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Elka Synthex
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Elka Synthex

Analog Synth from Elka

Téonanacatl Téonanacatl
Published on 12/18/04 at 18:04
Synthex is one of the last monster analog FM before the invasion:
. 8 notes polyphony
. 5 octave keyboard
. 2 Oscillator waveforms 5 and a ring modulator, a knob for adjusting the width of the PWM, one volume knob, a knob for implementation of 12 half-tone, 5-octave switch trimming; recess is located ca on each tilt. The oscillators are analog, but digital stabilization, so .... do not go awry!
. 1 knob of "master tune" very precise
. 1 knob to detune dephase oscilloscope if you want
. A switch for sync, the two oscilloscope (they are not at all out of phase)
. LFO 2:
. The first one finds a knob to adjust the frequency, 1potard to adjust the time it takes for the LFO to act, 4 waveforms that can be routed in different places: 1 osc1 switch, a switch osc 2, a switch PW1, a switch pw 2, a filter switch, a switch amplifier. To adjust the depth of the LFO, it was two knobs: one acts on the tilt 1 and 2 and pw 1 and 2, the second knob acts on the filter and amplifier.
. The second comes in the form of a joystick (like EMS) that can also play on the bend. Here, six linear switches (like ARP) for an initial frequency to a frequency delta to a depth of LFO2 on the oscilloscope, to a depth of bend on the oscilloscope, to a depth of about LFO2 filter, to a depth of bend on the filter (for adjusting the open / close via the joystick actually)
. A glide (glissando) and a polyphonic portamento that may be acting on either tilt or two at the same time.
. 1 knob to adjust the speed of the glide / portamento
. 1 knob glide Amount
. 1 volume knob for a white or pink noise (optional)
. 1 multimode filter (low cut, high cut, band-pass 1 and 2, inverter, a knob of frequency, a resonance, an envelope, of a keyboard (?)
. 1 ADSR envelope generator for the filter
. 1 ADSR envelope generator to amplify
. A 3-position adjustable chorus (and off)
. A hold switch
. A release switch
. 1 volume knob General
. 1 knob left right balance for the "stereo"
. A switch for adjusting the output is mono or "stereo"
. 40 factory sounds non-erasable
. 40 sounds "users" erase, replace at will
. The ability to split the keyboard into 2 (you can choose where they split!)
. The possibility of doubling the sounds (like a user preset and one factory), the coup polyphony is reduced to 4 notes, but ... there are 4 to oscilloscope available!
. A 4-track sequencer: You can create the sequence step by step (and add "blanks" between the notes via the switch "beat remains" if you wish, or delete "not" we want via the switch "delete") or create it live, the Synthex play the same when you swing the sequence. The sequencer is synchronizing via CV / Gate. We can, if you have the keyboard splitter 2, 2 assign different sounds to 4 sequencer tracks.
. On the rear panel:
. 1 in, 1 out for the sync jack (6.35)
. A section for a K7 interface if you want to save your presets K7 (mini jack)
. A section "footswitch" to hold the glide, the release and program changes
. An upper inlet filter / both / lower (to play on the filter but I do not know how)
. 2 audio outputs (upper and lower for stereo) jack in 6.35
. We can add a midi interface of the brand (courage to find ...) If you&#39;re lucky, the Synthex plant was equipped with MIDI interface after 1983 (I think). Of course it was the beginning of noon and I think the possibilities are still very early on that synth.
The largest is said but I certainly forget

UTILIZATION

. The general configuration is (in my opinion) very simple and intuitive.
. The routing of the LFOs is very well done, they can sell off across
. Of course there are little things we can not know "like that", making it necessary to have the manual handy (hopefully these tips are few)
. The edition is infantile sounds, save them as well (you press "memory" after inventing a sound, type the number you want, and press it again a few seconds of "memory", the LED blinks, ca s&#39; arrested is good!)

SOUNDS

. Amateurs sound bold, psychedelic, powerful (or cold if you desire), Throw away your top!
. The synthesizer generates sounds excellent to my taste, you can go out almost everything that comes to mind is typed analog recess (ca not imitate the sounds of pianos!)
. The chorus is very powerful, such sequences is very good.
. The glide and portamento are very good also. Mix the glissando or portamento to a sequence; impressive indeed!
. As you can imagine, there is no velocity or aftertouch and everything else the south, but it will be going very well (in my opinion always)
. The best known of his Synthex is the sound of harp used by JM Jarre on "appointment" (factory preset). Also used by tangerine dream (to the best-known line shells)
. For the curious, you can hear some sounds here:
be 4 years now I use it. That is happiness." rel="ugc noopener" target="_blank">http://www.bluesynths.com/3Klangbeispiele-e/synthex.html

OVERALL OPINION

It is time to restore its former glory with this excellent synth grossly misunderstood the "general public". To hell with the prophet and other Oberheim fashion victims! This excellent synthesizer is comparable to the best known brands (Elka, AC is not as "class" sequential circuit that looks like?)
I do not know anything about this synth before buying -8000 francs at the time, before the Euro-I tried it, and my appreciation has only grown since.
If it again, I will redeem it without hesitation (and knowingly)
It must be 4 years now I use it. That is happiness.