73 thoughts on “Elektron Analog Keys A ‘Flagship Analog Synth’, Here Are The Official Details”

1. Too many multi function buttons. Otherwise it sounds okay.

2. At that price I would want one knob per function, or something close to it (like the DSI Mopho Keyboards, the Sub Phatty, the Brutes, etc . . . ) It’s very sexy and sounds fantastic but I’m not pining for one.

   1. You couldn’t even fit close to that many knobs in that area. Though it is frustrating to see all that empty panel space and wish they’d used it.

   2. I understand your concerns about pricing but you are kidding yourself if you think a MOPHO is the answer in regards to knob-per-function synthesizers.

3. About 300 units of currency too expensive. It makes an expensive item into a damn near luxury one. Not everyone can slam down that amount of bread.

   1. “Not everyone can slam down that amount of bread”

      your point? this keyboard is not made for “everyone”. no product ever is.
      expensive? don´t buy it. i certainly wont, but also respect elektron and the pricing they set.

      this is not some corporation where the profits go to some soulless manager.
      they are dedicated, smart people working very hard to brig a product they can be proud of.

      this price bitching is really an incredibly selfish and self-centered phenomenon.
      if a product does not have a certain feature like individual outputs, everyone complains.
      if it is feature packed – they bitch about the price.

      oh humanity, you so silly.

      1. I don’t think that’s fair. Considering this is essentially just an A4 with a keyboard glued on, I think people are less “bitching about price”, and more bemused as to how that accounts for such a massive price increase.

         Considering that in the last year or so, quite a lot of nifty, well made analogue hardware has shown up at very low prices, I think people are starting to expect more for their money. That’s not really a bad thing. People will always pay a lot for boutique, aspirational hardware – but I’m not sure Elektron fit in that category anymore. This is a mass produced device, and I think we are allowed to be a little skeptical/critical about value for money.

         1. fair enough, but you also have to take into consideration the global economical factors.
            elektron is in the north, and i expect its production facillities aswell (although i might be completely wrong here). and northern countries have a very high living standards.

            we all complain about cheaply made chinese products and acknowledge the problem the current world economies have because of the corporations transplanting the production facillities to the east, yet always criticise the pricing of products made in healthy economies where the workers are able to live above the poverty line. always the same with moog, elektron, and other prime products.

            one thing is certain. the build quality and materials are amazing and second to none.
            i myself could not gel with the workflow but that is another matter.

            they surely wont hike the price up just for the sake of profit margin because, as someone pointed out, it pushes the consumer towards the competitive products.
            especially as you say – the analog market is almost oversaturated with the same type of product. that would be dumb.

            you create a product at the most competitive price you can.

            1. All DSI equipment is made in the USA, so the local economy argument justifying the lack of dedicated knobs is moot. I’m not saying that the analog keys is overpriced, I think it’s probably priced quite competitively for what it is, but I’m saying I wouldn’t pay so much without more dedicated knobs. That’s not the same as bitching about price. I use Apple computers and my favorite synth is the OP-1, which people often call overpriced (they’re not). I’m a big fan of Elektron, but they have not inspired me to want this at that price. It’s not priced wrong, just wrong for me. That’s all.

      2. A former synth dealer, let me break the news to you that synthesizer pricing, too follows economic principles. Yes, there’s branding, and elektron does that well. A Sidstation owner myself, I also understand that there are niche markets. But, once you price them into the market people will rip these out of your hands, … even though there actually doesn’t seem much of a differentiation here.

4. You can get a Prophet 08 for about that price.

   1. Having used most the DSI stuff I’d have to say that their sequencers really aren’t setup for real time manipulation. Folks buying this will get the bonus of a 4x analog synth PLUS a great sequencer for real time creation. I’m betting this will sell.

      1. I wished they’d skip the sequencer part, which I don’t need at all. I would have liked it if it would be more knobs per parameter, or more polyphony. That would REALLY set this thing apart from the competition. ARTURIA? Do something!

         1. If it would only be up to Yves Usson I think you might get something like this: ‘a synthesizer with four synchronizable VCOs (with saw, pulse, sine and metalizer) , three VCFs (one multi-mode 12 db/octave and two classical Moog ladder lowpass filter), two VCAs, four HADSR envelope generators, one three bands tuneable resonant filter, one ring modulator, three VC-LFOs, a noise generator and two random voltage sources. It would also integrate a fully featured digital sequencer. All these could be interconnected through a large very flexible modulation matrix.Also I would care very much for a classy panel and box design with plenty of brass plates and high quality wood.’
            http://greatsynthesizers.com/en/interview/yves-usson-co-developer-of-the-arturia-minibrute/

            1. very interesting read. thanks for the source info! I am really hoping Arturia will make an Analog Poly. I am still hooked on the minibrute, they were one of the first to bring a true analog monofonic to the market and look what happened? Now if they only come up with an affordable compact analog poly it would be amazing.

               1. Also his quote on designing the Minibrute is awesome: “For this purpose I built a 12U cabinet that I stuffed with VCOs, VCFs, LFO, EGs… I must say this has been a very interesting and stimulating phase, and it was delightful to catch the sparkle in the eyes of the young Arturia engineers used to VSTs and discovering the sonic power of true analogue hardware.”

5. Does anyone know.. How does this differ from the regular Analog four other than the attached keyboard and joystick?

   1. it’s polyphonic while the A4 isn’t

      1. Are you meaning to say that a single part can be polyphonic? I thought the Analog 4 was four voice polyphonic. Does this mean a single “synth” could have up to four voices? 4 voices distributed amongst up to a maximum of four parts? Not 100% sure why/how this is different than the standard A4.

         1. 4voices is not the same as 4x polyphonic is not the same as 4 oscilators^^

            he means that the A4 keyboard and desktop version has 2OSC and 4voices, BUT the keyboard version is also 4xpolyphonic

      2. The A4 will receive these, and any other improvements such as +Drive, as a free software update on December 9, the day the AK launches (info directly from Elektron, check their Facebook page).

         The only difference in sound is, according to Elektron, “circuits fine-tuned for delivering deep bass” but no one knows what that means yet.

6. Great apart from the price, good news for Dave smith though . It will put business his way .
   Double the value and double the polyphony.
   A rack version of this would be of interest. A great thing to hear is that this can have 4000 memories,
   someone let Ken Macbeth know that analogues can have memories!!!

7. YAWN!!!

8. For the guy complaining about the price, I am with you. However, you have an alternative, get the Analog A4, it’s almost the same exact thing without a keyboard and a lot more portable – just $800 less.

9. I don’t know if this could beat my virus TI , but i love the sound, could I record the sound thru usb?

   1. is the virus analog ? ^^

10. No midi out from the sequencer is a deal breaker for me.

    1. Yeah absolutely. For that price, over looking stuff like this just isn’t ok.

11. Roland please make a Juno 60 mini and sell it for $750 or less and put these entitled nerds to shame.

    1. Did you really mentioned.. ROLAND?

       1. yeah roland get on it….. roland?? roland?!? …… hellllooooo? anyone?

12. Seems to be the exact same synth engine as the A4. I picked up the A4 because I fell in love with it’s features, but in the long run, the sound doesn’t quite do it for me. Especially the ladder filter seems to lack life. It’s perfect for those dark, silky tech house sounds, but I’m more into acid, chiptunes and bright squelches. It’s sync and AM sounds are excellent, though!

13. this is certainly a nice keyboard, but yes i think its a bit pricey for what it offers

    however, it will probably drive down the price of the standard A4 box on the used market, and that is awesome because ive been planning on getting one

14. lol Everybody want analog but don’t want to lose that arm or leg.

15. IF you like diving small LCD screens just to come up with a good programmed analog sound then this synt is for you. I tried a few of their products… Not for me. Filters are not great either.

    1. i have their MD and A4, and its true the screen is small, but it takes around 1-2 hours and you don’t even need the screen anymore

       MD has only 3 pages and 8 knob per page, thats 24 parameters and they pretty much stay the same n all voices, except of the first page which changes …

    2. I have to agree with you, I actually contacted Elektron regarding the A4 and why they had used such a inferior LCD screen. Their reasoning was pricing which is odd. You can purchase a 10cm x 15cm (4″x6″) LCD screen for about £44 per screen…and that is for a single unit! volume purchasing would reduce that exponentially.

       I have seen comparable screens to the one above in the range of £28 for a 1000 units!

       This is honestly poor planning and short sighted design and cost/benefit oversight on Elektron’s part.

       1. Yeah, but if you put that £44 screen on, you have to sacrifice knobs and controls or make the whole unit bigger. Bigger unit adds cost. Bigger unit also breaks the consistency of size in Elektron machines, which potentially hurts sales. Having fewer controls than it already does would certainly hurt sales, making your volume purchases smaller, which adds cost. Also, volume purchasing reduces costs fractionally, not exponentially. An example: http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Newhaven-Display/NHD-320240WG-ATMI-VZ/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvkC18yXH9iItroeKb%252bkvxnPTOtSWSf8ik%3d

          There’s always more to it than the raw cost of a part.

       2. ” is honestly poor planning and short sighted design”. Possibly. Yet leaving the consumer wanting more in any particular product is a effective way to make sure that the Anolog keys II,for an example, (with a larger screen) sells well ;-). If it was possible to sell the “perfect” product that would harm future sales.
          Of course truly modular systems (plug and play) where you can update the synth with the latest tech would be more efficient and cost (environment) saving for the consumer and our environment. I realise that our consumerism culture and the cost to the environment isn’t fashionable. Hence the degrading environment.

16. awesome sequencer if you have 10 hours a day to read manuals and scour elektron blogs. Amazing filter if you like no character and boring, great design if you like the exact same design as the A4(YAWN), great price if your a CEO of a successful corporation or enjoy being in debt, great effects if you enjoy menu diving four hours, no brainer on this amazing piece of gear. I’ll buy it since there are no other affordable analog synths on the market right now:))))))))

    1. Wait, what? Their sequencers are simple to use for an absolute beginner. My 8year old nephew rocks Machinedrum and it took 10 minutes of explaining over an hour of him noodling around with the sequencer. Do you have any Elektron products? If not, try one out … Its addicting and very easy to use. Have fun 🙂

    2. Fred you shot yourself in your foot right now ^^

       apart from Emergs nephew, my gf which never ever used a sequencer plays with the MD since i have it with no problem.

       if you know what the parameters mean and know how a sequencer works you should have ABSOLUTELY no problem using any of their machines.
       In fact their products are super easy and straightforward to use

       never touched the manual till i tried midi routing

17. Yeah, 600 for a knobless 3 octave keyboard is too much.

    I’m going for dsi.

18. Agree, I don’t see where the extra $800 in value is coming from over the box.

19. Yeesh, its a FOUR-VOICE ALL-ANALOG SYNTH WITH MEMORY, PLUS EFFECTS. The way people keep gritching about that, you’d think this would at least get round of real applause. I’m keen on learning how the analog part feeds a memory and effects block. No one else is offering this config as hardware at all. With a mono MiniBrute running $500 with no memory, I’d call the price here admirable, not a deal breaker. All of you who holler for a new MemoryMoog, here you go. This is the kind of cost to expect with that much analog in it. I’m not a fan of their GUIs, but its a FOUR-VOICE ALL-ANALOG SYNTH WITH MEMORY. Look at the price of an Obie 4-Voice and then complain to me about this one. Its a great advance, not a disease. Sorry about the PEA under your MATTRESS, princess! 😀 Seriously, I have to respect the bases this thing covers. I hope it cleans up.

20. This is a bit of a head scratcher, no Midi Sequencer? Makes me wonder what the next machine will be.
    I must say the Monomachine works great for me. Elektron make Capable machines that require you to really dig your heels in and get to know them. Not for everyone .

21. Somehow this kinda reminds me of the Nord Modular G2, which is extremely powerful, but wasn’t a big commercial success because a lot of people simply don’t know how to use the thing or want to take time to patch via a computer screen. I think musicians really want a simple, intuitive hands on performance synthesizer. I think you have to dive deep in the Elektron as well to reach it’s full potential. But for me diving in a small LCD menu screen blocks the workflow and creativity. It’s not inspiring at all. I would have preferred it if they kept it simple and adding knobs per parameter control.

22. Sounds like a beast, I especially like the effects. As much as I love DSI, the effects on their keyboards tend to be kind of an afterthought. The effects on this sound well thought out. It’s pretty clear where the price point comes from – they are gearing for this to be an analog alternative to a virus. A 61-key would have made a bit more sense as an all-in-one stage synth but that could still be in the pipeline.

    1. Where did you see effects on a DSI product??

       1. the Mopho x4 doesn’t have reverb, chorus or anything else. I think it’s the only thing that’s missing for a go to performance / gig synth. The analog keys does, which is pretty cool and handy in a live situation.

23. This has two filters, one of which is multi-mode

24. In my opinion, everything Elektron makes, seems awesome. Yet there is always something that is missing considering the price of their products. If I’m going to spend big, meaning over 1k euros or dollars for any piece of gear, I really expect no “buts” or stuff missing. I guess the real problem here is that it’s selling points offer no real authenticity. A lot of memory, a sequencer, a keyboard… What about sound and creation possibilities you can’t really get from other synths? I guess that is why anyone and mostly everyone has a better option of purchase. Unless you already own a lot of other synths, I do not see any particular gain here. If I have to spend almost 2k, I rather save an extra K and get a prophet 12. For what this offers, I rather buy a couple of analog cheaper options like arturia, korg, novation, or moog and get effects in racks or stomps that will do the trick, and eventually will add more to your own versatility, creativity, knowledge and experience in building a nice setup tailored to your needs, than spending a lot of time and money learning to use this one machine that offers a lot of things, but none of them is really a completely satisfied need.

    1. your not going to get a great deal of innovative sound creation methods here. its analog. hasnt change for decades. i mean, if you can find me a good example id like to see. i think your best bet for analog at this point is just expressive control of the analog sound through percise (real time and step sequenced) digital controllers. which elektron does well. i think the price should be atleast 150-200 cheaper. but honestly, A4 all the way. AK isnt needed at this price point.

    2. If you want innovation in analog, get a Eurorack system.

       Approximately $7,000 later you’ll have the 4 voices of the A4/AK, but with some crazy modules thrown in to give you freaky new oscillator textures, granular processing, and drums sequenced by marble physics and fractal computations.

       Of course, you’ll also have a system too big to lug to a gig. And no preset memory.

       There are always trade-offs.

       This is why I love my Nord Modular G2 – in many ways it makes the smartest trades. It skims the best from everything: the inventiveness of modular synthesis, the sound of analog (virtual, granted), and the convenience and usability of digital. It’s a shame they abandoned it.

25. Anallog Keys is meant for the keyboardist that actually plays the keys. There isn’t a big difference between the AK and the A4 if you don’t really want or need the keys. Although, if you watch the one short demo they have out right now, you can see that the keyboard does offer a slightly different workflow, which could be a bit quicker and easier than the A4, but not that much. Both the AK and A4 are getting an OS update, and both are getting +Drive activation (already in the units). Pretty cool because that’s like a +$300 value.

    You really can’t compare the AK to other analog synths because the AK has the Elektron sequencer (p-locks, etc). The AK is sooooo much more than just a keyboard. People use A4’s as analog drum machines, and so you can do the same with the AK, only now you’ll be able to actually play the keys over the beat. Some people are going to love the “all in one” aspect of this device.

    Elektron products are built like nothing else (okay, a tank), and is meant to be a timeless, iconic, unique piece of gear, and they are handmade in Sweden, so thus the high price point. If you like to get your hands dirty with synthesis you will love their stuff. If you don’t like getting your hands dirty, you may find yourself whining about lack of knobs (makes no sense) or the small screen (which you barely need once you know what you’re doing). But you have to take the time to really get to know their products to find the real magic.

    1. People who “play keys” probably already have a good master controller, and if they’re into synths, they have something knobby to control stuff with. They’d be much better off with the A4 rather than another crappy 3-octave keyboard controller…

    2. Peculiar to state ‘ If you like to get your hands dirty with synthesis you will love their stuff. If you don’t like getting your hands dirty, you may find yourself whining about lack of knobs (makes no sense) .’ Because I think Elektron is giving you zo much memory that very likely most of the users of this Elektron will not change that much parameters. While the users of those synths with all parameters direct accessible but without any preset memory has to make their hands dirty by definition.

26. I will buy it for sure, it is expensive but it’s worth it easy, the sequencer alone is amazing, and is a must, and keys and it’s perfect. Save your money, quite bitch’n and decide what and how you want to make music. This will add amazing work flow advancements. Less time in front of a computer and more time writing and experimenting. That worth 1800 dollors I think.

27. I’m an A4 user, and having actually watched the demos that are online i can definitely see that the keyboard could really open up the machine and actually make the sequencer much more instantly useable and powerful. It looks very exciting to me.

    Another point – LOADS of people complained that the A4 only had a stereo out despite 4 tracks. So Elektron put 4 separate stereo outs in the A4K. THAT ADDS TO THE COST PEOPLE!

    It’s also polyphonic and mappable, as well as instantly programmable and playable. Try doing that on a Tetra… I know, i have, and that’s why I bought the A4.

    And there really isn’t that much menu diving for the synth section – i can say that as someone who collects vintage gear and knows both ends of the spectrum! The A4 is already fun to play live – the A4K is going to take that much further

    1. I have watched various Demo’s and have not seen anyone of them demonstrate the AK whatsoever on its own except for the rubbish launch party video and elektron’s own mystic umm…demo if it that is what its called! In fact I have only seen the AK demo’d with a OCK or A4 and then still no focus on the AK and the actual keyboard hardly not being used, talk about missing the point?!. I am not saying you have not seen anything but please feel free to show or share with me an actual demo of the AK on it’s own. On a side issue I own all the other elektron’s and they work great together but I just am not getting the vibe about this AK I think elektron have made a mistake with this model, but it happens and that’s just my opinion.

28. Nice but the price is rather prohibitive – maybe it is worth it to some. To be fair, consider comparable synthesizers that can be had with same budget. Perhaps with more product videos.. time will tell. Can anyone confirm point about step-sequencer not linking to MIDI? The advertorial looked weak compared to the Hector series.

29. I’d get a Mopho X4 instead… still would have enough money to get a few good effect pedals.

30. come on guys the price is fine ^^

    don’t buy it if you don’t like the price or have the A4 already

    and speaking of A4, did anyone hear anything about the A4 getting a unisono mode upgrade ?
    that would be great 🙂

31. I understand it being a nice chunk of change, but for its capabilities, I think many will buy it as a centerpiece. I decry stingy displays, which is why I wound up using Logic, but if this thing has a software editor, it’ll really close that gap well. In general (and at my house), it seems that many of us drop large bills on one or two central items and then enhance it around the edges. I have two workstations, but I also drop $40-100 on occasional soundsets. I get a lot of goodness from both ends of the spectrum. While its GUI is a bit clunky, I still feel as if it has “mainstay” written all over it.

32. one word: overpriced.

33. Even if it wasn’t for the total lack of organic playability of Elektron Products, I would say that ‘digital controls’ of an analog synth can be a big hit or miss. Unless you’ve actually played a 100% analog synth (not just signal path, but analog controls as well), then you don’t know what you’re missing. There are a number of issues including latency that need consideration. Again, if you’ve never played a real 100% analog synth then you’d have no idea what I’m referring to.

    The menu driven system is also completely undesirable. Thank goodness for companies like synthesizers.com that sell amazing, high quality PURE ANALOG products at a reasonable price point. I might be outgrowing the fanaticism that comes with new products, as most end up being overblown experiments in consumer marketing.

    Elektron has been getting ‘Boo’s’ from me for years, the SidStation was unique, but also totally inorganic. All their subsequent products I’ve taken home and demo’d (I’m a synth repair person, don’t hate) and tested extensively. I tried to want these machines, but in the end, they came back to the shop for sale to some poor sucker. Give me a modular anyday.

    1. Your comments made me think a little here as I see some of what your saying as I have AG synths including moog’s etc and I have digital – like the kronos x, nord S2, as well as DJ decks and the elektron’s A4. OCTA, MONO, DRUMM, and many many more because I like creativity. I just think each synth whether AG or not is a sound tool that is personal for the individual. To debate about osc’s or LFO’s , wave forms, latency this and that, is just something you can do with any of equipment especially in a more affordable price, and that is what it breaks down to. Affordable sounds that bring enjoyment. I just wish people truly grasped this easy concept instead of ripping a manufacturer to bits, I mean that is the easy option and easy way out isn’t it – slate the company because you dont like the name or the shape or way you have to produce the sound bla bla bla. And yes – Manufactures do make product mistakes or maybe try to hard on the success of an existing product and yes they get it wrong, but you cant blame them for trying…

34. Now selling. Serial number #1 of the Elektron Analog Keys goes to charity, and is auctioned now!
    http://www.elektronauts.com/home/news

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36. if people want real time controls knobs then why studiologic sledge isn’t a best seller for example ??
    this bad faith and sheeps behavior !!!
    keep buy dsi and moog and stay intellectually comfortable in edm/rnb/pop area !!!

37. Man alive… now this thing sounds incredible. Gear pang…lol. I’m really inspired about what’s coming out these days. For me, that’s what a synth should sound like; warm, icy, velvety, cutting, creamy, dark, abrasive, and super fat… ultra expressive, inspiring and portable. Sahhh-weeet!

38. Remember y’all, these industrious Swedes have made the digital control of the analog sound engine super, super tight. I’ve heard you can change a patch on every step of the sequencer…now THERE’S a reason for having such huge patch memory.

39. its a great idea but sounds very bad. or maybe just the demos are not good enough.