Awesome Elektron

By default new patterns inherit the kit/sounds. To get a truly blank slate, clear the active pattern (Function + Clear) or start from an empty project, and use an empty/placeholder sample slot on tracks you don't want sounding. On Digitakt II the sound-pool/track model changed, so set the tracks' sample slots to "off"/empty rather than expecting silence by default.

Different tools. The Octatrack is the deep, quirky performance sampler/looper (pickup machines, scenes, crossfader, slices) with a steep learning curve and an enormous body of community knowledge. Tonverk is newer and more modern/streamlined. If you want the legendary live-resampling/mangling workflow and don't mind the learning curve, Octatrack; if you want something more immediate, Tonverk.

Use the LFO destination list — on most Elektron boxes the LFO can target FX parameters, but the exact reachable destinations depend on the model/OS. On the Digitakt the LFOs are per-track; route an LFO with the FX track active (or use the second LFO) and scroll the destination to the delay/reverb parameter. If the target isn't in the list, that destination isn't modulatable on that OS.

Elektron Transfer is Windows/macOS only. On Linux the community uses Elektroid (an open-source transfer tool that talks to Elektron devices over USB) to send/receive samples and manage the +Drive. It covers Model:Samples, Digitakt, Syntakt and more.

Generally yes — they're robust with few known failure points. On arrival, check every encoder/button for response, the screen, and that it updates OS and connects over USB. Confirm it's not stuck on an old OS with known bugs. Trickle-charge/USB issues are rare; the main thing is encoder wear on heavily gigged units.