Trend price : 200€
Italian Synthesizer-workstation released in 3 versions:
S2: 61 keys (16 kg) polyphonic aftertouch
S3: 76 keys (19 kg) polyphonic aftertouch
S2R: rackmount version with more analog outs
Company: GEM
Model: S2 / S3
Class: 61 / 76 Keyboard / rackmount
Dates: 1992
Display: 240 x 64 pixels
Synthesis: digital rompler
Polyphony: 32 voices
Multitimbric: 16 parts
Resolution: 16 bits
Sample Freq: 41,7 kHz
N. PCM: 209 waves
Oscillator: 2 PCM
Filter: LPF / HPF / BPF / BOOST
LFO: 3 modulators
Sequencer: 250.000 notes
Sync: Midi Clock
Midi: IN / OUT / THRU
CPU: 68302
DAC: AD1865N
Demo: 1
Video: 1
Review
Overview
Main panel features a 240 x 64 pixels display, 86 buttons, a data encoder and 7 assignable sliders.
Back panel terminal connectors:
- double Midi interface
- main signal out
- volume pedal input
- 2 pedalswitch inputs
Sound Synthesis
Motorola CPU 68302 at 16 MHz manages 32 voices polyphony with 18 bits DAC.
A "S" patch is composed by a layer of 1 or 2 samples osciilator with volume balancing option.
Wavetable
6 MB ROM contains 209 PCM coded 41.7 kHz at 16 bits, some waveforms inspired from famous analog synthesizers like Elka Synthex, Prophet 5 or Jupiter 8
LFO
2 interchangeable modulators (shapes: sine, triangle, saw, square, random and sample & hold.) and 3 destinations: amplitude, pitch and filter 1-2.
Envelope
-
EG1 amplitude: 10 segments when note engaged + 10 others when key is released
- EG2 filter: same structure as first EG.
Filter
2 independent resonant multimode filters, each provides a -12 dB per octave slope and combined they operate as a 4-poles filter: lowpass, highpass, bandpass and parametric boost/cut.
Effect
- DSP 1 : reverb and echoes
- DSP 2 : chorus, flanger, phaser and organ rotary speaker.
Sequencer
16 tracks Midi SMF compliant.
Memory
- 250.000 notes
- 16 songs
- 512 Kb sample RAM
"S" Review
OK: filter/ keyboard / some waveforms
NOT : no exclusives / storage / DSP / acoustic waveforms
"great filtered sweep pads or droning choirs, but obsolete for acoustic emulations . Give it a try: bargain price on second hand market"
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
