My Thoughts On the Elektron Analog Heat+FX
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- Опубліковано 28 чер 2023
- In this video we talk about the Elektron Analog Heat+HowFX. What it is, what it isn't, who it's for, who it's not for, and the big mistake Elektron made with it that could have made them even more money.
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Website: www.SURCOlive.com
Great video as usual! I’ve been missing these!
Great to see you back SURCO. Missed you man!
Thanks! Great to be back!!
Great vid man, I love the Heat it sounds amazing on everything. Just pre-ordered yesterday. Great meeting you at Booth hopefully we'll bump heads in the future!
Awesome. Yeah it sounds really good. Great meeting you too. Are you going to Knobcon? It would be cool to hang out.
@@SURCOlive as of now planning on it!
Sweet!
Hyped for some good SURCO about some interesting gear!
It's a nice but of kit, but if it had maybe 4 sets of stereo inputs instead of one I'd be more likely to buy it.
agree
Just get a mixer
@@dxtrs_mnpltror mod it.
I dream of the routing idea since I have these Digis. It would be so great to route audio to the L/R and headphone Outputs separately. I always want/have to exclude the low end (Kick, Sub Bass). All the Maschines would be sooooooo much useful then.
Hi Surco . I tried to contact Elektron but they don't give me an answer about analog heat fx. The question is about gain staging.
It is normal that by using the rear analog L/R inputs (therefore without using overbridge) and by putting the analog heat in bypass (after having adjusted the input to the maximum possible volume), I have a signal in the DAW that reaches the maximum around at -23 dbfs? Even if I activate the analog heat and adjust the output with the level knob I can push the maximum around - 23 dbfs before activating the exclamation point on the output meters. Can't I get a stronger signal out?
If I push the signal more the exclamation points above the analog heat meters light up. Is it possible to increase the output signal without cutting anything?
The channel on my apollo x16 is set to +4 dBu and I have no low volume issues with any other external hardware I own to get at least -12 dbfs in my DAW. I just want to know if this is a normal feature of the analog heat fx or I have some problem. Thank you and congratulations for your great work!
I understand you are not using overbridge for the input, but are you sending to the daw via overbridge after the analog input or into your interface? There is a lot of built in headroom to avoid clipping as the fx are stacked on the original signal. This allows you to get a clean signal in even with a ton of fx. What daw are you going into? In Ableton I just add a utility plug to each channel to normal the input volume from all gear. This was I get a clean input signal and have control over the gain staging at every step. It’s much easier to add gain than it is to control an overdriven or clipping input signal. If the input signal is redlining it will clip and distort even at low volume and that can’t be removed down the signal path. (Although I’m some cases this effect is desired). I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
Sorry for my bad English but I'm Italian :).
I only use the analog inputs and outputs of the analog heat directly into the line in jack channels of the apollo x16 with + 4dBu line in. I don't use overbridge. I connect my synths directly to the analog heat and then into the apollo x16- converters.I use Logic pro x and I noticed that the maximum signal I can get from the analog heat is -23 dbfs (maximizing the input and output of the analog heat without causing clipping exclamation points to appear).
So it is an output volume of the analog heat, after it has done all its processes including the effects, the distortion, the eq, the filter... The signal that I can record in logic reaches a maximum of -23dbfs.
Same thing with the mk2. And don’t bother trying to compensate by using more Drive as you will end up with more noise in your signal or clipping. Just have to normalise after it’s printed, sure your losing some dynamic range but I doubt it’s too noticeable at the end
thanks for you,re looking inside great.
Is there any possibility of elektron updating the analog heat mk2 firmware so it has the compressor function (they add new stuff to digitakt all the time), allowing the heat + fx to handle more of the effects role like you're talking about?
I have the MK2 and it is a compressor already. Envelope follower 1 or 2 linked to drive or volume with negative depth with attack and release controls and sidechain is a compressor in every sense. An analog one too.
hey Elektron..give us MK1/2 users an update with the compressor! Just sayin~
Wouldn't they need a circuit for an analog compressor?
If they add the ability to re arrange the analog components and or add a limiter/soft clipper this would be a lot easier to warrant the purchase. I’m a daw guy, purchased it and love the heat aspect of it the box. The effects are okay but nothing that had me wowing.
Even still, it could be a mastering standalone device if they just implemented one or two of those features
Do you think the AH+fx would replace the OT strictly used as an fx template?
I don’t. The AHFX is more a sound shaping FX unit then a DJ style performance unit. The OT performance template brings assignable DJ style fx to performances. The ability to assign to the crossfader is really awesome on the OT as well. Very different styles of FX. I do like the AHFX sound better than the fx on the OT, but the OT is just so much more flexible. Thanks for watching!
It looks sick
I wish it had more inputs
But that gets me to realise what I would really want them to make…
Elektron performance mixer / hub.. something more appropriate than a DJ mixer or band mixer
picture something filling a roll like the Roland Aira MX-1 does for the Roland gear….
4 or more stereo inputs, some in built fx, 2 assignable stereo fx loops, flexible routing possibilities, channel eq, channel filter, maybe some channel compression?
master filter and master compressor / limiter…
Add a good sounding and conveniently implemented sidechain function and you’ll really get me excited
Overbridge so you can multitrack record things and control it
And
Bonus points if it could handle a lot of midi routing between boxes, either via the usb port or 5pin midi
But it acts like a usb hub / midi interface for your pc when it isn’t in standalone mode
Double bonus points if there’s some step sequenced fx involved (but that could be a separate product)
Basically, performance / Swiss Army knife integrated problem solver tool…
Because building all this functionality with other gear, in a way that’s useful for both recording and performance can be a convoluted process that distracts from actually making the music!
Like.. Roland only make the usb ports on their mx-1 only work with their products, which is a bit lame
But
It does audio and midi down the one usb cable between the synth/drum machine and that mixer…
But.. overbridge compatible gear could do that!
My setup would weigh so much less with that exponentially less cable mass! 😂
So the oktatrack.
Exactly what I use the Octatrack for. :)
Thanks for the review!! I'm interested in the Analog Heat MK2 as an end-of-chain processor for mixing and mastering in my DAW, but it's extremely hard to find in Toronto, CAN. (no one in Tor. is selling a 2nd hand copy at the moment and it's listed as a "legacy" product on Elektron's website). Only thing I could easily get my hands on if I wanted it is the Heat +FX, but I don't think I need the other effects aside from the compressor. Based on your experience with the Heat +FX do you think someone in my situation would still find value in picking it up?
Depending on the DAW, you will likely have far more mastering power in the box. The MK2 would be great to ‘color’ your sound as the saturation and overdrive are awesome. The +FX adds a compressor and the super handy Bass Mono feature. I use these boxes in my live setup as a hardware stand in for mastering when playing live. In the studio I always use a mastering chain in the box even when using hardware boxes like these as pieces of the chain. You will always get better mix and master when you are able to use multi band compression, dynamic eq, limiting, and mid/side eq and compression. None of which is possible in either of these boxes. I hope this helps, but ultimately it comes down to what sound you are looking for. The only rule is if it sounds good it is good. Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlive I'm preparing a live set on push 3 standalone, in one of your interviews you mentioned you are using a mastering chain on push 3 as well. Do you think a stock plugin only mastering chain would be a better option for mastering than analog heat +fx?
@michaelhadas8795 I do. I’ve mastered productions that made the top of the Beatport techno chart using only stock Ableton plugins. The heat is a super solid stand in when you aren’t using a computer, but the computer offers a ton more. Thanks for watching
@@SURCOlive Many thanks for the reply :)
Het Surco, thanks for the great vid. How about the Heat+FX playing with the analog four as a video?
I actually don’t have the A4 anymore. There will be more videos with other synths though. :) thanks for watching!
Great indepth talk! Have you ever had a look at the HX-Stomp? People don't realize you can have two stereo chains with IO on it, which is great for a synth setup. and at nearly have the prize.
Yes they are cool for the FX part for sure.
and don't forget the compressors and ampsims, basspreamps, eqs etc. for making some nice master saturation presets.
definitely so many good fx in the HX Stomp @@leoslawik
I agree the price is way too high and I have the AH MK2 that works well for me.
good video, i woud bet those features are on the way thru an update. only question is how long
That’s be awesome! Thanks for watching!
Since it is digital, it would be cool if you could have multiple of the same effect in the flow, or 2 chains that get mid-sided together at the end
ist it possible to do it in update? I really hope for it.
Hey Surco! Whats your preferred way to time sync eurorack and elektron?
Hey! Lately the easiest way for me has been syncing the OXI one via midi and sending cv clock from it to the modular. I’ve also use midi to cv modules in it larger case.
@@SURCOlive niice thank you! Still trying to find my favorite workflow.. Im all in the rack right now but seriously considering getting back into an analog rytm and analog 4 for chords and percussion
@@FakthorX I pulled drums out to shrink the case and have been using the Digitakt for those. It’s loaded with sounds I made in studio on the Rytm, but it’s a bit lighter and more portable for traveling to shows.
@@SURCOlive thats clever! I want to pick up the new hermod+ to save drum patterns and keystrokes and see if we get along. Im running a nerdseq and metron/voltera into an assimil8or. One of the limitations I set on myself was to stay in the case but there is a couple pedals that make me want to break out of it haha
How do you think it would sound on guitar? I’m getting ready to buy some pedals and I’d much prefer a one box solution. Thank you so much if you answer this!
I think a guitar is an ideal use for it. The fx are really great (especially the distortions), and the ability to rearrange your signal path into different ‘pedal boards’ and save them as presets is awesome.
Curious as to what “mistakes” you think they made. Will definitely be watching after work.
A little spoiler... the mistake is negative for them (but good for us), not something negative for us users. ;)
Just a little bit of good-natured click-bait = make the viewers curious. Nothing wrong with that.
@@vinylarchaeologist I couldn't resist after being out of things for the past 6 months. In fairness, I feel they did make a big mistake for their revenue that benefited us. Many of us would have bought two machines. :)
Hi Surco! I have the AH MK2. Is the upgrade worth it?
@@calixtetayoro5719 I would say to completely depends on how you are using it. I would say the AHFX is quite a value at only $100 more than the MK2.
The price problem is real. I’d rather save a little more money and buy a Syntakt. It has like what, 30% of what the AHmkii has or more right? It’s probably pretty tempting if you already have nice gear to plug into it though.
The AHFX is its own beast for sure. For what it does, I don't know of anything I'd rather have. I could say the same for the Syntakt on a totally different set of specs. Each is really great for a specific set of needs for sure. I also think that both are great values even though they aren't cheap. Thanks for watching.
There are a lot of brands that are too expensive.
But Behringer and Roland too..has good products at an onest price..✌🏻
Both have some great value products too for what they do
@@Sandelec-gm2cl I’d say people are right to criticize Elektron for being stingy with polyphony, for sure. Something to think about though, is they’re made with good solid parts. I could defend the honor of my wifu with my Octatrack LOL. It’s a sampler and a +1 warhammer. I want a Sh-4D REALLY badly. But I’m not sure it’s gonna last as long as a Digitone or Syntakt so I’m stuck thinking about what I want.
is that a push 3 in the back ?
Good eye! ;)
@@SURCOlive perhaps a thoughts video on it soon? 🤭
@@rman2x16 yes! As soon as I’ve gotten comfortable with it.
👍
If they could somehow get overbridge to integrate with mpc standalone, it would be amazing. It'll never happen th
Also, maybe a limiter. But I think I see y why they didnt.
I feel like it competes - somewhat unfavourably - with Line6's Helix products. I recently bought a Line6 HX Stomp XL which is a bit cheaper than the Heat+FX. Its physical interface is better, the effects are much much deeper, it has much better connectivity and strong pre-existing software (both on the device and computer interoperability), a large community developing presets and a proven ecosystem. I guess "analog" and "elektron" count for a lot!
Love the Line 6 stuff. Very different than the AHFX but also awesome for what they do. Thanks for watching!
same here my HX Stomp is my grab and go guitar tool@@SURCOlive
Just came across your video after just buying a used H90. I want to way simplify my gear. I dont dig the interfaces on most Elektron boxes, especially the octatrack. I wish someone would just make a modern updated mixer perhaps like the octatract but with templates and presets that take away all the xomplexities. Also, I dont want to pay $3k for a dj mixer or $1k for a tiny mixer requiring tweezers to make adjustments. With all the folks out there creating music, its truly baffling why mixers are such a meh option.
Totally agree. There is a big need for a performance mixer that’s functional.
It's basically elektron take on the Mod Duo X
The fx part is a similar idea
I have the H90 and I just added the Heat which I already own and UAD MAX and I am good.
How’s the Max? I’m looking to try that out soon.
@@SURCOlive Really happy with it. I agree with you about Elektron needing end of chain compressor and I saw the UAD MAX and it works for my workflow. Octatrack compressor is not that great and is showing its age.
have been considering the H90 as well - how is it performing?
or if you had to pick one or the other H90 or AH+FX?
@@fergusfurlong It sounds massive when you want it to. Eventide is top notch when it comes to effects. I think it is a better deal than the AH+FX especially if you already own the Analog Heat mk1 or 2.
Too bad it doesn’t have an analog compressor or analog bbd delay. If I didn’t have a mcdsp apb8 I’d get one of these, no analog io though so only for mixing/mastering in daw. But I’m still tempted to get one for my synth setup. The reason they don’t have more inputs and outputs is because it’s more expensive and breaking that $1000 mark loses a lot of sales. But I agree making it 2 machines would have been better, and potentially even more sales.
The spare envelope mapped with negative depth to volume or drive etc is how users have been using the heat for analog compression since mk 1.
@@Reggi_Sample that makes sense. But he was talking like it has a compression option that wasn’t based on a negative envelope. I’m assuming that’s not analog and just a digital algo?
Do you have a nice "Heat and Fx - Mastering Chain Preset" for me ? That would be so great.
It kind of depends on your sound going through it. The core of all of mine on any Analog Heat is a high pass filter at about 20-25htz with some resonance added to boost the 30-50htz low end. I add some high eq to balance that out. 2nd saturator for some light fill and about 70% drive. That's the core of it, but I do change if I have other instruments. On the +FX I use the bass mono set at 200Htz and the slightest bit of compression to catch peaks. That's it.... save and forget it. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
very helpful. thx ! would you recommend to add the chain already when you start producing ? as a foundation for the overall Sound.@@SURCOlive
Maybe is like dj oriented fx+ end of chain
That was what I was hoping it would be, but it’s really set up for sound design.
Through the video you mention the analog effects. The 'FX' part is all digital. It is only the distortion circuits that are analog.
That being said, you can get more functionality buying the Heat mk2 and a stereo multi effects pedal
Very true. Good catch. ;)
You could get similar going that route but no compressor (unless you got an additional compressor pedal), and you’d spend a lot more. This is only $100 more than the MK2 (new).
@@SURCOlive my multi effects pedal has a compressor and limiter.
@@Calamindir nice! What do you have? I’d love to check it out
Wandering if elektron can make a patch bay via usb!
That would be interesting!
I find it utterly incomprehensible that they didn’t have a p-lock step sequencer in the Analog Heat since the mk1.
The. People would be upset that it didn’t sample. 😂
@@SURCOlive Well, you could always use the delay as a sampler.
Most ppl buying the +FX would have a sequencer that can sequence it. I’ve been fighting for them to build a Heat with a coffee cup holder!
@@TapepusherThe whole Elektron advantage is their parameter locking sequencer. It’s a no brainer that they should have one in their effects box too.
I love mine! but it has some flaws- Output level is VERY low in general, unlike the mk2. also would be smart to have 1-2 more sets of input/ out. it's not the Mk3 that we wanted, it's more a crude sneakpeek of an FX/Mixer that we all need in the Synth Market.
for example, you can't even use the modeling tools nearly to their fullest (bit crush/ analog drive circuits, heat...) without the output peaking.
and the inputs seem to be very hot. what are the upper sensitivity settings even for, if low sense is basically near max?!?!?
I haven't noticed the Heat portion being any lower than my MK2. Is it with the other FX engaged that you are seeing it? I know Elektron stages the levels lower any time there is an effect that could drive things into clipping (everything going into Overbridge is like this on purpose). Curious to hear about this bug if it is one.
I'm with you on needing a live mixer that is portable flexible with FX and the right size to be functional without being too big and heavy.
They should made this over bridge compatible and able to process any or each of track separately.
It is Overbridge compatible and the controls of each effect are available in the plugin. Not sure what you mean by ‘tracks’ since there is only one audio path (unfortunately). Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlive I meant overbridge input to heat from other elektron devices for eg. Syntakt sending all 12 tracks for processing them separately in Heat (I know I m wishing too much).
@@AliAusAachen that would be amazing. Hopefully some day!
@@AliAusAachenwell you can at least OB all Syntakt tracks to a daw then put the AH plugin on a buss with all of them through the heat
mk2 doesn't have a compressor?
It does not. We had all been waiting for one for years, and the AHFX delivered it! THanks for watching!
The Mk2 can be used as a pseudo-compressor, meaning it can do a compressor’s job with the envelope follower, but the controls aren’t as detailed as on a ‘real’ compressor.
@@vinylarchaeologist This was the work around for years, but still nothing like a proper compressor. Much more control now, and wet/ dry control with makeup gain allows for it to do what it should, not just turn down the master when it gets loud. Well worth the upgraded price even without the FX part in my opinion.
Returned mine
It’s not for everyone for sure
Ppl are getting rid of Elektrons and MPCs on Reverb
Cool video Surco. I'm a massive Elektron fanboy, but personally, I find this thing massively underwhelming. $1000 to warm up the signal a bit, or make a Volca sound a little more interesting, no thanks!
What we all want is a performance / Fx box / looper/ mixer in a Digi form factor. Lots of us want the performance features of an Octatack, but without all the other bells and whistles. A Digibox with customisable effect scenes and a cross fader, plus three inputs and power cables for the Dark Trinity. They would sell like hot cakes.
I guess it all depends on use case for sure. It won’t be valuable for everyone. I wouldn’t play live on a real system without my Heat.
That thing should be built into Dodecatrak, or "bakersdozenatrak"
Hello hello
Or maybe they want people to buy multiple heat plus fx units..?
Just get 2… 😂
Seems like the option. hahah
I’m sure they made a mistake of the price.
I totally agree. It should have been two devices and sell for a lot more. Thanks for watching!
What do you mean by "analog effects"? I think it is digital effects, isn't it? And I do not quite agree with your criticism. The whole point of putting all of this together is to have a sort of modular approach, where you can mix and match the analog with the digital effects. You would loose all of that if you separated the two, because how would you go to the digital bitcrusher, then to the analog eq, and then to the digital reverb? Does not make sense. Also, I doubt a machine with just digital fx from elektron would be able to stand out enough in this market. Who would want a reverb/delay from Elektron when there is already so many great machines out there from respected companies like Strymon, TC etc.? For me, the combination makes complete sense, and I think it is just your special use case which makes you see it that way.
Sorry, I did not also thank you for the video! Very considered, well presented thoughts. And very good advice from an experienced user as to who the Analog Heat +FX is for. Thanks!
I think the fx machine on its own would be valuable for its ability to reconfigure fx chains and save them as presets. I think this would be amazing as a one box ‘send’ for a live rig or in studio. I also think there is a need for an ‘end of chain’ for live performance. The analog heat with the addition of a compressor, limiter, and their bass/mono effect would be ideal. I know not everyone needs these, but for someone like me having them separate would have been far more usable. And… Elektron ok n could have sold me two boxes. Thanks for watching!
Direct audio rather than through the phone would be more professional. Just saying.
Noted. Thanks for the feedback
ok so we need 2 of them? ... elektron shut up and take my money ;)
A great composite, unit no doubt. But, honestly, it's not professional grade. Electronic music, live application only. But the real sound quality is lacking. Really compressed. It knocks it down but never, ever lifts it up. I work in the recording industry. No one. No one ... touches the Electron stuff. I wish all you fanboys would talk about the SOUND. No one ever does.
Thanks for sharing!
I think you are overcomplicating things when it comes to the negatives...
Well overpriced. Definitely a market for it though within the generic cool techno crowd
That’s definitely one opinion. :)
@@SURCOlive a fairly pragmatic one I'd contend. Elektron have a nice little marketing bubble they've created. I use a couple of their machines and they're fantastic as they take load off my cpu and I can use them as plugins. They help remove some of my choice paralysis. I think they're quite comfortable being trendy though. It's shtick marketing for trendy consumers. that probably airbnb in Berlin :) At least Elektron hasn't become NI
@@mr-iz8cx we live in amazing times where there is something for everyone’s workflow. What’s useless and overpriced for one maybe a value for another. I try to avoid generalizations about things being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ because what works for my needs may not for someone else and vice versa. For certain needs in my workflow I haven’t found anything better than certain pieces of Elektron gear. For other needs I prefer other gear. It’s awesome that we all get to chose what works for us individually. Thanks for watching!
@@SURCOlive I didn't say it was 'good' or 'bad'. I would never buy something on your advice. Yes amazing times, many talking heads. Many motivations, most of them selling something, somehow. While the fact I and many others think the product is overpriced doesn't necessarily relate to whether it is 'good' or 'bad'. That relates to it being overpriced by the manufacturer who knows people will pay for the name. It is 'good' in its way. I'm not a fanboy and don't care to be a salesmen. People will cling to the identity the brand provides them in their role as consumer. People think Elektron empowers their purchase choice. That's what consumerism is. That's the point of marketing. 'Techno'
@@SURCOlive I don't think it's "useless". Just overpriced. Did't say 'good' or 'bad' either. I just wouldn't buy anything based on a youtube video. I evaluate tools on what I need or want by researching them a little deeper than what some guy on youtube whose intention I have no interest in trusting says. It's a brand which markets itself well to a consumer fanbase. That fanbase which you've tapped into and feed feels empowered when they buy Elektron. That's the point of consumerism
I have a solution! Just buy 2! 🤣