OT Digitakt in the wild

Processaurus

@ipadthai said:
I've had a Digitakt for a few months now and honestly don't feel like I get much more out of it than BM3, along with other apps. If anything, BM3 is more visual and easier to use, but that's to be expected from an iPad screen versus a Digitakt screen.

Sadly, the Digitakt has been gathering dust due to the iPad. At $650, it definitely doesn't seem much of a value compared to the $20 BM3 app. I've been trying to play around with the Digitakt more this week in hopes of a spark to be reignited but, honestly, it feels cumbersome compared to my iPad apps.

I know it does some things that apps like conditional trigs and p-locks but most of it seems to be duplicated by the apps I have. At $650, it's a bit pricey when I look at all that I have under my fingertips in my iPad.

That's interesting, thank you for your honesty. With hardware vs software, when the hardware becomes complex, and things necessarily get hidden down in layers, it starts to resemble... software.

I borrowed a Machinedrum, a well regarded analog (synthesized) drum machine, and spent a day learning how to use it, and gave up on getting one, when I realized Elastic Drums had similar sounds and was much easier to use, because more was visible.

Looking for a multi-track looper, I ended up with a Boss RC-505, and it is good, well thought out, but same thing, a lot of crucial settings, that you need to access constantly, are hidden in the menus. I don't think Loopy, with a foot controller or Midi fader box, would be a worse setup, regardless of price. A couple more doohickeys, and cords, but more tracks, better effects. Less slutty, but more customizable/expandable.

kobamoto

apples and oranges, if you've ever seen dateline on his digitakt then you be hard pressed to see someone working more fluidly on any device, He clearly isn't bogged down in menus but of course he's learned it. From what I can see of his set up he'd probably not fare nearly as well as you or other iOS user so that's what it all probably comes down to in the end. In the realm of comparing just for comparisons sakeI think if you take someone on iOS who's super fluid and compared that to someone equally as fluid on the digitakt, then the digitakt fundamentally takes less to operate. the digitakt would be half way into a song before the iOS session would be set up, or if you already. got the iOS device setup with everything you needed and started the comparison from that point, because of it's tactile nature the digitakt would prob still be in the lead as there is just less work involved when comparing to shuffling around all the apps you would need to emulate the digitakt experience.

nope I don't have a digitakt, was contemplating it seriously but decided to just stick with iOS in that spot. even though imo the digitakt is faster to get around.

SpookyZoo

How are peeps getting on with their digitakt?

Have you fused it into your iOS workflow?

Will

@SpookyZoo said:
How are peeps getting on with their digitakt?

Have you fused it into your iOS workflow?

My bank account (and partner) would appreciate it if Digitakt users only shared bad experiences. Thx.

echoopera

@ipadthai

An iPad will never be as fast and as fluid as a device with dedicated knobs and workflow associated with those knobs.

I recently picked up the new Octatrack MK2 because of the improved UI to enhance the workflow and in the week I’ve had it I have learned so much more about sequencing and arranging.

Granted, the past 1.5 years of learning to play music on the iPad has helped to prepare me for what a hardware sequencing word would feel like. Having been enamoured with physical sequencers for a while, I’d say focus on using the Digitakt as a midi sequencer through AB3 so you can harness all those great iOS synths.

Get the iConnectivity Mio if you need a Midi to USB converter if you don’t already have a midi to usb converter yet.

I think if you were to leverage its sequencing and conditional and midi cc manipulation capabilities you will experience all new vistas of potential from that $650 little black box of magic.

raindro

I love my digitakt. It's so fun and streamlined to use.

kobamoto

@echoopera said:
@ipadthai

An iPad will never be as fast and as fluid as a device with dedicated knobs and workflow associated with those knobs.

I recently picked up the new Octatrack MK2 because of the improved UI to enhance the workflow and in the week I’ve had it I have learned so much more about sequencing and arranging.

Granted, the past 1.5 years of learning to play music on the iPad has helped to prepare me for what a hardware sequencing word would feel like. Having been enamoured with physical sequencers for a while, I’d say focus on using the Digitakt as a midi sequencer through AB3 so you can harness all those great iOS synths.

Get the iConnectivity Mio if you need a Midi to USB converter if you don’t already have a midi to usb converter yet.

I think if you were to leverage its sequencing and conditional and midi cc manipulation capabilities you will experience all new vistas of potential from that $650 little black box of magic.

what has your coatrack meant to you/ become most... a beat machine, an audio mangler/mixer, more of a sequencer ?... or maybe a better way to say is in what role are you using it mostly?

echoopera

@kobamoto said:

@echoopera said:
@ipadthai

An iPad will never be as fast and as fluid as a device with dedicated knobs and workflow associated with those knobs.

I recently picked up the new Octatrack MK2 because of the improved UI to enhance the workflow and in the week I’ve had it I have learned so much more about sequencing and arranging.

Granted, the past 1.5 years of learning to play music on the iPad has helped to prepare me for what a hardware sequencing word would feel like. Having been enamoured with physical sequencers for a while, I’d say focus on using the Digitakt as a midi sequencer through AB3 so you can harness all those great iOS synths.

Get the iConnectivity Mio if you need a Midi to USB converter if you don’t already have a midi to usb converter yet.

I think if you were to leverage its sequencing and conditional and midi cc manipulation capabilities you will experience all new vistas of potential from that $650 little black box of magic.

what has your coatrack meant to you/ become most... a beat machine, an audio mangler/mixer, more of a sequencer ?... or maybe a better way to say is in what role are you using it mostly?

All of the above eventually. I've only had it for a week, so I am exploring all the niceties of midi sequencing with it for now...but there is a lot more to uncover with it for sure...so in time...I hope to use it for all of the items you listed since that is it's promised potential

ipadthai

I don't agree about workflow being quicker on Digitakt. I'd argue it's slower. To get a sample on there, you have to hook it up to a computer, for example. With iOS, however, I can be sitting in a coffee shop and a download a sample to Audioshare and drop the sample in an app, trim it, make it something just as weird and stuttery as in Digitakt (but even more so since Digitakt only has a few effects and features), and have a a nice loop/sound/whatever all in a few minutes.

Digitakt is not even battery powered. It's more time consuming prep-wise to start the process with a Digitakt. You basically have to be in your "studio." Sure you can lug it and the power cord but it's not the same in convenience, which impacts workflow.

Now someone like Dataline might make everything look cool and fluid and improv-like. But if you pay close attention to his and others' videos, you'll see that a lot of it is not on-the-fly mangling. A lot is prepared beforehand. I wouldn't want to be building a song live in front of an audience with it. It's not that kind of workflow.

I know the Digitakt is wildly popular but I think people have a skewed idea of its workflow. It also doesn't offer much in the way of effects - just reverb, delay, and an awful sounding bit crusher. The conditional trigs and retrigs are neat but nothing that justifies the $700 imo and they pale in comparison to what I can do with BM3 [or insert another app] and Turnado alone. I can go so much further into glitchy, stuttery, dark IDM territory with the iPad.

Like I said, I had it for a few months and just felt like it was a bit antiquated compared to what I can do on iOS. If it was battery powered, then mayyyyyybe. But even then, nah.

echoopera

Okie dokie. Not all things are for everyone and that is the beauty of so much music gear fitting ones workflow.

And yes...the iPad is a great music gear tool as well. It just keeps getting better.

I plan on sampling the iPad into the OT once I get on with those studies.

Will

@ipadthai said:
I don't agree about workflow being quicker on Digitakt. I'd argue it's slower. To get a sample on there, you have to hook it up to a computer, for example. With iOS, however, I can be sitting in a coffee shop and a download a sample to Audioshare and drop the sample in an app, trim it, make it something just as weird and stuttery as in Digitakt (but even more so since Digitakt only has a few effects and features), and have a a nice loop/sound/whatever all in a few minutes.

Digitakt is not even battery powered. It's more time consuming prep-wise to start the process with a Digitakt. You basically have to be in your "studio." Sure you can lug it and the power cord but it's not the same in convenience, which impacts workflow.

Now someone like Dataline might make everything look cool and fluid and improv-like. But if you pay close attention to his and others' videos, you'll see that a lot of it is not on-the-fly mangling. A lot is prepared beforehand. I wouldn't want to be building a song live in front of an audience with it. It's not that kind of workflow.

I know the Digitakt is wildly popular but I think people have a skewed idea of its workflow. It also doesn't offer much in the way of effects - just reverb, delay, and an awful sounding bit crusher. The conditional trigs and retrigs are neat but nothing that justifies the $700 imo and they pale in comparison to what I can do with BM3 [or insert another app] and Turnado alone. I can go so much further into glitchy, stuttery, dark IDM territory with the iPad.

Like I said, I had it for a few months and just felt like it was a bit antiquated compared to what I can do on iOS. If it was battery powered, then mayyyyyybe. But even then, nah.

My partner asked me to thank you. So, thank you.

ipadthai

@syrupcore said:

@ipadthai said:
I don't agree about workflow being quicker on Digitakt. I'd argue it's slower. To get a sample on there, you have to hook it up to a computer, for example. With iOS, however, I can be sitting in a coffee shop and a download a sample to Audioshare and drop the sample in an app, trim it, make it something just as weird and stuttery as in Digitakt (but even more so since Digitakt only has a few effects and features), and have a a nice loop/sound/whatever all in a few minutes.

Digitakt is not even battery powered. It's more time consuming prep-wise to start the process with a Digitakt. You basically have to be in your "studio." Sure you can lug it and the power cord but it's not the same in convenience, which impacts workflow.

Now someone like Dataline might make everything look cool and fluid and improv-like. But if you pay close attention to his and others' videos, you'll see that a lot of it is not on-the-fly mangling. A lot is prepared beforehand. I wouldn't want to be building a song live in front of an audience with it. It's not that kind of workflow.

I know the Digitakt is wildly popular but I think people have a skewed idea of its workflow. It also doesn't offer much in the way of effects - just reverb, delay, and an awful sounding bit crusher. The conditional trigs and retrigs are neat but nothing that justifies the $700 imo and they pale in comparison to what I can do with BM3 [or insert another app] and Turnado alone. I can go so much further into glitchy, stuttery, dark IDM territory with the iPad.

Like I said, I had it for a few months and just felt like it was a bit antiquated compared to what I can do on iOS. If it was battery powered, then mayyyyyybe. But even then, nah.

My partner asked me to thank you. So, thank you.

Lol. I make it sound like I hate it when I re-read my post. I definitely liked it. And I would have propably kept it if I hadn’t discovered iOS apps. I can’t think of any hardware like the Digitakt.

kobamoto

the digitakt samples directly

kobamoto

also data line shows clearly that he's sampling from scratch

but I agree about wishing it was battery powered, I think it was a nutty move to not put a battery in it in this day and age.

anyways if it was just making things stuttery then I'd probably agree but that's not at all what you see for example dateline doing... with the trigs, probability and moving the audio around.... it would take you all day to do that on iOS, even the closest sequencer on iOS isn't close enough imho

given enough time though you could do anything on iOS with bm3 but it wouldn't feel nearly the same

echoopera

@kobamoto said:
also data line shows clearly that he's sampling from scratch

but I agree about wishing it was battery powered, I think it was a nutty move to not put a battery in it in this day and age.

anyways if it was just making things stuttery then I'd probably agree but that's not at all what you see for example dateline doing... with the trigs, probability and moving the audio around.... it would take you all day to do that on iOS, even the closest sequencer on iOS isn't close enough imho

given enough time though you could do anything on iOS with bm3 but it wouldn't feel nearly the same

Hrmmm...with all the craziness it is doing in regards to mangling samples and what not, I am sure it would suck the life out of batteries in the matter of minutes Remember how fast Blocswave was draining iPads until they did a few Software Updates. For LIVE PERFORMANCE devices like the DT and OT, I think they want to give them as much POWER as they can take so they don't stutter and hiccup...just my opinion of course

kobamoto

this guy, he says he gets 4-5 hours out of his. ext $50 battery

Will

Does BM3 allow you to automate the start and loop length of samples in real time? Isn't that the bulk of the 'magic' going on with the Digitakt?

If so, I'm still not suggesting BM3 as a replacement. I don't own it. Horses, courses, etc. Just wondering if it supports this feature.

kobamoto

dunno, have bm3 uninstalled at the moment

ipadthai

@kobamoto said:
the digitakt samples directly

True. I was talking more about samples from the internet or synths/apps already on the iPhone/iPad. So easy to load them into BM3/ED/Patterning/etc. Whereas with the Digitakt, I have to hook up an instrument to it or go from iPhone/iPad to it via a cable, or connect it to a computer. First world problems for sure but it is a workflow buzzkiller compared to iOS. That said the Digitakt does come with a generous number of samples and nice synth stabs/sounds.

Rewatching Digitakt videos, I get that old tingle that made me buy one in the first place. But then I remember how it would gather dust while I sat in bed with my iPad. I definitely like the step sequencer method of the Digitakt and all the crazy things one can do to each step. Also program changes via external MIDI were fun and lead to some interesting sequences. Who knows maybe I'll buy it again and give it a second go-around. It was ridiculously easy to sell, so not much risk really.

echoopera

@ipadthai said:

@kobamoto said:
the digitakt samples directly

True. I was talking more about samples from the internet or synths/apps already on the iPhone/iPad. So easy to load them into BM3/ED/Patterning/etc. Whereas with the Digitakt, I have to hook up an instrument to it or go from iPhone/iPad to it via a cable, or connect it to a computer. First world problems for sure but it is a workflow buzzkiller compared to iOS. That said the Digitakt does come with a generous number of samples and nice synth stabs/sounds.

Rewatching Digitakt videos, I get that old tingle that made me buy one in the first place. But then I remember how it would gather dust while I sat in bed with my iPad. I definitely like the step sequencer method of the Digitakt and all the crazy things one can do to each step. Also program changes via external MIDI were fun and lead to some interesting sequences. Who knows maybe I'll buy it again and give it a second go-around. It was ridiculously easy to sell, so not much risk really.

well...not to up the ante, but you can get an original Octatrack MK1 for around the same price as a Digitakt if ya want

ipadthai

I'm too easily frustrated to deal with the OT. I've seen it break grown men

echoopera

@ipadthai said:
I'm too easily frustrated to deal with the OT. I've seen it break grown men

Hahaha....you just gotta go into it with a beginners mind "There is no spoon...there is no spoon...there is no....there is....there.....mmmmmmmm....."

kobamoto

there's something weird about the octa, I don't know what it is maybe it's just that people have been saying how difficult it is for so long that it stuck a little. I've only messed with it in moments and definitely not enough to come to a conclusion but even still it has a tiny grey cloud over it.... the rytm on the other hand seems extremely intriguing and I can't wait to find out what the rytm mk2 offers. The digitakt is looking like one of those things that is just an inevitable purchase once it hits a certain price point. the limitations drive me nuts but then what other box do you know of with such limitations that can still do so much?

kobamoto

@echoopera said:

@ipadthai said:

@kobamoto said:
the digitakt samples directly

well...not to up the ante, but you can get an original Octatrack MK1 for around the same price as a Digitakt if ya want

oohwheeee!

mireko_2

@ipadthai said:
I don't agree about workflow being quicker on Digitakt. I'd argue it's slower. To get a sample on there, you have to hook it up to a computer, for example. With iOS, however, I can be sitting in a coffee shop and a download a sample to Audioshare and drop the sample in an app, trim it, make it something just as weird and stuttery as in Digitakt (but even more so since Digitakt only has a few effects and features), and have a a nice loop/sound/whatever all in a few minutes.

Digitakt is not even battery powered. It's more time consuming prep-wise to start the process with a Digitakt. You basically have to be in your "studio." Sure you can lug it and the power cord but it's not the same in convenience, which impacts workflow.

Now someone like Dataline might make everything look cool and fluid and improv-like. But if you pay close attention to his and others' videos, you'll see that a lot of it is not on-the-fly mangling. A lot is prepared beforehand. I wouldn't want to be building a song live in front of an audience with it. It's not that kind of workflow.

I know the Digitakt is wildly popular but I think people have a skewed idea of its workflow. It also doesn't offer much in the way of effects - just reverb, delay, and an awful sounding bit crusher. The conditional trigs and retrigs are neat but nothing that justifies the $700 imo and they pale in comparison to what I can do with BM3 [or insert another app] and Turnado alone. I can go so much further into glitchy, stuttery, dark IDM territory with the iPad.

Like I said, I had it for a few months and just felt like it was a bit antiquated compared to what I can do on iOS. If it was battery powered, then mayyyyyybe. But even then, nah.

amazing how different peoples experiences are with certain hardware/software..
Since I bought a Digitakt i have barely used my iPad, the Digitakt is so much more inspiring for me when I sit down in front of it.. It reminded me how nice it is to have a hardware device and since then I have bought an OP1 to pair up with it. They are both really nice bits of kit, and the ipad is still there as a sample source for both.

kobamoto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=850&v=yBGITq8EJQ0

ChrisG

@kobamoto said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=850&v=yBGITq8EJQ0

That's a dope track. I've never really cared for the Rytm as I've never had a good experience with anything using pads. Sometimes because of plain crappy and unresponsive pads, but mostly because I suck at creating melodic stuff with pads, my brain just turns into a raisin when I try. I can't shake it and, I really hate it:(. Every time I see something like the above video it obviously goes back into the "maybe one day..." casket tho:-).

---

Here's a fun one, ambient soundscape with pinch of glitch (that eventually ends up glitching out the Digitakt)

Loud sound the first few seconds, lower ur volumes ppl

kobamoto

@ChrisG said:

@kobamoto said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=850&v=yBGITq8EJQ0

That's a dope track. I've never really cared for the Rytm as I've never had a good experience with anything using pads. Sometimes because of plain crappy and unresponsive pads, but mostly because I suck at creating melodic stuff with pads, my brain just turns into a raisin when I try. I can't shake it and, I really hate it:(. Every time I see something like the above video it obviously goes back into the "maybe one day..." casket tho:-).

---

Here's a fun one, ambient soundscape with pinch of glitch (that eventually ends up glitching out the Digitakt)

Loud sound the first few seconds, lower ur volumes ppl

love this one!!!!

this is why I would kill for stereo samples on this box.... what the hell were they thinkinggggg

hacked_to_pieces

Battery powered Elektron

Will

@ChrisG said:
Loud sound the first few seconds, lower ur volumes ppl

Damn. His whole channel is great.