Anti A4 GAS thread

[dr_laemmerbein]

Especially for bass sounds, something like the Moog Grandmother almost feels like cheating compared to the A4.

[pidgeo]

it’s a poor choice as a regular synth imo. for some reasons stated in this thread, it takes work to dial in sounds other synths can do with ease.

but as an experimental groovebox… it’s amazing.

[phading]

@Eaves
You are speaking exactly how I feel about the A4, it’s almost surreal. Thank you!!
I hope the synth gods are paying attention!

The filter envelope on a different page other than the filter page is really hard to get used to, and so is the lack of mute mode (which it seems would fit perfectly, considering trigs are useless when not in grid record mode)

[wignersfriend]

This is exactly the thread I need right now. A lot of what I’m seeing here should be enough for me to realize I don’t need the a4 until I have a lot more free time. Unfortunately, I’m stupid and need to learn things the hard way. I just can’t shake the idea that with a drum sound pack/processing external gear it’ll be immediately useful for me and then I’ll be able to dig deep eventually

[warpigs330]

Yeah, part of what interests me is using it a little like my modular, and with the modular for weird CV stuff like audio rate modulation. Though I fully expect it to be like my modular in that I never actually finish music on it.

[Audiorate]

First of all, you should get an A4 because it’s awesome and is really useful if you have some Eurorack
or semi-modular devices.

Anti-gas though…it’s kind of big and will take a lot of desk space, it has overlap with Syntakt, it has limited MIDI-sequencing functionality compared to newer Elektron devices, it’s not a character synth, you do need to menu-dive to get the most out of it, patching may be time-consuming because it is not full of sweet spots like a classic Roland synth for example, and the mini-keyboard is useful, but you’ll likely need to connect a midi controller to it if you want to go for more of a live, dynamic feel to your playing/sequencing.

[Octagonist]

@Audiorate

mini-keyboard is useful, but you’ll likely need to connect a midi controller to it if you want to go for more of a live, dynamic feel to your playing/sequencing.

The mini-keyboard is frustrating if you play in scales other than C.

[Zelio]

The chorus is lame compared to the MNM or the OT one.
The song mode is lame compared to the MNM or the MD or the OT one.

[shigginpit]

@Eaves

All that said, the A4 is on my never sell list!

I have to admit that when I considered replacing my digitone with analog four, your video comparing the workflow and features side by side inadvertently convinced me to stick with digitone until I’m at a point where I’m ready to field both boxes in my set up. It’s part of why I was able to accept that digitone was my “keep this synth” synth and A4 would be my “synth I would like to get” synth, not to trade one for the other.

Anyone who is unaware, the video in question is unbiased but very honest and illustrative of pros and cons of both units, with both boxes back to back, side by side.

Elektron Digitone vs Analog Four: Comparing Features and Workflow

Just an example of content creation at it’s finest and most useful, with no bullshit or shocked face thumbnails.

[monomatik]

The sound of the A4 is very specific, I didn’t like it and after a year I gave up and sold it. Before I sold I watched probably every youtube video of the A4 and it only confirmed to me that it’s not for me. There is also a thread about it:

The sound of the A4/AK... like or dislike?

I personally like the sound, but I may not be as experienced in many analog synths as some here. I’ve come across many comments on various platforms of people not digging the sound of the A4/AK. If you’re among these people I’d like to know what exactly you dislike about it. Likewise if you love the sound, I’d like to know what about the sound you like. What other things about these two synths do you like or dislike?

[Elek4]

I finally sold my AK. It’s a great synth but the lack of voices kept bugging me.

[dr_laemmerbein]

I watched his video as well, but still, I bought the A4. And I’m still not sure whether I made the right decision
But I didn’t sell the Digitone! I had same thoughts about replacing the Digitone with the A4. Good thing is, the used prices are pretty stable, so I might end up selling the A4 in the end. But yesterday I was able to conjure some really nice sounds with it.

Understanding that you need to raise the volume significantly if you use the low pass filter, changes a few things. But it’s really tedious! Not something you want in a groovebox.

[shigginpit]

I just took a listen, sounds pretty nice. Sometimes a pain in the ass is worth the trouble when results are good like that!

Which overdrive do you guys prefer, between digitone and A4? I know a4 mkI and mkII have a slightly different character from each other as well.

[Eaves]

@dr_laemmerbein

Understanding that you need to raise the volume significantly if you use the low pass filter, changes a few things.

Yep, the A4 is very dynamic, but in a way that makes it tedious to work with. The fact that it’s analog doesn’t make it easier to make “”“analog”"" sounding patches on it.

It’s not an instant gratification synth, and I don’t say that in a condescending way. I’ve struggled with that a lot .It can really be a chore if you have an “analog” sound in your head and are trying to make that sound on the A4.

Just a disclaimer though: all the negative things i’ve said about the A4 are my honest opinions about it, but I could write just as much or more about the positive things about it. But since this is an anti A4 GAS thread I’m holding back!

[shigginpit]

@Eaves

“”“analog”""

your extra quotes are giving me gas.

@Eaves

since this is an anti A4 GAS thread I’m holding back!

ok then instead of telling me which overdrive you like best, tell which one you like worst

DN, a4 mkI, a4 mkII

[dr_laemmerbein]

It’s actually easier to make the Digitone sound analog. At least it’s predictable!

[Eaves]

@shigginpit

ok then instead of telling me which overdrive you like best, tell which one you like worst

I like DN’s per-voice overdrive the least. But I don’t treat it like an overdrive, I treat it more like a vague sound “enhancing” tool.

@dr_laemmerbein

It’s actually easier to make the Digitone sound analog. At least it’s predictable!

The master overdrive on the DN is really good! It really helps glue all the synths together, great for trip hop. It can also make high resonance bass sounds sound very acid-y, it’s awesome.

Oh, right. The A4 doesn’t have a master overdrive. This makes it hard to glue everything together (without running it through an external FX) like you can on the Digitone.

[shigginpit]

@Eaves

Oh, right. The A4 doesn’t have a master overdrive. This makes it hard to glue everything together (without running it through an external FX) like you can on the Digitone.

nice digi promotion for the OP who has DN already, GAS AVERTED!

[impbox]

As someone with an A4 that’s a bit underused for most of these reasons I’m considering trying to trade it for a Digitone which I always love the sound of when I hear it.

[CCMP]

When I read these A4 threads with the ‘it takes a lot of work’ comments, it makes me feel weird!

I find the A4 to be one of the most instantaneous synths I have, and I love the sound of it… it’s my most used and favourite Elektron by far, and I have had them all.

Mine has worked its way into being crucial to my setup/music now… I couldn’t think of being without it.

Am I alone???