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There are a few things with the Synthex that might cause a little scepticism among potential buyers. You have to hear it, in order to get a subjective opinion of the sound of it. Don`t be scared of things like DCO`s and that`s it practically unknown among most musicians/composers. Yes,it`s rare, and it`s a project shipping the unit from one national boundary to another...however, it`s really worth the effort. That, I can say after 6 years of personal use, and after 7000 days since it was first launched on the market:-)
It`s one of my most appreciated instruments ever, because I simply just don`t run out of "up to date" timbres. It sounds analog, and has a great bass to it (Curtis filter). I`m just building up... I havent`t gotten there yet. Let`s use better words to describe it:
This instrument is capable of producing higly interesting timbres. You can tweak this beast (physical and mentally) into digital perfection, or to warm blasting and powerful analog power. I do not want to relate the Synthex`s sonic state to its "brothers", which in my opinion, from an historically point of view, could be synthesizers like: Memorymoog, Jupiter 8, Prophet 5/10, Oberheim OBXA, Yama CS series (actually, yes!)It`s not as fat as the Memory Moog. I`m a little tired of the idea of that everything have/had to be so fat. The synthex is so much more than this consept, and so is music.
"Hang in there, I`m not done yet". Ok, I had to move on, as for my musical preferences. There is so much more new, and wonderful music being produced these days. I`m not talking about big-bug commersial artists that show their bellys, and that have forgotten what music is all about. No, I`m talking about all those great suburb-based half-known/unknown artists, who have successfully made their ways into better marketing conditions (like I-net.
What I`m trying to say, is that wether you want to make analog Minimoog like bass sounds (it`s very cool, because the synthex has a CV input for the filter, which can be manipulated from any Midi sequencer and a midi/CV converter), or HUGE PUMPING pads, strings, drones, Monolake-type "pad" sounds...(Monolake is a German duo, known for making quite special electronic, and computer based music), or romantic and nostalgic Vangelis leads, originally produced on the Yamaha CS- 80. The comparison is to me unique. Off course,the CS-80 was the only synth the could produce the fat, razorsharp, powerful sawteeth, and rich timbered horn-like leads, that became the trademark of Vangelis.
I`ve almost gotten there, as for this sound. The filter on the Synthex isn`t as powerful as the CS-80 filter (which filter is?), but its other features compensate for that. The chorus onboard the S. is a killer! Actually, I think it`s an overkiller. Don`t get me wrong. It`s wonderful. It`s not static, nor is it like any other chorus units I`ve heard. I don`t know why almost none of those great film composers have ever used it. They really missed out something.
My conclusion: This is an intuitive, but yet advanced analog- based polysynth, capable of producing unique, and not to forget, MOODY timbres.
Anything like it? NO, I`m sorry! I truly am, because how long will it survive the tear and wear?
Who made this beast? Mario Maggi, a designer who worked for Elka.
Do I appreciate his work? Oh yes.
want to hear it? Go to: www.jarretribute.com On the second side of this album, there is an ambient/dub/basic channel inspired piece (Palawan) which has lots of the Synthex sound to it. Chil out, if you ever get to hear the song!
Cheers Henrik
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