I love my A4 more and more every day…which make me naturally look toward the AK. It is probably just GAS…so let’s collect your feedback.
If you have made the transition A4>>AK
[ol]
[li]Is the sound the same?[/li]
[li]Is it more inspiring/better flow?[/li]
[li]Is it really better feature-wise?[/li]
[/ol]
I apologize if these points have been already discussed.
A quick google search and forum search gave me different topics.
I have an A4 but not the Keys. With that, I think they’re the same sound wise . The Keys obviously has some more features like individual outs, a joy stick and actual keys.
Unfortunately, I have no idea how to play a keyboard so the Keys is not my radar.
I moved up to the AK from the A4 and the workflow just feels opened up if you are used to the A4 already. Having the visual cues of the leds on the keys is actually really helpful when constructing melodies and sequences. Also just having the full sized keyboard is integrated is great. Space was an issue for me so having it be self-contained fits in to my workflow quite nicely I’ve currently got it as my central hub and synced to either a nord drum 2 or a tempest for drums and also connected to a microwave 2 when in midi control mode (the button for switching the keys to only control external synths is very convenient).
AK has more bottom end --voiced differently
I don’t have a Keys, but hooking your A4 up to a MIDI keyboard is a revelation - aftertouch plays a huge role in a lot of the stock sounds, which really demonstrates what can be done in terms of expression. This isn’t something you get from the A4 as a standalone unit, and it does make me want a Keys purely for the convenience of it all.
There have been a few threads talking about the AK vs the A4 sound and people seem to agree that they sound generally the same. If the search function on the forum worked any better I’d link to the threads.
There was some talk about optimized circuits for bass but I really think it’s the OS 1.1 Resonance boost that did it. It fixed a long standing issue with Filter 1 sucking the bass out of the waveshape. Since the AK shipped with 1.1 it had the improvement from the start.
So get the AK if you need a keyboard (with cool note indicator lights) and a joystick or you could just get a A4 and plug it into whatever midi controller you’ve got.
I have both and eatch has it’s own strengths. I notice a difference in my approach in composing between them ( so in the results ). Soundwise I don’t hear a difference - but I never transferred sounds to compare. They both have great interfaces. but I love the clavier of the AK - it’s very light - great for ultra - fast playing . all dépends on your needs.
The AK - leds are a great help to me as is the mini - clavier on the A4 if I wanne be mobile. 
Warning: This may induce further GAS.
Warning: This may induce further GAS.
https://www.facebook.com/WeAreElektron/posts/10153264924712387[/quote]
Brilliant! I had no idea myself…
It’s 2300hrs and, even though I’m smashed from yoga and Malaysian food, I’m about to go get my Analog Keys and bring it into my bed with my headphones and the manual.
Everything you just said sounds absolutely perfect. 
I forgot to mention the warm body of my sleeping girlfriend who incidentally makes far more fucked up electronic music than I do, and I thought that I sometimes went out a bit far…
There, I fixed it.
You should too!
All I can say is that I’m very glad she doesn’t read this forum.
We may as well derail this thread a bit more…
The first conversation I had with my fiancée was on a dance floor, where we met, listening to a techno DJ.
Half way through the conversation, I asked her, "So, how do you like your electro?
Her response, “When you say electro do you mean like annoying EDM bullshit, or are we talking Drexciya and Aux-88 here?”
The rest is history.
Are you telling me that an Analog Key will put chicks with nice musical taste in my bed? 
We may as well derail this thread a bit more…
The first conversation I had with my fiancée was on a dance floor, where we met, listening to a techno DJ.
Half way through the conversation, I asked her, "So, how do you like your electro?
Her response, “When you say electro do you mean like annoying EDM bullshit, or are we talking Drexciya and Aux-88 here?”
The rest is history.
[/quote]
Oh that’s good.
I bought my one a sampler for her birthday and she cried.
Not yet, this is stil being tested by Elektron. Probably in one of the next updates.
I’m saying that it really can’t hurt your chances.
i made the upgrade a long time ago…I cant tell a difference even though there is supposed to be better bass response or whatever.
I will say this: its worth the extra few bucks. The A4 needed keys just for patching alone, and since I used it as a multi timbral box anyway the individual outs is awesome, though i guess if you use ableotn the overbridge thing kind of takes care of that…
I wouldnt mind having both units actually, but i would def take the A4K first.