So I got an A4 (MKI) for a good deal because I’ve always wanted real analog gear. My goal was to evaluate A4 vs Minilogue. Actually DNK was in the running as it functions as a decent VA and could cover a lot of ground but I already had a VA synth, the Nord Lead 3, and I’m planning to sell that because VA doesn’t do it for me and I just don’t like to use it as much as I thought I would. I already have FM covered with a DX7 and a M:C, and DNK has too few keys to be my main keys, so the DNK and NL3 are going.
So I like the A4. A lot. There is little to find fault with it. Actually, if I had the money I’d probably just get an AK. Sadly that is not currently possible so Keystep it is. This helps it be more of a performance instrument. I realized that that’s what I needed rather than yet another Elektron sequencer. Ah… but it sounds so good…
I could get a really good deal on a slightly defective Minilogue (OG) and because of 24-month financing on both it is tempting to simply own both.
I can’t think of any strong use cases for the A4 though. It can fill the role of a straight performance synth, sure, but it’s a bit of a complicated affair. I created a “SYNTH MODE” project. But you still have to load the project, load a preset, and navigate around the pages to do any tweaks or set up FX. I could have a much simpler thing more appropriate for live gigs at less than half the price. I already tried the xd out at Guitar Center and the keybed feels great, it sounds good, I know I’d get good mileage out of it. I decided to lean towards getting the OG because I want to use the money saved to get some effects pedals.
A4 has too few tracks to be an MPC-like, like the Machinedrum, AR, or even Model:Cycles. It doesn’t even have dedicated MIDI tracks and as a drum machine it sounds great but that Elektron intentionally disabled triggering the tracks with the trig keys limits its use as that. Yes you can make a Multi Map but that comes with its own tradeoffs, primarily that editing a sound is less convenient, requiring a throwaway pattern, import and export.
Assuming I get a Minilogue… Do I use A4 as a studio tool, just because I like it? (Even though it is absolutely not essential!) What could I do with it that I couldn’t do with a good plugin?
Feedback oscillators
Neighbour tracks
FX track
Setting it up as a filter bank
Parameter slides
Performance mode
Direct pattern jump
All the CV options.
As much as I like the drum sounds the A4 is capable of, it’s a terrible pice of gear to use as a drum machine in my opinion. Much better to sample the drum sounds into something better geared towards drum performance.
I think to perform with it successfully and without too much annoyance, you need to do a lot of work beforehand sorting out kits, sound design and performance macros and the like so that perrming with it mostly comes down to interacting with the sequencer, performance macros and switching kits around.
I’ve had my MK1 for a few weeks now and there’s no way I see myself performing with it confidently this side of probably July or something.
I think if you are looking at the A4 as a potential replacement for a polysynth then you are in for disappointment, the Minilogue would be a better bet.
A4 is best for per step sounds and tight integration of synth and sequencer, still unparalleled.
Seems like you have a good handle on its capabilities though, so go with your gut.
I will say using a single track for drums and adding in some parameter slides and such there is a nice subtle irregularity to things (I assume down to the analog side of it) Sometimes it is really nice, but yeah as a primary drum machine it isn’t ideal. Oddly I feel like I gain a lot more tools and versatility sampling the M:C sounds I come up with just based on the limits of the box making it difficult to fine tune some of the little details of the sounds.
A4 is a really creative tool, and MK1 is relatively cheap for what it does. But I suppose if you think you will never use it you should probably sell it. I ashamedly haven’t used mine in ages but I keep it around, just seems like the time will come where I really want to explore it again.
My gut says I don’t need it, get rid of it, get the Minilogue. But that’s right now. It is guaranteed that I will want the A4 sooner or later. It is more or less a miniaturized modular system at a bargain and that’s seemingly of undeniable value even if it doesn’t fulfill my more immediate need…
I really have to stop “just trying out” things that I know full well I’m not ready for. I’ll never learn.
With a Minilogue I could sample a looping bassline that I could then jam over. Con: That can’t be tweaked live, though I can record a sample with the live tweakage. A computer can be employed, which has never been a huge issue in the studio, only at gigs. I really prefer using external devices for specific roles anyway, less reconfiguring less distraction. What can the A4 do that’s unique to it? Complex, glitchy, “digital mind” sequences, like all the other Elektron boxes. Rapid mapping of sounds across the keyboard. A filter bank like @Fin25 said (though I’m never gonna use it for that!!!)
Is my future to embrace the multi-device studio? What gain is there, besides the knowledge that it’s not an emulation, that it’s zero latency, that it’s fully independent of a computer and more rapid and tangible, that I can screw with a playing sequence in so many ways…
Making reasons to keep it! It’s just a great device.
I’m likely to keep it. Honestly. Knowing where to go for quick analog grooves to jam on is a thing I can use.
I think it’s a better 4-voice polyphonic synth than the presets suggest, if you can cook up some patches you like. Ofc this depends on your keyboard setup too, I have an AK so it’s kind of natural.
I like the versatility of being able to switch between detailed programming, four intertwining monosynth lines, etc, to playing it as a regular 4-voice poly (or lead mono.) Also, getting quite sweet ‘classic’ synth tones, or overmodulated noise nonsense, out of the same box.
I have the A4K and it was my first Elektron where I finally understood the sequencer and plocks etc. I mainly use it to play 4 different sequences that work and play with each other and then you can transpose them all which is absolute madness.
Also you can play chords on one track using both OSCs with the „5th“ Subosc setting.
Aaand you can use the CV and EFX track to sequence external gear with 4 voice polyphony. Not as good as with DT or OT but still really useful
I feel you; I’ve had the A4 for a few months now and I feel almost the same as i did with the Digitone. I like the sound much better personally but I feel the same in the sense that you need to really utilize it in combination with the sequencer to make it shine. I honestly have no idea what to do and I feel overwhelmed by the sheer amounts of options.
I’m very much a drum / sample user and I while i enjoy playing keys (with the KS37 chord mode lol) I mostly use presets and if I do tweak something it’s very minimal. More so than with the Digitone I feel like this epic instrument is wasted on me, so I’m gonna list it for sale and hopefully trade it with an Octatrack or just sell it and continue with just my AR and Ableton.
I enjoyed it the most when using it standalone, the drum sounds are honestly amazing, but I cannot justify keeping it just to sample it into my AR; it’s literally half of my studio atm. They do look insanely sexy together, but I fell for that trap with the DT/DN combo as well
I’m looking to learn more about question/answer melodies and the harmonic parts of music since right now I’m just struggling with things as the Arp etc. I feel like it’s such an insane instrument but I’ve went way too quick Elektron is addicting at times.
I think it is okay - if you have the room and the resources - to own a synth just because you like it, even when you do not have an immediate ‘use case’ for it. For my own peace of mind it helped a lot to admit some degree of synth collectorship instead of trying to justify every piece of gear with some hypothetical ‘use case’ in the pursuit of the one perfect setup.
Fair point. Honestly because I don’t know where to start. I’m very much a hobbyist but also very functional if that makes sense. What I mean is that I don’t like to waste stuff. So when i’m on the A4 browsing presets and making chords and stuff I feel so dumb for not P-locking the bejeesus out of every parameter.
But then again; you are very right. Don’t have a thing I want or need really so no urge to get rid of it, but I do feel the urge to need it everytime i make music. And when I make hiphop it definitely get’s less use; although I made some cool melodies on it.
Any good tutorial on euclydian / polymeter / Q&A rytms is welcome
Thanks for your point though; sometimes I’m a bit impulsive.
This stuff takes time and practice. You can’t practice if you don’t have an instrument to practice on
I’m not great with evolving or answer melodies, and I’ve not done much formal study. For informal study, listen to Kraftwerk and Dabrye. The former do interwoven melody lines constantly, the latter has some great synth noise on boom-bap.
The fact you said you would buy the Analogue keys if you had the money suggests you are a player of keys. You will feel limited in this respect no matter how hard you try to like it. Either get the keys or move on.
I think a keyboard would really help with the A4. That little built-in one looks helpful, but would feel quite restricted I think. I’m not even a good keyboard player, but I can do enough that I feel stuck without one.
regarding use cases:
i don’t have A4, but i have DSI Tetra.
using it as multitimbral 4x mono synth (analog kick + bass + two leads/plucks) and absolutely loving it.
my Tetra is driven from external sequencer, A4 has its own, which is more convenient.
however, A4 is a bit too big for me.
