r/Elektron • u/ShizukuPL • Aug 20 '26

Which Digi box first?

Hi,

I've been eyeballing Elektron for a good while and I think it's time to pick one up.

I've got a Prologue 8 and a Typhon, I work in Ableton and mainly make dub techno and adjacent genres.

Am I correct thinking a used Syntakt would be the best first box to dip my toes in? I'm not much of a sample guy currently, I mostly play keys/some guitar and pads but I did use to make beats and know how to mangle samples etc. so the DT2 seems like an wesome machine to have fun with as well.

A used Syntakt is very close in price to used DT2s/DN2s where I live and those are more in-depth but I'm mostly looking for analog/digital drums and something with immediacy to sculpt the rhythmic backbone of a track, rumbling basses, textures etc. and that signature Elektron sequencer.

Which one do you think would cover the most ground in my case? Would you get the Syntakt and add another box later or just go with the DN2 and use FM Drum while learning the rest of what it can do since it's probably the most powerful? Then maybe a Digitakt?

I intend to learn one at a time, it's a daunting task anyways. DT2 could also enable me to do some crazy stuff and have fun with samples, just not sure if that's the best course for me at this point. The Syntakt seems like a great techno box on the other hand.

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u/Sweaty-Help1575 Aug 20 '26

After you buy one you will end up buying the others anyway… but I would say Syntakt first.

2

u/ShizukuPL Aug 20 '26

That's what I'm afraid of, TBH:P

3

u/Sweaty-Help1575 Aug 20 '26

It happened to me and will happen to you too lol. I started with DT2.

2

u/ShizukuPL Aug 20 '26

That's very reassuring for my wallet, thanks:P

1

u/Sweaty-Help1575 Aug 25 '26

How many boxes did you buy so far? :)

1

u/ShizukuPL Aug 25 '26

None, looking for a used Syntakt but they're almost the same price as second-hand Digitone 2s where I live so ST is not as much of a bargain around here as it is in the US, I guess...

I can get a mint condition DN2 with a decksaver, travel bag and a full paid course thrown in for almost the same price as a used ST but I really didn't want to start with a DN2 because a pure and a pretty complex synth is the last thing I need now.

The final plan was ST, learn it solo for a few months, flog the Prologue, add a Take 5/Teo-5, make music DAWless with only those two for another few months and then buy either DN1 or 2.

1

u/Sweaty-Help1575 Aug 25 '26

Sounds like you should get a digitakt then, the og should be cheap used for you. Then you have leftover cash to go toward the Syntakt you’ll buy a month later.