A4 vs Take 5

AdamJay · 2024-03-05T21:33:33.548Z

shinobi:

Pls ignore the sequencer and the 4 parts on A4, just sound… aa a poly analog synth.

Take 5

LyingDalai · 2024-03-05T22:43:03.970Z

shinobi:

ignore the sequencer and the 4 parts on A4,

An A4 without the sequencer/sound locks and its multi-timbrality makes little sense IMO.
It’s where its power lies.

It’s has if you would be comparing Take 5 and A4 on their keyboard…

With such limitations on the comparison, it’s a matter of sound. Seems Take 5 is pretty wild, but despite its wide sonic range I’ve sold my Peak and kept my A4 mk2. With absolutely no regret.

shinobi · 2024-03-05T23:00:18.155Z

What is your oppinion on wave shaping and AM on A4?
Except Loopop review video, I didn t hear it much in use…

LyingDalai · 2024-03-05T23:09:33.224Z

You can sync OSC2 on OSC1 and play with LFO and or envelope on Pitch, detune or frequency to get interesting tones.
I appreciate PWM or an envelope on every oscillator shape, and it shines when using AM. Lower the osc sync to get shifting results.

I really like the sound of this synth.
My main gripe is that it can show a lot of dynamics, so I’ve been using a compressor lately, and a HP filter to tame the bass. It can really sound huge. Especially with some saturation on top.
AH (and even more AH+FX) is a pretty good addition to it, I’ve found.

shinobi · 2024-03-05T23:17:02.059Z

Any sound examples you care to share?

Speldosa · 2024-03-05T23:22:05.372Z

I haven’t really tried Take 5, but one thing I like to do on the Analog 4 is to use all four voices in a mono synth patch, meaning I have 8 oscillators (16 if you count the sub-oscillators) that can be individually controlled with envelopes, LFOs, and so on. If you’re willing to tinker round a bit, you can create some extremely complicated and evolving patches this way.

So, that’s one way to use its multi-timbrality without using the sequencer, and I guess this would count as its “sound”.

shinobi · 2024-03-05T23:44:12.442Z

Any demos of this?

Speldosa · 2024-03-06T01:37:29.679Z

Sure, here’s a short demo I recorded:

JES · 2024-03-06T02:05:47.437Z

I was a beta tester for the A4 mk1, and eventually sold it for a mk2 because the sound just didn’t gel for me and I found the out of control delay feedback volume annoying. Edit—also sold the mk2.

That said, I actually think in a mix, for midrange, drum, and experimental stuff. It is not a glorious sound by itself but with other things it could be just right. And of course it’s all about the multitimbral and sequencer power.

I’m on day 3 of a honeymoon with a Take 5. A beautiful basic sound, lots of modulation, and very well designed interface. It’s meant to just be played. You can tweak the hell out of the sound but the init patch is already lovely.

DimensionsTomorrow · 2024-03-06T02:49:30.722Z

Very satisfied Take 5 owner. The Jexus patches show off some great sounds it can do. The only thing I’d change about it is the name.

unter · 2024-03-06T06:02:15.592Z

I have both, T5 and A4mk1 , everything has been said already,

T5 sounds fantastic, but it is no substitute for A4. I look at A4 like crazy modern Analog baby of tb303 and Sid station. CV sequencing modular gear is great too. Overbridge!

T5 is modern poly with lush sound, but it can go beyond that. It is amazing new tech combining remake of old analog chips and modern modulation matrix.
T5 sounds so good, i had Juno 60, it is similarly beautiful sounding synth (in my opinion it does great impression of Roland sound ) but so much more interesting and fun.

About sound flexibility, i would say T5 is such a pleasure to use, and is very versatile and fun, so is a4 ( less knobs , harder to get in to sound design, but after the years of use i got very fast on it ) , and it isn’t lush or sparkly , it sounds more like chiptunes. I love it , but it is completely the opposite of T5. But again, great sounding, and i use it with Overbridge, Overbridge is on another level for production!

diatessaron · 2024-03-06T06:32:57.801Z

shinobi:

just sound… aa a poly analog synth.

I bought A4 MKII about three months ago. Before this decision I was thinking about what I want. My conclusion was that I’m not after something I would primarily describe as an analog polysynth and A4 would probably be a good match for me. But I also compared the A4 to many analog polysynths and the sound of Take 5 was one of my favourites in it’s price range. So if you want an analog polysynth I would recommend the Take 5. I’m happy with my own decision.

DimensionsTomorrow · 2024-03-06T07:06:56.086Z

unter:

T5 sounds so good, i had Juno 60, it is similarly beautiful sounding synth (in my opinion it does great impression of Roland sound ) but so much more interesting and fun.

I used to have a Juno as well, and agree that the T5 has the vibe of those synths. It’s perfect for my needs, as I was after that late 1970s, early 1980s documentary film/BoC vibe (among other things). I also agree that sound wise maybe the Take 5 and A4 aren’t that similar, so the answer about which to get probably depends on what sound/vibe one is after (and a lot on if you want the Elektron workflow).

Oxenholme · 2024-03-06T09:01:57.196Z

I love my A4MK2 to death because it’s like this weird almost modular tweakers delight of a synth, but I’d still consider getting a Take 5 as well because it would serve a totally different purpose. ie: They’re apples and oranges to me.

Octagonist · 2024-03-06T11:01:26.262Z

It’s a pointless comparison.

If you want a keyboard synth that sounds sweet, a Take5 is great.

If you want four monos in a box with massive flexibility, poly options, CV output, a good sequencer, nothing comes close to an A4.

It makes more sense, to me, to compare the A4 with the Tetra

Speldosa · 2024-03-16T01:40:16.090Z

After creating this short demo, I got inspired to create a whole song using the Analog Four mkII as a monosynth and without using the internal sequencer. So in this song, the white noise and bass is a single, monophonic patch that utilizes all four voices, where I play sustained drone notes.

nostromo · 2024-03-16T06:34:37.279Z

Now hold on. I feel like A4 has a unique sound, really easy to dial in something that sounds dusty and desolate. That’s what I love most about it. Take 5 probably has a much broader (lovely but more generic) sound, if that’s what you’re looking for.

DimensionsTomorrow · 2024-03-16T07:54:33.651Z

nostromo:

Take 5 probably has a much broader (lovely but more generic) sound

Doesn’t sound generic to me. I think people like it for its character. Sounds different that the A4, yes, but generic, no.

nostromo · 2024-03-16T08:49:47.724Z

yeah generic probably isn’t the right word. my bad.

DimensionsTomorrow · 2024-03-16T08:58:19.885Z

No worries. Maybe traditional is what you are going for, as opposed to experimental? I’d probably agree there, but the mod matrix is pretty powerful and the effects are great, so it could probably get pretty wild in the right hands. It does lack the Elektron sequencer though, so it’s definitely not going to be able to do the same things the A4 can.