I bought an A4 MK2 this week and have been using it on its own as a groovebox to try and learn it. I seriously think I could rock two of these live. Anyone using a second A4?
I did have the same thought but didn’t take the plunge. I bought the Digitone instead and A4/DN is really a nice combo (I have the A4mk1 so they align next to each other very nicely and the small form factor of the DN is a real plus) that gives me a wider palette of sounds. DN is very capable at drums too and with 8 voices, you can do quite a lot. Having MIDI tracks (way more powerful than the one available in the A4), it has become the hub to control my gear (A4 song pattern can control the DN too so you get the best of each).
Sorry, not answering your question but I thought this might be an experience of interest coming from someone who had the exact same idea as you : )
I can’t help looking for cheap second hand A4 mkI still haha. If the A4 had polychain out of the box, I would bite I guess
I’m not, but I have an A4mk1 and have contemplated an AK, and I have a DK and have contemplated a DN. Similarly to what @blakewalt says, A4/DK should be a killer combo but I have only put them together once (I even have a two-tier X-stand that facilitates this). Too many other distractions (currently Eurorack).
(with you on the modular bandwagon haha)
I think it can be done with one. Maybe use a mixer with a syncable looper to transition between tracks. Only advocating moderation because you mentioned learning the device. Subjectively I have always been the most productive with a single device but everyone has different approaches/needs!
Edit: I love the enthusiasm though, A4 rocks!!!
This is one thing I think Elektron should have implemented a long time ago. I would instantly buy a second A4 mk2 if I could poly chain them for 8 voice polyphony, and super intricate analog drum pattern creation.
I wonder if the internal sequencer, not using MIDI, was one of the reason… They did add MIDI outs afterward though so perhaps this will come one day!
4 tracks are being filled quickly. I could often see me use 4 more tracks if they were available. Like 4 mono tracks, and the other A4 as poly. Or one A4 purely as drum source.
I have the A4/DN combo. DN is easier for making pad sounds imo. A4 has more character though.
Damn, now you’ve got me watching Digitone videos
I’ve been getting quite a lot out of the four tracks but find it’s just not quite enough. I guess I could use the CV track to sequence my SH-01A, that could work.
I also have an MC-707 and Peak so can use them together, but am really enjoying the A4 workflow/sequencer and having fun designing my own drum sounds. It seems to be the perfect box for more modern melodic techno whereas I always end up making 90s techno when using the MC-707.
Interesting that there’s a lot of suggestions to get a DN, but no-one has suggested a Rytm (which is another thing I’ve been considering).
check out @Eaves Youtube channel
But really, DN being an FM synth (with some subtractive synth flavor), it gives you a lot of different sounds and evolving pads might be easier to create as @Unifono said.
I find the synth/LFO page randomizer to be very effective (the A4 one not as much, idk why). The master overdrive can bring some sauce too.
But well, yeah, check out the sound!
I thought you considered mainly a second synth, but if you want a drummachine, sure Rytm is one of the top options
I have a Rytm but… I like the A4 synth engine more for drums and you said you liked the A4 for drums, I think, you’re right! The AR would give you sample playback and pressure sensitive pads (a bit hard though) so of course that can be valuable but the analog synth engine is a bit hard to master.
I guess A4/DN/Octatrack (or DT depending on your needs) would give you: subtractive synth, FM synth and sampler/sample player/fx box so you would have access to all the main flavors.
I thought about a 2nd A4 many times.
A Digitone is really complementary. A Micromonsta 2 too…
Easy to use 8 voices of 2 A4s easily with a midi processor like RK002, already programmed. Btw I used something similar to have 8 paraphonic voices on one A4.
Also easy to program both the same way sending CCs with knobs. I guess you can also transmit patches between 2 A4s.
I like 2 A4’s
One workflow for everything helpt me to keep making Music relatively easy. A mixer and a looper uses too much brain.
With 2 A4’s i can make full songs, and i can easilly mix from one song to the other. I tried rytm but didnt like it, tried dn but dont like the sound.
Sound locks open up 4 channels
You can do a lot with 4 voices, i think A4 is not too limited, but a second A4 to layer does help
Im not sure its a good idea. Say you have a string quartet. If you add another quartet you sort of lose a bit of uniquness and it becomes a bit too full on. Just using this as a comparison. That sometimes less is more which i think it is in this case…
It makes sense. It depends I guess.
One A4 for drum duties and one for melodic stuffs will allow you to make everything sound coherent somewhat. Weird as it might sound, I really like the default MIDI sounds of the mac, they all work together so well, it’s like if they did all the hardwork.
Having 3 A4 could be… revolutionary haha. I do like having different flavors, hence the DN (and other stuffs) but 2 A4 doesn’t seem much of a stretch to me. damn, GAS!
No, 2 A4s and an AK!
My cheap 80€ compromise, adding up to 32 voices, using A4 1 voice for analog filters…I need a USB host to control it with FX and CV tracks (8 voices).
Yesterday I used the Akai Mpk Mini Play with a slow random arp on pads, really interesting…I think any cheap poly synth can be interesting thru A4 filters.
How do you come to to “up to 32 voices”?