Trend price : 600€
Hybrid analog-digital module synthesizer based on the famous sound interface device SID 6581 created by Bob Yannes who also projected the ENSONIQ MIRAGE sampler.
Overview
MODULE (weight: 1.3 Kg) The main panel features a 2 x 16 display lines, a numeric pad keys for data entry, 4 assignable knobs (they do transmit Midi control changes) and a rotary encoder.
Back panel terminal connectors:
-
audio out
- audio
input for filter process
-
Midi interface
Voice
SID is a 28-pin DIP-capsule chip from 8 bits computer Commodore 64 released on the market in 1982 machine based subtractive synthesis. SID generate 1 voice. A single voice is composed by 3 oscillators with variable parameters (detune, synch, transpose, delay start, PWM, ringmodulato)r and 5 waveforms: triangle, saw, mixed, noise, pulse with variable width.
Performance
machine offers some special playmodes:
- legato with adjustable time rate
-
special polymode play the oscillators in polyphonic way for chords, but they cannot be assigned to different Midi channels.
Filter
multimode resonant filter with cutoff range from 30 Hz to 12 kHz:
-
lowpass at 2 poles
-
bandpass at 1 pole
-
highpass at 2 poles
-
band reject at 1 pole
- all: activates all modes in the same tim
LFO
4 delayed assignable modulators with polarity inversion, fade-in, variable depth and ABZ mode that change negative values into positive ones. The modulators are identical and have 7 waveforms.
Envelope
4 EGs in total, all 4 stages ADSR and quantisized into 15 values:
- EG1 OSC1 amp
- EG2 OSC2 amp
- EG3 OSC3 amp
- EG4 VCF
Arpeggiator
each voice features an individual arpeggiator that can be synched to Midi clock.
Memory
-
100 RAM patches
Audio demo:
Video Clip:
Review
OK: sid-related / Midi / rare
NOT : price / edit interface
"Great sound and great control! if you like chip sound, than this is a must buy. However some DIY Sidbox can sound as good as the sidbox... for a lot less money!"
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci