Sorry for the flicker in the screen in this one... It doesn't do that in real life, I just mismatched my shutter speed and throwing plugins at it in post didn't help much. The flicker I referred to in the video is the pads lighting up when you press them, which turned out to not be an issue.

You've probably seen this, but with the latest firmware you can hold Func and hit Master a few times to page through to the external mixer. That lets you route the external channels in either as one stereo or two mono, and then control how much to send them through reverb and delay (and they also go through the compressor), a lot like Circuit Tracks. I actually switched to a Digitakt recently because it combines most of what I personally want out of Tracks and Rhythm in one. Love it so far.

I've never used a Digitakt, but I do own an Octatrack, and the quality of the engineering that went into that machine is staggering, if the digitakt is anything like it, I think you will appreciate it.

Great video Gabe! I always appreciate your insight, musicality , and how you offer comparisons to other gear.

Great timing for this video! Just ordered a second hand one, hopefully get it in a few days Keeeeeeen

Dope. I think my one bit of best practices kind of advice would be, when you're starting a project, unload the default samples and replace them with whatever 8 would be handiest to start each pattern with. And from there, I'd just add samples as you go instead of loading up in the beginning. In general, I find that on the Digitakt, the biggest limit is going to be available sample slots. Also on that front, another thing I do is use short chains of drums and drum breaks instead of one shots. With the MIDI stuff, the Digitakt treats chords as kind of a single block of notes, so if you want more nuance, you can always send more than one track to the same channel. And where that part shines is when you start getting into the MIDI ccs. You can, depending on how quick your synth is send parameter locks and program changes in a sequence. If you're controlling the Rhythm, for example, it's a little wonky if you're trying to lock in track parameters like filter cutoff or sample choice. But it works perfectly on the master fx track. So you can use the Digitakt to control and edit the grid fx. It's a lot of fun. I'm glad you're enjoying it

Been waiting for you to try these out!

There’s so many reviews that say the sequencer is hard to use but you just showed everyone that if you ever used any other groove box it’s easy to get something going. After that it takes time to wrap your head around sound locks, parameter locks (not just sample swapping), conditional trigs, trig less trigs and using micro timings creatively. The sequencer is easy to use, hard to master.

Very cool! These seem like very unique pieces of gear that let you work with samples in a really unique way.

Great video Gabe keep them coming.

Perfect timing. Just got mine last week

that’s one thing I love about all Elektron gear. Built like a tank and will last decades if properly cared for. Love my MD, A4 and OT and hope to still enjoy them 25 years from now.

Finally is right! I’ve had my digitakt for almost 2 years now. The amount you can do with 2 lfos, individual pattern lengths & trigless trigs is insane. Definitely suggest diving deeper into it. It’ll be great content to see!

Awesome thanks!! Yup finally getting mine next week😋. Can’t wait to learn this beast, and just in time for latest firmware yes!

I got a Digitakt in 2018, and I'm thinking about selling it now. Here's why: - It's not designed for what I want to do. For an example where I tried to work around this, see the "Easy Does It" video on my channel, where I sequenced an entire song using external gear and two banks worth of patterns. It worked, but it was a *lot* harder than it needed to be. I generally write songs horizontally first (like a timeline, record a few minutes of a single instrument, like a song-length melody) and then work vertically (add bass, pads, drums, etc) and then tweak the voicing, mixing, and arrangement last. But Elektron is designed for exactly the opposite -- finish a single pattern first, including all the parts and voicing and mixing and effects... then copy-paste it and modify the notes to extend the song length. So I was constantly going against the grain, which caused a lot of friction and frustration. - Because of the Elektron workflow, I usually got stuck in short loops... because it's designed for the user to perform using short loops. But short loops are what I'm trying to get away from. - It's awkward as a drum machine, because it has no concept of drum kits. Usually when I'm making a beat, I want to just tap out rhythms immediately, then maybe adjust sounds later or scroll through drum kits to find one which works. But the Digitakt heavily pushes people to spend a bunch of time putting a kit together up front, before entering notes. And then there's not really a way to save it for later use in other projects. The closest thing it can do is if I load an existing project, select a finished pattern, copy it, paste it to an empty slot, then clear the note data... I get something like a "kit". But this puts a bunch of songs inside each project, which adds a whole slew of organizational issues... especially if you want more than one pattern per song. (I usually need dozens of patterns per song) - It's not good at triplets, rolls, or flams... which, as a drummer, I normally use a lot. There are workarounds for each, but they're another source of friction. - Max 64 steps per pattern. Normally I need 128, 160, 256, or 320 steps per phrase, so I bump my head on this constantly. Conditional trigs and Euclidian sequencing are *not* a solution to this; they're just a way to make short loops less boring. - It's awkward as a midi sequencer, because it blocks CC data like pitch bend, mod wheel, and aftertouch from external controllers, and can only send those from the onboard encoder knobs. For sequencing, these things are limited to one value per step, or a LFO. So I find it makes my midi devices sound lifeless due to the missing expression data. This can be worked around by turning the knobs real-time during a performance, but only if you use it with monotimbral synths with their own onboard controls. Also, it has a weird implementation for chords, which tends to be another thing to trip over if you ever want to edit those after recording. - It's artificially crippled for commercial reasons which aren't even relevant any more. So... no class-compliant USB storage for transferring data. No class-compliant USB audio per track. Because Elektron originally planned to sell it for $650 in a crippled form, plus $100 for Overbridge to unlock advanced features. But this went over so badly that they cancelled the idea, raised the price to $750 flat, and de-prioritized Overbridge development. Newer devices use standard USB protocols instead of Overbridge, which is more compatible and more reliable long-term, but Digitakt is from the generation where it still relies on proprietary companion software, which makes some important things inaccessible. The Digitakt is great at what it does... but what it does isn't what I need. So I ended up buying an Akai Force instead, which I hope will be more appropriate for me. It has the workflow style I want... with a clip launcher, a timeline arranger, drum kits, onboard synths, better midi, standards compliance, way more tracks at a time, unlimited phrase length, stereo tracks, better sample capabilities, pressure-sensitive pads, and muuuuch deeper drum performance features. But to see what a Digitakt can do in ideal circumstances, look up Ehsan Gelsi on youtube. He does amazing stuff with a Digitakt and external synths, and his workflow is a great example of how to get the most out of it.

Finally! The digitakt is my go to drum machine. Absolutely love it! I'm glad you're enjoying it. There's so much you can do, and yes it can be used as a standalone groove box. I use it to design and sequence drum sounds. It is possible to chop up samples on it, but it can be a little tedious, and if you want to re pitch a melody sample the speed will change as well. But you can make some crazy synth sounds with just some tones. You can layer and resample. Okay I'm gonna stop now, enjoy the Digitakt!

Fun video Gabe 👍🏼

Congrats - it's one of my favorite devices.

Glad you finally got your hands on one, surprised it hasn't been featured yet! You mentioned the polyphonic midi acting weird, 4 notes per step, and they share a bunch of parameters, gate length, velocity etc. That's what pushed me away, I'm used to midi sequencing with MPC's, spoiled.

Finally! I asked for Digitakt review few weeks ago and I'm really happy that you got this "groovebox". I got Korg E2, Novation Rhythm and Cycles(thanks to your channel), but I wanna get a second-handed Digitakt cuz now they got Overbridge and I really crave that multi export thing. Though I don't know which to keep between Rhythm and Digitakt.. (won't ever gonna sell E2 and Cycles cuz they got their own quirks)

Welcome to the dark side. :) glad to see you diving in to the Elektron world! I can’t wait until you discover what’s beneath the surface. Great content as always!

The Digitakt was my very first foray into hardware groove boxes and synths. It’s still by far my favourite. Totally my desert island device. Once you jive with the workflow IT’S FAST!

Excellent video sir! I was fortunate enough to receive one as a gift from my partner, the absolute superstar that she is, earlier this year and I can promise you a fabulous journey delving into the delights this blighter has to offer! Enjoy, peace ✌️

I’ve owned this thing for over a year and I didn’t even think about sample flipping 😂

It's all about the conditional trigs. I've got a my volts cable I'm happy with for powering the Digitakt.

Great video! I've had mine for a few years and it's a beast of a machine. The sequencer is a little bit limited compared to say the Synthstrom Deluge, but for sampling and making samples feel organic and interesting, I can't think of a better piece of gear than the Digitakt. Like someone else mentioned, you can add effects to the external audio signal, too.

Gabe, my dude, my guy, welcome to the family 🥁 Also I have migraines too, but after the last update you can actually turn the LED brightness down in the System settings! And more than any other tip. The best advice that I can give you is to watch Ivar Tryti's videos. The dude is a demi-god on an Elektron Box.

It looks super easy, barely an inconvenience!

Digitakt is, by far, my favorite instrument. When it clicked, I fell in love. My favorite feature is the conditional trigs so you can set sounds to kick off every other repeat, or every 3rd, or even set a random percentage! If my entire collection got stolen, the Digitakt would be the first thing I'd buy. Also, Bobeats is selling a kickass Digitakt t-shirt.

I bought the Samples to try out elektron workflow and have had my eye on the digitakt for a while now as I love what you can do with the samples. This video may have just tipped me over the edge into full on GAS. Especially as the only regret seems to be the 4 bar loop which I know has a huge amount of workarounds.

regarding pattern lengh, you can set slower playback of pattern (down to 1/8x of normal speed) and record without quantisation, this way you can technically record up to 32 bars lomg pattern.. och also you can change not just pattern length for whole pattern, bit different for each track

Great video. I’ve seen tons of DT videos, but never one with such joy. I feel ya. I need one of these. Just so expensive! I’m with you on the pronunciation, but almost everyone else goes the other way.

I appreciate the notes about the light flickering and the potential sight impairment issues. Hopefully the high contrast screen helps.

Nice! I think most if not all of this demo is in the 1.1 firmware? The 1.3 firmware gives you an extra LFO per track, an additional base/width filter that's handy for mixing and the ability to use the input channels as a two-track mixer - and you can add delay and reverb to the incoming signals or use them to trigger the sidechain compressor. Also push the time divider on the scale page and you can make some tracks that last for 8 bars (or more) with fewer steps per bar.

With trig conditions you can develop evolving patterns well beyond 4 bars. Also you can use a USB to v cable to connect it to a power bank.

Also, keep in mind that if you sequence digitakt with ext sequencer , you can use it as effector for both midi and audio channels. Fill button , param locks +conditional trigs do all the magic, so you just have 16 different effects or scene-like settings.

As someone who bought the Digitakt when the firmware was 1.01, it’s very interesting to see it through a new user's eyes. It’s nowhere near as hard to use as people make it out to be, and once you have worked it out you can move on to the Rytm with no issues, as the interface is basically the same. Regarding 4 bars, individual track scaling and retriggers can do a lot of work to help you out here.

I can't believe you just got a DT now. I thought they hit saturation point many years back. Quality piece of gear.

Welcome to the Digitakt, I've watched your videos for a while and thought you needed a digitakt in your life...... Get into p locks and conditional trigs for fills and funkyness :)

Great video Gabe. If you enjoyed the parameter locking on this and the Circuit, you would probably find the OP-Z pretty intuitive too. It's kind of an evolution of the elektron workflow with more options for sequencing.

Hey Gabe, nice video, been thinking about one of these for a while. The Model:XXXXX's have the ability to change the time signature of a track and I'd expect the Digitakt would too, this allows longer than 4 bar patterns, i.e. the melodic track can be half the speed of the others, so can do 8 bars, but only at 8 beats/bar - unless you're skilled in unquantzied recording of course.

I’m gassing over the digitone

Haha, nice to see you pick this up! Looks very powerful! Can it resample itself? Can't wait to see your next digitakt videos 🤘

Trig conditions can basically get you to 32+ Bars when you include % chance and the fill button. Check out Time stretch vids by dialectrics on youtube. You can also use the LFO to change the samples. You can do so much with digitakt.

I came to Digitakt from Circuit/Electribe and one thing that took me a while to get me head around was the idea of 'Sounds' - which are a way to save a sample that you have manipulated, once saved you can load the Sound into the Sound Bank which can then be treated like a sample flip by pressing Function and Level. You will love the Digitakt but I am thinking in 3 months you will have a Digitone...hook them together and your journey is complete, for a while.

uuff the digi has many tricks, and when you discover them ... your head explodes, in the creative sense, with the two lfo, there is a world of possibilities ... a greeting

I recently got a XTPower XT-20000QC3 to power my Digitakt/Digitone and it works pretty great, lasts at least 5 hours and can power both devices at once with a Y cable and a tip adapter.

You managed to get it before me 🤣 I'll be getting mine this week or next to go along side the digitone keys.

Can't wait for you to check the Deluge. It'll blow your mind. I bet you'll say in your future video "I don't know why it took me so long!" and credit me. 😜 Thank you so much for all the good videos and tutorials, btw! 😎

Welcome to the wonderful world of ELEKTRON

I also love the trig conditions and you can hold a trig (track) and press up on the arrow buttons to set up stutter and use the side arrows to set up the time that a trig (track) will trigger... early, late.. it is all possible

you can set the scale to 64 and the master to 0128 and that will give you 8 more bars. Also, you can send midi start/ stop/ clock and have you daw launch and stop the recording along with the Digitakt. Cool videos Gabe!

It kind of like a Electribe, but looks cooler for sure. The effects are probably a little better too (even the model Samples FX sounds good). I can see the sequencer is probably a bit more sophisticated, although the 'Tribe is OK if you apply groove afterwards. I don't like the non-velocity pads, but I'm thinking this is probably aimed at EDM or other genres where this is not a big deal. I personally am much more excited about the new Roland SP-404 MK2, but of course this is a totally different productwith pros and cons. But still, 32 note Polyphony, great FX, 16 velocity sensitive pads (small though), battery power, good screen with graphic waveform editing, 16GB storage with a SD slot, not bad at all .

15:33 you should've left it like that, that delay sounded spectacular

Its my go to gear to make a sketch fast, but still a lot to learn.

Like someone said below, with trig conditions you can evolve patterns beyond 4 bars (granted you have the open steps) - but you can also extend things with pattern chaining. Here's a cool trick I learned from a comment on one of Ricky Tinez's videos: Go into the scale settings (func+page) and switch to per track. Using knob G you can set the length to 128 and knob H to 128 (sometimes I set it all the way down to INF) and now that track will be an 8 bar loop within the chain. Add in trig conditions, and you have so much creative freedom. There are obviously hard limitations, like with any device. But alot of "surface level" limitations have work arounds, you just have to be creative about it.. and thats one of my favorite things about Elektron boxes.

Cool vid and definitely made me want one (been on my to-audition list for a while now). IIRC MyVolts do a USB to 12V Ripcord for this model which I'll definitely invest in if I get a DT (like you, I'm looking S/H although they're holding their resale value quite well at the moment and are still relatively expensive)

Also digitakt does audio over usb through overbridge, will free up some inputs in your audio interface or mixer if you need the inputs for other gear

"Super easy, barely an inconvenience" Getting some "Pitch Meeting" vibez here.... Man of culture as well?

Check out the 2 track mixer with FX send, the 2 LFOs per track and midi track and the compressor... Those are the digitakts best features when working with other outboard gear

The Birdcord USB to 12v by Songbird FX works well to power this off USB. I've read mixed things about the Ripcord (which works really well for Volcas and has angled connectors which I prefer). I've found the Birdcord completely reliable.

also except of directly sampling from input you can just pass input through internal delay and reverb and mix it into output (press FN+LFO multiple times to browse trough input/routing/master pages, there is also master compressor with configurable sidechain input)

The best sounds of any of the boxes you used on here I think, love the Digitakt sounds, but the workflow might not be super easy for me, what if you compare it to the 101 workflow or Mv1??

Just put mine back in the box and in a wardrobe, I used it extensively for a year and sequenced all my gear with it, but M8 just has it covered, very few things the Digitakt does that M8 doesn't. Digitakt is stilla great device though, anyway, less commenting, will watch the video :) *edit* ok watched, you can process the audio from your juno through the digitakts delay and reverb, don't forget to click the menu buttons multiple times, to get to compressers and 2nd lfo and all the extra stuff

I have to say that these sounds are a bit better than the MPC stock sounds in my opinion, especially some of the kicks and alot of the snares sound really good on the Digitakt, and I use and have an MPC One myself. The MPC stock sounds are not bad, but there not great either, but some of them get the job done, and I made some really nice instrumentals with just the MPC stock sounds, so I can't complain too much. If the Digitakt could do what the MPC One could do, I think I might have got one of these instead, but I still do love the MPC One though. These drum sounds are just way more thick and punchy. What do y'all think?...SBN RESONATE

You finally got a real sampler 😝

I power digitone and octatrack with birdcords from songbird FX. Works well

Oh, and you can get around the four bar limit with pattern chaining :)

one more tip: you don't beed preload all samples into project pool - in track / trig sampke selection menu just choose any slot (emoty or filled) where you want to load new samome and then press FN+YES. It takes you into sampne librsry browser, where you can briwse all your library (buttons will play sample you selected to preview, click "yes" will actually load sample in your selected slot... you can so this diring playback and you immediately hear response

Will you be trying the SP404 MK2? Seems to be some good buzz around this new piece of hardware.

try fast lfo (1-2khz) to pan modulation, pretty cool for nice stereo touch ;-) also check if you have latest firmware, there are two LFOs and second filter (combined lp and hp)

Hey Gabe, do you know how to set up a midi pad controler to trigger Digitakt tracks? So a user can finger drum with the digitakt, but on good pads?

and one more - FN+YES saves whime pattern state to temporary memory - all tweks you make from thins poin can be reverted by pressing FN+NO ... very cool trick for live oerformance or for trying major changes in pattern.. baducally one step UNDO :-)

I have question .. in case you still have Digitakt .. what happens when you connect midi Digitakt -> MC101 and then on digitakt you change pattern ... does it change pattern on MC101 in sync with Digtitakt ? For example on Circuit it switches Scene/Project - i'm curious what it does on MC101 (i'm considering adding MC101 to my Digitakt+Digitone setup but for me is cructial to be able to switch pattern in sync automatically). Also another question - it is possible to have different preset set on track for different patterns in MC101 (like it is possible on DT/DN) ?

Pair the Digitone with your Digitakt, they work so well together.

Any chance you will review a synthstrom deluge? Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Love my Digitakt, but I desperately need a stereo fx send and return that I can select which tracks to send out to.

I would love to buy a peice of elektron gear but the one thing I would really like (Analog Rytm) is pretty pricey. I'm curious how well the Digitakt is at controlling outboard gear.

Sold.

I had the chance to get the octatrack for a few hundred euros more. It can do even more, especially in the sampling department.

Ouu. You finally got it? Where you bought it?

Klikky button ASMR :-) Well, that made my whole day :-) Thank you Gabe LOL!

"digging digitakt", yey! :)

Thanks to your video I'm developing g.a.s and I now know Google fi is a phone plan that can

id love to see a rhythm vs digitakt comparison video

I find myself trying to use trigs and keep to only 1 page until I absolutely need to move to 2 pages and then 4, it's a fun creative exercise. I think the real limitation is no song mode (it's got one but forgets each time you turn it off) and the big one for me is mono sampling.

Hey Gabe, hope you're doing well! I wonder how's it going with the digitakt, I'm curious about how you find the workflow compared to, say, the mc 101? I'm starting to look for a sampler and tell myself that this could be a nice option, paired with a nice sequencer! What are your thoughts about it, after almost two months?

Need help!! If you could respond that would be great because no one else is?? My new Digitakt I just bought and after updating the firmware and so excited!! No sound at all!!?? Checked all outputs, mute groups, settings, new project, presets, just no sound? Sequencer is clearly running but I’m 🤔. Thanks to all who read this!

Funny you're just now getting one/demoing considering how long these have been around. Then again, I don't have one or a Digitone but often find myself regretting other more affordable purchases I've made over the years and wishing I'd just saved up a little to get them. At this point in the game, I think I will just keep anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new one... "Syntakt." Maybe if I start saving now I will be able to afford it by the time they're actually in production...

This and the new Sp-404 are like direct competition. Any thoughts on that?

I'll forever be mad they made it mono

I feel that with Elektron you only get the full experience with the top end boxes like Octatrack. It's a nice box and really good in an extended setup controlling devices over midi. But as a standalone it would only be usable for very specific stuff. Just to get some nice chords, you would have to use 4 tracks, then maybe re-sample to one track and that's cumbersome. No time stretching means playing samples chromatically doesn't sound good. Other things like no song mode, no sample chopping, no overdub for midi tracks. If someone is heavy into sampling and chopping, MPC is the way to go. On the other hand no device can match the sample mangling capabilities of the Elektron boxes.

I owned the Digitakt for a few months after getting the Digitone (which I still own and love), but I did find some of the limitations to be a little bit too much for me to cope with. I suppose I can live with mono sampling, but I was disappointed to discover that my meticulously configured p-lock panning is all but ignored when exporting via Overbridge. The 4 bar limit was also annoying and had me think of creative workarounds when all I wanted to do was to make music. And, crucially, I didn't enjoy the need to 'perform' a track live when exporting to the DAW. Having some form of song mode where automation (knob twists) is recorded would have made it so much more practical as a device to create music with. But then again I'm not primarily a sample-based musician and I much prefer synthesis. I bought the Digitakt to go together with the Digitone, but I quickly felt like that setup added a lot of complexity and effectively eliminated the portability potential since my songs were now broken into two parts, on two separate machines. So I bought the MPC One instead and I have to say it's much more for me. I'm the kind of guy that likes to finish my tracks, and the MPC lets me do that. I can press the automation button and twist any knob and it will record that onto the sequence for me. I can plan each pattern (sequence) and rearrange tracks with ease. The inferface is by no means perfect, but I find it to be faster for me than the Digitakt. I especially love the Dub Record feature and find that it gets me to use my ears and feel my way around a lot more than on the Digitakt, where the music making is really programmatic and cerebral in comparison. On the other hand, the Digitakt is very keyboard shortcut friendly and you can very quickly build up a fast workflow. Just be careful because there's no Undo. A Func+No key press at the wrong time and your entire song embryo could be wiped. I'm still holding on to the Digitone due to the unique sounds it can generate, and I'm planning on using the Looper feature of the MPC to record patterns that way, which eliminates the 4 bar limitation in practice. That way, I can use the Digitone only for the creative spark and unique sound design, sample that on to the MPC (in full stereo, which the Digitakt can't) and then continue to finish the song in one single box. By the way, the Digitakt has two LFOs now as of the latest firmware release, and even more filters. For being primarily a sampler groovebox, this is pretty incredible.

I noticed that the firmware on your device is just 1.10A - you should upgrade to 1.30 !! It was released in june this year with some major and awesome upgrades/improvements. From their site: "...new features including extended pitch range, a second LFO, external input functionality, base-width filter, and new features on the multimode filter" and more. Not to mention all the upgrades up until that point. It should deserve a whole new video! :)

Gabe should definitely pick up a Roland MC-303 sometime (the 303 is the first groovebox ever made and avaliable for like 150 bucks on ebay.) It's a weird box that sounds kinda cheesy, but it might be worth picking up for shits and giggles

You probably already got the answer but you can probably use a MyVolts ripcord to power it from usb ☺️

Funmy fact: When Digitakt was new, KZfaq's auto subtitles algo was translating "Digitakt" into "Dick attack" :-))))) I guess after those years theor AI learned the right word..

Gabe: You can power it using a "Blind SPOT - USB to 12V Adapter" cable to go from USB-C PD (power delivery) to 12V barrel and power it using a USB-C PD power bank that can supply up to 2A of current. I do it with my DT and DN. I'm also working on doing a battery mod to my units so they have an internal, chargeable, LiFePO4 battery pack. myVolts also has a 12V Ripcord cable that works if you can find one in stock.

Digitakt is the best

"I'm going to need you to get ALL the way off my back about the digitakt." LUL Respect for picking up a digitakt at the behest of the comment section. :)