the a4 is such a powerful synth. this is a very good resource to help people understand how deep and flexible it really is. nice work. i dont know how you manage to discover all of the little unique eccentricities of these machines, but this information is invaluable to me imagine if they put a sequential synth engine inside of the analog four, and increased the voice count/polyphony to digitone levels (8). Dream synth
Thanks a lot! Yeah, there's a lot to explore with all the Elektron devices, especially the bigger ones. A lot of it is trial and error, and sometimes if I'm out of ideas but still want to explore more, I'll randomize pages (parameter page + YES to randomize), then try to tame the results into something more usable.
@@IvarTryti Thanks! I'm unsure at the moment - my boss recommended, we both work in game audio, but as much as I love working in a DAW (Bitwig is my main) he much prefers Hardware and the limitations. Right now I feel like I'm using it with boxing gloves on and much prefer Bitwig, which now has similar sequencer functions in the way of operators. I'll give it a bit more time. Oh, I also can't get OB working with it, yet my HEAT is fine. I'll keep watching your vids for inspiration!
Such a good tutorial! More of these please! Clear and actually felt like I’ve learnt some stuff. Got mine a couple of months ago and still wrapping my head around it slowly. Getting the A4mk2 and MDUW within months of each other has hurt my brain.
Thanks for this, some awesome tips and tricks through out. I've been using an audio rate lfo and modulating the pitch to get deeper basses, going to have to combine that with your bass tips and see what happens
Thanks for watching, and thanks for the tip! I gotta give that a try, I only noticed a few days ago that there's keytrack versions of the LFO multipliers
fantastically helpful. I'm curious what tips/tricks you cut out from it to spare us from noodling! I also didn't know you could clear specific parameter pages back to 'default' values by pressing page button then play/clear. I hope that works on AK/Mk1. Maybe feature more of those kinds of quick commands and workflow tips, in future videos? (Sometimes you're so fast at maneuvering through the menus it's hard to see which parameters you're tweaking, especially since the A4 menu pages don't always have title bars to show us e.g. when you're on osc2 vs osc1 or which envelope. Not a complaint, just a suggestion)
Thank you! Someone else asked about it, and this is what I replied with: "I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, but it feels like both have just as much bass when using the filter resonance trick. When using the trick on the mk2, it feels like the bass reaches "bass saturation point" more quickly than on the mk1. On the mk1, you have to push the resonance closer to 40-60 to get the same amount of bass as the mk2's 20-40, but any higher than that and both mk1 and mk2 sound very similar." Overall though, the bass feels more even on the mk2. The init sound is a tiny bit more bassy on the mk2 than on the mk1, but using the 2nd filter to boost the bass results in the same amount of bass on both.
Great tutorial! If I bought the MK1 (my wife will kill me even though it is muuuuuuch cheaper) would the bass be on the same level as the MK2 with the filter resonance trick of the second filter or would the MK1 still lack bass?
Thank you! I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, but it feels like both have just as much bass when using the filter resonance trick. When using the trick on the mk2, it feels like the bass reaches "bass saturation point" more quickly than on the mk1. On the mk1, you have to push the resonance closer to 40-60 to get the same amount of bass as the mk2's 20-40, but any higher than that and both mk1 and mk2 sound very similar.
@@IvarTryti I always wonder why your music affects me more than that of other people. I think a big part of it is what you call „movement in the sound“.
What does the 2 Voice unison do? If each voice has two Oscillators does that mean now you have 4? But what's the point if they play at the same time? Wouldnt it sound exactly the same?
Yeah, 2 voice unison uses two voices to play the same note using the same sound. What unison does is pan the voices away from each other and detune them veeery slightly so you get a wider and fuller sound. If the LFOs are free running, they will also be out of sync with each other and further add to that organic, imperfect sound. If you don't want to spend two voices on unison, you can get a similar sound by using chorus instead.
Sorry about the late reply! Yeah it's possible, on the NOTE page. Open grid edit mode and hold the trig you want to change the length of, then turn the LEN parameter (top row, middle encoder). You can make it really long. For ambient sounds with long attack and release I often use 32 step length notes in 64 step patterns.
Does any one know if there is a VST that can sound like this? I absolutely love my A4 with its two filters and the nice polyphonic distortion, resulting in this dirty, in-your-face sound. But I am looking for a plugin I can use on my laptop...
It's a completely different kind of synth, but I've been using Air Hybrid 3 a lot before I got into hardware synths. It's usually pretty cheap, and I got mine free bundled with an Akai MPK mini mk2. It has a lot of built in FX that sound really good, and also 4 "morph" knobs you can use like the A4's performance macros. Worth checking out!
@@IvarTryti Thank you, I'll have a look at this synth. I already have some nice synths that can do a lot - and there are very good Virtual Analog synths out there. What I am after is this fantastic sound produced by the 2 Osc + 2 Subs + 2 self oscillating Filters with the overdrive. I rarely hear any demo of a VST that can sound this direct, fat and raw.
@@IvarTryti Ok, i bought it for 4,90 € :) Lot's of presets, can't be wrong for this price. Also it has a distortion unit after the filters and the filters can scream - I'll give it a try. But sound and feel of the Elektron circuits are at a different level
Ok ok new sub here and own digtone but 😭😭 ahh my brain doesn't get.,wish it would someone offering to lend me octotrakt but I know ahhh tbh imho Im too stupid. But this is sooo cool and helpful for everyone thankyou!
Someone asked this earlier, and this is what I wrote in response: "Most of the things are specific to the A4, sadly. The filtered delay trick at 10:54, LFO trick at 12:53, and 2-voice unison at 15:26 should work similarly on the DN. The DN doesn't have two tunable oscillators like on the A4, and the 2nd filter doesn't have resonance so you can't boost the lows unless you use the main filter in high-pass mode. There's also no pulse width modulation or a separate noise generator on the DN." Also, I do have a few Digitone tutorials, including a bass tutorial if you're interested :) ua-cam.com/video/gfFCnILXr20/v-deo.html
Most of the things are specific to the A4, sadly. The filtered delay trick at 10:54, LFO trick at 12:53, and 2-voice unison at 15:26 should work similarly on the DN. The DN doesn't have two tunable oscillators like on the A4, and the 2nd filter doesn't have resonance so you can't boost the lows unless you use the main filter in high-pass mode. There's also no pulse width modulation or a separate noise generator on the DN.
@@tobiasflc630 My pleasure, Tobias. Also i forgot to mention I have a Digitone bass tutorial as well, if you're interested: ua-cam.com/video/gfFCnILXr20/v-deo.html
pleeease more tutorials. they are sooo good.
really well explained. easy to follow. no bullshit or long boring blabla!
Great bass sound design tips that work with any synth!
Thank you! I'm glad you found it useful :)
Even the greats sometimes fat finger a full reload! That's a relief. Save early, save often. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Haha, all the time. I also get to show off the process so far at normal speed :D
love that the "device connected" sound at 12:44 just slides thru being perfectly in key. great video as usual of course, keep it up :)
Haha, I FL Studio was recording whatever was going through the A4's main outputs, which happened to also be computer audio :P
the a4 is such a powerful synth. this is a very good resource to help people understand how deep and flexible it really is. nice work.
i dont know how you manage to discover all of the little unique eccentricities of these machines, but this information is invaluable to me
imagine if they put a sequential synth engine inside of the analog four, and increased the voice count/polyphony to digitone levels (8). Dream synth
Thanks a lot! Yeah, there's a lot to explore with all the Elektron devices, especially the bigger ones. A lot of it is trial and error, and sometimes if I'm out of ideas but still want to explore more, I'll randomize pages (parameter page + YES to randomize), then try to tame the results into something more usable.
@@IvarTrytihaha same ! It’s like gambling and quite addictive
Like rolling character stats for D&D
Excellent Ivar. Didn't know about the negative value of overdrive. It screams 🔥 Thank you
Thank you! Yeah the negative value of overdrive is the old mk1 overdrive, which I've started to really appreciate more
I have one arriving tomorrow morning. New Elektronauts member. Glad I joined. :D
Will be joining my Sidstation Ninja and a Analog Heat.
Congrats, man! I hope the A4 suits your workflow :)
@@IvarTryti Thanks! I'm unsure at the moment - my boss recommended, we both work in game audio, but as much as I love working in a DAW (Bitwig is my main) he much prefers Hardware and the limitations. Right now I feel like I'm using it with boxing gloves on and much prefer Bitwig, which now has similar sequencer functions in the way of operators. I'll give it a bit more time. Oh, I also can't get OB working with it, yet my HEAT is fine. I'll keep watching your vids for inspiration!
Very useful tips thx. Liked the -24 pitch on the osc and the idea to performance alter the filter LFO to get 16th note intensity.
Glad you found it helpful! I use that lfo trick a lot. Useful for hihats, and leads too.
Such a good tutorial! More of these please! Clear and actually felt like I’ve learnt some stuff. Got mine a couple of months ago and still wrapping my head around it slowly. Getting the A4mk2 and MDUW within months of each other has hurt my brain.
I am saving this on a playlist of tutorial....Thank you Maestro!!!!
Thank you very much!
Thanks for this, some awesome tips and tricks through out. I've been using an audio rate lfo and modulating the pitch to get deeper basses, going to have to combine that with your bass tips and see what happens
Thanks for watching, and thanks for the tip! I gotta give that a try, I only noticed a few days ago that there's keytrack versions of the LFO multipliers
Really nice video. Love all your work on the Elektron boxes.
Thanks a lot, man :)
great video and perfectly explained points! i'm due to pick up my A4 next week and i'm going to put to use your tips! keep up the great work !
Best content on YT for this machine and generally great and concise sound design tips.
Hope you do more, really appreciate these!
Much love
Thank you very much, man!
Awesome tutorial, once again. Thanks Ivar!
Thank you!
Thank you for the brilliant guide. I've neglected my Analog 4 for awhile.. this will get me back on it :]
Thanks for watching! Glad to hear I've inspired you to explore your A4 more :)
Love this man, can't wait to see more and make better use of my A4
Thanks for watching! I hope it helps :)
A4 master .. thanks for your tutorials so interesting
Great lesson in bass sound design! Thank you!
Thank you!
Great tutorial ! Thank you 👏👍🙏
Thanks, man!
im very impressed, great tutorial!
Thank you!
Wow! That was amazingly helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
It’s amazing! Thank you for that, bro!🙌🙌🙌
Love it! Can’t wait to get mine! :)
Thanks! Congrats, the A4 is really fun
Love this! Thank you so much!
Thanks for watching, Eric :D
Great tutorial!
Thanks!
Please more! Leads/pads next!!!
fantastically helpful. I'm curious what tips/tricks you cut out from it to spare us from noodling!
I also didn't know you could clear specific parameter pages back to 'default' values by pressing page button then play/clear. I hope that works on AK/Mk1.
Maybe feature more of those kinds of quick commands and workflow tips, in future videos? (Sometimes you're so fast at maneuvering through the menus it's hard to see which parameters you're tweaking, especially since the A4 menu pages don't always have title bars to show us e.g. when you're on osc2 vs osc1 or which envelope. Not a complaint, just a suggestion)
Great tut! Thanks! More please.
Nice stuff !
Pure Gold!!
Thanks, man!
Super helpful! Thanks!
Great stuff..
Do you notice more low end on the mk Ii than the mk i ? Without using Overdrive, to dirty up the sound.
Thank you! Someone else asked about it, and this is what I replied with:
"I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, but it feels like both have just as much bass when using the filter resonance trick. When using the trick on the mk2, it feels like the bass reaches "bass saturation point" more quickly than on the mk1. On the mk1, you have to push the resonance closer to 40-60 to get the same amount of bass as the mk2's 20-40, but any higher than that and both mk1 and mk2 sound very similar."
Overall though, the bass feels more even on the mk2. The init sound is a tiny bit more bassy on the mk2 than on the mk1, but using the 2nd filter to boost the bass results in the same amount of bass on both.
Great tutorial
Thansk for this!
My pleasure, man. Thanks for watching :)
Would love to see an A4 drum tutorial!
thanks mate
Weird that the A4 doesn't save the oct with the patch. Even my cheap 200.00 MicroKorg saves the oct of the patch.
I wnt a A4 !
🔥🔥🔥
Bassline at 16:40 ❤
🙏
can we please please pretty please also have a tutorial on the so nice drum track?
Great tutorial! If I bought the MK1 (my wife will kill me even though it is muuuuuuch cheaper) would the bass be on the same level as the MK2 with the filter resonance trick of the second filter or would the MK1 still lack bass?
Thank you! I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, but it feels like both have just as much bass when using the filter resonance trick. When using the trick on the mk2, it feels like the bass reaches "bass saturation point" more quickly than on the mk1. On the mk1, you have to push the resonance closer to 40-60 to get the same amount of bass as the mk2's 20-40, but any higher than that and both mk1 and mk2 sound very similar.
@@IvarTryti I always wonder why your music affects me more than that of other people. I think a big part of it is what you call „movement in the sound“.
What does the 2 Voice unison do? If each voice has two Oscillators does that mean now you have 4? But what's the point if they play at the same time? Wouldnt it sound exactly the same?
Yeah, 2 voice unison uses two voices to play the same note using the same sound. What unison does is pan the voices away from each other and detune them veeery slightly so you get a wider and fuller sound. If the LFOs are free running, they will also be out of sync with each other and further add to that organic, imperfect sound. If you don't want to spend two voices on unison, you can get a similar sound by using chorus instead.
@@IvarTryti Awesome! Thank you for the helpful response and the informative video, I watched every bit of it.
@@neonpop80 My pleasure, man! Thanks for watching :D
how is it possible set 8th note or longer on analog four without playing live?
Sorry about the late reply! Yeah it's possible, on the NOTE page. Open grid edit mode and hold the trig you want to change the length of, then turn the LEN parameter (top row, middle encoder). You can make it really long. For ambient sounds with long attack and release I often use 32 step length notes in 64 step patterns.
Does any one know if there is a VST that can sound like this? I absolutely love my A4 with its two filters and the nice polyphonic distortion, resulting in this dirty, in-your-face sound. But I am looking for a plugin I can use on my laptop...
It's a completely different kind of synth, but I've been using Air Hybrid 3 a lot before I got into hardware synths. It's usually pretty cheap, and I got mine free bundled with an Akai MPK mini mk2. It has a lot of built in FX that sound really good, and also 4 "morph" knobs you can use like the A4's performance macros. Worth checking out!
@@IvarTryti Thank you, I'll have a look at this synth. I already have some nice synths that can do a lot - and there are very good Virtual Analog synths out there. What I am after is this fantastic sound produced by the 2 Osc + 2 Subs + 2 self oscillating Filters with the overdrive. I rarely hear any demo of a VST that can sound this direct, fat and raw.
@@IvarTryti Ok, i bought it for 4,90 € :) Lot's of presets, can't be wrong for this price. Also it has a distortion unit after the filters and the filters can scream - I'll give it a try. But sound and feel of the Elektron circuits are at a different level
what do think about getting an a4 for designingndrumnsounds?
You almost went full Sandstorm… Never go full Sandstorm. 😂
I didn't even realize that 😅
V cool 😎
Ok ok new sub here and own digtone but 😭😭 ahh my brain doesn't get.,wish it would someone offering to lend me octotrakt but I know ahhh tbh imho Im too stupid. But this is sooo cool and helpful for everyone thankyou!
why are you transmitting the key clicks, they are disrtrackting from the sound you are demoing?
can you do this with the digitone as well?
Someone asked this earlier, and this is what I wrote in response:
"Most of the things are specific to the A4, sadly. The filtered delay trick at 10:54, LFO trick at 12:53, and 2-voice unison at 15:26 should work similarly on the DN.
The DN doesn't have two tunable oscillators like on the A4, and the 2nd filter doesn't have resonance so you can't boost the lows unless you use the main filter in high-pass mode. There's also no pulse width modulation or a separate noise generator on the DN."
Also, I do have a few Digitone tutorials, including a bass tutorial if you're interested :)
ua-cam.com/video/gfFCnILXr20/v-deo.html
could I use the tips for the DN as well or is it "only" for the A4 ? :)
Most of the things are specific to the A4, sadly. The filtered delay trick at 10:54, LFO trick at 12:53, and 2-voice unison at 15:26 should work similarly on the DN.
The DN doesn't have two tunable oscillators like on the A4, and the 2nd filter doesn't have resonance so you can't boost the lows unless you use the main filter in high-pass mode. There's also no pulse width modulation or a separate noise generator on the DN.
@@IvarTryti thanks for your response :)
@@tobiasflc630 My pleasure, Tobias. Also i forgot to mention I have a Digitone bass tutorial as well, if you're interested:
ua-cam.com/video/gfFCnILXr20/v-deo.html