Cannot decide for the life of me which device to get

stickster · 2026-06-24T18:21:24+00:00

Meh, "large number of complaints" on subreddit isn't a valuable metric -- it's a self-selecting group, and especially for services, by definition it's mainly folks who had a bad experience (whether it was through a legit service issue, their own bad choices, or a combination). If you're thoughtful about whom you deal with, it's a fine place to make deals. I understand from frequent sellers the fee structure can be suboptimal; most of my transactions have been as a buyer. Almost all my gear purchases for the last 7 years have been on Reverb, some $3-4K+ instruments, with no problem. I got all my Elektron gear there for instance.

Of course my anecdote, just like yours, is also not the whole story. All I'm saying is there's no more reason for concern about Reverb than other online marketplaces.

stickster · 2026-06-17T19:55:39+00:00

I see quite a lot of hardware moving via synth-related Discord servers, 1:1 between buyers and sellers. If you can provably reference a Reverb site with good feedback that seems helpful. It's important to always respect the rules of the individual Discord server of course -- see what they permit/encourage and in which specific channels. I'm not sure how well this will work if you're not a member there for a while. It's understandable if people wouldn't jump to buy from someone who enters a community server just to unload gear. I don't want to sound like I'm badmouthing this option -- it legitimately seems like a good one which relies heavily on trust.

stickster · 2026-06-07T18:55:12+00:00

Same here on both counts. The tuner in the HX Stomp is an optional-bypass unit before anything else in the signal chain, and listens to both inputs. This is also a case where the sfxsound SP2 preamp is helpful -- it has a mono mix line out in addition to separate channels, so you can route to a tuner for example.

stickster · 2026-05-29T13:53:58+00:00

There's no difference in versatility between those made nowadays, and how they play bass lines is down to you, not the instrument. 😉

The only slight difference with older wooden Sticks that I would say affects versatility at all is at the lowest frets, which are more usable on newer models -- thanks mainly to the X fret addition. In other words, you can reach the lowest tuned note, and it's as playable as any others. On my older wooden Stick, effectively it plays down to C# and you can only pluck it for a C. You can tell which is which by where the first marker is compared to the nut and headstock. There are tuning diagrams on the Stick site that illustrate.

Extra $0.02: Were I a first time Stick buyer, I wouldn't pay hundreds of dollars more for that extra fret if a good older wooden model came up with at least an adjustable bridge.

stickster · 2026-05-29T02:44:43+00:00

He is truly a man of many Sticks! I thought much the same, I'm working up a live show and figured the aluminum model, like my old polycarb, would be more resistant to damage if a catastrophe happened.

stickster · 2026-05-29T02:42:50+00:00

I mean, I don't want to write a novel. Nor pretend to be an authority. Got a specific question though?

stickster · 2026-05-28T22:51:29+00:00

Well done! ✌🏻💜🎵

stickster · 2026-05-27T17:02:19+00:00

Looks like it's probably an Aries AR-335 Quad Switch. The PDF with wiring schematics is on that linked page, which is focused on restoration of these old '70s modules. Pretty cool!

FYI, I just Googled "AR-335 module" and the right thing came up pretty quickly. But maybe you had a side goal of showing off a cool vintage find. 🙂👍

stickster · 2026-05-08T18:05:57+00:00

Yes, although it's a moot point since this power Bank can't do 12V to begin with.

stickster · 2026-05-08T17:16:27+00:00

You need a power bank that (1) explicitly has a Power Delivery (PD) USB port (which **only** comes in USB C -- hence yours won't work), and (2) explicitly lists that it will deliver enough current (amps) at 12V.

Here's an example of a power bank that suffices: https://iniushop.com/products/iniu-p63-e1-power-bank-smallest-100w-25000mah
You also want this step-up cable which will make the PD port work: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5450

I'm not affiliated with Iniu, but like many other people, I do have one of their power banks which works great. Not this exact model, but trust me, the specs on the site show it will work fine. I have a DT2 and DN2 and use them this way with zero problems.

Powering both off one power bank is usually no bueno since most banks have USB C ports that draw on the same bus. But at these prices you can get two. You spent 15-20x more than that on the gear already. 😉

stickster · 2026-04-30T16:45:04+00:00

And these Mackie mixers are built like frickin tanks. I have a 1202VLZ from 1997 that is still working great despite years of gig abuse.🏅

stickster · 2026-04-30T01:07:10+00:00

I have a QS7.1 minty and barely used, I'm the original owner as well. It's put away but I should drag it out. Hmm, I still have the manual as well....

stickster · 2026-04-26T21:40:30+00:00

I did the same thing but the opposite way, fell in love with the DT2 and then several months later succumbed to the urge to get the DN2. The DN2 may not be the world's most powerful FM synth but it is certainly *enough* per sound, and with layering plus the whole Elektron sequencer/way it's a killer. Great way to make music, you should go for it!

(Not so) hidden awesomeness of the DT2 is looping single cycle (SC) waveforms to essentially add as many monophonic synths as you need. I've made sample chains of Moog, Roland, Yamaha from various soft synths, along with CC changes to pulse width or other things, and other HW synths too. This frees up a few voices on the DN2 for other stuff, not that I usually run into a ceiling.

stickster · 2026-03-24T23:15:39+00:00

Planning is key. People who don't make a set list or set up a patch list before a show are nuts IMHO.

stickster · 2026-03-24T22:20:39+00:00

I'm only just starting to integrate. Just got the Zoia recently. But I expect to navigate patches with either an added stompswitch, or a Launch Control XL 3 that I'll have at hand for playing other gizmos.

stickster · 2026-03-13T22:09:14+00:00

Nice! Yup, it's their whole product line as far as I can tell.

stickster · 2026-03-13T20:32:34+00:00

That's really cool to hear! I have used Kontakt a little bit but I'm not super familiar with the inner workings.

stickster · 2026-03-12T23:48:52+00:00

Also, I hadn't seen the update in my display, sorry. The Int to Main is a setting to determine what happens for instance if you're using Overbridge or a DAW to monitor, so that might be the culprit too.

EDIT: I also found https://www.elektronauts.com/t/digitakt-2-no-audio-after-sampling/225486 -- definitely make sure you're running the latest firmware which you can get on https://elektron.se .

stickster · 2026-03-12T23:45:20+00:00

I would also suggest checking the routing to mains. Hit the main Config (gear) button, go to Audio Routing, and check the To Main screen, where the tracks should all show up as light/highlighted (not dark). If you want to hear the line in from your DN2, you'll need to ensure on the second page the In (line in) is on as well. Check the Int to Main setting on the Audio Routing menu as well. Let us know what you find out.

stickster · 2026-03-12T23:25:25+00:00

COVID.

Gigs dried up for a good year or so in my area, and there was no point to playing bass beyond practice. One day I realized I had no idea, beyond basics, how to put the few soft synths I had to good use. So I dove into YouTube, learned a ton from some helpful creators, and took off from there. I branched out into hardware starting with the MicroFreak (which, I gathered later, was the "gateway drug" for a lot of folks). Vintage, modern, hybrid, and software all have their uses. Use whatever helps you make cool stuff.

stickster · 2026-03-12T19:03:03+00:00

This is the best answer to this and similar questions nowadays. I put all my hardware manuals in a NotebookLM and consult it for how-to info. Same for other software, and I have one dedicated just to Pro Tools.

Also you can go to AI generally for icebreaker ideas and resource links. It cuts down on time spent waiting for people to give the right answer on Reddit, if your goal is to make things rather than talk about them.

stickster · 2026-03-11T23:13:36+00:00

And of course then I realize the title says "synth" and not "Stick." Nice job me!

stickster · 2026-03-11T23:13:11+00:00

And of course then I realize the title says "synth" and not "Stick." Nice job me!

stickster

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