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  • Writer's pictureSunwarper
    • Nov 10, 2023
    • 2 min read

Beatmaking with Elektron Digitakt//This Sampler is CRAZY Powerful, Let's See What It Can Do

So I finally got the Elektron Digitakt and while it's got a steep learning curve I'm already starting to see just how powerful it is as a sampler sequencer and even for sound design. Despite that, this is a 6-year-old machine, so today I want to talk about why I think it's still relevant years after it's release thanks to its powerful sampling, per step Automation and more. To check this out we're going to make a beat using just samples and if you want to follow along with these exact samples they're available on my sample packs page.


If you're new to the Digitakt, it can seem pretty daunting at first with all of the buttons and complex prompts. Here are 5 quick tips to help get you started with this complicated, but amazing machine:

  1. When choosing samples, you can use the filter to act as an EQ to help fit the sound into the total mix

  2. Hit Func+Src to choose your sample machine and test what each machine can do to your samples. This works especially well with long form samples and trying slice, werp and slice machines

  3. LFO’s are your best friend on the Digitakt - they can drastically change the sound of a sample, or do crazy things like trigger different samples from the sample pool to create happy little accidents

  4. Per step automation (holding down on a step and altering settings) can work wonders on any sound, but for drums it can create fantastic sounding ghost notes, probabilities for how often the sound is triggered and more.

  5. The built in effects can liven up sounds, and the Master Compressor can glue all of the sounds together. I recommend starting with a lower ratio (2:1) and long attack/release then tweaking to taste between the ratio setting and the dry/wet.

There's a lot to learn on the Digitakt, but once it clicks this is one of the most powerful pieces of hardware in a Dawless toolkit. If you want to truly master your gear and learn how to create, mix and master songs email me at sunwarpermusic@gmail.com for one on one coaching.

 
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