Elektron

can be “parameter locked” to include
its own set of values, independent
from the track it’s on.
It’s even more wild when you
consider that each of the eight tracks
can have their own playback rate,
quantisation, swing rate, and step
value. It’s easy to program a quick
groove and then send it into oblivion.
Software
We have yet to even touch on
Elektron’s Overbridge software, which
connects the Digitakt to your
computer via USB and allows each of
the eight tracks (as well as the master
and effect channels) to be tapped
digitally in your DAW. Furthermore,
Overbridge allows the Digitakt to act
as a full audio interface.
Trig probability, step preview, and
class compliant audio, among other
features were added in 2020’s 1.2
update, while the most recent OS
1.30 includes even more updates,
making the feature set of the Digitakt
even more impressive. While the first
version of the OS only had a few filter
types and one LFO per track, the
most recent update added a second
LFO per track, an entire new
base-width filter per track, a new
parametric EQ filter variation, and
more. Elektron have always been
clear that the Digitakt is very much a
work in progress, and those who’ve
been there from the start have seen it
grow significantly.
So, how has the Digitakt held up
over the years? We’ve had our unit
since 2018 and it’s seen a fair
amount of use, both on stage and in
the studio. Luckily, we are happy to
report that given its strong metal
chassis and solid construction, the
Digitakt has held up remarkably well
to a few years of very regular use. The
screen itself looks like the day we
brought it home, the buttons still
clack with that satisfying click, and
the outputs and inputs are free from
any noise or crackling whatsoever.
Using a Decksaver when in travel
mode is definitely recommended, as
it keeps the eight encoders from
being bent.
Beyond that, we can’t see
anything going wrong with the
Digitakt over the next five years. Top
marks to Elektron on the solid build
quality and design of this drum
computer. Its near ubiquity on the
modern producer’s desk is for a very
good reason – it’s a deep, flexible, fun
drum machine and sampler.
THE PROS & CONS
+
Flexible, precise, and
powerful sound
engine that can go
from clean to filthy
Eight tracks of
powerful sequencing
that use Elektron’s
famed parameter-
locking workflow
Overbridge lets you
connect the Digitakt
to a DAW with ease
-
No USB power,
which limits the
portability of an
otherwise very
portable machine
Some might gripe at
the fixed 1GB hard
drive space that is
not upgradeable
Still no way to pass
certain MIDI values
through the Digitakt
Those who’ve been there
from the start have seen it
grow significantly
FM VERDICT
VALUE
••••••••••
BUILD
••••••••••
LONGEVITY
••••••••••
USEFULNESS
••••••••••
OVERALL
9.4
Remains a go-to
sampler and drum
machine for novices
and veterans alike; a
future classic
RESAMPLING INDIVIDUAL TRACKS ON THE DIGITAKT
A big change in the recent 1.30
OS update gives Digitakt users the
ability to choose individual tracks
when resampling, as opposed to
just the master output or external
audio inputs. Simply select what
track you’d like to record in the
Recording Screen with the main
Data encoder. This opens up the
Digitakt a good deal, as you can
now, say, apply effects to a sample
many times over. Resampling on
the Digitakt is especially key given
that you can’t time-stretch loops,
but you can slow a loop manually
and then resample it.
Elektron Digitakt | Long term test
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