A few topics in one

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
#1

Im seriously considering an A4/K to pair with my OT. Im also considering an OP-1 but thats for another forum. I absolutely love playing my OT like a keyboard, the button keys are super fun to me which makes me think i’d really enjoy the A4/OP1. While the small form factor appeals to me im also looking for a serious piece of gear and I dont think that anyone can deny that the OP1 has a very toy like disposition. To be honest I just wish there was a simple midi keyboard version of the OP1 to live next to my OT. Anyway, I dont have any big key synths at the minute so the AK has my attention but that tiny screen cant be fun, I am not adverse to using computers so I wouldnt mind using overbridge to program patches, I was just wondering

+1. how much of the AK is midi controllable? If all patch making features can be mapped to a midi CC I could make a really nice lemur interface to mount above it as a screen.
+2.has anyone bought an A4 and wished they got the keys, or vice versa?
+3.from what I read online when the AK was announced elektron said it had ‘fine tuned circuits for deep bass’ which apparently turned out to sound exactly the same as A4. What is the likelihood that the new mark 2s sound the same and all the talk of improvements is just marketing?
+4.does the sound even really need improvement in your opinion? I am unable to try myself in person, nowhere in my city stocks elektron. Ive listened a lot online but youtube never really does justice. Is there any way its particularly lacking?

I know that 3 is impossible to answer until release but I just wanted to discuss it anyway, thanks for any responses

#2

I really love the MKIs Ot + A4 combo !
I have only them in my bed ! (A girl or a cat sometimes) :smile:
Color, form factor, inputs/outputs are enough for me even if you can mod A4 for 4 separated outs.
The Mini keyboard is quite useful, even if there’s no real-time transpose.
Multi Map is powerful, you can use several tracks on the same channel.

1 Like
#3

Almost all, either by CC (or by NRPN (some much higher resolution) as there are too many parameters mapped for the available free CC commands) … It’s well documented in the manual

I’ve seen stories both ways ,search here

It’s not all marketing, there is a subtle but discernible improvement though some dual owners can perceive little if anything, but in the grand scheme of things it’s not as important as some of the other differences (again, well discussed on here already). It sounds like the MKiis will have more variation on the filter drive side and that could make for a notable difference over the MKi

It’s a matter of liking it for what it is, it’s its own thing, it’s incredibly flexible and covers many bases, even for modular-esque sound design … most complaints are that it isn’t immediately like synth x or synth y which is missing the point, it does have its own character and it may or may not suit everyone … It’s not a specialist broad sweet spot synth, it’s an all rounder where finding the narrower sweet spots need more effort, it’s all there

loads of threads and opinions on this as well

I’d never part with the A4, an amazing instrument, way way deeper than most realise … you need to be inclined to tinker to get the best from it

6 Likes
#4

Sometimes I GAS for a AK, but then I think about how losing the mobility of the A4 would suck for my own uses.

As far as the bass goes, usually finding the right frequency and resonance settings on filter two ends up working. After that I can just raise the filter overdrive and everything is OK. Any kind of boost after the A4 master can be fun too, I run things through an analog heat and it sounds great. I think another consideration is that the “bass” can be relative to your gain staging and what you are listening through…are you listening through earbuds, an iPhone speaker? What frequency response does your monitors have, and are you using a sub?

IMHO the Mk2 offers one large benefit which is the individual outs, however this is only really helpful if you want to route things through hardware or you hate Overbridge. I think the individual outs is something that will get me to upgrade eventually, but at the moment not having them just forces me to think a little more about where I want individual voices places in the stereo field and how they should run through the internal fx, then if I really want to process things individually I’ll probably just use Overbridge and the vast sea of VSTs that I have.

Unless I’m specifically trying to stay OTB for some reason, all of the things end up going through Ableton as a mixer and I can always apply some VST to achieve the sound I’m looking for.

2 Likes
#6

Last but not least… What about an AK mk2 ?
:japanese_goblin:

1 Like
#8

I don’t remember for sure, but I think avantronica was on this sweet spot bit with me on another thread.
At first I was really frustrated with the A4.
I was trying to replicate some sounds on my SlimPhatty in an effort to minimize my rig.
It just doesn’t do that.
So I eventually cut the SP loose, and went hunting for sweet spots on the A4.
Thats when things started to sound really good on the A4 to me.
I’m hooked now.
I haven’t had the chance to play an AK, but I have been super curious about the “deeper bass.”
However, between seeing a couple Cygnus shows, listening to some John Tejeda track, plus the “bass tips” thread,
I became convinced I could coax some wicked bass sounds out of the A4.
So that’s exactly what I did.
Since then, I’ve been less interested in the “deeper bass” on the AK or MKII.
It’s all about that HP or Peak on the second filter, with proper key tracking or envs.
Took me a while to get into the character of the A4, but it’s definitely got it’s own brand of mojo.

2 Likes
#9

I think there is on the A4, no? FUNCTION->TRANSPOSE, then mini-key… Did I dream this?

#10

No @carvingcode you didn’t.
You can select which tracks you want to transpose, and it’s as easy as immediate :smiley:

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#11

I’m pretty sure most of this is the A4 paired with a RYTM, and live it’s pretty monstrous.
Most of the tracks on his page showcase the A4 nicely

sweet bass on this track

#13

It certainly is (or can be), though it takes some insights to make the most of it, the differences between all the variants (and i’d confidently speculate even the MKii here) will be far far less significant than the general leaning of the voice and in particular the traits of the dual filter (esp wrt use of res as per linked thread)

I think other synths have a different ‘open’ character/impact to the A4K … even the AR sounds very very (read too) meaty in the low end … it’s massive, and lovely too, by default

#14

Unfortunately, transpose seems to be effective after recording.

@jb