JEN • SX-1000 SYNTHETONE
The Synthetone SX-1000 is an old Italian basic mono-synth. It has a single analog DCO with three waveforms: sawtooth, square, and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). There is an analog filter (12dB/octave) with cutoff, resonance, and LFO modulation. There is also a simple ADSR envelope for shaping your sounds. In addition there are also white/pink noise generators a glide effect and a vibrato effect. It's known for fairly stable tuning too. Probably its best sounds are the lead ones, the basses aren't that deep but it sure can scream!
What it doesn't have is MIDI, CV/Gate or any other form of control. MIDI retrofits can take care of this however. Unfortunately there is no patch memory, and there is no way around this limitation. Its knobs are boldly colored and well layed-out for easy hands-on access; but you'll need a Polaroid camera if you want to store your patch settings! Also lacking are an arpeggiator, sequencer, pitch/mod wheels, and effects. Nevertheless, this Italian vintage synth is a very cheap entry-level analog synth that has some unique sounds and characteristics worth checking out if you find one. It's been used by Future Sound of London, LFO, Nexus 21, Altern 8, Eskimos & Egypt, Fillmore, Man Machine, Tim Simenon, Broadcast, Plone, Luke Vibert, Ladytron, Prodigy and Herb Legowicz of Gusgus.
Cheers,
Neil
er... not really. DCO's were all over the early 80's analogue synths.
You might be thinking the 'D' means it's a digital oscillator, but what it means is it's a digitally controlled analogue oscillator.
The oscillator is still analogue, but the frequency is controlled digitally for more stable and reliable pitch / tuning.
Roland made several synths with analogue DCOs, and if I'm not mistaken the Akai AX ~ had DCO as well. Others too, but that's a couple for you.
Stays in tune like a dream, great for touring.
x
That's truly a first!! :)