Keep Analog Four Mkii or Analog Keys

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
#1

So, I just got a deal too good to pass, on a mint A4 mkii. I was getting a little tired of my analog keys encoders and the tiny display- so thought I would try the mkii again. Now I’m in a dilemma.

I love the analog keys. I use it as a midi keyboard (not many other midi keyboards this small with fatar keybed), and I love they joystick. It’s actually very compact compared to almost all other analog synths with full sized keys.

But the A4 mkii has the new good encoders and the oled display. Also, the sound seems a little more alive (more analog) especially with the distortion on the mkii. And performance macros is nicely implemented.

So, first and last time I’m ever going to ask this sort of question - but which one of these would you keep, and why?

#2

I ended up keeping the keys
It has more features and is cheaper

2 Likes
#3

I’d personally keep the desktop unit. More compact and you still get the same sound. Get yourself a arturia keystep for it or if you have any other synths laying around then use it to control it.

1 Like
#4

I think you should keep the Keys and pass the good deal on the A4mk2 on to me.

Seriously, I have that keyboard on the DK (with a worse arrangement of the rest of the unit) and it’s lovely. I don’t have the joystick but I’d like to have one.

2 Likes
#5

Keep the keys. Whenever I get bored making music I start writing the most random songs on the keys then I get back to writing in my DAW. I have so many other synths in my collection but somehow the keys wins center stage.

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#6

iam actually waiting for the Kboard Pro 4 to control the A4 MK2.

this should somehow compensate the Joystick fun with the AK :cowboy_hat_face:

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#7

Let me know how that goes.
I really wish there was an updated Analog Keys mkii, with the bigger OLED screen and the new encoders. Would be my forever synth. :tired_face:

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#8

the Deal on the black A4 was so great that I couldn’t pass. Initially I thought what a great combo to enlarge the 4 Voices of the AK.

I’ve seen that the presets do incorporate the modulation settings and I guess once I’ve set up a macro it will replace the AK joystick more expressively.

if not I’ll stick with the AK and A4 🥹

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#9

Joystick is pretty rad, tho.

2 Likes
#10

I hope I can set up the kboard to adapt the mod destinations within the A4 presets, basically to always have control over joystick parameters under each individual key (pressure,tilt,slide)