Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

I think it looks pretty neat so far. Preorder price is usually about the same as the cheapest internet price after release. With the way software(OS) intensive gear is released these days I will always wait a year after release to buy unless user reports indicate minimal bugs and complete features. Main reason is I do not want to have to unlearn a method of completing a task when the button combo/ menu structure changes.

I see the release of this restoring the fun factor in the Elektron name. The octatrack has a reputation from some users as being needlessly complex. Though, what it pulls off is pretty damn complex.

The A4 looks like it will be fun, fun, FUN! Probably will have enough ease of use to overcome all of the "I wish it did"s. Tone is always the big personal question mark.

I am sure when using effects section the elektron flavor will be prominent in the stew. I am very interested in it's sound straight out of the analog section. Waveforms? Continually variable, in what order?

griffin avid wrote: In other words, you could do this stuff easily with your current set up, but it's much more fun/cooler/hip/inspiring to do it THIS WAY or THATTAWAY!

great point. interface is everything. it can make or break an instrument. and it can completely reinvent a synth engine that has already previously existed if it can more fluidly allow you to do things you had a hard time doing in the past. it's definitely the param locks that set this apart from anything else out there. and it's probably enough to secure Elektron's position in the synth world even if its analog engine is just 'ok'.

I'm interested and watching carefully. Love to jump on this but some other stuff has to happen first. Still, the more I see of this I can see a parallel to the Quasimidi Polymorph - not so much in the details [very different] but in the ethos - this could be the Berlin School synth to end them all. If it is, expect to see the used values of Polymorphs sag a little - they were truly a synth that was only really missed once it had gone...

I hear that preorders are through the roof. Well done, Elektron!

danbroad wrote:this could be the Berlin School synth to end them all.

Definitely seems like it would be good for that kind of thing, hopefully with the possibility of some unique twists. And not that I always want to hear that sound endlessly rehashed I'm surprised not to hear any hints of that in sound examples so far.

Also going to be an ADD tweaker's dream. Nobody let Richard Devine anywhere near it for goodness sake.

Sir Nose wrote:I see the release of this restoring the fun factor in the Elektron name. The octatrack has a reputation from some users as being needlessly complex. Though, what it pulls off is pretty damn complex.

The Octatrack isn't needlessly complex IMO, it could be simpler but then it wouldn't be able to do everything it does, which is just about everything. It's necessarily complex because it does complex things; what other sampler on the market lets you save a pattern where it records into the sample buffer at programmed points and then plays that sample backwards pitched down an octave?

Why don't they play on "A4 paper size" - is its footprint actually bigger?

Probably for the best that they don't draw any more attention than necessary to that inspired name. I just think of it as that new Elektron analogue synth box with CV outs and stuff.

true, but have they ever had an inspiring name for any machine? I don't think they need it.
When a little thought has gone into a name like the Mopho it gets slammed as cheesy.
You could win whatever you called it, I think they worked that one out.

^ Sounding good, can def see this as a great live tool alongside their other offerings. Also nice FX on that sucker too.

I'm getting pretty excited about this. My Mopho's will play their last gig on Saturday and are on ebay + some other redundant stuff.

Although I do wish they would put the Plus drive in from the start now it's available.

Sounds great and looks real nice to use, looks like I will be forking out some cash when this is available.

i think that sounds pretty good.