One thing i should point out: Your Digitakt has to be at least on OS 1.02 if you want to follow along. In earlier Firmware Versions, things like "Recording Notes into the Digitakt Sequencer" and other things regarding MIDI werent working properly! So make sure to update your Digitakt first ;-) I also apologize for the "grainier" and darker Image of the Video! It was in the middle of the night as i recorded this - and i dont have proper Lights or a proper Camera. I hope you can still see something :-) And if you have further questions: Just ask! All the best, umo
It totally mystified me that my Syntakt and my Analog 4 both just crashed when I tried to set up mutual transport controls then I found this video and you had the same behaviour. Which made me realise it's a feature not a bug 😆 Thanks!
Dude. I just got an analog four to couple with my digitakt yesterday and you are blowing my mind with this video. Thank you SO much for your help with this you have no idea how frustrated I get when combining pieces of gear trying to make them work together. I think the A4/Digitakt combo might be my final form. Thank you again so much I’ve gotta to donate to you for this video because this is a special kind of help for me. Changed my life
Top video Mr Umonox! Looking forward to the multi map video. Getting the Digitakt tomorrow - cannot wait to play alongside side the AK. So this was very helpful indeed. Thank you !
Little bit busy last year ... Just found this awesome video nailed again . Hope there is a part 2 would love to see the programmed cc changes and midi mapping done in your style.Good work thank you .
Wonderful overview. Think this is actually the best Digitakt MIDI video to date. Thank you! Would be an *Incredibly* user friendly OS update if the DigiTakt allowed you to define, save and recall MIDI instruments. It could even ship with some presets for common devices like the A4, Volcas...
Hi, thanks for the vid it's a godsend :) I set it up almost the same, but sending audio from A4 into DT. I still get delay and reverb sends but no chorus. I was having some gain issues the other way around. Program change just works, simply set the auto channel to the same number, send from DT and receive on A4. Don't even need to turn on the program potentiometer on a midi track in the SRC page or put down a trigless trig. I just change patterns on the DT and the A4 follows. Hope it keeps working, i'm on the latest OS for each machine. Thanks again.
Hi umonox!! I really really would like to see a more detailed version of this vid. I own an A4 and I think this is super helpful for a lot of people, so please do it (:
I'd love more vids on the Analog4, but especially more advanced workflows and tips/tricks (LooPop made a pretty good tutorial on its MIDI Map function, but perhaps you have something to add)
Noob question. I keep reading that if you control Digitakt from Analog Four you get the bonus of having song mode, but I can not find any more info about the subject. Is that even possible, as I know for a fact that Analog Four does not send any midi messages from its sequencer, or not?
thanks umonox for your videos, need a question, we have in sync digitakl with A4 AND monomachine, but when change patter not change the kit. example digitakt bank A1 (KIT DUB) TO A4 BANK A1 (KIT DUB) (SAME NAME OF KIT IN ALL MACHINES) JUMP TO : BANK B5 DIGITAKT (KIT HOUSE) TO A4 B5 (KIT HOUSE) NOT CHANGE TO A KIT HOUSE ONLY SYNC PATTERNS NOT KIT? THANKS AND SORRY FOR MY POOR WORDS
This is a noob question, but what would be the advantage sequencing the analog four on the digitakt, going to the trouble of programming CC changes, etc instead of just sequencing each machine on their own and syncing/controlling from the digitakt. Seems like it would make more sense in this setup to sync them and sequence on each machine individually. sequencing an external synth on the digitakt would make more sense when using a synth that doesn't have a sequencer of it's own (or one inferior to digitakt). Am I missing something?
The advantage of controlling the A4 from the Digitakt is: You can do (almost) everything on one machine! In any live situation (playing in a club, doing Live Jams on Videos and so on) this comes in very handy. Because not all of us are like Mr. Dataline - not all of us are able to control multiple Elektron machines at once and in such great Detail - without getting confused at some point ;-) And in the past, only the Octatrack was able to do it. But it had no Trig Conditions. So the Digitakt makes perfect sense in those situations!
Generally speaking, I agree with the OP's sentiments. Because of the ability to easily change the parameters on the A4, I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense, either. So, in that way, the A4 probably wasn't the best example. But umonox raises some good points about being able to do everything from one machine. So I guess it's just a matter of preference on how one likes to work.
Can the A4 be used with program changes along with song mode to change patterns in the Digitakt? It will transform the Digitakt in a machine with song mode? Tnks.
Hallo. Ist es möglich mit dem Setup (also einem zwischengeschalteten AnalogFour) über Midiloopback mit Miditracks vom Digitakt auch auf eigene Audiotrack Parameter zuzugreifen? LG
Can I send it four-note chords with midi? I’m thinking of getting the A4 MK1, but I’m confused on if it’s simple to send it chords or if I’d have to use a workaround?
Hi there. I set up my digitakt to control midi my A4 tracks 1 to 4 through channel 9 to 12. When I mute the midi channels 9 to 12 on Digitakt I hear a continuous feedback coming from the correspondent track 1 to 4 on A4. How can avoid the feedback or eventually haw can i stop midi tracks 9 to 12 continuing to hear track 1-8 on digitakt? Cheers
Great vid! I was just wondering how it would be possible in this setup to hook up an external midi keyboard so that it would be a bit easier to program chords etc.
thanks mate! yep, its on my to-do list already. quite a few people asked for the multi-map tutorial in the meantime ... will be one of my next videos in the near future, so stay tuned ;-)
Along the same line, how well does a Digitakt work with a Dave Smith Tetra 4 voice synth ? Good vidy ! For example will the Digitakt do program changes on the Tetra and other midi CC's
thx mate. I dont know if this works because i dont have the Tetra ;-) But since the Digi is sending PC Messages it should work if the Tetra is able to receive them. MIDI CCs should really be no problem either. But again: I dont have a DSI Tetra, so i cant verify.
it's OS related. since OS 1.03 you cannot activate them separately anymore. transport send/receive is now automatically activated according to the clock send/receive setting. so: if you activate clock send, transport send is activated as well and if you activate clock receive, transport receive is automatically activated too. they simplified this - which was probably not the best decision! i also liked being able to use these options detached from each other. but people got confused a lot and had issues and thats why they probably merged them :-(
The Digitakt can do chords on the A4 as shown, but can the Digitakt also drive four independent patches on the A4 simultaneously? In other words, could I set up four of the Digitakt's midi tracks to work as mono bass, mono arp, and two mono leads, with all four rendered by the A4? This would be a convenient way to make complete songs with only two devices, if it works.
yes, this works. just set different MIDI Channels on the tracks of the Digitakt and set up the A4 appropriately. that way you can control all the 4 tracks separately from the Digitakt in one place. This includes the CCs, Mod, Pitch & Stuff. Cheers
Thanks! Was totally not expecting such a fast reply! This is mostly me thinking out loud, but... I'm pondering ways to sequence entire songs (or a song worth of patterns) without a computer, and it seems like Digitakt+A4 is one of the sweet spots in that problem space. Plus, I could really use a good drum machine, samples are fun, and I like its Amiga mod-like design, so the Digitakt is appealing even by itself. I'm not totally decided on what to pair with it though... the A4 seems nice as four monosynths, but I haven't found any amazing demos of its sound and it relies a lot on menus. The Novation Peak has awesome sound and more front-panel controls, but isn't multi-timbral. Older digital synths could work too, like a Virus Snow or a Waldorf Blofeld, but their menu-diving is so deep I'd need a snorkel. I could also use my current synths, of course, and the Digitakt's synth-like capabilities (AKWF++). Microkorg XL + (Microbrute + KP3) might well be enough, and they're already on my desk. Anyway, thanks again. I'll go ponder more quietly. :)
haha, no problem :-) you could also use two digitakts - or maybe the new digitone they revealed today. same format, but "just" and FM synth. personally i think: working with samples is just a breeze. it frees you from almost any limitation in sound design, since you can make the sampler sound like almost everything. you loose realtime control over how the sound is created, sure - but when its about making tracks and getting them done ... i felt that nothing beats samples. i would buy a second Digitakt anytime if i had the money :) Dont care that much about regular synths anymore ... although the Peak really conviced me. It sounds amazing.
I know, right? I may have to get a Peak regardless, because of its capacity for taking sounds to ZOMG levels, and because it can do virtually anything with scalpel-like precision. It's incredibly versatile. And the Digitakt seems like a no-brainer because it's so uncommonly good at what it does. Old .mod/.s3m/.it files are how I got into composing, back when those were still hype, but stopped because trackers had limited functionality and made it hard to produce organic sounds... but the Digitakt seems to bring back the good parts of that (and more), without most of the downsides. Now I just need to save up $2k so I can afford both... *twiddles thumbs*
Hello! , I am undecided between these two machines .... I need low line, line chords, drums and solo. I want to make complete songs, not a pattern repeating itself to eternity. What machine do you recommend? Thank you!
I would choose the Digitakt. Its a Sampler, so you can sound like everything if you need to. And you have 8 Tracks instead of just 4. They are mono though. So you need to either prepare Chords on a separate Pattern, or sample Chords and use them straight away.The A4 is a Synth, therefore its best used as such. It has only 4 Tracks, fully Stereo though. It's capable of synthesizing Drum Sounds, but not specifically good at creating them. Its tedious, rewarding in the end, of course - but still tedious. The A4 is a great complement to the Digi if you need a Synth you can actually play and tweak. Both Sequencers are also inline and work in pretty much the same way. But if you can only choose one, i would choose the Digitakt, since you are more flexible with a Sampler than you are with a Synth only.
Hallo umonox, habe da mal ein Frage bzgl der Übertragung von Midinoten von der A4 zum Digitakt... Der Digitakt besitz ja keine Slide und Accent Programmierung, würde der Digitakt diese messages dennoch erhalten und in noten eintragen..?
Accent und Slide sind Sequencer Funktionen. Die werden nicht per MIDI übertragen; die werden benutzt um Parameter auf der Maschine selbst zu ändern ;-) Zudem hat der A4 keinen MIDI-Sequencer. Du kannst den Digitakt lediglich zum A4 syncen. Evtl. geht noch Program Change, das weiß ich grad nicht. Aber CCs kannst du nicht senden; somit auch den Effekt der Slides im Sequencer nicht. Dazu müsste der A4 MIDI Tracks haben; hat er aber nicht ;-) Mit dem Octatrack könnte das gehen. Hab ich aber nie probiert.
Yep, das weiß ich. Ich bezog das auch auf den A4, weil du ja vom A4 als Sender gesprochen hast ;) Keine Ahnung ob der PCs senden kann. Ich denke aber nicht.
Hi Jo. Yes, thats possible. In this particular case with the Analog Four for example you can control the Parameters of the FX track by setting the FX track to a MIDI-Channel of your choice in the Globals. On the Rytm it should work in the same way (cant check it out right now because i dont have the Rytm anymore). Oh and btw: Thanks for your support mate! This was greatly appreciated! Cheers
One thing i should point out: Your Digitakt has to be at least on OS 1.02 if you want to follow along. In earlier Firmware Versions, things like "Recording Notes into the Digitakt Sequencer" and other things regarding MIDI werent working properly! So make sure to update your Digitakt first ;-)
I also apologize for the "grainier" and darker Image of the Video! It was in the middle of the night as i recorded this - and i dont have proper Lights or a proper Camera. I hope you can still see something :-) And if you have further questions: Just ask! All the best, umo
It totally mystified me that my Syntakt and my Analog 4 both just crashed when I tried to set up mutual transport controls then I found this video and you had the same behaviour. Which made me realise it's a feature not a bug 😆 Thanks!
Dude. I just got an analog four to couple with my digitakt yesterday and you are blowing my mind with this video. Thank you SO much for your help with this you have no idea how frustrated I get when combining pieces of gear trying to make them work together. I think the A4/Digitakt combo might be my final form. Thank you again so much I’ve gotta to donate to you for this video because this is a special kind of help for me. Changed my life
God bless you for this video! Part 4, to be specific. Thanks man!
This video was great. I would love to see a part two! Thanks for making these.
np ;-) glad you like it.
Top video Mr Umonox! Looking forward to the multi map video. Getting the Digitakt tomorrow - cannot wait to play alongside side the AK. So this was very helpful indeed. Thank you !
np, youre welcome! glad it helped you out.
Excellent tutorial. Thank you. So well explained and your English is so good.
😊 😊 thank you mate! i always struggle with my English, so - nice to hear that you can understand me well! :-)
Little bit busy last year ... Just found this awesome video nailed again . Hope there is a part 2 would love to see the programmed cc changes and midi mapping done in your style.Good work thank you .
thanks mate. Dont have a Part 2 planned, but lets see if i find the time. Cheers
umonox Bring on the video sir :)
@@umonox I would love a more detailed video too!
Thx for this video, would also be interested in the extended version of the A4 video in combination with the Digitakt!
got it ;-)
Me too!!
Wonderful overview. Think this is actually the best Digitakt MIDI video to date. Thank you!
Would be an *Incredibly* user friendly OS update if the DigiTakt allowed you to define, save and recall MIDI instruments. It could even ship with some presets for common devices like the A4, Volcas...
Another excellent tutorial! Thank you!
youre welcome 👍
I would like to see as much as possible umonox, as I've got a analog four. Grate video by the way.
np, youre welcome! glad that you like it. i count your comment as a +1 for the Analog Four's Multi Map Edit ;-) Cheers
+1 more!
Bring on that midi video sir!
Hi, thanks for the vid it's a godsend :)
I set it up almost the same, but sending audio from A4 into DT. I still get delay and reverb sends but no chorus. I was having some gain issues the other way around. Program change just works, simply set the auto channel to the same number, send from DT and receive on A4. Don't even need to turn on the program potentiometer on a midi track in the SRC page or put down a trigless trig. I just change patterns on the DT and the A4 follows. Hope it keeps working, i'm on the latest OS for each machine. Thanks again.
Hi umonox!! I really really would like to see a more detailed version of this vid. I own an A4 and I think this is super helpful for a lot of people, so please do it (:
I'd love more vids on the Analog4, but especially more advanced workflows and tips/tricks (LooPop made a pretty good tutorial on its MIDI Map function, but perhaps you have something to add)
i would like to see 'a how to' on setting up the Digitakt's cc's being controlled by a midi controller.
Noob question. I keep reading that if you control Digitakt from Analog Four you get the bonus of having song mode, but I can not find any more info about the subject. Is that even possible, as I know for a fact that Analog Four does not send any midi messages from its sequencer, or not?
thanks umonox for your videos, need a question,
we have in sync digitakl with A4 AND monomachine, but when change patter not change the kit.
example digitakt bank A1 (KIT DUB) TO A4 BANK A1 (KIT DUB) (SAME NAME OF KIT IN ALL MACHINES) JUMP TO :
BANK B5 DIGITAKT (KIT HOUSE) TO A4 B5 (KIT HOUSE) NOT CHANGE TO A KIT HOUSE ONLY SYNC PATTERNS NOT KIT?
THANKS AND SORRY FOR MY POOR WORDS
This is a noob question, but what would be the advantage sequencing the analog four on the digitakt, going to the trouble of programming CC changes, etc instead of just sequencing each machine on their own and syncing/controlling from the digitakt. Seems like it would make more sense in this setup to sync them and sequence on each machine individually. sequencing an external synth on the digitakt would make more sense when using a synth that doesn't have a sequencer of it's own (or one inferior to digitakt). Am I missing something?
I guess one advantage I just thought of would be to CTRL-ALL, but does the CTRL-ALL even work with MIDI tracks?
The advantage of controlling the A4 from the Digitakt is: You can do (almost) everything on one machine! In any live situation (playing in a club, doing Live Jams on Videos and so on) this comes in very handy. Because not all of us are like Mr. Dataline - not all of us are able to control multiple Elektron machines at once and in such great Detail - without getting confused at some point ;-) And in the past, only the Octatrack was able to do it. But it had no Trig Conditions. So the Digitakt makes perfect sense in those situations!
Perfect. Thanks! Keep up the great videos too - very helpful for a relative beginner.
np, youre welcome!
Generally speaking, I agree with the OP's sentiments. Because of the ability to easily change the parameters on the A4, I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense, either. So, in that way, the A4 probably wasn't the best example. But umonox raises some good points about being able to do everything from one machine. So I guess it's just a matter of preference on how one likes to work.
Can the A4 be used with program changes along with song mode to change patterns in the Digitakt? It will transform the Digitakt in a machine with song mode? Tnks.
Hallo. Ist es möglich mit dem Setup (also einem zwischengeschalteten AnalogFour) über Midiloopback mit Miditracks vom Digitakt auch auf eigene Audiotrack Parameter zuzugreifen? LG
Can I send it four-note chords with midi? I’m thinking of getting the A4 MK1, but I’m confused on if it’s simple to send it chords or if I’d have to use a workaround?
Hi there. I set up my digitakt to control midi my A4 tracks 1 to 4 through channel 9 to 12. When I mute the midi channels 9 to 12 on Digitakt I hear a continuous feedback coming from the correspondent track 1 to 4 on A4. How can avoid the feedback or eventually haw can i stop midi tracks 9 to 12 continuing to hear track 1-8 on digitakt?
Cheers
Would love to see the multimap video.
Interesting that you don’t have to use A4 out to DT in audio recording… Am I missing something? Are those I/Os vice versa?
Great vid! I was just wondering how it would be possible in this setup to hook up an external midi keyboard so that it would be a bit easier to program chords etc.
this is very good stuff. PLZ do a video on the more implicated stuff you mentioned in the beginning
thanks mate! yep, its on my to-do list already. quite a few people asked for the multi-map tutorial in the meantime ... will be one of my next videos in the near future, so stay tuned ;-)
This is the exact setup I just got into. Thanks for this. Any easy way to add a usb / midi keyboard to use instead of the onboard on the A4?
Great tutorial, indeed !
thanks man! glad you finally watched it! :-D
yes, I had some issues that limitated my free time :-)
how do u make the same for analog 4 ? i want to play td3 on analog 4
Along the same line, how well does a Digitakt work with a Dave Smith Tetra 4 voice synth ? Good vidy ! For example will the Digitakt do program changes on the Tetra and other midi CC's
thx mate. I dont know if this works because i dont have the Tetra ;-) But since the Digi is sending PC Messages it should work if the Tetra is able to receive them. MIDI CCs should really be no problem either. But again: I dont have a DSI Tetra, so i cant verify.
Yep me too, i want to know how the midi map works please
got it!
Thank you for your video, bro. I don’t see “Transport send” in my Digitakt. There is only Clock send and receive and prog send and receive. Why?
it's OS related. since OS 1.03 you cannot activate them separately anymore. transport send/receive is now automatically activated according to the clock send/receive setting. so: if you activate clock send, transport send is activated as well and if you activate clock receive, transport receive is automatically activated too. they simplified this - which was probably not the best decision! i also liked being able to use these options detached from each other. but people got confused a lot and had issues and thats why they probably merged them :-(
umonox Thank you very much for your prompt reply. Now I understand this. And thank you for your video again. Cheers!
I am trying tot become a patron of your site but the PayPal link is not working at the moment 🙁
too bad :-( but thanks for your interest in supporting me mate! this already means a lot for me! :-)
The Digitakt can do chords on the A4 as shown, but can the Digitakt also drive four independent patches on the A4 simultaneously? In other words, could I set up four of the Digitakt's midi tracks to work as mono bass, mono arp, and two mono leads, with all four rendered by the A4?
This would be a convenient way to make complete songs with only two devices, if it works.
yes, this works. just set different MIDI Channels on the tracks of the Digitakt and set up the A4 appropriately. that way you can control all the 4 tracks separately from the Digitakt in one place. This includes the CCs, Mod, Pitch & Stuff. Cheers
Thanks! Was totally not expecting such a fast reply!
This is mostly me thinking out loud, but... I'm pondering ways to sequence entire songs (or a song worth of patterns) without a computer, and it seems like Digitakt+A4 is one of the sweet spots in that problem space. Plus, I could really use a good drum machine, samples are fun, and I like its Amiga mod-like design, so the Digitakt is appealing even by itself.
I'm not totally decided on what to pair with it though... the A4 seems nice as four monosynths, but I haven't found any amazing demos of its sound and it relies a lot on menus. The Novation Peak has awesome sound and more front-panel controls, but isn't multi-timbral. Older digital synths could work too, like a Virus Snow or a Waldorf Blofeld, but their menu-diving is so deep I'd need a snorkel. I could also use my current synths, of course, and the Digitakt's synth-like capabilities (AKWF++). Microkorg XL + (Microbrute + KP3) might well be enough, and they're already on my desk.
Anyway, thanks again. I'll go ponder more quietly. :)
haha, no problem :-) you could also use two digitakts - or maybe the new digitone they revealed today. same format, but "just" and FM synth. personally i think: working with samples is just a breeze. it frees you from almost any limitation in sound design, since you can make the sampler sound like almost everything. you loose realtime control over how the sound is created, sure - but when its about making tracks and getting them done ... i felt that nothing beats samples. i would buy a second Digitakt anytime if i had the money :) Dont care that much about regular synths anymore ... although the Peak really conviced me. It sounds amazing.
I know, right? I may have to get a Peak regardless, because of its capacity for taking sounds to ZOMG levels, and because it can do virtually anything with scalpel-like precision. It's incredibly versatile. And the Digitakt seems like a no-brainer because it's so uncommonly good at what it does. Old .mod/.s3m/.it files are how I got into composing, back when those were still hype, but stopped because trackers had limited functionality and made it hard to produce organic sounds... but the Digitakt seems to bring back the good parts of that (and more), without most of the downsides.
Now I just need to save up $2k so I can afford both... *twiddles thumbs*
Hello! , I am undecided between these two machines .... I need low line, line chords, drums and solo. I want to make complete songs, not a pattern repeating itself to eternity.
What machine do you recommend?
Thank you!
I would choose the Digitakt. Its a Sampler, so you can sound like everything if you need to. And you have 8 Tracks instead of just 4. They are mono though. So you need to either prepare Chords on a separate Pattern, or sample Chords and use them straight away.The A4 is a Synth, therefore its best used as such. It has only 4 Tracks, fully Stereo though. It's capable of synthesizing Drum Sounds, but not specifically good at creating them. Its tedious, rewarding in the end, of course - but still tedious. The A4 is a great complement to the Digi if you need a Synth you can actually play and tweak. Both Sequencers are also inline and work in pretty much the same way. But if you can only choose one, i would choose the Digitakt, since you are more flexible with a Sampler than you are with a Synth only.
@@umonox very thanks!
Hallo umonox, habe da mal ein Frage bzgl der Übertragung von Midinoten von der A4 zum Digitakt... Der Digitakt besitz ja keine Slide und Accent Programmierung, würde der Digitakt diese messages dennoch erhalten und in noten eintragen..?
Accent und Slide sind Sequencer Funktionen. Die werden nicht per MIDI übertragen; die werden benutzt um Parameter auf der Maschine selbst zu ändern ;-) Zudem hat der A4 keinen MIDI-Sequencer. Du kannst den Digitakt lediglich zum A4 syncen. Evtl. geht noch Program Change, das weiß ich grad nicht. Aber CCs kannst du nicht senden; somit auch den Effekt der Slides im Sequencer nicht. Dazu müsste der A4 MIDI Tracks haben; hat er aber nicht ;-) Mit dem Octatrack könnte das gehen. Hab ich aber nie probiert.
Hallo, danke für die Antwort... ja per AutoChannel kann man mit dem Digitakt Programchange senden und syncron die Pattern wechseln. lg
Yep, das weiß ich. Ich bezog das auch auf den A4, weil du ja vom A4 als Sender gesprochen hast ;) Keine Ahnung ob der PCs senden kann. Ich denke aber nicht.
Hello Umonox. When using Midi is it possible to control EfX parameters of the Elektron machine ?
Hi Jo. Yes, thats possible. In this particular case with the Analog Four for example you can control the Parameters of the FX track by setting the FX track to a MIDI-Channel of your choice in the Globals. On the Rytm it should work in the same way (cant check it out right now because i dont have the Rytm anymore). Oh and btw: Thanks for your support mate! This was greatly appreciated! Cheers
umonox On the Digitakt I have hooked an ext EMU Synth via Midi.
Can I use the Delay Efx of the Digitakt for the EMU ?
First of all thx for the tutorial! How can i control a minilogue , i mean sequencing it in the digitakt, in this set up?digitakt is the master
I have a Digitakt and I’m looking at the A4 mk ii. Do you think they pair well together?
sure ;-) but they probably wont sit nicely beneath each other; due to the different form factors ;-)
+1
with no song mode the digitakt is basically useless as a midi controller.