Refreshed Analog Four & Analog Rytm

[antic604]

DeepMind was made for partially use display interactively, and have buttons to switch between which envelope you are working on - same as A4. So in this case endless work well.

If having separate knobs for filter, amp and pitch envelopes on a synth - it can just as well be positional pots - like on Prologue and Nordlead2X. Prologue share filter envelope with pitch, and NL2X have a bit simplified AD mod envelope that is assignable apart from filter and amp.

Ok, I see your point & agree

I really like A4's worklfow as a synth, but I get quickly lost when I start using all the advanced sequencer stuff like conditionals, p-locks, etc. It's all awesome, but my brain hurts

[lfm]

I really like A4's worklfow as a synth, but I get quickly lost when I start using all the advanced sequencer stuff like conditionals, p-locks, etc. It's all awesome, but my brain hurts

Yes, I guess all those other buttons taking up 80% of panel is for something too.

[antic604]

I really like A4's worklfow as a synth, but I get quickly lost when I start using all the advanced sequencer stuff like conditionals, p-locks, etc. It's all awesome, but my brain hurts

Yes, I guess all those other buttons taking up 80% of panel is for something too.

Right. Elektron just posted new firmware for Analogs which supposedly makes it easier to view the p-lock states, so that's encouraging. It's a wonderful little beast (I've the Mk1 which is much smaller and more beautiful, IMO):

[SLiC]

Nice firmware update just came out as well (so not just cosmetic) and better still most of it apples to the MK1s (I still have the MK1 A4 and RYTM in a 2 stand case, looks great to me and lives connected to my Eurorack)

Step Recording mode
Step Recording comes to the Analogs! Fresh from its splashdown on the Digis, the machines can now input notes into the sequencer step by step. For Analog Rytm users, you can even input multiple tracks simultaneously. On Analog Four, things stay tasty allowing you to input chords per step. Flex the feature’s power to the max by controlling other gear using Midi, CV, and Gate!

Trig Probability
The Analog Four and Analog Rytm now have the power of Trig Probability in their arsenal. With great power comes controlled unpredictability. Take a pattern, take a chance, and see where you go!

Trig Preview
Trig Preview on the Analog Four and Analog Rytm lets you beat the pattern to the punch. Preview individual trigs quickly and easily whenever you want, keeping you ahead of the track and never missing a step.

Improved sample & sound management
Keeping your Analog Rytm and Analog Four organized is now easier than ever. Improved sample and sound management lets you remove whatever you’re not using, giving you more room for new sounds and new music. Get purging!

More improvements & fixes
You also get access to the sweet new factory content released with the new look MKIIs on all machines except Analog Four MKI & Analog Keys. For a full list of improvements and bug fixes - check the release notes.

The MKII also get Class Compliant USB Audio

[bmanic]

Just scored a used Analog Four mk1 for slightly under common price (475€). Only once before many years ago did I have quick play with it but I dismissed it back then. Well that was dumb. This is a ridiculously capable synthesizer in it's own right. Even if you use it simply as a midi module, the synthesis is capable and the sound is characterful and most importantly very good sounding!

It's especially good at getting all kinds of beefy tones with the nice feedback routing.

For the going prices of used mk1 units they are a bit of steal really. Dare I even say that the MK2 as brand new may be worth it??

[BONES]

Yeah, I've had an Analog Keys for about five years. It's OK for a hardware synth, I suppose, but I haven't switched it on in at least a year.

[kmonkey]

From everything I heard Analog 4 (and anything they release) is sounding awesome.

Without dic* measuring and weird battles can anyone tell me what is new with the refreshed devices or is it a cosmetic change?

[Liero]

Just scored a used Analog Four mk1 for slightly under common price (475€). Only once before many years ago did I have quick play with it but I dismissed it back then. Well that was dumb. This is a ridiculously capable synthesizer in it's own right. Even if you use it simply as a midi module, the synthesis is capable and the sound is characterful and most importantly very good sounding!

It's especially good at getting all kinds of beefy tones with the nice feedback routing.

For the going prices of used mk1 units they are a bit of steal really. Dare I even say that the MK2 as brand new may be worth it??

If you get a chance don't sleep on the Elektron Digitone either, it's not "standard FM" at all.The Analog Four and Digitone are secret weapons in plain sight.

[cryophonik]

For the going prices of used mk1 units they are a bit of steal really. Dare I even say that the MK2 as brand new may be worth it??

As an owner of a mk2, I’d say yeah maybe, but it’s so easy to find a secondhand model in mint condition for far less than new. I bought mine in mint condition for about $600 less than retail. There’s definitely no shortage of good used ones here in the States, but might be different across the pond.

[bmanic]

Indeed. I do see them here in Finland being sold for around 1k€ so quite a bit less than new. The awesome thing about Elektron gear in general is that it seems to be highly divisive within the audio community. A lot of people absolutely hate the workflow and the various limitations and sell their units when they got GAS and bought a unit. This means you can find quite a few Elektron things on the used market and because they are built like tanks they are often in very good condition.

I'm a bit afraid of the mk2 version as it seems they updated the internals so apparently it sounds quite different to the mk1 version. Apparently it's more beefy and more scooped.. which is definitely not something I would want. I already have that area of the synth spectrum covered. I really like how smooth yet piercing this thing can be when needed. It's very "snappy" sounding and very consistent somehow. Haven't had much time with it yet but it seems to fit within a mix exceptionally well.

[bmanic]

From everything I heard Analog 4 (and anything they release) is sounding awesome.

Without dic* measuring and weird battles can anyone tell me what is new with the refreshed devices or is it a cosmetic change?

They changed the internals for the mk2 to make it more palatable for most people. Apparently it is beefier, with more sub bass range and a more refined (some describe it as "scooped") sound. Though I've got absolutely no problems making huge sub bass sounds with the mk1. It can get ridiculously phat when programmed correctly using the 2nd filter, tracking with resonance and if need be, using the feedback routing.

Also the buttons seem to have gotten worse in terms of taking wear and tear. There seems to be quite a few units with buttons easily getting stuck. Heard the same complaint of all the mk2 versions, including the octatrack (I have the mk1 so can't confirm if this is true or not).

[DaniZzz79]

maaan.. I'm trying to get my hands on an Octatrack mkII black. People keep selling Octatracks because they buy it on hype but then they figure out it's too difficult to learn. Yet, for some reason black ones are 2-3 hundred quids more expensive than grey ones.
Long story short: I'm afraid the black analog four will keep its value more than its predecessor (i.e. overpriced if bought 2nd hand in a few months/years), although somewhere I read that the mk1 sounds better than the mk2 (although having fewer outs), which is why I managed to snatch an mk1 for 400 bucks before covid and I'm super happy about it

[Liero]

the mk2 is definitely not "scooped", the lower bass frequencies just don't drop off as much, so it's just a slight extension of range. The only big change is the analog overdrive circuit, which is more versatile than the mk1 (and does actually sound quite different). Def don't count out mk2 until you've tried it.

[kmonkey]

They changed the internals for the mk2 to make it more palatable for most people. Apparently it is beefier, with more sub bass range and a more refined (some describe it as "scooped") sound. Though I've got absolutely no problems making huge sub bass sounds with the mk1. It can get ridiculously phat when programmed correctly using the 2nd filter, tracking with resonance and if need be, using the feedback routing.

Also the buttons seem to have gotten worse in terms of taking wear and tear. There seems to be quite a few units with buttons easily getting stuck. Heard the same complaint of all the mk2 versions, including the octatrack (I have the mk1 so can't confirm if this is true or not).

Thanks. So the hardware changed a bit. Cool info thanks.

[pdxindy]

They changed the internals for the mk2 to make it more palatable for most people. Apparently it is beefier, with more sub bass range and a more refined (some describe it as "scooped") sound.

The difference in sound is minimal. I've had both and I consider them essentially the same.

Then main difference for me is the ergonomics. I like the MK II's distinctly better for workflow.