I am actually having a "change of heart" towards this capable beast after a rather comprehensive video/youtube review and demo by Sonic and two of the massive brains behind Elektron. It's not polyphonic **yet** but seems pretty liekly it will be in in probably near future O.S. update. Their philosophy is to not release anything in still-beta rather, prefer kinks ironed out to keep customers satisfied. Each inquiry I have made to them they have personally answered back in no less than 24 hours!
LISTEN TO THIS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqj2FDawNVk
"Elektron Analog Four can generate sounds without using traditional oscillators or note sequencing. In this example, all the sounds are created only by feedback paths and resonating filters together with intricate lfo modulations. The amplifier section is triggered by a note-on and that is why the sequencer is running. Note, at
19:33 the sequencer is being stopped and the release phase of the amplifier envelope was still active while uploading this video."
This video/audio as well as some communication with Elektron is what's changed my opinion and that's what critical thinking is all about--remaining open-minded to possibilities and outside the 'box'.
There's a revolutionary movement of completing "the circle" in that real analog is making a comeback and NAMM should be very interesting to see if other manufacturers are going to let themselves become road-kill in re-packaging the same old-same old (roland,yamaha) and (at least korg has been releasing capable software versions of their classic gear, to incl. analog reproductions), or be beaten down by seemingly "small players" whom choose to innovate rather than play it safe. Heck, even MOOG has announced a brand new analog for NAMM that's in response to arturia's minibrute!!!
These are interesting time
s because hardware manufacturers ALSO have to be realistic and contend with the minions of software synths being released constantly.
EVEN Wolfgang Palm of PPG fame and original Waldorf incarnation has released two different PPG WaveGenerator for iPad synths and can be seen in this video where Wolfgand Palm demonstates this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7jHQU9PAps and sharing this because he is just as infamous in synthesis history as Bob Moog is (and rest his soul). Am mentioning/sharing these innovations because in order for Access to remain competitive, (not so much relavant, as that would not be true), competition is steep out there now with technology allowing more and more at a much lower price such as how solid state drives are coming down in price and SDHC memory less than a dollar a gigabite.
Would love to hear feedback on demonstration videos and thoughts about direction Access may take without all the negativity and grumblings about virus control, please!
We are literally moving "back to the future" in newfound interest in hybrid digital/analog and all out analog, while at same time applications with never before visual/physical interfaces and some like Dave Smith of DSI has been ahead in this field with the Evolver series. Cannot tell you how blown away into new sonic territories since now having two DSI Mono Evolver Keyboards, with each having one DSI Desktop Evolver polychained to make each duophonic yet sounding small in no fashion whatsoever! For the ambient/ethereal soundscapes am putting together, this along with the Virus has been a new adventure each time sitting down or standing to play. These new offerings to open vast new possibilities in synthesis indeed make 2013 very cool time to be twiddling knobs! Now, if I could just have my jet-pack or transporter pod, please?!
