A4/AK OS 1.20 ... non-OB bits

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
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Changes
A new parameter, COLOR, has been added to the noise page. This parameter gives you control over a filter that changes the frequency content of the noise oscillator. Negative parameter values renders low pass filtered noise. For example, a setting of -64 is ‘‘red’’ (-6 dB/oct) and -32 is ‘‘pink’’ (-3 dB/oct). Positive parameter values renders high pass filtered noise. A setting of zero disables the filter, meaning the output is white noise.
The preset project and sounds have been updated. This is only available after a factory reset.

In menus TRIG MUTE, ACCENT, NOTE SLIDE, and PARAMETER SLIDE, you can now edit the step property of all tracks simultaneously by holding [FUNCTION] while pressing the grid keys.

Bug Fixes
Sequencer initiated notes could sometimes be note offed together with manually triggered notes when polyphony was enabled on a track. Fixed.

The accent envelope would reset upon trig of an unaccented note. Fixed.

Clear CV settings cleared the FX track settings. Fixed.

1 Like
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So factory reset only? I have no problem with that on the A4 but my question is when the update comes for the RYTM if you do a factory reset does that mean you lose all the samples you uploaded. That would be a headache

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It’s only if you really want the demo presets.

Color on the noise is interesting but I’ve never been thrilled w/ the A4’s noise in the best of circumstances. Sounds too much like the NES’s noise channel for my tastes.

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Some digiwave-stuff would have been nice

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Honestly I’m currently more excited about the noise color than about OB. This basically means you don’t need the F2 highpass for certain sounds and frees F2 to act as a resonator!

Besides, as much as I find Overbridge will be handy for recording multitrack with my A4 I’m still one the people who got the hardware because of… well, hardware.

OB is very nice to have, but let’s put things in perspective, realistically. Disclaimer: this is no rant, I very much like my Elektron machines as they are, but…

Overbridge obviously is drawing nearly all resources from the core OS-development (as I predicted and got stoned here and on FB about a year ago for daring to say so…)

Since the big polyphony/+drive update of the A4 when the AK came out late 2013 there haven’t been any significant updates to the OS at all. Some minor fixes, a little feat here or there. Still some of the most wanted features aren’t near the horizon at all (ARP p-locks, track scales, midi-note-out, P-locks for joystick movement, etc…).

And looking at the state of OB, I think there won’t be any major updates to the A4/AK at all this year, if ever. The RYTM users have some heavier bugs and core features that need to be fixed, so that’s probably gonna happen next as it is probably needed for RYTM-OB anyway. Also I don’t see much hope for the OT in the near future.

Yet I hope Overbridge will bring loads of new customers to Elektron, so the company can grow and hire new developers to fill in the gap!

So as things are growing with Overbridge, I still see much potential to bring the A4/AK from great to greater, if not to perfection. Though I think Elektron needs to get rid of some of their self-imposed restrictions and policies regarding their machines.

peace.

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Which restrictions and policies do you think they should change?

(Genuine question - interested in your viewpoint.)

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Hi Guys, i have seen you did an firmware upgrade on the A4, where did you got this update 1.2 … on the elektron download page i just found this one Analog-Four_Analog-Keys_OS1.12E, i’m greatful for any advice!

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Which restrictions and policies do you think they should change?

(Genuine question - interested in your viewpoint.)[/quote]
It is not my statement, but i think it is quite true. For instance the fact that the A4/AK sequencer cannot output midi is a deliberate restriction to encourage customers to buy OT for midi sequencing.
I really regret this choice, because I would have liked to use my A4 to sequence digital synth, and post-process their sounds through the A4 filters & effects. This would make some kind of hybrid digital/analog sounds.
The OT cannot play sample over more than two octaves. I dont know if this weird restriction was set to discourage people to use it as a digital synthesizers with single cycle waves ?
On the other hands they are some weird workflow issues that have never been corrected. For instance, tempo cannot be save within pattern. I dont know why elektron have never fixed this.
That said I have never had so much fun doing music than with my OT/A4 combo.

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[quote=“” Triphase""]
Hi Guys, i have seen you did an firmware upgrade on the A4, where did you got this update 1.2 … on the elektron download page i just found this one Analog-Four_Analog-Keys_OS1.12E, i’m greatful for any advice!
[/quote]

The new OS is part of the Overbridge download.

1 Like
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This This This - best upgrade in a while - unlocks soooo much potential. love it love it love it :+1:
something so small and so easy too !!!
shame the destination is missing from OB drop downs for now

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Besides, as much as I find Overbridge will be handy for recording multitrack with my A4 I’m still one the people who got the hardware because of… well, hardware.

^ That :wink:

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If this is true, is there any evidence to say it actually does encourage users to buy an OT? Aren’t people just as (more than?) likely to buy a cheap 2nd hand MPC or something and use that instead?

Also, if you’ve got the money and you’re willing to spend a grand just for hardware midi sequencing, you’re as likely to get a Cirklon as an OT aren’t you?

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Thanks , just found it !!!

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Yeah, and also, even if i wanted to use OB I can’t as my computer is apparently too old/slow to run it… great :disappointed:

So a select group of computer/DAW users are catered for and everyone else gets (virtually) nowt…

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The new OS is part of the Overbridge download.[/quote]
Ohhhhh, no wonder! I was looking all around and I’ve even downloaded it yet to install. Thanks.

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yeah … no one knows why midi out is not possible with the A4 seq … I guess this should be not a big deal to programm. I also miss an Accent function on the OT. MD has it, AR has it, A4 has it … but why not the OT??? And I would also need the track mute pre fx and not post fx … so that the reverb or delay can fade out.

But maybe Elektron will develop and sell us the ultimate ALL IN ONE machine ^^

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Sometimes I wonder if people who saw Picasso’s first exhibition after his Blue Period ended complained about the lack of blue and cynically surmised that the new rosy-toned paintings were meant to drive up the price of the blue paintings for collectors who already bought them.

Sometimes it’s not a calculated money grab. Sometimes creators just want to challenge themselves by attempting a new challenge.

They made three progressively greater MIDI sequencers. Would you begrudge them the chance to try something new for their fourth?

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It’s not like they can just rewrite one line of code and magically the AK’s sequencer will send MIDI.

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To be fair, you have no idea. Certainly they probably share libraries between the machines for common functionality. It may be as simple as tweaking a build property file as far as we know. Or it may be an actual hardware limitation of the A4/AK.

Since the A4/AK has sequencing built in and has full MIDI capability it is very hard to believe that they couldn’t have midi out on any of their tracks available.

But, I’m not a complainer. I bought the boxes for what they do, not what I wish they’d do.

I do think that the complaint that OS updates are being sidelined by Overbridge development is probably valid. But I’m guessing Elektron is taking a calculated risk that they can move more A4/AK/AR units with OB as it is a nice selling point and puts them on par with hardware like the Access Virus.

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Thanks Mies an Zymos for pointing this out. I try to stop reacting to all assumptions made by poeple, but I feel I have to. For shure if it’s going like " I’m shure that … " .
AND FOR SHURE IF there’s allready some reactions from the Elektron-side on these items that obviously haven’t even been read by those who are so shure and have no shame to proclaim their opinions as TRU.
I’m so happy with this update :heart:
— It’s about time I update do, haven’t done any until now, I don’t have a decent computer for the moment …
Is it tru that updating can’t harm what’s on the + DRIVE ? or do I have to do something to be shure everything stays as it is ?