Elektron Analog Four MKIIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 17 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment53%
PROS 53%
CONS 47%

Rank based on 17 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a portable groovebox for on-the-go production
  • You liked the original A4 and want improved sound quality
  • You're drawn to deep sound design and don't mind a steep learning curve

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need punchy sub-bass or full-range depth out of the box
  • You expect a large variety of fresh factory patterns
  • You want an analog engine that rivals dedicated mono synths

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Elektron Analog Four MKII
Improved sound over Mk1Rewarding depth for dedicated usersRich sound design and vibeLimited or unchanged factory patternsDifficult filter sectionInferior analog engine
Elektron Analog Four MKII
Improved sound over Mk1
Rewarding depth for dedicated users
Rich sound design and vibe
Limited or unchanged factory patterns
Difficult filter section
Inferior analog engine

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A clear upgrade over the original A4 in sound quality. Multiple long-time users who owned the Mk1 say the Mk2 is a lot better, with outputs that sound hotter and better than they remember from the original. One commenter specifically asked whether direct outs explained the improvement, noting Elektron's own claims about better Mk2 output stages. Drum sounds in particular are called out as notably superior, with one user saying it's funny how much better the A4 sounds for drums compared to Elektron's own Analog Rytm.

Deep and complex, but the filters are a genuine challenge. Several owners describe the Analog Four MKII as the most complex piece of gear they've owned, requiring reference material and tutorials even years into ownership. The filter section is repeatedly flagged as one of the trickiest parts of the machine to master, described as extremely difficult. This depth clearly rewards patient users, as evidenced by praise for compositions and sound design like an LFO routed to pan via a macro, but it demands real study time.

Sound character splits opinion between fans and skeptics. Some users love the resulting vibe, citing nu-jazz-influenced compositions as some of the best they've heard from the instrument. Others are less convinced, describing the overall sound as mid-rangey and lacking bass depth, and one commenter says it can't hold a candle to their Eurorack setup despite finding it appealing. A separate critique targets the analog engine itself as inferior to dedicated analog mono synths, with a wish for a CEM3340-style chip.

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