Analog Four or MonoMachine?

Daisuk · 2014-01-07T21:47:15.000Z

I love both to bits, but I think the sonic range of the Monomachine is just extraordinary. I sometimes bump into “sameish”-sounds when making random patches on the A4, while I hardly ever do that when using the similar approach with the MnM. It depends on what kind of music you want to make though. If weirdness and glitched out space-fuckery is your thing, then MnM all the way. If you can’t make a good patch on the MnM, to whoever said he couldn’t, you’re just not aiming weird enough.

If I HAD to choose … I’d get both.

clockrva · 2014-01-08T03:20:50.000Z

so excited right now… figure that either way you can’t lose…

but i like WEIRD.
crisp.
haunting.
clicky.
glitchy.
reverby.
FM bells.
bass-heavy.
rippy.

PeterHanes · 2014-01-08T04:03:48.000Z

""clockrva"":

i’m new to Elektron instruments and am torn b/w these 2 units. i intend one of them to be the “brain” of my work station which also includes a Kawai K4 (early 90’s digital synth used for noises and pads) & a Yamaha TX81Z (because i love FM synthesis).

If, by “brain of my work station”, you mean MIDI sequencing of the K4 and TX81Z, then the Monomachine is the one to choose.

The Monomachine is old enough that there are some incredible bargains available second-hand and, if you didn’t like it you could sell it on without losing any money.

Just to sway you further:

clockrva · 2014-01-08T13:58:13.000Z

seems like i could really get my Nitzer Ebb on with the MnM !!!

I could just hook up my midi kybd to the MnM and play it just like this guy’s doing, right ?

emnine · 2014-01-08T14:16:40.000Z

""clockrva"":

I could just hook up my midi kybd to the MnM and play it just like this guy’s doing, right ?

Affirmative.

clockrva · 2014-01-08T15:56:45.000Z

few questions i thought up:

can i set each step’s note velocity on the MnM ?

what exactly is a userwave and how does it pertain to the latest version of the MnM ?

does the MnM possess an “infinite” reverb or anything close in terms of decay ?

tsv · 2014-01-08T16:10:46.000Z

[quote=“” clockrva""]
few questions i thought up:

can i set each step’s note velocity on the MnM ?

what exactly is a userwave and how does it pertain to the latest version of the MnM ?

does the MnM possess an “infinite” reverb or anything close in terms of decay ?

[/quote]

Yes you can p lock the volume parameter on each step
A user wave is a single cycle waveform that can be loaded into a MKII and used in two of the DigiPro machines. You can load 64 available at one time. These can be AKWF or ones you make yourself etc.
I’ll have to check on the reverb. I have not used it much.

clockrva · 2014-01-08T16:43:18.000Z

^ thanks !

i gotta seek out how these are made & what they sound like…

tsv · 2014-01-08T16:45:50.000Z

Just checked out the reverb. Its based on the Gatebox reverb of the MD. At full decay it’s only a couple seconds max. Much better suited for ambience and gated effects.

The A4 reverb on the other hand can. As I mentioned before I usually have one of the MNM’s aux channels going through the A4 effects.

Purusha · 2014-01-08T16:59:56.000Z

[quote=““tsv””]

Purusha:

That’s excellent news!

Thanks!

It theoretically means I don’t have to take my TC reverb and delay units out to gigs.

There’s no pre fader send on the A4 Ext so you can’t get 100% wet for your effects sends but you can make it work i’m sure. [/quote]
That’s a shame.

Feature request then!

tsv · 2014-01-08T17:28:44.000Z

""Purusha"":

[quote=“tsv”][quote=“Purusha”]
That’s excellent news!

Thanks!

It theoretically means I don’t have to take my TC reverb and delay units out to gigs.

There’s no pre fader send on the A4 Ext so you can’t get 100% wet for your effects sends but you can make it work i’m sure. [/quote]
That’s a shame.

Feature request then!

:)[/quote]
Yes! It would be a worthwhile addition.

dirtydata · 2014-01-08T19:56:26.000Z

I also own both machines and use them a lot. Whatever the choice of the TS may be, it will be a good one.
The only disadvantage of the MmM I think is the lack of individual steplenght per track.
I still hope Elektron will add this functionality in a future update.

clockrva · 2014-01-09T12:59:07.000Z

it seems like Elektron is really good about updating their gear and listening to users’ requests, but i’d be very surprised if they made any more updates to the MnM. i’m kind of amazed it can do all it can for being over 10yrs “old”.

this’ll easily be one of the toughest gear choices to make and i can see why most Elektron users have 2 or more pieces of kit.

OSCar · 2014-01-09T13:29:30.000Z

If you could get both that would be the optimal option seeing as they do sound quite superb side by side and compliment each other in ways that are not so apparently obvious without experiencing it in person.
Love both of mine to pieces.

clockrva · 2014-01-14T15:10:20.000Z

any new insight ?

still torn on these two and only about $100-200 away from having the funds in place; eager to get started.

i must confess i’ve been listening to more A4 samples than the MnM, but perhaps that’s just b/c more exist ?

previewlounge · 2014-01-14T16:07:56.000Z

the monomachine is a beautiful machine, but if the A4 has a slick new Elektron-designed interface, well, that would be a thing of beauty to behold. fascinated to know how this works. personally would go for the keys version.

PeterHanes · 2014-01-14T16:23:17.000Z

[quote=“” clockrva""]
any new insight ?

still torn on these two
[/quote]

You don’t have enough information yet? Restate your requirements and the think about them logically.

previewlounge · 2014-01-14T16:28:48.000Z

ah yes … the A4 will sequence via CV only. if midi sequencing is required, the means an OT, MnM, or even a Machinedrum, in ever decreasing levels of complexity/articulation in the midi language spectrum.

i just find the idea of a hybrid analog synth with a digital sequencing interface to be a magnificent concept. the only reason i don’t have an A4 yet, is that im gearing up on the bass guitar front. amp, effects … waiting for bargains. anyway, hope all goes well for the device choice. go with your heart.

clockrva · 2014-01-14T17:00:57.000Z

MnM:

FM synthesis - love it, but i do have a TX81Z.
crispy/clean sound.
MIDI capability - a fantastic plus, but by no means necessary.
6 tracks is a wonderful thing.
i sort of prefer the aesthetic design to the A4.

A4:
reverb/delay - VERY important and it seems the A4 does it better.
some of the FloppyDiskPirates sound packs are incredible/inspiring.
more flexible sequencer, arps, & parameter locks.
easier to dive right into.
can expect more Elektron updates.
better suited for live performance ?

previewlounge · 2014-01-14T17:17:34.000Z

quick mention re/ the keys version of A4 … having a keyboard on it removes one extra midi device in the chain, and so the playing/sequencing maintains that one extra level of tightness.

also it could be really fascinating to see what kind of keyboard semi-weighting key quality there is,

from what few examples i have listened to, the A4 reverb truly is a thing of beauty. many, many OT owners have petitioned for the same reverb to be ported to the OT, although the algorithm may just be too much. it is almost a two-slot effect.

edit: also, the A4 records a note-off in realtime recording, whereas the MnM doesn’t. not to say the MnM isn’t awesome … really the Monomachine is beautiful. totally different creature to the A4.