Just like my other recent EP release, it’s alive, this newest one, ‘born to run’, consists of a short collection of live jams. These jams were recorded during the span of 2 days in June of 2023, so a bit longer than a year ago now. The main difference between the two projects is that the jams on ‘born to run’ were created and performed exclusively on the Elektron Digitakt, without using the MPC to sequence its tracks, or using any external synthesizers either. The only exception to the all-Digitakt workflow could technically be the intro, which is a slowed down section from the EP’s final jam, which I stretched out and added effects to in FL Studio during the mastering stage of the project. The project in its entirety, although written and performed without a DAW, was mastered in FL Studio, just to make sure all the levels were right for release and the whole thing sounded cohesive.
‘born to run’ is a fast-paced and energetic journey through different styles of beats I’ve been experimenting with on the Digitakt, since it’s great for any genre or style of music, although it’s mostly used for electronic music, for which there’s no doubt that it’s perfect for. The EP is mostly EDM or techno/trance. I’m not too great at distinguishing between electronic genres, to be honest, since I usually just start producing and go along with whatever comes to mind at the time, but some of the beats have a lo-fi or hip-hop element to them, including soul samples and even hard trap drums. The slowed-down intro is meant to start the project off on an ambient or trip-hop tone as well, just as a contrast before the tape really kicks in on the second track. Like I mentioned, no other synths were used for this EP, and that includes the Behringer TD-3, which provided the main acid bass sound for my last EP release, ‘it’s alive’, and effectively acted as the glue that gave that project its distinct style.
All of the melodies used for these beats were created from samples I recorded onto, and manipulated on, the Digitakt, or from the original stock one-shots that come included with it. Each note was placed on the DT sequencer itself, without even using a MIDI keyboard. The Digitakt is really an amazing machine, and as I mentioned before, although it’s not on the level of the MPC in terms of overall utility, the hands-on approach of the Elektron workflow makes it much easier to stumble upon cool, trippy ideas and patterns, leading to eventually finding yourself immersed in some really interesting soundscapes. If you’ve used Elektron gear you know what I’m talking about as far as the workflow, and there’s a huge ongoing discussion about it, more specifically about whether it’s outdated, or even worth getting into or not, at this point in electronic music production, because of some of its limitations as well as the fact that different Elektron boxes are specialized for different uses, so you’ll probably end up needing or wanting more of them over time. I own the Digitakt and Digitone for now, but as a groovebox junkie I think I might pick up an Octatrack in the future to see what all the fuss is about. I guess it’s one of those things you either hate or love, since it seems there’s not much in-between, and I gotta say I really fuck with it, if I’m being totally honest.
Anyway, as always, I hope you enjoy listening to these jams as much as I enjoyed producing them and performing them live. I appreciate your time and attention. Enjoy and stay blessed.
rebel eye 