I understand a digression solely to the JDXA is off topic.
But, to keep it on topic, I’d add that the JDXA is the greatest companion ever to the A4 for anyone who is looking for a way to expand the keys range and hands on functionality.
For all the gear I’ve bought over the years, if I had to choose the best matching pair, I’d definitely say the A4mk2/JDXA is it.
Too much adjustment because forum members do things wrong, is very annoying and in many cases unnecessary.
Appreciate the feedback, that answered my question. As it stands, the AK is nearly too much for me even standalone, but that XA does have some stuff I’d love to have alongside.
I knew it was slightly OT but I was asking about it specifically as it goes with an Analog Keys… maybe I didn’t mention the AK enough in my post.
The Analog Keys is hard to top on feature density for modulation
Factor in the price, and no Roland keyboard stands a chance.
As someone who has an A4mk2, an Analog Keys and a JD-XA, I completely disagree with this. It might be more money, but the A4mk2/JD-XA combo beats the AK hands down (and it should really).
Personally, I just get don’t on with the mk1 format after getting so used to the mk2.
I can’t imagine they’d do it, but I’d love an AKmk2 (with 6 voices and 49 keys please).
That’s fair. Although sonically, the AK and A4mkII are extremely close (and more or less have the same featureset). The only significant / objective differences I’m aware of are in the UI/UX. I’ve already made part of that up by installing an OLED screen on my AK. Doesn’t fix the encoder speed / less legible screen elements, but it’s much more readable. (Edit: and has the individual outputs plus the adjusted overdrive that the MkII has)
I don’t disagree with you on AKmkII, that would be pretty amazing. I meant as a single, standalone 4 voice analog synth, I still don’t think anything touches A4 mk1 or AK for modulation capabilities within the price range. I understand the pairing of A4mkII with JD-XA obviously would beat a single AK 
I can relate and confirm that. I have add the A4 mkI, the AK, the A4 MKII - I sell the A4 MKII later I bought an A4 mk1 very cheap and even if people from there warn me… oh boy yep very hard when you use the MK2 to come back to the MK1
Not the same as Mechanical Hard Drive to SSD and back to Mechanical, of course it’s not that same comparison.
But I feel the precision on encoders, the screen and the improvements in the design and analog circuits is more than welcome. When you are used to it’s very weird to get your hands on the MK1 again. I think it’s more the encoder precision and the screen… the biggest
And yeah, I was to forget the individual outputs for the 4 tracks damn useful 
Sure, I’ll post more about it in the JD-XA thread once I have both in the studio hooked up to each other.
I mentioned the JD-XA in this thread because I’ve read that people like to use the JD-XA as a controller for A4. I’m thinking, why settle to merely control the A4/AK, lets get the audio mixed into it as well. JD into AK and AK into JD, twice the textures, twice the madness