Jen SX-2000 Synthetone

Jen SX-2000 Image

The SX-2000 Synthetone is an analog monophonic synthesizer designed for use with an organ (it was meant to sit on top of the organ). This type of late 1970's synthesizer design (with the knobs, sliders and switches in front of the keyboard) was also seen in the Roland SH-1000, SH-2000, Minitmoog and Elka Soloist. The SX-2000 has 7 presets which include: synthy, harpsichord, flute, clarinet, violin, trumpet and piano. Presets are selected via the red switches towards the left of the keyboard.

Luckily it has plenty of simple to tweak analog synth functions to manipulate those boring old preset sounds. It features a single VCO, switchable over four octaves and equipped with four waveforms (sawtooth, square, and two rectangular). The VCF is a simple low-pass filter with cut-off and resonance (emphasis) and can be modulated by the LFO or one of 3 preset envelope effects. The VCA can also be modulated by these 3 preset envelope effects which include: repeat (which constantly repeats AD envelope), ASR (with sustain), AD (without sustain). The LFO can modulate the oscillator or the filter with either square or triangle waveforms. Finally a Portamento effect is on-board for those elastic synth sounds. Nice wood end-cheeks and unique Italian sound make this rarity worth a look, if you happen to find one.



6 VISITOR COMMENTS

Organfairy
February 20, 2012 @ 8:16 am
Not only were they designed to sit on top of an organ. Some of them were actually build into Jen's own organs. The model Carousel C-450 has an SX-2000 connected to the upper manual along with the normal organ presets. The idea is that you play bass on the organ pedals, accompaniment with your left hand on the lower manual, and harmonized melody on the upper manual. The synthesizer has top note priority meaning that the synth plays the melody alone and the organ voices plays the whole harmony.
Frank
February 15, 2012 @ 12:20 pm
I got one yet make me an offer............
Junigtron
November 1, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
I recommend to get Kenton socket upgrade (CV/Gate/Filter) for this synth. I´ve been using this with doepfer maq-16/3 & Moogerfooger CP-251 processing cv&filter signal. Very fat squarebass sequences. Me like!
Junigtron
August 3, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
Under rated synth. It´s a simple easy to control synth. For that little piece of fun of the 70´s that your song is missing. Great square bass also.
Luis pereira-lisbon-portugal
January 31, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
Hi I own sx 2000 and I still love it. Mint condition.Now I'm retired from all giggs but once a while I still playin a bit only for pleasure.
all the best
 
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  • Demos & Media

  • YouTube Thumbnail
    Video 1     - A song recorded with a Jen SX-2000 Synthetone 1979 and a circuit bent Alesis HR-16.

  • Specifications
  • Polyphony - Monophonic
  • Oscillators - One VCO (sawtooth, square, 2 rectangular waveforms); 4-octave range (32', 16', 8', 4')
  • LFO - Square or triangle waveforms; intensity and speed; can modulate VCO or VCF
  • Filter - 1 VCF Filter with cut-off, emphasis; 3 preset envelope settings: Repeat, ASR, and AD.
  • VCA - 3 preset envelope settings: Repeat, ASR, and AD
  • Keyboard - 44 keys
  • Memory - None
  • Control - None
  • Date Produced - 1978 - 1982
  • Resources & Credits

  • Image from collection of Daniele Marziali found at the Jen Synth Pages.

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