Elektron Digitakt: Review after one year

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The Digitakt was easily my most used piece of equipment in 2021. Now that I've had it for just over a year, I wanted to share my thoughts on whether I'd get it again if I didn't have one, and who it might be a good fit for.
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[@LillySchwartz]

You‘re making me really curious about it, that‘s for sure, especially since you say it‘s nice for sampling your modular! I‘m mostly invested in that at the moment when it comes to hardware. That being said, it’s probably too early for me to learn anything substantially different, I feel like I‘ve barely scratched the surface of the modular rabbit hole!

[@SlowHaste]

Modular definitely helped me unlock the Digitakt in terms of workflow! Think of each sample/track as a “voice”, and each parameter page as a different “module” in the signal path that you can manipulate to taste once you’ve created a sequence - and you get 8 “voices”!

[@dynasark]

Right now I use a beatstep pro and a keystep pro to sequence a drum machine, a few hardware synths, and some VSTs. I am considering dropping my beatstep and getting an elektron device and I have a question about the sequencer. Is the sequencing going to be the same on the Digitakt and Digitone when it comes to using it with external gear? I would like to use it to sequence my RD-9 and Neutron.

[@joelkulesha8284]

I finally got approved for disability and one of these bad boys is my first purchase (largely thanks to the chaniel) can't wait to be in your position a year from now! (Hopefully less camera for me though lol) Great channel and videos! Im a big fan!

[@SlowHaste]

Thank you so much for always checking out the channel, I always appreciate your perspective!! You’re gonna love it I’m sure, it definitely changed a lot about my workflow to approaching electronic music.

[@whirrings]

My Digitakt has just arrived today! I've had a Model:Samples for a while so I know most of the Digitakt workflow - only been playing with it for an hour but already having a lot of fun - thanks for the video 😎👍

[@SlowHaste]

That’s awesome! It’s definitely helpful to go in with an understanding of the workflow

[@sadlantis]

*watched this and bought another digitakt* I fell somewhere between the last 2 categories you described. I did watch a ton of tutorials and demos beforehand though so had a good idea what I was getting into. Would buy a DT again in a heartbeat.

[@SlowHaste]

Well it certainly seems to have worked out for ya!! I think that’s the best way to go about it with the elektron devices. Manuals first, always.

[@mass-1128]

Thanks for an honest review! Is there any feautures you would Elektron to add to the Digitakt in future firmware updates?

[@SlowHaste]

This video was made before they added machines, which was a super welcome and unexpected addition! I’d love some different effects I think - and also, the ability to apply effects individually to each track instead of having to send to a master effect.

[@mass-1128]

@@SlowHaste I agree those would be some nice additions!

[@lesvolga1355]

a friend of mine told me yesterday, that OT has no Overbridge connection compared to DT and DN... Is that true? If yes, why do you think?

[@SlowHaste]

Yes, that is true. I’m not sure, but the OT is a bit older than the other two devices. It may have something to do with the variability of the 8 tracks. With dt/dn, it’s always audio, but since the OT uses “machines” it may not translate as easily with the software. I’m no software engineer though, so that’s just my best guess!

[@steveedwards4495]

I'm a complete newbie, got a po, then an opz, then the Digitakt. i like the whole package of the Digitakt and the work flow doesn't take long to work out 👍

[@SlowHaste]

That sounds like a solid progression of complexity - glad you’re enjoying the Digitakt!

[@lundsweden]

The Korg Electribe 2 Sampler is about half the price (even less 2nd hand), has some pro and some cons compared to Digitakt. Pros are: 16 pads, up to 24 note polyphonic, Great groove templates, available on each sound, SD card slot, Great free Electribe sampler software available for PC, Great FX, filtering, level and pan knobs, Battery powered option (6x AA), Saves to Ableton als. files on SD, Built like a tank, metal top (plastic underneath). Cons: 24mb working limit (but can have GBs of sounds on SD), FX can impact polyphony, Limited control of FX parameters. Sequencer is strict 16 steps (or 32), but you can add swing and or groove AFTER recording. This is pretty different to Elektron, but you get used to it. The hands on features and knobs probably make this more of a Model: Samples competitor. Also this has no graphic editing of samples, I can't just plug a mic into it either because the input is 3.5mm! (probably line level too).

[@SlowHaste]

Nice!! I have pretty much 0 familiarity with the electribe but have heard people say some pretty good stuff about it. I’ll have to read up on it!

[@sendalunar2974]

Thank you so much for your insight . Today is my first day with my digitakt. I was wondering what wood panel do you have ? It looks amazing. Thanks for the video.

[@SlowHaste]

Thanks for watching! The stand is from BDCOMusic Supply on Etsy

[@sendalunar2974]

@@SlowHaste thank you!

[@danieluhuru6523]

What would you recommend for recording acoustic instruments or non-electronic music? I'm looking for a dawless setup that can do that. (Maybe make some sampled beats here and there). Also, my background is Maschine and I play bass and guitar. I used to make a lot of hip hop sampled beats, recording bass and guitar for some songs directly into Maschine software as well. Also, I will be learning drums at some point and want to record and mix dawless. By the way, I'm not huge in step sequencing. I like playing my stuff over programming. So what would you recommend as a complete setup for that?

[@SlowHaste]

With that amount of instruments, I’d recommend a small mixer of sorts. You can also send that to a Zoom recorder (they have multiple inputs, too) for a portable solution, or even just use the Zoom depending how many inputs you need!

[@danieluhuru6523]

@@SlowHaste Thank you! I'm looking at that now.

[@cybermortal1983]

I tried the circuit tracks and it is pretty good and affordable, but wound up selling it and putting the funds towards a digitakt. No regrets. It was definitely still a learning curve and I'm still learning on it but I can't imagine not having it now.

[@SlowHaste]

That’s good to know! I knew that there were a few relatively new circuit releases and have kind of been curious to see how they stack up against the slowly aging Digitakt.

[@cybermortal1983]

@@SlowHaste it's a great device tbh but I didn't care for the limited sound design capability on the hardware, and while you can step sequence parameter values it's not as exact or elegant as p-locks on the digitakt. Very cool device and very fast workflow but not what I was looking for

[@CoffinNachtmahr]

this is very relatable i used to have the original circuit and felt like i was constantly hitting roadblocks with it so i sold that and a few other things and got the model samples (which i recommend to anyone) so i could get cozy with the elektron sequencer and what not and when i felt ready i sold the model samples and something else and got a used digitakt which until late last year i barely scratched the surface of but now that i use it so often i can imagine not sequencing samples this way

[@bertokleine280]

Keep up the good work….. a nice vid once again…. 👍🏽

[@SlowHaste]

Thanks for watching!

[@G0nz0uk]

Great video Dan, thanks for sharing. I would definitely buy it again it something happened to mine that's for sure! As for an Octatrack I'm not sure myself, I've heard so many good things about it and also not so good and its a costly one too. I need to read up more about it, but I feel I have so much more to learn with the DN and DT I wouldn't give it the time if I bought it. As I mention I think my next big purchase will be a Microcosm or similar. I also need to work out how to configure midi further on the keystep to use the slider, just can't work it out or the knobs.

[@djestes1]

I have always wanted to get a digitakt but with me making lofi music I worry about my music sounding super mono... what do you think? Great video btw

[@SlowHaste]

Thanks so much! The Digitakt is a stereo instrument, but it can only sample in mono. So you can adjust panning per track to create a stereo image, but if you have stems or finished tracks you wanna import to the Digitakt, it will just be mono.

[@user-tl6en9vq5x]

Can beats beat saved on the digitakt?

[@SlowHaste]

Yes they can!

[@GustavSandstedt]

I love the Digitakt, I started with the models so Digitakt was a no learning curve. I now considering buying a second one 😁

[@GustavSandstedt]

I started as well with PO’s but quickly realized this was not even close enough.

[@SlowHaste]

Oh yeah, I can imagine two Digitakts being a load of fun

[@newflanged_]

Yay! I agree, POs to test the waters. Then a cheaper box like the Cycles or any other you mention, but if you are already sure at this point, jump directly and invest into a Digi.

[@SlowHaste]

Yes exactly! And who knows what may be next…

[@newflanged_]

@@SlowHaste a house.

[@SlowHaste]

@@newflanged_ honestly that’s probably the best advice I’ve heard on electronic synth hardware KZbin

[@robertsyrett1992]

The longer I use the digitakt, the more I resent the 1 Gb storage limit with no SD card and need for a separate app to transfer samples. Other than that, it's my all time favorite piece of gear. edit: I also love the octatrack, but man it was really a slow burn getting to know it. If the digitakt is the stardew valley casual fan favorite, then the Octatrack is like dark souls min/max challenge run in comparison.

[@SlowHaste]

Well I just beat Bloodborne for the first time (it literally took 3 years of intermittent playing) so maybe it’s time for me to get on Octatrack is what you’re saying 😎?

[@robertsyrett1992]

@@SlowHaste I can only say that the Octatrack is my other all-time favorite piece of gear. It's also the sampler that I still sample with (see above complaint about 1 Gb storage on DT) and I love the crossfader. There are downsides, of course. But look those as an opportunity for comedic content :)

[@thernandez81]

Shout out to you Slow Haste!

[@thernandez81]

Very informative video thank you!

[@SlowHaste]

@@thernandez81 thank you!

[@nelio123]

I’m thinking about buying at least 100 digitakts to store them in separate underground vaults across the globe to make sure that I’ll always have one available for my whole lifetime.

[@SlowHaste]

I cannot argue with the brilliance of that plan.

[@Two-Eyed_Boy]

Hahaha that's really really high praise!

[@Two-Eyed_Boy]

That introduction was ominous so please keep all water cups and canned seltzers away from this machine! Great perspectives shared here!

[@SlowHaste]

Hahah thank you! I finally got a replacement bottle so all should be safe for the time being

[@dangerdadrockboy9742]

I'm put off by the lack of polyphony. I know their are workarounds but seems like a lot of hassle for a machine of that price.

[@SlowHaste]

Polyphony on the Digitakt would be an absolute dream! I guess it depends on your primary use case, if more focused on synth samples or single cycle waveforms, I can definitely see that being a draw back

[@xtrackt]

@@SlowHaste Look into the RK-002 -- you can get polyphonic on Digitakt with a midi hack basically.

[@troyouttram]

I must say I absolutely love my RYTM mkii for a drum machine. My digitakt is more a fx, Vox samples, midi, single cycle wave form synth sounds. It’s good for sketching ideas as well on the road.

[@SlowHaste]

I’d absolutely love to mess around on one of the big box elektrons, I haven’t been able to as of yet! I’m sure I’ll get my hands on an Octatrack soon enough

[@troyouttram]

@@SlowHaste I got all my gear at fair second hand prices that I said to myself I’ll resell if I don’t use them haha famous last words as now they are my children and not sure if I’ll be able to part with them. Octatrack, rytm2,Digitakt,digitone all super fun and worked really well together. I use my octotrack as a fx/remixer using ezbot template and it’s really awesome and fun. Rytm core drums, digitone for arps and pads, Digitakt for bass and other sounds all running into the Octatrack. It’s a great setup but it can get a little bit complex when you have too many options if you know what I mean. Great channel by the way :)

[@SlowHaste]

@@troyouttram thanks so much, I appreciate it!! And yeah I know what you mean by things getting complicated. I have a good handle on the DT/DN combo and think I’ve gotten relatively swift at putting arrangements together. I would love the OT for very similar purposes - live mixing, effects, and integrating some long-form guitar loop stuff into my work (something I’ve put on the back burner since I started the channel!)

[@CoffinNachtmahr]

i would definitely buy it again if i saved most of tracks on it lolol cause the hours ive spent designing stuff on it i need that back lol

[@SlowHaste]

Haha I’m avoiding loading a new batch of samples onto mine because I have dozens of projects I need to finalize/export/blah blah blah. I do wish there was a bit more memory

[@CoffinNachtmahr]

@@SlowHaste i thought i had a ton of samples on my digitakt but its mostly a bunch of single cycle waveforms cause i use it often as a monosynth but with 8 tracks and just build the sounds i need

[@georgekay372]

I had the Samples for a week. The pads are AWFUL. Like, almost unplayable. And it can’t sample. It’s one of the worst feeling pieces of gear I’ve ever owned. And I own a Behringer 303 clone (which I keep around bc it sounds DOPE) I’ve now bought the Digitakt and it’s so much fun. May even replace my Octatrack for day to day drum duties! And if you’re GASing for the OT, don’t discount the Mk I. It’s almost the same as the Mk II and like half the price. My Digitakt cost about the same on the used market.

[@SlowHaste]

That’s a shame to hear about the samples! I guess it makes sense though, considering the price. I’m glad you’re enjoying the Digitakt, it really is so quick to work with once you adapt to the structure of everything (which I’m sure you did in no time, having been familiar with the OT!)

[@georgekay372]

@@SlowHaste yeah I was making music within 30 minutes of unpacking the Digitakt, love that Elektron workflow!

[@CoffinNachtmahr]

i believe they updated the pads on samples and cycles on the later batches

[@congarong23]

I have subtitles on, every time you say Digitakt it reads Dick Attack. :) Just thought you would like to know.

[@SlowHaste]

Lollllll that’s something else