Hey!
Do you still use the Analog Rytm analog kick engines on their own for techno, or do you layer them with tools like Kick 3, Punchbox or samples?
I’ve been using the AR for years and love the character and punch of the analog engines. Recently I’ve started experimenting with Kick 3 and was surprised how much control it offers over pitch, attack and tuning.
I’m curious what your workflow looks like in 2026:
- AR only?
- AR + sample layer?
- AR exported and further shaped in Kick 3?
- Completely in-the-box these days?
Especially interested in techno and EBM workflows.
Thanks a lot!!!
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AR Kick engine only sometimes I layer transients loaded in sample pool.
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The best kick that I found for my Goa attempts is with A4. And I like RYTM for everything, kick included, but am combining it with A4 for that single sweepy kick (I used stock patch, but changed second filter to peak and I use it with envelope for fast transient like sweep, it somehow balances for better taste the resonance of first ladder filter - IMO, of course). In musical context, I like to ride RYTM with its kick for some time and add A4’s kick as a step up in energy. In my setup it is connected from A4 to RYTM, to mixer/interface. I also use both with Overbridge, but like first routing for more mobile setup. And I don’t obsess over minute details and am perfectly happy with everything RYTM has on board, never bought any content for that device (in opposite to Digitakt and Digitone ;]). Mentioned A4 kick is simply my finding and large step up in what I value most in a kick for my music.
What is funny. In my other setup, mentioned in other thread, I use Tempest, where I have DFAM with exactly the same role as A4 does here.
Sometimes I use that for layering. Sometimes for change. Depends on the mood and context.
Cheers!
I usually only use the analog kicks. When I boot it up, in no time I’ve made a kick too phat to layer.
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I only recently repurchased an AR but so far I haven’t gotten layered kicks to sound any good (skill issue no doubt), and the analog kicks are super good on their own so I’m sticking with that for now. I do really wish the sample layer had its own lo/hi pass filter.
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I‘m not a big kick fetishist and therefore was always more than happy with the AR (and ST) analog kicks. Layering just means you will have to cut shit in the mix later if you’re not knowing exactly what you’re doing.
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syntakt kik (analog) is more than enough I’ve found for most dance music - It’s nice because it’s dynamic not static like a sample
Kick 3 is amazing. If you like some a4 kick you can drop it into kick3 amd resample it, modify it… Best kick vst for sure
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the kicks are fantastic imo. Really cant believe some people dont like em.
FM and Plastic have a very wide range that stretches far beyond the startup sound. FM can get ridiculously heavy. Sharp is super reliable.
But Digitone kicks are still better at the end of the day imo. Crazy impressive to me how rich yet snappy the transients can sound on that machine.
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I wish the Analog Rythm had a beat repeat without having to spend 1 hour setting fills per track. I know you can just resample your drums and use scenes or retrigs for that but for improvisation it would be nice to have. Well if using scenes to lock sequencer steps to different functions like retrigs or pattern length. I love the sound on this machine but definitely needs help from other to achieve certain functions.