A4 to AK - worth it?

barryfell · 2014-05-11T03:51:11.000Z

""d2ba"":

My advise get a new AK and buy a used A4 from Ebay ($850 -$899 seems to be going rate)
Then you will have an unbeatable 8 voice system
Go go used for A4 --3 year warranty is transferable

Dave B

Wow, super cheap.
They are regularly selling on eBay for £850 ($1,400) here in the UK.

Mattstacks · 2014-05-12T15:53:25.000Z

""barryfell"":

[quote=“Mattstacks”]I have both as well and I agree with the other statements in this thread.

I use the AK differently than the A4; Especially the poly aspect.

I tend to play more chords with the AK and I also use the live record function a lot more.
With the A4 I mainly used the small keyboard to trigger the sound I was tweaking and to change the key as I was sequencing the trigs.

With the AK I tend to use the live record and actually play the notes and then adjust the trigs’ plocks after that.
Entirely different workflow; I find that I now use the A4 for percussion and bass (single note trigs) and the Ak for strings, pads, and chords.

The screen is rather annoying though, it seems to best used standing above it which isn’t exactly how I work (especially when creating a sound).

If they would of simply angled it rather than have it sit flat it would of made a ton of difference.
I have my A4 in a case that allows me to angle it and I prefer to use it that way. Sadly there is no way to change the angle on the AK.

One more thing; the AK has a rather large empty area on the right hand side of the keyboard. I find myself placing my forearm on said area and leaning over to tweak the knobs (kind of like you would to sleep on a desk at school) I find that I am thankful for this as it seems to be the most comfortable way to dig into the parms.

Does that mean you can’t hear a difference in the bass between the the AK and A4 since you are choosing to use the A4 for bass?[/quote]
Honestly, I have not done a comparison.
I use the A4 for bass simply because I tend to sequence my bass lines rather than play them.

I’ll have to do a head to head bassline test and report back.
(something tells me that I wont be noticing much of a difference)

barmyarmy · 2014-05-14T16:26:00.000Z

OK just got my AK which I swapped for the A4. For me it is MUCH more fun (plus my Rytm arrived at the same time which is double fun). The workflow seems a lot more intuitive to me.

Aaron2 · 2014-06-04T20:28:06.000Z

""barmyarmy"":

OK just got my AK which I swapped for the A4. For me it is MUCH more fun (plus my Rytm arrived at the same time which is double fun). The workflow seems a lot more intuitive to me.

Good to hear, and thanks for all the responses on this thread. I’m seriously thinking about “upgrading” from the A4 to the AK as well.

dragon · 2014-06-20T18:42:18.000Z

Hi People,

First post from a new user (just placed an order for the AR).

I’m currently also deciding between the A4 and the AK. I have tried both in person.

I would prefer to have the Keys in theory. After using it for a bit, I found the aftertouch required more force to activate than I like. I had to press hard enough that it was difficult to do fluidly while playing. Am wondering if it tends to ‘soften’ up a bit with use?

I also found it a bit clumsy ergonomically. To situate myself to comfortably play the keys, I could not easily see/read the display which is rather small and relatively far away.

I do like the octave buttons so close and the joystick.

I was leaning towards the A4 until I realized that only the AK has individual track outs.

That made me wonder what other differences there might be. Is there a list somewhere?

Thanks for any replies!

Aaron2 · 2014-06-21T06:28:16.000Z

Well, I just sold my A4 to fund the purchase of an AK, and I’m sure glad I did. Just having a real keyboard in front of you will help with both live sequencing and grid sequencing. I can visualize a pattern and can improvise so much more easily on a real keyboard. I also like pressing a trig and seeing the light above the corresponding note on the keyboard light up. It’s a handy reference. I think it’s also easier to use the polyphony function when you can play chords on a real keyboard across different octaves.

For me, anyway, the real keyboard makes me so much more productive. Almost immediately after opening the box, I starting putting down tracks that are becoming the basis of a song idea today. I don’t think I could have worked that quickly on that little A4 button keyboard.

Plus, you’ve got that programmable joystick. I haven’t used it yet, but I could see it becoming very useful, particularly in a live setting.

pmoldzio · 2014-06-21T07:10:51.000Z

[quote=“” Aaron2""]
Well, I just sold my A4 to fund the purchase of an AK, and I’m sure glad I did. Just having a real keyboard in front of you will help with both live sequencing and grid sequencing. I can visualize a pattern and can improvise so much more easily on a real keyboard. I also like pressing a trig and seeing the light above the corresponding note on the keyboard light up. It’s a handy reference. I think it’s also easier to use the polyphony function when you can play chords on a real keyboard across different octaves.

For me, anyway, the real keyboard makes me so much more productive. Almost immediately after opening the box, I starting putting down tracks that are becoming the basis of a song idea today. I don’t think I could have worked that quickly on that little A4 button keyboard.

Plus, you’ve got that programmable joystick. I haven’t used it yet, but I could see it becoming very useful, particularly in a live setting.
[/quote]

Same here, i enjoy the AK so much more, Even more i thought i would.
Totally different workflow. Small things like the jogwheel or the octavekeys fasten up melody making.
The LEDs give a cool Visual feedback (Must admit i reminds me a little of childrens learning piano )

dragon · 2014-06-25T06:21:21.000Z

I have noticed that the trigs on the AK are significantly smaller than the A4. For anyone who has switched, do you miss the bigger trig buttons from the A4?

JimmyPulse · 2014-06-27T17:50:50.000Z

Hi,
I have both versions. And having my A4 since its launch 1.5 year ago, I have to admit that the AK brings some very nice added values. Love also when you see on the keyboard leds which notes are activated by the arpegiator.

johnny · 2014-07-05T13:38:57.000Z

i currently have both and all the preset patterns sound exactly the same…even the bass. the AK also uses the filter 2 bass boost technique.

I really like the Ak package but actually appreciate the A4 slightly more…because it is impressive to see all of those features crammed into the small form factor of the A4.

64fingaz · 2014-07-06T13:42:21.000Z

Right now i own the Analog Four …and love it. I couldnt justify selling the A4 to get a Ak . I rather have both…that way i can sync both machines and have eight voices of sound.

Orwell · 2014-07-07T08:57:37.000Z

had an a4 before the update
now have a analog keys - I enjoy the sound and playability so much more on the keys
it is completely worth it as an upgrade
something about the keys and the joystick
also running the outs into analog effects and back into the inputs adds a vintage tone
I wold say the analog 4 sounds somewhat lush and pro but this could just be a placebo with the keys playability
I would say to anyone - go for the upgrade!!!

Uturunku · 2014-07-08T10:44:33.000Z

Guys, what kind of material is used in AK body? I mean does it made of plastic or metal? I see in specs that chasis is made of "sturdy aluminium " but what about top surface? How it feels? What about scratch-resistence? I like metal in A4 and I’m not sure about plastic in AK (in case if it is made of it)…

Orwell · 2014-07-08T13:44:04.000Z

no idea, metal I think
very very solid and very expressive
looks like a Juno crossed with emu emax 1
sound wise reminds me of a polysix, Juno 60, sh 101 and 202, sci six track combined with 4 tracks to play with and also the strangest tr seq, plus 202 seq and Juno arp plus a Roland analog drum machine, also analog filter input for analog sampling ala emu emax
pretty freaky synth, well worth the expense
consider this -
101/202 $1000
Juno 6 $1200
six trak $800
polysix 1200
Roland tr sequencers and drum machines 800-4000
emu emax $500
ensoniq dp4 $500

so as you can see the a4 keys is a bargain at $1800.

enparticular · 2014-07-09T02:10:45.000Z

One question!
(hello, first time poster, been lurking for a few months)
what about using a A4 with a small 3-4 keyboard midi controller? I’m still deciding between A4 or AK. I’m a keyboard player so i will use the keyboard for sure.
Something like this keyboard would work great. It’s small, very portable, and the keys are good quality.
These re my thoughts for now:

A4 + Midi Keyboard Pros:

different ways to set it up, with the a4 on top of the keyboard, or side by side, etc.
probably a lot cheaper than the analog keys
modular - you can separate the keyboard and the synth if you want
more portable
you can use different controllers for different situations

Cons:

only 2 outputs
no joystick and perhaps no aftertouch if the controller lacks it.
you look less cool with the techno kids out there.

So, any A4 owners that are happy just using it with a midi keyboard?

Thanks!

subq · 2014-07-09T04:48:53.000Z

I’m perfectly happy with midi KB and a4…but perhaps it’s because I just can’t see spending $500 more for the keys when there are so many synths out there I want to get my hands on. I mean $500 is a nice chunk towards a sub37! Though I would rather a module sub37 heh.

Uturunku · 2014-07-09T08:36:56.000Z

I use cheap midi keyboard with my A4 mainly to play some melody lines over sequencers playback and for programming sequencer. With A4 I like possibility to take only one small unit without keyboard when it is not needed and easily connect external keyboard when it is needed. Also it can help to save space on desktop.
AK is very nice and I like the concept of it, but it can’t give me this portability.
Also we have the same OS on the both devices and mainly the same functionality except individual outputs. So, with good external midi keyboard it is possible to emulate most of AK features and probably add additional ones.
I racked A4 with OT in 12U SKB rack case and plan to add one more elektron box into it. Also I’m looking for a small portable keys like Korg Microkeys but with midi-out port to put it into rack case to have only one case with all devices which I needed in.

Orwell · 2014-07-09T09:19:35.000Z

my analog keys was only $300 more on sale - I thought why not!!
analog keys makes me dream of an mm 6 keys
I just love the darn thing to be honest
pretty sure there is a difference in sound with the analog keys, more rounded maybe, deeper
if anyone in melb wants to come over with the a4 and we will demo up next to the analog keys and record a comparison, just shoot me a pm!!

donato · 2014-07-09T16:23:41.000Z

""Orwell"":

pretty sure there is a difference in sound with the analog keys, more rounded maybe, deeper
if anyone in melb wants to come over with the a4 and we will demo up next to the analog keys and record a comparison, just shoot me a pm!!

Five posts up, johnny said he had both and there’s no difference in sound.

johnny · 2014-07-09T21:37:51.000Z

I compared both and found some differences.

With an open filter, you can hear a difference between the two. The AK has more low frequency. Though not a massive amount.

But…playing a sustained note & sweeping filter 1 from open to closed…they sounded the same. I A/B compared and could not hear any difference.

The same when i compared the presets, which all sounded exactly the same.

My last test was to transfer one of my own patches from the A4 which used both filters, and I could hear a difference, which was the same low frequency boost. Strange really, since the presets are equal on both units. Unless they were programmed that way intentionally.

Nik from Sonic State mentions (AK Review video) that some tweaks we’re made to the filters. My guess is that it is only filter 2, after my experience comparing the filter 1 sweep.

Since there is also a difference when the filters are open, then something else must have been tweaked.

Im not sure the differences are worth upgrading to the AK alone though. I still use filter 2 to fatten up the bass.