Matrix 12 vs Matrix 6: Is the $13,000 Oberheim Actually Worth It?

video upload by Vulture Culture

"What if the most hated Oberheim is actually the smartest buy in vintage polysynths right now?

Tomorrow night I’m putting the legendary Oberheim Matrix 12 head-to-head with its often-maligned sibling, the Matrix 6. With current prices hovering around $13,200 for a Matrix 12 and roughly $1,750 for a Matrix 6, the value gap is enormous—but does the sound actually justify it? Most classic 80s polysynth patches live almost entirely in a 4-pole lowpass filter world, so the real question isn’t whether the Matrix 6 can replicate every multimode trick of the 12, but whether it can convincingly live in that core tonal territory.

In this stream we’ll dig into the heart of both instruments. I’ll compare the true analog VCO architecture of the Matrix 12 against the digitally controlled oscillators of the Matrix 6, focusing on oscillator stability, drift behavior, and how each responds over time. While the Matrix 6 uses DCOs, they are driven by three Hartley LC high-frequency oscillators that are still subject to temperature-based drift, which makes this comparison far more interesting than a typical VCO versus DCO shootout. We’ll look closely at how those shared and distributed HF oscillators influence tuning behavior across voices.

From there, we’ll zero in on the filters. The Matrix 12 uses discrete CEM3374 dual VCOs paired with CEM3372 filter, mix, and VCA stages, while the Matrix 6 relies on the CEM3396 integrated voice chips that combine waveshapers, filters, and VCAs. Even when both synths are restricted to a simple 4-pole lowpass configuration, the resonance character, saturation behavior, and overall musical response can tell very different stories—and that’s where the real verdict lives.

To add a third angle, I’ll also bring in my favorite polysynth of the 1980s: the Fender Chroma Polaris. Why the Polaris? Because it uses the exact same CEM3374 and CEM3372 combination found in the Matrix 12, but without the multimode filter architecture. Considering you can still find a Polaris for around $2,500, it becomes a fascinating middle ground—a potential sleeper alternative for players chasing that Matrix 12 tone without entering five-figure territory.

This livestream isn’t about declaring winners or dunking on underdogs. It’s about understanding what actually matters in these designs, how component choices translate to sound, and whether the Matrix 6’s reputation is deserved—or wildly outdated. If you love 80s polysynths, Curtis chips, and uncomfortable truths about vintage gear pricing, this one’s going to get interesting."