So I had an Analog Four for maybe 6 months and never managed to bond with it. I think it’s mainly because I’m not a synth/keys guy but I did, once upon a time, own a TR-808 and I loved it. I was a drummer originally and now I’m looking at the RYTM. I like the idea of the RYTM more than a TR-8 because I can use my own samples.
Am I making another A4 mistake or will I be able to take my x0x mindset to the RYTM?
Rytm is a fantastic drum machine.
Cons are :
Input very low.
Not able to sequence external gears.
Pad not as good as MPC for most users.
Else it is an awesome 808ish with sampling and so much more.
A machinedrum is also quite awesome! Just saying 
Yes you can, I use it all right
If you used to be a drummer go get an MPC and learn to fingerdrum. If you’re more interested in using samples for your drums the MPC will serve you better IMHO. If you are more interested in synthesis and glitching out samples through fx and filters the RYTM is better, thought in that case you might even prefer the octatrack more?
Though personally I wouldn’t sell my A4 except to trade up to an AK.
If you love an 808, try the MFB-522, sounds and features are quite close to an 808 (aside from the hihats, which don’t sound exactly like on the 808). They can be bought for cheap, syncs to MIDI and is fully analog.
If you will mainly be using samples then I would think twice about getting a Rytm. I have had mine for three months and I am having doubts now because I seem to have gravitated to using samples more and synthesis less.
The samples are only really intended as an extra on top of the analogue synthesis. So they are only mono, you can’t load them from a memory card etc. I will be looking at the Electribe Sampler when it arrives as I am wondering whether that better suits my purposes at a third of the price.
Also, it won’t sequence over MIDI, as others have mentioned.
People say “well, get an Octatrack then” but I have looked at the manual and the Octatrack quantize only seems to have two settings, off and on, and you don’t get the finger pads either, so as a drum machine the Octatrack is a poor substitute for the Rytm really.
As the cynics say, Elektron want you to buy both of them.
So a little more background…
I mainly play guitar-based music using a Boomerang III looper, which syncs to MIDI. I have an Octatrack as well and also use Live/Maschine. The one synth I kept was a Sub 37. The 808 was easy to program in a pattern and sync external gear to the clock to start jamming, albeit some workarounds were required. I’m hoping to can fit the RYTM in that exact spot (utilizing the built-in synth engine but also adding samples on top as required, such as the 808 pack).
The Analog Rytm and the Analog Four are very similar when it comes to workflow, features of the sequencer and so on. So if you don’t like the A4 based upon how the OS works you might not like the Rytm either.
They do however sound quite differently and the Rytm can go into new sonic territories quickly since you can use samples.
But I must say the Analog Four is a very capable machine for electronic drums and percussion as well. A good start is buying the “Druma” patches by Daren Ager (https://sellfy.com/p/HYhN/) to get started.
If I’m being honest, my major roadblock with the A4 was not being able to wrap my head around step-sequencing a synth. When it comes to a drum machine, however, it makes complete sense.
I find the Rytm to be the most welcoming Elektron product to program and sequence.
It has an amazingly warm sound quality (which really keeps you in the mode), and the performance/scene features make it a particular joy for jamming, especially if your songs are written by trying things out in a realtime progression and just seeing what happens.
On the synthesis side, it is very capable. I use the SD machines for bass lines, often. For all the sounds, layering of drum/synth sample really opens it up for creative interplay between the two engines, and that’s on a per track basis. Multiply that capability across 12 tracks on 8 voices and you begin to understand its power. The effects are all usable.
That said, as a sampler, it is particularly limited by the 127 user samples per Project. If you’re only using the Rytm for studio composition, or performing with pauses between songs, that’s not such a big deal. But if using it for live continuous (dj style) performance, you really have to manage carefully your sample library within the project because loading a new Project takes time.
There are, albeit, creative workarounds to the Project sample limit. Putting multiple hits on one sample before importing to Rytm, and just cropping the hits out with the sample start/end times works for some sounds. I have 5 claps on one .wav sample that’s just titled CLAPS1-5. It works (and even creates new opportunities for interesting synth lines if you assign an LFO to sample start time, much easier to fine tune than assigning that LFO to sample select).
And that’s the thing about hardware, there’s always a limitation waiting around the corner for your creative solution. If you intend to exploit Rytm’s capabilities as a sampler, then intend on creative workarounds. I
It’s unfortunate to hear that you had a hard time with the Analog Four. I find the A4 to be a great extension to the AR. Where the AR begins to lose its capabilities, the A4 is right there waiting to step in with its very capable and less restrained synthesis architecture. The two go hand in hand.
I do think the Rytm is more immediately satisfying, especially coming from a step sequencing TR style background, or even an MPC sequencing background for that matter (like myself). Time on the AR will make the A4’s sequencer “click”, after a while.
May I ask, if there is a sequencer you have used for synth work that did the job for you?
Push + Ableton
FYI after only an hour with the RYTM I’m farther than I ever felt I got with the A4. Love it!
Yea, it’s quite immediate in its accessibility.
And when you’re ready to go deeper with it, waveform chains really open up the sample based synthesis side. There’s quite a lot in that one box. I feel like I can do an entire live performance with just the AR and 16 midi faders controlling its Performance macros and filters.
My long standing wish is a 2nd LFO page per voice via OS update.
I say get a Tempest
in that is the best performance Drum Machine ever made
great pads, assignable sliders, 2 foot control inputs, lots of real time control
but it require deep synthesis to get the best out of the sound engine
and its memory allocation and file structure is archaic…
So take yers pick 
Already got a RYTM and it’s the best device I’ve purchased outside of Push.
Good to hear. I’m thinking of making the switch myself. I don’t want to part with the A4 but the Rytm is probably better for me. It’s not an easy decision though. 
I debated it so many times but when I finally pulled the trigger things just started making sense. I may get an A4/Keys again someday and having the RYTM has really helped get me into the Elektron workflow more.