Hello guys (I also posted this on Elektronauts), today I have the pleasure to share with you a little set I made using A4 and OT only. The A4 is doing every sound, OT is mixing the different tracks (melodics in AB, drums in CD) and, obviously, I had to throw in a few beat repeats. The set was developed during my learning curve with A4, when I realized that the best way to learn the instrument was to do everything with it.
In the next section I get pretty sentimental, feel free to skip to the video.
As many others, I had a difficult relationship with A4 at the beginning; I sold the first Mk1 I got and was very skeptical before buying the MK2. When I started the “solo” A4 project I had a completely different idea of how the things should have progressed musically. But then I started listening to it and made IT guide my creativity instead of trying to force ideas unto it (I hope it makes sense what I’m saying, I’m feeling like speaking about a romance now that I am typing).
Long story short, now this set has evolved a lot (I use also a Digitakt to handle drums at the moment, will post something in the near future), but it wouldn’t have been possible without focusing solely on the instrument. So to everyone asking “what should I do with this and that, I have this and that”, I would say: “Focus on what you have”.
These machines are deep, really really deep, it takes years to know them and they will always surprise you.
I sold my A4 MK1 after 1 month the first time. Now it’s my main synth for everything. I even have a project in which I use it just as a drum machine. Everytime I sit down with it I discover something new.
So my message is: don’t let the GAS fool you. Take the time to learn your instruments.
And, of course, love your A4.
Cheers.