GAS conundrum A4 or Cirklon

Chinchilla · 2014-01-28T12:32:37.000Z

Now then gents,
Since cutting the computer out of my setup comoletely last summer and replacing it with a hardware mixer/recorder, I have never been happier Or more productive but as always the wretched GAS has hit me of late and I’m completely torn and need your views/ opinions and help please.
Do I make do with the sound generating gear I’ve got and go for a Cirklon but have to wait 5-6 months for delivery or do I blow out the beautiful sequencer go down the A4 route as it’s been nagging at me for a while now.
My setup consists of MDUW+, MnM+, Evolver, Tetra, Blofeld, XoXbox, Volca Bass, OP-1. Korg Micro XL and a Korg Microsampler.
Tell me your thoughts Chaps… what would you do?

avantronica · 2014-01-28T12:36:00.000Z

""Chinchilla"":

… what would you do?

i’d look in that amply stocked studio you already have

Chinchilla · 2014-01-28T12:44:37.000Z

I know, I know…but it’s a fucking disease isn’t it!
But wise words my friend. Maybe I just resist the urge and get on with it.
Thanks mate, a bit of common sense at lasr!
( you’re not my missus in disguise are you?)

nirun · 2014-01-28T14:45:21.000Z

depends how much you love your MD’s interface. If you find it conducive to music creation then i would highly recommend the A4. If you want a stronger sequencer esp for external gear Cirklon is a better choice.

A4 excels at CV sequencing, sound design, and if you like the “elektron” sound the filters are VERY useful, they do wonders for my external gear.

Ihatederekreed · 2014-01-28T18:13:56.000Z

As always, my advise is: GET BOTH!

RoyShade · 2014-01-28T18:33:32.000Z

You officially need a Cirklon.

bluewolfse7en · 2014-01-28T18:41:59.000Z

Buy an A4, order a Cirk, worry about paying for that in 5 months, easy

Chinchilla · 2014-01-28T19:13:52.000Z

""bluewolfse7en"":

Buy an A4, order a Cirk, worry about paying for that in 5 months, easy

That’s exactly what my inner demons are telling me!
By jingo, it’s worse than heroin addiction.
So, if I went down the “fuck it, get both and run the serious risk of castration” I need to go for the CViO version right?

bluewolfse7en · 2014-01-28T20:14:16.000Z

[quote=“” Chinchilla""]

My setup consists of MDUW+, MnM+, Evolver, Tetra, Blofeld, XoXbox, Volca Bass, OP-1. Korg Micro XL and a Korg Microsampler.

[/quote]

I don’t own any of the kit you mention other than the Elektrons & the Op-1, but, as far as I’m aware, none of it is CV.
Plz someone else speak up if I’m wrong.
I have the midi only version of Cirklon & it’s outrageously good!
Only thing I have that’s CV is a Moog SP & it’s hardly worth it for that!
Plus A4 does CV so I’d save on the expense unless you’re planning on going modular any time soon

subq · 2014-01-28T20:24:38.000Z

wow all that nice gear/sound…looks to me like it is waiting to be chewed up and spit out by an OT

then when your Cirklon arrives, sell the OT if you want

avantronica · 2014-01-28T20:26:17.000Z

""Chinchilla"":

I know, I know…but it’s a fucking disease isn’t it!
But wise words my friend. Maybe I just resist the urge and get on with it.
Thanks mate, a bit of common sense at lasr!
( you’re not my missus in disguise are you?)

hahaha, but maybe i’m just your conscience
you got some great gear, some of which overlaps A4 a bit, A4 is my favourite thing, highly recommended
i went through an AR frenzy only to come out thinking it is brilliant and a bit different, but i can cover so much ground, including percussives, with the A4 so i’m happier to get on and make the most of that, the GAS never ends !

bluewolfse7en · 2014-01-28T20:31:29.000Z

[quote=“” subq""]
wow all that nice gear/sound…looks to me like it is waiting to be chewed up and spit out by an OT

then when your Cirklon arrives, sell the OT if you want
[/quote]

Yeah, there you go, we’ve just spent another grand for you!
A4, drive with the Cirklon, sample with the OT, winner

PeterHanes · 2014-01-28T20:47:59.000Z

""Chinchilla"":

… I have never been happier Or more productive …

My setup consists of MDUW+, MnM+, Evolver, Tetra, Blofeld, XoXbox, Volca Bass, OP-1. Korg Micro XL and a Korg Microsampler.

Have you exhausted the potential of all that gear? If not, just carry on being productive.

Chinchilla · 2014-01-28T21:26:05.000Z

There I was salivating over all the possibilities and BOOM!! Email from the Accountant with a horrendous tax bill. My conscience has just donned his hobnail boots and repeatedly kicked me in nuts until they’ve just dropped off. (They were gunna get lopped off anyway if I’d have executed my fiendish plan of yes to all!)
Thank you gents for all your advice and input but my decision has been made for me. It’s the Cirklon, 5 month waiting list and all and then hope for a good year for maybe the A4…
I’ve held off the OT as I mentioned I’m a computer free zone now but I suppose the real time sampling/mangling makes it worthwhile, ay?
I’m feeling as sick as a pike at the moment.
I detest those HMRC GAS curing Mo’fos’

Daisuk · 2014-02-06T00:55:48.000Z

I’ll throw this in the mix -

The thought of having a “main brain” haunted me for a while. I ended up getting a Cirklon as well. Although it is a fantastic sequencer, it doesn’t really offer you a lot that you haven’t got already. You can basically MIDI-sync all your stuff already, and sequence the various gear with your Elektron-sequencers. I know the idea of having one “brain” is very enticing, but you’ll still need to turn on the other machines, find the correct patches you want working together - and although the Cirklon has a program change ability, I personally found that I never really used it, as it just slowed down the process of simply making music.

But a lot of people love it, so I’m not going to say you won’t. But for me it was just another “clog” in the system, instead of making things easier, it made things more complicated.

zfigz · 2014-02-06T01:00:08.000Z

My MnM is my brain and it works fine. I’d stick with what you have and move from there.

subq · 2014-02-06T02:44:32.000Z

thing about the volcas, they are only $149 new, you aren’t going to get much for them used…just really not worth selling

…and anyone who says they are “toys” must not know how to work an analog synth…the fat analog sound coming out of those things for $149 is simply amazing

nrpn · 2014-02-06T04:02:47.000Z

Sell the evolver. Sell the tetra. Buy the A4. Never look back.
Decide later the Cirklon is better for your future interest in eurorackish modulars.

invisible_acropolis · 2014-02-06T04:48:10.000Z

i think it depends on the type of music you are doing, but the fact you are not using a computer does nudge it to the cirklon, IMHO

ive heard a lot of really good things about it, never used one myself - but supposedly the timing is rock solid, also its got multiple midi outputs (damn!) and that is the hotness if you have a bunch of outboard gear already

so that would be my first choice, but yeh id probably sell the evolver and tetra and get an A4 as well… and ive owned the desktop evolver and the monoevolver myself, and i know how awesome it is - but still, yeh i think the A4 would crush it in the same category of analog/sound design wildness with built-in sequencer/modulations

cosmosuave · 2014-02-06T13:46:37.000Z

You may consider a MIDIbox SEQV4 it can do lots as much as the Cirklon I believe and open source to suit your needs… Only drawback it is DIY but some folks will sell theirs if you don’t want to build one… I am currently building one with the 8 gate/cv option… Check out http://ucapps.de/ for more info… The midibox forum offers lots of support…

I wanted the Cirklon but the price was too steep and I like to do DIY…