Add a heat to it, makes it sound awesome
Yeah. I only mainly use my OT for effects and little midi cheats for my other gear. The things it does to samples is absolutely incredible! But itās just such a hassle going through my computer and sorting through the samples I MIGHT use, and then when itās time to play the OT, find samples from within that I WANT to use. And then get to work. I like the immediacy of synthesis. The sound is there and I can mess with it all I like, the creation of the sound is a constant exploration and crafting. Samples itās mostly sorting through a list. The sample support in the MDUW and AR is plenty AND Iāve got that synthesis to work with as well!
3 Likes
The OT really shines connected to other Elektron gear. Turbo MIDI them together - you can midi sequence an A4 in itā¦ put in trigs to āslicerā the sound and effect the audio input realtime coming in with the thru machines, do looper builds in pickup machines, slide trigs to ātweenā parameters etcā¦ The arranger is incredibly powerful as are scenes.
Iām not sure it really has a āsoundāā¦ as far as the sampler engine goesā¦ itās pretty transparent.
If i had complaints Iād say the slicing is pretty lame compared to Maschine or Ableton (I think) that can slice on beats/transients and not just even times. Also the screen is way harder to read than newer ones like the Rytm. Also the jutting-out jacks in the back bug me more than they should.
But anyway, the Pyramid has me loving the idea of so many fully poly midi tracksā¦
2 Likes
I just found a second hand one that I went ahead and ordered! The poly is an exciting notion as is taking my Elektrons and Blofeld into obscure times! AND having one centralized sequencer to control everything as opposed to trying to program songs off up to 4 different sequencers. It was the biggest reason I had to wanting the new MPCs. I just saved $700 bucks!!!
2 Likes
You are correct. The Pyramid will record notes as you play.
1 Like
Yep. You can record what you play on the keyboard directly into the Pyramid.
2 Likes
Can you press a step and then a note or chord from an external keyboard? A bit same way as youād do on an A4ās own mini keyboard?
1 Like
Man! That would be a dream! But I doubt it thus far in their update process. However, theyāve kinda approached that with their chord learn feature they just recently came out with
Thereās a whole mode dedicated to just chord input
Iām keeping my OT for prepared audio playback as well as live looping/sampling.
I enjoy working w/ hardware synths as much as anyone here, but I like to have a compact, quickly setup/torn down rig for band rehearsals and gigs. Thus, I choose one hardware synth for live playing, and rely on samples of other synths.
Whatās holding you back @Ryan? There are many capable options out there, you canāt go wrong with either option, really. Whatās your specific context that makes you hesitate to choose?
Choose what?
I found a second hand Pyramid online and bought that
4 Likes
Sorry, I was under the impression you were weighing different hardware sequencers to compare. I need coffe now. Apologies.
2 Likes
No problemo, Amigo!
1 Like
Awesome. You wonāt regret it.
1 Like
Iām hoping not! If all goes right my workflow is going to be TIGHT!
1 Like
keep us posted, i was in a position of wanting another sequencer, but not as a brain of sorts, just to complement the mnm (with other instruments being controlled by it) and an ar.
when it was released, the dt didnāt interest me at all, but then i started searching for a straightforward capable sequencer, and it won out.
the pyramid had me curious, but it does so much more than i need, though still curious 
1 Like
You betcha! The sequencing of the DT looks to be the most straightforward, but with only 8 tracks. The Pyramid has 64 tracks unlimited lengths. Looks like its a bit more complicated, but has more midi capability. Solely on a midi basis youāre getting so much more for less with the Pyramid
1 Like
aye, the pyramid is definitely a beast and squarp is providing stellar support/updates.
a whole new workflow would spin me for a new one and the extra perk of having something more than a sequencer is what got me from the dt.
wish we could get some more info on the dt tho, ouf.
2 Likes
Thereās supposed to be SUPER SECRET details that were supposed to be revealed in April. Any day now.
Personally, Iām not even a little enticed by the DT. The midi capabilities are the only thing, but it looks like the Pyramid has probability options on it too. Iām definitely going to miss the ease of a solely Elektron process. The goal is to keep the A4(or trade to a AK), MD, and MAYBE acquire the RYTM at some point. Iāll have them to jam on. But anything serious is ran through the Pyramid