Somebody talk me out of it.
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I’ve expressed my love for the MK1 in numerous posts. But taking your statement literally, here are some downsides. Sound design is an uphill climb. There are a huge number of options and sweet spots can be hard to find. The init sound is really meh, factory presets don’t help, being mostly unexceptional. There are some good sound packs but it takes a lot of auditioning and winnowing. If your thing is meaty bass, this will not provide it. Screen is kind of old-school and it lacks the lovely clacky buttons of the newer Elektrons.
Now, if you actually want your instincts confirmed, I could make a much longer post, as could a lot of people here.
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Join NGNY.
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Only if you can show an alternative with all that possibility, especially if you use it as it is, CV too, and not some proxy-synth-x
It’s formidable, but it won’t scratch all itches, there are more effortless voices but few as flexible and fewer wrapped in a peerless sequencer
For NO money these days
But expectations is key to bonding
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Anything you want to do with an A4 can be done for free by spending far more time with PureData or CSound.
If you want to make the kind of music and sounds that the A4 is good at, then wait for a good deal on an Analog Keys. The button layout is better, the keybed is fantastic, and having 37 keys instead of an octave of buttons is pleasant.
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Out of curiosity what is the going price these days?
I’ve seen ok looking ones go for less than £500.
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Yeah it was about that last I saw. It was insane then, it’s stupid now.
Sorry. Not helping. Ummm…no waveshaper!!! 
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Been looking at A4s myself, but I think I’ll get a mk2 for the extra outputs, a screen my old ass eyes can actually see and slightly better performance workflow.
There’s fucking black mk2s going for £800…
Madness.
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…no…
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Yeah dude there is used MKII going for 900 dollars. Kinda crazy.
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MK1 or analog keys…
I would go for analog keys just because you can use it as a synth if you want and keep all other features, for near the same price second hand.
It took more space, but this keybed, jogwell, and the fact that you can put a chord if you want is definitely a major +
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I got my grey Mkii for £700, not a mark on it.
I’m not going to be able to talk you out of getting a MKI, I love the A4 
I’m taking my time and enjoying the journey.
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Your rubbish at composing music. My pathetic attempt. Sorry.
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There isn’t a single reason not to buy one at the prices they’re going for. I’ve seen them sell for $5-600. A synth of its caliber and capabilities it’s a steal. And I don’t know about you but I actually much prefer the look and feel of the MK1 for both the AR and A4.
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I agree on the price. Just got a Mk1 for a great deal. Downloaded some patches and overbridge and I am loving this thing. For the price they go for, it’s an insane deal for used gear.
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Chords sounds lovely on it, so nice in fact you may just use the box to do one chord. Sometimes, you can look at a box doing one chord and think shit, this is a lot of money for one chord. Can you do this chord in Ableton? Yes, yes you can.
Things that put me off the MK1.
The overdrive.
Cluttered/cramped layout.
Shit screen.
Weird CV outs.
No individual outs.
Things that make me want the MK1 (over the mk2)
Smaller/easier to gig with
Cheaper
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The mk2s are just bulky and not pleasant to look at. Designwise absolute garbage. Octatrack mk2 is where its at. Digis are ok too.
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Bit harsh 
Agree!
Except for the graphics, I don’t like the graphical representation of the filters and envelopes.
What is it they say about opinions?
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