MATRIXSYNTH: Search results for Synthex Dual


Showing posts sorted by date for query Synthex Dual. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Synthex Dual. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Cherry Audio Introduces Synth Stack 4 Collection


video upload by Cherry Audio



Press release follows:

"Synth Stack 4 assembles 22 of Cherry Audio's virtual instruments at a stunning price, only $299 or less for a very limited time! This astounding collection features 19 emulations of classic vintage synthesizers, three original synthesizers, one massive modular synthesizer platform, and nearly 8,000 presets.

PRESS RELEASE - November 21, 2023: Cherry Audio has announced Synth Stack 4, the 2023 update to their complete collection of 22 virtual instruments at an astoundingly affordable price. Synth Stack 4 includes 19 emulations of classic vintage synthesizers, three original synthesizers, one massive modular synthesizer platform, and nearly 8,000 presets.

In total, Synth Stack 4 is packed with nearly $1,000 worth of products and is available for a limited time at the stunningly low introductory price of only $299 - that's less than $14 per instrument! This introductory price is available until December 5th, after which Synth Stack 4 returns to its regular price of $399. Already own a previous version of Synth Stack or other individual Cherry Audio instruments? Sign in to see your personalized and discounted price at checkout!

Synth Stack 4 includes:

Voltage Modular Core + Electro Drums, a powerhouse collection of modular madness including 120 modules and over 600 presets.

DCO-106, a stunning recreation of the much-loved Juno-106 polysynth of the 80's.

CA2600, a powerful, self-contained duophonic synthesizer inspired by the groundbreaking ARP 2600 synthesizer.

Surrealistic MG-1 Plus Synthesizer, a super authentic recreation of the fun and funky Moog MG-1 synthesizer sold in Radio Shack stores in 80s.

Polymode, inspired by the groundbreaking Moog Polymoog synthesizer, one of the world’s first polyphonic synthesizers.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

UVI Introduces Synth Anthology 4


video uploads by UVI

Note the above is a playlist featuring 4 videos. You can use the player controls to skip through them or just watch them all in order.

Details on Synth Anthology 4 follow:

The authentic sound of 200 synthesizers, from vintage to modern
4,000+ presets and layers deliver incredible sound with hardware soul
Feature-packed dual-layer engine with fx, arpeggiator and more

Synth Anthology 4 - A Synthesizer Tour de Force
https://www.uvi.net/synth-anthology-4

Rebuilt from the ground-up, Synth Anthology 4 now features the authentic hardware sound of 200 vintage and modern synthesizers, a fully redesigned engine with powerful features, fx, arpeggiator, smart sound suggestion engine, native MPE support, and more.
A dreamlike collection!

Also included in SonicPass ➡️ https://www.uvi.net/sonicpass

Video credits: Anthony Hak
Music Credits: Théo & Thomas



"The Best Keeps Getting Better

What's new in version 4?

Almost everything!
We've rebuilt the engine from the ground-up, added more synths, more presets, more effects, more filters, more modulation, a dedicated browser, a second fully-customizable layer for creating hybrid and blended timbres, an all-new smart suggestion engine that helps you quickly find similar sounds, a more powerful arpeggiator/phraser, bus effects, native MPE support, and more!

Real Hardware Sounds There is something unmistakable about the sound of a real hardware synth, from subtle differences between voice circuits and drift to the varied way filters bite into the sound; there's a distinct character and energy. Synth Anthology 4 delivers the authentic and uncompromising hardware sound with all the conveniences of a modern software instrument.

Every piece of hardware represents a unique creative vision, sonic character, innovations, and strengths. Whatever you're looking for, from analog to digital, vintage classic to future classic, you will find it here. Synth Anthology 4 delivers an incredible collection of hardware, every major manufacturer, every type of synthesis, every era, 200 synthesizers in all.

You won't find a more complete collection anywhere else."

The list:

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Elka Synthex MK1

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Synthex Dual

Note the above demos is from 2018.


via this auction

Pics of the inside below.

"It's ready for a new owner and/or someone ready to fully restore it. All keys, jacks, sequencer, buttons knobs work and it sounds amazing however it could use some TLC to get this beast back to it's full glory. It's the extremely rare Mk1 version w/o midi and it's from Europe so the voltage is 220v. There's also some surface rust on the rear as most of these have, I guess EU is a damp climate but it's never gotten worse under my watch and stays covered in a clean studio. I can supply a high quality step up converter to be used with 110v.

Some servicing to fix the scratchy filter cutoff pot and the joystick pots is needed to be back to 100%. I refused to spray contact cleaners in the pots so the next owner can do so if they choose. Overall a good servicing could be done however it can also be used as-is if you want to jump right in jamming and recording with it."

Sunday, December 12, 2021

AJH Synth Patch of The Week Videos

video uploads by AJH Synth Official

Videos by supoorting member, DreamsOfWires.

Playlist: 1. Patch of The Week: The Sonic XV's Wave Folder - So many tones from just 1 VCO's Triangle wave
'Sonic Arps': The Sonic XV Transistor Diode Ladder Filter has a built-in Wave Folder, and in this video I'm using an arpeggiator in random mode to show the many subtle flavours of sound it can achieve from just a simple triangle wave from a single VCO. I will also pull a huge variety of timbres from a sine wave in a similar fashion.
The filter is a re-creation and expansion of the VCF from the Musonics Sonic V (5) synth of the 1970's (predecessor of the Moog Sonic Six), and shares a similar character to that of the EMS Synthi and VCS3, also being early diode filters. Bearing that in mind you might expect it to produce aggressive tones and chaotic feedback, which it can do well enough, but you might not have expected that it can also be very subtle, organic and warm in character, particularly well-suited to melodic arps/patterns and percussive sounds. With the added wave shaping functionality that wasn't present on the original, along with 24dB and 6dB low pass modes, and band pass filtering, this module packs a lot of tone shaping into 14hp.

Index:
00:00 'Sonic Arps'
00:34 Introduction
01:01 Assembling the patch
01:39 Sounds & Settings
04:33 Patch Sheet

A PDF file of the patch can be downloaded here: https://kvisit.com/8AE/xfUG

Patch notes:
Green dots show approximate pot and switch positions. Where a pot has two dots, this illustrates the range I move them during the video. Pots and switches that do not have green dots are not used in this patch, and should be left at their zero or off positions.
I'm using the VCA as a mixer so that I can use the outputs from both the BP and 6dB outputs of the Sonic XV. Notice in the video they are set at different volumes at different points depending on the sound - you will need to adjust this too, as different combinations of IN LEVEL, IN MIX, IN WAVE, and filter settings can make a significant difference to volume levels.
Modules used from left to right: Vintage Transistor Core VCO, Sonic XV, Contour Generators, Discrete Cascaded VCA.
2. Patch of the Week: 'Schulze School' - Melodic Eurorack performance + 'how-to' guide & patch sheet
This week's patch makes use of the V-Shape wave shaper/wave folder to sculpt the great analogue tone of the MiniMod VCO to create some delicate timbres that reminds us of Klaus Schulze's mesmerising sounds created on his sequencer-driven Moog modular synth systems in the 1970's. It also makes particular use of the Ring SM as a sub oscillator generator, and the rich tones of the Sonic XV diode filter.

Check out the AJH Synth playlists for more 'Patch of The Week' videos, which will be either performances or 'how to' guides detailing a range of sounds, some familiar, some less so, and each containing a patch sheet at the end to show you how to construct it for yourself.
3. Patch of the Week: 'Singing Gemini' - Dual Analogue VCF as a Dual Sine Wave VCO How to & patch sheet
This patch uses each of the 2 analogue filters of the Gemini as a dual VCO, self-oscillating, so that they produce sine waves and can be sequenced melodically using the Korg SQ-1 or any analogue step sequencer. This guide shows you how to make this patch, along with a patch sheet at the end. It is one of the many ways you can use just a couple of Eurorack modules to make music, as modular synthesis can be rewarding even with a minimal gear list.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

ELKA SYNTHEX - Sounds, Patches & Ambient Soundscapes | Synth Demo


synth4ever

"Elka Synthex analog synthesizer demo, featuring various sounds, patches and ambient soundscapes. This Elka Synthex synth demo showcases various Elka Synthex sounds including pads, leads, resonant sweeps, organs and more. Filmed at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Oakland, CA.

Manufactured from 1981-1984 in Italy, the Elka Synthex is a lush sounding classic 8-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer. It was conceived by independent Italian designer Mario Maggi and has 30 knobs, 6 sliders, 80 switches and a joystick, as well as a 4 track sequencer. Later versions implemented basic MIDI functions.

The Elka Synthex utilizes 2 DCOs per voice, each with multiple waveshapes: triangle, saw, square, pulse, PWM and ring mod. It also has a lovely multimode filter with frequency, envelope control, resonance and keyboard tracking, as well as lowpass, two bandpass options, and highpass filter modes.

The Elka Synthex also has 2 LFOs, multiple envelope generators, multiple chorus modes as well as oscillator cross-modulation and oscillator sync capabilities. LFOs can be routed to osc1, osc2, PW1, PW2, filter or amp and waveshapes include triangle, saw, ramp and square. Voices can be split, dual or layered, and it also supports footswitches for advance, glide, hold and release and direct onboard glide/portamento.

The Elka Synthex sequencer offers four different tracks which can have different length and sounds (Upper/Lower can be allocated to different tracks), and supports rests between notes as well as length of notes. In addition, 2 of its tracks can output MIDI data.

Instead of traditional pitchbend/modulation wheels, the Elka Synthex has a joystick which provides real-time control over the two LFOs, oscillator and filter modulation. The 6 sliders beside the joystick assign what (LFO, osc and filter) goes to the joystick.

Overall, the Elka Synthex is an extremely lush sounding synthesizer with many famous artists such as Tangerine Dream, Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran) and Jean Michel Jarre having used it. It is probably most famous for its "laser harp" sound.

The Elka Synthex is a beautiful machine, quite large in size, and can put out some amazing pads and timbres. The chorus and ensemble effects are particularly lovely, as they add an incredible shimmer to the sounds. The Elka Synthex is quite rare these days and commands hefty prices on the second-hand market, but if you have the opportunity to try one, do not hesitate as it is an experience like no other."

Wednesday, April 04, 2018

iVCS3 Preset Banks 2018


Published on Apr 4, 2018 James Edward Cosby

iTunes: iVCS3 - apeSoft

Massive preset list below.

"April 2018 Sees the release of my two new Preset Banks for iVCS3. Each bank contains 128 Presets and over 20 JEC CV Modulation Files.

************ IMPORTANT BANK SETTINGS ************

The iVCS3 global parameter... "Samplers Enable Loop Points Fade"
MUST be set to "OFF" To allow correct processing of the contained CV Modulation Files thus preventing crossfading of the transient.


Bank A Preset List...

Friday, January 01, 2016

Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2015


Happy New Year everyone!  I want to thank you all for a great 2015 and I wish you all the best in 2016!

The following is my yearly round up for the year.  Feel free to dig into this post as much you like, or skip it and leave a comment at the bottom of the post. I'd be curious to hear what stood out for you in 2015. Do you like the direction the synthesizer world is headed in, or would you rather see more or less of any type of product?

Sunday, May 03, 2015

New Elka Synthex 2 Digital Desktop Synth From Mario Maggi in the Works


This one is in via swissdoc and indirectly via Florian Anwander on the AH email list. This is not the new analog Elka Synthex clone from the new Finnish Generalmusic. This is however from the creator of the original Elka Synthex, Mario Maggi, and it is all digital. An interesting side note mentioned below is that Mario Maggi owns the Synthex name. Not sure what impact if any this might have on the upcoming Generalmusic Elka Synthex remake.


An Update: via swissdoc. It appears a filing for the name SYNTHEX was made on April 29, just three days ago. The filing is under category 15 which covers: "Electronic musical instruments; Electronic synthesizers; Electronic musical apparatus and instruments; Electric and electronic musical instruments; Mechanical, electric and electronic musical instruments; Electronic apparatus for synthesising music [musical instrument]."

"Hello to everyone,

my name is Enrico Cosimi, I'm the author of the text on ACM concerning the Synthex 2. I have been in touch, here in Rome/Italy, with Mario from the late Eigthies and, from the mid Nineties, I'm working with Mario on his "version two"; as you can imagine, Mario is a very very very busy kind of genius, who conceived and realized a lot of third party non-musical items (especially for telecommunications and health). I am not allowed to reveal all the data concerning the new Synthex 2 (b.t.w., it will be a digital equipment: would you dare to conceive an analog instrument with 128 LFOs and 64 EGs in the same box?), but - trust me - when it will be done, it will be a GREAT machine.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Synthox 1.5 | Official Trailer UVI©


Published on Apr 23, 2015 UVI

"FEATURES:
» Dual-layer hybrid analog/FM synth
» Authentic raw wave library from Elka Synthex and EK-44
» Expanded preset library (over 200 patches)

NEW IN VERSION 1.5!
Synthox now includes a deep sampling of the rare Elka EK-44 FM synthesizer, an expanded patch library, and dramatically faster load-times.

The raw analog power of the Elka Synthex returns in Synthox version 1.5, this time as a versatile hybrid Analog/FM workstation! Synthox features a dual-layer architecture which lets you freely mix raw waves from the Synthex and EK-44 for a wild new range of sonic possibilities. Both synths were fully serviced then deeply multi-sampled to give you a complete range of raw waveforms, noise oscillators and custom patches with the authentic hardware character.

Synthox 1.5 provides many easy-to-use modulation options via two arpeggiators (one per-layer), an LFO and a step modulator. Take full control over both layers waveshape, amplitude and filter envelopes as well as pitch, stereo and filter sections and a fast modwheel assignment system for versatile sound design and performance capabilities.

Synthox 1.5 also includes a large update to the factory preset library which now includes over 200 expertly designed patches. Loading time has been improved tremendously, increasing performance by as much as 70% thanks to recent improvements in the UVI Engine."

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

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).

Thursday, March 14, 2013

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."

Sunday, March 03, 2013

Roland TR-808 controlling Oberheim OB-X via Gate In and Elka Synthex's Sequencer

Published on Mar 3, 2013 zibbybone·110 videos

"Nothing musically amazing, just experimenting with the 808's trigger outs to trigger the OB-X (bass) using its Gate Input and the Synthex's on-board sequencer. Synthex is in DUAL mode with 2 different patches for UPPER and LOWER part, both hard panned left and right. Live improving of Roland Fantom X6 and JD-800. Old School is in the house. Camera stopped recording after one minute for some odd reason."

Thursday, November 29, 2012

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, Memorymoog, Jupiter 8, etc. but more expressive than all of them thanks to a fully weighted 7+ octave keybed with powerful poly-aftertouch for all 8 voices, so expensive & time consuming to implement that it ultimately led to the closure of Sequential. The keyboard was so ingenious that New England Digital used it for the upgraded Synclavier II system that cost $20,000+ and of course Sequential founder Dave Smith has been back making modern analogue synths for a good many years now under his own name, so he's done alright post Sequential that's for sure."

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 T8’s made in total so certainly a very rare synth.

Ex Sequential Circuits European factory @ Mijdrecht in Holland initially on release around 1984-6.

Never gigged to my knowledge, I’m the 3rd owner & only used by myself in non-smoking studio since 2006

The keys have barely been played in that time as I’m not a musician.

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

Serviced and calibrated/re-tuned to factory specification. Tunes in less than 5-10 seconds now after 20 minutes warm up.  An ex-BBC tech has replaced the PSU capacitors with long life Phillips ones & checked the power rails to be in spec.  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 for all replaced parts here & pictures also.)

Keybed and all keys individually removed & cleaned. (Pictures here to prove.)  After touch works 100% and always has in both Poly & Mono modes. (8 channels of aftertouch in Mono mode.)

Front panel removed & cleaned, as well as all pots.  I replaced three key return hammer/spring/flanges when I bought it in & still have two new spares.

Key bed even over full span of 7+ octaves to within a millimetre. (Spare spacers in Wine Country kit should you need.)

The 128 Factory programs/presets have been reloaded for auction sale and are an excellent starting point for learning the strengths of this machine with reference to the user manual, which illustrates all patches as seen on the front panel.

In addition this T8 comes complete with EVERY possible accessory including some that you wouldn’t find with stock T8’s on original purchase, as follows:

Original foot pedal. Original bound user manual & MIDI revision update manuals. Original preliminary service data complete with RARE full original schematics. Original technical service manual with tuning procedures. 128 Factory programs cassette from Wine Country and also as sysex files on CD. Note this final Rev. T8 supports MIDI program dump/load to/from PC via sysex. (No need for cassette loading.)

Wine Country long term survival kit including CEM3360 dual VCA. Wine Country diagnostics/service ROM & manual. Even includes a 1 page promotional colour ad from Sequential on release (taken from a UK published magazine.) Also includes a custom made flight case made by Adam Hall, UK (with an Amptown sticker on it.)
Weighs 48Kg in flight case, less all accessories. A very big & heavy synth that's for sure...

Mains voltage regulator for 110 or 220V output. These extras alone would be £500 worth at least, maybe £1000."

Monday, October 31, 2011

Barcelona Synth Event Videos by Hispasonic

Un paseo por la concentración de analógicos

YouTube Uploaded by Hispasonic on Oct 31, 2011

"Completamos nuestra cobertura de la concentración de analógicos del pasado 15 de octubre con un vistazo completo a los maravillosos sintes que se podían contemplar allí."

Googlish: "We completed our coverage of the concentration of analog on 15 October with a comprehensive look at the wonderful feeling that he could look there."

Befaco.org: sintes hechos en casa

Uploaded by Hispasonic on Oct 31, 2011

"Befaco.org es una asociación que promueve la construcción de instrumentos electrónicos por parte de los propios músicos. Diego de León, uno de sus responsables, presenta su sinte modular y habla de sus talleres y actividades."

Googlish: "Befaco.org is an association that promotes the construction of electronic instruments from the musicians themselves. Diego de Leon, one of its leaders, presents its modular synth and talks about her workshops and activities."

Los sintes de Tolaemon

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Demo | Synthix VSTi


YouTube Uploaded by audiomidicom on Aug 26, 2011

"The Synthix emulates the Elka Synthex from the 80's, but takes it much deeper.

16 voice analog synthesizer... Two oscillators with 4 selectable waveforms, Triangle, Saw, Square, Pulse and its dedicated PWM and Ring modulator mode. Additionally, the Triangle and Sawtooth waveforms do have PWM modes. Several waveforms can be selected simultaneously for each of the oscillators.... One multimode filter based on the CEM 3320 chip emulation, providing Self oscillating 12 dB and 24 dB low pass, 6 and 12 dB band pass, and 12 dB high pass modes...
Four D-ADSR : an enhanced standard ADSR envelope with a MIDI syncable delay.
Four LFOs, including two neverseen LFOS types.... Four embedded effects : Delay, Chorus, Phaser, Dual EQs... One Multi-track sequencer... Several playing modes including A la Moog mono modes and several Polyphonic modes..."

Monday, October 25, 2010

UK Synth Museum Elka Synthex with Factory MIDI for Sale

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Paul Wiffen & The Elka Synthex Published on Sep 17, 2013 Mark Keen

"Paul Wiffen demonstrates a 1984 Elka Synthex. Most famously used on Rendezvous as the Laserharp sound by Jean Michel Jarre. Paul also originally programmed the original presets. Also used by Geoff Downes and Stevie Wonder - a beautiful synth sorely missed. For more info and DVDs goto www.museumstudio.co.uk"
Update via Christopher Clement in the comments: "The bloke holding the pint is none other than Julian Colbeck of Keyfax fame."


via this auction

"Brief specs: 8 voice polyphonic analogue synth, 2 oscillators per voice with all the usual waveshapes. Single/ dual or 2 part split modes (split mode: 4 voices on each split with seperate outputs on the rear for upper/ lower), 4 track sequencer, fantastic filter- 24db low pass, 12db and 6db band pass and 12db high pass filter modes. Extensive modulation possibilities and routing, unique programmable glide section independant for each oscillator. Amazing 3 stage chorus ensemble. 2x LFO's, 2x ADSR envelope generators, 40 patch presets and 40 user memories...

This Synthex has factory midi installed.

Comes with some accessories- full ATA flightcase custom made for the Synthex (brand new), user manual and full (large A3) schematics, also including some spare IC's, 2x CEM 3320 filter chips and 3x BBD's for the chorus circuit.

This Synthex came from the now shut "Synth Museum" in the UK, if you check google you can find a demo video of Paul Wiffen playing this very synth at the Synth Museum, [above]

Paul Wiffen originally programmed the preset (ROM) sounds for Synthex's and this machine has an extra bank of 40 sounds programmed by Paul in the user (RAM) registers- a really good bank of additional sounds."

Saturday, June 27, 2009

OSCar MONOPHONIC SYNTHESIZER (Full Midi V3)


via this auction

"Polyphony - Monophonic (Duophonic via built-in Sequencer)
Oscillators - 2 DCO's with sawtooth, triangle, and square-, variable- or modulated-pulse waveforms and 5 preset digital wavefroms
LFO - 1 LFO with square, triangle, sawtooth waveforms, sample-and-hold
Filter - Two 12dB/oct analog filters which can be linked in series for 24dB/oct configuration. Lowpass, bandpass, highpass modes.
Dedicated ADSR envelope, Frequency Cutoff and Resonance controls.
VCA - Two ADSR Envelopes
Keyboard - 37 keys
Memory - MIDI Model: 12 user, 24 preset patches. MIDI-equipped V3 (latest): 36 programmable patches. Custom Waveforms: 24 programmable digital waveforms.
waves. Sequencer: 24 sequences.
Control - Trigger In, full MIDI spec.
Date Produced - 1985

OSCar
The OSCar is a classic mono-synth from British manufacturer Oxford Synthesiser Company (OSC). It first appeared on the scene in 1983 and was considered then to be in the same class as the Arp Odyssey & Minimoog mono-synths (it is). Its late arrival makes it one of the more advanced programmable mono-synths. Amazing sounds and digitally controlled dual oscillators with analog filters and plenty of programmabilitie. It also has full midi MIDI spec.

The Oscar is monophonic, but can also achieve duophonic capability when using just one oscillator per voice. Waveforms offered include sawtooth, triangle, and square, variable, or modulated-pulse waveforms. In addition to these analog waveforms, there's an additive-synthesis function allowing you to create your own custom waveforms by simply mixing the amplitudes of any of its 24 harmonics using the keyboard. Up to 24 of these custom waves can be stored and used with either oscillator. Once you've got some sounds it's time to hit the filter section - the real analog heart of this synth! It has two 12dB/oct filters which can be linked for a steeper 24dB/oct slope. It features switchable lowpass, highpass and bandpass filtering and your basic frequency cutoff and resonance type controls. The filter has its own ADSR envelope as well (a second ADSR envelope controls the amplifier section). The filter can also be modulated by the LFO. The OSCar's LFO offers triangle, sawtooth, square, and other wave shapes and can also be used to modulate the amp, pitch, or pulse-width. There's even a sample-and-hold function. A simple built-in sequencer gave the OSCar duophonic capabilities! It could play a sequence on one of the oscillators while the keyboard can be used to simultaneously play along with the sequence. It stores up to 24 sequences. With full MIDI spec (V3) you can easily synchronize your OSCar and other MIDI gear together and a computer! The sound patches that are stored in memory can also be dumped via MIDI to more permanent storage mediums. MIDI models also offered 36 programmable memory patches which are assigned to the actual keyboard keys (pre-MIDI models had 12 preset and 24 user patches). The OSCar is very hard to find as there are little more than 2000 in excistence, so now is your chance.

It is working well and has been well maintained over the years by the same qualified engineer who used to work in the famous 'Rod Argents Keyboards' in Denmark Street, London W1, the same place I purchased her back in 1985.

‘Sequencer’
The OSCar's sequencer, operates in step-time mode, and is fairly sophisticated. It features the rare ability to lengthen notes or insert spaces, so that it isn't restricted to producing an
endless stream of notes of identical length. This is done by holding down the required note while advancing the step button, or pressing the Space button just below the wheels.
Twenty-four sequences can be stored (the numbered keys being pressed into service for one more function) but then these can be chained together into more complex sequences, complete with program changes. As a result, with a bit of planning, you can produce really quite sophisticated bass lines and other monophonic sequences, whilst playing a second part over the top, if you want. All this can be triggered externally via a Click In which is ideal for interfacing with the drum machines of the day (Linn, Emu Drumulator, Sequential Drumtrak) and OSCar can often be seen as one half of a very tight rhythm section at live gigs. There is even the facility to sub-divide the incoming clocks to create slower or faster lines without spending hours inserting Spaces or making each note four times the length. The same triggering is available on the arpeggiator, which made it amongst the most flexible of the day with multiple octave ranges and random ordering. Or you can just use your computer for sequencing and a nice midi cable, it's your choice.

Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Specifications
* Type: Synth/ keyboard/
* Synthesis Type: Digital Accoustic simulation Subtractive, Additive (24 harmonics)
* Polyphony:
o Max: 2
o Typical in use: 1
* Multi-timbral (number of parts): 1
* Oscillators per Voice :
o Min : 1
o Max : 2
* Controllers : Pitch bend, mod wheel, (sysex?)
* Effects :
o Number of FX units : 0
o Number of different effects : 0
* Keyboard :
o Number of Keys : 37
o Can send on 1 simultaneous MIDI channels
o Responds to :
o Sounds can be split by :
* Memory :
o Patches : First versions: 12 RAM/24 ROM. Later versions: 36 RAM.
o Performances :
* Inputs and Outputs :
o Number of Audio Outs (excluding Phones) : 1 stereo
o Number of Audio Ins : 0
o Number of MIDI Outs (excluding Thru) : 1 (if MIDI'ed)
o Number of MIDI Ins : 1 (if MIDI'ed)

Well known artists credited as using OSCars include:
* Billy Currie, Chris Cross and Midge Ure of Ultravox
* John Foxx
* Geoff Downes (Asia)
* Jean-Michel Jarre and Dominique Perrier
* Keith Emerson
* Stevie Wonder
* Tim Simenon
* Sneaker Pimps

Examples of OSCar sounds on commercial releases include:
* Ultravox - "Love's Great Adventure" (solo, atonal sequence)
* Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas" (bass line)
* Jean-Michel Jarre - "Revolutions Overture" (bass line, solo at climax)
* Stevie Wonder - "Skeletons" (bass line [with Elka Synthex])
* S-Express - "Theme From S-Express" (bass line)"

Monday, June 25, 2007

Elka Synthex

via this auction. Warning: there is one of the most annoying buy it now pop-up ads I have ever seen after the hop. I've never seen anything like that on Ebay before. The seller prefers local pick-up so I'm guessing this one is legit.

Details:
"The Synthex is a very lush sounding classic analog 8 voice synthesizer. Later versions implemented basic MIDI functions. It has 30 knobs, 6 sliders, 80 switches and a joystick. Powerful sounds with 2 oscillators per note, separate envelope generators, chorus and even a sequencer! The use of stable DCO's (digitally controlled analog oscillators) and oscillator cross modulation of Pulse Width and a multimode filter made it unique in its time.

There is a cool joystick that replaces traditional pitch/mod wheels and allows for greater variable real-time control over the two LFOs, oscillator and filter modulation. The 6 sliders beside the joystick assign what (LFO, osc and filter) goes to the joystick. Voices can also be layered or split across the keyboard. Other great features include the onboard digital Ring-Modulator, Chorus effect and Dual or Layer modes available. And also a four-track sequencer rounds out this synths host of features. Two of it's tracks can output MIDI data.

This is just an extremely good analog and unique synth excellent for pads, drones and glistening lead sounds. They're a bit of a pain to service and find parts for. However many famous artists such as Tangerine Dream"
HOME


Patch n Tweak
Switched On Make Synthesizer Evolution Vintage Synthesizers Creating Sound Fundlementals of Synthesizer Programming Kraftwerk

© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH