Liam Killen Unleashes the Elektron Outbox 8: The Outs’ Revolution

A New Outs Order

Liam Killen kicks things off with the Elektron Outbox 8, and straight away it’s clear: this box is about to shake up hardware and hybrid workflows. Elektron sent him the unit—always a sign you’re in the inner circle—and he doesn’t waste time laying out why this matters. Historically, Elektron have been stingy with individual audio outs, leaving DAWless warriors and sample-pack hustlers stuck with stereo mixes and workarounds. The Outbox 8 aims to blow that out of the water, promising freedom for anyone mixing hardware and software (or both, like Killen).

For the first time, Elektron machines without dedicated outs—think Digitakt 2, OG Digitakt, Digitone, you name it—can finally break free from their stereo prison. Individual analog outs on these units mean you can now route, process and slam your tracks like you’re running a 90s rave bunker. No more being forced into Ableton for multi-tracking or having to perform surgery on your audio just to get some separation. Killen’s enthusiasm is contagious, and you can tell this is more than a spec list: it’s a workflow revolution for anyone deep in the Elektron ecosystem.

"I am here with the Outbox 8, an Electron user's dream."

© Screenshot/Quote: Liamkillen (YouTube)

Minimalist Brick, Maximum Routing

Design-wise, the Outbox 8 is a no-nonsense rectangle with USB-C power, USB-C in from your Elektron box, and eight analog audio (or CV) outs. Minimalist? Absolutely. But that’s the point—no distractions, just get the job done. Killen is laser-focused on audio, making it clear CV is cool, but the real juice is in the outs for this demo. The configuration is all handled digitally: fire up your Elektron menu, find the Outbox 8, and start routing. Want stereo pairs, mono tracks, or something in between? It’s just a menu scroll away.

Routing gets surgical. Assign tracks to whichever out you want, group kicks and toms, or send effects to their own channel for wild external processing. Killen reminisces about patchbay chaos and the Patchulator Pro, but the Outbox 8 makes that cable spaghetti a thing of the past. The flexibility is wild: you can slam your kick and toms through a proper compressor, or create Frankenstein chains that sound nothing like the polite demo stuff. This is how you turn a groovebox into a proper street weapon.

TR-8S vs. Outbox 8: The Routing Royal Rumble

"it's very difficult to match the strength of an electron sequencer, especially for more underground, like electronic music genres, techno, house music, anything that's kind of up-tempo, I find that this sequencer just kills it."

© Screenshot/Quote: Liamkillen (YouTube)

Killen throws the Roland TR-8S into the ring for a quick compare-and-contrast. The TR-8S already gives you assignable outs and works as its own audio interface—no Outbox 8 required. But here’s where it gets spicy: Elektron’s sequencers still bring something special to the fight, especially for underground genres like techno and house. Killen’s not shy about saying it—the groove, the workflow, the vibe are tough to beat.

Workflow matters. If you’re locked into the Elektron way, the Outbox 8 is the missing link that finally lets you wrangle every sound into its own lane. Sure, not every box needs it, and the TR-8S has its own tricks, but nothing else quite matches the Elektron sequencer flex. For anyone who wants real separation and hardware-level control, this thing is basically a cheat code.

Real-World Routing Mayhem

You want proof? Killen dives right into practical setups, sending kicks and toms through a Lindell Audio 7X500VIN compressor and instantly changing the whole feel of the groove. It’s not just about separation; it’s about transforming your sound. Want hi-hats and claps to get the tape-emulation treatment through the Chroma 500? Sorted. Want delay on just the hats? Scroll, assign, done. Every output can become a playground for hardware FX, and it’s all fed into an SSL Big 6 for DAWless, hands-on mixing. No more endless cable plugging—just digital menus and real analog chaos.

The genius is in the speed and flexibility. You can push this box further by running two Elektron devices (Digitone 2 and Digitakt 2) into one Outbox 8 if you go the hybrid route. Ableton’s Overbridge lets you distribute streams to any output, though Killen admits he prefers to stay in hardware land. The real fun, though, is watching him twist sounds live—something words (or even this article) can’t do justice. For the full sonic transformation, you’ll want to see and hear the madness yourself.

Transcriptions, Projects, and More Madness

Killen wraps up by inviting viewers to dive deeper into his world—sequencer transcriptions, Digitakt and Digitone projects, and all sorts of exclusive content are up for grabs on his Patreon. He’s dozens of sequencers deep, pulling rhythms from underground records for anyone hungry for new patterns and grooves. Affiliate links and shoutouts abound, but the real takeaway is this: if you want your Elektron workflow to hit harder and cleaner, this is the tool—and Killen’s got the roadmaps to take you there.

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Tags Elektron Digitakt, Elektron Digitakt 2, Elektron Digitone, Elektron Digitone 2, Elektron Outbox 8, Lindell Audio 7X500VIN, Louder Than Liftoff Chroma 500, SSL Big 6