I’m not actually a proficient keys player so I do a lot of programming/use Ableton Push to control keys. Between a Moog Sub 37 and Elektron Analog Four, do I really need to look at any other synths or can this get 90% of the way there for everyday use, couple with soft synths?
(I’m trying to talk myself out of a Roland Jx-3p with PG200, heh, as well as any other future GAS purchases)
Are you going to sequence the 3p with ableton?
Because of its age, its midi implimentation is limited. You have to do a reverse inverted double backflip on startup to get it to respond to channel 1 rather than omni. Not ideal.
If you have enough polophony with the softs, you dont need the 3p. Unless you want to sample it through ableton and use the sounds that way.
There are better old roland sounds to be had as well.
Had an 8p and pg800 years ago and still miss it. Not for the obligitory hard filter sounds (which it doesnt have) but more for the lush poly pads, oh and poly portamento.
Have a good think about this.
I just aquired a streichfett for strings and love it. It is very limited however. Just does the one job and no filter.
Check the net for the midi thing on the 3p and you will see.
Maybe a 106 might be better.
Cheers
Spike
Edit- have a little phatty but wish i had waited for the sub 37. 
need? not sure that is the right question 
if I could only have a single elektron to go with a sub37, it would have to be the OT (not the A4)…that being said, I would hate to be limited to that…I love my dark trinity (OT, A4, AR) combined with my Sub37…and my Minitaur…and modular…and…and…and heheh
Edit- have a little phatty but wish i had waited for the sub 37.
I thought this at first but rumor has it the Phatty sounds a bit better.
I haven’t done any direct comparisons myself.
I think a few VST’s is probably all you need. Something with a digital edge to complement the analogs.
There is such a thing as too much gear which can become a hindrance to your workflow (happens too me lots because I don’t lern fings gud)
Maybe something like a virus or snow, you seem to have warm ananlog covered.
What about drums and fx?
A blofeld module covers you for all bases and is extremely ‘modular’ and unlike your other synths is very poly. Ultra cheap second hand, hard to fault tbh
IMO you already have two of the best analog synths available. I’ve had the JX8P not the JX3P and it sounded great. I eventually sold it. The A4 more than covers all of the sounds that I could make with the JX8P. The Analog 4 can do just about any sound that your going for(Pads,drums are my favorite). I also have a MOOG SLim Phatty that complements the A4 really well. I use the SLim mostly for bass which it excels at. I wouldn’t waste money on the JX3P.
Thank you all for the convincing - I passed on the Roland and will continue to dive into the A4. Now somebody talk me out of starting with modular, haha.
Already way more than you need, and really good taste! Great synths, the GAS always calls though. A nice Digital synth would complement your rig. A Virus TI on the high end, maybe a Blofeld on the low end. You good tho.
I just went modular…
I didn’t have anyone to hold me back : (
I can see adding the Arturia V-collection to Ableton Suite but between that, an iPad, and the A4/Sub 37, I’d have more synth than I could ever want (back me up here please, ha).
Phatty is a monster for basses and A4 is really mellow sounding to me
(at least thats what i always try to program with synths :))
Sold my A4 cause really dont need sequencer anymore.
Now i have Virus B and Slim Phatty… need one more analog, probably Pulse 2, but thats it…
Get one digital and youre covered. As people mentioned, Snow is really good and compact.
I always wanted one… Or maybe a Blofeld.
Exactly, it’s also part of my set-up. The A4 and the Sub37 are - as analogue synths - quite close, if we ignore here that the Moog has a very special timbre that others don’t have.
It might be better to choose instruments that complement each other more. Combined wth the OT as a fine midi-step-sequencer … 
Exactly, it’s also part of my set-up. The A4 and the Sub37 are - as analogue synths - quite close, if we ignore here that the Moog has a very special timbre that others don’t have.
It might be better to choose instruments that complement each other more. Combined wth the OT as a fine midi-step-sequencer … [/quote]
Did I forget to mention I have an OT? Silly me, haha.
I think you need something Digital in your Setup.
Elektron Monomachine
Waldorf Microwave
Saw this Micro Q demo yesterday and was mighty impressed.
Katsunori’s a great keys player and always makes synths sound amazing IMO.
Was kinda in a similar boat. Got the whole dark trinity thing going and figured “I need to get something digital” so been working hard to integrate Live/iPad more effortlessly. Nearly there.
If happy to go hybrid then there are so many cool “digital” synths out there that’d compliment things really well. If wanting to stay OTB then as others have mentioned you’d be daft not to consider a Blofeld or a Virus. Oh, and a Monomachine though I think you have enough on your plate to learn without needing that one to get your head around!
Give the Virus a decent try. I never did regret to get mine. Such a flexible and rich synth. Has very unigue digital oscillator types. Deep synth with 16 parts multitimbral. And the “total integration” is very handy too - and works fine!
The only worthwhile question to ask about any prospective purchase is “Against the cost of buying, learning, and maintaining this unit, how much will it improve my music?”