Cherry Audio Elka-X - Sound Bank '79

video upload by Polydata

"Drawing from the earliest days of polyphonic synthesizers, Sound Bank ‘79 for the Cherry Audio Elka-X finds its inspiration in synthesizer music found in documentaries and library music from the late 70’s and early 80’s.

A bank comprising 30 patches for instant inspiration. The goal was to squeeze as much vintage analog juice out of this plug-in as possible, primarily working within the constraints of the original Elka Synthex analog poly synth. While designing this bank, there's one word that kept coming to mind: lush. There's a beautiful smooth and rich tone to this instrument, and paired with it's unique set of features, it's hard to beat.

Sound Bank '79 is a series of vintage tones for different synths and plug-ins, so look out for future releases. Recorded completely dry with no external effects or processing.

Link:
polydata.bigcartel.com

After payment, you will receive the file in your email within 24 hours.

Drop a comment of what other hardware or software sound packs you're interested in.

POLYDATA music
polydata.bandcamp.com

00:00 Assemble
00:09 Biscayne Blvd
00:21 Cameron
00:34 Competition Pool
00:45 Construction Site
00:55 Dodge Dart
01:06 Elka on Cassette
01:17 Finals Week
01:28 Heat Wave
01:39 Interstate 5
01:49 Jake Brake
01:59 Keyboard Scanner
02:09 LA Marathon
02:20 Library Apple II
02:30 Microscope
02:42 Multiplexer
02:56 Ocean Breeze
03:10 Olympic Blvd
03:24 Photo Class
03:34 Reflections
03:55 Regional Prog Band
04:05 Sea Wall
04:15 Slow Motion
04:26 Soccer Practice
04:37 State Park
04:47 Staying After School
05:03 Syntax
05:15 Targa Top
05:25 Train Station
05:36 Transformer"

Cherry Audio Introduces the Elka-X - Virtual Elka Synthex

video upload by Cherry Audio

Update: user videos added futher below.

Introduction to Cherry Audio Elka-X Part 1 - Hosted by Tim Shoebridge

video upload by Cherry Audio


"Cherry Audio's Elka-X synthesizer is based upon the legendary ELKA Synthex, a rare Italian masterpiece with luxury features. Elka-X replicates the original's exceptional character without compromising sound or functionality and expands its features to deliver the authentic Synthex experience at a price anyone can afford. Cherry Audio's Elka-X synthesizer is now available at https://bit.ly/elka-x and authorized resellers worldwide at the extraordinary price of only $39.

About Elka-X Synthesizer

Cherry Audio precisely crafted each aspect of the Elka-X synthesizer to sound and behave exactly like a vintage hardware Synthex. Every effort was taken to emulate the prized tone of the original's DCOs, dynamic filter, and stunning chorus. The innovative sound-sculpting and performance features such as layering and keyboard split have been preserved, and the original's 128-step sequencer has been greatly improved.

As with its other synthesizer and effects products, Cherry Audio has kept the soul of a classic alive while updating its feature set for modern studio environments. Elka-X expands the polyphony and filter modes and introduces mono and unison modes that were absent from the original design. The extended functionality of the LFOs and addition of velocity response expands modulation potential, and a new arpeggiator delivers new performance possibilities.

Unique panel controls make it painless to exchange settings between layers, sequencer tracks, and even different presets. In addition to the original chorus effect, Elka-X adds studio-quality echo and reverb stereo effects, with independent settings for both layers. With additional touches such as chord memory, over 600 pro patches, and flexible MIDI mapping, Cherry Audio's Elka-X brings the authentic and expanded Synthex experience roaring into the 21st century.

Visit cherryaudio.com for a full list of features, system requirements, brilliant demo tracks, preset examples, testimonials, and a free 30-day demo of the software.

Elka-X synthesizer is now available at https://cherryaudio.com/ and authorized resellers worldwide. The software is provided as both a standalone application and in AU, VST, VST3, and AAX plugin formats for Windows and macOS, with native Apple silicon support for the highest performance on the latest Mac computers."

Cherry Audio Elka-X // Review and Walkthrough

video upload by Starsky Carr

🎹 ELKA X Synth 🍒 Cherry Audio All Playing NO TALKING Sounds Demo by AGD @Andrew G Dugros

video upload by Andrew G Dugros

Moby's Drum Machines For Sale

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

You can find them on Reverb here.

Don't miss the video here.

Update: some pics and details captured. I made the mistake of trying to capture them all and then realized how many were listed. :) I ended up switching to the more esoteric models. Quite a few have never been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH before. What's a little bit interesting, is only two new labels were needed, one for Domino and one for Side-Kick-Er. All other brands have been featured before. See the labels at the bottom of this post. Side note: Blogger limits the number of characters to 200 for labels, so I wasn't able to capture them all for this post. You can always search for the brand names featured for more. I assume most do this anyway. The labels are more for maintenance and for finding posts that may not feature brand names in descriptions.

Pictured:

Realistic Concertmate Electronic Accompanist-Metronome

"Fully analog rhythmic companion utilizing 5 beat buttons to combine how you wish. Features metronome, speaker and line out, and tempo control.

Serial: 42-2103. Works with no issue."

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"Fotonovela" - on Elka X-30

Published on Jan 2, 2017 organfairy

"...and Roland JV-35.

I think it is the first time I have made a cover of a Spanish song. But there is a first time for everything and this song is one I remember from the mid 1980s where I taped it from the radio.
The artist was called Iván and he seems to have had some succes in France, Switzerland, and Germany.
And then he disappeared without a trace and the internet doesn't know more about him. It's not even possible to get a birth year. But maybe some of you know more than I could find.
Please comment."

Tuning fork controlled synthesizer

Published on Feb 15, 2016 organfairy

"Some years ago I made a tuning fork oscillator. [see this post]

I have now created a chromatic system where I first multiply the tuning fork frequency by 128 and then use divide down technology to make the individual notes.

The music is something I put together using Elka X-30 organ and Roland JV-35 synthesizer."

OP-X PRO-II available for Mac and x64

Published on Sep 30, 2015 virtualoberheim

"Featuring 8 instances of OP-X PRO-II performing in Apple Logic Pro X. All sounds including drums are coming from OP-X PRO-II.

The featured sounds are available in the 'PROII_Live8InstancesSong' bank in 'Extrabanks' in the new Mac and x64 versions. The bank also will be provided for the 32bit version on the sound reloads page.

The featured session can be downloaded ready to play for various Mac and Windows x64 sequencers on the demo version page: http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/f...

The available formats now include:
Mac: AU and VST3 32/64bit
Win: VST2 32bit, VST2 and VST3 64bit

The new Mac and x64 bit versions include all so far available sounds which is a whooping 2'500 patches in total.

The sound collection includes emulations of synths like Oberheim OB-X, Matrix-12, Jupiter-8, Prophet-5, Minimoog, Elka Synthex, Crumar BIT99 and other ones.

All sounds can be checked out with the free demo version: http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/f..."

Voltage Controlled Oscillator Controlled Switched Capacitor Filter

Published on Jun 1, 2015 organfairy

"When I was drinking from the fountain of knowledge at Herning Institute of Business and Technology I was introduced to the concept of switched capacitor filters. I don't know why it took me 18 years before I made something synthesizer oriented based on that idea. But now I have done so.

The idea is to replace the lag of a resistor and capacitor with a charge moving operation between two capacitors. And it is all controlled by a fast running voltage controlled oscillator. So you could call it a Voltage Controlled Oscillator Controlled Switched Capacitor Filter - VCOCSCF!

The music in this video is played on Elka X-30 and EP-8 organs, Kawai FS-620 keyboard, and Zoom 505 multi effects pedal."

XILS-lab Releases miniSyn’X

"XILS-lab launches low-cost luscious soft synth emulation of Eighties polysynth par excellence!

'I’ve just got miniSyn’X and am so excited, because the Synthex is a fantastic rarity. Thanks to XILS-lab for giving everyone the opportunity to play with it.'

- Jean-Michel Jarre (April 2015)

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software company XILS-lab is proud to announce availability of miniSyn’X — an authentic, cost-conscious soft synth emulation of a much-loved Eighties-vintage analogue polysynth of Italian origin that helped define the sound of an era — as of April 8...

miniSyn’X is a multi-format (AAX, AU, RTAS, VST), 32- and 64-bit polyphonic, duo-timbral virtual analogue synthesizer plug-in for Mac (OS X 10.5 and later) Windows (XP, Vista, and 7/8) that faithfully emulates the still-sought-after sound of the Synthex, a luscious, 1982-vintage, eight-voice programmable analogue polysynth independently designed by Mario Maggi and built by Italian home organ manufacturer Elka. Indeed, it was much loved by synth luminaries of the day — not least French synth wizard Jean-Michel Jarre, whose well-known Laser Harp performances still emanate exclusively from an amazing-sounding Synthex patch produced by one-time UK demonstrator/ programmer Paul Wiffen and audible in isolation in ‘Second Rendez-Vous’ on Jarre’s multi-million-copy-selling Rendez-Vouz album of 1986. Pity, then, that the Synthex did not sell in such Jarre-like quantities during a four-year, three-stage (50-, 800-, and 1,000-unit) production run, with one last post-production unit being built especially for Stevie Wonder, such was the legendary American singer-songwriter/multi- instrumentalist/record producer’s love for the future-classic instrument that initially failed to fly in the face of the-then ‘art nouveau’ digital age of dominating desirable FM synthesis from Yamaha’s considerably cheaper, MIDI-equipped DX7, and subsequent super-selling, all- singing, all-dancing digital designs from the likes of Roland (D50) and Korg (M1).

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"State of the art" - on Elka X-30

Published on Mar 17, 2014 organfairy·414 videos

Interesting formant type sound at :59. Similar vibe to Gyote's Somebody That I Used to Know.

"'State of the Art' is a song by Australian singer-songwriter (I hate that expression - what's wrong with 'composer') Gotye. It is actually a homage to the Lowrey Cotillion D575 organ - though I don't really understand why they put a number after the name as I understand that this was the only Cotillion.

Anyway.

In the 1970's it was common that whenever there was a song on the charts then it was a matter of time before there was also an organ version of it. Therefore I have sort of completed the circle by making an organ version of a song about an organ. I don't have a Cotillion so I used my Elka X-30 which is from the same era and many of the presets sounds quite similar.

And if mr De Backer doesn't like my version he can consider it as revenge for 'Somebody that I used to know'!"

"Soul limbo" - on Yamaha HE-8

Published on Feb 3, 2014 organfairy·408 videos

"Her er Søndagskvisten!

One of my co-workers suggested that I should do this old Booker T & the MGs melody. And since he was armed with an ESD gun I though it might be best if I obeyed.

I didn't have a drum machine with a limbo rhythm so I had to programme it myself using the Roland TR-626 programmable drum machine. The problem was that I had forgot how to do it. So I had to do the most embarrassing thing a man can do: Read the manual.
You might notice that the manual looks somewhat water damaged. That is actually a physical memory of how I got it: I was at an outdoor car boot sale - one of those where people load their car boots or trailers with whatever they want to sale and show up. There I was, the rain was pouring down and everything was muddy and wet. I spotted a guy with an open trailer full of things that came from his dead father in law's attick. Amongst the things were an Elka X-30 organ that I wanted but sadly couldn't transport because it was before I got a car. Then suddenly I looked down and saw this TR-626 that had fallen off the trailer and lied face down in the mud. I picked it up and asked what he wanted for it. I got it for 50 dkr (app. 8 US$). It took me a while to get all the mud out of the plugs on the back side and the manual had to spend some days on the heater. But eventually it was all fine - except for the discoloured paper."

Elka Concorde 811

This one was spotted and sent in by daxe. I don't normally post Craigslist items, but I thought I'd make the exception for this one.  The Elka Concorde 811 was featured only once before on the site here, where you'll find a video performance of Julie's Haircut - Epiphanies.

Some details via the Craigslist listing: "Truly an amazing instrument. This vintage 1980's item can turn any accordion musician into an all around keyboardist with the flick of a switch. It can also allow an accordion player to play a gig and mimic a four or five-piece band.

The right hand has four voices including organ, string, and brass, endless pre-sets, full rhythm section, and a string bass on the left side. The string bass would enable you to play bass for a band tomorrow. If you attach , the synth via MIDI , you can add a piano rhythm and it sounds just as if you have a piano player in the group. The stereo output allows you to send the left-side string bass (if used) to a bass amp while sending the right hand to a keyboard amp or PA.

The capabilities and capacity of this item are truly endless. I can send a couple demos from YouTube - one for this item and one for the chromatic version (the Concorde 810 or you can google yourself.."

Update via Flemming in the comments: "It was also available as a dual keyboard version - also known as an organ - called Elka X-30."  You can find posts featuring pics and videos of the X-30 here.

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The programmable drum machine on Elka X-30

Published on Jun 3, 2013 organfairy·378 videos

"It took a while for me to figure out the correct way to programme the drum machine on the Elka X-30 organ. The manual doesn't say anything about the fact that you have to press SAVE before pressing STOP. If you press STOP first the edited rhythm will not be saved."

Sequential Circuits Prophet T8

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

"Certainly one of the Kings of analogue poly-synths, up there with Yamaha CS-80, Elka Synthex, etc.

Final 3.8 Main ROM Firmware & MIDI Rev. Serial Number 5** (for the buyer only), so one of the last produced.

It is estimated there were only around 600 of these T-8’s made in total so certainly a very rare synth.

This T-8 is Ex Sequential Circuits European factory @ Mijdrecht in Holland initially, on release around 1984/5...

It has worked fine for me in that time but the following work has been done as refurbishment for this sale:

Calibrated/re-tuned to factory specification.

Tunes in less than 5-10 seconds now after 20 minutes warm up period.

PSU capacitors replaced with long life Phillips ones & checked the power rails to be within specification.

5 front panel tact switches replaced & all 7 rear jack sockets replaced.

New Z80B keyboard CPU fitted. 2 x new Common RAM fitted. 5 x new scratchpad RAM fitted.

All as a precaution for long term health & reliability.

(Receipts here for all replaced parts.)

Key bed and all keys individually removed & cleaned. (Pictures to prove.)

Key bed even over full span of 6 1/2 octaves. Spare spacers in Wine Country kit should you need.

After touch works 100% and always has in both Poly & Mono modes. (8 channels of after touch in mono mode.)
Front panel removed & cleaned, as well as all pots.

I replaced three key return hammer/spring/flanges when I bought it & still have two new spares.
Factory programs have been reloaded for this sale and as an excellent starting point for learning the strengths of this machine.

This work was carried out by an ex-BBC engineer/technician with 30 years experience of servicing analogue & electronics gear.

In addition to the work done as refurbishment, this T-8 comes complete with EVERY possible accessory

including some that you wouldn’t find with any stock T-8’s, as follows:

1. Original foot pedal.

2. Original bound user manual & multiple MIDI revision update manuals.

3. Original preliminary service data complete with RARE full original schematics.

4. Original technical service manual with tuning procedures.

5. 128 Factory programs cassette from Wine Country and also as sysex files on CD.

Note: This latest Rev T-8 supports MIDI program dump/load to/from PC via sysex.

(No need to bother with cassette loading.)

6. Wine Country long term survival kit including CEM3360 dual VCA.

7. Wine Country the diagnostics/service ROM & manual.

8. 1 page promotional colour ad from Sequential on release (from a UK published magazine.)

9. Custom made flight case made by Adam Hall, UK but with an Amptown, Hamburg sticker on it.

Weighs 48 Kg in flight case, less all accessories which will be in another box.

10. Mains voltage regulator for 110 or 220V output.

These extras alone would be worth £500-£1000."

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"Oxygen II" - on Elka and Technics organs

YouTube Published on Sep 17, 2012 by organfairy

"This is not intended as a 1-to-1 reproduction of Jean Michel Jarre's famous classic. It is more like my shot at it using the instruments that I have.
It's funny that just because JMJ used an Eminent U310 and later an Elka X-705 then these exact organ models sells for astronomical prices while most other organs can be bought for peanuts.

So therefore I have used Elka X-30 and Technics SX-C600 to play most of the arrangement. I don't have a MiniPops 7 drum machine so I used a Rhythm Ace. One thing I did to make it more authentic was that I manually added the quijada sound to the rhythm. I synthesized it on my Roland JX-8P because I felt that it was vital for the mood of the melody. The sequence that runs through the first part was programmed on the little Korg Poly 800 and most of the sound effect was made on my Roland SH-2000. Finally I added the sound of my homebuild zimbelstern because I hadn't got a clue on how to make the huithuithuithuithuit sounds of the EMS synthesizer that I assume Jarre used.
For once I had the sheet music. I found it at the public library - you know, the house with books made of real paper in it. But it's not easy when the composer doesn't follow his own notes on the recording he made!

I haven's added many effects efter the sounds were recorded. Just some panning, reverb, and echo."

OP-X PRO-II: Platinum Bank Demo

YouTube Published on May 5, 2012 by virtualoberheim

"http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/description.html

Demo of the new Platinum bank for the SonicProjects OP-X PRO-II virtual Oberheim VSTi synth plugin. No external effects or any other treatment are involved. All sounds are coming directly from OP-X PRO-II which was played live and recorded directly to disk.

The bank features 82 stunning patches capturing the magic and the special character of some of the most sought after early voltage controlled polyphonic analog synths including:

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Home build mini organ with TOS

YouTube Uploaded by organfairy on Dec 5, 2011

"In the last video I made a Top Octave Synthesizer. Now I will use it to make a small polyphonic instrument that can be played as it is or controlled by a sequencer.
Apart from the TOS I use a set of electronic keyers, a VCO made with and LM555, and a simple filter.

The music is from 2009 and is played on Yamaha HE-8 and Elka X-30 organs, and Roland JX-8P synthesizer."

$220,736.00 / 160,000.00 Euro Synth Auction

via this auction

This one spotted by Adrien.

The list:
"1. ARP AXXE
2. ARP PRO DGX
3. ARP QUADRA
4. MOOG Realistic MG 1
5. MOOG Polymoog Keyboard
6. MOOG Polypedal Controller
7. MOOG Taurus II mit Pedal
8. MOOG Keyboard Controller 950
9. MOOG Memorymoog
10. MOOG Satellite
11. MOOG Sonic Six
12. Korg Trident MK II

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My solar project - part 1

YouTube Uploaded by organfairy on Oct 3, 2011

"I have decided to experiment a bit with some small solar panels. So to get some inspiration I visited this big installation in Oksbøl close to the Danish west coast. My version will, however, be very small compared to this one.

I played the music on my Technics SX-C600 organ and Roland SH-2000 synthesizer. The song is called "Solskin" (Sunshine) so it fits this video rather nicely. It was originally recorded in Denmark by Klaus & Servants. But I don't know if this is actually a foreign song that was translated."

Update:

My solar project - part 2

YouTube Uploaded by organfairy on Oct 11, 2011

"Now it's time to do a little experiment. I got this box of small solar panel samples. And what I am trying to find out is which ones gives most power. So I sat down in the local forest and did some measurements.

The music is played on my Elka X-1000. The song is called "Der er lang lang vej til Barbados" or "Come Along To Barbados" and was recorded in the mid 1970's in English by Jens Brixtofte and MKT, and later in Danish by Ulla Pia."

My solar project - part 3
YouTube Uploaded by organfairy on Oct 17, 2011

"Now it's time to actually build a solar panel. The idea is that the set of batteries next to the meters are charged by the eight solar elements. At the same time power can be taken through the red and black plugs so the batteries are working as a buffer when the current need is greater than what the sun can deliever. Now I just need to test it. How about making an outdoor concert driven by the sun?

The music to this video was something I recorded back in 1999 on Yamaha HE-8 organ and VSS-30 keyboard, Roland SH-2000 synthesizer and CR-1000 drum machine. It is a medley of old pop songs: "Beautyfull Sunday" and "Sunshine lover" both originally sung by Daniel Boone, and "Hooked on a feeling" by Blue Swede."
Solar Concert

YouTube Uploaded by organfairy on Oct 24, 2011


"To test the solar panel I have been building I play some music on three CASIO keyboards that I have connected to the system. No other power source is used.

I play through the speakers in the keyboards because if I connected them directly to the PC that is recording the performance they would use very little current. So that would be like cheating! I use two microphones to pick up the sound.

The three songs I play are:
"Glemmer du" (Kaj Normann Andersen)
"De Towerfluitsmurf" (Pierre Kartner)
"Oxygen XIII" (Jean Michel Jarre)"

Elka X 30 Demos

YouTube via bobbybot2000 | January 14, 2011 | via this auction

"Vintage Elka X-30 Organ Synthesizer Drum Machine Vox Farfsia Maestro

THE MOTHER SHIP

Holy mother of Eklka organ! Its and Organ, it’s a synthesizer, it’s a drum machine it’s a the holy mother of beast?? NO WHY it’s the X-30! HAHAHHA

What an anti climatic name! Anyways this thing is amazing. Its got so many features it really not possible to get to all the sounds this thing can do on any kind of demo. Its got organ, strings, synthy, drum machine. Its huge sounding and very versatile. This was made in the 80s because it has midi features on the back... This thing is heavy about 60 pounds."





via this auction

"Bells" - on Yamaha and Elka organs

YouTube via organfairy | September 14, 2010

"I use the "chimes" voice on the Yamaha organ and the "churchbell" preset on the Roland synthesizer to play the theme in this Jean Michel Jarre melody. The rest is played on the Elka X-30 while the rhythm comes from a Roland TR-626.
As you can see I also used a piece of water pipe to complete the arrangement."