I will be receiving an A4 MK2 in “excellent” condition from Reverb tomorrow. I bought it used to save money, but also because I like the grey better than the black version. I am wondering what I kind of Elektron gear should be my next purchase to go along with the A4. I already have a Model:Samples so I will see what I can do with that, but I also understand the limits of M:S, which I bought on impulse a while ago, just for some fun. I am thinking I might pick up a Digitakt to go with the A4. I also have an MPC One, which I sort of regret buying. It feels more like a self-contained DAW, which I was trying to get away from. I prefer the instant tweakability of the M:S, but have already run into its limitations, which is why I am thinking Digitakt. I keep hoping they will update the DT though. From what I can tell, I think I actually prefer the workflow of Elektron stuff over MPC. It feels more immediate to me, despite the steeper learning curve.
I tend to create techno beats along with atmospheric melodies in and out (I have the gear for the atmospheres already). I will try to connect the A4 to the Mother 32 or the MatrixBrute to take advantage of the CV track in the A4. That could be really cool.
Any thoughts? Sell the MPC and get a Digitakt, Octatrack? Wait? Figure out a way to work with the MPC and the A4?
True… but after having 5 Elektron devices, I always find I have the most fun using the pairs that were designed together, there obviously is no rules though
Maybe if I sell the MPC, the Rytm makes sense. Even then, I’m leaning toward the DT or OT. But, yes, I will “wait” in the sense that the A4 will be my first “serious” Elektron instrument, so I know it will be a few months before I really even understand what it can do and how I will be using with the stuff I already own.
Yeah I have also found that anything more than a pair of elektrons starts to get a little over complex and convoluted for me. Honestly I think I have the most fun working 1 elektron and a couple mono synths and maybe an fx unit. M8 is coming soon so I suppose I will see if that is compatible with my more complex work flow or if it will be more fun portable thing… hopefully both.
A4 + Digitakt is good fun though if you are looking for a small mixerless set up. Really you can get so much done between the 2.
Yeah I guess it’s just the different concepts with kits and pattern mutes
that makes it easier for me to use the analogs together or the digis together
No no no no no… no… don’t sell the MPC, get that out your head.
The MPC is a fantastic partner to the A4 and other Elektron units.
I’ve just been working on a track tonight on my new Digitone that had sounds that inspired me instantly… but when I come to write the music I was hearing off those sounds, they were in two parts, one 10 bar and one 14 bar long… that goes beyond the Elektron sequencer, so I pulled out the MPC and sequenced it all there, with the same sounds in the Digitone. One of many examples of how they work together.
If I was to get one Elektron unit to start off given hindsight, it would be the Analog Rytm or Analog Four.
Be patient, it will come… and don’t start thinking about other gear to soon.
This is getting to be a very helpful thread. Thank you all for your thoughtful and also funny responses. It sounds like the consensus so far is to wait and see how my 84 wheel mesh with my other gear. I do remember that one reason I got the MPC one instead of an Elektron Is that it had quite a bit more variability in terms of its pattern lengths and incorporation. I probably will try to use it at some kind of a hub along with my electron gear and a couple of my more simple sense so I can try to have a dateless setup.
Thanks also for your validation of my decision to start with an analog for, rather than one of the other choices. I guess I figured that it can’t hurt to have another analog sense, but then also get the benefit of the Elektron performance magic!
I’ve stayed away from MPCs because the prevailing consensus was that they were more like a “DAW in the box”, as your original post indicated, but I was struck by this forum post yesterday, which was more nuanced.
So maybe see how the MPC you already have can be used in ways that are less DAW-like, less peering at the screen, more about immediate control and flexibility. If you’re not going to sell it right away, you might as well see what it can do for you.
+1 for a Digitone. You’ve already got a couple sample players in the M:S and MPC.
A4 can do excellent analog drums, and the Digitone likewise has some really cool FM drum sounds as well. Plus I’ve found that the DN and A4 sounds compliment each other very well.
And the limited track count on both has never really held me back from getting the two to gel. If anything, it forces me to get creative with P-Locks and often what comes out is better than what was in my mind’s eye (ear?).
I can’t help it… playing for 6 hours straight with my new black AR mk2 + A4 mk2. Pretty nice combo. DN sounds also very nice and fits into the mix perfectly. And with Overbridge this setup is killer.
But I have to say… Elektron should better unify the workflows / menus / options and features between their boxes… the DN has so many better workflows / settings / visual feedback UI than the Analogs. So … I’d say get a Digitone first.
