- While some synths achieve "legend" status because they're adopted by legions of bands and producers and make their presence felt on a wide range of material, others are more akin to "one hit wonders." They become so famous for one particular user that they almost become niche items. Into the latter category, step forward Elka's Synthex. If the name doesn't ring a bell, don't worry, as it's definitely a lesser known instrument. However, as the Synthex was used as the trigger instrument for Jean-Michel Jarre's iconic LaserHarp, it has entered the annals of history.
Synthex has become the latest instrument to be modeled by XILS Lab who, in the process, bring yet another underdog synth to the plug-in world. XILS Lab's version of the instrument is named Synthix and is available as a 32-bit plug-in for Mac and PC (a 64-bit version is in development), via your choice of e-licenser or iLok authorization. The GUI continues XILS Lab's approach—for those who know the original instrument, everything will be broadly familiar, though there are added features which bring a 21st century twist.
The sonic architecture runs as follows: there are two oscillators with a choice of four waveforms each per voice—Triangle, Saw, Square and Pulse. However, with the inclusion of ring modulation, PWM and the option to select more than one oscillator shape for each source, this is immediately very powerful. Additionally, there's an independent noise generator if you like things a little more on the dirty side. The filter section is also sonically impressive with five options (two "strengths" of low and band-pass and one high-pass), while dedicated envelopes for the Amp and Filter stages, plus two additional, freely assignable envelopes, allow you to control a sound's development. So far, so standard.
Synthix comes alive due to its extended feature set. In no particular order, these include four effects sections with tweakable parameters to control Delay, Chorus, Phaser and EQ, with the latter providing a good deal of potential for sonic variation. There are a number of dedicated voice modes for both Polyphonic and Monophonic playback, which control how voices are prioritized and encourage varied playing techniques. XILS Lab's famous "matrix" is included too, which lets you choose six modulation sources from plentiful drop-down menus and assign them to a similarly detailed list of possible targets, all with "amount" dials in between. Below this is a matrix with an animated LED which allows you to pick two additional parameters and jump between values for these with a number of animation styles on offer to vary the sonic results.
The ways in which real-time performance can be modulated goes on, with a Sequential Circuits-style Vector allowing you to assign lower and upper modulation wheel settings to control LFO routings into the pitch and filter sections. The keyboard can be accessed with separate Upper and Lower voices, with keyboard splits separating both if you like, while a third mode, Guitare, encourages MIDI guitar performance by letting you trigger up to two voices on assignable independent MIDI channels. Six buttons let you configure the built-in arpeggiator, selecting On, Poly mode, upwards and downwards ramps and Octave span, while dials control Swing amount, Gate amount and Rate, so holding chords and having them zip around impressively is child's play.
However, the multi-layering aspect of Synthix is where the instrument comes into its own, as up to eight patches, created through the architecture described above, can be laid one on top of another, separated by split points. This means that multiple arpeggiations can be triggered alongside rich, stacked basslines, or thick layers of pads can be massed. This takes time and application but rewards come to those with the requisite patience and there are enough presets utilizing these possibilities to whet your appetite.
Inspired by these starting points, if you're a synth purist, you'll simply love Synthix. The sound quality of the engine here is wonderful and it does a range of things well—warm, rich basses are a particular highlight, as are the biting capabilities of the arpeggiator if you like your sounds sequenced and chopped. In fact, the animated nature of what's possible here is the standout feature, with sounds capable of pinging excitedly in unique ways to help give Synthix a real character of its own. It definitely rewards those prepared to put in the hours to discover its potential and for those that do, there's a quirky, great sounding instrument to discover here which will enhance electronic musical material of all descriptions.
Ratings
Cost: 4.5/5
Sound: 4.5/5
Versatility: 4.5/5
Ease of use: 3.5/5