Oberheim Matrix 1000
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 colored face-plate. 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.
- Demos & Media
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Video 1 - Oberheim Matrix-1000 Analog Synthesizer by RetroSoundAudio Clip 1 - Except for the drum loop, this track is all Matrix 6! These sounds can also come from the Matrix 1000.
Manual - Read or download the complete and original owner's manual for the Oberheim Matrix 1000 (in PDF format).
Editor - The MATRIX 2001 is a Graphical User Interface for the Oberheim Matrix-1000 synth module for the PC. It's just about $10 and offers direct 'on-the-fly' editing of all sound parameters with visual feedback using large and familiar controls, fully integrated Bank Manager with point-and-click interface, SysEx file import and export, and Random patch generator.
- Specifications
- Polyphony - 6 voices
- Oscillators - 12 DCO's at 2 per voice
- LFO - 2
- Layers - Single / Split / Multitimbral
- Memory - 800 preset patches, 200 user patches
- Keyboard - None
- Effects - None
- Control - MIDI
- Date Produced - 1987 - 1994
- Resources & Credits
Images from Perfect Circuit Audio.
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I LOVE THIS SYNTH. As generalized pricing goes this is the BEST value for an older analog synth. I love the sound. The modulation features. The fact that it's one rack unit big. The only thing i don't like is that some sysex causes the cpu to lag and notes getting stuck during programming.
p.s. Molobax...try opening it up and taking the CEM chips out and putting them back in..i've heard that helps.
As brainstorm wrote though it seems prone to glitches and artifacts (especially "forgetting" to apply the filter envelope) when changing individual parameters via sysex (I am using ObieEditor for Mac).
That said, the sound of the Matrix 1000 is really nice (although mono as stated by kajot, but I don't find that to be a problem), and as long as you don't tweak parameters, performance is rock solid. There is no problem in assigning whatever you want to a mod-wheel or other performance controls like pedals etc. and then tweak away on them. It just wasn't designed as a knob-tweeking synth like the other analog oberheims. In a sense it is closer to the concept of softsynths, where you chuck in a masterkeyboard, choose a preprogrammed patch and start performing without making changes to the patch. Just it's a fully analog synth.