fathand

I'll review this when it arrives! Stay tuned and keep your eye out for further additions to my equipboard!

This little machine does it all. I take it everywhere with me so I can get ideas down wherever and whenever the mood strikes. Great when you are travelling or away from the studio for any length of time.

The Octatrack took me several months to get my head around. As my first step sequencer, first sampler and first piece of Elektron gear it was probably not the easiest one to start with but once I cracked the work flow it quickly became the backbone of what is now my hardware only live electronic set up. The sampler element of the machine has a deep set of features that allow you to take recorded sounds to very interesting places you might not go with other machines or even with software. On top of the crazy sample mangling ability of this machine it also has an 8 track midi sequencer that allows you to programme any other hardware that you may own. As I use the OT along with quite a few other pieces of equipment, including other Elektron boxes, I have developed a workflow that doesn't require me to dig too deep when performing. All of my needs are met and more with the current feature set of the OT however I understand those more advanced users have features that they would love for Elektron to implement. Knowing the company though I am sure that over time they will continue to develop this classy machine.

Along with the OT and Rytm, the A4 forms the core of my set up. It has deep programming that is accessed via a menu system on the LCD screen. While some people have issues with menu diving and prefer to have more controls laid out on the synth I like it because it packs in a lot of power to a small footprint and makes it portable for live performance. You soon become familiar where to find each parameter and realise that they are logically planned out. All of the Elektron machines are the same size and have screw holes on the side which allows you to stack them using side panel stands. For those with modular/semi modular gear, the A4 has CV sequencer which I believe is pretty diverse and can be set to V/Oct or Hz/V. This is something that I haven't used yet.

I have had this synth for approaching ten years now and it finds new locations within my set up as I changes styles and approaches to writing and performing. Very deep programming that you can take as far as you want or get inspired by the thousands of patches designed by some masterful sound designers. It is well worth checking out. At the moment I am using the Octatrack midi sequencer to control the Polar in my live performances. These two instruments alone are a very powerful combination.

The Analog Rytm is another well conceived instrument from Elektron. I have only had it a short time but so far I am finding that it really does pack a punch. With 8 analogue voices that are optimised for drum sounds and the ability to upload samples of any type along with a range of effects and processing the possibilities are only as small as your imagination. Depressing when the lowest common denominator is your own ability! Some really cool performance controls using aftertouch on the pads and scene mode helps you easily create variations. One of my favourite features of the black series of Elektron machines is their sequencer. I love how it allows you to get into micro timing of patterns which on the Rytm can get some wonky beats flowing. This intricacy is something you miss on the machine drum when you go back to it. This is yet another deep instrument that is hard to review concisely! Worth trying one out if you can.

I have yet to plug it in so full review to come...

Very interesting little beast. Love to use it along with the Analog Rytm for a minimal techno jam. I think if you combined this along with the new Korg SQ-1 you could take that kind of jam into the club.

It is fun to patch it up. Crazy screaming filters. Great for studio use but as a solo electronic performer it is a bit cumbersome to cart around for live shows so sample what I need from it. Small keys are a bit of fiddle.