Dude, you're getting unbelievably good at structuring your videos and showcasing gear! It's awesome to see you grow as a content creator along with your channel 💕
So happy to see you diving in to the Elektron world. Welcome! Circuit 'pro' is exactly the feeling I got when I compared the two. Lots of similarities with a lot deeper levels. Thanks for the great content!
GAS was hitting me hard. Then I counted the number of times limitations were used in this video and the cost of the device. Excellent looking kit and well done video. It’s a no for me dawg. Thank you for saving me money. Job well done. Someone else will be on the flip side. Beauty of this space! Keep up the great work.
Between your videos on this unit and your MPC One, MC-101 and Circuit stuff, I'm always learning and head nodding. Keep up the great work. Also, your latest release is a jam. I've been listening to it a few times through on a pretty regular rotation. 👊🏾🖖🏾
Really wanted the takt when it came out, and still think it is an excellent device, however the MPC One gives me more than enough on all these points (maybe not conditional trigs, but I'm sure there is a workaround). Infact ,the "one" is overwhelming for a noob like me.
I love my Digitakt, it's such a powerful, versatile box! I use it very often as a monophonic sampled based synth, which is super cool. To mangle sounds and create beats, it's always a very pleasing experience, and once you get used to its sequencer (Elektron's conditional triggers make a huge difference) and general "device architecture",and you can get pretty good results in quite a short time too (then of course, you can get mad and tunes every detail as you wish). The 2021 firmware update with the additional LFO, external input mixers, etc... was just amazing and pushed few steps further the capabilities this magik box!
I love your videos and your reviews. I have a Digitakt and Digitone and have wondered about switching to an MPC even though I do love its speed and immediacy. I have wondered whether it still was the device to move forward with. Trig conditions do create very interesting solutions and I don't see any other product with those offerings. Your review has helped me to feel comfortable with sitting tight for now. Peace.
Was gonna reward myself for completing Jamuary with this piece of gear - wasnt sure which groovebox I should dive into but you've sealed it for me now :)
Really would have loved the MPC one so much more if it would have this kind of screen experience.. Where the filter would each time would be in the same place etc etc, no fancy graphics the screen just for information purposes... Then it could also be have the size and there could have been a lot more knobs for hands on control
Some advanced tips that are worth pointing out and almost turn it into a new machine: Function/Green Trigs - czcams.com/video/lSlhf-B9QjY/video.html&ab_channel=OscillatorSink Midi Loopback/Additonal LFOs - czcams.com/video/EL_6c4bGm0s/video.html&ab_channel=59Perlen Now go and buy yourself a Digitone... you will love it.
Gabe, you may have addressed this in a different video so I apologize if I missed it, but based off of your experience, in your opinion, if one has the MPC One, do you think getting either the Elektron Dig or Synt would be worth it? I see a ton of overlap, in fact, it seems like MPC One can do everything and more, but I could be wrong, what say you?
Gabe: excellent channel, style and reviews!! Just to share my opinion with those interested in this musical instrument: I think the Digitakt is essentially a digital drum machine with sampling capabilities (for the one-shot type, mainly)... but with an exotic set of features that make it such a versatile electronic instrument that it is often mistaken for a GrooveBox or a DAW-Box.
I got a Digitakt before I got my MPC One. Its a beautiful device with a great workflow. But its made for a very specific purpose: step sequencing drum tracks and twiddling knobs on patterns. All the other features are boni, like the extensive midi sequencing features it has. For 'general beatmaking' its not the right tool (or you could say 'overpriced'). Probably a Digitone would even be better there for the great FM engine. But if you perform drumloop based, knobtwiddly music, I'm sure its absolutely fantastic. I still have mine standing here because I just love the industrial design so much and hope I'll find a proper purpose for it.
Any way to have retrig sounds like in model samples or model cycles? they have dedicated botton to do that. I know that in digitakt it's needed to do with parameters locks. But it's another fast and more intuitive way to do? I am considering between this and octatrack. I know really well the differences but specifically I have to know if it's possible that functionality in this unit. Thanks.
I’m trying to record my voice as drum sounds into the digitakt like a “PUH” for kick and “Tts Tts” for hats.. but what mic do I use a condenser, dynamic a recorder or what?
I sold my Digitakt and got a Verselab instead, best thing I ever did. The Verselab does everything the Digitakt can do and so much more at a better price. The Digitakt is seems very dated and limited when compared with the Verselab.
Hi, i'm looking to purchase a small hardware music workstation or a groovebox for whenever I go traveling and i want to make a track on the go. which would you recommend the novation circuit rhythm or the elektron digitakt?
@@GabeMillerMusic oh ok cool thanks for your response. I will definitely get it this week. Do you know if Novation is coming out with a newer version of the circuit Rhythm soon?
lots of overlap between the mpc one and digitakt. if mpc one got conditional trigs rather than the layer tricks it can do there'd be little else that the digitakt has on the mpc. I wouldn't be surprised if Akai pulls it out. I think you should have gone for the A4.
For the price, it seems kinda limited compared to the somewhat equally priced MPC One. Especially the limited polyphony and monophonic sample quality look like game breakers to me. But then again, maybe it's better to compare it to an SP 404 MK2 for what it is supposed to do.
Apples and oranges. I've tried the MPC X and Live ii. The sequencers and piano roll are clunky and a little annoying to use. They don't really stack up in terms of immediacy compared to the Digitakt and that's not easy to overlook. Elektrons sequencers are unrivaled. If you're looking for slicing and direct sampling, you can't beat an MPC, but if you don't mind loading in the samples via Overbridge (which is very quick and painless, assuming everyone has 700 billion splice samples like I do), the DIgitakt is so fluid in the ways you can mangle the sounds. The first time I picked one up, it felt like riding a bike again even if I'd never used one before. It's a great device.
They're definitely different. If you're trying to make full songs, you'll probably have a better time with the MPC One, but if you want more of a "traditional" drum machine vibe with a ton of extra features, the Digitakt is a good bet.
I just starting diving into all this stuff again since highschool hoping i could afford some cool stuff unlike highschool. And nope i was wrong, my wallet hurts and I just want all the gear to play with but cant afford hardly anything. Adding this to my growing list
To be fair, you can have a really fun, dynamic setup less and cheaper gear. A Novation Circuit Tracks and two Volcas, for example, or even just one budget groovebox by itself that you can expand later as money allows.
no smooth parameter automation.....sometimes i don't want to think about how my lfo will match up with the one and instead just use my hands..electribe style. other than that....shit hits so hard.
i used mine (brandnew) maybe 10 times for 2 hours (so 20 hours in total) and the paint/coating of the grid-buttons already looks worn off has anybody else experienced this problem?
First I've heard of this to be honest. Reach out to Elektron? Also (and this isn't an insult at all) - but I have read that some people just have more corrosive sweat/oil naturally. For whatever reason said humans just tend to decay surfaces/textures on things. Ever seen something similar on other devices you've owned?
Fuckin hell, there's always some twat from some unscrupulous organisation spreading doubt. What a fucking this to say, some paint has come off. You should do reviews for Screwfix, there's more of you over there.
@@Daphoid I don't need polyphony too often, but I like to have the option. I definitely need to have time stretch though. I have a Roland MC-707, which I love. But even though you can do sampling with the 707, I usually use my 1010music Blackbox to do that. It's literally the only thing I use it for. Seriously need to sell that thing. Not a fan...
@@Daphoid I needed a smaller groovebox that I could throw in my backpack and I decided to give Elektron a try. I did not get the Digitakt though. I want to dive into the complicated world of FM synthesis so I bought used Digitone. I've been on it for a little bit and can tell it's probably going to be tough learning a whole new groovebox's workflow. I've been buying mostly Roland stuff lately. I love their workflow and too much other stuff to mention. If I really did the Digitone then I will probably break down and buy a Digitakt. Although that Syntakt is looking like a beast and a half.
Haha maybe at some point. From the limited stuff I've heard, the Digitone sounds a bit metallic for my tastes, but then again, I've been on a metallic sounds kick lately. We'll see
@@GabeMillerMusic oh mettalic sound is just one tiny spectrum, it's actually most warm-sounding FM synth inever had .. check this track, everything including that bass is from Digitone czcams.com/video/BQqcndQbsao/video.html (Miles has more amazing sounding Digitone-only tracks there, worth to listen)..
@@GabeMillerMusic also this guy has some pretty amazing Digitone only jams where you can hear the wise spectrum of DN sound .. it's trully amazing and inspiring synth.. czcams.com/video/Euzxhm50fLM/video.html
I think if the music CZcams creators got together and decided to stop using tech grabby generic thumbnails, we would carve ourselves out a better community. All that "is it still worth it?" generic headlines do is create a consumerism mentality that things non-monetarily devalue over X amount of time. Well, is a guitar still worth it in 2022? What about drums? A Digitakt is a sampler and instrument, so it should in theory be timeless. I mean, a Juno is still as sought after as ever. Even if it's just in the thumbnail, it still contributes to a big problem that CZcams and social media has - which is contributing to the ADHD of the world. Small sample sizes over and over again and now not only are we feeding you with content in small bite sizes, but our videos ask a question of is this thing that came out a few years ago already obsolete? Which further contributes to the attention span of everyone - because it creates a stigma and illusion to the youth that they have to keep buying the latest and greatest of things to make something feel of value or worth.
For the record, this question helped me and did not seem tech grabby for me. As musicians we are looking for equipment that can help express our ideas and generate a living and technological advancements bring new competition for our dollars. The Digitakt has been out for a few years and the groovebox space has grown with new arrivals. Most of us can not have everything we want and have to choose. I have a Digitakt and have grown to enjoy its obvious benefits. I have wondered however if I might be able to create and perform music easier or more effectively with a MPC One or LIVE 2. This video was helpful for me. Peace.
I don't think the problem you're talking about comes from synth youtubers, but rather from companies that build limited gear on purpose. I know the "limitations spark creativity" thing, but the market is made on purpose to leave you unsatisfied. Why can't the volca sample, well, sample, while a tiny calculator like the po-33 can? But why doesn't the po-33 have midi? Awnser:buy both. Then, why does model samples, as well as volca sample have stereo but not the digitakt? Was it that hard to implement stereo sampling to a 1000$ device? Hell, every 1990-early 2000's samplers have it! Awnser: buy both. Actually, better, buy both and the octatrack! Why can't you do basic synthesis easily with mc101? Buy a subscription to aira synth, or buy the mc707 to do basic synth stuff! Still want portability? BUY BOTH!! And so on! Buy, buy, buy! That being said, we are lucky to have cheap gear that sounds good enough that anybody can grab it and get into music production! Synth youtubers do a great job at informing us, but it's up to us to find some workarounds for the limitations we have! I'd take the sounds of the mc101 over any free vst out there, and the workflow is better than doing this with a mouse on reaper lol Basic synth stuff? Volcas are cheap, sequence them to get the job done. You don't even have to buy any of this, just grab a nice computer with ableton! Cheaper: a basic 50$ yamaha synth sequenced with reaper, the cheapest daw out there! Don't let your phone get you out of focus. It's up to you to create music, even if you think it's not good enough. Set yourself small goals! #JAMuary is here, just put something out there, join the party! Gee that was a long comment 😅. Must be my adhd lol
The thing to keep in mind is that devices like this sit right on the edge between musical instruments and consumer tech. Good instruments stay good forever, but sometimes a piece of tech with more features/better interface/better price can come along and make a previous piece of tech less desirable (to some). A video like this is aimed at the prospective buyer, trying to decide if they should get this device or maybe keep looking for something else. Whether something is "worth it" depends on what the person is after, so I like it as a way to frame a review. I hate consumerism too, so in my mind, the best way to counteract it is to help people make informed purchasing decisions. Ideally, after watching a few of my reviews, someone can get something that works well for them and then ignore the rest.
About the title and thumbnail, there's an art to making the envelope around a piece of content appealing without making it misleading. Veritasium did a pretty detailed video about it, called "Clickbait is Unreasonably Effective", going into various types and what the results are for each. Some are sensationalized and/or misleading, and make people feel justifiably angry. Others are accurate but boring, and nobody clicks it. The balance is somewhere between, and it's not an easy balance to achieve. I don't feel that Gabe goes into "justifiably angry" clickbait territory, but that classification can be different for each viewer. As for consumerism, videos like this one help avoid it by focusing on older items instead of always covering the newest stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if at least a few dozen people decided to dust off their old Digitakt due to this video, instead of buying something new.
Because it’s core use is as a drum machine. Why would you want stereo drum samples? Effects and output are stereo. I use mine a lot for vocal phrases, still don’t miss stereo sampling. Actually I don’t like stereo tracks on the Octatrack as ping pong delays don’t work anywhere near as well.
This is aimed at someone new to the device... My guiding rule when writing reviews, explainers, etc, is to make the video I wish I had when I was getting into that thing. This is that video. It's not really aimed at advanced users, although some might enjoy it as "young guy with lots of groovebox experience tries a thing and brings a new perspective to it." Plus, this was HIGHLY requested by regular viewers of the channel.
Before anyone comments about it, yeah I filmed this in late 2021 lol. This is meant to apply to 2022 onwards, good instruments don't go bad!
No problemo! Still a good review
EXACTLY! Their Machinedrum SPS-1UW MKII is still a highly sought device and holds its price.
Dude, you're getting unbelievably good at structuring your videos and showcasing gear! It's awesome to see you grow as a content creator along with your channel 💕
Thanks so much! I've been putting extra time into making the reviews as tight as possible lately so I'm you're digging them.
So happy to see you diving in to the Elektron world. Welcome! Circuit 'pro' is exactly the feeling I got when I compared the two. Lots of similarities with a lot deeper levels. Thanks for the great content!
My favourite creation device ever. Had since first launched. So many happy accidents. The one I keep returning to.
Great vid presentation 👌
This came out right as I’m about to get one. Needed this!
at 1:32 you have given voice to what I realized is one of the most important things about the instruments I'm drawn to, put into words perfectly!
GAS was hitting me hard. Then I counted the number of times limitations were used in this video and the cost of the device. Excellent looking kit and well done video. It’s a no for me dawg. Thank you for saving me money. Job well done. Someone else will be on the flip side. Beauty of this space! Keep up the great work.
Between your videos on this unit and your MPC One, MC-101 and Circuit stuff, I'm always learning and head nodding. Keep up the great work. Also, your latest release is a jam. I've been listening to it a few times through on a pretty regular rotation. 👊🏾🖖🏾
Elektron should be paying Gabe to promote this thing! Good review, some of the more advanced features are explained very well too!
My favorite piece of hardware
I feel like the limitations of the elektron boxes are pretty well thought out
Really wanted the takt when it came out, and still think it is an excellent device, however the MPC One gives me more than enough on all these points (maybe not conditional trigs, but I'm sure there is a workaround). Infact ,the "one" is overwhelming for a noob like me.
I love my Digitakt, it's such a powerful, versatile box! I use it very often as a monophonic sampled based synth, which is super cool.
To mangle sounds and create beats, it's always a very pleasing experience, and once you get used to its sequencer (Elektron's conditional triggers make a huge difference) and general "device architecture",and you can get pretty good results in quite a short time too (then of course, you can get mad and tunes every detail as you wish).
The 2021 firmware update with the additional LFO, external input mixers, etc... was just amazing and pushed few steps further the capabilities this magik box!
I love your videos and your reviews. I have a Digitakt and Digitone and have wondered about switching to an MPC even though I do love its speed and immediacy. I have wondered whether it still was the device to move forward with. Trig conditions do create very interesting solutions and I don't see any other product with those offerings. Your review has helped me to feel comfortable with sitting tight for now. Peace.
Nice review! I was waiting for it!
Was gonna reward myself for completing Jamuary with this piece of gear - wasnt sure which groovebox I should dive into but you've sealed it for me now :)
Nice use of the digitakt, I enjoyed your beats.
Best sounds ever!!! Unreal!!
The comments over the light bar is a nice touch!
Really would have loved the MPC one so much more if it would have this kind of screen experience.. Where the filter would each time would be in the same place etc etc, no fancy graphics the screen just for information purposes... Then it could also be have the size and there could have been a lot more knobs for hands on control
As you say it's absolutely worth it in 2021. I think it will be relevant in 2022 as well.
Some advanced tips that are worth pointing out and almost turn it into a new machine:
Function/Green Trigs -
czcams.com/video/lSlhf-B9QjY/video.html&ab_channel=OscillatorSink
Midi Loopback/Additonal LFOs -
czcams.com/video/EL_6c4bGm0s/video.html&ab_channel=59Perlen
Now go and buy yourself a Digitone... you will love it.
You forgot timestretching and pitch shifting!
I’ll love to see you do a MC101 and Digitakt jam session
Gabe, you may have addressed this in a different video so I apologize if I missed it, but based off of your experience, in your opinion, if one has the MPC One, do you think getting either the Elektron Dig or Synt would be worth it? I see a ton of overlap, in fact, it seems like MPC One can do everything and more, but I could be wrong, what say you?
Great review! Thanks :)
I have my Digitakt about a year now and im only getting used to the basics. I play it nearly every day,, maybe I'm just a slow learner
How would you compare the Digitakt vs the MPC one, or theModel Samples?
An emphatic YES!
I’m seriously thinking about getting another one.
WILL be waiting for new video about Mc101! Thank you
It should be out next week! A lot of it will be familiar if you've seen a lot of my MC-101 videos, but it'll hopefully still be helpful.
@@GabeMillerMusic ✋🙏
Gabe: excellent channel, style and reviews!!
Just to share my opinion with those interested in this musical instrument: I think the Digitakt is essentially a digital drum machine with sampling capabilities (for the one-shot type, mainly)... but with an exotic set of features that make it such a versatile electronic instrument that it is often mistaken for a GrooveBox or a DAW-Box.
Digitakt or LXR - 02 Drum Synth. Which one is better companion for Digitone?
It’s not a digital drum machine tho, there is no synthesis engine onboard (unless you count single cycle wave forms)
9:23 CORRECTION - you kinda can - if you use multiple samples and LFO for changing the sample slot :)
How does it compare and live up to the Novation Circuit Tracks and Rhythm?
Pls update the Digitakt review if you get a chance
Any plans on getting your hands on a SP404 MKII?
how do you access the mixer view? like the syntakt has
I got a Digitakt before I got my MPC One. Its a beautiful device with a great workflow. But its made for a very specific purpose: step sequencing drum tracks and twiddling knobs on patterns. All the other features are boni, like the extensive midi sequencing features it has. For 'general beatmaking' its not the right tool (or you could say 'overpriced'). Probably a Digitone would even be better there for the great FM engine. But if you perform drumloop based, knobtwiddly music, I'm sure its absolutely fantastic. I still have mine standing here because I just love the industrial design so much and hope I'll find a proper purpose for it.
Any way to have retrig sounds like in model samples or model cycles? they have dedicated botton to do that.
I know that in digitakt it's needed to do with parameters locks. But it's another fast and more intuitive way to do? I am considering between this and octatrack.
I know really well the differences but specifically I have to know if it's possible that functionality in this unit.
Thanks.
did you just say "boni" instead of bonuses!?
I'm honestly just buying this to step sequence out drum loops
And then finish that song in Reasons
So for making RnB/Hip Hop you say the MPC?
I would like to hear how that turns out
I’m trying to record my voice as drum sounds into the digitakt like a “PUH” for kick and “Tts Tts” for hats.. but what mic do I use a condenser, dynamic a recorder or what?
Short answer, yes!
Song mode now.
can I use one of these as the brain for a roland electronic drum set?
I sold my Digitakt and got a Verselab instead, best thing I ever did. The Verselab does everything the Digitakt can do and so much more at a better price.
The Digitakt is seems very dated and limited when compared with the Verselab.
Sounds great, not cheap.
i had one and for me it had too much sound design option. It felt like endless tuning. I got an old circuit and that thing's better for me.
Hi, i'm looking to purchase a small hardware music workstation or a groovebox for whenever I go traveling and i want to make a track on the go. which would you recommend the novation circuit rhythm or the elektron digitakt?
For travelling, I'd definitely go with the Circuit Rhythm, it's a lot lighter than the Digitakt and more importantly, it has a built in battery.
@@GabeMillerMusic oh ok cool thanks for your response. I will definitely get it this week. Do you know if Novation is coming out with a newer version of the circuit Rhythm soon?
🔥 🔥 🔥
lots of overlap between the mpc one and digitakt. if mpc one got conditional trigs rather than the layer tricks it can do there'd be little else that the digitakt has on the mpc. I wouldn't be surprised if Akai pulls it out. I think you should have gone for the A4.
For the price, it seems kinda limited compared to the somewhat equally priced MPC One. Especially the limited polyphony and monophonic sample quality look like game breakers to me. But then again, maybe it's better to compare it to an SP 404 MK2 for what it is supposed to do.
Alright. Although SP404 MKII is a quite different machine to compare it to Digitakt which one would you pick?
Apples and oranges. I've tried the MPC X and Live ii. The sequencers and piano roll are clunky and a little annoying to use. They don't really stack up in terms of immediacy compared to the Digitakt and that's not easy to overlook. Elektrons sequencers are unrivaled. If you're looking for slicing and direct sampling, you can't beat an MPC, but if you don't mind loading in the samples via Overbridge (which is very quick and painless, assuming everyone has 700 billion splice samples like I do), the DIgitakt is so fluid in the ways you can mangle the sounds. The first time I picked one up, it felt like riding a bike again even if I'd never used one before. It's a great device.
Also from what I've seen (ever owned the MPC on or digitakt) the Digitakt is much better for live/jamming
They're definitely different. If you're trying to make full songs, you'll probably have a better time with the MPC One, but if you want more of a "traditional" drum machine vibe with a ton of extra features, the Digitakt is a good bet.
I just starting diving into all this stuff again since highschool hoping i could afford some cool stuff unlike highschool. And nope i was wrong, my wallet hurts and I just want all the gear to play with but cant afford hardly anything. Adding this to my growing list
To be fair, you can have a really fun, dynamic setup less and cheaper gear. A Novation Circuit Tracks and two Volcas, for example, or even just one budget groovebox by itself that you can expand later as money allows.
Honestly you could get away with just having an elektron Model cycles or samples. Pair that with a daw and you can do so much.
Still I dont get why the hack mono?
no smooth parameter automation.....sometimes i don't want to think about how my lfo will match up with the one and instead just use my hands..electribe style. other than that....shit hits so hard.
Elektron is the best
Is there a pattern sequencer
Yes. It's got a niche.
Always looked cool, but i decided to get the Octatrack instead.
When they released it you were still in middle school. Sorry, joking, couldn't resist. You look very young.
I bought one for a hundred bucks at a pawnshop
i need to do this
"Traditional staring at a screen" lol
i used mine (brandnew) maybe 10 times for 2 hours (so 20 hours in total) and the paint/coating of the grid-buttons already looks worn off
has anybody else experienced this problem?
First I've heard of this to be honest. Reach out to Elektron? Also (and this isn't an insult at all) - but I have read that some people just have more corrosive sweat/oil naturally. For whatever reason said humans just tend to decay surfaces/textures on things. Ever seen something similar on other devices you've owned?
Fuckin hell, there's always some twat from some unscrupulous organisation spreading doubt. What a fucking this to say, some paint has come off. You should do reviews for Screwfix, there's more of you over there.
I had a strange feeling of deja vu.
No time stretch and monophonic tracks are big deal breakers for me.
Monophonic - yes, time stretching - can be easily done with lfo
Timestretching is possible czcams.com/video/FD_Jtzpy6GE/video.html
I presume you do polyphonic only sampling then. What do you use?
@@Daphoid I don't need polyphony too often, but I like to have the option. I definitely need to have time stretch though. I have a Roland MC-707, which I love. But even though you can do sampling with the 707, I usually use my 1010music Blackbox to do that. It's literally the only thing I use it for. Seriously need to sell that thing. Not a fan...
@@Daphoid I needed a smaller groovebox that I could throw in my backpack and I decided to give Elektron a try. I did not get the Digitakt though. I want to dive into the complicated world of FM synthesis so I bought used Digitone. I've been on it for a little bit and can tell it's probably going to be tough learning a whole new groovebox's workflow. I've been buying mostly Roland stuff lately. I love their workflow and too much other stuff to mention. If I really did the Digitone then I will probably break down and buy a Digitakt. Although that Syntakt is looking like a beast and a half.
question was never "would gabe like digitakt?" but "when gabe buys digitone to pair it with his beloved digitakt ?" :-)))
´
Haha maybe at some point. From the limited stuff I've heard, the Digitone sounds a bit metallic for my tastes, but then again, I've been on a metallic sounds kick lately. We'll see
@@GabeMillerMusic oh mettalic sound is just one tiny spectrum, it's actually most warm-sounding FM synth inever had .. check this track, everything including that bass is from Digitone czcams.com/video/BQqcndQbsao/video.html (Miles has more amazing sounding Digitone-only tracks there, worth to listen)..
@@GabeMillerMusic also this guy has some pretty amazing Digitone only jams where you can hear the wise spectrum of DN sound .. it's trully amazing and inspiring synth.. czcams.com/video/Euzxhm50fLM/video.html
Timestretch update
You can also do timestretching and pitchshifting pretty easily: czcams.com/video/FD_Jtzpy6GE/video.html
You will forget the rest of your gear once you get in touch with Digitakt
Your just scratching the surface
The only reason I never got one is the sound quality. Something is off with it to my ears..
No song mode or the ability to save pattern chains... Unacceptable..
I think if the music CZcams creators got together and decided to stop using tech grabby generic thumbnails, we would carve ourselves out a better community. All that "is it still worth it?" generic headlines do is create a consumerism mentality that things non-monetarily devalue over X amount of time. Well, is a guitar still worth it in 2022? What about drums? A Digitakt is a sampler and instrument, so it should in theory be timeless. I mean, a Juno is still as sought after as ever. Even if it's just in the thumbnail, it still contributes to a big problem that CZcams and social media has - which is contributing to the ADHD of the world. Small sample sizes over and over again and now not only are we feeding you with content in small bite sizes, but our videos ask a question of is this thing that came out a few years ago already obsolete? Which further contributes to the attention span of everyone - because it creates a stigma and illusion to the youth that they have to keep buying the latest and greatest of things to make something feel of value or worth.
For the record, this question helped me and did not seem tech grabby for me. As musicians we are looking for equipment that can help express our ideas and generate a living and technological advancements bring new competition for our dollars. The Digitakt has been out for a few years and the groovebox space has grown with new arrivals. Most of us can not have everything we want and have to choose. I have a Digitakt and have grown to enjoy its obvious benefits. I have wondered however if I might be able to create and perform music easier or more effectively with a MPC One or LIVE 2. This video was helpful for me. Peace.
I don't think the problem you're talking about comes from synth youtubers, but rather from companies that build limited gear on purpose.
I know the "limitations spark creativity" thing, but the market is made on purpose to leave you unsatisfied.
Why can't the volca sample, well, sample, while a tiny calculator like the po-33 can? But why doesn't the po-33 have midi?
Awnser:buy both.
Then, why does model samples, as well as volca sample have stereo but not the digitakt? Was it that hard to implement stereo sampling to a 1000$ device? Hell, every 1990-early 2000's samplers have it!
Awnser: buy both. Actually, better, buy both and the octatrack!
Why can't you do basic synthesis easily with mc101? Buy a subscription to aira synth, or buy the mc707 to do basic synth stuff! Still want portability? BUY BOTH!!
And so on! Buy, buy, buy!
That being said, we are lucky to have cheap gear that sounds good enough that anybody can grab it and get into music production!
Synth youtubers do a great job at informing us, but it's up to us to find some workarounds for the limitations we have!
I'd take the sounds of the mc101 over any free vst out there, and the workflow is better than doing this with a mouse on reaper lol
Basic synth stuff? Volcas are cheap, sequence them to get the job done.
You don't even have to buy any of this, just grab a nice computer with ableton!
Cheaper: a basic 50$ yamaha synth sequenced with reaper, the cheapest daw out there! Don't let your phone get you out of focus. It's up to you to create music, even if you think it's not good enough.
Set yourself small goals!
#JAMuary is here, just put something out there, join the party!
Gee that was a long comment 😅. Must be my adhd lol
The thing to keep in mind is that devices like this sit right on the edge between musical instruments and consumer tech. Good instruments stay good forever, but sometimes a piece of tech with more features/better interface/better price can come along and make a previous piece of tech less desirable (to some).
A video like this is aimed at the prospective buyer, trying to decide if they should get this device or maybe keep looking for something else. Whether something is "worth it" depends on what the person is after, so I like it as a way to frame a review.
I hate consumerism too, so in my mind, the best way to counteract it is to help people make informed purchasing decisions. Ideally, after watching a few of my reviews, someone can get something that works well for them and then ignore the rest.
About the title and thumbnail, there's an art to making the envelope around a piece of content appealing without making it misleading. Veritasium did a pretty detailed video about it, called "Clickbait is Unreasonably Effective", going into various types and what the results are for each. Some are sensationalized and/or misleading, and make people feel justifiably angry. Others are accurate but boring, and nobody clicks it. The balance is somewhere between, and it's not an easy balance to achieve.
I don't feel that Gabe goes into "justifiably angry" clickbait territory, but that classification can be different for each viewer.
As for consumerism, videos like this one help avoid it by focusing on older items instead of always covering the newest stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if at least a few dozen people decided to dust off their old Digitakt due to this video, instead of buying something new.
No
I'll never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever EVER understand why it's mono
Because it’s core use is as a drum machine. Why would you want stereo drum samples? Effects and output are stereo.
I use mine a lot for vocal phrases, still don’t miss stereo sampling.
Actually I don’t like stereo tracks on the Octatrack as ping pong delays don’t work anywhere near as well.
No hardware will help you if you suck.
Super. Der Digitakt ist in der Tat ein unglaublich geiles Teil. Nur frage ich mich was hier grad neues erzählt wird. Nichts. Null. Nothing. Gelaber.
This is aimed at someone new to the device... My guiding rule when writing reviews, explainers, etc, is to make the video I wish I had when I was getting into that thing. This is that video. It's not really aimed at advanced users, although some might enjoy it as "young guy with lots of groovebox experience tries a thing and brings a new perspective to it." Plus, this was HIGHLY requested by regular viewers of the channel.
ohhhh the monophoonic sampling shit succksss. thats a NO for me dawg