Analog Four Mk1 - yay or nay?

Elektron Gear Analog Keys/Four
#13

It looks like you’ve got a Digitakt and a Digitone already. I haven’t used those, but everything I’ve read suggests they are like the big Elektrons in that it is fun and easy to start with a blank pattern and init patches and build everything up from scratch. Put headphones on and turn on the A4 and the hours will melt away.

The A4 should also compliment your Prophet and Moogs. Your studio suggests that you have a deep affection for analog synths. Even if you don’t end up clicking with the A4, you seem like the sort of person who would enjoy the process of discovery nonetheless.

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#14

I found it very capable at drums. Ultimately I sold it because because I found a broader (and more aligned with my taste) range of tones in the Digitone. Also, just like with the AR mk1, I really don’t like the screen (small + lack of contrast). But if you have good eyes, it’s a very nice synth. And there are tons of great patches to get you started.

So that’s a yay.

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#15

Ok the yays are crushing the nays. Very cool and, I suppose, unsurprising.

Further Q:
Has the Mk2 created longing for the Mk1 owners? From what I’ve heard (from demos on the internet) the sonic differences are not very substantial. And for the price difference (basically half) it seems like the Mk1 is in epic deal territory these days.

Again, really appreciating the engagement with my curiosity here.

#16

…at actual 2nd hand pricetags around 600 bux, the a4 mk1 is an absolute no brainer…
it’s the last truu analog synth i got in use and will never let go…
or i should say…the last four analog mono synth voices i’ll ever need…
if u see ot as an ableton in a box, u can see the a4 as a whole modular rig in one box…
many people will regret big time, for selling it that cheap in only just a few years from now…
remember the days when many people got tired of their mnm’s for the first time after using it in quite a while, only to realize years later what they’ve missed out on…
and well, it’s THE machine that gave birth to the whole ob idea in first place…
while a single open osc feedback plockable alone is worth the money already…
everybody who did not get there, should have tried a little harder…
so…YAY…grab one…

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#17

No, I don’t really have the space, and for the things I use it for (mostly sequencing my semi-modulars, drums, FX) I don’t think a mk2 would add much. If I didn’t have a bunch of other synths, the tweaked sound engine might make more of a difference, but I like it for what it does.

I bought my mk1 a couple of years ago originally to sequence my 0-coast and add FX, but I’ve been plesantly surprised by the sounds I’ve gotten out of it, and it is suprisingly great at drums, as other people have noted. They’ve been such a bargain price for quite a while now so you can pick one up and if you don’t like it you won’t lose much money if you sell it again… Just check that it has no isses on test mode, all the encoders are good, and that the screen is not blown out.

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#18

Very interesting discussion by @Eaves of A4 mk1 vs. mk2 in another track: Track from scratch on the A4: half workflow video, half tutorial - #6 by Eaves

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#19

I’ve had the A4mk1 since well before the MK2 came out. While the OLED screen would be nice, I’ve never felt that it would be worth it to me to upgrade. To my ears, the sonic differences fall in the territory of “magical fairy dust”. I was massively tempted to upgrade to the AK, but I never had a sweet deal come my way. The A4 is a future classic, and there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth from those who dumped them for $500.

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#20

I’ve mostly used mine for the CV outs and FX but wow have I been missing out, a4 is amazingly versatile synth, forget about presets and just dive in and have fun, big yay.

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#21

I bought my mkii after trying out a mki…

“C I N E M A T I C”

Was my initial thought…

yay…

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#22

That’s what my Mk1 has. Pretty convenient when you want to run one voice into a module or distortion unit.

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#23

If a mk2 came along at the same low price I paid for the mk1, I might consider it. Even then, I might not bother. The current price differential is absurd.

#24

Yay!

Get one. I’ve only used the mkii, but have seen (heard!) what others have done with the mki, and it is a BARGAIN.

Elektron Analog Four MK1 - 4 Voice Analogue Synthesiser Sequencer 7350049243757 | eBay for example…insane

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#25

I’m gonna go against the grain here and say its worth springing for the MK2. I have an A4 mk1, AR mk1, and OT mk2, and I really prefer the mk2. Obviously the screen is significantly larger and the multicolor trigs make it much easier to see whats going on. But one thing I rarely hear mentioned is that the encoders are better calibrated and more responsive. Sweeping a knob on the mk2 feels much more similar to sweeping an analog potentiometer than the mk1.

people focus on the sound being the “same,” but if differences in playability cause you to use one machine differently from another, then they don’t really “sound” the same after all.

of course the price difference is significant, and for all my talk i havent sold my mk1s to upgrade to mk2. mk2s dont fit in my stands anyway :frowning:

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#26

This, along with the screen and digitakt style buttons are what made me upgrade to the mk2. The combination of the sluggish mk1 screen and the slow mk1 encoders might not be a huge issue, but it was something that negatively impacted my experience with the mk1.

The price difference is huge, but for me it was worth it. I can only recommend the mk1 if you plan on using the overbridge plugin and not play the machine itself. Unless you find a really good deal on an mk1.

Also, switching to the A4 mk2 has completely removed all GAS for any mk1 gear, no matter how cheap they’re being sold for.

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#27

But to counter that. If you’re asking on here, you are not sure. The MK1 has (surely?!) bottomed out, so the risk of not getting back most of what you spend, if you don’t like it, is low.

Conversly, I can buy a new Mkii today, and tomorrow it is worth 200GBP less, because the low Mk1 price (and maybe the unfair unloved status of the A4) have softened the 2nd hand price even of the Mkii

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#28

More Yay of the sometimes overlooked variety:
Yay: if you’re into tweaking patches and making amazing analog drum sounds. (A4 is actually pretty amazing drum machine too!)
Yay: as a bonus FX unit - can feed sounds into it, and on a track, per trig, manipulate the FX and sound levels etc to get some pretty sweet processing as an FX unit, when you feel like it. (I’ve used my A4 as a guitar processor a couple times and it is wiiiiild…)

Re I vs II — I bought my MkI during the fat price dip before the mk2 was released, and I haven’t used a MkII, and have no real desire to change.

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#29

The verdict is overwhelming!

I appreciate the peppering of preference for the mkii as well.

But I do think too, as someone considering picking an mki up, I’d be disappointed if I missed the boat and down the road these deals disappear. Who knows. It does have modern classic written all over it.

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#30

With used prices in the ~$700 range, what else could you buy?
A quartet of Volcas? Two TD-3s and a Crave?

Any time 303 madness peaks, people will notice that the A4 is a quartet of acid voices that are also perfectly competent sequenced analog monosynths when you are done raving. Elektron branding and support and generally courteous behavior complete the package.

I hit the jackpot on my MD and MnM, so I’m pleased that others will be able to enjoy the ride up from rock bottom.

You really can’t go wrong when your choices amount to awesome, awesomer and awesomist.

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#31

The ONLY thing I can’t deal with on the Mk1 Analogs is the tiny screen! My eyesight sucks and the description ‘it’s like painting the house through the letterbox’ has never been more accurate than it is here.

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#32

I feel like the knob per function really did end up being a big deal for me on the A4, really used it all the time until I got a synth that was just as flexible but fully knobby and then I sadly just didn’t use it at all. I’ve had it in its box for over a year now :frowning: I suppose it is time to set it free but it is hard knowing how many cool things you can do with it. Probably worth the cost of an MK1 alone just to use it as an analog filter bank on audio input

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