Digitakt vs Octatrack Mega Workflow Comparison

Chapters in description

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The Digitakt is here, and the Octatrack just got a new MKII update. Which one to choose!? They are overlapping in what they can do, but I think they are different enough to justify that Elektron keeps selling both of them.

So here's a mega workflow comparison video where I'm comparing them side by side in a number of aspects. It's a bit long, but if you're interested in this stuff, I hope you'll find the video interesting.

Cheers
CUCKOO

00:00:00 1. Introduction
00:01:52 2. Octatrack MK2
00:03:18 3. File management
00:04:35 4. Streaming, preloading to RAM
00:05:28 5. File dumping and backup
00:06:24 6. Overbridge
00:06:53 7. Inputs and outputs
00:08:23 8. Recording and trimming on Digitakt
00:10:24 9. Recording and trimming on Octatrack
00:12:56 10. Slices
00:15:37 11. Saving files on Octatrack
00:16:26 12. Compact flash travel backup
00:17:01 13. Processing live audio
00:18:26 14. Loading samples
00:21:06 15. Recording a sequence
00:23:04 16. Messing with a sequence on Digitakt, Control All
00:26:34 17. Messing with a sequence on Octatrack, Scenes
00:29:16 18. Pitch shift, Time stretch, Playback rate
00:31:01 19. Reverbs and effects
00:34:01 20. The keyboard
00:35:44 21. Loop box (pickup machine)
00:37:04 22. Single waveform "synthesis"
00:40:06 23. LFO automation
00:41:32 24. The Arranger, pattern chaining
00:43:14 25. Simple vs Choice
00:43:54 26. MIDI
00:47:36 27. MIDI arpeggiator
00:48:05 28. Trig conditions
00:49:54 29. How I use Octatrack
00:54:28 30. How I use Digitakt
00:58:21 31. "Conclusion"

[smt_]

seems like a shame they didn't use the chance to give the mk2 the updated effects and some overall polish, still seems like an amazing device but damn that DT reverb...

[RickyTinez]

Just the video i was looking for! Sidenote: Great meeting you at NAMM!!

[johnbeuck]

OMG the little clock in the top left is soo cool and useful!

[_rkrd]

Non-content related, but I like the added segment timer on the top! That with the index on the description sounds to me, like a great pattern for making long videos easily digestible.

[RedMeansRecording]

The section about how you use both is super helpful, thank you for that.

[Hlecktro]

As per the Octatrack commercial, I've yet to be able to transmogrify other humans in a Post-Apocolyptic Lovecraftian warehouse rave. Hopefully this feature is added in a future firmware update.

[Breisler]

Your videos both make me happy and help me make informed purchases. I've curated my synth information between a few channels and I'm always happy with every review you do. Please don't ever stop doing it.

[jlowrie]

Awesome video. Thank you! Just bought an Octatrack MK1 for the same price as the Digitakt. The original is still completely relevant. I love your videos. Thanks man!

[RandomRabOfficial]

You're tutorials are insanely good. The index points are awesome. You've single handedly turned me into a loyal Elektron fan with all these amazing videos. Your music is good too. Thanks Cuckoo.

[AaronFabbri]

Fantastic video. I want the functionality of the OT with the sound of the DT. The OT sounds flat after hearing the digitakt. Sad to hear the mkii is not bringing sound improvements. That DT reverb!

[nmc_music]

I love my Digitakt. Was gonna sell my much unloved Octatrack. After watching this, I will keep both!

[rimartracks]

I think that a noticeable difference between the two is how muting works.
The octatrack mutes the *audio* but the Digitakt mutes the *trigs* for their respective tracks.

Which means that if you push mute on the octatrack before the sample finishes playing it cuts out(no fx tails even). Which can be really annoying(annoys the shit out of me). The Digitakt lets it play out.

[larac]

Your mini mirror idea is SOOO fucking cool, you are 'fearless and inventive' as a galactian slug once said

[davidknight]

1, 000 thumbs up if I could. This was an amazing tutorial. I just took delivery of an Octatrack 3 weeks ago. Due to the new one coming out I went ahead and returned it and will be getting MK 2. I also have a Digitakt. Being somewhat familiar with both, this tutorial really helped me out! Thanks!

[baz]

Excellent comprehensive video. Had my heart set on the OT however by the end I was in love with the Digitakt. The sound is awesome, the workflow is very quick and while there are some limitations it feels like a very creative machine.

[HankAstral]

only 2 mins in and already outstanding. Love the image switch between the the old and new Octatracks.

[avantoo]

Michael Winslow would be proud of your sound effects:)

[OPdbx]

I really love the digitakt, and prefer it over the octatrack (mainly because of the size and price difference), but mono samples only is a big deal breaker for me. To have this limitation on a machine in 2017 that is >$500 is absurd.

[quirkymusic]

I believe you could do a "control all" feature in the octatrack by sending everything through a master track.

[AdnanAlsannaa]

I don't have an Elektron instrument and very much looking to get one. I think after this video the Octatrak makes much more sense for me.