Elektron Digitakt IIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment52%
PROS 52%
CONS 48%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You already know and love Elektron's workflow and want stereo sampling plus more tracks
  • You want a fast, logically laid-out drum machine rather than a chordal polyphonic sampler
  • You can load and reuse old Digitakt Mk1 projects and value that continuity

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need true per-track polyphony for chords or complex finger-drumming rolls
  • You're new to Elektron gear without English fluency or patience for a steep learning curve
  • You're wary of reported screen defects, buggy transfer app, or missing global FX at launch

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Elektron Digitakt II
Familiar, fast Elektron workflowStereo sampling and more tracksApproachable for newcomers with guidanceNo true per-track polyphonyRequested feature gapsClumsy file management and menu diving
Elektron Digitakt II
Familiar, fast Elektron workflow
Stereo sampling and more tracks
Approachable for newcomers with guidance
No true per-track polyphony
Requested feature gaps
Clumsy file management and menu diving

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The workflow keeps longtime Elektron fans loyal. Users repeatedly say the Digitakt II preserves the logical, shortcut-driven workflow of the original while adding depth. Owners of the Mk1, Digitone, Rytm and Analog Heat describe pre-ordering immediately or feeling instantly at home after years on Elektron gear, calling the sequencer among the best they've used and melody editing enjoyable rather than tedious.

Missing true polyphony remains the most divisive issue. Many commenters, some who sold the original or an Octatrack for an MPC, say the lack of chordal per-track polyphony is a dealbreaker, wanting to play chords or avoid voice-stealing during rolls and flams. Others argue polyphony is overrated for a beat-focused box with 16 tracks, and some hope Elektron adds it Digitone-style with voice allocation.

Launch-quality gripes and feature requests temper enthusiasm. Several users report a buggy transfer app, line input level issues, pixel/screen problems (including a white-line screen defect requiring a return), and a missing global FX section, calling it unfinished. Others separately request better slicing/chop modes, Octatrack-style non-quantized looping, sample-on-sample modulation, and slide trigs that older Elektron users expect by default.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?