With the A4 in particular, it really helps to RTFM.
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And threads like this, for all the tricks NOT in the manual.
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No thanks! I’ve never read a manual I liked and which didn’t seem like it was written by an engineer for other engineers.
I used to have a similar attitude towards manuals in general but I don’t know if that’s actually true… Many are written in quite a casual way and aimed to help a complete novice understand. For me I just had to let go of the idea that it was complicated or going to be a pain before I realised that the manuals are actually pretty easy, incredibly helpful and actually interesting to read.
I had a chance to have a quick play with the A4 this morning as I was really curious to try the second filter for what I’d normally use filter 1 for. Very impressed with how liquidy they sound! They very much remind me of the smr-4 filters in the Ambika! I think this is a good example of something that you’d maybe not realise from reading the manual alone… From reading the manual I was given the impression that filter 1 is the character filter and that filter 2 was more just for utility but that’s not the case at all.
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I guess my point is that it’s a shame a lot of basic functions of the A4 are missed/dismissed, and people unfairly judge it without even knowing it. If you don’t want to RTFM, that’s ok too I guess.
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Yeah it’s a shame that some people wont give something a proper go before deciding it’s no good…
It’s like someone picking up a DX7 and playing a sine wave and then deciding it has a weak sound without exploring the actual fm synthesis… Obviously an extremely bad comparison but I feel like you kind of have to go about things a little differently with the A4 than you would on your typical subtractive but as a result you can get some pretty non typical subtractive sounds, I see so many people say they’re bored of subtractive or bored of analog well the A4 is a very good synth for such people!
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I’m wondering who you two are talking about here? I don’t think I’ve read any negative comments in this thread that aren’t considered and well informed? And yet, these two quotes are very presumptive and dismissive, as if anyone who disagrees with you hasn’t bothered to understand the A4.
How are you getting on with this? Any luck? With the list of stuff you have, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a bit overwhelming! It’s all about what brings you joy, and not wasting time if things don’t.
I’m not talking about anyone in particular, the A4 being described as weak or garbage is a commonly occurring description in forums / youtube videos etc and I know for certain that some of these people haven’t actually tried one themselves so I guess this comment is aimed towards those people and the people who take their word for it.
If people don’t like the A4 that’s completely fine but I’ve heard a whole bunch of stuff made on one that sounds great (at least to my ears) and not any worse than a lot of other modern offerings.
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I suspect that most people who pick up a DX7 (even everybody who has ever picked one up) would more likely be playing a preset and probably would never play a single sine wave.
So I suppose the more apt comparison to the A4 would be to compare the preset sounds.
I think that possibly the term dislike in the title may be a bit strong. Is it a case that people actually disliked the A4, or is it more the case that they simply preferred another synth.
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I’m still interested in how you know for certain… But regardless, perhaps these comments would be better directed in those other forum / YouTube comments you mention, to save misleading here?
As several time’s it’s ended up being revealed that the person saying it sounds terrible hasn’t ever played one. I’m not saying this is the case for everyone who dislikes the sound but I do also wonder how many people have given it an honest go.
I’m just giving my opinion as the original post of this question was asking for, my opinion is that it sounds good if you take the time to learn it and that it MAY be worth ignoring some of the online criticisms of the sound as SOME of them come from people who don’t actually know.
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Especially on Youtube and FB groups are people criticising Elektron machines that never even used one. And probaply such comments have influenced potential buyers or people on the fence.
Often it seems people just repeat stuff they’ve heard themselves like ‘Octatrack sounds flat’, ‘Elektron effects are garbage’, ‘A4 can’t do pads/can’t do bass’ etc…
When you engage in a conversation in becomes obvious, they don’t know what they’re talking about.
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It sounds great with other elektron gear and the kind of modulation you get is very unique, live for performing. But for production it sounds muddy. It still sounds great but it takes some effort to make it fit in the mix.
The Nordlead and Virus don’t need as much eq’ing as the A4.
Someone called the A4 'brassy in an earlier post and I totally agree.
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Yes, it has a certain ‘brassiness’, which many modern synths have…I’ve been wondering for years what’s causing this/why a lot of modern analog synths tend to sound brassy.
Due to its flexibility, though, it’s totally possible to get a vast range of sounds out of the A4/AK, that do not have this brassy character - which on most other synths, you can’t easily do.
Usually I don’t like that brassy tone on synths, AK is actually the only one on which it doesn’t bother me.
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I would, I like to hard pan two sine waves then filter them to show the synth I mean business.
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I better example I could have picked and one I have direct experience with would be the SY77, if one picked up one of those and then judge that synth by the presets or even the majority of demos available online you’d be missing out as to what that thing’s really capable of. I LOVE the SY77 but the presets are honestly garbage.
Yes that was me, it sounds more brassy to me. If I want cream I go for the Juno type synth or vermona perfourmer mk2. But muddy? I’ve heard that before but just don’t get why it sounds muddy to some people. Be interested in understanding this opinion more.
Yeah I was going to comment before, people have different opinions, but muddy?
I would say opposite of muddy tbh fits perfectly in the mix for me
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I think muddy means not lush? But it’s kind of derogatory to the synth. Gotta embrace it’s strengths it was never designed to be lush really. Sounds clear through my system maybe Clear vs muddy?
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