I just unboxed my RYTM and the very first thing that jumped out at me was the difference in the paint color compared to my A4. It is very noticeably different from the paint on the A4… this is more matte and a bit lighter like a dark grey rather than deep black.
Is this all RYTM units, or a weird batch or something?
Yep mine too! I like it better. Its an improvement.
Eh, I wish I felt the same. I just feels like a chalkboard to be… which is not pleasant. I prefer the darker and smoother finish on my A4.
The OCD in me hates this type of thing, the Octatrack paint was nice, then the A4 paint was different texture and flaky, now different again on Rytm?
Consistency, please.
Yeah me too… why they didn’t keep the solid octa finish in the first place bothers my OCD but the A4 paint chips very easily (EDIT - just putting it in and out of the box for example) and mine was bought a year after the initial paint issue. Wondering if RYTM will also chip easily.
Mine units are opposite actually, AR has darker paint then A4, A4 is almost dark brown, and the paint started to flake off in the very first day((
I’ve ordered A4 AFTER the AR if it matters.
In the end they will all look like void’s…
Honestly, I know it’s a matter of taste, but where has all the love for the “used future look” gone? Two decades ago synths had to look like they were props from the original trilogy, right out of blade runner or beaten up by mutant akira himself. At least for me in the 90s a synth was “cool” when it was lovingly battered, had stickers on it and whatnot.
But now? Everyone wants a shiny mint piece of gear, being afraid the resell value will drop if it got a chip here and there.
I even catch myself getting upset when the outside of my gear shows some minor traces of wear. I’m a little bit disgusted by myself I must admit. 
Honestly once the paint really chips on my unit in a few years I’ll consider repainting custom. (after the warranty is over of course 
)
I much prefer the OT finish, though I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up costing a lot more than originally anticipated.
Honestly, I know it’s a matter of taste, but where has all the love for the “used future"look” gone?
I suspect the relative fragility of digital components vs analog ones had something to do with it - as gear has become smaller and more affordable, it has also become more delicate.
OTOH this doesn’t bother me, because while wear and tear is one thing I have always hated stickers and suchlike, which are something I associate with school kids and punks (who all seem trapped in permanent adolescence).
is it really important ? hahaha
if i could afford one i would be slapping stickers/painting it so i couldnt sell it, ive had to sell machines in the past and i god damn wish i thought of that one
anyways quite happy here with my md and ball n chain …
[quote=“” William WiLD""]
is it really important ? hahaha 
[/quote]
it depends if you mind wearing odd coloured shoes… 
If i was fine in it, and walking nicely i don’t care… if the boxes sent music and sounds out and go crazy with it … no problem for me 
WOOD isn’t have the same aspect
Is anyone able to compare the paint colour/texture with an Octatrack?
I’m all for the “used future look”, but only once the gear has actually been used and earned the wear and tear. But I think that’s a different topic… this is about manufacturing inconsistencies.
Of course there are those that could not care less if one unit comes jet black and the next arrives in neon pink… and there are those on the other side who are inherently annoyed by inconsistency in things that they feel should be rather consistent, like the finish on nearly identical boxes from the same line of instruments from the same company… especially when having the same apparent color and finish. Sure, perhaps it seems trivial, and yes, it has zero effect on the resulting sound out of the machines… but ultimately the reason we buy these pieces of kit is to have physical objects with tactile control, something we can touch and see, so of course the way the things look and feel play a big part in how we feel about the hardware.
Maybe the paint is the same as the AK as I heard that is a different type/look… Would make sense.