Tutorial: Analog Four/Keys Sound Design - 10 features that will make your synth jealous
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- The Elektron Analog Four MK1, MK2 and Keys have some of the most interesting and powerful features found in an analog synth (and frankly the probably beat some of the digital ones). This video will walk you through their sound design.
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Elektron Analog Four MK2: amzn.to/2LVrWFl
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Here are the topics covered:
1. The power of sound locks and parameter locks.
2. 4x Multitimbral: the ability to create completely different sounds on each of the voices, and yet simulatinously "steal" voices to play polyphonically.
3. Advanced waveshaping: The "basic' analog wave forms can be taken to new levels with PWM for all waveforms, AM, oscillator sync features and FM synthesis
4. Not content with just one sub oscillator, each of the two oscillators (of each of the four voices) can have one of four sub osc options
5. Plenty of filters: Two analog filters (4 pole low pass ladder filter and a HP/LP/BP/Peak multimode filter) can be assigned to each of the voices. In addition, more filters are available for various fx and the noise oscillator
6. Modulations: A comprehensive mod matrix is available to 2 envelopes and 2 LFOs
7. Dedicated mods - multiple additional envelopes and LFO's are "sprinkled" across the interface to make popular modulations easily available without patching, for example, for features like PWM and vibrato.
8. Onboard FX: Feature rich chorus, delay and reverb are provided with separate sends per track - this greatly reduces the need for external FX.
9. Two additional LFOs are provided just for the effects - enabling pretty radical sound design
10. Expressive control is possible with 10 "Performance" mode knobs and external controllers mappable to up to 10 parameters each.
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any what by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
10th time coming back to this video. When you're too lazy to read the manual and you love the look of loopop's fingers.
Gorgeous fingers if I do say so...😁
LOL Yeah-me too Blair 😂
@Patrick Bateman Huh???
I iifc
Can't help but notice how excited you are with many of the features, when these tutorials are usually so dry. Shows how great this synth really is. Mine is coming today and I can't wait!
How is it?. Happy?
@@Amatteus probably still busy twiddling knobs
@@syrus3k >probably got frustrated since it is so complicated to understand... and does not touch anymore.
I love the logical flow and clarity of your tutorials. Very helpful. Thank you.
I think my whole life these days is hearing about a new synth, listening to loopop demo it, then buying it. I ❤️ it! 😄
It's like buying wine, only more enjoyable on so many levels.
One of the best tutorials ever seen. Professionally made, with a summary, an oscilloscope and an FFT. So well that it made me want to buy an A4.
FFT? Fast Fourier Transform?
Please do more of these. The A4 is so vast that you could do fifty of these videos with room to spare.
Just picked up my new (to me) A4mkii yesterday, so loving this video more than ever now! How you don’t have a million+ subscribers is beyond me. Thank you so much!
Finding the audio-spectro-techno-graphs absolutely hypnotic. Very cool.
Late to the party. Didnt realize the capabilities of this thing. I just saw 4 voices and the price tag and dismissed it. But having two Elektron 'Takts I'm loving Elektron products. This has made me take a second gander at this synth.
I bought mine on launch and I have been in love with it ever since, easily a modern classic
Matthew savant What did you use for these sounds prior? Just wondering
How do you like it so far?
Everything about this tutorial was great. Loved the sound too! Gonna listen to it tomorrow at work!
the HP bass boost trick is awesome and gives huge results. THANX, as always, really thank you Loopop for your clean, super-useful tuts n trix ;)
@Loopop your videos are always extremely well done, even after 6 years, the best A4 tutorial around. Clear, high pedagogical level, straight to the point and accessible to beginners or pro level. Very needed especially since the Elektron's manuals are well known to be as easy to read as ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Thanks a ton!
My pleasure, thanks for taking the time to write!
Discovered the bonus effect LFOs earlier today I have had mine for about a month and still finding new stuff love it
When I am away from it, I am happy to remember how great the A4 is. Wonderful sound, and incredibly powerful! Thanks for reminding me...
I have the MK1 since 2015. still loving it!
i came here a lot of times! for some reason i was one of 23 voting down which is a thing i didn't do. great job!
Top notch walk-through and tutorial. I watched this video 10 months ago and it inspired me to purchase the A4. I'm finally getting over the learning curve and coming back to this video to sure up what I've learned. Thanks for the great work!
So. How long it took you to understand all the functions?-. I am thinking in one but I am little scared of the difficulty of the machine.
@@Amatteus one year
Thank you for your tutorials. You just make it easier. God bless you 🙏
just bought this beast and would love to see more about this by you ! your videos are so clear dude ! cheers !
I'm going to buy A4 MKII today, guys. Will I regret? )
My friend, one famous psy chillout (not only) music producer, told me that he did sold his A4 mk2. Because he "didn't liked the sound of it". Honestly I don't know what to think about this.
My Analog Keys is still on a journey to me but I am already and expert. Thanks! such great tutorials
I now have 4 Pieces of Elektron gear now ... thanks to this video
I just wanted to echo other compliments about this tutorial. No fuss and focused. Thanks again.
Steven Grandy thanks very much ;)
Thank you! Very useful - with reading of manual in advance.
This man is the best at what he does
Not the first video of you, which impressed me. Very good tutor skills with clear focus and table of contents. Hardware manufactors should pay you for each video you create. You already sold me the Polyend SEQ. Thanks a lot!
If this device had the 2 overlays you add in the video it would be 11/10. Thanks for a great video.
decent tutoriaL: especially two spectrometers and the contents by minute.
thanks for the overview! just got a mk1 and loving it so far, it’s such a deep instrument and sounds lovely. i have a feeling i’ll be going on many sonic journeys with this one ^-^
Not sure why the A4 is so unpopular. But glad I bought mine for $500 from someone who didn't get it.
It's a modular in a box, with full sequenced control of almost every parameter.
Not sure why you can't Plock the arp settings.
You know, for ratcheting and other range/time fun things?
That would make it such an unbeatable synth!
That overbridge oscilloscope is badass
Mine will arrive Wednesday and I really appreciate your entire presentation and clarity of how, what, and where things are. It is giving me a great understanding of the unit before I even get it. Well done and very professional!
Really great video describing features and giving brief description!
Opened me up to BassDrum design using the Feedback > Osc1! Also the LFO / Multi-t fork > osc 1= FM is new to me, thank you! Opens so many doors!!+
Bravo, very good tutorial, Sir. I Didn't know about page 2 so have downloaded the manual also.
LoL
Thanks for reminding me what a beast of an instrument I have! 😊
Wow, what a splendid lecture! :-)
Great reference guide as usual. Big thanks for sharing! Keep it up ;)
Thanks you have helped me understand so much more about this machine
Still the best tutorial of this amazing synth!
I can see the improvement of the holographic displays between the release of this video and now. They still look cool tho!
Hope to see you do a full blown tutorial on the A4 like you did for the Pyramid. That was one of the best full blown tutorials I've ever seen.
Fantastic tutorial. You might already have moved on to something else, but would you be able to make a video on the sequencer specifically?
I have the A4 and RYTM mk1’s and after looking at the used selling price and the new price for the mk2’s decided to just stay with the mk1’s.
Elektron should hire you to do videos. Liked and subbed.
ua-cam.com/video/zshvf8slc5s/v-deo.html
midinerd thats loopop?:)) nah
Thanks so much... great in-depth analysis of the a4mk2! Just subscribed to your channel 👍🏻
Excellent, thank you
The best tutorial i've seen !
Really good overview! I'm thinking about a first synth (have a Rytm and Octatrack) and love the Elektron workflow.
Moekie thanks ;)
Your turorials are the best!
This helped a lot!
Thank you for the video. Your explanations are very good and saved me to consult the manual. The oscilloscope and the spectrum analyzer are the icing on the cake.
this is a great great video.thank you!
On the beginning when you can choice kick or snare I can't such kind of possibility because I have clear slot. How I can fullfill with for example base sound they we have on the A4 ?
Great job!! Very well explained
One of the first things I noticed with the A4 is that it sounds so insanely good. One, if not the best sounding synths I have heard. Also it does percussions just as good as it does normal synth sounds.
Sat next to my Prophet 6 my A4Mk2 feels pathetic and weak and sounds thin. Likely heading for sale.
Sonic Neutronic I was thinking the same at first,
but I’ve since reorganised the presets and installed new sounds..
it can do some really good bass and the drums are just amazing with the sequencer.
The default presets are a bit to random and weird.
Im really happy with it now. Only thing that could make it better is more voices
Sonic Neutronic I can agree that it’s not that fattest sounding synth ever my monologue sounds bigger with less effort.
but half it’s appeal is it’s sequencing, you could make a whole track with just the synth alone if you really tried with p locks, scale per track etc etc..
I could understand if you sold it because you wanted a different sound, less midrange type sound. but it’s certainly a capable synth..
but think it won’t be long and you will be missing the digitone and Octatrack 😢
Sonic Neutronic I don’t get what you mean about the sequencer bit, elektron gear has overbridge with multitrack recording over USB and each elektron box provides an extra stereo input into ableton for other gear. And the digitakt has the same effects as digitone.
Anyhow Each to their own... elektron gear is quality IMO
Sonic Neutronic imo you can’t compare the P6 and the A4. They both have strong and week points. Things you can do on one you can’t do on another.
Was wondering if you thing this synth is a good pairing for a Techno/House setup with a Digitakt and MPC Live 2? I want a poly synth, but this seems to be able to do much more for a live setup.
Lovely detailed tutorial, thoroughly appreciate the time and effort that went in to this wonderful video! Im considering purchasing the A4Mkii, I have a limited background in subtractive synthesis and think all the waveform visuals presented in this video are really handy for visualising different sound design processes. Are these waveform visuals (such as those seen at 3:54) available to use in real time with the a4mkii when linked with a computer? If so please could you direct me on how to do this? Thanks again for the great content!
Hi, I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionaly I’ll use scopes by VCV
@@loopop thanks for the reply, I'll have a look into that!
thanks for the great video!
very good explainations
Maravilloso video! Gracias
Very nice video!
great video
Thank you thank you thank you!
A masterful review Sir,
Like others I am waiting for the 'keys' version ie: Analog Keys MK2....
And that outro is sweet :hat1:
Still waiting....
Excellent video ! The oscilloscope on the left helps a lot in understanding the modulation of the synth. I recognize Spectrum on the right, but what is the plugin on the left? Thank you !
Alexis Crête-Lafrenière Thanks! It’s called MOscilloscope
loopop, tell me plz how U get this oscilloscopes? There are on your tablet or this is just effect on your movie?
Grettings!
@@Tymosxior I think it's a plugin being recorded from the computer and it is put there using after effects or any similar program
do you have any thoughts on the analog keys vs MK2?
Useful tutorial ! Hope you will do more with Analog 4 MKII
Do a review on DSI Tempest. Poor Tempest. Never got too much love.
wow! how good are your reviews ??? great!!
About the Sub-Osc: Can you also choose a different shape? And does that mean you could play up to 16 oscillators when using this technique (4x4)? Is there perhaps a hack to play the sub individually (or change the offset value on keypress/trig).. i guess it can be 4x fixed chords that won't make much sense musically, but perhaps you could make a huge detuned super saw work out, and for a evolving pad sound with multiple stages. Hmm. Interesting. Can't wait to test that.
Excellent video.
Thanks ;)
Can you also send tracks through usb back to the A4?
BRAVO!!!!
nice videos!
Thanks for making videos like this! How about a jam video one time? 😉
Pug Noise thanks! There’s a quick one on my Instagram account (using the MK1) - scroll all the way back. Check other videos on this channel for me playing other instruments... thanks for your interest
I wish someone would cover the CV outs and how that works with other synths
CV tools is deep but very complex and kinda unconventional...
I'm working on a video on it..
0:52 I wish you could do that with digitone so bad...one track for bass, one track for drums or fx, they both only use one voice, that gives you two extra voices to use on track 1 and 2, that's two tracks available with 3 note chords...or use 3 tracks of mono, that's 3 extra voices...track one can now do FIVE note pads...that would be awesome as hell!
... but you can do that with Digitone
@@loopop 😳 fantastic!
This vs. Dsi Rev. 2, 8 Voice which one would you choose?
Very clear exposition of all concepts! Such a good video! This synth sounds amazing, yet is not user friendly, forcing you with menu dive of all parameters. It must be a pain to find out "where is what", all the times you have an idea...
in fact it's the total opposit with all the elektron gear i had, the ideas come out of the box with you as an interface ,)
@@mira-belleasso4061 This is easier or more difficult than other Elektrons.
@@Amatteus easiest one will be the machine drum even if you can do crazy stuff with it and harder one will be octatrack because of all the things you can do and all ways of doing it for the a4 go for it really
@@mira-belleasso4061 Thank you. I already have Roland TR8s as a drum machine.. Now i am considering this for rhythmic synth, but i am scared of the learning proces.. I had a ver bad experience with Akai mpc... compared to Ableton I could never understand the workflow and I had to sell it after wasting a lot of time trying to learn it... I am afraid that might happen to me again with this one... Ableton is so simple and easy. You can see what is happening , everything is visual..
Great video, I like your format and style for these presentations. The waveforms, layout of the text and your script are very appreciated.
You definitely made the Analog Four, already on my radar, more intriguing to me.
Outside of the normal gear lust, do you find yourself wanting other analog synths like a sub37 (or behringer D even) or do you feel like it would be a bit redundant and/or limiting?
How controllable would this be by a Deluge? I like the Elektron gear but I'm somehow concerned I'd get to split up in my track building...
Hey Adam - thanks for your comment. I have the Sub 37 and may get the D just because of its low price, but as you may have noticed I have a slight synth problem, so I don't think it's an example anyone should follow. I love the Moogs for sure (Mother-32 also sounds awesome BTW). Are they all redundant? Probably... but they sure are fun to play... Regarding controlling the A4 with the Deluge, yes, you could, but you'd be missing out on the powerful sequencer A4 features. Maybe sequence the more melodic tracks with the Deluge and the sound/parameter locked ones with the A4
Thanks again for this...hope you don't mind me asking advice, if I make a song with the A4 and the Minibrute 2S, both with multiple patterns - using the A4 as master, can it make the MB2S change pattern automatically via midi? so they're changing patterns together. It's really tricky to do it manually every time!
The LFO/ENV destination are parameter lockable?
Do you know if anyone has done an update video, about how to sequence external gear with the A4? It's not super simple, could use a tutorial...
is there a way to preview a specific trig?
Why is there no analog keys mkii ?
Are they going to put keys on it?
@loopop, how do you think updates have improved the A4 mk2 since the release?
very good video as always loopop. thanks ! what software do you use to monitor frequencies you use on several videos. good tool to have. thanks !
Hi, I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionally I’ll use scopes by VCV
Love your stuff! Quick question, do you know how many midi notes can be played per step, per midi track on the Analog Four MkII? Is it 4 like the Digitakt? 8 like the Digitone? Thanks.
Hi. Appreciate the great videos and insight as always. Hope I'm not abusing comments by asking for your advice on Analog Four MKII here. I wonder how you'd compare or choose between Analog Four MKII and Novation Peak? I'm curious which one you personally prefer or like/enjoy more (subjectively).
To provide some context, I currently own the Digitone & Digitakt duo, and I'm interested/tempted to add an analog synth to my collection as well. Of all the options, Analog Four and Peak appeal to me the most. I'm still relatively new to synthesis, but have learned a lot of theory in the past year. Unfortunately, I haven't put it to practice much for designing my own sounds, perhaps because FM is still intimidating and doesn't come naturally. In contrast, I think especially with Peak's layout, it would be hard not to design/tweak your own sounds.
Here are a few key factors that make the decision challenging ...
Peak (Pros/Cons):
+ Hands-on controls, logical layout, everything in view
+ More oscillator options and wavetables
- Digital oscillators
- Not multitimbral
- Not playable standalone (without another keyboard or sequencer)
Analog Four (Pros/Cons):
+ Analog oscillators
+ Multitimbral
+ Sequencer and keyboard
- All sound design is done through a small screen
- Too much overlap with other Elektron boxes in terms of sequencing capabilities (Advantage: Familiarity, Disadvantage: Lack of diversification)
Apologies for the long comment, but I'm struggling with the decision. Would appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Thank you!
My advice is to do the research (which you are) because these decisions are always so personal - no one can make the decision for you IMHO, especially with such different products
@@loopop Thanks, appreciate the advice. Will continue researching and thinking. The ultimate criteria for me is the amount of time I spent with the synth. That's why I'm leaning toward Analog Four. And I know you highly recommend it :)
A very simple question: how do you save a song, a piece composed and arranged on the analogue four? Since we do not talk about Overbridge. Thanks for the info
Do you mean how to create a song chain or how to move it to a computer? Assuming the latter, overbridge doesn’t help you much - if you have an audio interface then you can just sample the output. If not, join elektron’s overbridge beta - I think that part already works
Why does the numerical disappear everytime you change a knob ? The number starts to change as you move a parameter, then it just disappears ! This strikes me as rather strange, you shouldn't have to move a knob to find out if the frequency is on 82 or 83. Surely the screen should grant instant access to all 10 parameter knobs without you having to tweak them 1st ? ? ?
PS: Then at the end of the video i notice that the modulation page doesn't "disappear the numericals".
I can't buy a machine that disappears the numericals for no purpose.
Very good video. I bought one and want an oscilloscope and frequency analyzer too. What tools do you use?
Hi, I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionally I’ll use scopes by VCV
Thanks
Nice!
Thanks Carl Mikael!
I love it when you guys follow and support eachother !
Woop!
me too folks are super nice and helpful in the synth world :-)
Hey, great video, I really learned alot!
Is it possible to give the four different tracks different lengths ? for example 16 steps for the first but a 5 step poly rythm at the second etc. ?
thanks and yes
14:48 ... brrp-brrp!
Great video man! Just bought one of these the other day and am in love! Do you know if its possible to play multiple sounds on one track?
Thanks! Yes it is
@@loopop ok awesome! Don’t suppose you could point me to some instructions on how to do it? :)
@@benhorton6940 It’s the first thing I show in this video…
@@loopop I must have missed it! How embarrassing sorry about that!
What are those awesome screens that show up over your device?
They're not real sorry - video overlays of software scopes
How would you rate the Elektron Analog 4 versus the wave table synths like Access Virus TI2 and Waldorf Blowfeld? Better or just different? If you had to pick one what would you get and why?
Renaissance Man crap man that’s like 5 videos right there.
No worries, I am happy so far with my new A4. It is easier to work with than the confusing menu system of the Virus or the Blofeld. Plus it plays well with Eurorack gear. I love the wave forms features. Easy to make bass, trance, drums, weird noises. I layer reverb and chorus on top of the 0-coast and it sounds really rich. The Virus is 2x as much as the A4 and I really don't see it sounding any better from my experience. Blofeld is good value and I would get one for wave table synthesis as it has those wave tables the A4 is missing.
Is this only about the A4 or does it concern Analog Key too. Thinking of the latter but is the tutorial only A4? 😊
everything should be applicable
@loopop can you please tell me what the program you are using to see the wave forms, and do they tell you the frequency of the waves as well? thanks in advance.
Hi, I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionaly I’ll use scopes by VCV
@@loopop thanks for replying! You're easily one of my favorite music production UA-camrs. I tried searching your uploads for any information on exactly why, and how the oscilscopes help with sound design. Could you answer briefly here? ( Perhaps make a vid? :). Also , i would pay money for some tutoring if you're interested in that. ! Either way, keep up the good work!
Antonio Rollon thanks so much! I talk about using scopes in synthesis in my book available in patreon. Not taking on 1x1 students at this time, thanks for the interest though