COMPARING SAMPLERS: Elektron Digitakt vs SP-404 mkII vs Circuit Rhythm - Which one is right for you?
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- Today we are comparing three creative samplers: Elektron Digitakt, Roland SP-404 mkII and Novation Circuit Rhythm. Sponsored by DistroKid. Use my link for a discount: distrokid.com/vip/bobeats (a great service for uploading your music to Spotify/iTunes)
CHECK OUT THESE SAMPLERS HERE:
Sp-404 mkII
US: bit.ly/PCrolandSP
EU: www.thomann.de/se/roland_sp_4...
Digitakt
US bit.ly/DigitaktPC
EU thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=...
Circuit Rhythm
US: bit.ly/circuitRhythmPC
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/521290?offid=...
affiliate links support the channel regardless of what you buy
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CONTENTS
00:00 Intro & sound demo
02:20 Sampling specs comparison
04:05 Making music using the same samples
09:50 Hands-on workflow comparison
19:50 What the heck is he wearing?!
20:00 Resampling
22:16 Todays sponsor
23:10 Sampling workflow compared
30:03 Creating synth sounds from scratch
31:20 Best sample chopping?
33:36 Midi connectivity
36:54 Portability
37:39 Price
38:19 Performance FX
41:00 Final thoughts
#RolandSP404mk #ElektronDigitakt #CircuitRhythm
CHECK OUT THESE SAMPLERS HERE:
Sp-404 mkII
US: bit.ly/PCrolandSP
EU: www.thomann.de/se/roland_sp_404mkii.htm?offid=1&affid=623
Digitakt
US bit.ly/DigitaktPC
EU thmn.to/thoprod/409950?offid=1&affid=623
Circuit Rhythm
US: bit.ly/circuitRhythmPC
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/521290?offid=1&affid=623
affiliate links support the channel regardless of what you buy
Thanks for the great comparison, I think it's especially gold for the workflow comparison, guess many would base their choice decision from that (some are not up to watching 100 YT clips to find out what's up to their brainwiring). Could you please explain just in a few words what's the difference between Circuits appeared recently vs the Original one ? Thanks again for your work! Cheers
Would you be able to compare sound shaping possibilities between the *Digitakt to the MPC Live or MPC One* by any chance?
@@ronaldeatman6603, same thought here, as the Digitakt and the MPC One cost about the same. It's price honestly caught me by surprise compared to the other two.
These devices are very different when compared by genre. If I’m putting together a set of blues/funk with many chord and key changes, the circuit rhythm is the clear winner. One chord EDM vamps are more in line with your review.
EXTREMELY well put together video. Loved to hear the difference in fidelity between each sampler. It must have taken quite some time to put this all together. I really hope people understand how useful this is to a person interested in buying one. This is very helpful!
thanks buddy!! pushing myself to make even better content!! glad it shows
@@BoBeats quality work there Bo, apprerciated.
💯
could not agree more-exceptionally helpful video Bo! Way to go Bo!
Lol all these samplers are at least 16 but 44.1, they all sound the same . It’s what you sample into them.
SP is by far the most fun, most unique workflow, and best overall sound. Once you grasp the workflow of "sample, resample, rinse, and repeat" it opens up your creativity immensely.
i was wrong about ya Bo. This is a unique yet useful idea for a video I’m sure many many people will not only find entertaining but also very damn helpful. Thank you for all your time as I’m sure you took far more than just 42 minutes to make this video. We appreciate you. :)
thank you! Means alot
This is one of the absolute best comparison videos I’ve seen. Thank you for putting in the time to create this. 🎆
This is fantastic and super in depth. After using both, I tend to view the Digitakt as a grown up version of the Circuit Rhythm, although I still very much prefer the Rhythm's faster, more immediate workflow. Looking forward to trying the SP, it seems like a super interesting change of pace.
want to hear your thoughts on the sp
Honestly I did not think much of the rhythm for some reason, but this video really changed my thoughts 180. I will be stopping by your channel with a new mind set to check out your videos on the rhythm.
you're everywhere !
Another wonderfully informative and exceptionally produced video. For a novice such as myself, its always good to view your channel as you put everything across in ways I can understand. Thanks for uploading
Thanks for this, Bo! This is a really deep and informative comparison of those trio!
This was a beast of a video! I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort behind this one💪🏼 this a great resource for anyone looking at these machines, bravo!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Seriously excellent comparison.. Super balanced and informative.. Wish more CZcams videos were like this.. Actually helpful..Thank you..
Very helpful video Bo! Thank you for taking the time to make this!
Thanks Bo. Hope you and the family are happy and healthy. Much love from this one.
Thanks! All good on my end ♥️
Already got the Circuit Tracks, the first "synth" that I've almost mastered, aside from my OP-1. Just purchased a mini Launchkey from Novations because of their commitment to giving more for less. They to their credit also kept pricing down even with the price increases across the board. Mainly though I'm here because after a particurly bad week, listening to Bo is therapeutic. Like hanging out with your buddies at a local eatery.
I find how you remember the buttons and workflow of each device just amazing. There’s a lot going on in these sampling tools and you rock it.
Appreciate the work gone into making this video!
Awesome looking hoodie! And good content as always. Or even better with all the new titles and colorful comparison of specs and so on. Very well done.
Hi BoBeats, thanks for doing all these amazing videos I really appreciate your hard work. Cheers buddy.
Thanks John!!
what a great video bo. I now know what's best for me. thanks again.
Super useful Video, well done! Surprisingly, for me the Rhythm seems the right one. I just love its immediacy and clean workflow.
I use both the Digitakt and the SP404SX regularly and love both. I actually use the parameter-lock chopping workflow all the time on the Digitakt and I find it really inspiring. However, while the Digitakt plays well with midi gear, I find it tedious when working with cassette loops or other non-quantized accompaniments. The SP with its audio-centric resampling workflow works perfectly in that environment because you can just fingerdrum a beat by ear and you dont need to fiddle for ages trying to get the tempo settings right.
I often find myself in a situation where I just want to multi-track separate parts created on other devices. Got the feeling that the SP might be a good buddy for those things, given the FX, time stretch, sample memory...
Super clever btw to recreate the same beat on each device. Soo helpful to pinpoint audible differences instead of judging a device by its workflow alone 💚
Damn! Bo put in work for this video. Great job 👏
Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive comparison with so much direct sound-to-sound comparison. FWIW, I watched the whole thing and it re-confirmed my sense that the Digitakt is the right choice *for me*, even though it came in third in a lot of your areas of comparison. I already know that the Elektron sequencer and I get along (this machine will sit next to a Digitone), and sound-design-ish re-rinsing of samples into weird stuff is way more of what I like to do than chopping up a drum fill, for example. Now I will not lose sleep wondering if I shouldn’t have gone for a 404 mk2 though, which is great!
I'm a 'takt dude but I must say these 404 updates have me GASsing - fun workflow and some powerful effects and sampling capability!
Big thumbs up man, new to the channel but this is high quality, clear, detailed, not biased. Interesting throughout the video, thanks for the effort!
OMG BO! Thats the clash of epic devices I was waiting for!!
Thanks for this. I just picked up a Rhythm and had an SP404 on Pre-Order...which I will now Cancel. Going to stick with Circuit since I prefer a Step Sequencer workflow. Great Video!!!
Fabulous comparison video, I've been thinking of adding a sampler/sample player to my set up. I know the Circuit well so learning it would be a shallow learning curve, but, having heard how good the Digitakt sounds compared to the others- despite the learning curve it wins hands down!
While I really appreciate these kinds of comparison videos, the things I feel almost every CZcamsr fails to include are the emotional aspects that go beyond the facts and spec sheets. How fun are the devices to use? Which one of them inspire you to make music that you wouldn't otherwise have made? Which one of them would you grab if you were going over to a friend for a jam? How many songs did you create when evaluating it?
The videos are always about how the sequencer works, whether they sample in mono or stereo, or which one has the best portability or build quality. But in the end, we're here to make music. So, which one makes you smile?
thats a good point David. And honestly looking back at the video adding such a part would have been great. So thank you for reminding me. I did want to keep it fairly ’objective’ as its pretty obvious to most of my viewers which one makes me most happy and creative (the digitakt) but the video could have included such a segment for sure.
Excellent point. The answer being... all of them? haha.
@@BoBeats I can definitely see why keeping things neutral makes it easier. How about making another video that goes into detail about how you're using portable samplers/grooveboxes to enhance your music? It's not even about which one you like the most, it's more about how they become a part of your production workflow, what you enjoy about them, and examples of songs/ideas that came out as a result of playing around with them. Meaning, it's less about which machine "wins" in your opinion, and more about showcasing the unique creativity that each of them inspired. That would be an enjoyable video to watch!
Specs are objectively true. How it makes you feel is not. I don’t care if Bo tells me something makes him feel good any more than I would eat something because he told me it tastes good. To understand the emotional feeling a synth gives you, you have to play it yourself.
Yeah, I’m mixed. I do love hearing reviewers let us know how it felt to play, how fun it is, etc., but those things are also so personal and subjective.
One year on, and I just had the Circuit Rhyth delivered. So now I have all three of these. And here's how I'm planning to use them together:
SP-404 for longer stems, Digitakt for drums, Circuit for melodies.
I agree with most of the criticisms here. Even after all three had serious updates, they're workhorses for different parts of the process really.
I love each one. The Digitakt really opened my eyes though. The 8 sequencer channels really open it up for use alongside synths and other grooveboxes.
Thanks for this comment man I just got the tracks and ordered mini so stoked never played anything but vinyl
Thank you a was looking forward to this video as I am about to buy one on them but couldn't decide...
I'm going to add here that this video is so extraordinarily useful--as it points out different strengths and weaknesses--that It leaves me thinking (HOPING!) that Bo has more of this sort of thing in store!! SUPER SUPER. helpful comparison! Would be dynamite to compare synths at similar price points this way as well--from the stand point of MAKING music, and the pros and cons of the "workflow" as well as strengths of the sequencer, effects, etc.
thanks Sean! I will make more versus videos. They just take so much time =)
@@BoBeats Understood-- Always enjoy your posts, so no worries. I can only imagine how long these videos take, but I'd say they are the MOST helpful (as so few people actually give BAD reviews for products we consumers are always left guessing which "would be better")!
Brilliant video as always Bo!
Hi, This is one of your better videos. Valuable insight in here! In a perfect world, the Polyend Tracker would be in the mix :)
Great vid Bo! Can’t wait to see your thoughts after the latest huge update to SP-404 and DT.
Yep, a lot has changed on both the Digitakt (song mode, auto-slicing, timeshifting) and the SP404 (better sequencer, looper, etc)
Oh man, I want them all! Thx 4 the great Video! 🤖🎧
Having both a Digitakt and a 404sp in my set up, they perform totally different roles in the work. The 404 is a sample player. Great for long textures. For effecting other stuff. The Digitakt is, for me at least, a drum machine. I know, in Hip Hop at least, that beat making with the 404 is a huge thing, but I always hated using it like that. The MK2 certainly seems more versatile, but for me they were never in competition with each other. I think the versatility of the 404 is shown in gigs that I used to go to back in the days PC. I remember being at a gig where there were 3 acts playing, all very different styles, but there were a total of 6 404s on the stage between the 3 acts. It can fill in so many roles in live music.
You probably have the best gear to sell that I’ve seen on CZcams anywhere for that matter! The sweaters hoodies/ coffee cups
This is exactly what I was looking for actually! A comparison of the SP vs Digitakt. What an impressive production. That was a lot of time, work and love put into that video. I commend you.
Najs att även få dessa positionerade gentemot Deluge och övriga.
Vissa jämför dessa med Koala sampler. Är Koala så bra? Jag måste nog testa lite mer för jag var inte så imponerad
awesome informative comparing! would love to see an sp/digi jam
:)
Very good job Bo!!!
Digitakt is right for me because... I already own it! Thanks for the thorough comparison. Good for me to catch-up on what has come out in the last year or two
Great video Bo 😃 I am going to have to start saving for a 404 microfreak hoodie first lol
This time Roland did an Amazing job
Fantastic video. I think all these devices are great in their way. Personally for me , the Circuit wins out - it’s the weakest device of the 3 in some ways , but has the quickest easiest workflow .
Really great video Bo! Really enjoyed it as I do all your vids…I was contemplating buying the Digitakt for my setup and flow but after watching that the SP404 is definitely on my list.
Wow outstanding education. Thank you. I bought out of this clarification the Sp404 due to its portability and mic jack to record on the fly.
Also check the new 2.0 update! I have a vid on it. Makes it even better!!
Great friggin video bo! Just pre ordered the sp a couple days ago! Only downside is musicians friend said it may not ship til January 😣 can’t wait to watch this video again once I get it!
Dont miss the review i did also of the SP. It also works well as a tutorial
Great video, Bo. I think the novation is the machine for me. As my next step up from the volca sample I think it makes sense to go for this. plus I like a fast work flow. Thanks again!
Definitely a big step up from the Volca!
This makes me feel happy that I have a Digitakt and don’t need to buy the other two hahaha thanks ☺️🙏🙌
Very helpful. I currently have a Digitakt and have been considering a second sampler. I think the video shows that the Digitakt + SP404 would make a great combination. I was also considering an Akai MPC One before the new Roland appeared. The Akai feels more like a dedicated PC and I'm not sure how much extra it brings if you already have the MPC Software other than a degree of conveniaence, obviously it has it's own ADC, interpolation and DAC but I'm not sure what else.
Digitakt is one of the most incredible pieces of hardware I have ever laid my hands on. While it’s a bit lacking in traditional “FX”, it makes up for that with its vast sound shaping capabilities. It is truly an incredible sound design tool, drum machine and so much more. Also, parameter locking truly changed the game for my workflow. I would buy is 100 times over.
Awesome! My late drops into large close outs at Jordan R, were worth it lol
Glad this video didn't make me want to sell my digitakt. SP mkII is a pretty fantastic upgrade though and those effects are something special. Great video
Hey Bo, this is one of your best gear videos. Really comprehensive stuff.
Such a helpful video!
Casio SK-1 (1985) had 8-bit sampling for 1.4 second lenght.
Gravis Ultrasound (1992) had 16-bit 256 (upgradable to 1024) kB RAM sampling.
The progress since this era has been amazing!
been waiting for this vid
even though model samples does not sample directly i still think it beats the rhythm and sp with its sequencer
There is a reason I own all (or will shortly) all three. I have the SP404sx, but ordered the MkII.
I wouldn't be surprised if Roland enacts some of your suggestions (ie, adjustable send levels to bus fx) in future firmware updates.
Bravo ! A beautiful comparison of three devices. You have convinced me to buy,... Another Electron device ! :-)
27:05 vs 29:08 - this is where stereo sampling really is an advantage. The chorus on the synth chords sounds dramatically different on the SP-404 (stereo) vs the Digitakt (mono).
Oh! I'd love to see you combine the SP404 and Digitakt. Asking for a friend.
Great video, with Overbridge and the Midi/Sequencing capabilities, this video shows how unique the Digitakt is,
Lots of love for the SP404 in the comments (unsurprisingly)! I tried to get on with the 404SX, I really did, but I just couldn't work with the workflow. It made me want to NOT make music rather than inspiring me. Then I tried the Digitakt and OH BOY! There's no going back. The power in the sound designing capabilities, the sequencer with all its trigger options, the vast MIDI options and of course... the clicky clacky buttons! It's a beauty.
Very interesting. Each of these devices is a complete sequencing sample player. So much more than just a sample.
Thanks Bo, very helpful
I've got the Rhythm and the SP404 mk2. I use the Rhythm for sequences and the SP for triggering single sounds and samples. Now I want a Digitakt for its sounds generating abilities!
I have digitakt and an old Roland sp 404. I used the digitakt to trigger loops on the sp 404 via midi and it worked extreemly well. I was surprized at your comments about the sp 404 mk2's midi prowess. I would think if it worked well on a twenty year old machine it should be much improved on the mk2.
Eggcelent Video Smithers ! 😀
excellent comparison an review!
Thanks for making this video.
I use a PolyEnd Tracker, Nord Lead module, and a Hydrasynth Explorer. I’m looking for that last device that can do sequencing/sampling/live fx manipulation.
Tough choices, but better than no choice!!
I’m wondering that for live performance / jamming (not just FX) how do they rank? i.e. pad playing / sequencer trigs/ loading songs etc? p.s. tight, coherent vid ta++
I'd like to make a groovebox with the interface of the Digitakt, with the portability and memory of the SP!
If you do id buy ha
This must have taken quite a bit to set up and sort out for filming and editing..well done, excellent video!
thanks! yes it was a bit of work :)
Well…. That was a fantastic breakdown. It seems that if Elektron added sdcard streaming and stereo sampling it would run away with the prize. I went with the black box for my sampler BUT I use a kurzweil k2661 as my initial staging ground. There just isn’t much available that offers as much processing ability especially as you say for “sample as oscillator.”
That all said a huge reason I quit music for nearly 2 decades was because I’d get lost in sample editing and lose the inspiration for the song. These newer devices are fantastic. Now I can get something I mostly like and then finish sound design on the kurz.
I think of these I’d be most likely to get the electron as the black box has so much covered and I have plentiful options for effect processing. (If I need Roland effects I have a VF-1).
my next invest for my studio is the Sp 404 MKII...I think that Roland have done an currently good job and maybe there is space for future updates on base of that hardware..
Thanks for this comprehensive overview!
One minor editing note... from 37:30 to 37:35, the instruments change positions but the rankings don't. The meaning is still clear though.
thanks! always difficult keeping everything tidy over a 40+ min video
Very well put together and very in depth video. I found you looking up reviews of the Novation Circuit Rhythm and I am very impressed with your dedication.
thank you
Thanks for this and please consider doing a review on the Polyend Tracker.
Is there a shift function or something that would allow me to raise and lower volumes of a pad in a live setting on the SP404 MKII, without having to choose the pad and causing it to retrigger?
I was also thinking about incorporating a midi controller with an encoder, assigned to a designated pad to bring in melodies. Raising and lowering the volume on the fly. I haven't found anything on that. Any info in that would be awesome.
Well I’m settled in on the Octatrack but seeing what Roland did with the new 404, is something that really makes me curious to use it one day just to say I did.
Digitakt being the oldest of the three seems to hold up well. Love the yellow top!
I have an RC-505 Looper, and the SP-404 mk2 is very very tempting.
Roland unleashed both the RC-505 mk2 Loopstation and the SP404 mk2 to makers months ago, with the plan to create expectations, and build a Christmas market. Well, we were excited, until the supply fiasco of chips and the huge backup at the US ports happened. So now, both are not gonna be in the US until no sooner than Feb 2022. Waaaah! No Christmas for me this year.
I'll say it before and I'll say it again, the Polyend Tracker should be involved in these comparisons, it's amazingly powerful!
It’s so looked over it’s crazy. I think the workflow once mastered gives you an advantage from an arrangement perspective
@@PB-vi1oj honestly it's so fast and fun, I really found it instant to use and great to use with other external synths
I really need to check it out
You could add the 1010 BlackBox too, if you’re considering that!
@@BoBeats I think you'll love it, the tracker layout really doesn't take long and having a per-step sample slot makes each track a lot bigger than just a single instrument!
Great Video and finaly the SP404MK2 is on the Table, i would definitly Rank the SP404 Nr.1 in portability - i love that Roland did not put a fixed battery in it, these things wear out and u carry it arround for nothing - what i would love more than AA-Batterys would be 18650, but hey u cant have everything.
So just put in your SP404 6x AA Batterys and for Emergency a Powerbank - love it !
And for me personaly there is no way i would encourage a Beginner to buy a Circuit Rythm instead of a SP404 - learn the Workflow its just 100bucks more and you get a serious sampler, put some time in it u wont regret it, otherwise the digitakt is another animal and depending on your needs it could be the nr.1 pick.
Electribe 2 sampler is 4 voice paraphonic/polyphonic per part. It has stereo sampling and sample playback. It does have total voice limitations that are easy to run into is you're just stacking sounds.
great video!, i think i'm gravitating for the SP404 to add something new (I already have a great sequencer in the deluge)
I’m in this boat too and keep thinking I should learn the Deluge better and not get ANOTHER thing. But the sampling on Deluge is sooooo slow to mangle stuff
What would you suggest for vocal samples? I want to throw in movie samples into my live performances but can’t find anything that talks specifically about using longer quotes
All three machines have their place. But I will never understand memory/sample storage in this day and age? It's fairly cheap and doesn't take up much space on a PCB. Yet the SP-404 is the only one that really gives you enough. In my humble opinion, anyway.
I can understand that but to be fair to the digitakt I feel like it’s main strength is being able to use one sample for a vast array of different uses and sounds. So even though it doesn’t have that much storage you can use a handful of samples for a myriad of different tones and uses. The same sound that can be a kick drum can also be mangled into a melodic synth or a lush pad or a bass line etc. So with that In mind I think it has plenty of storage. I guess it really just depends on your workflow
One could argue for and against this. However i do agree limitation is the faerie godmother of creativity.
Hi, I need help I’m searching a way to sync two samples together on the sp 404 mkii from weeks and I don’t have it. Do you know how to quantize perfectly to play some samples at the same time ? The only quantization I found is in the resample rec mode but no way to have perfect loops.
Best regards,
Eliott
Thank you! Very helpful. The Roland seems amazing but the digi, to me, just has better drum sounds and is brighter…..if only it wasn’t mono.
I’ve got an sp404 on order but I’m contemplating getting a Digitakt to work alongside it…. Is that overkill after the 2.0 update on the SP? Or would you think they would work together nicely? I mainly make house btw.
My favorite is the Digitakt. Already have one and it’s really have a ton of possibility. But the effects on the 404 are amazing 😬. Clear and pedagogic video, thanks Bo.
What sort of control does the SP-404 have via MIDI? I assume you can use CCs to control parameters, notes to trigger samples, PCs to load banks etc, as is standard on Roland products. I can’t seem to find a PDF of the manual though with a MIDI CC chart…
Hey there, I got the circuit rhythm a couple of months ago but wasnt able to do anything with it because of work. now that i have some free time i'm able to mess around a little with this piece of gear. for now I just want to use this for triggering party noise samples. say i load up 8 party noise samples into the rhythm and i take it to a gig will it let me trigger 2 samples at same time? I just want to trigger sound effect samples and possibly trigger 2 or more sound effect samples at same time is it possible? if not, what small hardware sampler can do this?
Great video. Actually made me think (I try not too). So much so... that I'll have to watch again! With a house of synth's / older workstations, I'm looking for a stand alone sampler, plus a heavy duty sampler / sequencer workstation. Really like the SP for stereo + effects + stand alone sampling. PS: those Digitakt buttons sound really noisy and unmusical (clunky). SP and Rhythm appear to have the more "musical" buttons (LOL). Thanks for the info.
Looking at the Deluge as it seems to fulfill many of these features in a comprehensive and intuitive package.
I think it depends what you have. I have an mpc one, a circuit tracks, and an sp404a… I also use ipad as well and logic. The new 404 would be cool with the ipad… maybe that would be the one to consider. I have always liked the digitakt and sold the rhythm to get my one… tough choice
The Digitakt is best for me because of the style of music I like to make with it. Short samples, 2 LFOs, and the trig options are just my main love of the unit. The sequencer feels and sounds great to me too. With that said I did however preorder the Sp 404 MK2. I have a feeling it’s gonna get me back into down tempo trip hop style music again. I miss chopping beats. Plus It just looks more fun to preform and sample on the fly. I can’t wait to get it. I can see my self using both for a lot of different reasons.