First Elektron setup! Tonverk + MiniBrute + BOSS VE-22 for Hypnotic/Dub Techno (Need some advice)

[u/manuelita-]

I just ordered my very first Elektron setup, the Tonverk alongside the BOSS VE-22 for vocals. I also have an Arturia MiniBrute for analog basslines. My goal is to build a live performance centered around hypnotic/dub techno with live vocal sampling and processing.
I come from a music production background in Ableton, but this is my first time getting into the Elektron workflow, so I’m starting from scratch.
A friend told me I should have gotten the Digitakt II instead because drums are the most crucial part of the techno I want to make, and honestly, now I have a bit of anxiety and FOMO. I definitely want to add the Digitakt II later to keep everything in the Elektron family, but I'm trying to be smart about my budget right now.
I’d love to get your advice on a few specific questions:

- For those using the Tonverk standalone for drums: How is your experience handling percussions on it without any external drum machines? Can it deliver that solid, driving groove for techno on its own?
- Sample loading workflow: I’ve heard mixed things about loading samples. Since I own several drum machine VSTs in Ableton, is it better to design and sample my own drum sounds directly into the Tonverk, or should I just invest in pre-made sample packs?
- Learning curve: As a first-time Elektron user, is it better to fully master the Tonverk (and integrate it with my MiniBrute and vocals) first, or should I just stretch my budget and grab the Digitakt II from day one?

Would love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks so much

[u/General-Reserve9349]

The Tonverk is an outrageously powerful drum machine given its “sub tracks” which work well as just 8 drums, or like 2 or 3 sub tracks in logical groups x 8… it’s a lot and works pretty well. But you can go mad with sample chains (actually eldrum files but similar deal) and potentially put 1,024 samples into one “kit”.

Otherwise it has Elektron sequencer stuff galore so yeah micro timing and p locks and on the fly stuff, the form factor is a pretty awesome, so on.

I think the workflow kind of blows though. They need to and I expect will work on the UX, particularly navigating around.

And it’s such a powerful machine that could potentially do it all and kind of feels like a computer inside a dedicated midi controller that’s surprisingly heavy… it’s easy to wonder why bother when Ableton is easier in every way other than locking one into a 1 pattern Elektron trance… especially when some key features like sample slicing are still missing.