DN learning curve

Elektron Gear Digitone/Digitone Keys
#1

I have tried but the Digitone wont accept midi from an external keyboard into record. It has a steep learning curve and is a real pain to use. I will be selling it as soon as I can.

#2

Can’t speak to the midi issue as I haven’t tried that yet. But I am loving this machine!
Is this the first piece of elektron fear you’ve owned ?

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#3

I gotta say, I think you’re wrong. It does accept MIDI on record (I did it using the Arturia Keystep arp today) and, really, the learning curve is no more difficult than a modern DAW or iPad synth.

What are you trying to achieve? Maybe we can help. :slightly_smiling_face:

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#4

External keyboard works fine here as well

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#5

I wouldn’t say midi is part of the learning curve of any instrument. Go back to the manual and stop posting.

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#6

I was using a keystep but I think that is what is not working. It’s very unreliable. I have to factory reset it to get it to work in seq or Arp mode but It works as ane external keyboard. I will try it with a panorama P4. I use 4 DAWs and have several other modern synths which I use with no problems. Love the sounds but still hate using it. I have been waiting forever but still no overbridge. I’m updating the system and see if that helps.

#7

I use the Digitone with the Keystep very often, in rehearsals and live sessions.
I never had any problem with any of them, they work flawlessly one with each other.

Are you sure you have the MIDI config right (ports, channel)?

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#8

Yes, I am using the internal clock to be safe but it works via midi and USB too. It depends on what DAW I’m using, it picks up Sync from Live and Reason and Digital Performer.

#9

Do you have you midi configuration right on the digitone? For example have you chosen the proper auto channel? Is the keystep midi out connected to the digitone midi in?

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#10

Yeah, I am a new Keystep -> Digitone ->thru->Digitakt user, and I had some struggles understanding how Digitone routes MIDI.

For example, In the [Settings] page>MIDI>Channels you can assign each syn and midi track a channel (+auto, etc.). That channel is best thought about as the INPUT channel. It does not define the OUTPUT channel for a MIDI track. Instead, you select the OUTPUT channel for a MIDI track from the SYN page. It’s a great feature, but until I got what was going on, I was extremely frustrated.

Anyway, the easiest way to do what I think you want, and I’m assuming you may not have tried, because you didn’t specifically say you had and you’re still stuck, is to do the following:

  1. If the Keystep is using internal clock, you’ll want to go to SETTINGS on the Digitone and confirm you’re configured to receive clock (this step is only necessary if you want to use the arp and/or the sequencer on the Keystep).

  2. Find out what MIDI channel is configured as the AUTO channel. I think it defaults to 10.

  3. Make sure everybody is connected. Are you relying on the DAW in between, brokering all of your midi over USB? Or are you using MIDI cables? I assume the latter, because I thought you said you had it on Internal clock.

  4. On the Keystep, Press Shift + Channel [AUTO Channel on Digitone] so that your keyboard is sending notes to the right place.

  5. On the Digitone, make your target MIDI track active.

  6. Test the connection by playing your sound from the keyboard.

  7. If you want to

    • record in Grid mode
      • Press the REC button
      • hold down a trig and press the keys on the keyboard that you want to record.
    • record in Live mode
      • hold down REC and press the PLAY button
      • play the notes you want

I think that should do it. I apologize if this is something you’ve already done and failed. It was hard to tell.

[EDIT] By the way, I had made the decision to dump the DN because I was frustrated, but it was so worth a bit of perseverance. Once it clicks, it’s huge fun.

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#11

Yes. I have set the midi channel to auto but am using channel 1 for the test. Yes the keystep midi out goes to midi in then on through to a Rolland synth set to another channel. Keys work on both. My last test worked initially but didn’t the second time. Perhaps a dead keyboard. I want to set up a series of seq that I can trigger from a foot controller while playing guitar. Ozric Tentacles style. I love matribrute which does that very easily but don’t have one myself yet.

#13

Tried 10 yes.

#14

Bad midi cable!

5 Likes
#15

Sell Digitone ASAP!!!

8 Likes