I am debating trading my OT for an AR. I am aware of the main differences, as I have consumed more tutorials and reviews than is healthy.
But I wanted to specifically ask people who have switched from one to the other,
what are your general thoughts?
Did the limitations of the RYTMs sampling actually bother you, or not?
What about having less effects on the RYTM?
Do you prefer OT or AR Scenes?
Anybody switch back to the OT? If so, why?
Any other thoughts are appreciated.
I didn’t “switch.” I used to use the OT as a drum machine and sampler for my band, now I use the AR as a drum machine and the OT as a samplers/general purpose mix FX unit for the rest of the band (filter sweeps, etc.).
I could play our gigs without the OT. It wouldn’t be a big deal. In fact, I’ve half considered getting some kind of mixer or pedal or something just for filter sweeping, but I’m not sure it would be as flexible or as convenient as OT.
Anyway…Using the AR as a drum machine is a no-brainer. Muting drum tracks is far easier and more intuitive. Perf mode is fun. The sounds are great and the analog compression/drive is amazing. I’ve seen people use it or one-shot samples, although I personally don’t (other than combining with my analog drum sounds).
This does bother me, but what I want doesn’t really exist. I wish I had a drum machine with onboard FX for every track, much like if you treat the OT like a drum machine. But if such a thing exists it’s probably prohibitively expensive. I liked being able to put a specific reverb on my snare for instance, vs my hats, and putting chorus/flange on hats, etc. I do miss that. But the OT came with other limitations drum machine wise.
OT. It’s far more performable and just makes a bit more sense to my brain. The crossfader is GOAT. Having to switch to scene mode while performing the AR may not sound like a big deal, but it can be a workflow killer when you want to spend 90% of the time in mute mode.
I didn’t switch I have both so I can’t totally answer your question but having both I can say that the hypothetical really is an apples and oranges situation.
I often use the AR without utilizing the analog engines and writing a beat in the AR vs writing a beat on the OT is a very very different experience. Both great but it’s a very different approach.
Think more along the lines of using your AR’s sample per step option where on one track you’re triggering a Kick a snare a high hat etc so it’s monophonic, then switch to the next track and do the same and that’s kind of what it’ll be like on the OT. Obviously with 8 tracks on the OT you could use each track for a different drum but chances are you’ll have many individual tracks triggering sequences of various single samples if you’re composing with one shots and not loops.
It’s not bad or worse or better than the AR’s more traditional drum machine approach of each track dedicated to a single sample or analog engine it’s just very very different. Not to mention the fact that the OT has a lot more “layers” meaning when you operate it it’s not as straightforward as the AR. The OT is an odd machine for sure but it’s oddities are endearing once you get comfortable with it.
Besides all that I really wouldn’t compare them. The AR and the Digitakt are much much more similar (considering that the Digitakt is essentially just the sample engine from the OT)
If you’re planning on trading it anyways plan to rethink how you work for sure.
Thanks! What would be your main reason for using the AR for making a beat, when using only samples rather than the OT? The Filters, or the difference in workflow approach?
Which one do find to be more fun to use?
@GirTheRobot Thanks…my intentions for the AR wouldn’t be just to use it as a drum machine. I would also want it to be my sampler. Of course there are many downsides to the OT, but the upsides are also great. Wider pitch range (important), pads that can be played chromatically and such…which leads me to another question:
Can I (on the AR) hold down a step, then enter a note/pitch value using the pads, when in chromatic mode? Not having the ability to do that is one thing that bugs me about the OT…
Yes, this works.
I also haven’t switched and own both, so also can’t really answer your question. But I would never want to miss my rytm. But I also don’t only use samples with it. As a sampler ot whoops it’s behind, so if you are after that, I don’t know if I would change. If you have the possibility to have both at home, I’d try that. They are a bit apples and oranges depending on what you want out of them
good luck to you… i’m in the opposite of your situation
have a ot since some time and wanted a analog rythm because i’m not into a sampling thing
true, in most things the OT is the better sampler…but things like limited octave range (at without the rate knob) and having to either live-play chromatic notes, or enter them via encoders can be annoying to me. Nevertheless I know that the OT is great in its own way of course, just playing devil’s advocate.
@unbesbai yeah, if you don’t like samples…I can see why you wouldn’t enjoy the OT. Good luck to you too 
Don’t do it. The OT is a swiss army knife of things. Using them together opens up many possibilities.
Although I don’t have an AR, I have other similar bits and must say I always find a use for the OT as a main tool in the chain.
Edit: I’m not huge on samples but for live performance, mashing up using Thru and Neighbour tracks, mixing use, Cue Outs, Crossfader shenanigans…. Ouuuffff…
haha…I also think I might regret it…but then again, I also think that I don’t need the OT’s sequencer, because I enjoy the OP-Z sequencer more…so the OT seems wasted.
That made me think about changing it for the AR, because at least I would gain a whole load of things the OP-Z can’t deliver.
I havent used the OPZ sequencer for external sequencing so cant comment. I thought it might be a but limited with no screen and the need for a phone. I would have thought the OT sequencing is far deeper? But the package is damn appealing I must admit
Not to derail my own thread here 
buuuuut…the OP-Z’s sequencer has some more limitations, but also a lot more possibilities. The ability to combine different step components with one another, having step components affect p-locks, punch-in FX…are things that either aren’t really possible to my knowledge on the OT. And best of all, everything is quicker to do on the OP-Z. For example trig conditions can be selected via buttons rather than scrolling through a list, which in the end makes a big difference…at least to me. In fact, everything is selected with buttons, specifically BECAUSE it doesn’t have a screen. That is the genius thing, once you know it.
Ok we need to create a separate thread for this! I am curious. Although id imagine for production work you end up getting lost without the screen, not knowing what is on what step!
There’s an OP-Z thread around here already. I have used the OP-Z for so long…I mostly use it without a screen. Absolutely no problem!
I used my OT as drum machine/midi seq/mixer with fx for quite some time and then bought the Rytm which now does all the drums and also very often bass (lovely DVCO) and other bits and pieces.
For drums, AR is great. It has its sound, like every drum machine has (I really like the way it sounds), samples sound amazing through it, so all the X0X for example and everything that you can´t get close with the synthesis, just throw in a sample.
It has its limitations, but it´s a monster drum machine.
For everything else, OT still rules. Slices, 3x lfos per track, neighbour tracks, crazy fx, scenes, capturing perfect loops in realtime and mangling them - OT is such a monster…
*Edit typo
i’m not into sampling, not saples
i’m more into this, drum machine stuff
rytm is good at both, well for my needs t least. but if you want a drum machine.
consider what sound you want
some of the rytm’s engines are not that "WOW’, or maybe have few sweet spots that work in combi with all other sounds and samples.
there is also a whole lot of other drum machines that dont do samples, just drum synth voices that have many more sweet spots i suppose
when you pay for a rytm, you pay for synth + sampler
if you dont need samples, sell OT and get anything that sounds dope to you.