Black Corporation XERXES MK2 SN 154

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via SYNTH CITY Reverb

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"Excellent used condition, includes original packaging, power supply and rack ear kit.

XERXES delivers an unmatchable level of warmth through its two digitally controlled analog oscillators. A multimode analog filter, white and pink noise generator, 2 ADSR envelopes, 2 sync-able LFOs, unique analog BBD chorus with 3 modes, full MPE-based polyphonic aftertouch, and complete MIDI control including polyphonic aftertouch and MPE work together to bring a classic analog sound ready to integrate into modern times. MK2 features an updated VCA section, and balanced outputs.

Xerxes produces triangle, saw, square, and PWM waveforms with variable drift controls from each oscillator, sync with variable phase shifting, and ring modulation allowing for complex cross-modulation effects. Each oscillator features an octave switch, bipolar transpose potentiometer +/-7 semitones, a master tuning pot affecting both oscillators, and a detune knob for subtly detuning Oscillator 2 to Oscillator 1. Portamento/Glissando or Glide can be programmed to affect Oscillator 1, 2, or both.

The analog multimode filter on XERXES offers 24db/oct low pass, 12db/oct high pass modes and a band pass filter mode switchable between 6db/oct & 12db/oct for all kinds of filter characteristics. The filter can also be modulated by the dedicated ADSR envelope, LFO, velocity, and aftertouch (MPE and Polyphonic Aftertouch) allowing for incredibly expressive performance and programming.

XERXES features 6 LFO waveforms: Sine, triangle, saw, ramp, square, and random, plus a dedicated delay control to fade the LFO to the full amount set by the depth knob. Two LFOs are selectable with an A/B switch, each of which can be used to control multiple parameters set by the button switches to control oscillator tuning (A/B/Both) filter cutoff, and amplifier levels (VCF/VCA/Both.) Each of these LFOs also includes a Sync on/off switch.

XERXES features a beautiful, fully-analogue BBD-based chorus with 3 selectable modes, similar to the chorus effect found on the vintage Elka Synthex synthesizer. XERXES MK2 is equipped with stereo 1/4” balanced outputs to take full advantage of the stereo chorusing effect.

Finally, XERXES features full MIDI control and ability to store 128 user presets per bank across 11 banks (Factory, Vintage and 9 user banks) integrating this classic synth concept seamlessly into any studio setup."

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Black Corporation Announces the XERXES MK2 for $4499

via Black Corporation

"The total price is $4499 with free worldwide shipping, the remaining balance of $3000 is to be paid when the product is ready for shipping in October 2022.

XERXES delivers an unmatchable level of warmth through its two digitally controlled analog oscillators. A multimode analog filter, white and pink noise generator, 2 ADSR envelopes, 2 sync-able LFOs, unique analog BBD chorus with 3 modes, full MPE-based polyphonic aftertouch, and complete MIDI control including polyphonic aftertouch and MPE work together to bring a classic analog sound ready to integrate into modern times. MK2 features an updated VCA section, balanced outputs and high quality audio via USB conversion.

Xerxes produces triangle, saw, square, and PWM waveforms with variable drift controls from each oscillator, sync with variable phase shifting, and ring modulation allowing for complex cross-modulation effects. Each oscillator features an octave switch, bipolar transpose potentiometer +/-7 semitones, a master tuning pot affecting both oscillators, and a detune knob for subtly detuning Oscillator 2 to Oscillator 1. Portamento/Glissando or Glide can be programmed to affect Oscillator 1, 2, or both.

The analog multimode filter on XERXES offers 24db/oct low pass and high pass modes and a band pass filter mode switchable from 12db/oct & 24db/oct for all kinds of filter characteristics. The filter can also be modulated by the dedicated ADSR envelope, LFO, velocity, and aftertouch (MPE and Polyphonic Aftertouch) allowing for incredibly expressive performance and programming.

XERXES features 6 LFO waveforms: Sine, triangle, saw, ramp, square, and random, plus a dedicated delay control to fade the LFO to the full amount set by the depth knob. Two LFOs are selectable with an A/B switch, each of which can be used to control multiple parameters set by the button switches to control oscillator tuning (A/B/Both) filter cutoff, and amplifier levels (VCF/VCA/Both.) Each of these LFOs also includes a Sync on/off switch.

XERXES features a beautiful, fully-analogue BBD-based chorus with 3 selectable modes, similar to the chorus effect found on the vintage Elka Synthex synthesizer. XERXES MK2 is equipped with stereo 1/4” balanced outputs to take full advantage of the stereo chorusing effect.

Finally, XERXES features full MIDI control and ability to store 128 user presets per bank across 11 banks (Factory, Vintage and 9 user banks) integrating this classic synth concept seamlessly into any studio setup.

We provide free worldwide shipping with DHL (some restrictions apply)."

Black Corporation XERXES. Worth 4000€?

video upload by Wine&Synths

"00:00 - Start
00:38 - Clones & Replicants
03:31 - Science Fiction
04:38 - The Xerxes
05:35 - Demo
06:23 - DCOs
07:15 - Oscillators
07:41 - PAM & Sync Demo
08:24 - Filter & Portamento / Glide
08:58 - W&S Score
12:49 - Final thoughts
14:20 - Demo Track

Welcome to my review if the Black Corporation XERXES Synthesizer!
It's a highly inspiring synthesizer without any flaws. A real joy to play with! But is it really worth 4000€?

A track I made with the Xerxes and my vintage Vermona DRM:"

Black Corporation Xerxes & Vermona '87 DRM 🇮🇹 Italo 🇯🇵 Minimal 🇩🇪 Disco

video upload by Wine&Synths

"Here is my latest track: produced just using the Vintage Vermona drum machine and the Black Corporation Xerxes that appeared surprisingly in the studio for a check!
It's a highly inspiring synthesizer without any flaws. A real joy to play with!
No additional effects other than stock delay and reverb from Ableton Live11 were used.
Chris - PiQuadrat"

Black Corporation Xerxes Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer

Published on Mar 24, 2020 Perfect Circuit

"Inspired by the rare Elka Synthex, Xerxes is the newest polysynth from Black Corporation. Bringing the sound and techniques of the Synthex to a wider audience than ever before, Xerxes provides new access to a wide range of tones from edgy to atmospheric.

Xerxes has a sound that feels distinctly from the 1980s, capable of rich, warbling strings, punchy brass, and ethereal pads. It exudes a fizzy, sparking high-end energy that makes strings come alive and sync sounds bite through any texture. But it truly excels at sounds that make use of its extensive modulation matrix—creating lurching, grinding modulated textures that meld its oscillators' raw grit with its filters' smooth, resonant response.

And like the Deckard's Dream and Kijimi before it, the Xerxes is also fully MPE-compatible—making it one of the most expressive and playable analog synths available.

Xerxes available here: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/black-..."

New ELKA Synthex Coming from Black Corporation - Meet the Xerxes 8 Voice Synthesizer

Just the image for now. Click on it to check out the front panel in more detail. It clearly takes after the ELKA Synthex.

Black corporation of course brought us Deckards Dream, based on the Yamaha CS80, and Kijimi, a poly based on the RSF Kobol.

Black Corporation is run by Roman Filippov, the man behind the original 208r Buchla Music Easel clone. Some consider it closer to the original than the BEMI re-issue.

Xerxes is a suitable name considering the Elka Synthex is considered a king among synths. via Wikipedia:

"Xerxes I (/ˈzɜːrksiːz/; Old Persian: 𐎧𐏁𐎹𐎠𐎼𐏁𐎠 Xšayaṛša (About this sound Khshāyarsha (help·info)) [4] "ruling over heroes",[5] Greek Ξέρξης Xérxēs [ksérksɛːs]; 519–465 BC), called Xerxes the Great, was the fourth king of kings of the Achaemenid dynasty of Persia. Like his predecessor Darius I, he ruled the empire at its territorial apex. He ruled from 486 BC until his assassination in 465 BC at the hands of Artabanus, the commander of the royal bodyguard."


Update: added an image of the original Elka Synthex from this post, where you can find more pics.

Black Corporation XERXES

Published on Jan 21, 2020 MrFirechild

"The XERXES is a modern take on the classic ELKA SYNTHEX! While keeping the same core sound including the analog chorus, the beautiful creamy multimode filter and powerful oscillators Black Corporation also adds an additional programmable LFO, MPE/Poly at over MIDI and lots of modern features. The track is called Xerxes.
Composed and produced by www.firechild.se"

Posts featuring Xerxes

Black Corporation Xerxes Session with Paul Schilling & Pandomonium

"I was able to spend an hour with the amazing Xerxes, with the Midiboard as controller, so polyphonic aftertouch. It was still a prototype (you may hear some subtle chorus "chirp" artifacts in especially quiet spots). In this session I gravitated towards exploring the beautiful highpass and bandpass filter modes. This is a killer synth.

We recorded this session with Valhalla reverb and a bit of delay."

& XERXES Synthesizer - Fanfare by Pandomonium:



"Xerxes synthesizer (prototype).

Individual tracks played live on Kurzweil Midiboard with dynamics controlled via polyphonic aftertouch only. Sounds programmed and performed by Ando Pilve.

Percussion by Spitfire
Reverb by Valhalla

No other samples or sounds used

Fanfare for the Common Man composed by Aaron Copland"

The Xerxes Synth // Elka Synthex 2.0?

Published on Nov 2, 2019 Ricky Tinez

"Black Corporation was in town and brought the Xerxes by, So natually i grabbed my camera and hit record!"

Xerxes sounds // No talking

Published on Nov 2, 2019 Ricky Tinez

Black Corporation Xerxes SN 1839

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via this auction

"'This is a near mint Xerxes. Comes with original box, rack ears, and materials.

The only reason I don't list it as mint is because it came from Black Corporation directly with a tiny mark which you can see in the photographs. I point at it with a pencil. THIS MARK IS ON THE REAR or TOP (however you choose to describe it) so it would not be visible while playing, nor when racked.

The Xerxes is perfect in EVERY other way. Black Corporation designed this synth after the Elka Synthex. It has DCO's just like the Synthex and the 3-way analog chorus is also from the Elka. My bandmate has a Synthex at his home and it sounds very much the same. But frankly it also has a bit of Juno in the sound. This is likely due to the DCO's and chorus - which sounds amazing."

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Black Corporation KIJIMI, Xerxes, and Deckard’s Dream at NAMM

A few pics spotted by Soviet Space Child. KIJIMI pictured left, followed by Xerxes and Deckard’s Dream.

Great shot of Roman with his eyes rolled back in his head below. :)

"We are ready for @thenammshow! KIJIMI, XERXES, Deckard’s Dream, Expander and a large bean bag are waiting at a booth #10405"

Black Corporation XERXES Expected to Ship in December

via Black Corporation

"The total price is $2999 with free worldwide shipping, the remaining balance of $2000 is to be paid when the product is ready for shipping.

8-voice polyphonic analogue synthesizer
2 discrete logic DCOs per voice
analogue HP/BP/LP filter
2 LFOs
2 ADSRs
polyphonic velocity and aftertouch
full MPE (midi polyphonic expression) support
analogue BBD stereo chorus
4U rack size with detachable rack ears and wood side panels
10 preset banks (x128)

Pre-order will run until these units have sold out. Please allow 3 months build time, shipping should be in December 2019."


XERXES is based on the Elka Synthex. You can find demos of Black Corporation's XERXES in the archives here.

New Black Corporation Xerxes Voice & Chorus Boards

This one is in via Soviet Space Child, via @blackcorporation_jp.

The Xerxes is Black Corporation's upcoming Elka Synthex based synth.

JM Jarre - Third Rendez Vous - Cover with Xerxes Synthesizer Prototype by Black Corporation

Third Rendez Vous - Cover

Performed by Ando Pilve
using Xerxes synthesizer prototype by Black Corporation, Japan.

Additional sounds with Seiko DS-250

Originally composed by Jean Michel Jarre, 1986

---
This one is in via Soviet Space Child.

384 Free Patches for Deckard’s Dream, Kijimi and Xerxes by synth_nyc

via synth_nyc:

Please find here something different from the usual suspects:
- 384 free custom patches for Black Corporation synths -
Because it feels good to think differently!
You can also have a free listen to all of them here; no strings attached, since I’m not looking to monetize the plays or social media exposure.

DDRM patches are burnt in Bank 2 if you own a DDRM MK2, else please contact Black Corporation to get the patches.

Enjoy!"

NAMM 2019 XERXES Synthesizer

Published on Jan 28, 2019 MrPandoman

"Paul Schilling exercising the speakers with a custom ambient patch on the Xerxes synthesizer by Black Corporation."

See here for another.

NAMM 2019: Black Corporation Xerxes Synthesizer Sound Demo - Elka Synthex Clone

Published on Jan 31, 2019 SYNTH ANATOMY

"At NAMM 2019, Black Corporation gives me a sound demo of the new Xerxes Synthesizer, a new analog clone of the Elka Synthex!"

NAMM 2019 XERXES Synthesizer - Laser Harp sound with Linnstrument via MPE

Published on Jan 28, 2019 MrPandoman

"Paul Schilling trying the Black Corporation's Xerxes Synthesizer with Linnstrument via MPE for the very first time, using the Ring Mod patch #46 (Laser Harp)."

Black Corporation Xerxes X Vermona Vintage DRM 🇨🇮 Italo 🇯🇵 Minimal 🇩🇪 Disco Techno Synth Demo Track!

video upload by Wine&Synths

"Here is my latest track: produced just using the Vintage Vermona and the Black Corporation Xerxes that appeared surprisingly in the studio for a check!

It's a highly inspiring synthesizer without any flaws. A real joy to play with!

No additional effects other than stock delay and reverb from Ableton Live11 were used.

Chris - PiQuadrat"

Black Corporation Xerxes 8-Voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

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via this auction

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Black Corporation XERXES

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

via this auction