Octa, AR or MD? Am leaning to the octatrack atm, looks like could really be the beating heart of a setup, and as have a tr-8 and arturia sparkLE as well as the beat possibilities in the AK I do have drums covered ok in the meantime - I can foresee me getting all of them eventually (so blown away by this synth I started saving as soon as I started playing with it). Anyone got all of the above and got advice? Should add I would also make use of the octa for sampling from turntables. Mainly make electronica/idm, but play around with everything from house, dnb, dubstep to hiphop, soul and dub/reggae. Thoughts on the order to buy? Cheers all!
let me be a bit different, and say, if you love the keys so much, what about an A4?
It can be hard to find a synth engine you love. - I like the A4 so much, im defo buying a keys next… (i have got all the above tho, so im in a lucky position)
either that or an octatrack imo
I bought an OT just a couple of weeks after getting the AK.
Sounds like you have the drums covered, so OT is the next logical step.
just to throw in a curveball.
What about a monomachine for a bit of digital love?
I would definitely like an a4, thats a good point - but would prob have to be lower priority than a sampler or decent dedicated drumsynth (though does do seriously beefy drums in its own right).
The other thing im weighing up is that if I get an AR or MD I can sell the tr-8 (while its fun and a great pick-up-and-play instrument, it lacks any depth - im a tweaker at heart) which means can get the elektron machine a bit quicker. Though guess I could sample the hell out of it and still go octatrack first… And the octa looks ridiculously fun… Argh - I want too much stuff and i want it now haha.
Hmm ive not really looked at the monomachine - will check it out
Octatrack offers so much more potential than any other box, needs the most work to tame it though, unlike the AK, possibly easiest
I have the AR and OT, plus an A4. I had a MD and sold it because I wasn’t into the 12-bit sampling.
What’s next for you? That’s kind of up to you really. Are you into, or want to get into sampling? Get an OT or MD. They both also do midi sequencing, which is great. The OT is a bit more robust in that area though.
If you’re currently not into sampling and have no need for midi sequencing, then the AR could, and maybe should be your next big purchase.
I was on the fence about getting an AR for a while. But I’m glad I took the leap. Of the three boxes I currently own, the A4 would be the first to go as the AR and the OT are very capable of bass, leads, and pads although they’d be samples.
I’m into samples…
Also note, the more machines you acquire, the more complicated things get. Not so much with the set up or stuff like that - more like, you only have so many hands to mute or trigger and twist so many tracks and knobs. Some of the best and most enjoyable to make music I’ve made was all done solely on the OT. I could see myself busting out a couple tunes exclusively on the AR, but I’ve only had it for a couple days and am still getting acquainted.
I was in the same position, all teh best with your decision
so impressed by the analog keys I sold my md and monomachine and purchased an AR to go with my analog keys. Still waiting on the AR though due to under supply
i will probably pick up a second hand monomachine mk 1 keys in the future
I am happy with ableton live for sampling elektron machines; or if all goes well with the AR, in the future, i will probably use strom for sampling
I would suggest, get rid of all gear you have except the Analog Keys of course. Buy an Analog Rythm for the beats (and sample play covered, too) and if you have money left, go invest into a small modular eurorack system. You can control it via the CV outs from the Analog keys and the possibilities with a modular are endless. You said you are a tweaker, and with eurorack, oh my god, the tweakest dreams will come true!
^ this is my setup ^
i could make music i love all day long with elektrons & eurorack.
Oh yes a eurorack setup would be awesome and is also on the list - have played with fully modular vsts and they really are limitless. would need even more outlay id have thought to get a decent base setup for adding to though… Computers have made me wasteful when it comes to programming synths i swear. Also I didnt mention, i have an ms20 mini which im cv controlling from the AK - I just love the leads you can squeel from it, those filters are so quirky, so-wrong-but-so-right iykwim.
Okay so think ive narrowed choices to octa vs AR - and octa is winning atm. Id definitely like the live sampling / injection of real sounds. Midi seq is a plus too, for future gear lust compatibility haha. If I get it am sure an AR will be closely following XD
Thanks for all comments/suggestions!