A4 Feature Requests

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
#538

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Feature Request for the A4:

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1. A variable to change the encoder-speed. I have to turn them way too much. It would be a great feature and i know a lot of people who would love this option. (This is for me the most important update and it would be relativlly easy to program)

2. Being able to use the “yes/no” buttons instead of clicking the knobs. (I’m really afraid that they will crack one day. One Knob is already wobbling)

3. Using the “CV-Track” to sequenz external Hardware via midi.

4. Poly chain option (i would buy a A4 Keys instantly if this was possible!)

5. A option for the arpeggiatior to play different rhythms like the Korg Electribe. Even better would be a option to create custom rhythms. (for example: Creating awesome trance-gate’s)

6. More Control Change/CC possibilities. (changing the current pattern or song and trackl. Accent depth etc.)

7. A Delay value for the LFO’s and the ENVelopes!

8. Option to loop envelops (Or new envelope types which repeat automatically!)

9. Performance macros for each track. Like “perf” mode but with the ability to switch between different settings.

10. FX: This probably will never happen but it would be just awesome to have some new effects. I know it’s not a “Virus” but one reason why Virus is still awesome after almost ten years now, is the fact that they added sooo much features and additional effects. (I know it’s relatively"easy" if the machine is digital and almost impossible if so much is analog).

11. A complete printed handbook!. There are a lot of things i found out only through coincidence, other users from this Forum, YouTube etc. Things that are not documented in the manual! If you consider how much we are willing to pay for elektron gear, it’s a shame that you don’t get a printed handbock. Also such a awesome machine like the A4 should have a more detailed manual, in order to use the full potential of the Analog four. A german translation would be nice.

12. Having the option to set the max pattern length to 8 (128 steps). The pattern 5-8 could be indicated by flashing the red LEDs above the page/scale Button. I know it Can be done by chaining but you can not rec. In live mode and looping 128steps is something that is needed all the time in some music genres.

13. Trigger condition with the Option to transpose a Track. Or a LFO / ENV mod destination “transpose”.

last but not least: More and better communication with your customers and retailer. I know some people who cancelled their preorder for MKII’s (OT,RYTM, A4) because they don’t know when it will be released.

If any of my request is already possible please give me a hint!

Anyway i love my Elektron gear and i really hope that some of those features will show up in the next update!

2 Likes
#539

You can already do 5 with FUNC + ARP- you can get a printed manual by just paying to have someone print it.

3 Likes
#540

Thanks a lot! I Totally forgot that

1 Like
#541

#NeverForget

4 Likes
#542

-It’s been said billions and billions of times (trump joke), but I’m really sad that the AK’s sequencer doesn’t have midi out. Best sequencer ever but can’t control my other synths :frowning: I almost sold my AK to buy something else for this reason.

-Tempo is only saved in projects … I’d like to have an option to save the tempo per kits. It’s the obvious thing to do so I still don’t understand why it’s per project. I’m pretty sure they fixed that in the digitakt

-Weak distortion. I would love to have juicier distortion. I think the MKII is better in that department so I’d like to compare.

-No pan spread. I love my DSI REV2 for this feature. You have a knob to increase pan spread and it allocates the different voices in the stereo field. Automatically makes your patch a lot wider in a very musical way.

I love my AK and I’m glad I didn’t sell it … but man I would love to control my REV2 with that beautiful sequencer. I’m looking for CV to midi right now so if anybody tried that and have some recommendations, please let me know!! Cheers!!

1 Like
#543

I’ve used the OpLab, the Doepfer A-192-2, and the new Kenton Pro CV to MIDI.
The Kenton is by far the most advanced and reliable.

http://www.kentonuk.com/products/items/m-cv/pcvmidi.shtml

1 Like
#544

See PDF manual page 19 for pan spread with unison or “trk sounds”.

1 Like
#545

Wow that was fast!! Thanks mate :slight_smile: Do you know if there are limitations to using the Kenton with the AK/A4? I think things like pitch bends work but I don’t know about things like parameter locks …

#546

I actually did and it’s not practical at all since you have to separate voices per track and pan them individually. It also uses your 4 tracks (considering that you’re using a 4 voices patch) The other option is to use a LFO to pan but it’s not the same as having voices spread in the stereo field.

1 Like
#547

You can select less tracks to use.

Parameter locks are fine. There are 2 aux cv outs for that. So you basically get Pitch, Gate, and 2 CC#s (which could be p-locks or LFO, or ENV).

The pitch quantization is what sets it apart the most. It’s pretty much set and forget thanks to the quantization.

2 Likes
#548

Thanks again mate. One last question, have you noticed any latency while using the Kenton pro?

1 Like
#549

No.

2 Likes
#550

I personally like the random trig functions of the Elektron sequencer. It would be nice to see them build and expand the random trig feature… an addition that can essentially randomize synthesis settings, and can conform to whatever scale… randomize any parameter.

Dorian D minor–> randomize random trig
–> randomize synthesis section --> randomize filter section --> randomize LFO section

A button combination to randomize the settings both on a macro level to a scale… and on a parameter lock level for synthesis settings would be the bomb for live improvisation.

It would be great to have the RYTM with this function as well. I don’t think we need new gear. I personally need to be able to randomize anything… with scales.

1 Like
#551

You could put a random arp on with the right notes selected(albeit- you can’t control it)

#552

“1. A variable to change the encoder-speed. I have to turn them way too much. It would be a great feature and i know a lot of people who would love this option. (This is for me the most important update and it would be relativlly easy to program)”

“2. A variable to change the encoder-speed. I have to turn them way too much. It would be a great feature and i know a lot of people who would love this option. (This is for me the most important update and it would be relativlly easy to program)”
"
3. A variable to change the encoder-speed. I have to turn them way too much. It would be a great feature and i know a lot of people who would love this option. (This is for me the most important update and it would be relativlly easy to program)"

1 Like
#553

Simple. I want to be able to setup PERFormance macros that target the filters’ TRK parameter.

1 Like
#554

Make the firmware open source !

2 Likes
#555

Will never happen. But if you are a decent programmer, buy a raspberry pi an build your own dream synth.

1 Like
#556

With decent soldering for an analog synth…
Quite sure it is extremely difficult to build your own A4.
Didn’t finished my house, don’t want to build anything else…:unamused:

2 Likes
#557

I think it’s doable with midi, and a midi processor that would map Perf macro’s CC to Keytrack CC.

Perf Macro CC > A4 midi out > midi processor > A4 midi in.

@guga’s Goliath

Event Processor Plus can do it too, but with fixed settings or sysex receive to change templates.

2 Likes