I’m a guitarist thats been learning piano/keys for a few years and I’m finally buying synths with a keybed and moving away from the computer and sequencing into actually playing. The AK is definitely my favorite sounding synth, much more inspiring and punchy than my Prophet 08 PE Rack. Obviously since the AK only has 4 note polyphony, I can’t play it exactly the way I’d like to, but the sound alone is convincing me to bend to its methods anyway.
How do you as a keyboard player adapt to limited polyphony in your favorite synths and what polysynths (digital or analog) give you enough polyphony while still having an interface and sound that doesn’t hinder composition and creativity and helps you focus on actually writing and not just messing with knobs?
My goal is to be a synth/keys player in my band that is just as free to improvise and be as flexible as my guitarist, while still having the versatility and sonic palette of a great sounding synth.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions, this is something that I think about a lot!
Hi,
I´m a Jazz Piano Player that fell in love with analog synths about 5 years ago, now I have and play live an Korg Monopoly (4 Voices), Prophet 08, Octave Cat (2 Voices) and Bass Station 2, along with my OT and a Live Drummer (not all synths at the same time live, by the way 
Coming from the Jazz world, I found 4 Voices not enough in the beginning, but after a while I started to like it. I can´t just play my Voicings as I would automatically on the piano. I have to play the synth differently than the piano - more simply, and with more concern on every single note. A Jazz Voicing with just 3 Voices on the synth can also sound much more “open” and “free” then the classic Jazz Chords would, with 7, 9, and some tensions.
The limitation of 4 forces you to change your harmonic autopilot fingering. Nice.
By the way: What do you like better on the AK compared to the P8 (except effects?) I have the P8 and am thinking about the AK - pros and cons? How are the keys for real playing?
I like the P8, but still somehow it doesn´t turn me on as much as I hoped - even the Bass Station 2 (which is great!) gives me more sex somehow, I don’t know why - the P8 is the perfect synth, but somehow it doesn´t inspire me that much. AK better?
Greets
Andajazz
by the way, for live playing my setups are:
for more experimental / jazzy / concert stuff
Rhodes Piano with Korg Monopoly (Chords) and Octave Cat (Leads/Bass)
for more electronic / party stuff
Nord Stage, Bass Station 2, OT -> Dark Energy, Xoxbox, SP 404
Hey thanks for your response its good to hear how someone else gets by. I can totally see how 4 voices can limit you into making more precise choices with your playing. I guess my issue is I’m not that proficient on keys yet so if
anything I’m not ready for limitations so I can really learn how to play (I think its time to stop messing around and get an upright!). Also it would be nice to gig with just one synth and not have to worry about losing voices. I’m thinking about getting the Prophet 08 with keys and pairing that with the AK, I think that could be a good pair live.
As far as the sound, I find the tone of the oscillators and workflow of the AK to be more inspiring than the P08. It feels like you really have to work with the P08 for a while to really get something great out of it, but that could be my novice sound design skills. Since I have the rack P08, I can’t comment on the keyboard comparison, but I will say the keys on the AK are very nice feeling for synth action. Sturdy and quick while still having some resistance. Very nice.
I’ve noticed patches sound great on a monosynth because you’re not dealing with clashing frequencies. Creating smooth, playable polyphonic patches seems to take some time, as they can be muddy and messy if not crafted right. I’m thinking thats why your Bass Station 2 is so immediately appealing to you.
Honestly if the AK had the voices of the Prophet 08 and possibly the amount of knobs, it could be one of the greatest polysynths ever! It’s too bad Elektron isn’t planning on adding any polychaining to the OS. I’ve even considered buying a second AK just so I can have 8 voices! Ridiculous! Even that would still only be 4 per hand. The Juno 60 has 6 which would be great but is so simplified tonally in comparison and I’d like to avoid vintage stuff since there can be issues.
My last idea was to sample the crap out of the AK into Ableton and make muti-sampled instrument racks for more polyphony, but then I’m back on the computer, which I don’t want!
I’ll keep at it though and see what works for me. As for everything else I can’t praise the AK enough. It’s a wonderful tool!
I think you´re right, I should lock myself up with the Prophet for at least 2 weeks in the basement, with nothing else, and then judge it. It´s very hands on to program and tweak, and as I´m mainly a Live musician, no producer, that´s essential.
What about the AK, is it possible (i mean easy to use) to jam it Live? from scratch, tweak new sounds, effects, play it live, record sequences and so on? hands on? improvised?
on the OT it´s possible, but there´s a lot of things I have to have in mind not to fuck it up. Actually, it´s really easy to fuck up an OT jam, if you forget something. Same in the AK?
I would approach the AK’s limited polyphony as a reason to explore p-locking different intervals of the 2 osc pitch and the 5th and octaves supplied by the subs… and both filters tracking in self oscillation.
If you think about it that way, The AK is actually capable of at least 16 simultaneous notes. This is technically more than what you get with a guitar.
Add to this the technical abilities granted via the sequencer, and you have an extremely expressive instrument.
Also, it’s worth noting that many great compositions have been made with 4 parts. The AK’s great for melismatic stuff, ala Mass in B minor (Bach)
To andajazz:
I really want to get reacquainted with my prophet, I’m thinking about getting the keyboard version and making it my main live synth, paired with a nord electro
I haven’t used the AK live yet, thats probably where I’m the most worried about dropped notes, but as for a studio synth its great. I had an OT too but I sold it to save up for the AK!
To wiresandstraps:
You’ve got a good point there, I can definitely see how the sequencer is really the focus of experimentation, but the reason I got an AK over an A4 was the playability! Plus if I start adding things to the sequencer then I’m limited to even smaller chords. Like I said I’ll have to submit to its ways, I can’t deny the sound of it, that’s what sold me. I’ll probably use the AK as a lead/sequence synth live and use my Prophet to deal with the big chords. Just sayin’ if it had more voices I’d use it exclusively cuz its so damn awesome otherwise.
