Rumor: A4 MKII incoming

[donato]

They already have the existing technology. I suppose the biggest expense would be adding two voices. But if Behringer can do 12 voices for $999 (and six voices with a keyboard for $699), I don’t see why Elektron can’t do 6 voices for $1499. SMT is not expensive. The rest of the technology they’ve already implemented in other products. Tweaking the sound would not be super difficult or time consuming. So, to answer your question, yes.

Look at it this way. They’re selling the A4 now for $829 and I doubt that’s at a loss price point. One could argue if they don’t make some drastic changes they’re being left behind by the competition. Anyway, just my thoughts.

[Anfim]

You forgot about the cost of developing a midi sequencer for a machine that only speaks CV internally. And sure, Behringer stuff is cheap but they have economy of scale on their side, in a way small companies like Elektron don’t.

It kinda bothers me when people trivialise the costs involved in this kind of thing. There are way more hurdles and expenses involved than anyone would ever expect.

[brodykauff]

Price is back up to $1249 USD on JRR Shop

[lemons]

You forgot about the cost of developing a midi sequencer for a machine that only speaks CV internally.

A4 does not “speak CV” internally. It’s digitally controlled.

[donato]

Right. It would be so hard and expensive to just tack on the Octatrack/Digitakt midi sequencing aspect. Give me a break. Since you’re such an expert, why don’t you tell me how expensive and exhausting the work would be?

[Open_Mike]

MIDI OUT Confusion

The main issue is that the sequencer on the Four, Rytm and Keys is in a completely different “language” than MIDI. Whether is it difficult or not to implement MIDI, I don’t know, but I do know that it would be very time consuming. We can’t simply re-use old code since the machines are completely different.

However, we are well aware that basically everyone want this feature.

MIDI Out Functionality

Yes, that is partly true. MIDI sequencing was never intended. It is also a matter of how the internal sequencer functions - it is not built for MIDI. It is far from trivial to add it, and there are other factors such as program memory and processor cycles that inhibits it.

To sum up: It is not a planned addition and has never been an advertised feature.

…

[donato]

It didn’t happen and it’s not going to happen for the sole reason they want you to buy an Octatrack or Digitakt. The rest is company speak IMO. I’m not saying it would take no work, but I’m sure it would be a fraction of a fraction of all the time they’ve wasted on Overbridge.

[Prints]

Rather than misinforming people, how about putting forth a bit more effort towards being mindful?

[Unifono]

on the a4 a big oled screen would make a big difference

[psyclone001]

From what I can gather from the screen discussion from OT mk II its not so simple to up the resolution and put a big screen on. Software needs to be re-written etc?
MK II analogs will probably get the same treatment that new OT did, and that is the same screen, both size and resolution, but in OLED form.
Would be good if they could somehow up the tiny 122x32 pixel count on the analogs to at least the resolution of an OT mk I or II at 128x64, to display over double the existing information than the current analog series.
We will see I guess

[834]

Analog Rytm and Four mkii’s were actually listed briefly next to OTmkii in a Polish web shop last week.

[Anfim]

I’ve actually done a PhD in this exact topic, it would be approximately 5 expensive and 17 exhausting. Happy to help.

[ChrisG]

Oh trust me, those 12 voices/oscs are about as basic as it gets. The A4/AK have more oscillators per voice with more waveforms and waveshaping on all waveforms (and more). While talking analog components, per voice there’s a two-flavored distortion, one low pass filter and one multimode filter. So there’s just so much more going on with the analog components in the A4/AK then in something like the DM12.

The components are so cheap and unstable (hence why there are two fans inside the thing). I have one, had two units (for testing) at one point. I’m fairly sure they could price dump the DM12 and still have decent price margins lol. Oh and one of the fans in my unit, the large one inside, is already rattling. There. Is. A. Rattling. Fan. Inside. My. Synth.

Anyway, I’m excited to see if they bring over the same panel overhaul to the Analog Keys. I’d definitely be tempted to get it with the OLED and the bling bling, although I’m very happy with it as is, so I wouldn’t exacrly perish keeping the current design:-)

[lemons]

My experience with DM12 is pretty much the opposite. I have found it versatile and awesome sounding synth with solid build quality (have owned one since february). You can also turn the fan off completely if you are not playing in heat.

That said, A4/AK certainly has its place due to the amazing sequencer even if it doesn’t sound as lush (I have owned both). If only it sequenced in MIDI…

[tsutek]

To me, the A4/AK is for synthesis like the rytm is for drum machines. Holistic manipulation of sound, sequence and fx that goes beyond the sum of its parts = game changer

[AGP1]

Im not so good at the polish currency but the MK2 a4 and rytm listed there look to be very cheap? surely they would be the same price as the OTMK2? Looks just like an error maybe?

[Prints]

Definetily DCO

Do you happen to have a source for this? I’m trying to find where this was stated.

[alfred]

Manual page 6: “digitally controlled oscillators”.

You can turn on “oscillator drift” which will introduce some vco-like drift, but it’s all digitally controlled.

[psyclone001]

It was stated way back when it was released, and is pretty well documented everywhere since in reviews etc.
Elektron state this also on their site

[Prints]

Ok, thanks. Does that mean the oscillators on the RYTM are considered DCOs as well? If that’s the case, I’m curious how they were able to implement FM with those DCOs.