Analog Four Mk2 - BIG First Look & Review of NEW Features!

[@RedMeansRecording]

Drums are really tasty in that first demo.

[@BoBeats]

+Red Means Recording thanks! A4 got some great potential as drum machine for sure.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

agree some of the preset drums sound amazing on the A4- I don't have money or space for both an A4 and Rytm so the A4 was the first choice and love it so far.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

it was funny at end of video Bo is speaking Swedish and almost drops the nice A4!

[@teekanne15]

@@GuitarsAndSynths how do you feel about it now?

[@Saurosapius]

You have a very chill vibe, thanks.

[@XanderEwald]

Yeah Bo, your channel is on fire lately! Always up to date.

[@BoBeats]

Thanks my dude!!

[@ZigbertD]

Obsessively watching Analog 4 videos while waiting for mine to be delivered. 8:00 am today Fedex tracking says "On Fedex truck for delivery". 6:00 pm suddenly "Uh...wait slow your roll, we don't actually know when it's going to be delivered". Awesome, Fedex, awesome.

[@JAdeWii_]

Nice jam at the beginning and overview. Keep it up!

[@BoBeats]

thanks Jade!!

[@michaelvanranderaat2728]

Thanks for the Video still deciding between Some other Synths this makes it easier and the sound is Teriffic

[@ArcAudios77]

It had my love from that first minute, well done Bo.

[@BoBeats]

+ArcAudios thanks mate!

[@BURG]

Good one Bo, thanks for the review !

[@BURG]

wait, is that a cat i hear at 07:51 ? :)

[@BoBeats]

Its a displeased child :( (but mommy was there for her)

[@BURG]

I am glad to hear, thinking you just got a cat.. that would be no good with poopy feet in the studio. :)

[@WxkR]

Best thing about the MKII is that sent the prices for new MKIs significantly down, so now we can get an equally powerful sounding machine for just $700 to $850 new!

[@badhombre2484]

just picked up an mk2 for ~850.. cheers!

[@jrodohio]

Great video, Bo. I'll have to start saving up for one of these!

[@lagerfreudmusic654]

Ok BoBeats, you are really great and i appreciate those videos you give us here ! I bought A4 mk2 today and it will be very usefull for me :) Thank you !

[@Michael_Smith-Red_No.5]

I really dig the green Func button.

[@BoBeats]

+Michael Smith its wonderul! And large!

[@Michael_Smith-Red_No.5]

It sounds really nice.

[@BoBeats]

+Michael Smith it sure does

[@MauriceBerisha]

Man i love synth drums..

[@illustriouschin]

That first track was amazing.

[@OgTitouan]

It.Sounds.AMAZING.

[@bigdap100]

BoBeats go hard kid!!!

[@BoBeats]

+bigdap100 dapster!!

[@JoergWessels]

Who could resist a device with a perv button

[@Cyberplayer5]

7:55 Ok wow that sounds like something you would get out of a modular synthesizer not a machine that can do multiple voice and drums!

[@rustnepoteter]

That first demo was JUICY

[@TeleporterM11]

How many preset sounds does it have?

[@EarlyMist]

Bit odd that they allowed audio in through effects etc but not direct sampling like the Octatrack.

[@anthonyniedzwiecki33]

If you had to choose between this and the sub 37 which would you take? It would be tempting to sell my Moog to get this but I don't know that I could part with it. Though the two products are quite different, does the A4 cover the same ground sonically? Can it achieve the same low end as you get from the Moog?

[@BoBeats]

+Anthony Niedzwiecki so different sound and synths... I do prefer the A4 overall tho because of the versatility

[@anthonyniedzwiecki33]

I'm just going to have to save up then, I know I would regret parting with my Moog. This has gotta be the perfect companion for the digitakt though! Im really looking forward to that video!

[@Brucelectricmoose]

Does the octatrack have a chain section and can they chain together?

[@Rustik1722]

BO, Can I run audio thru this like the Digitione where I can apply the Fx to an external signal going thru it? Or is that only Digtione and Riddim? THANKS

[@j0ju]

Hey .. just awaiting my Four ... can you tell me if it is possible to sync LFOs to the rhythm in different time degrees, like the LFO on my vBass? Also, any chance I could control my MFB522 drums with the Four? I have other questions ...

[@Dan47839]

Wow it sounds amazing! 👍

[@BoBeats]

+Dan47839 got a big sound demo coming out this weekend as well. :-)

[@URRBANELEKTRO]

Brilliant !!!

[@danielkats9045]

Hey Bo. Maybe a stupid question but can you use the a4 cv output to control/sequence the sub 37? Can it sequence external gear?

[@tekrahmuzik777]

Hi Bo i am considering...how many presets the unit come shipped with? tx

[@BoBeats]

Oh I dont remember the number but a great number! Should be in the online user manual

[@daveconcepts9770]

no unfortunately the online manual do not show

[@BoBeats]

Ah a shame. Well there are hmm, 2 or 3 banks I think with presets. Maybe 4. Not sure how many sounds a bank contain tho

[@geohashi]

Sooo I’m very new to midi and I just got the Analog 4 mkii and the Digitakt. I’d like to sync the two so they share clock and start/ stop functions… Is this possible? If so, how would it be set up? I’ve done some Googling but I don’t think I’m searching for the right thing… Thanks!

[@BoBeats]

Sure. Use say Digitakt. Enable send transport/clock. Also if you want the patterns to sync enable sending program change and make sure program change channel is the same for both devices. Now on a4 you should enable clock/transport and program change receive I think. Should be all. Oh and disable midi channel input on a4 so the digitakt doesnt trigger the sounds on a4. Unless u want to

[@geohashi]

BoBeats Thanks dude! Appreciate you

[@TerekkiTerekki]

great vid and lovely unit, but, sorry love the form factor of the MKI's, was disappointed by the screen on the Digitakt - ghosted horizontal lines, which Elektron said was 'normal' - over and out.

[@BoBeats]

+Derek Jones really? I cant say I have any issues with the Digi screen. This screen (well UI) is a bit different. Wether better or worse I cant say.

[@TerekkiTerekki]

quite a few peeps on Elektronauts have the screen issue - let's hope it can be fixed with firmware as I'm having too much fun to send it back for a replacement :)

[@BoBeats]

Sad to hear that Derek!

[@HomeCinemaJunkie]

Derek Jones May be because of the OLED technology. OLED is very sensitive to static images and may suffer from burn-ins.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Bo I have a question: if I have an Octatrack and Analog 4 along with a few pieces of modular or semi modular gear, how would I get these to play well together an sample/sequence from the Octatrack while still being able to make changes on the modular/semi modular devices? I am thinking of getting a few semi modular boxes to go with the OT and A4 for a live rig but not sure how to connect all these together.

[@BoBeats]

So I have a video coming early May where I will showcase a eurorack unit which is perfect for integrating Elektron gear with eurorack!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Cool I look forward to it! Just spent a few hours learning how to use my new A4 MK2 and it is lot of fun and amazing synth. Right now I am trying to figure out how to create new patches and save them for recall to use during live performances. Does A4 let you create and save patches?

[@geohashi]

Does the A4 play well with the Digitakt? Looking to get the DT a friend :)

[@BoBeats]

Sure! All Elektrons play nice with eachother :-)

[@BluffMunkey]

I really do prefer the look of the mk2, but I wish the upgrades from the mk1 were more significant given the apparent 20% price increase. The illuminated buttons are a VERY good idea though!

[@daikuone]

Got to agree about the price increase, plus the hidden significant extra cost of overbridge. Not a good trend for Elektron. I own a keys and Rytm, don't think I will be buying more anytime soon.

[@BluffMunkey]

That's a valid point too. I remember seeing one video where they said it would always be free. I had an A4 and Rytm at one point and used Overbridge heavily. I'd be really pissed off if I'd used it for a year or two and then it was taken away and hidden behind a pay wall.

[@Tsarpf]

Overbridge will never cost anything for the mk1s though. Just for the mk2s

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I actually prefer the black older model looks BUT the features and screen are vastly improved in the new MKII models.

[@HotStrange]

daikuone lol okay 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@manokriko7353]

Using one of the four tracks' sequencer to send external CV/Gate will cut me one of the voices as well or not??

[@robertocaba5915]

No

[@hfugmann]

Really like your videos, Bo :-)

[@BoBeats]

Thank you Henrik!! Glad to have you here

[@loganborja158]

Hi Bo, Have you tried any of Dave Smith's instruments? Any thoughts about their Tempest? Great vid btw, liked the intro sound.

[@BoBeats]

+Logan Borja no I have little experience with DSI. I have not owned one but tested a few. All I know is that the Tempest come highly recommended. But it is also not longer supported with OS updates apparently while Elektron just added more support to their lineup thru the Mark 2 units.

[@Rephazer]

What a surprise Bo.. Nice machine man and one of the best synths got even better! Just a little thing I noticed regarding your presentation and don't take this the wrong way mate, but in my opinion your voice could use some more 'grit/distortion/dirt' in lack of better words.. For me the presentation felt a bit like you were presenting the latest Miffy book, but perhaps it's just me and you'll probably have a very good reason for that ;)

[@BoBeats]

+Rephazer i am still working out what mics to use. Havnt really found one setup that I like. :-) I find it difficult to EQ my own voice and so on.

[@BoBeats]

+Rephazer and now I am googling Miffy-book... if you compare to my live streams that mic works better for my voice but its usb only... check back next vid and tell me if it sounds more manly ;-)

[@Xlr8ive]

Hate to add two cents to a criticism, but I feel the critique is valid, there are times when your voice is a little sing-song for my taste. Even in this video you can hear both this voice more at the beginning, and your more natural voice coming in towards the late-middle/end. It might be hard for you to hear unless you wait a few days/weeks until you listen to it again. I think it's the difference between natural/prepared speech which can be a hard habit to break. Cheers Bo

[@BoBeats]

+Tyler Alan Johnson yeah I feel you. Its not always an easy task to get it to flow naturally when recording. I think in general I feel more comfortable on live streams compared to doing more scripted stuff!

[@Rephazer]

Hey Bo, no worries mate and perhaps I am not in a place to give you critique and could learn a thing or 4 from you instead.. I would probably sound like the swedish cook, but it's also not my talent/goal and I rather annoy people with some tunes as a lonely composer instead ;) It was just meant as advice and yes pick up your 'live-stream-voice' next time, because I think you are really talented for this stuff and just for the record.. I enjoyed your first look a lot more compared to some other weird guy who looked like he found a new MK2 in the rubbish bin at Amsterdam Central Station.. Anyway, I am glad you found out about Miffy.. It's one of my favorites ;)

[@Rustik1722]

Have you done live stream lately? I haven’t had a notice

[@lucamaglio5166]

gogogogo thanks bo

[@BoBeats]

+Luca Maglio cheers mate!

[@akbarassaran3861]

Hello bo, great channel. I have learned a lot from ur contents. I have the prophet 10 and Daw on Mac, I play Persian instrument ( Setar ) I mostly listen to traditional/ modern classical music from all around the world so you may get some ideas that what type of melody I am making. I would like to hear your advice on adding a device from Elektron and my choices narrowed down to analog 4 and analog rhythm. Which one of these two devices fitting the best in my setup and music style. Appreciate your time and advice in advance.

[@jazzbeats8168]

is there a way to preview a specific trig?

[@BoBeats]

Not that I know of

[@giannagiavelli5098]

just found your channel. nice work!

[@BoBeats]

+Gianna Giavelli welcome!!

[@daikuone]

Hey Bo, it would be cool if you could post the intro patch from this video, or even better, a video tutorial on how you created that sound, and for comparison, create it on a the original to see if the MkII is really different sonically. It seems very horn like. Would it sound like that on the orginal Analog Keys like I have?

[@loui7196]

Very nice MUSIC!

[@PaladinGunn]

Finally !

[@PaladinGunn]

haha, and now Cuckoo just uploaded his video.

[@tekrahmuzik777]

i meant how many presets patches come with out of the box

[@anunnakisignal]

Please make a tutorial about cv on analogfour

[@badhombre2484]

agreed

[@yeahno624]

is it possible to just trigger the analog mk2 with ableton by passing the sequencer

[@BoBeats]

I do not know how it works in ableton but if you go into settings of the A4 and makes it so that the A4 does not respond to CLOCK or TRANSPORT it should not start when you hook it up to Ableton

[@yeahno624]

thank you did not know if you could just use it as a straight synth not sequence just played by midi

[@LateNightBeatsOfficial]

Awesome review! Every new revision Elektron delivers seems to be more ergonomomically thought out than the previous iteration. Call me crazy, but don't you feel that reverb has been slightly improved? I listened to the tails on some of those sounds and they feel crispier than on my MKI. Weird...

[@BoBeats]

+HalutioN i do think the sound is more crisp overall! It could just be placebo but... thats how I feel.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

yea Elektron has stepped up their game to create the Apple ipod and iphone Mac user experience for their gear.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I just wish Elektron would include a full proper manual with the gear instead of just a quick start guide and also hire better tech writers.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Indeed I learned Elektron on a friend's old MachineDrum and the new ones are easier to work on. Love my A4! Some beats I put together kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2TQZ2Z-aJxqiMk

[@jthunter4933]

Great Video.. very educational.. Lots of good information! Now for the real question! .... Did you get one for me too? ;)

[@BoBeats]

Thank you JT!

[@uweschnitzler9551]

uff, why is there always reverb on all the sounds...it makes it hard to rate the basic sound

[@BoBeats]

I will do a follow up video with more detailed look at sounds etc. And check Cuckoos new video as well, his approach is different!

[@chrisdigiuseppe7717]

Bo i noticed you have an Analog Keys as well - you going to keep that now that you have the A4Mk2?

[@BoBeats]

+Chris DiGiuseppe i might sell it :-) I have tol much stuff anyway

[@craig_z]

Do you think this will pair well with your Digitakt?

[@BoBeats]

+Craig Z yes!! Of that I am certain. Thats a video I want to make.

[@motoboy6666]

You had me buy one, now noone will get christmas present except for me....moahhaha

[@BoBeats]

+motoboy6666 poor family

[@motoboy6666]

Nah ill think of something, best things in life are free right? ;)

[@christoroppolo8742]

Looks wicked ! How many shift commands? ✌🏻👽Christo

[@BoBeats]

Not sure I understand the question :) there are a number of shift commands. Almost every button has a secondary layer for accessing deeper parameters or additional menus.

[@chsm72]

Great review. I have two questions: can you define what the fill function performs? Is there a probability function per step? Thanks. Will fall for a4 and rytm

[@BoBeats]

The fill is a trig (step) condition. So you set a particular step to either FILL UNDERSCORE or FILL. The first means that when you hit the fill button (either hold it or use the shift+fill button command) it will play those notes. The second means that the step/trig ONLY plays when trig is NOT active. (I might have mixed up underscore and non-underscore... its hard when you don't have the unit in front of you)

[@chsm72]

BoBeats what about probability? I have in mind the Winter-modular Eloquencer where you can set the probability that a note is played

[@BoBeats]

Yes you have % based probably for the sequencer, FILL, pre (plays if or not a prev note has been played), you have a cond that works with another track, and you have 1st, as well as 1/2, 1/3 2/2 divisions etc.

[@surenoblack2658]

Torn between this and dreadbox medussa????

[@BoBeats]

The medusa is cool but they are veeeeery different!

[@surenoblack2658]

BoBeats yeah that’s the problem 🤦🏻‍♂️😩

This

[@surenoblack2658]

Stephen Roldan dont, I ended up getting both, the medussa is my only ever total regret purchase

[@anunnakisignal]

i see so many A4 user (also me) has a problem with pattern changing and losing sound and changing sound when change pattern! pleas make a tutorial about that. thank you

[@SimonHeartfield]

I had that problem until I realised that you have to save the kit before changing patterns. I assumed it was like the Digitakt which would automatically remember track settings.

[@Psychlist1972]

Great overview. The MKII seems to sound quite different from the original. Not sure if that is your programming, or if the engine is more different than Elektron let on. Thoughts?

[@BoBeats]

Thanks Pete! They have tweaked a lot of things, among other things the overdrive. I have no detailed explanation of exactly what is tweaked but its been changed in many small ways apparently making the sound differ in the end. People seem to be able to hear the difference.

[@DayflightTrok]

Yeah very good, but is reasonable to pay additional 1.499€ if you have the MK1? Same question belongs to OT and AR. The prices for the MK1 systems will drop down, I guess.

[@BoBeats]

Very hard to say man... I think the Octa MK1 is functionally very close to MK2, the A4 MK2 is a big improvement overall, and the Analog Rytm MK2 if you want the sampling capability otherwise I think MK1 will work just as well. I think A4 is the biggest improvement.

[@DayflightTrok]

BoBeats Yes I see it similar , I will think about the A4 MK2

[@ГлебПолищук-с8о]

Хочу попробовать этот инструмент в дополнение к моему OT mk 2. Как раз для моих треков вполне хватит всех возможностей. Мне нравится прийти и лёжа на диване делать треки без ПК. Но и при этом лайв можно будет сыграть где-то. Плюс моими другими синтезаторами смогу управлять при желании. У меня музыка простая. Но цена конечно кусается! Да и звучание не совсем то, которое ждёшь от аналогового синтезатора

[@Dan47839]

Wow I just checked and saw is is only $1,300 US dollars. Peak you can wait in the corner 😏

[@BoBeats]

+Dan47839 elektron overlords are pleased!

[@Dan47839]

Lol

[@christopherthomasrichardso9014]

Does anyone else like the drum sounds on this thing better than the synth sounds? Edit: doh. Just read the pinned post.

[@shadowhenge7118]

Hope the mk3 has more voices. Imagine a 16 voice version.

[@evanmscala]

A 16 voice (or hell even an 8 voice) version with a sturdy keybed that had aftertouch would blow pretty much every standalone synth out of the water.

[@AndyVonal]

Nice video again Bo. Looks like you have cost me some more money which I don't have to buy another synth which, if I'm being honest, I don't need. But who's counting???

[@BoBeats]

+Andrew Brooks your friendly neighbourhood gas trigger!

[@FlyingPetschman]

bo - the camera angle - why?

[@BoBeats]

Probably because this was years ago and i didnt know how to handle cameras very well 😅

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

Happy early xmas ;) i can see a matrixbrute on the back, we know you got 456 000 new cables (at least lol ) and you got got cv i/oon both machines ........huuuuuum........

[@BoBeats]

+THOM AlphaXIII exactly!!! Perfect combo!!

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

BoBeats would be really great some musical videos or tutorials of how machines can interract with each others in creative setups

[@BoBeats]

+THOM AlphaXIII I might be able to do one soon! Its a fun idea!

[@BoBeats]

+THOM AlphaXIII i followed up in this and have actually already recorded a little matrix+a4 action. But need more testing and so to do a real video on it :-D

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

BoBeats cant wait To see it ! Thx ! Oh by The Way is it possible to séquence or modulate The waveshape of The A4 oscillators , for example to sample and hold or lfo so that it Can switch from a waveshape to another ?

[@athopi]

I can't believe 7 dorks have thumbs-downed this review... Good job Bo. What wave forms does this have? I like this unit, will maybe rethink my next purchase!

[@BoBeats]

I got 3x INSTANT I uploaded :) I heard rumors about dislike bots. Thanks for the support. It has saw, square, some kind of strange square (can't remember the name atm..) and triangle. + Sub osc for both oscillators (its a 2x osc synth, with ofc audio rate possibilities in the lfo section for even more rich textures)

[@ExStaticBass]

I'd love to see one of those set up with an Electribe SX in a midi chain. That could be a beautiful marriage...

[@Brucelectricmoose]

Nice

[@livelifeimprovisationallim8314]

i hear an emediate difference between this and my old A4 MKi.... :/ Radical performance btw...

[@BoBeats]

I havn't been able to A/B with an old A4. I know my AK is a little different from the A4 in terms of sound.. But the MK2 does sound best out of the three imo.

[@livelifeimprovisationallim8314]

Now i wonder how do the pots feel like...? Are they slow or fast in response, do they have a 'bitrate' or do they act smooth like with a moog?

[@livelifeimprovisationallim8314]

5 min 30 hmmm :)

[@BoBeats]

they are not as smooth as a Moog, they have a digital "stepping" to them but are way smoother than the Mark 1.

[@livelifeimprovisationallim8314]

They still have that pfff shame on elektron; even my M audio Venom (VA) has less to no stepping to it...

[@Dougie-]

Luksusfellen, here I come :(

[@BoBeats]

+dahDougieBoy ahaha :D we got that in Sweden too

[@smiljanicn]

Beautiful machine, unfortunately out of my price range. Will stick to my Matrix 1000.

[@whisperloud67]

Sell a kidney, it will be worth it.

[@VDJ4500]

I like the older design better.. just my 2cents

[@nthirteen]

Your video feels more like an advertisement, than a review. Just my 2 cents, I am an Elektron fanboy, too.

[@BoBeats]

Who said a review can't be biased?

[@nthirteen]

It´s fine. I´ll just look somewhere else.

[@musician-74]

At 0:41....Quantize?....;)

[@seek4truth]

I love you channel but this is a very bad demo/review. Is this analog or digital? How many oscillators do we have? What type are they? What and how many filters do we have? Lfos? Effects? Did i come for the buttons and knobs? No

[@BoBeats]

i feel you... its not a review of the unit but rather the new features. Maybe I should make a review of it in its entirety?!

[@seek4truth]

@@BoBeats yes why not? That would be really great. Someone suggested this is one of the most powerful synths out there under 1000 euros (used). And i am now searching about it :)

[@BoBeats]

Its a super synth! Love it.

[@seek4truth]

BoBeats this one or hydrasynth? Which one is more versatile or more fun to play? Can you compare the two in a video?