Akai VX600

Akai VX600 Image

The VX600 is a unique and compact analog synthesizer produced by the sampler-meisters at Akai. It's a six-voice synth with two analog VCOs per voice. This will give you some pretty thick and rich analog bass, pads, strings and so on. A very flexible Modulation Matrix allows you to route waveforms from each of the VCOs through the various edit functions. There is a lowpass resonant filter, a highpass filter, two LFOs, three envelope generators, two external sound inputs and more.

The VX600's patch memory stores over 100 patches, each of which can contain key group splits, MIDI info and voice allocation. Add classic analog performance modes such as unison, stacked mono and a new six-part multitimbral mode and you've got yourself some thick and full analog sounds! Its MIDI implementation allows for seamless integration into any MIDI studio. Additionally, a dedicated connector jack allows direct connection to the EVI1000 and EWI1000 wind synthesizers and a 13-pin DIN connector gives six individual voice outputs. Quite a powerful little beast!

12 Visitor comments
devious
October 2, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
While people may compare it to an Oberheim Xpander, it still has it's own unique character. It does not use the same CEM3372s, but it does use the CEM3374's for its VCOs. Instead of the 3372s, it is using CEM3378's. Not only do you need to do the mod as stated by knobexploit to access the six individual outs, you can just snip an old atari monitor cable off and plug it right in to the back of the individual output cable port. :)
knobexploit
September 21, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
My much loved VX600, just love the power of this machine.
Build to use with Akai wind instrument, sounds like the Oberheim Xpander, (some say it is the same machine). The raw analog sounds that this board produces are hard to believe.
Sound pressure/output power like a MiniMoog.
Has full blown modulation matrix, 6 voices with 12 VCO's, multimode filter and nice and clear dispay for easier programming.
6 extra outputs can be installed by wiring jack outputs to each voiceboard (easy mod, great result)
Due to complex nature of this machine and lack of decent programming interface it must return some points but soundwise it is a cracker......well worth you money.
 
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  • Demos & Media
  • YouTube Thumbnail
    Video 1
    - Akai VX-600 | demo (1 of 2) by WC Olo Garb

  • Specifications
  • Polyphony - 6 voices
  • Oscillators - 12 osc. (2 per voice)
  • LFO - 2 LFOs per voice (various waveforms, speed, delay, depth)
  • Filter - Lowpass / Highpass filter w/ cutoff, resonance, pitch follow
  • VCA - FM: depth, destination & vca: level
  • Keyboard - 37 keys (velocity and aftertouch)
  • Memory - 50 sound library patches, 20 code memories, 40 programs, 10 packets + external memory cards available
  • Control - MIDI (6-parts)
  • Date Produced - 1988

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