Elektron Digitakt- is this RIP to the OP-1? // Let us Compare

Elektron Digitakt - is this RIP to the OP-1? // Let us Compare

Despite the competition, the OP-1 STILL remains at the top but depending on what you're looking for, the Digitakt may just be a better option.

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CONTENTS OF THE VIDEO:

0:00 Hello // What we'll be comparing
1:21 Price
2:41 Build quality and aesthetic
4:22 Composition/workflow
10:28 Sculpting Sounds
12:34 Synth Engines
13:35 Sampling
15:07 Performance Comparison
17:56 midi syncing
18:37 Exporting Options
19:53 DistroKid // 3 free Promotional Tools that they Offer
20:56 Ways of supporting me // Thank you

OP-1 Sequencers Playlist (very thorough):

All about OP-1 Master FX:

All other Teenage Engineering Content:

My First Impression of the Digitakt:

All other Elektron Content:

My Music:

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#op1 #teenageengineering #review

Shoutout to (at) alliebrowniest (Instagram) for the lvl 1000 animations!
Shoutout to Keegan Robin for the Thumbnail photo.

[GavinVickery]

I have both. In my experience, the OP-1 is more immediate for "sketching" ideas that are more freeform; keys, chords, melodies etc. But the DT is amazing for laying down drums quickly and adding a variety of interest over time using its complex sequencer / trig conditions. The DT also excels at rhythmic based EDM like Techno and House. It can obviously be done on the OP-1 but I can make Techno so fast on the DT its criminal (and a shit ton of fun). I love both, and will never sell either.

[triandgle]

▲ thanks for putting these two side by side lk! one little remark: the digitakt is capable of synthesis in a roundabout way, by using single cycle wave forms an looping them. using something like the retrokits rk-002 (and a midi keyboard), you can even make a polyphonic 'synth' out of it.

[willperry]

been watching your vids passively for a long time- just whenever i looked up a piece of gear trying to see what it was all about. but recently i’ve been diving into your channel and binging a bunch of your stuff and just wanted to tell you how entertaining and informative all of it is!! you catch a super comfortable vibe in all your content which makes it just such a joy. thanks for all you do! ❤️

[LiamKillen]

Interested in buying the OP-1 or Digitakt? Support this channel while you're at it! Below are Perfect Circuit affiliate links which I make a small commission off of at no extra charge to you:

[s.grantparker]

The OP-1 does have a a way to jump between patterns if they are recorded to the tape back to back! Shift+the right/left arrow will jump forward or back the length of the loop set. You can even hit the arrow multiple times to jump forward multiple bars at a time. Still not Digitakt level, but a cool feature to know!

[Blogspierre]

I’m amazed that, 10 years on, no one has created a DAW that expands on the OP-1 workflow, RE: the “digital tape”. Untrue about bouncing between patterns in the OP. Watch anyone that’s mastered it. Leaping between loops, combined with the live muting, is sublime in its versatility.

[kyleguyettemusic]

“but, there’s a place for short Instagram performances. On Instagram!” my favorite part

[KelpYT]

Hey Liam, I'm not assuming you don't know this but you left out a key point regarding pattern switching on the OP-1 @5:55.

If you set a loop, you can shift it to the next set of "measures" during playback by using "shift + arrow key" in the direction you want. This helps mimic a pattern based workflow, i.e. I'll make and A and a B loop and then use "shift + arrow" to alternate back and forth when I want and record that "performance". It even shows you a dim green line of where the loop will jump, and doesn't jump until the playhead finishes the current loop, so you can jump over multiple times, adding more than just an A or a B loop.

This function only happens while the device is playing back though, and you cannot "prearrange" an order of patterns like the digitakt, or somewhat ironically the pocket operators (TE already new how great this was!!!!)

edit: realized someone mentioned this already but ill leave my explanation here as well

[bobz]

I love my DT and could never justify the OP1 cost as an occasional user.
My DT is still going strong after 4 years but did suffer with the 'sticky key syndrome' for which Elektron sent me a complete new set (and had my old ones back for analysis).
I love the DT workflow and its the perfect 'happy accident' sound machine. 😎

[orMeNs]

I know it’s an old video, but you can go from pattern to pattern on the OP1. While playing, shift + > or < to change to the next or previous loop. You see blue loop indicator to which loop you will jump to after the current one ends.

[Rgdonaire_]

thanks for the good video... I owned the OP-1 for several years and sold it just when they came up in price. For the current price point I think it's ridiculous to be honest. It's a very powerful machine, fun and incredibly portable with fantastic battery life, but I got bored of cutting and splicing tape tracks eventually, same thing with the lo fi tone of it. I bought also the OP-Z but I also did not fully connect with it, mainly due to the hardware which was too small and fiddly with very flimsy build quality. My life became more sedentary too so I had no need for a super portable workstation and my home studio grew with hardware synths, drum machines, etc.so I recently got the Digitakt, and I'm enjoying it a lot, it's extremely powerful and I prefer it over the OP-1. YMMV.

[silber_grau]

I always found, that the OP-1workflow is somehow much more immediate when just fiddling around (not talking about sequencing / song workflow). I suppose the OP-1 is still very much alive. 🤷‍♂️

[minimal.camera]

Great video! A few additions that sprung to mind: the Digitakt can seamlessly loop samples, which means it is capable of wavecycle synthesis (single cycle oscillators), wavetable synthesis, and basic granular synthesis. This is akin to creating your own oscillators on the fly, plus the filters, LFOs, etc add a fair amount of sound shaping ability. So even without dedicated synth engines, the synthesis capabilities of the Digitakt (and Model:Samples) are no joke. Perhaps the OP-1 can do all of this as well? I'm not sure.

The Digitakt can also be battery powered with a MyVolts 12V Ripcord and USB battery bank. Certainly not as convenient as an internal battery, but fairly easy for about $40.

[_sethweaver]

So you can actually jump to another loop on the op1 by pressing shift and an arrow. It’ll jump you to the next section of equal loop length. Took me too long to learn that and it unlocked so much for me.

[boombap]

Actually love the look of the digitakt. Super streamlined, nice amount of lighting and the screen oled screen is mint

[jsn]

tbh the best thing bout digitakt is the buttons

[AntonioAlemanno_music]

Hey! Thanks a lot for this viceo @LiamKillen ! That is super useful. Got point when you said that the OP1 is usually used for IG performance and rarely for live setup. You I have a question. Could you actually sequence the OP1 with the Digitakt (or any other Elektron gear or even the OXI ONE!)? It should be possible using a USB hub. But if so, can you then sequence all the four tracks?

[VIRALBEATS]

Some day, maybe...I really want to work on the OP, but that price tag...only $100 away from a new MPC Live 2, after taxes. Still, have heard and seen some great work on it. Too much is a synth nut too, so if I had to choose, Digi gets it on that alone. Great video! A reminder that reminders work...at least it did, in this case. Thanks.

[Vandalsounds]

Pretty amazing machines, each with their own very unique approach. Both Swedish. 👌

[cuttlefishpie]

The metal for the Digitact was harvested from the crashed saucer at Roswell 47’