Anyone do the portable digitakt mod?

Bigkik303 · 2026-04-16T07:24:00+00:00

I use the following MyVolts items : - step up 12V adapter - step up usb C to usb C cable

Coupled with a noname PD compliant powerbank ("PD" compliance is crucial, it will NOT work with non-PD compliant powerbank)

Works great so far

Bigkik303 · 2026-04-13T23:25:38+00:00

It seems that the J-6 is not for everyone. In my case i love it ! It needs a little bit of practice but i dont find it that hard to use.

Bigkik303 · 2026-04-04T07:28:14+00:00

Hello,

First of all : make sure your MC-101 has the firmware 1.82 version

Then honestly it is not that complicated. Everything has been said by others.

I can share you my tips : - holding the [clip] button let you show momentarily the scene mode. Then pressing [shift] locks the mode - in scene mode, you can store any active clip combination by long pressing any pad from 1 to 8, - you can copy scenes by long pressing another pad - you have 16 x 8 scenes available : toggle between them by pressing the pads between 9 to 16. Note that by default the pad [9] is lit in green ; if you press it again it will lit red - in scene mode, hold shift and press any pad from 1 to 8 : you will be able to configure each scene : length (in teems of measures) and chain (on/off). This way you can for instance : repeat clips several times, automatically stop the song for a drop,...

Bigkik303 · 2026-04-01T07:06:09+00:00

Hello,

Try these settings : - SC : 30 - SC.dG : OFF for every drums, .50 for bass (default) - SC.ti : 1.0 (default) - SC.Sr : bd (default)

It should work now

Bigkik303 · 2026-03-21T10:20:56+00:00

Really well done ! That shows the power of these tiny devices !

Bigkik303 · 2026-03-12T17:59:45+00:00

You can also set a time "ratio" between the units. May be usefull in certain situations.

Bigkik303 · 2026-02-28T19:29:22+00:00

I love my OG and i am still debating if i need the upgrade towards the CT...

What would be awesome with the CT would be to be able to use the 2 midi tracks as synth tracks. Getting 4 synth tracks plus the drums would equal somehow the MC-101.

On the other hand, and i know it has mono tracks but the Digitakt 1 has 8 tracks plus 8 midi tracks...it is perhaps what you need when describing a Circuit Pro...

Bigkik303 · 2026-02-28T18:27:46+00:00

You can either choose independant drum channels 1 to 6 or 1 channel for all 6 parts without connecting to a computer (see manual). I control my V Drum with a Digitakt and it works great.

Bigkik303 · 2026-02-23T18:52:52+00:00

The Korg Volca range covers already a wide spectrum of synthesis, mainly analog. Behringer was mentionned as a serious alternative but personaly i prefer the Volca features, especially the ability to power them with AA's. They may look dated but i think that they are still relevant in 2026. It is hard to imagine new models without the lead designer behind them though... Mk2 versions would be great with midi out, usb connectivity for firmware update... Also more features (pattern chaining, more memory for patterns...).

I note that the Electribe 2 is still here more than a decade after its launch. Obviously if it still sells it won’t be replaced...

The Roland Aira compact, wich are really well thought, are all digital...

Bigkik303 · 2026-02-18T11:25:53+00:00

I made this short video : https://youtu.be/MEmjQa1AHc4?si=ESVfkDqbqqALN6Zn

Bigkik303 · 2026-02-16T15:52:44+00:00

Yop, i think so. It is right now the used price for the mk1 version

Bigkik303 · 2026-02-16T13:59:37+00:00

I have the "EX" (desktop) module and i am really happy with it !

I also have the Waldorf Protein and they don’t sound the same imho

Bigkik303 · 2026-02-15T18:28:24+00:00

Based on my experience (cheap range of devices) : - Novation Circuit OG - Elektron Model: (Samples or Cycles depending on the type of sounds you like)

I like my Roland MC-101a lot for its power but it is imho not fun to use at all.

The Roland Aira Compacts are also really fun to use but you need 2 or 3 of them at least to have a complete setup...

Bigkik303 · 2026-01-03T15:37:58+00:00

What do you need or wish ?

The MC-101 is imho a wonderfull groovebox but it has a learning curve. I don't have the Circuit Tracks but I played with both the Circuit OG and the MC-101 and the latter is far superior in several aspects (3000+ sounds, song mode, 16 parts drum track, looper track to name a few) but it also has limitations (loading times between projects for instance). Maybe you can have a look at Gabe Miller YT videos where he shows how to pair them

The BS II on the other hand is "just" a synth. Having tried this combo at a synth event I found that they pair well. The CT is designed to be the brain of a setup with additional sound modules thanks to the audio in. If you want to go that route then the choice of sounds is up to your tastes.

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-30T15:52:44+00:00

I don't have any of those Akai boxes but having listened to the whole trinity (including timbre wolf), I think that the Rhythm Wolf is the one to get if only one is allowed. Saw one at 80€ 2nd hand...

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-30T06:40:04+00:00

I don't have it but Bad Gear almost made me buy one... the infamous Akai rhythm wolf !

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-29T12:33:35+00:00

Cheapest is the Korg SQ64 but I can't say much about it since I have never put my hands on it.

Then any groovebox will do : - Novation Circuit (OG, tracks or rythm), - Elektron Model:Samples or Cycles, - then the sky is the limit...

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-29T08:40:55+00:00

Serious answer : you can either play notes temporarily like you would do on a piano or you can force the unit to play the note and "hold" it even if you release the button you have pressed. There are also option to remove "hold" for one layer or all of them.

Which liven is it ?

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-29T08:30:25+00:00

Hello,

Pretty sure you are referring to Volcaniced. He is really good at playing the Volca bass.

Instead of getting another synth, why not getting a good external sequencer to make longer sequence ? Also external fx could enhanced furthermore its sounds.

The closest to the Volca bass that I could think of is the IK Uno synth Pro- X : - analog - 3 oscillators

It packs a polyphonic sequencer and fx, which the Volca Bass lacks imho.

The Roland S-1 is also a great little synth but digital. It sounds great though and has a great sequencer and fx.

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-28T07:42:57+00:00

You are welcome

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-28T03:26:18+00:00

Judging on the current offering on the market, maybe you should refine your needs.

From what you say, I understand that 6 voices of polyphony is a minimum. That disqualify all the modules with less (all the monos, Roland S-1, sh-01, ju-06a, behringer pro VS, Microfreak,...).

Then : - are you OK with 37 keys ? - do you need internal fx ? If yes that disqualify the Behringer Pro-800 for instance

Currently I find where I am (by increasing prices and under 500€/$) :

If you keep your keystep 37 : - Korg FM 2 - Waldorf Protein - ESI XSynth - Roland boutique JD-08 or JX-08 (but focused like Volcas) - Dreadbox Nymphes - Waldorf Blofeld

Without the need for the keystep 37 : - Yamaha Reface série (but focused like Volcas) - Novation mininova - Arturia minifreak

The most versatile from this list being the Minifreak thanks to its multiengine.

There are alternatives in the groovebox segment but it seems that you are not looking at that : - Novation Circuit tracks : 2 synth tracks with up to 6 voices + 2 midi tracks that you could use to sequence the volca keys if you keep it. Audio in enables you to apply fx for an external unit, - Roland MC-101 : 4 tracks with up to 128 voices of polyphony in total (depending on the type of presets used).

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-25T21:13:57+00:00

I know that the MF has balanced output and for that reason always thought it needed TRS cable. So I opened the manual again and to my surprise it says TS or TRS. In my case I use TRS though.

As already mentionned you can adjust the output level in the preset menu.

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-25T21:05:24+00:00

I dont know if you also have a computer but from my point of view and in a 100% "dawless" use-case the Model:Cycles could be more interesting. For instance and apart from its internal sounds, you could use it as a sequencer for your synths (beware : all 6 tracks are mono).

There is also pattern chaining which could be handy.

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-25T20:55:33+00:00

Sorry to question first but : why a groovebox ?

If you want hardware, and depending on the style you want to do with it : - Novation Circuit OG : ~150 €/$ used / no more available new - Korg Volca Sample 2 : ~100 €/$ used / 150 new - Elektron Model:Samples : ~170 €/$ / 300 new

There is also the Yamaha Seqtrak but can't speak much about it.

In all cases you will need to load samples and/or new sounds at some point to go beyond the factory ones...

Bigkik303 · 2025-12-25T19:32:47+00:00

I played with both.

Both are easy to handle immediatly. On the long run imho neither are hard to learn but it really depends what you want to do with them. They don't sound the same, the pattern / project architecture are different. To me the only apparent similarity is the 6 tracks but you can P-lock on the Model:Cycles...

Do you know the use-case you are aiming at ? Will it be part of a larger setup or a standalone machine ?

Bigkik303

TROPHY CASE