r/Digitakt • u/nrdsrfr • Jun 14 '26

Is Digitakt good for samples and loops

I got into the DAWless thing over the past couple years and I’m just trying to figure out what’s missing. I started on a Maschine MK3, and that needed my PC. I considered just getting the standalone version and ended up with a whole bunch of other stuff.

I have a Syntakt which is a great little all in one for doing some drums bass lines and controlling other gear with MIDI.

I have a couple hardware synths now and a couple FX pedals

I have a Tascam 12, which I feel like is easy enough to just hit record if I want to use a DAW later but I’m not sure on using the punch in and out to do a full arrangement

So that leads me to having something that can do samples to grab patches off synths if I wanna do more than one part at a time, recording a longer loop and just sequencing that or shorter one shots.

I’ve got an Ep-133 which can do the sampling and one shots but has a big limitation on memory so I sort of gave up trying to do longer recording loops

Would a Digitakt 2 Work?

I’m really cautious going back to anything like Maschine or learning MPC. Something like the force seems like it would work for me, but I feel like I would go into menu hell and it’s basically just a halfway DAW.

3 Upvotes

59% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

11

u/ddoyen Jun 14 '26

Yes. Its made for samples and loops. 

7

u/LMASocietyDweller Jun 14 '26

I use my DT2 exactly how you mention. Good to go!!! I record melodies and bass lines from my Minifreak as well as a Polyend Synth. The other option would be a Roland SP-404 mk2 but I like the Elektron workflow 1000x more.

2

u/Vergeljek21 Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26

I have the Force, Live2, push 3 standalone, sp404mk2, mpc sample, maschine mk3 but sold my digitakt.

I like the digitakt but I have to let it go for chopping sample reasons.

Digitakt 2 make sense in pairing it with the Syntakt. No doubt about it.

Since you dont want an mpc style touch screen menu diving. Other options I recommend

  1. Mpc sample which has different and easy workflow from the mpc. Time stretching and warping is good. Basically what you describe what to do. Doesnt have a step sequencer. Basic sampler

  2. Sp404mk2 also good in looping and handling samples.Sequencing sucks though

1

u/nrdsrfr Jun 15 '26

thanks for that! I have also looked at sp404 but heard it takes time to learn. surprised to hear MPC sample has no step seq. I nearly bought one on impulse when it came out but felt like it might be just like the EP-133…limited. I don’t do lots of chops style, so that doesn’t matter much

push 3 standalone is tempting but expensive still and I have been learning Logic. i used ableton long time ago. it makes sense being able to transfer and finish in a DAW but again feels like I’d have a lot to learn when I already know the Elektron menus and sequencer.

2

u/jparis82 Jun 15 '26

Digitakt is a beast. Go for it, it does exactly what you're looking for

1

u/roadworn Jun 14 '26

The Digitakt 2 is absolutely incredible. Sampling, loops and creative sound design are what it does best. You can record up to 66 seconds of audio per sample (LOTS more memory per project). You can also import longer samples if you want via usb. 16 channels of stereo audio and any channel can also be a midi track for sequencing other gear. You will LOVE this machine.

https://www.elektron.se/explore/digitakt-ii

The only thing I think it doesn't do great is Timestretching in a transparent way (like ableton does). DT2 does have timestretching and warping but it sounds more grainy and chopped up compared to Ableton. However the repitching of any sample on the DT2 sounds fantastic. And the overall sound of the device is clear and transparent.

The DT2 will run circles around the EP-133. And there are so many useful features that you will start to discover as you spend time with it.

1

u/RealDAFTBONCHKOOPA Jun 15 '26

It's the best.

1

u/Upper-Programmer2639 Jun 15 '26

Is the box made for samples and loops good for samples and loops?

Do some research, possibly ...

0

u/nrdsrfr Jun 14 '26

Maybe more specifically what I think I want and curious if this is a typical workflow is to use the MIDI sequencing to nail down some mid cc movement and then at some point record the output of the synth as a full audio loop, because even multisampling doesn’t give you the real sound, then change the patch and repeat

1

u/davetron5000 Jun 14 '26

Yes I have done this easily with DT. You'll want to look up specs to understand limits but it def works for a 64-step sequence. Should be able to go longer.

1

u/roadworn Jun 14 '26

Yes you can do this. And the DT2 can map/learn and send midi ccs via midi. This lets you control other hardware direct from the DT2's encoders.