The thought of a Mk2 Rytm is somewhat fascinating. It still feels like a fresh and new product to me, after two years of ownership. Even A4 doesn’t feel too long in the tooth.
The usual Rytm complaints are no live sampling, pad sensitivity, no external input gain, no stereo samples, no midi sequencing.
I’ve got very few complaints with my own Rytm.
SDS Drop and Stereo Drive have really opened up sample import for me. Thanks to @void!
The pads on my unit became more sensitive over time, as well.
Input gain would be nice, but in addition I would even suggest putting the external input pre Dist&Comp, instead of just pre Comp, or, if possible, the option of either/or.
Even when I have gear going into the input with a hot signal, using distortion on the Rytm will over-power that, and the Distortion could really gel things together nicely if the external input gets the treatment too.
Throw in an extra distortion parameter or two to give it more flavor… more a taste of Heat, so to speak.
Stereo samples would have to require two voices, like SDS Drop’s Stereo Drive. If that could be part of Overbridge or the Sample Transfer app, along with a control machine in Rytm made to natively control/slave one track’s (L) parameters to the other ®, that would be the kind of thing that would force my hand to upgrade.
Otherwise, a stereo sample implementation would require twice as many filters and VCAs which would certainly be cost prohibitive.
MIDI sequencing is something I doubt will come to Rytm, with DT and now OT MK2 both offering MIDI sequencers that each offer unique features against one another.
There’s a common refrain about product cannibalization, but if that is what it takes to keep the lights on, then so be it.
But let’s not forget that MK2s aren’t necessarily geared toward getting MK1 owners to shell out more $ and top up. They serve a function to keep a product fresh for other prospective buyers who are skeptical about buying a product that isn’t as freshly produced as other options on the market. It’s a tough line to walk. Pleasing prospective customers without making existing customers feel their newest acquisition is now obsolete cannot be easy. I have no envy for those who make the final decisions about how much more a MK2 should offer.
So its quite likely that the Analog Four/Keys will see an MK II Version and the Rytm as well.