Hi Guys, i know when it first came out there was a lot about the fact you couldn’t do with the A4 what you can with the monomachine and use it as a 6 voice poly synth. I was wondering if this had been added as an update yet? If not, any news on when/if it might be added as a feature?
I am interested in using it as a more classic synth, and plugging in a MIDI keyboard and playing it live.
Cheers,
it’s not in the current os (1.06), that’s not to say elektron might not do something about it, their documentation hints at that, as you can see from elsewhere on the forum there are ways to fake the polyphony mode (requires a computer) - i haven’t tried it on A4 myself but I have done similar things with polyphonic 4-part (swedish, red !) synths so that each voice is slightly different (think oberheim) … you just change the midi channel for each successive note held (sw reqd) - i expect the effect on the A4 will be spectacular if it allows different sounds per voice
Without a computer needed for actual playing, you can pick-up a Keith McMillen Instruments QuNexus ($149. USD) and their Midi Expander ($49. USD),which has already a factory preset for doing duties as a Midi Dispatcher, with each of four tracks assigned to respective midi channels 1,2,3,and 4. It simply dispatches separate A4 voices on separate midi channels and you can use poly after touch, move your fingers side to side or rock finger forward/backwards to affect different modulation, pitch, or whatever you want to assign via the editor if something other than factory presets. Small form factor and built incredibly nice–more so than a Korg Nano Kontrol, which is a good comparison in form factor.
QuNexus has an editor and would only need the computer for reconfiguring many of its settings OR if you were of course using the QuNexus with computer to play VST’s more expressively, for instance.(connects to computer or even iPad via USB) To play A4 ‘live’ even per voice more expressively than the mini keyboard on A4 allows, you absolutely do not need to be connected to any computer because the Midi Expander powers the QuNexus and midi Expander has two standard midi DIN in and out ports to play A4 or any hardware synth/module.(Midi Expander midi out DIN port—>A4 midi in DIN port.
Do note that we cannot (yet) play and have the Analog Four record these expressive modulation/after touch via QuNexus or any external controller- but for its price, massive functionality, (to include TWO CV Inputs, Gate and THREE CV Outputs, seven octave range, communicates via USB, MIDI, CV or OSC), there’s nothing plug and play like it out there! (no, I do not work for KMI–just really impressed by these tools)
Peace!
I’ve also accomplished this with op1, Kenton USB host, and midipal.
A legit poly a4 would be some next level shit.
if you’re on a Mac you can also try this utility I’ve made: http://www.elektronauts.com/t/poli/480
(I had submitted an iPad version to the App Store but then decided to cancel it)
It’s not perfect, but optimized for use with the Analog Four. I believe this works slightly better than the hardware options, as you can quickly select which voices are used for patch sync/polyphony.
Nice one, cheers for the info/links guys!
Hmm, seems like no idea solution yet then, as it seems a bit unfortunate to have to take my mac with me if i want to use the A4 live!
Oh well, does anyone know of any alternative synths that can get a similar sort of detune modulated end of the world type sound?
(sorry, rather vague description, i mean something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSklh2b9QK0)
Although completely different animals and love it as much as A4, the DSI Mono Evolver Keyboard is quite capable of this. I had already saved that YT video in my favorites file for A4 Drones…the very type of music am working on…and oh, the Evolver Desktop has a logical programming grid BUT it’s night and day difference t the better with the Mono Evolver Keyboard. I have two of them and two Desktop Evolvers poly chained to one of them for sonic mayhem. Two analog oscs, two analog low pass filters, 2 digital oscillators with Prophet VS wavetables, sequencer, et al…hope this helps.
In addition to A4, which I hope will play nice via midi some day in my set-up is the Quasimidi Polymorph and Radikal Technologies’ Spectralis 2…both of which are great live or studio.
If we do get a poly mode I think it’d be cool to see it use the source track idea that’s available to the CV track.
Source track plus an added offset parameter = poly.
The cool thing about source tracks is that it’s a modulation destination. If offset is modulatable too you have a totally nuts arpeggiator.
If they added a more traditional poly mode the lack of a general key tracking modulation destination would bother me more, I think. On the monomachine I’m only really finding the poly mode useful to sample from briefly or to stop/start runaway feedback.
Wait for the 6 voice MFB poly coming next summer (if I don’t lose my mind and buy a vintage Oberheim before then). The Dominion X series (especially the SED) point towards MFB producing an absolute monster modern analog poly, which is a rare thing. The Mopho X4 is the only one around I can think of in the “affordable” range- and it is admittedly a very good (but not great) synth.
Believe it or not, the Korg Volca keys makes fantastic detuned chords like the ones you describe (Almost sounds like a Prophet 5 or an Oberhiem OBxa!). First thing I do when I move into my new place is order a Volca Keys (probably two! 2 handed analog chords sequences for $300?? WHAT?). And it is actually “poly”- you can sequence a bass line and play 2 note chords over top of it- plus, the front panel knob controls are P-locked per step like Elektron.
Don’t watch this video unless you want the $150 answer to your question about the A4 answered =) I just watched it again. It is by far the one Volca you’re gonna still see in people’s rigs in not 5 years, but 10-15. It’s almost too much synth for the money- plenty of people who don’t even know what poly MEANS are going to have one collecting dust in their closet.
Also, Jonah hit the nail on the head with the Mono Evolver- The Tetra is nice bit the MonoE is probably the best monosynth module you can find for less than $400- and it provides the “paraphonic” chords you’re afer like the new Waldorf Pulse 2- Again so does the Volca Keys!
Yeah, the Volca keys looks cool! Its also kind of hard to play tho! Im approaching synths form a piano players perspective, so actual playability is really important to me! Ideally i would find somethign that is a seperate module that i can attach a MIDI keyboard to. DO you know if the MIDI input of the volca allows you to play it with an external keyboard?
I really loved some of the demos of the A4 soundwise, hence this topic! Having done some more research it seems that a big part of the A4’s sound is its onboard FX, giving it a real atmosphere!
I have actually played a poly evolver keyboard, it was realy nice, and great for detuned sounds 
a bit out of my pricerange tho! perhaps what i need to do then is find a good basic poly synth then choose a good chorus, delay and reverb to pair it with. anyone with the A4 care to share any light on what type of hardware might get me close? Seems i need a super dense reverb, as opposed to a massively HQ style reverb.
Last messege I got from support (2 months ago) was:
- Dont get rid of it yet. You never know what future updates will hold.
So I assume it will come BUT who the f**k knows when…
Sounds amazing eitherway. It would just be nice to be able to play some chords with it. 
There is always the Tempest, which I love to pieces and does full 6 voice poly now since OS 1.3.
I wish folk would look around a little before making a new thread. This must be the 3rd or 4th one about this now, and its a brand new forum… 
Anyway, not being one to rain on peoples parade!.. Although there are workarounds to achieve what you want already, they don’t all involve a computer. Check out the Midipal that someone mentioned… http://mutable-instruments.net/midipal
But having tried the A4 polyphonically, I don’t consider 4 voices enough, so personally I don’t miss a polyphonic mode.
Its evidently a hot topic. I did a search, didnt find the answer to my question, l hence starting this!
Sounds like its an update for the future however, which will be awesome
Yes- you could control the Volca Keys with a 72 key monster if you wanted…