Does the A4 still add value beyond it’s sound profile or should I go w/ a different synth?
If you have CV gear it can be used to control that, but otherwise the sequencer only works on the internal sounds.
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The sequencer has internal parameters slide per step, note slide per step, accent and trig mutes. On top off being able to do lots neat stuff with performance controls. The FX section also had its own sequence which can be pretty neat. But yeah I think the slides of parameters and notes makes the biggest difference, along with just being able to lock parameters much more easily per step than with setting up midi. If you don’t like the sound of it though I’m not sure if you should get it… it is a super deep synthesizer though.
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Proud owner of Keys and OT here… As I was typing bwo was too fast for me and I removed my whole response as it was basically a repeat.
There is much more value than just the sound profile as he explained. Can’t get those features with simple midi in other synths.
With soundlocks it’s going far beyond a Classic synth, think sound of a Real synth with power of a groovebox, same for digitone, in fact i love the digitone more.
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With A4 seq you can also record Soundlocks played by the OT with the Multi Map notes.
Unique feature too.
Trig Conditions are easier to edit with A4 (direct access, hold several trigs)
Example Ot with A4 Multi Map
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Maybe turn the thing the other way around and see the benefit of adding an OT to A4 :
OT can also add a few LFOs to A4, and plockable arps… Mixing the two sequencers can yield to very different phrases than when muting one or the other…
Even without the sequencer, A4 is already a good add-on to OT, as you can send e.g. OT cues through A4 filters/distortion/FX.
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I use the A4 to sequence my modular, all of which is selectively fed, via the Mute/Alt 3-4 buss on a Mackie mixer into the Octatrack. The A4 hits an Analog Heat before the Mackie (the modular needs no heating up). I use the A4’s own voices as drums or to provide easy access to quick little sounds I don’t want to patch.
You’re all going to lose your minds, but the mini-keyboard on the A4 is my only “piano-style” note entry in the entire system. The paint on various parts of the A4 is wearing off lol, I’ll never sell it because it changed my life.
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A single sequence on the A4 can get you tremendous mileage on a modular system through the use of shift registers, precision adders, and switches.
I have not found a sequencer in eurorack that’s worth the money. The Elektron sequencer is quite simply an animal without predators in its ecosystem. I simply can’t be bothered with other sequencers.
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I’ll never sell it, because there’s not enough paint on it now ! 
In two to three years my A4 will be completely blank. It’s the only device I understand well enough to use it without looking at it.
Clack. Clack, clack, clack. CLACK CLACK.
Many menus with Function + Button ! For me it would be the worse Elektron without serigraphy. I’d be comfortable with OT, and my MD is already without (almost) !
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Every time I see a pic of your md I swoon. It’s quite aesthetically pleasing.
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One slight issue with an OT and A4 combo is that you still don’t have tempo per pattern.
It may not be something that bothers you but I find it annoying so generally add my Electribe to the setup (a Digitakt/tone would also work).
…parameter locking is always sexy…and apart from direct cv options, beautyful fx that locks along per step, too and endless new sonic terretory options even beyond ot’s sampling magic, i really love this true analog piece of gear…it bites, it creams up, it crackles and breathes with each step like nothing else…
Haha, you’re making me wanting an A4. I’m currently trying to sequence my small modular system with OT via CV.OCD. (I really wanted this latter thing, but being only able to configure it by SysEx is a pain…)
OT has tempo per pattern in the arranger
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I know but that is not the same as having the tempo saved per pattern.
Elektron have addressed this issue in both the Digitakt and Digitone.
Damn everyday I discover something new with my Analog Four thanks to Elektronauts…I have a Rytm and an Octatrack MKII too, which used to be my go to machines, but the more I dig into the A4 the more I realise how powerful it is! It is one of the most sold synth in second hand where I live (which makes its price drop quite a lot), I think people buy it for the possibilities but don’t give it enough time.
Slides benefits
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