New AK on order - share your wisdom

The_N_Y · 2015-02-06T23:01:25.000Z

hello board, this is my first post here. I have an analog keys on order and I’m very excited. this will be not only my first elektron piece, but my first HW synth, period. I’ve cut my teeth on many softsynths; I have almost all u he and NI synths, and many other outliers. I’m just trying to get some tips and tricks, many those things that you had to learn for yourself that you wish someone would have told you when you first started out. I’m hoping for technical advise - not that the philosophical “if it sounds good, then it is good” type of advice isnt valuable, but that’s not the spirit of this inquiry. thanks, this board has already proven itself to be helpful and brimming with knowledge!

avantronica · 2015-02-07T08:03:55.000Z

wisdom: a watched UPS van never arrives

The_N_Y · 2015-02-07T13:58:33.000Z

yes, that is wise. and a hard-learned lesson

ak37lover · 2015-02-08T09:30:38.000Z

Be excited! Its a great synth. (Actually its four great mono synths!)
Had mine 3 months now. Completely sussed and like second nature now.

Mess with presets/demo patterns while browsing the manual.
Suss out the sequencer first! Its integral to the fun of the AK, so take time to learn the basics, maybe using some preset patches to get you going.
Don’t stress about file management while doing this - be prepared to lose your work sometimes until you have everything sussed out. It’ll come easily in time, so don’t worry about it.
Pull some presets you like apart, tweaking values on all param pages. Most of this is obvious synthesis stuff but sometime things are implemented slightly different on AK, so take time to explore all parameters and see what they do.
By now (This was a few days in in my case) you’ll be doing little jams you quite like and want to save - so revisit the manual and get the file management thing sussed out (Its honestly not that hard)

KEY TIP: Each time you copy a pattern it will use the original patterns ‘KIT’ (i.e. a set of patches on four tracks plus FX settings etc)

You can however re-save this KIT with a new name/number each time you copy the pattern forward. By keeping a ‘one KIT per PATTERN’ system going you should find you don’t lose patches or keep accidentally changing something you liked. Then remember to save the entire ‘PROJECT’ regularly.

For most hurdles you hit you’ll find a YT video or a post on this forum has already answered your Qs ( Even if the manual doesn’t!)

Have fun!

unfunfionn · 2015-02-09T11:39:59.000Z

Congratulations! I’ve had mine for 2 months and it’s been a real pleasure.

I was going to suggest the same thing as ak37lover. Don’t worry about file management. It really frustrated me at first that I lost stuff without enough warning and probably made me wary of just exploring. You’ll lose lots of stuff at firs and it’s fine.

I also broke down the learning curve a bit. You can’t learn everything in one go. I only learned how to use Song and Chain modes properly last week (this was helpful: http://www.wiresandones.com/analog-four-tutorials/getting-started/chain-song-mode-analog-four/).

I’d also suggest ignoring any video tutorials for a week or two. With Elektron stuff, the workflow is a bit challenging and it would be a huge pity to learn it based on somebody else’s approach.

Have fun!

Michael_R_Grant · 2015-02-09T11:49:37.000Z

I’d disagree with the suggestion of not watching video tutorials. I think they are essential to learning about the machine’s workflow without frustration. CuckooMusic did a superb hour-long one about the sequencer. You can find it on Youtube.

vos · 2015-02-10T19:02:46.000Z

Make 1 track in a pattern - and use one or 2 LFO’s to modulate ( star with a filter mod. - so you can haere the result clearly.
Let the LFO’s run free.
Now lock the LFO('s) on the first trig. Play with the LFO’s speed. They will retrigger onthe first step. ( you’ll get a sinced LFO ).
COpy this pattern a few times and make a chain.
Unlock the LFO on the first stepof eatch following pattern.
Listen wath happens.;
Next step could be to modulate the speed of LFO 1 with LFO 2 etc… Lay back - enjoy- and turn those buttons-… and Fly !

andreasroman · 2015-02-10T19:12:49.000Z

Since it’s not only your first HW synth, but also your first Elektron gear, learn what a Kit really is early on. For me, being hardcore HW, it was a bit confusing and for all the wrong reasons cause it’s not really, it’s just a mindset and a pretty good one too, but understand that kits live their own lives and that’s a good thing, a benefit, something to cherish, to be happy about.

But learn about them fairly early, I’d say about the time you get familiar with the sequencer.

The_N_Y · 2015-02-11T16:14:30.000Z

wow, thanks for all the input guys. the AK arrived yesterday and so far ive had a couple of hours to play around. when i first took it out of the box, i just plugged it in and tried to see what i could remember from the youtube vids ive watched (cuckoos sequencer vid has probably been the most helpful thus far). i really like this thing. its a bit daunting, but its such an elegant piece of kit, it really makes me want to master it. ive been through the meat of the manual but i will probably need to go through a few more times before it all sinks in. but ive noticed already how there is a logic to it.

as an aside, what cables are you guys using for the 4 track outs? i have some cheapy stereo TRS cables for this, Hosa brand. will these suffice do you think?

SpaceTime · 2015-02-11T21:05:48.000Z

As a new AK owner myself, I know how you feel. For me it’s not as immediate as say a Moog Sub Phatty but that’s part of this machine’s “elegance”. I found myself getting frustrated over a couple of things I couldn’t figure out but like you said, “…it makes me want to master it.” I too, feel the same way. It just begs to be dug into. I think part of that stems from the way it sounds. At least for me it does. While exploring some of the on-board sounds, I’ll find my self looking at how the sound was constructed by digging for the parameters. It’s a crazy synth! From the tiniest, most distant squiggles and blips to right up in your face ripping leads and basses. Beautiful, howling pads and wacky percussive sounds. The AK truly is a chameleon of a synthesizer.

The_N_Y · 2015-02-12T01:53:49.000Z

i didn’t realize that my unit didn’t have a lot of the sounds on the elektron website. i downloaded and installed them and YOW! this thing sounds amazing!

andreasroman · 2015-02-12T07:24:34.000Z

Most importantly, it’s one of the few analogue synths that actually can present itself as a workstation, despite limited (in comparison) polyphony. So it’s a complete instrument for composing, structuring and mixing, if you will.

Very few analogue offerings include the entire chain. I can’t think of any, actually, although there are some that if you accept their limitations, provide the same idea. Tempest, for example, and unless you go into virtual territory, I can’t think of any other, actually. Oh wait, something from Mutable instruments perhaps.

But I’m ranting.

Congrats on a great synth.

vos · 2015-03-05T09:36:47.000Z

I’ts a Spaceship…

The_N_Y · 2015-03-05T11:39:48.000Z

it is, actually, a spaceship

Automux · 2015-03-06T20:41:19.000Z

""vos"":

Make 1 track in a pattern - and use one or 2 LFO’s to modulate ( star with a filter mod. - so you can haere the result clearly.
Let the LFO’s run free.
Now lock the LFO('s) on the first trig. Play with the LFO’s speed. They will retrigger onthe first step. ( you’ll get a sinced LFO ).
COpy this pattern a few times and make a chain.
Unlock the LFO on the first stepof eatch following pattern.
Listen wath happens.;
Next step could be to modulate the speed of LFO 1 with LFO 2 etc… Lay back - enjoy- and turn those buttons-… and Fly !

I don’t know why I never think to modulate LFO parameters with another LFO… One question about this. What do you mean by locking the LFO on the first trig? What parameter is being set? Do you mean to reduce the LFO depth to zero so it is not modulating the target?

rikrak · 2015-03-06T21:10:48.000Z

When you’re ready to import some new sounds, the latest Unmechanical set will justify your purchase within 5 minutes of play.

invisible_acropolis · 2015-03-06T22:33:54.000Z

""Automux"":

I don’t know why I never think to modulate LFO parameters with another LFO… One question about this. What do you mean by locking the LFO on the first trig? What parameter is being set? Do you mean to reduce the LFO depth to zero so it is not modulating the target?

I dunno either… its the key to aleatoric heaven
one of the best things about the venerable korg Z1 was how flexible it was with LFO routing… and the 4 ENV + 4 LFO cross modulating each other as well as other params… super nice
you can make very organic, alien animal type sounds as well as evolving drones that never repeat, etc…
and with param locks? holy shit, your brain will explode
btw - im just about to order an AK myself… so you’re in good company

vos · 2015-03-09T12:31:07.000Z

""Automux"":

[quote=“vos”]Make 1 track in a pattern - and use one or 2 LFO’s to modulate ( star with a filter mod. - so you can haere the result clearly.
Let the LFO’s run free.
Now lock the LFO('s) on the first trig. Play with the LFO’s speed. They will retrigger onthe first step. ( you’ll get a sinced LFO ).
COpy this pattern a few times and make a chain.
Unlock the LFO on the first stepof eatch following pattern.
Listen wath happens.;
Next step could be to modulate the speed of LFO 1 with LFO 2 etc… Lay back - enjoy- and turn those buttons-… and Fly !

I don’t know why I never think to modulate LFO parameters with another LFO… One question about this. What do you mean by locking the LFO on the first trig? What parameter is being set? Do you mean to reduce the LFO depth to zero so it is not modulating the target?[/quote]
Hello ,
LFO’s can be in 1-FREE - 2-TRIG - 3-HOLD - 4-ONE or 5-HALF - mode.
This concerns mode 1 and 2 >>>

1 Free = The LFO continues infinitly without restarting at following steps (notes ). Can be interesting for creating faser-like sounds for ex.

The disadvantage is that when a pattern loops the modulation will sound different as the LFO’s fase is different. at every pattern loop.
2 Retrig ( called sync in most synth’s ) The LFO restarts every step .
Interesting if the LFO should have thesame effect on every note ( step).
3 !! and this makes these instruments so special …

( a combination of both )
Emagine you want the LFO to run free to start with BUT you want the fase to stay identical every loop.
So first set the LFO in FREE - mode. - to make the result obvious put it at a slow rate ( ex > 8 x1 )
Now go to the first step and lock the LOF into RETRIG ( only on this step )
Listen again > The LFO will only restart at the first step.
SO ! Now the modulation is identic everytime the pattern loops.( very interesting at slow rates )
NOW ! go one step further and copy this pattern let’s say 4 times an make a chain.
IMPORTANT >>>> UNLOCK the LFO ( = first step ) on the first step of the 3 following patterns so it becomes free again. So only at the first step af the first pattern the LFO stays locked (in RETRIG.)
Listen … if it gives you that WOW ! moment you understand - from there on you’ll start to see possibilities.
Ask if i’m not clear or to complex ( but it’s very simple )
It’s like having FREE LO’S but SYNCED …

( I forgot to mention that you’ll have to use thesame KIT with the four following patterns to have this result)