A4 MK2 + MicroFreak. Missing Aftertouch

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
#1

Hi, All! I’m new to this place. Glad to meet you :slight_smile:
Just tried to use Arturia’s MicroFreak as a MIDI controller for A4 MK2 and somehow that incredible PolyAfterTouch doesn’t work.
It works great in software (VST) synths.
The Microfreak was connected with a 5-din MIDI cable.
Previously I’ve got some other problem with QuNexus: it plays a wrong sound (from a different track) on a 1st note (last three plays properly). At least Microfreak doesn’t have this issue here.
What am I doing wrong?

P.S. Bought A4 ~ 3 weeks ago. I’ve had not much time to dig into it.

#2

If ye but search, ye shall findeth the aftertouch menu. Behold! The manual!

(You probably just have to assign aftertouch to something for it to work. Did you try that?)

#3

Also, Poly AT isn’t supported on the A4.
You should be able to change the MF’s output to regular (non-poly) AT though…

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#4

I think this is spot on. Unfortunately, the MF spits out poly aftertouch, but the A4 only supports channel aftertouch.

Maybe configurable in the “midi control center” pc application for the MF, but as far as I’m aware it’s not a setting on the device itself.

#5

Thank you, guys!
I’ve bought a used KS 37 yesterday. Will be using it with A4 probably.
Although it would be cool to control A4 with a PolyAT. Not critical though.
My main “complaints” are about the modest FX section and (much more) about the inability to assign a note pitch to anything. I mean - to LFO speed as the main idea (to fake FM).

#6

The A4 LFO has keytracked multiplier settings for doing exactly what you think is missing. This is covered in the manual.

1 Like
#7

Hey Neoris, just to let you know the keystep 37 will transfer aftertouch perfectly as it’s channel based.

I use my ks37 at the studio all the time with my A4, being able to press harder to accentuate notes with overdrive or wobble the filter works beautifully. However you do have to press HARD. Have fun, any issues feel free to drop a message :).

Aftertouch isn’t recorded into the sequencer though, just a heads up!

Also, the lack of effects isn’t quite as bad as you initially think. The FX track allows for some crazy parameter locking per step, and you also have some LFOs to work with. You can sort of morph the chorus into a flanger/phaser with a bit of modulation, and create some almost combfilteresqe effects with the delay at super short times and highish feedback.

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#8

Thank you! I’ll check that.

#9

yeah, I’ve bought a used KS37 as well )
Not the easiest thing to move on shoulders but is great for home sketching IMO.
But feels like a toy (the key pressing) after Fatar :smiley: