a4 has so much more than anything else - you can use the sequencing lane as an extra lfo if you feel that any other possible lfo desination isnt enough - its a synth for the ages - a unicorn - a monolith actually four of them…
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One more thing to consider: A4 is an excellent drum machine, which sets it apart from something like a Peak or Rev2. You could either sample drum sounds from A4 into DT or use it as a drum machine while tweaking sounds with its performance mode live.
yeah versatility certainly seems to be a big plus there.
Not sure I’ll ever get a Rytm, but who knows.
I accidentally wrote Rytm when I meant DT. DT+A4 is a great alternative to a Rytm.
while reading what you wrote I was actually thinking “well dt2 is pretty good
as drum machine…”
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It’s fantastic! I think the sequencer is built for drum machines, so all you need is some nice samples and off you go. If I was to add anything, it would be for melodies, not for drums. But what sets A4 apart is that it can do both and would allow you to make your own drum samples, if that’s your thing.
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Yep. The onboard Peak effects are pretty but have a very specific character, especially that big dark cosmic reverb. (At least that’s my experience without tweaking in the fx menus.)
Once the user turns the onboard fx off and starts experimenting with external effects boxes, the Peak becomes more of a chameleon, able to go various sonic places.
I almost wonder if the synth would be seen differently by people if it had more mediocre, generic onboard effects, or none at all, and the user had to add external effects of their choice…
I think you should really also consider getting the DNII. It goes so well with the DTII. It’s super versatile and can make just about any sound and the workflow is more similar to that of the DT so it should also be easier in that regard. I own both the DNII and Analog Four MKI and I love both and they are amazing for paring with the DTII but I do think the DNII is starting to become my go to synth. The Analog Four is one of the greatest boxes Elektron has produced but I can’t help but feel that the DNII is more versatile.
Thanks. I’ll look more into Digitone2… but thing is, what I personally long for, is exactly what is in the name analog-4: both analog and minimum of 4-note polyphony.
I think DN2 doesn’t quite manage both of these… Otherwise I’d get it, as it’s more affordable.
Ah it has 16-voice, that is nice. but… not analog…
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I have A4 mk2 and I’ve used polyphony a few times, it suits me better as a monosynth than poly. Definitely research everything about Digitone 2 because it’s probably the best Elektron synth in the last 10 years, even though it’s not analog, you can achieve a similar analog sound. If I were using DT2, I would buy DN2 without thinking and save 700-800 bucks.
I guess it’s hard to explain… I watched tutorial and review videos of DT2… and Like I can well see how someone like Cuckoo on yt really embraces that sound in the examples played, and it sound good too. But it’s not the sound I want to create… Like some people play that amazing saxophone on jazz records but I only care about the piano - sort of thing. And A4 is def my jam, personally…
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I just found out about Supercritical Redshift 6.
Analog powerhouse. 6 part multitimbral. Polyphonic. FX. Individual outs for days.
I don’t know yet, but I think it’s gonna be a good addition to the setup with the Elektrons, and complement the timbre of the A4.
Check it out!
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Redshift looked initially really promising…
But it’s still missing a bunch of features.
They are aiming to release them along the way and I think
an update is coming later this year.
But even though it seems pretty good so far,
I can’t invest on something that doesn’t exist yet…
There was a review on youtube where the reviewer was like,
“This feature… does not exist yet. This feature… does not exist yet.” and so on.
I think some of those videos are outdated. Most of these features exist now, don’t they? Multitimbral firmware is out for example from what I’ve seen, but I’ve only found about this beast now so need to dive deeper.
Edit: check this video from Superbooth
It does seem good, and price is not terrible…
… It could turn out well. Personally, I just am careful about these
unfinished things…
From Supercritical’s site:
" FIRMWARE VERSION 1.3.1 (RELEASED 2025-06-26)"
… so there has been no updates since mid-june.
This is what their “public roadmap” links to : Kanban
Looks good to me. I mean, for me I think it seems very powerful as it is right now. Seeing that roadmap makes me feel like the devs are transparent and taking it seriously. And a phaser, yes… Please take note Elektron devs I’m gonna see if I can test one somewhere before I purchase it.
Please let us know how the test goes… I’m curious at least
Here I am actually wondering another strange option…
Was looking at “synth : workstation” category and ran into :
Arturia Astrolab… So, couldn’t one pair DT2 with a stage piano as well…?
The Astrolab is a bit cheaper than a A4mk2, but has 10 sound engines…
Then again all I could do with it would be to sample it…
Actually sounds a bit silly 
Just got the RS6 this Friday. Got a week’s return window if it doesn’t fit the rig. Been a busy weekend so haven’t had time to sit with it for more than an hour, but feel free to ask any questions and I’ll get back later. I’ll also post in the RS6 thread.
DN2 makes killer percussion! But also you have 16 tracks so don’t really need to sample it out.
A4 and a sampler, OT/TV/DT or whatever is a great combo.