These AIN'T Cheap😰 ELEKTRON Digitakt/Digitone - First Impressions
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
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Subjective opinions within, those who do not understand subjective opinion may be excused lol
ALL music in this video is 100% Elektron Digitakt & Digitone
SO, the Digitakt and Digitone have been on my personal "interesting" list for quite a while, Elektron gear has always intimidated me, but here I go...Which one will be right for me if any at all...I realized in figuring out how to make this video that honestly gear is SUUUUUPER expensive...Like together these would have been around $1500. I can't afford that, but let's see if one sparks my interest and I can at least get one.
Nobody gave me monies to make this video.
Also thank you to www.Zzounds.com for providing these! I’ve used their site for years to buy gear. They’re allstars.
Why did I partner with Zzounds you ask? Well, as most of you know the stuff I review on this channel is bought with my own money or been borrowed, no company has ever given me money in exchange for a product review and I refuse 99% of offers. Zzounds approached me and gave me the opportunity to use gear without the company telling me what features to focus on or requiring to review my content before it’s posted, providing me with gear without conflict of interest with the synth manufacturer. That’s HUGE, this channel has remained free and clear from influence for 4 years. I’ll continue to say exactly what I want about gear regardless. Thank you fam!
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"Dude I don't know." A great sign when you talk to gear :)
Hahahaha, I actually really enjoy making these videos because people are so used to me knowing my gear. This is like a treat for me.
oh no he just drop himself into the elektron hole.
That’s one deep hole.
I've actually been intimidated for more years than I can count.
Hello from Elektron hole....mm nice and warm here... :)
Cycles took me into the hole
@@MyAlias9X my first was the model samples, now everything else just doesn't feel right
See you on elektronauts.
I love the Digitakt so much, it's replaced my computer completely. My computer is basically a fancy tape recorder and compressor.
I was lucky enought to get an Octatrack as my first Elektron device and learnt that pretty well, so every other Elektron device seems a walk in the park to learn in comparison. They're all incredibly versatile devices, but its the sequencer that does it for me. I've never known another device to match the creative possibilities of the Elektron sequencers.
Same here, we really dived into the deep end huh? 😅 Eventually I think I'll get myself a digitone but I think a lot of the value is in the sequencer... and if you already have the Octa (the mother of all Elektron sequencers) then if feels like the money is better spent on other gear maybe?
Lmfao you chose the most difficult one to start with 🤣
@@jnee not necessarily, I tried with other gears but sound locks are just too important and special for me
@@jnee Digitones is awesome alright. I went for the keys version as the few extra controls come in handy. Plus saves having to connect a midi controller to it. True about possibly better value in other gear if you already have the OT but I couldn't help myself with the Elektron gear. I'm currently sitting beside an Octatrack mk2, Analog Four mk2, Analog Rytm mk2, Digitone Keys and Digitakt. I may have a bit of a problem.
@@BecomingProductions oh wow that's the dream right there! Haha! For now I think I'm happy sampling stuff into the OT, such a fun workflow and the latest firmware update has made it even more flexible as a workstation
The Digitone+Digitakt combo already is awesome. Really enjoyed watching you exploring these hope there is more to come :)
True Cuckoo made so much sense of these two devices; his tutorials are stellar and I wept with relief when he deciphered the Digitakt for me. Seriously, I cried with relief.
I like the fact that older gear is being discussed in videos. It’s not all about the new stuff for me.
Regardless I own the Model Samples & Cycles and in them selves they are so much fun, but I wanna focus on the Digi’s in this comment...
So basically I’ve had the Digitakt for about a year, and the Digitone showed up yesterday and I’m so thrilled about using both of these units together as one. Together both of these Digi’s are blowing my mind. When I midi clocked and synced up the Digitone to the Digitakt for the first time yesterday, I knew that my inflated purchases where justified. It’s insane how inspiring these two machines are. Add a couple tilt stands, and a KeyStep 37 or something for the Digitone and you got your self an amazing set up. Midi CC out the filter and effects to a couple of knobs on any midi controller for less menu diving. There so flexible. Especially with the new Digitakt firmware update. I could go on forever, but let’s just say I’m totally happy I dropped the loot. I’ll just pretend I went on a cruise ship and the money is already gone. In other words who cares about the money when life is short. One last thing… I’ve owned MPCs, Groove Boxes and all kinds of plug-ins (Reason’s Kong my go to) and nothing has inspired me as much as these 4 units. Especially the Digi’s. Ramble out lol
I am a self confessed Elektron junkie. I've nearly got their entire product line at this point. Digitone Keys is just perfect.
As storyteller and teacher, Steven was in dark glasses, and now in transparent ones he looks like a curious kid who found himself on unknown territory. I wish you happy exploration and many new discoveries, this is one of the best states of mind human can have. Be a kid sometimes, stay curious!
I’m amazed at how deep these are. I have the Digitone, and I’m really digging 4 onboard synths + controlling 4 outboard synths simultaneously. I mostly use synths with breath controllers, and it has been a great sound source for it. Also, the FX are pretty great, so I use it to process external audio as much as I use it as a synth/sequencer.
These two have been the backbone of my setup for a couple of years. The best part about these two is how well they play together.
I’m stoked you got these. I love my Digitakt. I installed a battery mod and take it out to the river on wonderful days and sample everything around me and make organic beats with acoustic guitar and flute.
that sounds amazing!
with what do you record the sounds outdoors if i may ask? which mic do you use?
@@RababaInc I use the cheapest Tascam or Zoom field recorders, then I run a 1/8" to 1/4" cable into the Digitakt. Super quick, dirty, and easy. My personal preference is vibe and grit over pristine sound. If you want pristine then use a better field recorder. I will also record onto my micro cassette recorder and then into the Digitakt. That stuff is really vibey. See the artist Blankforms for more on that subject.
@@gatorgoforth3097 sounds great! i do have a mediocre zoom field recorder
thanks 🌱
i also just ordered my digitakt
stoked to get lost in sonic heaven
Zzounds is the Goat bro I use them for any high end gear I need
i love zzounds. and musicians friend. and sweetwater. and the sound parcel. and alto music. and perfect circuit lol
If you’re in LA you should definitely head to the perfect circuit store (if you haven’t already). Best brick and mortar electronic music store period
@@mylescaldwell4455 I've heard I live in Baltimore so the closest brick and mortar I get with all the stuff I like is in DC called Chuck Levin's that place is gnarly
Agreed, their shipping is super fast and I can't tell you the last time I purchased a gear all at once, I always use the multi payment method.
@@NoirEtBlancVie definitely I got the novation AFX Station, krk studio monitors and a Zoom H4n Pro for the low thanks to them
I love the over all tonality of the Digitone, I need to borrow one so I can sample it into my Mpc Live :)
I love down the road reviews, I actually find them more helpful.
I totally agree, the best reviews to me are the like “one year later” reviews.
Nice review. If Digitakt was stereo I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up. But alas, they made it mono to not compete with the Octotrack. I'll be using my cheap model:samples until then :(
First of all, I absolutely love when people I like and follow post stuff about synths that interest me, no matter how old they are. There's never enough. Secondly, please take off the protective sheet off your screens 😅
Elektron boxes are deep and they do some amazing things on the software side of things. The Analog Four and RYTM mk1 still get new features and software updates almost a decade after their release.
The Analog 4 is such a great little box. I can't believe the used prices on them. I'm tempted to grab a 2nd one.
@@NullStaticVoid There are some hacky ways you could potentially turn two A4s into an eight voice poly. A bit overkill, I think, but a cool concept!
I use a Digitone a ton. Love it. It's my first real foray into FM synths and the versatility really blows me away.
Both of these machines sound absolutely INCREDIBLE !💥🙉💡
Merry xmas bro! You're now officially an elektronaut :) Looking fwd to following your exploration.
Man I just bought myself a Digitone Keys... Loving it!
I‘m excited to see how you dig deeper into the workflow of these machines. I really love the sequencing and performance possibilities these two small machines offer. And: imho, they are built like a tank! Have fun!
I only bought the Digitakt, but it's glorious. Looking to buy the 'tone at some point too.
Just grabbed this dynamic duo this year too - stoked for you & the journey ahead! Thanks for sharing your awesome insights & experiences 🤘🏾🌟🤙🏽
I love watching the experience of figuring these things out. The whole, "what should I do? PRESS it?!..... Whoah🤯" 😄
I turned on notifications to watch these upcoming digi videos. Looking forward to them.
Noir, the first time I saw a video from ur channel was ur microfreak review and at first u seemed very confident in ur video making style and humorous in those reviews but it's also very good that I've now seen you show a lot more of a curious and shy side when you first try out a synth, I feel like this really connects your personality with us the fans 🙂👍
I am excited for you getting these! One thing I will say as a Digitone user is that one of the most powerful sound shaping tools in that box is the LFO page. It's very powerful and you can take a ho hum sound and really come up with some crazy stuff you would not have expected; especially when you modulate between the x and y layers.
I was afraid of those machines for a while . Last year Digitone game into my life ... and suddenly since today also the digitakt . Somehow extremely powerful machines in such a small box and very portable at the same time
Stoked to see you check these out. I haven’t tried a Digitone yet but I love my Digitakt.
Digitakt also works great as a synth by looping single cycle waveforms.
Dude I just want to say thank you I just started watching you and you are great! An asset to the industry
Looking forward to your digitone sound pack lol
HAHAHHAHAHAAHAH
@@NoirEtBlancVie lol 😆
I love my digitakt, can't wait to see what you make with these.
Watching you struggle with the workflow brought back some fond memories 😅
Love your show! Such warm and retro feels, in a good way.
Thank you!
I have wanted a Digitone for quite some time, they sound great to me. Would love to have you show us around the Tempest a little more if the mood ever strikes you!
been considering a digitone to pair with my digitakt for quite a bit now. this video of you fumbling around did it for me, just bought it.
You are a super creative guy, so looking forward to what you can do with these! I think there is quite a large group of people where anything Elektron is an evergreen topic, similar to videos on the OP-1.
Dude! Welcome to the elektron world! Just a matter of time before the craving for the analog four and octatrack sets in, lol. It’s a wonderful rabbit hole of sound exploration to get lost in bro, enjoy!
You are a treasure my friend! Happy Holidays!!
Button turner! (Happy Solstice! 😎)
when I see one of your presentations show up, and if the product is of interest to me I will view it asap. For me the reason is simple...I know that I'll be hearing a honest and factual opinion that I know I can trust. For that I thank you. Peace...
Currently selling both on eBay 🤪 both great but have moved on to an MPC One and Minilogue XD which are much more suited to my workflow. Takt is great but always found the 4 bar loops too limiting. The Tone is just too unwieldy. FM is good but just too easy to make a sound that hurts your ears 🙉
Look forward to more vids. I love my Digis they are modern machines that have a different approach in a world where people want the classics.
Wait until you get into Overbridge! Each is a soundcard as well.
Digitakt stock sounds are useful, but the magic really happens when you sample/resample.
You’ve taken your first step into a larger Elektron world. Enjoy and have fun!
I like that your channel is not a sales channel.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch, you start taking too much free stuff from companies, they start expecting things. I don’t wanna play that game. I wanna create content, all I need is the ability to borrow gear.
@@NoirEtBlancVie Indeed. What I miss in lots of these channels is transparency. Can they keep the gear? do they get a discount? Sometimes it is indirectly paid advertisement through such things. And then I am not sure, if the opinion is positively affected by the need to keep a healthy sales-relationship to these companies... or if its honest.
@@audiooooooo I agree, and I noticed this early on when I was offered a IK Uno and $250 in exchange for a review, but I was told “focus on the positives”, that was in 2017. So yeah, I don’t judge anyone, BUT, transparency is important. So yeah, Zzounds let’s me borrow this stuff, I don’t keep it, they do not pay me and I am not obligated to shout them out, though I do because I’m grateful. The companies IE Elektron doesn’t have any contact with me and no one reviews the videos before I make post them. That said, Zzounds has different deals with other creators and some of them keep the gear they request, I just chose not to because I don’t want a bunch of crap. It’s more trouble getting rid of it than it’s worth and doing giveaways isn’t as easy as it used to be due to regulations. So I end up, with a house full of gear I’m not going to use if I agree to keep it. That’s my stance. I just wanna make music and create content, I don’t need to be given gear to accomplish that. If YT was my full time job maybe I’d have a different perspective, but as it’s not I’ll buy the gear I want and make the videos when I want. New gear is pushed by companies and I’m rarely interested in new products, Zzounds let me get whatever I want, so I appreciate them. Sorry for the long ass post, just I know where you’re coming from.....I’m a consumer too, I watch channels and while I don’t mind a sponsorship and know they need to make money for their hard work, I know how the game can be played, and relationships with companies aren’t well explained. I have the best relationship with Sequential, like I’m friends with Dave and the people at the company, but I’ve never got one free thing from them.
Get them both, you won't be sorry!
If I gauge it correctly, this is your first go on Elektron stuff and as such, you're doing pretty well.
Fell in love with the digitone at first hearing,never looked back, in fact gotta grab a keys whenever possible!
Now all you need is an Octatrack as mixer, resampler, looper and you're good to go.
Jesus, is that what the octatrack does? I really never understood it’s purpose or function. I might be interested now...
Octatrack is a deeeeepppp rabbit hole. Just got one about a week ago 🤯 every day I find myself learning about something ELSE it can do 👌🏽
3:55 with that tame impala vibe
Yeeeah boiiii!
Honestly, I think you‘ll be fine. These are similar situations like what you described with the Tempest.
Sit down for a while and really go through the manuals.
Having owned both (but switched Digitakt for an Octatrack), a lot of magic lies in the sequencer for me.
Also what is cooo about Electron Gear: once you know one, you‘ll understand the rest very quickly.
Love it man. Innocent excitement. 🎵🎶🎼
Mén, this combo makes it so easy & fun to make music.
It's so productive, but feels like play.
I basically use them as sketchpads.
When I'm happy with a Bank, record them live in the studio & BAM a whole bunch of new Tracks ready to become Songs :D
I see the combo as my 'mini studio' and I've never made so much music so quickly.
Enjoy.
Great vid, ive been thinking about picking these up for a long time now
Great first impressions! Was recently deciding between the Digitone and the Lifeforms SV-1 (upon your hearty recommendation!) Went with the SV-1 because I really just wanted a box full of warm beefy bass potential. However sometimes I do hear some impressive low end in the Digitone so looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts.
how do you like the lifeforms
You gotta check out the Digitone keys. I picked one up because I got a great deal on an open box unit. The keyboard makes it much more intuitive to use over trig keys. Plus you get buttons for Arp and Hold as well as pitch and mod wheels.
Mapping FM synth params to these two wheels makes it a very expressive instrument! I'd also go so far as to say it's the most hifi sounding of all the Elektron boxes I own. 10/10.
The only downside is that I want a bigger mixer so I can bring out all 4 stereo pairs on their own channel. Elektron is great for mixer manufacturers.
I want to see more of you on the digitone. It's an amazing machine.
Once you get the structure of them, you will make some really great sounds. I have never used the Digitakt, but what I know about the Digitone so far is really great. Glad that you got them before Christmas lol
I think the Digitakt would be my "Desert Island" drum machine/sequencer/synth. It samples, you can load your own, and can mangle them to death and back, plus it has audio tracks. It's fairly small and lightweight, will fit in a large handbag or backpack. Anyway, looking forward to seeing what you do with it and the Digitone. :)
To be honest, I don't follow your channel very much, and although I had the impression that in this video you are not showing much, I wished again I had a Digitone. And that is your fault, you almost sold me one :P. Just after opening it, it sound so clean and crystal beauty comes out of it. I own a digitakt and yeah, they are not cheap, but I enjoy it very much and they complement each other. And they are so versatile, so much posibilities that you can spend years without using functions that you still have.
DUDE! Those are my dream instruments! I have a Model:Samples and it is powerful as fxxk! I can't wait to make the jump to those eventually.
I've never heard you say 'I've got no idea...' so many times in a gear vid lol. Don't get discouraged by how peculiar ('user unfriendly') the interface feels at first, give it a couple of hours to familiarise with it and everything will start to make sense. Detailed tutorials by other youtubers helped me a lot at the start (mainly in avoiding to have to go through the manual). And the good news is, as you said, digitone/digitakt is then the exact same thing, learn one and you more or less know how to use the other. It's worth it imho, brilliant powerful little thingies.
I'm looking at you, and I see myself finding instruments to replace the "instrument that shall not be named" . The two you have chosen are really good! I considered them at one time as well. The "jack of all trades" is great, and unique, and historic in its own way. But the bar has been raised so high since its release that newer, more focused, tools get the job done better. That being said, I can't bring my self to sell it either. It will always have a place some where in the studio. The new babies are a great fit for your style of music. I appreciate the strategic, deliberate, and measured approach you've taken to building your studio.
I got a used Digitone yesterday, love it.
I use the takt/tone too, such a great combo. I have the tone as the brain, and my takt midi controls 4 meris pedals for dynamic effects. Once I started using them as the midi sequencers/brain for my set up I realized the price is totally justified
never really figured out what the digitakt is all about, are you using it as a midi sequencer? how does it shine? I got one but I mainly use it to sketch songs in nature.
@@naturecollision Sequencer and drum machine basically, but really capable as both :)
I have the takt and some Meris pedals. How are you running your midi to them? Midi box and trs cables?
@@sjkentucky meris sells a midi to trs box, it's great
@@naturecollision I have the tone/takt controlling multiple synths including my Roland boutique, sh-01a, with midi cc mapping I can control the sh-01a filter on a per step basis. Same with my midi effects pedals, I can queue things on a pe step basis, x8 that's alot of control from one box.
Try the Sequencer!!! And if these devices intimidate you, never approach the Octatrack 😅
I’m already in a world of hurt trying to learn these at the same time 😓
Noir Et Blanc Vie wait until you get a load of the Analog Rythm mk 2
elektrons user manuals are really thorough and well written. just saying
They are fun grooveboxes with only one limitation that I don't like. The sequencers won't record pitchbend and mod wheel data from a keyboard. You have to use the knobs and parameter locks which is quite fiddly IMO but you'll often make some "good" mistakes.
I setup and use a Novation Launchkey 37 exclusively with my Digitone + Digitakt setup because I don't like playing switches and it works out great!
Thank you for your stuff!
Connect a keyboard to the Digitone and you've got the most beautiful organ and string sounds you can imagine at your fingertips.
Well I got Digitakt this year too. Sometimes it worth to wait to get opinions and decide if it really worth getting. I think both Digis are nice.
Props to zzounds! I am planning on writing a short guide for people casually borrowing the DT and DN, can I send you a draft to get your feedback?
i have the digitakt and the digitone keys , love them
Digitone hmm. I’ve had mine for a year And I’ve only really realised it’s potential for me recently - now I have a lot of gear so plenty of distraction but still it’s a curious synth and sort of hidden in plain sight - for me the strength of this thing is in the combination of synth and sequencer it’s helpful to view the sequencer as part of the sound rather then something that triggers your sound
Can you make a full video with digitakt please
enjoy
I guess "expensive" is subjective. Elektron still updates and supports the Octatrack that was released a decade ago.
yeah like others say, if you just use the digitakt for example, as just a drum sampler, then yeah it's a bit expensive but using it as a heart of a setup, to control MIDI etc, it's much more justifiable.
OK where's part 2? :) If you actually spend time with these you are in for a world of exploration. I only have the digitakt and it is so much more than just a drum machine. Honestly it's probably good that you got them now versus when they first came out. They have added a lot of cool features since they came out that make them so much better. Spend some time with them on your own, read the manuals (as boring as it sounds they explain pretty much everything) and head over to elektronauts.com and check out the digitakt/digitone sections for tips/tricks/discussion
Enjoy!
I'm always excited when I see the Elektron boxes. Despite the GAS, I probably wouldn't buy the Digitakt because I have the Synthstrom Deluge, but If not counting the iPad, I don't have any FM synth... 🤔
How do you find the famous Elektron clickiness?
I think the Digitakt is pretty competitively priced compared to other grooveboxes. I see how expensive stuff is from Roland and others, and how they don't approach the build quality of the Digitakt.
Very usable sounds...the question is....how is the learning curve?
H A R D (ok not really, but NOT what I’d call “fun”...)
@@NoirEtBlancVie haha same reason I’ve been apprehensive about jumping on board the Elektron bus! I was wondering what’s the best device to get my feet wet and I still always come back to these two. How about the over bridge? Do you think that makes it a little easier on the learning curve?
The Digitakt sounds amazing but has a serious learning curve (at least for me). Never been a fan of FM and the Digitone is no exception.
I wouldn't call them cheap but around €600 for a Digitakt isn't that bad once you consider sampling capabilities and built in FX...as the sequencer.
Negative about Digitakt is mono sampling and only one pair of stereo outs.
I like how you pronounced it like "Digital" rather than "Dig."
It seems like it would make more sense to call it "Digi-Takt" or "Digi-Tone" as they are digital devices. The amount of people that call it "Dig-itakt" and "Dig-itone"... I don't care if that's how the people at Elektron call it that it sounds wrong lol.
the digitakt is as good as the samples you put in it.
I want to see part 2, 3, 4....
Love the digitakt more than any other piece of gear I have but just don't like the digitone at all, weird opinion I'm not sure I belong to any group.
Got my digitakt from zzounds too
Nice, I think I'll go digitone, but it's too early to tell. I'm just trying to get out of my comfort zone so I should go with the Digitakt, $700 though....
@@NoirEtBlancVie Exactly, It took me years before i truly consider buying the digitakt. I had sort of
Forgotten about it because of the price. Then one day I found myself on zzounds and thought “do they have digitakt’s” boom rest is history...
Actually just finished paying for it recently in a few months. I now own a digitakt 😂
Everyone knows they are brilliant machines, for some odd reason the price rang is intimidating.
@@NoirEtBlancVie currently have the Digitakt. I owned the Digitone. It sounds great but I’m really digging the simplicity of the Model Cycles for FM stuff. Try the Octatrack though 🤯🤯🤯🤯
@@JoJo_makes_music sick!
I’ve had the digitakt for about a year. It took a while to understand the workflow. I put it to good use but I’m starting to think there is nothing I can’t do in ableton that it can do. It’s pretty expensive for a tactic experience. I might sell it for eurorack gear.
I like the sound, the size, the company, don’t mind the price ... but I’ve watched many videos and the UI and workflow puts me off
You'll need to learn digital synthesis really well to get what you want off of the Digitone
First video where I feel like the Digitone actually sounds usable. I own a Digitakt and I feel you on the pricing but the midi sequencing has become essential to doing dawless live with the 8 midi tracks!!
Christmas presents'??
A Comment for support :)