Recently acquired a Digitakt 2 and loving the improvements over the OG DT.
I currently have it connected up to a small modular rack, which is proving a great source of sample-worthy textures, but I’d also like to use it to sequence something with polyphony. Ideally this would be quite small and portable. Doesn’t need to be multi-timbral, although that could prove useful further down the line.
I’d like to keep things focussed and only use the one sequencer. I think a DN 2 would be overkill, and I never got along with the OG DN. I also have (and love) a Syntakt, but I prefer to use that standalone rather than 2 Elektrons together. It’s also obviously not polyphonic.
In some ways, I wish I’d kept hold of my old DSI Tetra, as that would have worked well in this setup. I keep looking at a Move as a possibility - Microcosm’s Drift presets prove how good that could sound, but I don’t know how easy that is to integrate into a setup that is mainly driven by the DT. Has anyone here sequenced a Move from a DT?
I’m sure there are plenty of options I’ve not yet considered…
While I love the Move, its midi implementation leaves lots to be desired. I don’t believe you can control synth parameters externally and it will only receive midi on whatever the active track is.
Good shout. The Micromonsta 2 rather passed under my radar, which is odd considering how Tetra-like it is in form factor. I’ll have to look into it a bit more but the 2-part multi-timbral is probably perfect. Good to see that video showing how well it responds to program change too.
On paper maybe, but I’m not sure I can face another horrible Roland UI!
The only really clunky thing about the Roland SH-4D is the sequencer, which you’d be bypassing with the DTII. It’s pretty smooth and quick for sound design otherwise - super fast and flexible.
Great form factor and multitimbral: take a look at Fred’s Lab. I have the Manatee and it’s quite interesting, Tööro is even smaller.
Check out the IK Multimedia UNO Synth Pro X, it’s nuts!
Edit: forgot, it’s paraphonic not polyphonic. In that case, the Nymphes for analogue or 1010 Fireball/Lemondrop for tiny wavetable/granular goodness. Or the Micromonsta 2 for a workhorse.
Synth depends on how and for what it would be used…
First contender: Roland aura S-1.
I know, Roland UI. But can be found used for 120€ (found mine for 100), has all the typical synths controlled (filter, tx send, osc mix, amp) in the front without Menu diving. A couple secondary controls 1 layer deep. I would not like to fully edit utilize the sequencer, and when using the arpegiator it starts to get more cumbersome.
But as a basic 4 voice sh-101 style synth?
More then worth it.
Bonus: pretty much anything can be changed via cc, so after writing down whats important you can control it well through the DT.
Alternatives:
microkorg 2, not my jam, but a reasonable poly option, now mit screen.
Micro freak: just paraphony, but a wide array of sound, definitely more digital sounding.
Op-1: only suggest this if you have a midi host in between
6 note polyphony, 6 engines and polyphonic sample playback. The tape tracks would be a nice extra.
Seqtrak: a f-ton of great sounds and solid synth engine, can be midi host over usb, but no screen, so an tablet or phone is needed → cumbersome.
If you prefer FM and don’t want to mess around with the Sounddesign and rather use presets (and there are many since it’s dx7 compatible) then the Korg Volva FM(2) is a great option. 6 note polyphony.
That’s all assuming you don’t want a full grown adult polysynth but a good sounding synth soundsource to be controlled by the digitakt.
Yeah most of their UI’s are awful I agree! Although the SH-4d is not your typical Roland UI. Most people would agree it’s a real joy to use compared to other Rolands.
I actually have the Rev2 keys now but even the desktop is a bit too big to be portable. Tetras seem really expensive for what they are now. I loved mine at the time (it was the first analog poly I had of any description) but not sure how wise it would be to go back, although I do still have all my old patches.
