OBERHEIM Matrix 1000 Analog Synthesizer

ABOUT nice slimmed down version of the Matrix 6, can only be edited via Computer. lots of presets in ROM (800) and 200 RAM (user)

DETAILS filter resonance does not thin out the sound at all. there are at least 3 LFOs (one is for vibrato / multisounds). 3 ENVs, not that fast but .additional to that it has 2 simple ramps (simple Decay-envs),. all envs and LFOs are software by Marcus Ryle. has Release Velocity. nice multi-point tracking generator. needs to be edited via Computer, bug: One Env Parameter can not be changed, there are tricks.. Triangle to saw "morph". HARDWARE: Both Matrix use six CEM3396 'Synth on a Chip', M6 has wide body version (600mils), M1000 the small (300mils) one. Both Matrix synths have DCOs. Master clock is derived from a quartz on the Matrix 1000 and from three free running, software calibrated (voltage controlled) oscillators on the Matrix 6. M6 has a 4 to 2 split mode, the M1000 lacks this hardware, otherwise the voices are (nearly) the same. 6 CEM3396 Dual Wave Processor (Wide body?) old definitiion: Matrix 6 and Matrix 1000 differed in the way that the M6 had a couple of Curtis chips to generate a voice while the M1000 used a "synth-in-a-box" chip from Curtis that had the whole voice in one IC. Even the "Wave" selection feature was packed in there. I only don't know if Curtis developed this chip because Oberheim wanted them to do so. So, if someone wants to build his own analog synth, he might start with that chip. It's not the best sounding chip but very easy to build control circuitries around it. On the web, you might find interesting information about SSM and CEM chips.

SOUND very flexible Synth with one of the best and wide / fat sounds ever heard, only one thing: it''s not made for very fast percussive sounds, quite hard to change sounds without computer..

VERSION white and black versions were made - rack: Matrix 6R, alternatively: Marion Prosynth or MSR2, small