TECH main 8 bits CPU 6502 clocked at 1MHz manages 8 voices polyphony organized on 4 voice boards with stereo mode . A synth basic Synthex patch is composed by 2 DCO oscillators + 1 white-pink noise generator.
OSCILLATOR DCO1 and DCO2 can be ringomodualted and mixed with individual mixer and have similar characteristics:
PERFORMANCE the multiplexed boards feature 4 playmodes:
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double mode: is a layer of 2 sound patches
- split assigns 2 patches on a different keyboard zones
- stereo panning mode: voice boards are sequenced to left or right stereo field
- polyphonic portamento with glide option and variable speed rate Hear glide
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FILTER is a multimode resonant model based on 8 Curtis CEM 3320 chips.
The VCF works in 3 different modes with possible polarity inversion option:
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- lowpass at -24 dB slope
- bandpass at -12 or 6 dB slope
- highpass at -12 dB slope.
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Hear filter sweeps
LFO there are 2 LFO, a main one (LFO1) and a simpler one (LFO2) triggered by joystick that modulates onlu pitch and filter with a triangle shape. LFO1 is quite complet:
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shape: triangle /saw/ ramp / square
destinations:
pitch / width / amplitude
delay: yes
depth: yes Hear Insane LFO |
ENVELOPE 2 EGs:
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- EG1 VCF 4 segments ADSR
- EG2 AMP 4 segments ADSR.
In addtion 2 extra functions for envelope control: hold and sustain. |
SEQUENCER a 4 tracks recorder with real-time or step entry notes.
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Each track transmits Midi signals, then whole sequence can be shifted in real-time for performance.
Recording function are limited to 5 buttons and 2 knobs: write, beats, delete, loop mode, ready-reset, gate EG value.
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SYNC internal frequency or slave-tempo mode controlled by external + trigger pulses.
EFFECT based on TDA1022 is a 3-modes analog chorus fixed rate and depth values.
MAINTENANCE Synthex suffers from common issues
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voice
boards lifespan that is quite unpredictable, fortunately there are not so many custom IC onboard, Synthex is mainly build with TTL and common electrical parts on the shelf
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maintenance requires patience and experience since there are a lot of circuits inside and a precise calibration.
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MEMORY:
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40 ROM presets
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40 RAM user slots
- 128 events per track (512 total)
Memory based on a 3.6V internal battery, created sounds can be saved only to tape interface - Click to enlarge pic -
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OS on EPROM 2532 (x2) + 2516
MIDI second and third Synthex versions implement a simple Midi interface manage only basic note ON-OFF data.
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According to Castelfidardo center there have been 1850 machines produced:
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wave 1: 50 units (no Midi)
- wave 2: 800 units (external Midi interface)
- wave 3: 1000 units (standard Midi)
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RELATED FAMILY
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The 2015 Synthex reissue failure.
After a failed crowd-funding campaign named "indiegogo Bringelkaback" the Finnish company just gave up on this project- even J.M jarre made a vid to support this funding.
Reality is: elka synthex will NOT be come back. |
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SYNTHEX 2- "the evolution of a legend" The original italian engineer Mario Maggi is working a new digital project called "Synthex 2".
READ THE SPECS from Synthex 2 website.
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VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples set:
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Polynominal
2 sounds fully sampled at 4 octaves: bass and a kind of brass pad sound. |
30 MB FREE!
Free donation
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ZOOTOOK
Xils-Lab
Syn'X |
SYNTHEX VST- Free
Commercial
VST plugin |
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GALLERY: