Elka-X

A Renaissance Synthesiser

Cherry Audio Elka-X Synthesiser is based upon the legendary Synthex, a rare Italian analog synthesiser designed by Mario Maggi and manufactured by ELKA in the early eighties. Elka-X replicates the extraordinary character of the original synth without compromising sound or functionality, thoughtfully expanding its feature set and delivering the authentic Synthex experience at a price anyone can afford.

The Synthex included a combination of uncommon and forward-looking features that made it stand out from other contemporary synthesizers, including highly stable digitally-controlled analog oscillators and a flexible four-pole multimode filter. Unlike most other popular synths that utilized CEM3320 filter chips in a lowpass-only configuration, the Synthex filter featured a 24 dB/oct lowpass mode, 6 and 12 dB/oct bandpass modes, and a 12 dB/oct highpass mode. Along with a powerful onboard analog chorus effect, this gave the Synthex a distinct and powerful tonality. It was multitimbral, with the ability to play two different patches simultaneously, in either split or layer mode. It even included an innovative four-track monophonic step-sequencer with real-time recording and transposition.

By the mid-80s, ELKA made the last Synthex for Stevie Wonder, who used it for the distinctive bass tone on his single "Skeletons" from the 1987 album Characters. Other notable users of the Synthex were Geoff Downes of the supergroup Asia, Keith Emerson, Duran Duran, Peter Howell of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, and Jean-Michel Jarre, who used it extensively on Rendezvous and for his famed "laser harp" sound.

X-pertly Extended and Enhanced!

Each aspect of Elka-X has been precisely modeled upon Cherry Audio's pristine vintage Synthex. Every effort was taken to emulate the prized tone of the original's DCOs, dynamic filter, and stunning chorus. Cherry Audio have preserved the innovative sound-sculpting and performance features such as layering and keyboard split, and hugely improved the original's clunky step sequencer.

Once again, Cherry Audio has kept the soul of a classic alive while enhancing its feature set for modern studio environments. They've increased the polyphony, included mono and unison modes, and added velocity response that was absent from the original design. They've expanded the functionality of the filter and the LFOs, greatly extending the modulation options. Cherry Audio has not only simplified the operation of the four-track step sequencer but added a complete arpeggiator with independent assignments for both layers.

Unique panel controls make it painless to exchange settings between layers, sequencer tracks, and even different presets. In addition to the chorus effect found in the original, Elka-X adds studio-quality echo and reverb stereo effects, with independent settings for both layers. With additional touches such as chord memory, over 600 pro patches, and flexible MIDI mapping, Cherry Audio's Elka-X brings the authentic and expanded Synthex experience roaring into the 21st century.

Features

• Two-part multitimbral operation: two different patches simultaneously playable, in either a keyboard split or stacked layer mode, with user-specified split point and discrete controls for layer volume and panning
• 16 polyphonic voices which can be layered or split across the keyboard
• Panel Control for selecting layers, with a utility function for exchanging settings between the Lower and Upper sound layers, or even between presets
• Two DCO oscillators with triangle, sawtooth, square, and variable pulse waveforms and independent tuning
• Modes for polyphonic, single voice, and unison monophonic with unison detune
• PWM Cross Modulation and Ring Modulation for both oscillators
• White or Pink Noise Generator
• CEM3320-style multimode filter with 12 or 24 dB/oct lowpass, 6 or 12 dB/oct bandpass, or 12 dB/oct highpass
• Two tempo-syncable LFOs
• Two independent modulation sections: a fixed LFO 1 section, and a performance-oriented LFO 2 section, intended for use with pitch and mod wheel controllers
• LFO 1 has triangle, sawtooth, ramp, bipolar square, unipolar square, and random waveforms; LFO 2 triangle waveform only
• ADSR Filter and Amplifier envelope generators with Velocity control
• Multi Trigger for the ADSR Filter and Amplifier envelope generators (in monophonic modes)
• Chord Memory and Oscillator 2 sync
• Tempo Sync buttons for LFO 1 and 2, Sequencer rate, Arpeggio rate, and Echo rate for easy sync to DAW project tempo
• Step Sequencer consists of four individual monophonic sequences, each with a user-definable length of up to 128 steps, assignable to either layer and stored with the preset
• Step Sequencer utility operation for copying, swapping, and moving sequencer data between tracks, or from one preset to another
• Glide (pitch envelope) and Portamento (standard glide), independently enabled for each oscillator
• Arpeggiator with tempo sync, independently assignable to both layers
• Studio-quality chorus, echo delay, and reverb effects, including Cherry Audio's acclaimed "Galactic" reverb algorithm
• Cherry Audio's popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize with drag
• Over 600 presets created by a talented and diverse group of sound design veterans
• Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI learn
• Preset and Global level MIDI mapping
• Highly optimized coding for optimal performance with ultra-low CPU load
• User-adjustable oversampling control 

Elka-X Synthesizer is available in AU, VST, VST3, and AAX formats.

System Requirements

Mac

• 10.13 or above.
• macOS 13 Ventura supported.
• 64-bit required.
• Native Apple M1 processor support, including Apple M1 Ultra.
• 3.4 GHz Quad-Core or M1 CPU with 8GB of RAM recommended.
• Available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX & Standalone formats

Windows

• Windows 7 or above (including Windows 11), 64-bit required.
• Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.
• Available in VST, VST3, AAX & Standalone formats