MIDI, USB & integration

What it gives you

• The sound-shaping parameters on your computer screen, where you can view, edit and automate them from the DAW.
• Total recall: reopen a DAW project and the device’s preset parameters are exactly as you left them.
• A route to extra analogue outputs through Outbox 8 (Outbox 8).

Switch the USB port to Overbridge

1. 1Connect the Digitone II’s USB port to your computer with the supplied A-to-B USB 2.0 cable.
2. 2Press SETTINGS and open SYSTEM > USB CONFIG (The SYSTEM menu).
3. 3Choose OVERBRIDGE. USB CONFIG runs one mode at a time, so this switches USB MIDI and USB AUDIO/MIDI off (Class-compliant USB audio and MIDI).

What Outbox 8 can do

• Add analogue outputs to Elektron instruments that support Overbridge (Overbridge).
• Convert MIDI into CV — pitch, gate, trig, linear and clock signals.
• Expand the analogue outputs of many USB audio class-compliant devices.
• Serve as a USB audio interface for your computer.
• Act as a USB MIDI-to-CV interface for external MIDI controllers.

Outbox 8 support on the Digitone II

• OS 1.11 added Outbox 8 configuration support.
• OS 1.12 added the option to send the audio from the main outputs through Outbox 8.
• OS 1.12 also lets you jump between channels in the Outbox 8 channel configuration menus with FUNC + UP/DOWN.

Key combinations

FUNC + UP/DOWN

Moves to the previous or next channel.Outbox 8 channel configuration menus

USB CONFIG modes

Stream audio and MIDI to a computer, phone or tablet

1. 1Connect the Digitone II’s USB port to the host.
2. 2Press SETTINGS, open SYSTEM > USB CONFIG and choose USB AUDIO/MIDI.
3. 3For MIDI over USB, make sure INPUT FROM and OUTPUT TO in MIDI CONFIG > PORT CONFIG include USB (MIDI configuration: sync, ports and channels).
4. 4Decide where USB audio enters and leaves the signal path with USB IN and USB OUT in SETTINGS > AUDIO ROUTING (Audio routing).

USB audio routing at a glance

• USB IN and USB OUT only appear when USB CONFIG is set to USB AUDIO/MIDI.
• USB OUT can send the main mix, one track in stereo, two tracks summed to mono on the left and right channels, or the IN L/R inputs straight through.
• INT TO MAIN decides whether internal sound still reaches the main and headphone outputs while you use a class-compliant audio device, and USB TO MAIN [dB] boosts the USB audio arriving at the main outputs.
• All of these are covered in Audio routing.

What incoming MIDI does

Settings to check first

• RECEIVE NOTES in MIDI CONFIG > PORT CONFIG must be on for a keyboard to play the Digitone II.
• INPUT FROM in the same menu must include the port you’re using: MIDI, USB or MIDI+USB.
• For pattern changes, switch on PRG CH RECEIVE in MIDI CONFIG > SYNC and set PROGRAM CHG IN CH in CHANNELS.
• For parameter control, switch on RECEIVE CC/NRPN in PORT CONFIG. All of these are explained in MIDI configuration: sync, ports and channels.

Play the active track from a MIDI keyboard

1. 1Connect the keyboard to the Digitone II.
2. 2Check the Digitone II’s AUTO CHANNEL in SETTINGS > MIDI CONFIG > CHANNELS.
3. 3Set the keyboard to send on that channel.
4. 4Select a track with TRK + TRIG 1–16 and play. The keyboard plays the active track’s preset chromatically, whether KEYBOARD mode is on or not.

Recording from a MIDI controller

• Set the controller to the auto channel: the sequencer records what it receives there onto the active track — and that includes MIDI tracks (MIDI tracks: sequencing external gear).
• GRID RECORDING mode: hold a TRIG and play notes to put them on that step. The first note sets the velocity for every note on the trig (GRID RECORDING mode).
• LIVE RECORDING mode: just play. Notes, velocity and length are recorded; the first note sets the velocity and the last note you release sets the length for all notes on the trig (LIVE RECORDING mode).
• STEP RECORDING mode: the velocity you play is locked to each trig. Hold FUNC while playing to use the VEL setting instead, or hold YES to lock the trig length to how long you hold the note (STEP RECORDING mode).
• NOTE EDIT: a keyboard on the auto channel can add notes to the step you’re editing (The NOTE EDIT menu).
• KEYBOARD SETUP: CHORD MEMORY LEARN also accepts chords played on an external controller (KEYBOARD SETUP: scales, folding and chords).

Key combinations

Hold TRIG + play notes on a MIDI keyboard

Adds the notes to that trig; the first note sets the velocity for all of them.GRID RECORDING mode

Hold FUNC + play notes on a MIDI controller

Enters the notes at the velocity set by VEL instead of the velocity you play.STEP RECORDING mode

Hold YES + play a note on a MIDI controller

Locks the trig length to how long you hold the note.STEP RECORDING mode

Make a track a MIDI track

1. 1Select the track with TRK + TRIG 1–16.
2. 2Press FUNC + SYN to open the MACHINE menu (Audio tracks, MIDI tracks and machines).
3. 3Use LEFT/RIGHT to move to the SYN machine category.
4. 4Use UP/DOWN to highlight the MIDI machine, then press YES to assign it.

TRIG page on a MIDI track

NOTETrig Note

Pitch of the note trigs. Press and turn A to step only through notes in the keyboard scale (KEYBOARD SETUP: scales, folding and chords); NOTE PARAM in The PERSONALIZE menu can swap that behaviour round. In LIVE RECORDING mode, notes you play in KEYBOARD mode set the pitch instead.Knob A

VELTrig Velocity

Velocity of the note trigs the sequencer sends.

LENTrig Length

Length of each note trig. In LIVE RECORDING mode, how long you hold the TRIG key decides it instead.

PROBTrig Probability

Chance that each trig plays, rolled again every time it comes round. At the default 100% every trig plays; lock it to give single trigs their own odds.

LFO.TLFO Trig

Decides whether the LFO gets trigged.

FILLFill

A separate trig condition tied to FILL mode: ON plays the trig while FILL mode is active, OFF plays it while it isn’t (FILL mode).

CONDTrig Condition

Appears when you add a conditional lock and sets the rule that decides whether the trig plays (Trig conditions and conditional locks).

Send a CC to your synth

1. 1Press FLTR twice to open FLTR page 2 (or AMP twice for slots 9–16).
2. 2Turn a DATA ENTRY knob to choose the CC number for that slot, then press the knob or YES to apply it.
3. 3Press FLTR (or AMP) again to return to page 1.
4. 4Hold FUNC and press the knob of the matching VAL parameter — VAL1 for SEL1, and so on — to switch it on.
5. 5Turn the knob to set the value. Hold a TRIG while turning to lock a different value to that step.

MIDI-learn a CC number

1. 1Open FLTR page 2 or AMP page 2 on the MIDI track.
2. 2Hold FUNC and press the DATA ENTRY knob of the SEL parameter you want to set. The MIDI LEARN pop-up opens and the parameter flashes.
3. 3Move the control on your external device so it sends a CC — on the active track’s channel from SETTINGS > MIDI CONFIG > CHANNELS, or on the auto channel.
4. 4As soon as the CC arrives, the pop-up closes, the flashing stops and the SEL parameter holds the new CC number. To give up instead, press NO twice.

Key combinations

FUNC + SYN

Opens the MACHINE menu, where you assign the MIDI machine.

LEFT/RIGHT

Moves between machine categories.MACHINE menu

UP/DOWN

Highlights a machine in the category.MACHINE menu

YES

Assigns the highlighted machine to the active track.MACHINE menu

TRIG PARAMETERS

Opens the TRIG page: note, velocity, length, probability, LFO trig and conditions.MIDI track

TRIG PARAMETERS, then press and turn A

Steps NOTE through the notes of the keyboard scale only.MIDI track, NOTE PARAM set to CHRO

SYN

Opens the SYN page with channel, bank, program and controller settings.MIDI track

FLTR

Opens FLTR page 1, the values for CC 1–8.MIDI track

FLTR (press twice)

Opens FLTR page 2, the CC numbers for slots 1–8.MIDI track

AMP

Opens AMP page 1, the values for CC 9–16.MIDI track

AMP (press twice)

Opens AMP page 2, the CC numbers for slots 9–16.MIDI track

UP/DOWN

Switches between page 1 and page 2 of the group.MIDI track, FLTR or AMP page

Hold FUNC + press a DATA ENTRY knob

Switches that parameter on so it sends data, or back to OFF.MIDI track SYN page, FLTR page 1 or AMP page 1

Hold FUNC + press and hold a DATA ENTRY knob

Opens the NAMING screen to name that VAL parameter.MIDI track FLTR page 1

Press a DATA ENTRY knob or YES

Applies the CC number you chose for that SEL parameter.MIDI track FLTR page 2 or AMP page 2

Hold FUNC + press a DATA ENTRY knob

Starts MIDI learn for that SEL parameter.MIDI track FLTR page 2 or AMP page 2

NO twice

Cancels MIDI learn.MIDI LEARN pop-up

Good to know

• CHAN can’t be parameter-locked. Sequencer data always goes out on the channel it sets, whatever the track channels in MIDI configuration: sync, ports and channels say.
• Retrigs aren’t available on MIDI tracks (Retrigs), and neither is the arpeggiator (The arpeggiator).
• Control all doesn’t affect MIDI tracks, and they can’t be picked in CONTROL ALL CONFIG or COMPRESSOR ROUTING (The SETUP menu: kit and track settings).
• A MIDI preset holds the SYN, FLTR, AMP and MOD pages. You save, load and manage MIDI presets like audio ones; they’re tagged MIDI automatically and can’t go into the preset pool (Saving a preset).
• The LFOs on a MIDI track can modulate pitch bend, aftertouch, mod wheel, breath controller and the CC1–16 values (Modulation destinations).
• Since OS 1.10, each of SEL1–SEL16 has its own default CC number.

SYNC — clock, transport and program change

CLOCK RECEIVE

When on, the Digitone II follows MIDI clock from external devices.

CLOCK SEND

When on, the Digitone II transmits MIDI clock.

TRANSPORT RECEIVE

When on, the Digitone II responds to MIDI transport messages from external devices.

TRANSPORT SEND

When on, the Digitone II transmits MIDI transport messages.

PRG CH RECEIVE

When on, incoming program change messages select patterns, so external gear can switch patterns for you. The listening channel is PROGRAM CHG IN CH in CHANNELS.

PRG CH SEND

When on, the Digitone II sends a program change message whenever the pattern changes, on the channel set by PROGRAM CHG OUT CH in CHANNELS.

PORT CONFIG — ports and what gets transmitted

TURBO SPEED

Press YES to start Turbo-MIDI speed negotiation; the speed is picked automatically. Only works through a MIDI interface that supports the Turbo-MIDI protocol.

OUT PORT FUNC

What the MIDI OUT port sends: MIDI data, or DIN 24 or DIN 48 sync pulses. With either DIN setting, no MIDI data passes through the port.Range MIDI, DIN 24, DIN 48

THRU PORT FUNC

The same choice for the MIDI THRU port.Range MIDI, DIN 24, DIN 48

INPUT FROM

Which port the Digitone II accepts MIDI from. See the table below.Range DISABLED, MIDI, USB, MIDI+USB

OUTPUT TO

Which port the Digitone II sends MIDI to. See the table below.Range DISABLED, MIDI, USB, MIDI+USB

OUTPUT CH

Whether the DATA ENTRY knobs send on the auto channel or on the track channel.

PARAM OUTPUT

Which type of MIDI message the DATA ENTRY knobs send. The numbers are listed in MIDI CC and NRPN reference.Range CC, NRPN

ENCODER DEST

Whether the DATA ENTRY and LEVEL/DATA knobs also send MIDI. See the DEST table below.Range INT, INT + EXT

TRIG KEY DEST

Whether the TRIG keys play the Digitone II, send MIDI, or both.Range INT, INT + EXT, EXT

MUTE DEST

Whether muting and unmuting affects the Digitone II, sends MIDI, or both.Range INT, INT + EXT, EXT

RECEIVE NOTES

When on, you can play the Digitone II from an external MIDI keyboard. See Playing the Digitone II from MIDI.

RECEIVE CC/NRPN

When on, an external device sending CC or NRPN data can control the Digitone II’s parameters.

INPUT FROM and OUTPUT TO options

The three DEST settings compared

CHANNELS — which MIDI channel does what

TRACK 1–16 CHANNEL

The dedicated channel each audio track uses to receive parameter data, and to send it when you turn the knobs. By default track 1 is on channel 1, track 2 on channel 2 and so on. OFF means that track’s parameter data is neither sent nor received.Range MIDI channel or OFF

FX CONTROL CH

The dedicated channel, in and out, for the DELAY, REVERB, CHORUS and COMPRESSOR pages plus the master overdrive. OFF means this data is neither sent nor received.Range MIDI channel or OFF

AUTO CHANNEL

The channel that always reaches the active track. A keyboard sending on it plays whichever track is active, which makes it quick to hop between audio tracks to play different presets. It’s also the channel for recording into MIDI tracks from an external controller.Range MIDI channel

PROGRAM CHG IN CH

The channel that listens for incoming program changes; AUTO uses the auto channel. PRG CH RECEIVE in SYNC must be on.Range MIDI channel or AUTO

PROGRAM CHG OUT CH

The channel that sends program changes when you change patterns; AUTO uses the auto channel. PRG CH SEND in SYNC must be on.Range MIDI channel or AUTO

Key combinations

LEFT/RIGHT

Changes the highlighted setting.MIDI CONFIG > SYNC and PORT CONFIG

YES

Changes the highlighted setting.MIDI CONFIG > SYNC

YES

Starts Turbo-MIDI speed negotiation.PORT CONFIG, TURBO SPEED highlighted

Send a dump

1. 1Connect the Digitone II’s MIDI ports or USB port to the receiving device.
2. 2Get the receiving device ready and listening for incoming data.
3. 3Press SETTINGS, highlight SYSEX DUMP and press YES.
4. 4Highlight SYSEX SEND and press YES.
5. 5Press LEFT to move to the left column and choose what to back up with UP/DOWN or LEVEL/DATA.
6. 6Press RIGHT to move to the right column and choose exactly what to send — the choices depend on the left column.
7. 7Press YES to start sending.

SYSEX SEND options

PROJECT

Sends the active project: its settings, its patterns and the presets in its pool.

PATTERN

Sends the selected pattern.

Receive a dump

1. 1Connect the sending device to the Digitone II’s MIDI ports or USB port.
2. 2In SYSEX DUMP, highlight SYSEX RECEIVE and press YES.
3. 3Press LEFT to move to the left column and choose what to receive with UP/DOWN or LEVEL/DATA.
4. 4Press RIGHT to move to the right column and choose where it should go.
5. 5Press YES. The Digitone II starts listening for incoming data.
6. 6Send the dump from the other device.
7. 7Press NO to stop listening.

SYSEX RECEIVE options

PATTERN

Stores a received pattern in the pattern slot you selected.

PRESETS

Stores a received preset in the selected slot of the +Drive library. ANYWHERE drops it into the first free slot; the number of free slots shows to the right of the bank indication.

Key combinations

UP/DOWN or LEVEL/DATA

Moves through the menu options and the entries in each column.SYSEX DUMP menu

YES

Opens the highlighted menu option.SYSEX DUMP menu

LEFT

Moves to the left column, where you choose the type of data.SYSEX SEND and SYSEX RECEIVE

RIGHT

Moves to the right column, where you choose the specific item or slot.SYSEX SEND and SYSEX RECEIVE

YES

Starts sending the selected data.SYSEX SEND

YES

Starts listening for incoming SysEx data.SYSEX RECEIVE

NO

Stops listening for incoming data.SYSEX RECEIVE

The MIDI CONFIG settings involved

• To receive: switch on RECEIVE CC/NRPN and make sure INPUT FROM includes the port you use.
• To send: set ENCODER DEST to INT + EXT so the DATA ENTRY and LEVEL/DATA knobs transmit, choose CC or NRPN messages with PARAM OUTPUT, and choose the auto or track channel with OUTPUT CH.
• Track parameters travel on each track’s channel from TRACK 1–16 CHANNEL. The delay, reverb, chorus and compressor parameters and the master overdrive use FX CONTROL CH instead. All of these are in MIDI configuration: sync, ports and channels.

C.1 Track parameters

C.2 Trig parameters

C.3 Source parameters — SYN pages 1–4 (machine-dependent)

C.4 Filter parameters

C.5 Amp parameters

C.6 Euclidean sequencer parameters

C.7 FX parameters

C.8 Mod parameters — LFO 1–3

C.9 Send FX parameters — delay

C.9 Send FX parameters — reverb

C.9 Send FX parameters — chorus

C.10 Mixer parameters — compressor

C.10 Mixer parameters — external in mixer

C.11 VAL parameters (MIDI tracks)

C.12 Misc parameters

Drive a legacy monophonic bass machine with DIN sync

1. 1Program a bassline pattern on the bass machine.
2. 2Connect the bass machine’s output to your mixer with a mono 6.3 mm jack cable.
3. 3Connect the Digitone II’s main outputs to the mixer with two mono 6.3 mm jack cables, or a stereo one.
4. 4Run a DIN cable from the Digitone II’s MIDI OUT to the bass machine’s SYNC IN.
5. 5Press SETTINGS, open MIDI CONFIG > PORT CONFIG and set OUT PORT FUNC to DIN 24 (shown on screen as DIN24).
6. 6Press PLAY. The Digitone II now starts and stops the bass machine and sets its tempo.

Control a synth from a MIDI track

1. 1Connect the Digitone II’s MIDI OUT to the synth’s MIDI IN with a standard MIDI cable.
2. 2Press SETTINGS, open MIDI CONFIG > PORT CONFIG and set OUT PORT FUNC to MIDI.
3. 3In the same menu, set OUTPUT TO to MIDI.
4. 4Back on the main screen, select a track that uses the MIDI machine with TRK + TRIG 1–16 (MIDI tracks: sequencing external gear).
5. 5Press SYN and use CHAN to choose the MIDI channel the track sends on.
6. 6Set the synth to receive on the same channel, then program the track as you would any other (GRID RECORDING mode).

Back up from the Digitone II to your computer

1. 1Connect the Digitone II to your computer over USB.
2. 2Open Transfer and, on the CONNECTION page, select the Digitone II’s USB MIDI port(s).
3. 3Click “CONNECT” next to the Digitone II under AVAILABLE DEVICES.
4. 4Click the EXPLORE tab to open the EXPLORE page.
5. 5In the drop-down at the top left, make sure “MY COMPUTER” is selected.
6. 6In the drop-down at the top right, choose the type of file to transfer.
7. 7In the right-hand window, find the files or folders you want to back up.
8. 8Drag them to where you want them under “MY COMPUTER”.

Send backed-up files to the Digitone II

1. 1Connect the Digitone II to your computer over USB.
2. 2Open Transfer and, on the CONNECTION page, select the Digitone II’s USB MIDI port(s).
3. 3Click “CONNECT” next to the Digitone II under AVAILABLE DEVICES.
4. 4Click the EXPLORE tab to open the EXPLORE page.
5. 5In the drop-down at the top right, choose the type of file to transfer.
6. 6In the drop-down at the top left, make sure “MY COMPUTER” is selected.
7. 7Under “MY COMPUTER”, find the files or folders you want to send.
8. 8Drag them to where you want them on the Digitone II.
9. 9Answer any pop-ups asking which files to send and how to organise them — what appears depends on the file type.