It’s not an update it’s a new machine. As a DT1 owner I’d be happy if they were able to just add stereo to DT1. But they didn’t so I’m pissed off and going to angrily give them money.
I need to answer this...Digitakt is great..u guys miss out all the fun and perfect for live setups...its limited, i know. But i make great tracks with it..and still one of the better samplers..great midi device too
@@tobi-y7862 I need to answer this - a fair point… I think my issue was initially the steep learning curve which I got over, but my main issue was that most track builds used all 8 slots, mono, the delay / reverb was the only way to make stereo (sensibly) and then you hit the ceiling unless midi’d to other toys. Then it becomes a mixing nightmare as it’s just 2 outputs. The new DT2 should address a lot of the issues for me, as I really want it to be standalone.
I can't comprehend how you carry yourself that way and how people find this relatable? These machines go deep but are incredibly easy to dive into and get lost and find your own path.
As long time octatracker mk2 I will say that whole video my eyebrows was up - so much pain and impossibilities on octatrack they solved here, and I’m not overreacting, just cold minded conclusion. Thank you for deep tutorial!
@@bernardlindeman739 I’m aware of that, Ive owned a MachineDrum since the first year they were produced and it had the same functionality, to which I assume you are referring.
@@bernardlindeman739 I bought a Machine Drum the first year they came out and Im aware it has the same ability, I suppose that is what you’re referring to. Now if they excluded it on the first version of the Digitakt due to greed is debatable, however I would assume it was nothing more than the fact that it was a design they thought people would like…. 8 sample and 8 midi.
An MPC60 from 1987 had four separate midi outs, each with 16 channels. Thats 64 poly midi channels. Confuses me why Elektron locks down so many machines with ultra limited midi channels.
As a Digitakt OG owner, I think the Mk2 is a great update, some of my fav features are the euclidean mode, and of course the extended pattern range to 128 steps and not to mention the 16 tracks for sampling, although, does it make me want to upgrade, probably not at this point, what would have been great is, and this is just my opinion, an internal battery, making this truly portable. I must say, the one update i am really looking forward to, if there is one, is the Octatrack v3. great video as always.
@@StatetrooperBillyBillhm unfortunately the install on a syntakt would be more risky due to less space, higher power consumption and more heat. I’ll get a powerbank instead.
I hope some of the less cpu intensive QOL changes can be ported to the digitakt 1. I will get one, but there is nothing so far that makes me NEED one right now. That pleases me and my growing debt burden.
Thank you! You just saved me $1000. I have an original and I think these updates are great but don’t justify the cost of an upgrade. Awesome for new users though. A lot of these features could have been a firmware update. I wonder if some will make it back to the original digitakt.
My pleasure - I aim to tell it like it is! BTW I don't think stereo, double the polyphony, more RAM/storage and mods can be firmware updates... but this certainly doesn't make the original less capable
Thanks for your clear overview as usual.. of course this is not a perfect sampler and there will be never a perfect one.. but some very great comb in a box here.. ordered one today.. ps : im a mpc 60 user limitation open up creativity… people don’t realise how machine are so powerful nowadays 😃
Great breakdown as usual! Thank you! I've owned the Digi 1 since the early days and have been quite happy with it but always had the shortcoming in the back of my mind. This 2nd version really becomes a very mature product and a very versatile tool for studio as well as live PA and amazing bang for buck in my opinion.
From random rumor I didn't pay much mind too earlier this week/last week - to a Loopop video in my feed after work? Nice. On the list it goes for possible future consideration.
Ha. I just bought an sp404mk2 thinking that was my best option for getting steel samples into my sampling rig. Excited about this but also loving the sp
I wish they implemented buffers on the digitakt like they have on the OT. Live sampling into buffers and chopping/sequencing them on thr fly makes the OT a true instrument.
Nice. I went the route of keeping my DT 1 ( for drums duties now ) and getting an OT mkii for start/end chops and stereo sampling and that dope crossfader. Cant believe the thing is 13yrs old, its the shit
solid update, really looks great! however without some kind of decent polyphony implementation (group tracks, manipulate sample across them) it's a no from me. no manual sample slicing is also a bit of a bummer.
I'm fine with my old Digi though - it's pretty capable, I barely need more features as at the end of the day I also have Syntakt, Akai Force, Ableton and bunch of VST synths :)
Ye I’d bet money there’s still an OTIII just beyond the horizon. The DT and OT fulfill significantly different use-cases. I just hope the next OT has full overbridge support!
Nice review and tutorial! Thanks for sharing. One thing I noticed was for the "conditions" were updated with new features however the max is still only 8:8 I was hoping to see maybe them give us a 12:12 or even 16:16, considering we can now utilize longer samples and now have up to 128 steps! 😢
This reminds me of how good the Deluge is... they managed to ditch all these weird esoteric constraints/workflow to create something more capable and useable.
If you primarily use elektron devices and have molded your brain around that workflow and all the weird quirks, then the Digitakt 2 will be amazing. For all other cases, I think the Deluge is the best all-around device in this category. I've used the elektron stuff, the polyend stuff, and the akai stuff... all of them have clunky constraints and weird rough edges that the Deluge somehow doesn't have 🤷♂️
MPC is dang good too, but sometimes it feels too much like a tablet running a DAW, so I see the appeal in Elektron stuff for sure, and that's why I got an Analog Rytm. That inspires different things vs the Polyend Play vs the MPC vs sitting at a computer vs banging on the Nord Drum.
All I want is manual slicing like in the OT and almost all of its competitors. Grid mode is not the same. I like it but if it doesn't have manual slicing I don't need it.
Yes - that was a weird oversight. The grid mode is perfect for millisecond-tight quantised beats, but quickly becomes a mess with looser or shuffled beats, triplet fills, etc etc.
As an original Digitakt owner, this new one is definitely a nice upgrade... but the upgrades don't fix most of the issues I had with the original. It takes me forever to start, compose, and finish a song on my Digitakt, compared to other devices. So it's hard to imagine myself choosing an Elektron device again, especially considering how much more its competitors offer for the same or lower price.
For me, the killer is that the UI is basically the same. The extra stuff is nice but nothing compared to the benefit that rethinking the entire interface would have, especially if they employed a competent designer rather than the deranged lunatic with a profound hatred of Elektron customers responsible for the first one. At the end of the day, it's just a very basic tracker obfuscated by a ridiculous interface. Think i'd rather have 5 Circuit Rhythms - cost the same, does 95% of the same stuff but with 40 individual tracks and, yay, an actual useable workflow. Edit: Five Polyend trackers would work too, would do so much more.
To really be at home with these machines a level of discipline, preparation and determination that is unlike what is typically required (from tools that are less advanced or more streamlined) really matters. What you get in return for your energy investment is an access to a "system" that allows you to generate extremely personalized intricate results that would otherwise be effectively inaccessible. I don't believe the problem you're experiencing is due to a flaw with the machine's design itself. It seems like it might have more to do with the level of preparation that you're willing/expecting to put into your tools before actually composing. If you want to really "integrate" that machine and get a positive experience out of it, I suggest considering splitting your music making sessions entirely to focus either on your setup/preparation/building a strong cohesion with your sounds (and then taking a 30 to 60 minutes pause or calling it a day completely) OR composing. When your setup is already cared for, the next time you start your session your preparation time is basically zero and your mind can focus strictly on composing and being spontaneous, with sound design taking more of a backseat and requiring less "mental bandwidth". If you can manage to enjoy your preparation process just for the sake of it (be Zen while doing it really!), and to build a more intimate connection with each sound you choose, without the urge for "producing" something, your dynamic with your Digitakt might change dramatically for the better and over time you might become much more efficient at setting your Digitakt up. It's VERY EASY to feel like we have to absolutely "produce" something or otherwise we might feel like we didn't get the "kick" we were looking for out of our session which often causes frustration, but clinging onto such emotions is unfortunately a symptom of a slave mentality. If you can't see yourself even considering something like that, perhaps letting go of the Digitakt entirely might just be the right thing to do, as these machines definitely are not for everyone and that's neither good or bad.
@@andesneko You're right about the Elektron workflow. For me, it's work but not flow. So I switched to a Force and I'm loving it. I can go from a song idea to a demo before breakfast, while on the Digitakt the same thing would take most of the day. Then the Force has all the tools I need to finish the song, while on Digitakt I'd have to record into a DAW and do that stuff on a computer. On a Force, I tap in a tempo, hit record, then hum or beatbox an idea into clips real-time, occasionally tapping a new row to split it into scenes during recording. Then I convert that to instrument tracks, by playing real-time while recording midi. Add drums, also real-time, and mute the original voice track. Maybe scroll through some patches to pick sounds I like, or record some tracks from external gear. Adjust mixing and fx, then perform the clips into an arranger. Then render it down to a .wav, mount the Force's hard drive over wifi from my computer, copy the .wav, and encode to .mp3. The whole process takes like 40 minutes, and it doesn't leave me stuck in a single-pattern loop wondering what to do next.
interesting.. for me its the opposite. Digitakt interface lets me jam without thinking about the interface and UI at all. One of the only bits of gear where I go in to a zone and then realise ive been making a tune for 2 or 3 hours 🤣
I am old school... I have my Ensoniq ASR-10 rack in front of me and on top of my Access Virus Ti2, it weights a ton but I work faster than on the Digitakt. I would like one probably but I am not a friend of menu diving. I am old school, I play the instruments, I am not looking for the features to play for me.
And I thought I wouldn't see this for a week or a month. Hopefully they beef up the AR and make a 3 with all these extra channels and super fun stuff. I don't care if they just have 8 analog channels but 16 total.. would be amazeballs with all the extras on the new digi
If only they add track grouping so you can play polyphonically and make changes to all instrances of the sample at the same time, I'll finally buy it as a MC707 killer
If I were to upgrade it would be for the OT!! P.S. It's already been a month and no update for the OG. I hope Elektron is not giving up on it, so far they have a tradition of supporting the OG users when it comes to the rest of their line.
You had me at the unwritten rule for the cowbell 😂. Cool stuff and thank you, as always, for your review. This helps with important decisions about wallet contents for many people. ❤
REALLY now, sampling in mono is no longer possible with a stereo sampler? In any case, can you convert stereosamples to mono in the Digitakt? In any case, can you choose which channel L/R you want to keep after the sampling? If that doesn't work and I have to send my monosamples via the computer to the Digitakt , I'll send the part back. I got it yesterday and just connected it. Wanted to sample, in mono, didn't work. I turned off the box right away. Dude, I was so looking forward to the part, love his little brother, but so... Not with me
While I don't think you should buy something based on future hope, I asked Elektron about this and they said it was on their radar. Obviously that's not a firm commitment, but I'm sure if enough people complain they'll listen, this seems like a trivial one.
@@loopop , thank you for your quick response🍻 If this is improved, Elektron will also get my money. I'm also wondering at the moment when panning, is this real panning or is the other channel just turned down more quieter? Thx for your very good content, regards from Germany.
Deffo more expensive than digi 1. I’m a huge Digitakt user so will upgrade eventually. The main thing I’m missing is multiple outs. Other stuff is nice in terms of improvements.
There is no doubt that the MK2 has made a big step forward. Personally, I hope that some basic functions will be available in Digitakt 1. Such as saving kits, glide or euclidean seq. Great review and summary! Best Regards :)
some of this stuff seems like they could have added to the MK1 via a software update, e.g. the control all routing and (maybe) the compressor routing. This isn't a buy for me, I'm happy with my MKI, maybe some other firmware update will change my mind.
They def could add this simple "sidechain" implementation on MK1. But without it and without multi-outs, the MK1 is rather crippled, despite the workarounds (and they are workarounds). The thing that pisses me off about this is that Elektron COULD do it without much effort, but now that Mk 2 is out and they want it to sell, they won't do it on MK 1. Novation did this kind of crap when MK2 Circuits came out.
@milk_bath: Second that! Can't remember how many times features of a MK2 machine trickled down to MK1 later on. Elektron really is exemplary in this regard. Not cheap machines, but boy do they deliver in the long run!
The pattern at 40:21 shows that Elektron recognizes the need for longer sequences which play themselves, where some parts repeat while others change, like clips placed in an arranger... but unfortunately, that sort of thing still requires some pretty awkward workarounds. It's impressive when demonstrated on a Digitakt, but it _shouldn't_ be impressive. It should be default.
Even with gear insurance, and despite being excellently suited for live play, I’m very reluctant to gig with my elektron gear. It’s very sturdy, but it’s just too expensive and useful to risk taking them out. Which is where something like SP404II comes in. Relatively easy on the premiums if damaged or stolen, I’ve powered mine with lithium batteries. Can easily gig or compose spontaneously. I don’t go anywhere without my SP404II, Tracker mini and Oxi One. All you need is a sound system to plug into to gig at a moment’s notice.
If you need Sp404, Tracker mini and Oxi one to replace Digitakt for your live gig, I would rather take Digitakt alone; fits easily in any backpack, keep it on you.. My most important point for live gear choice would be: which device am I very trained and at ease for playing in front of foreign people. - I wouldn‘t take gear that‘s almost unobtainable like Avalob bassline or Machinedrum
For $1000 I could buy a used MPC 1000 from 20 years ago, that supports stereo samples, has 4 audio ports out, put a 120GB PATA SSD in it, have over a dozen built-in effects, filters, retrofit a battery (which I've done), put in one of several colors of screen, have velocity sensitive pads, 64 tracks/32 of them MIDI, have removable storage (CF cards that are half as big as the internal storage of the DTII), have an easier time adding/changing files without a computer needed, upgrade to JJOS for $100, not have a vendor specific protocol (overbridge) that requires the use of an external DAW AND doesn't give multiple ins/outs to hardware like USB compliant audio does, and STILL have $150 to buy samples with... For $250 more I can SMOKE this device with a new Live II or get a used one for about the same price, or get a used "ONE" for less... I REALLY don't understand what makes the Digitakt II so exciting in this market? You can, spend significantly less and get more necessities, spend less on a used device and get more, spend the same on a used device and get more, or spend more on a new device and get... "it's full of stars" I don't understand who this device is for, or where its market segment is... I suspect this is one of those "Apple Halo" things right?
@@Keugre19 MPC 1000, live II, AND One have “workflow,” a sequencer (that supports more tracks) and overbridge has more problems than it’s worth, and it DEFINITELY isn’t worth $500, 16 tracks, external audio in and out ports, 100 plus gigs of storage… Maybe read what I wrote?
@@Keugre19 I won’t argue with you on workflow. That’s a subjective thing. But my point on overbridge stands. I can go to controller mode in my live 2, and use it with a DAW running MPC as a VST and have the exact same functionality that I could get from using overbridge. Yes, it’s not the same thing, but it’s the same functionality…
I also want to bring up these two facts. The people that want a Digitakt II are mostly going to be existing customers. That means we’re going to see the OG Digitakt for a couple hundred dollars used on Etsy. So if there is something I NEED for overbridge to provide (I can’t imagine what that is, but, my incredulity not withstanding), I’ll spend a couple hundred bucks to have it. The other fact is, the Elektron II would have been revolutionary 20 years ago. It would have been competing in the market ten years ago… Right now the only thing that has been pointed out is that some people like the workflow better… $1000 is a LOT to spend for workflow when you give up more than half of what is considered “minimum features” that you could get two decades ago. The SP-404 MKII costs half as much as the DTII. It can support streaming 4 inputs and 14 outputs via their “digital river.” The 404 has as more effects, 25% less internal storage, has a synthesizer like the DTII, has velocity sensitive pads, more tracks, runs off batteries…. Again, where does the DTII see itself? In ANY direction I go (Yamaha, 1010music, Akai, KORG) I can get cheaper, more portable, more effects, more, more, more…. I think Elektron is counting on their name more than features.
@loopop Looks really good. One thing I find missing is an FX track....... Since they are going all in on the machines idea, they should really implement an FX track as a selectable machine, like the sampler and midi machines. And also I think they should have left the isolator filter as a second filter. Filter 1 is the selectable on and then filter 2 is the HP/LP isolator filter. Anyway.... Really cool thing 🙂
Awesome video man. I’ve always liked Elektron but the hardware always seemed like a riot to use. The little changes in workflow etc have clicked with my brain for some reason in the Digitakt II though so I can finally add them to my ever growing gear list!
These machines are so well thought out. I ain’t have the braining power for this. That’s why I love my simple one knob per function analog synths. I can see the appeal though, very nice instrument!
Great machine! Although still not the improvements I was waiting for: realtime retrigger, solo in mute mode, and direct jump between patterns. Not to mention Scenes! Probably a new flagship sampler is coming...
What does the Octatrack have that the DTII doesn't? Fader, slide trigs, ability to send cue out and metronome to monitoring and not to PA, loops and jumps in arranger mode, more in and outs, looper, anything else?
It’s a good update. It’s almost like they’ve been listening to the community for the last 7 years.
But DT1 owners are not happy now.
@@noizekiller I’m a DT1 owner since launch. I’m fine. It doesn’t change what I can do on my DT.
It’s not an update it’s a new machine. As a DT1 owner I’d be happy if they were able to just add stereo to DT1. But they didn’t so I’m pissed off and going to angrily give them money.
@@noizekiller yeah, down with progress ✊
@@colinbrash are you sure its possible hardware wise?
I want to thank you loopie from the bottom of my heart ❤️ you are amazingly generous with your mastery of everything synth and drum machine
Saw this was leaked last night, woke up to a loopop review. Everything is good in the world.
Except for the wars
Well, time to sell my Digitakt I that I've never used to buy a Digitakt II that I'll never use.
Yeah that sums up my experience perfectly. It was a total pain in the arse, still own it and I still haven't made it integrate with anything
I need to answer this...Digitakt is great..u guys miss out all the fun and perfect for live setups...its limited, i know. But i make great tracks with it..and still one of the better samplers..great midi device too
@@tobi-y7862 I need to answer this - a fair point… I think my issue was initially the steep learning curve which I got over, but my main issue was that most track builds used all 8 slots, mono, the delay / reverb was the only way to make stereo (sensibly) and then you hit the ceiling unless midi’d to other toys. Then it becomes a mixing nightmare as it’s just 2 outputs. The new DT2 should address a lot of the issues for me, as I really want it to be standalone.
Electronic music scene in a nutshell.
I can't comprehend how you carry yourself that way and how people find this relatable? These machines go deep but are incredibly easy to dive into and get lost and find your own path.
As long time octatracker mk2 I will say that whole video my eyebrows was up - so much pain and impossibilities on octatrack they solved here, and I’m not overreacting, just cold minded conclusion.
Thank you for deep tutorial!
like what out of interest?
i went the other way round, digitakt -> octatrack and feel the other way.
I love how you can choose how many midi tracks you want rather than being stuck with eight.
When we forget history, its easy to say that. They long have had the formula, now capitalism is awry at elektron HQ. This is sad.
@@bernardlindeman739 Chill out.
@@bernardlindeman739 I’m aware of that, Ive owned a MachineDrum since the first year they were produced and it had the same functionality, to which I assume you are referring.
@@bernardlindeman739 I bought a Machine Drum the first year they came out and Im aware it has the same ability, I suppose that is what you’re referring to. Now if they excluded it on the first version of the Digitakt due to greed is debatable, however I would assume it was nothing more than the fact that it was a design they thought people would like…. 8 sample and 8 midi.
An MPC60 from 1987 had four separate midi outs, each with 16 channels. Thats 64 poly midi channels. Confuses me why Elektron locks down so many machines with ultra limited midi channels.
That was great. Ordered.
So impressed with the usability upgrades too
And no slicing didn’t stop you? Sampler… in 2024. No slicing.
@@roman13rooms if you think about it more as a drum machine... it is still the most selling elektron ever
I managed to resist the upgrade for 2 days, before faltering. I am proud of my achievement. :-D
I love the clickiness of the buttons on that thing
They stick after a while
Me too, but my wife says she can hear them across the apartment and it drives her crazy 😅
@@vyrvygora I could imagine! Lol I had to get the new Asus keyboard with sound dampening in it for that very purpose
Really? I think they are ridiculous. The rubber buttons on my mc909 and tr6s are much better
@@vyrvygora Have your wife soundproofed. Lag her in baffles. Things are afoot.
Hmmm 🤔 instead of upgrading my Ableton license I might do this 😅 great overview as always ❤
Didn't even have to watch more than 10 mins of this before going to Thomann. Phenomenal update for a legendary machine.
It's sold on Thomann? Haven't noticed.
Good one, I did the same after 5-7 min I guess 🤣
The same.
yea thanks it sold out in a hurry. :P
Also legendary price nearly 1K.
loopop review are the only review worth watching. He goes over everything and isn't just hyping it up he's just giving us facts.
Standard great review. Worth being a Patreon to keep these coming...
Much appreciated!
As a Digitakt OG owner, I think the Mk2 is a great update, some of my fav features are the euclidean mode, and of course the extended pattern range to 128 steps and not to mention the 16 tracks for sampling, although, does it make me want to upgrade, probably not at this point, what would have been great is, and this is just my opinion, an internal battery, making this truly portable. I must say, the one update i am really looking forward to, if there is one, is the Octatrack v3. great video as always.
@@StatetrooperBillyBilli am definitely buying this for my syntakt right now.
@@StatetrooperBillyBillhm unfortunately the install on a syntakt would be more risky due to less space, higher power consumption and more heat. I’ll get a powerbank instead.
I got a USB to 12v cable so I can power my digitone and a controller from a battery bank, it's pretty nice and lasts many hours.
@@StatetrooperBillyBill thanks, I shall explore that for sure!
@@sunsettribe If you build one, use heat shrink and not the plastic battery holders or it won't fit. I did the battery mod. Super easy.
I hope some of the less cpu intensive QOL changes can be ported to the digitakt 1. I will get one, but there is nothing so far that makes me NEED one right now. That pleases me and my growing debt burden.
hardware insturments in todays world is not a need.
Loopop with the digitakt 2 scoop 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Fantastic overview !
"Crossfades for loops to avoid clipping" : thx for saying that loud ;)
Thanks so much for the video! Very interested in this, Digitakt is so fun but the mono samples especially were a real downer.
Ok so questions on external input not covered:
1. Does external input go through master drive?
2. Can you use the compressor bypass on external audio?
Thank you! You just saved me $1000. I have an original and I think these updates are great but don’t justify the cost of an upgrade. Awesome for new users though. A lot of these features could have been a firmware update. I wonder if some will make it back to the original digitakt.
My pleasure - I aim to tell it like it is! BTW I don't think stereo, double the polyphony, more RAM/storage and mods can be firmware updates... but this certainly doesn't make the original less capable
@@loopop totally agree! The new FX, Kit system and the Euclidean stuff could be back ported though.
@@ryanriley8173 Well you would need to know architecture of hardware to know that
Thanks for your clear overview as usual.. of course this is not a perfect sampler and there will be never a perfect one.. but some very great comb in a box here.. ordered one today..
ps : im a mpc 60 user limitation open up creativity… people don’t realise how machine are so powerful nowadays 😃
Digitakt supporting stereo samples : thats enough for me.
FR, digitakt 1 seemed like the perfect sampler, but mono only turned a no-brainer in to a no-way-I'm-spending-a-grand-on-that
@@OttosTheName polyphony > stereo. Even stereo, there is no way I spent more that a grant for a monophonic sampler. Still a show stopper for me.
the future is now 🤣
@@pablobarria296no, the present is now
@@pablobarria296😂 i know & folk still aren't satisfied, i mean back in the day u were lucky to get a couple seconds of sampling!!!
Great breakdown as usual! Thank you! I've owned the Digi 1 since the early days and have been quite happy with it but always had the shortcoming in the back of my mind. This 2nd version really becomes a very mature product and a very versatile tool for studio as well as live PA and amazing bang for buck in my opinion.
It's 5:00 AM and that blew my brain up!! Thanks!!
I see a lot of nice things to come to my Syntakt as well..
Yes! Hopefully!
Such a great, in-depth video! Thank you!
From random rumor I didn't pay much mind too earlier this week/last week - to a Loopop video in my feed after work? Nice. On the list it goes for possible future consideration.
Definitely buying
When he got the filter machines I started looking to see who has them for sale. WOW. I wasn't going to get one, now I have to have one.
...i fast-forwarded to the compressor section (since no multi-outs). With effective sidechain I'm In.
Totally. The sidechain compressor that also squashed the sound that triggered it was infuriating.
I just told my boss to direct deposit my paycheck this week to Digitakt
The compressor update ... finally proper ducking
and it's still just f*cking sidechain taking away the only compressor you have
Very impressive review !
Ha. I just bought an sp404mk2 thinking that was my best option for getting steel samples into my sampling rig. Excited about this but also loving the sp
For playing live they might go well togther
For 999€ they could bother putting voice management to make a track polyphonic. I’m back to DAWs, ciao
if you into hardware for feature rich experience you doing it wrong.
lol… you will be missed 😂
Take care
Value, value, value.... again and again. Thanks for your incomproable quality and delivery over all these all these years!
I wish they implemented buffers on the digitakt like they have on the OT. Live sampling into buffers and chopping/sequencing them on thr fly makes the OT a true instrument.
Nice. I went the route of keeping my DT 1 ( for drums duties now ) and getting an OT mkii for start/end chops and stereo sampling and that dope crossfader. Cant believe the thing is 13yrs old, its the shit
There is SO much good stuff here.
That comb filter looked pretty sweet
You made this faster than I preordered it 😅
Well they sent him the unit so don't feel tooooooo bad... with your new instrument 🤤
Would love to see a Granular sampler added to the machines in the future!
Yes! And a looper!
Correction: Both Polyend machines are cheaper than DT mk2. in the US at least. Great vid as always.
solid update, really looks great! however without some kind of decent polyphony implementation (group tracks, manipulate sample across them) it's a no from me. no manual sample slicing is also a bit of a bummer.
Once i saw the announcement, went straight to youtube. Loopop never fails 😁
I'm fine with my old Digi though - it's pretty capable, I barely need more features as at the end of the day I also have Syntakt, Akai Force, Ableton and bunch of VST synths :)
Waw what an update!
And as always, the best reviewer!
I think now we can forget an Octratrack 3
does it have multiple inputs and outputs??
Its logical man. They improve on what sells
Still not for live sets so dont worry
@@rijksvoorlichtingsdienst4427 why not?
Ye I’d bet money there’s still an OTIII just beyond the horizon. The DT and OT fulfill significantly different use-cases. I just hope the next OT has full overbridge support!
Nice review and tutorial! Thanks for sharing. One thing I noticed was for the "conditions" were updated with new features however the max is still only 8:8 I was hoping to see maybe them give us a 12:12 or even 16:16, considering we can now utilize longer samples and now have up to 128 steps! 😢
Great update, review and demo 👌🔥🤘
This reminds me of how good the Deluge is... they managed to ditch all these weird esoteric constraints/workflow to create something more capable and useable.
Deluge > Digitakt 2 you say?
If you primarily use elektron devices and have molded your brain around that workflow and all the weird quirks, then the Digitakt 2 will be amazing. For all other cases, I think the Deluge is the best all-around device in this category. I've used the elektron stuff, the polyend stuff, and the akai stuff... all of them have clunky constraints and weird rough edges that the Deluge somehow doesn't have 🤷♂️
MPC is dang good too, but sometimes it feels too much like a tablet running a DAW, so I see the appeal in Elektron stuff for sure, and that's why I got an Analog Rytm. That inspires different things vs the Polyend Play vs the MPC vs sitting at a computer vs banging on the Nord Drum.
Sidechain compression can be used also on external input?
Yes page 64 in the manual 🥳
OMG. I still haven't managed to update my Analog Four & Rytm to the MK2 versions, and now this thing appears. My backlog is growing.
All I want is manual slicing like in the OT and almost all of its competitors. Grid mode is not the same. I like it but if it doesn't have manual slicing I don't need it.
Yeah, wild how that wasn’t in this. I use Koala on my phone to sample snd slice before uploading to or sequence from the Digitakt.
Yes - that was a weird oversight. The grid mode is perfect for millisecond-tight quantised beats, but quickly becomes a mess with looser or shuffled beats, triplet fills, etc etc.
Pretty good. I'm tempted to sell my DT to buy one of these, but I suspect in the coming weeks the price of a second hand DT will plunge.
As an original Digitakt owner, this new one is definitely a nice upgrade... but the upgrades don't fix most of the issues I had with the original. It takes me forever to start, compose, and finish a song on my Digitakt, compared to other devices. So it's hard to imagine myself choosing an Elektron device again, especially considering how much more its competitors offer for the same or lower price.
Really?
I guess it's not issues then and the workflow just doesn't work for you.
For me, the killer is that the UI is basically the same. The extra stuff is nice but nothing compared to the benefit that rethinking the entire interface would have, especially if they employed a competent designer rather than the deranged lunatic with a profound hatred of Elektron customers responsible for the first one. At the end of the day, it's just a very basic tracker obfuscated by a ridiculous interface.
Think i'd rather have 5 Circuit Rhythms - cost the same, does 95% of the same stuff but with 40 individual tracks and, yay, an actual useable workflow.
Edit: Five Polyend trackers would work too, would do so much more.
To really be at home with these machines a level of discipline, preparation and determination that is unlike what is typically required (from tools that are less advanced or more streamlined) really matters. What you get in return for your energy investment is an access to a "system" that allows you to generate extremely personalized intricate results that would otherwise be effectively inaccessible. I don't believe the problem you're experiencing is due to a flaw with the machine's design itself. It seems like it might have more to do with the level of preparation that you're willing/expecting to put into your tools before actually composing. If you want to really "integrate" that machine and get a positive experience out of it, I suggest considering splitting your music making sessions entirely to focus either on your setup/preparation/building a strong cohesion with your sounds (and then taking a 30 to 60 minutes pause or calling it a day completely) OR composing. When your setup is already cared for, the next time you start your session your preparation time is basically zero and your mind can focus strictly on composing and being spontaneous, with sound design taking more of a backseat and requiring less "mental bandwidth". If you can manage to enjoy your preparation process just for the sake of it (be Zen while doing it really!), and to build a more intimate connection with each sound you choose, without the urge for "producing" something, your dynamic with your Digitakt might change dramatically for the better and over time you might become much more efficient at setting your Digitakt up. It's VERY EASY to feel like we have to absolutely "produce" something or otherwise we might feel like we didn't get the "kick" we were looking for out of our session which often causes frustration, but clinging onto such emotions is unfortunately a symptom of a slave mentality. If you can't see yourself even considering something like that, perhaps letting go of the Digitakt entirely might just be the right thing to do, as these machines definitely are not for everyone and that's neither good or bad.
@@andesneko You're right about the Elektron workflow. For me, it's work but not flow. So I switched to a Force and I'm loving it. I can go from a song idea to a demo before breakfast, while on the Digitakt the same thing would take most of the day. Then the Force has all the tools I need to finish the song, while on Digitakt I'd have to record into a DAW and do that stuff on a computer.
On a Force, I tap in a tempo, hit record, then hum or beatbox an idea into clips real-time, occasionally tapping a new row to split it into scenes during recording. Then I convert that to instrument tracks, by playing real-time while recording midi. Add drums, also real-time, and mute the original voice track. Maybe scroll through some patches to pick sounds I like, or record some tracks from external gear. Adjust mixing and fx, then perform the clips into an arranger. Then render it down to a .wav, mount the Force's hard drive over wifi from my computer, copy the .wav, and encode to .mp3. The whole process takes like 40 minutes, and it doesn't leave me stuck in a single-pattern loop wondering what to do next.
interesting.. for me its the opposite. Digitakt interface lets me jam without thinking about the interface and UI at all. One of the only bits of gear where I go in to a zone and then realise ive been making a tune for 2 or 3 hours 🤣
Euclidean sequencer! ❤ Torso T1 removed from wishlist, DT2 - added 🥰
Torso is great for modular tho and there is joy in not having a screen with it. The great thing is that you can have both :)
@@seanp2k617 The main advantage here - you don’t need separate device for making Euclidean sequences 🔥
I am old school... I have my Ensoniq ASR-10 rack in front of me and on top of my Access Virus Ti2, it weights a ton but I work faster than on the Digitakt. I would like one probably but I am not a friend of menu diving. I am old school, I play the instruments, I am not looking for the features to play for me.
Definitely needs better polyphonic functionality with all these extra tracks! Voice stealing setup like digitone would be amazing.
so nice that now we can have 16 one shots on stereo
from your brilliant review i understand that there is no individual amount of swing per track?
Thanks and no (unless you manually program it with micro timing)
And I thought I wouldn't see this for a week or a month.
Hopefully they beef up the AR and make a 3 with all these extra channels and super fun stuff. I don't care if they just have 8 analog channels but 16 total.. would be amazeballs with all the extras on the new digi
If only they add track grouping so you can play polyphonically and make changes to all instrances of the sample at the same time, I'll finally buy it as a MC707 killer
let me know if you'll immediately miss the MC707 after the first day :-)
If I were to upgrade it would be for the OT!!
P.S. It's already been a month and no update for the OG. I hope Elektron is not giving up on it, so far they have a tradition of supporting the OG users when it comes to the rest of their line.
You had me at the unwritten rule for the cowbell 😂. Cool stuff and thank you, as always, for your review. This helps with important decisions about wallet contents for many people. ❤
REALLY now, sampling in mono is no longer possible with a stereo sampler? In any case, can you convert stereosamples to mono in the Digitakt? In any case, can you choose which channel L/R you want to keep after the sampling? If that doesn't work and I have to send my monosamples via the computer to the Digitakt , I'll send the part back. I got it yesterday and just connected it. Wanted to sample, in mono, didn't work. I turned off the box right away. Dude, I was so looking forward to the part, love his little brother, but so... Not with me
While I don't think you should buy something based on future hope, I asked Elektron about this and they said it was on their radar. Obviously that's not a firm commitment, but I'm sure if enough people complain they'll listen, this seems like a trivial one.
@@loopop , thank you for your quick response🍻
If this is improved, Elektron will also get my money. I'm also wondering at the moment when panning, is this real panning or is the other channel just turned down more quieter?
Thx for your very good content, regards from Germany.
Great review 👏🏽
the comb filter would definitely be nice. also the ability to have a filter to play with whilst also applying a notch
Deffo more expensive than digi 1. I’m a huge Digitakt user so will upgrade eventually. The main thing I’m missing is multiple outs. Other stuff is nice in terms of improvements.
999€
All I ever wanted. Ordered
All I want is an Octatrack with 32bit sound quality and Analog heat +fx grade effect per channel.
There is no doubt that the MK2 has made a big step forward.
Personally, I hope that some basic functions will be available in Digitakt 1. Such as saving kits, glide or euclidean seq.
Great review and summary!
Best Regards :)
As usual great video and what a fantastic update to beloved Digitakt, seriously a no brainer!
Love that kits is add on to previous workflow. :)
Wow stereo samples in 2024!😅😅😅😵💫😵💫😵💫
can you please compare it to octatrack?
So the morning „leak” was no accident. Marketing masterclass😊
The fact that they're selling this for 999 is game changing. This machine is the successor to rack gear that we've been needing.
Wow I really like the sound of that multimode filter.
How weird that a mkii doesn't have crossfading of samples when looping? Isn't that something people would seriously miss?
Still no manual sample slicing!!!?
nope
@@loopop What a shame!
He has removed the screen sticker! What a psycho!
😅😅
Means he's keeping it 😎😅
Didn’t have to pay for it.
As always, nicely done. Great comprehensive review, @loopop.
some of this stuff seems like they could have added to the MK1 via a software update, e.g. the control all routing and (maybe) the compressor routing. This isn't a buy for me, I'm happy with my MKI, maybe some other firmware update will change my mind.
They def could add this simple "sidechain" implementation on MK1. But without it and without multi-outs, the MK1 is rather crippled, despite the workarounds (and they are workarounds). The thing that pisses me off about this is that Elektron COULD do it without much effort, but now that Mk 2 is out and they want it to sell, they won't do it on MK 1. Novation did this kind of crap when MK2 Circuits came out.
I’d be surprised if they didn’t. Analog MK1s still get updates
@milk_bath: Second that!
Can't remember how many times features of a MK2 machine trickled down to MK1 later on.
Elektron really is exemplary in this regard. Not cheap machines, but boy do they deliver in the long run!
@@milk_bath bets? It may come, but not any time soon.
It’s time for the community to jailbreak the DT?
The pattern at 40:21 shows that Elektron recognizes the need for longer sequences which play themselves, where some parts repeat while others change, like clips placed in an arranger... but unfortunately, that sort of thing still requires some pretty awkward workarounds. It's impressive when demonstrated on a Digitakt, but it _shouldn't_ be impressive. It should be default.
The yellow display was supporting well the 8-bit graphics style IMO. Not sure why they didn't raise the resolution with the white.
its part of the charm
Let’s hope another analog keys in the future!! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
Even with gear insurance, and despite being excellently suited for live play, I’m very reluctant to gig with my elektron gear. It’s very sturdy, but it’s just too expensive and useful to risk taking them out. Which is where something like SP404II comes in. Relatively easy on the premiums if damaged or stolen, I’ve powered mine with lithium batteries. Can easily gig or compose spontaneously. I don’t go anywhere without my SP404II, Tracker mini and Oxi One. All you need is a sound system to plug into to gig at a moment’s notice.
If you need Sp404, Tracker mini and Oxi one to replace Digitakt for your live gig, I would rather take Digitakt alone; fits easily in any backpack, keep it on you.. My most important point for live gear choice would be: which device am I very trained and at ease for playing in front of foreign people. - I wouldn‘t take gear that‘s almost unobtainable like Avalob bassline or Machinedrum
daaamn, flexible kits is my favourite thing, with 3 LFOs, life performance heaven
For $1000 I could buy a used MPC 1000 from 20 years ago, that supports stereo samples, has 4 audio ports out, put a 120GB PATA SSD in it, have over a dozen built-in effects, filters, retrofit a battery (which I've done), put in one of several colors of screen, have velocity sensitive pads, 64 tracks/32 of them MIDI, have removable storage (CF cards that are half as big as the internal storage of the DTII), have an easier time adding/changing files without a computer needed, upgrade to JJOS for $100, not have a vendor specific protocol (overbridge) that requires the use of an external DAW AND doesn't give multiple ins/outs to hardware like USB compliant audio does, and STILL have $150 to buy samples with...
For $250 more I can SMOKE this device with a new Live II or get a used one for about the same price, or get a used "ONE" for less...
I REALLY don't understand what makes the Digitakt II so exciting in this market? You can, spend significantly less and get more necessities, spend less on a used device and get more, spend the same on a used device and get more, or spend more on a new device and get... "it's full of stars"
I don't understand who this device is for, or where its market segment is... I suspect this is one of those "Apple Halo" things right?
Workflow, sequencer, overbridge
@@Keugre19 MPC 1000, live II, AND One have “workflow,” a sequencer (that supports more tracks) and overbridge has more problems than it’s worth, and it DEFINITELY isn’t worth $500, 16 tracks, external audio in and out ports, 100 plus gigs of storage…
Maybe read what I wrote?
@@EverettVinzant They have a different workflow, may suits you or not. Overbridge is very valuable when you work a lot with your daw.
@@Keugre19 I won’t argue with you on workflow. That’s a subjective thing. But my point on overbridge stands. I can go to controller mode in my live 2, and use it with a DAW running MPC as a VST and have the exact same functionality that I could get from using overbridge. Yes, it’s not the same thing, but it’s the same functionality…
I also want to bring up these two facts. The people that want a Digitakt II are mostly going to be existing customers. That means we’re going to see the OG Digitakt for a couple hundred dollars used on Etsy. So if there is something I NEED for overbridge to provide (I can’t imagine what that is, but, my incredulity not withstanding), I’ll spend a couple hundred bucks to have it.
The other fact is, the Elektron II would have been revolutionary 20 years ago. It would have been competing in the market ten years ago… Right now the only thing that has been pointed out is that some people like the workflow better… $1000 is a LOT to spend for workflow when you give up more than half of what is considered “minimum features” that you could get two decades ago. The SP-404 MKII costs half as much as the DTII. It can support streaming 4 inputs and 14 outputs via their “digital river.” The 404 has as more effects, 25% less internal storage, has a synthesizer like the DTII, has velocity sensitive pads, more tracks, runs off batteries…. Again, where does the DTII see itself? In ANY direction I go (Yamaha, 1010music, Akai, KORG) I can get cheaper, more portable, more effects, more, more, more…. I think Elektron is counting on their name more than features.
Nice! It now competes with the Sp404mk2!
Hi! Have Elektron fixed MIDI Aftertouch / Modwheel messages on Midi Out from external devices? Also can we now record AT/MW changes?
It's missing the digitone arp with outs to midi
@loopop
Looks really good.
One thing I find missing is an FX track.......
Since they are going all in on the machines idea, they should really implement an FX track as a selectable machine, like the sampler and midi machines.
And also I think they should have left the isolator filter as a second filter. Filter 1 is the selectable on and then filter 2 is the HP/LP isolator filter.
Anyway.... Really cool thing 🙂
Awesome video man. I’ve always liked Elektron but the hardware always seemed like a riot to use. The little changes in workflow etc have clicked with my brain for some reason in the Digitakt II though so I can finally add them to my ever growing gear list!
To clarify, this is the gear wish list we all have in our heads. Not some opulent home studio set up with all the synths hahah!
Pastel is such a good preset. 31:22
Very happy that i'm quite immune to the charm of these Elektron boxes... But great video, as always!
Glad you like them!
These machines are so well thought out. I ain’t have the braining power for this. That’s why I love my simple one knob per function analog synths. I can see the appeal though, very nice instrument!
I hope they offer some of these new functions to the mk1
Great machine! Although still not the improvements I was waiting for: realtime retrigger, solo in mute mode, and direct jump between patterns. Not to mention Scenes! Probably a new flagship sampler is coming...
What does the Octatrack have that the DTII doesn't? Fader, slide trigs, ability to send cue out and metronome to monitoring and not to PA, loops and jumps in arranger mode, more in and outs, looper, anything else?
SD card, slice edit better sample edit features .
Separate FX engine per track.
A ton more and different including an intricated worklfow.