E-Lektron Digitakt II 16-Track Drum Computer and Sampler

Coming from 15+ years of Akai/MPC production, I really wasn't sure that this was going to be enough to justify breaking from that tradition, but I was so wrong - anyway, I'm going to compare this to the MPC One+ a lot in this review, just because that's the closest counterpart to this machine that I have experience with. I love the Digitakt II despite all the odds. It's not overly feature-laden, it doesn't really do much that current MPCs cannot, and its DAW integration is non-existent. The bespoke terminology (i.e., "preset" instead of "sample") was a little confusing at first, but after a few hours with the manual and YouTube videos, I feel very confident operating this machine. The automation possibilities (param locks) are a little clunky to program compared to straight-up drawing on the touchscreen of the MPC One, but they work great in practice. FX are very limited and frankly boring (but high-quality), with the exception being the excellent bus compressor with sidechaining, which rocks. Why do I love this thing so much, then? I think the biggest reason is its workflow is phenomenally fun compared to the super-precise, "math & science" philosophy of the MPC. I was a little scared at first because this machine lacks DAW integration, but the flow is so good that I forget I'm working on a little 3" screen for hours on end. It's an outside-the-box masterpiece to be honest, and if you have any inclination to run any DAW-less production, this is probably even better than the MPC One despite the vastly smaller feature set. The sound is fantastic, and is obviously contingent on what samples you put into it (I haven't really gotten into the factory sounds outside of the oscillator waveforms). The filters deserve a special mention as they are much nicer than the MPC, and every sample slot includes a secondary multimode filter beyond the "primary" filter, for which you can choose between several different options. I love them. The build quality is professional and better than any MPC I've ever owned. It's metal, weighty and solid, and all the knobs are precise and inspire confidence. The jacks feel solid and the OLED (I think?) display is small but really cleverly-designed and lacking the clutter of the MPC One. Otherwise, LEDs are bright, change colors and are all intuitive. LFOs and modulation options are excellent; at least as good as the MPC, although there are no assignable modulation envelopes to my knowledge. That said, the LFOs (3 per sample/"preset") are routable to tons of different parameters and I rarely - if ever - miss having the mod envelopes. Very useful. Overall, this machine lacks many of the features of Akai's latest DAW-in-a-box, and if you intend on producing mostly with a DAW, you're probably better off with an MPC One/Live. But if you want to produce DAWless, this is the superior option for the pure fun of its workflow, and is obviously a better option for live performance. It might not be the only sampler you will need in your studio, but if you already have a solid setup, this will make an excellent addition for anyone serious about sample-based music. It doesn't make the wildest sounds, but what it does put out is 100% pro-quality audio with a very "analog-ish" feel that you can't get with current MPCs on their own.

Super powerful sampler. The latest firmware update with slice mode made it even better! Elektron machines are the best

Magnífico producto, el menú y el flujo de trabajo es súper intuitivo, todo lo contrario a Roland. La memora es mucho más de lo que se requiere, tiene sampleo en estéreo, modo canción, retrigs para rolls (puenteo entre coros y versos de tu canción), tiene efectos, 16 canales estéreo o midi,secuenciador de 128 pasos; simplemente la mejor máquina para sampleos y creación de canciones. Si estás entre una SP404 Mk2 o una digitakt, no lo pienses, DIGITAKT 2 100% Su procesador es MUCHO más rápido, su capacidad es mayor, la velocidad de trabajo es MUY rápida. Tiene soporte VESA 10X10. Elektron lo volvió a hacer!

An amazing piece of hardware. Definitely not for those with short attention spans. The information beyond a pdf manual is limited to forums and youtube tutorials and there's still functions within the machine I haven't seen anyone cover online yet. With the newest slice update It's on level with the original model and the octatrack and I'm sure they'll keep updating it. Basically, if you want to make intricate sample chains and sequencing this is the machine.

The product arrived in excellent condition, well packaged, and included all the necessary cables, as well as an Elektron sticker. The device has met my expectations. I’ve been learning to use it by watching YouTube videos, and I’ve found it to be a very comprehensive tool for creating music. I highly recommend the Elektron Digitakt II.