The analog Matrix 1000 is essentially 1,000 Matrix 6 patches in a single-space compact rackmount MIDI module. It has the same synth architecture as the Matrix 6. Each of its 6 voices have two DCO's (digitally controlled analog oscillator), a low pass filter, 2 VCA's, 3 envelope gens, 2 LFO's, and 2 ramp gens. The sounds are plentiful and good enough, however sounds can only be edited via MIDI, so you'll need an external MIDI editor (such as MOTU's Unisyn) or Access' Matrix Programmer to edit parameters. You can also load sounds from the Matrix 6 via SysEx or software.

The Matrix 1000 provides an excellent source of pads, textures and ambient sounds. It has 195 "keyboard" sounds, 118 "strings", 130 "woodwinds & perc", 239 "synthesizer", 119 "bass", 74 "lead" and 125 "effects". For the price, there is no better way to find genuine analog Oberheim Matrix sounds in a compact and very in-expensive rack module that is loaded with more sounds than you'll ever need! The older versions of the Matrix 1000 have a black front-panel. The newer models in the '90's have a cream face-plate (pictured above). It has been used by Apollo 440, Juno Reactor, Moby, Cirrus, Fatboy Slim, Laurent Garnier, ATB, Depeche Mode, Future Sound of London, Pet Shop Boys, and Faithless.

42 VISITOR COMMENTS

ck

January 17, 2012 @ 1:49 pm

@ davros Programmers like the Access, Doepfer, Novation, et al. cannot edit the extensive modulation matrix on the 1000. On a 6/6R the matrix is accessible, although tedious to edit. Midi Quest XL software allows you to edit the modulation matrix, perhaps some of the freeware Oberheim editor/librarians will allow this also, I'm not sure.

Davros

January 17, 2012 @ 6:03 am

@ ck: Thanks for the info. On further research, it seems patches can be edited on the 1000 using modern midi controllers such as the Novation SL mk2 or units from Behringer, which can send midi and sysex data, which means obtaining an Access Matrix isn't necessary. What I was concerned about, was whether there were any parameters on a 1000 that you couldn't edit that could be edited on a 6/6R - hence limiting the scope of sound design on the 1000.

ck

January 14, 2012 @ 12:14 pm

Anyone had success controlling/editing the Matrix with hardware other than the Access Programmer or the Doepfer Drehbank (also extinct)?

ck

January 14, 2012 @ 12:13 pm

@ davros: The only way to edit patches on the Matrix 1000 is via editor/librarian software or an external hardware controller like the Access Matrix Programmer (no longer made and difficult to find). The Access also works with the Matrix 6 and 6R. I have both the Matrix 1000 and Matrix 6 (keyboard version of 6R). The 6/6R are programmable via the numeric keypad, it's a real pain but doable.

Davros

January 13, 2012 @ 12:23 am

I'm looking to buy either a Matrix 1000 or Matrix 6R - and I'm trying to understand the programming limitations of the 1000 vs the 6R. From what I can gather, a limited number of parameters can be edited / programmed on the 1000, whereas the 6R permits full access to edit and customise all the sounds.

Is this correct? And if so, what exactly can be edited on the 1000? Can I adjust the DCOs, low pass filters, VCAs, envelope gens, LFOs etc?

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