Digitakt vs. Digitone: which should you get?

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Hey folks, in this video I discuss the similarities and differences between the Elektron Digitakt (an incredibly powerful sampler) and Digitone (an incredibly powerful synth). I'll chat about what each can do, and who may be more inclined toward one vs. the other.

0:00 Intro
3:07 Sampler vs. Synth
4:48 The Elektron Workflow
8:30 Which is right for you?

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Social Media/Music:

[ShaighJosephson]

The Digitone 2 paired with the Digitakt 2 is the ultimate groovebox combo... 💥

[newflanged_]

This video is super helpful for people like me when I started a year ago or so, it’s explained I feel with words that are somewhat understandable :) it’s easy to get lost in the lingo when you are a total newcomer. I can’t wait to catch up with my Digitakt now that I’m back in the US! I purchased right before leaving to Spain and I just put it out from the box again! Time to relearn all I learned in early December!

[Gnzuk]

Hi Daniel, I wish I’d seen this a while back as this question went through my head for weeks and weeks. I got the DT first and took 6 months to learn it and then for the DN. I now use both together and they are a dream.

[georgekay]

My current setup is both the Digitone and the Octatrack.

I love and adore the Digitone. It is hands down my best sounding synth. It is just so easy to get beautiful sounds out of it. And it was my first proper expensive synth, apart from a dozen Behringer boxes and a few volcas. Not too difficult to get started on, Cuckoo has a great beginner tutorial.

I recommend any of these Elektron boxes to anyone interested in making music and willing to learn. They’re so incredibly powerful and actually very intuitive.

[putneyswopemusic]

I've had a digitakt for a couple years and just ordered the digitone a couple days ago... Good timing for this video release :)

[davidj]

As someone who has owned mainly synths for the past couple years and just got a Digitakt recently - your videos have helped a bunch and also made me feel like I made the right choice! Cheers :)

[lundsweden]

I bought my Digitakt new, after a year of what at first seemingly good 2nd hand deals that kept falling through. A week later, I got a good 2nd hand deal on a Digitone- couldn't be more pleased!

[raysubject]

it's worth to mention you can pretry much use Digitalt like VA synth too .. if you use singlce cycle waveform loops, then you have basically 8 mono synth, each one with 2 filters, overerive, 2 envelopes and 2 lfos which can go up to audio rate.. ;)

[sanman]

Great content man, very useful insights. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the Syntakt if you get a chance to try one.

[MarcusKnappMusic]

I started with the Digitone for the multitambrality and streamlined FM. I grabbed a used Digitakt about three months later. I'd honestly never understood the appeal before... But I would say with both these boxes, the best parts of them aren't obvious until you've played with them a bit. Thanks for the video!

[BellXllebMusic]

Digitakt can also be hacked to play 8 voice polyphony so it can be used as a "normal" synth too

[RobG]

Got the Digitone first and the Digitakt the next Xmas.
(🎄Thanks, Santa! 🎄)
Parameter locking on a track of the Digitone for drums was a major impetus to get the Digitakt.

[LordoftheBadgers]

Love this synth and I want more... A digitone EX with more of everything!

[defnlife]

I love the Digitone easily my favorite synth.
It makes me want to get a sampler now.
I got the M:S and it's fun, it's therapeutic. But I still want something that really can mangle sounds.
The choices now are very overwhelming lmao. The Tracker, OT, 404MKII, DT, M8.
Damn.

[antfactor]

Honestly - I want the option to use Model Cycles macros in the OS on the Digitone. That would be SOOOO fantastically useful for life/recorded automated performances. Please, Elektron... make THAT an option! 🙂

[GuitarsAndSynths]

Since I already have an OT and A4, I bought a Digitone for FM synthesis and have great setup for live performance plus my OP-1 and two smaller Roland TR8 and TB03 so have beats, bass, pads and lead covered easily.

[tubeMonger]

I agree, both devices are great. DT and DN play well together.

One thing I have noticed that DN is great if you start a song with it. However, if you start a song with other synths and want to add DN sounds to the song it may prove to be a difficult task.

[wayneanderson]

Good point that Digitone is not a sampler(although I’m guessing you can load sounds via Overbridge, or no?) I think I knew that already but good reminder.
I have the Digitakt & have to remind myself that I already have a sampler when I’m salivating over new gear😂.... I’m currently learning the Elektron workflow on my Digitakt before I allow myself to purchase more Elektron gear lol.

[RancelHdez]

Very good video..one thing.

I have a drumbrute and tr-09, can i have the digitak only for samples(no drums)maybe is better the octatrack? Thanks

[rhinoskin]

This guys says, "creating your own samples can be a fun part of the creative process"

Me: haven't composed anything because I am too obsessed with creating sounds and samples hahaha