenk left, but not before: since the Octatrack they released quite some impactful machines: Rytm, Analog 4 (does somebody else on the market released any analog synth with patch-changing per step?), Digitakt, Digitone. (Cycles, Samples and Syntakt you could rank as recycling). I think Digitakt 2 is a musical interesting device and as Elektron proved in the past (in distinction to others on the market) that they are willing to expand with firmware development.

[@Michael_Smith-Red_No.5]

It would also be nice if they would make a usb breakout box for people who might want to split their channels in the physical domain. They could call it Underbridge.

[@ukbloke28]

It's often the case that companies are more innovative and experimental earlier on before they get more established. Canon have come under endless fire over the years for being less exciting than smaller companies, and iterating on popular formats. But it's not the case that they didn't innovate, just that over time it becomes clear which innovations work for people and what sells the best. At that point, it becomes bad business to change the paradigm : little to gain and much to lose. Why dont Apple make a round Iphone? With respect to MD and MM - they provide Elektron with massive brand equity. If they re-released them, the reality would be a niche market that the sales likely wouldn't justify, crashing the value of the OG boxes which would really fuck off some of their most hardcore fans ... people would complain the interface was clunky compared to the more modern boxes ... they would seem flawed rather than classic. They are iconic and inaccessible to most; scarcity is a commodity. They are not unlike loss-leaders, similar to the dresses that fashion brands give away to celebrities for the red carpet. the money is in the broader market - MM and MD are complex devices with enormous depth. People are still finding new ways to use them after decades ... most of their market probably just want to enjoy themselves making a bit of some well-established genre, make a few clips for their social media. I doubt they'd even get as far as copying some Sophie track or other, based on the MM videos on here. Plus you contradict yourself. You complain they don't do anything new but then you want them to literally re-release old instruments. Which is it? What innovative devices would people like to see them release?

[@dkamhaji]

I agree- nothing Yet- can replace the Octatrack. I have 2. And would not sell either. But I’m loving the DT2 upgrade. I sold my DT1, and I’m happy I did when I did because the value just plummeted. But I will say this. Its midi capabilities bring a lot of great functionality. 1. Being able to set a track to a synth with cc knobs with labels and all and save that as a preset. Load it ready to go into any track any time. Brilliant. 2. Having any pattern change its program change. Compared to the Octatrack which is stuck with parts. You would need to change to a new part to change the program of a midi synth. 3. sequencing 8 bars. 4. euclidian sequence your midi. The Octa still has midi arpeggio.. That would be really cool to see.

[@ukbloke28]

I'm down with all of this for sure but most of all the new midi facilities, including the midi learn. I've got a bunch of little synths and drum modules but found the cc setup a little clunky so didnt get around to doing more than just note / velocity. with this, I'd definitely go nuts with plocking them. Micromonsta2, Nord Drum 2 ... oof. I didnt sell my DT before the launch of 2 but I only paid 600 for it. Might keep it and have both ... What's an average price for a near-new condition DT at the moment?

[@SKRDmusic]

I did make the switch, but mainly because I was using the OT in combination with Ableton. When I was using the OT more as a mixer it really had no competition, but the features on the OT aimed at combining it with other gear made the choice easy

[@strangeattractor4959]

I just sold my grey OT, but to get the blackie baby! one thing I'll recommend to Octatrackers, MAP the 64 trigs in a midi pad controller, and instead of thinking of using 8 tracks, feel the freedom of MAPPING 64 trigs per track in a midi controller that way you can trig many things for live performance

[@McEnroe911]

cool jam. thanks for the vid.

[@felixfleer4507]

🙏❤️

[@ProfilerGman77]

Only two issues with the DTII. Absence of proper sample slicing, and inability to zoom in on samples when setting start times in your project. Otherwise a fantastic box

[@fattyboombatty7736]

Sounds like the destiny of the firmware, we hope

[@ryanhursh6322]

And polyphony. At least 3 voices. Then it’s literally a perfect machine. Elektron isn’t interested in making perfect machines, they are interested in crippling devices in favor of a tiered system in their lineup.

[@ukbloke28]

@@ryanhursh6322 they dont offer a polyphonic sampler at all though, do they? so what are they crippling DT in favour of, in your estimation?

[@Garnassium]

Not even close to the octatrack

[@el_dani]

Dear Thomann, should I buy the Digitakt 2 or Octatrack? Thomann: Yes!

[@kafelmusic]

🤣

[@colinfoster5943]

Do you have a link to any of the sample packs used? Particularly that last sound fx... feel like I've heard that in a number of tracks.. Thanks!

[@TheDrumFab]

honestly the 'small' changes compared to DT 1 does not justify a 950€ expense. Especially since I'm using the DT 1 with a Nord Drum 3p which already gives me 14 tracks of sampling / midi sequencing. My next device will probably be a used Octatrack MKI or II for less or same price tag :)

[@cooksoni.a]

Compared to the price of a dt1 a few months ago, it surely does justify it

[@valldo47]

That's why i sold my Dt1 and bought used Octatrack MK2. IMO still Octatrack is more powerful box than DT2

[@TheDrumFab]

​@@cooksoni.asure I would 100% pay 150-250€ more for the new features, they seem very decent. but now it's another story...

[@TheDrumFab]

@Valldo47 ​yeah thinking of doing the same. but now the prices for a used dt1 are just very low so i think I'll keep it 😅

[@el_dani]

There is a reason that used Digitakt 1 are so low: offer and demand - shortly I was allured by a 350 price for an mk1 but with research I‘m saving (or selling gear) for a Digitakt 2 now. Nobody forces people to buy Elektron products, you can always buy Roland (and get lost in their menus) 😂

[@TRaddcliff]

Forget about waiting for OT MKIII. That ain’t gonna happen. Wait for the…DECATRACK

[@felixfleer4507]

That would be lovely 🥹

[@bilkun]

Decaéxitrack

[@ukbloke28]

Hexadecatrack, based on what they did with DT2.

[@neonpop80]

Does the DII have sound kits? That to me would be worth the upgrade to have continuous hands on changes of filters and effects without being interrupted by pattern changes

[@ukbloke28]

it does, it was one of the new additions.

[@Spacial_]

No fader, no-brainer

[@neonpop80]

What does the fader do?

[@Spacial_]

@teamcoalhapcharcoal have you tried it?

[@Spacial_]

@@neonpop80 its like a dj fader, but for any number of parameters you want, simultaneously. You "fade" between two presets of values you assigned for the parameters. Think filter cutoff, delay mix, reverb decay, volume, sample select, etc... There's 16 of those presets, per bank, to be assigned for each "side" of the fader. look it up, its harder to explain than it is to show it :)

[@ukbloke28]

@@Spacial_ I want to play with that Octa slider so bad but only have a DT! is there a way to approximate a simpler version of it with DT2 and a midi controller, does anyone think?

[@Spacial_]

@@ukbloke28 well, you can definitely get an approximate result using a MIDI controller that stores presets and allows multiple mappings to a single fader/knob. Presets is a common thing, but i dont remember seeing controllers that allow multi-map. You could use a DAW for that, tho. The DAW would control the DT parameters individually, and you could create a macro in your DAW that is controlled via MIDI and assign the macro to a single knob on your controller

[@falk3nn]

needs a performance macro mode (A4 style would work well). and parameter slides 🙏

[@rumo201]

The DT2 is great. But the Octatrack2 has the A/B Slider and the CF-Card to change fast samples. + many more cool features. So I wait for the Octatrack 3.

[@el_dani]

Waiting for Octatrack 3 is like waiting for Jesus to reincarnate - enjoy live now, experience heaven later

[@rumo201]

@@el_dani yes, I know. I play my DT2 and OT2, and I‘m fine. …but a OT3 will be nice, or not?

[@ukbloke28]

@@el_dani I will play OT3 in the afterlife. Hendrix will love it.

[@phelper4554]

You can’t compare the octatrack with the digitakt they are not even in the same league 😅 and 999€ for the digitakt 2 is completely insane the og digitakt was available at the start for 499€ they are rising the prices as much as they can as long people buy it

[@RobotSnake]

You really can. What does the OT have that the DT2 does not? A crossfader? I wasn't initially impressed with the upgrade but after looking into it there is sooooo much more under the hood. Compared to the OT You don't need disk streaming because the ram is so big. The DT2 fx are better, it has 8 more channels, same amount of LFOs, crazy triggering options and more. Literally all there is that isn't better or the same is the OT has the crossfader.

[@el_dani]

It‘s inflation, nobody expect Behringer does lowball prices. Elektron never was cheap, always premium (I remember strongly back in the days researching the Machinedrum and stumbling over the four figure price). And count in the longevity of their products (firmware support), good build quality and high resale prices.

[@ukbloke28]

@@el_dani Corrected for inflation, DT release price would be about 630 euros. DT2 is about +50% more expensive. Of course, there are more factors that could contribute like chip prices, economic situations in Sweden, the wars going on etc. Many companies are still trying to make up losses after the pandemic too. They probably are taking more profit now but the original was a launch device that needed to be established. Companies can even sell launch devices at a loss - Microsoft operated Xbox as a loss-making venture for a whole generation to achieve market positioning then dominated the next generation with Xbox 360 and went on from there. The new DT2 is highly sought after. Basic supply and demand stuff. I won't resent the price when I upgrade, it's how the world works.

[@ManCalledMif]

Does it have 48 independent MIDI tracks like the £300 KO2?

[@BecomingProductions]

If you want get into a game of features one has the other doesn't the KO2 isn't going to come off well.

[@DKH712]

What could one even use 48 independent midi tracks for?

[@user82938]

@@DKH712 symphonic club music

[@simonyricools]

@@user82938 lol

[@el_dani]

48 tracks to control Ableton Live or what?

[@howlinberry1645]

My Digitakt 2 is replacing mine until the Octatrack MK3 is released.

[@kdmn5570]

If your samples are losing something from its fidelity when loaded to octatrack you are probably doing something wrong.

[@Kaje05]

Pffft… they’re basically the same price. Why would you choose DT2 over OT?

[@john9291]

Sound quality much better on DTmkII

[@Kaje05]

@@john9291 😂

[@john9291]

@@Kaje05 have you played with the DT2 ?

[@el_dani]

Quick and once in a lifetime to learn workflow. Leave Octatrack alone for 2 weeks and you start again on field 0.

[@el_dani]

and Overbridge

[@djengiskhant]

An Octatrack mk2 is still better than the new Digitakt mk2. This title is clickbait.

[@antonv13]

No :)

[@kokakolagodcomp-vi2yv]

who's ready for $200 digitakt 1's on craigslist? 😂

[@thomasridley__]

nah

[@jxtajxta2083]

Jajajajajaja, que decía? Jajajjajajajaja. More than 10 years and people has no idea what the ot can do 😅

[@johnslater154]

Lol never

[@Deackars]

👀👂🏻

[@akzelander]

lengsch

[@voteutopia7548]

lol. octatrack does what it does. They may well do an octatrack mk 3 but I think it will only be to appease the ex guitar players who 'got into' electronic music after they got kicked out of their band(s)(

[@bff6434]

Price is stupid

[@el_dani]

Working for low wages is stupid.

[@el_dani]

@teamcoalhapcharcoal no need for car when electronic music can take you anywhere..

[@Dolle_Man]

I’m waiting for the Octatrack mk3

[@Kaje05]

😂

[@jparty]

I will be coming back to this comment in 2034 and it'll still be true :p

[@triangularmerkel]

it's a shoot-out between that and half life 3

[@ruffian01]

😂

[@Kaje05]

While everybody else has been making music for like 10 years 😂

[@triangularmerkel]

Geniune question about audio fidelity of the Octatrack vs Digitakt (I or II): reading around about the subject I'm led to believe it may not be true that the Octatrack has poor sound quality (IIRC the theory is that it's something to do with poor quality DACs?). Ostensibly the issue with perceived audio quality issues may be problems with gain staging, which sounds feasible as there are a lot of points in the octatrack to set gain. However, are you saying that you can hear that the Digitakt has objectively better sound quality in a direct comparison? (nb - I've likely butchered the reasoning about sound quality, so take this with a pinch of salt)

[@felixfleer4507]

In my experience I immediately perceived the sound quality of DT1 and DT2 as an improvement over the OT. Turning of timestretch on the OT helps a lot but still it sounds less dynamic and flat in a way. Regarding gainstaging I‘m not sure what I should have messed up in order to cause this. Anyways, in 20 years people will probably say: „The OT hat such an iconic, soft sound“ and try to replicate it with plug-ins :D

[@el_dani]

Octatrack might be on par with flat sample replay. But the joy of the machine comes with using the fx slots. And in this regard (especially filter and reverb) the infirmity of software power from a device from 2011 shows in comparison to a 2024 device.

[@Pilami_]

I owned and sold most Elektron devices. DTII with Stereo samples and Grid machine is the first one i feel i will not get rid of. Sound quality and filters are nice. The only thing i miss is the "Logic Mastering assistant" feature for smooth EQ, and a "Mono maker". The buttons could also be less clunky for my taste.

[@Andronicus2007]

I never really wanted stereo samples on the Digitakt MK1, except on one occasion. So I just split the stereo file into two on my computer, panned one hard left, one hard right- triggered birth at the same time. It was easy!

[@reecedeyoung6595]

And used 1/4 of your tracks

[@Andronicus2007]

@@reecedeyoung6595 You can do a lot with just one track. Drummers have a style called linear drumming, it's been an inspiration to me in getting more out of gear.

[@reecedeyoung6595]

@@Andronicus2007 I'd rather have more tracks. Then I can mute and mix them separately. Sometimes a limitation is just a limitation.

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Loved the track you put together Felix. Nothing can replace the Octatrack!

[@felixfleer4507]

Thanks ❤

[@karl.weaver]

Can't you afford the D2 or are you happy with the older technology?

[@LoveMeBack]

Never!

[@EggZema_]

If only the scene fader works with midi parameters as well…

[@aikighost]

This track is so Dave Clarke 👍

[@FlyingPetschman]

whats wrong with the word "length"? - sounds like "länsch" when u sai it

[@felixfleer4507]

must have been my inner Werner Herzog coming through again

[@karl.weaver]

9:48