Arturia Synthx V Review: Legendary Elka Synthex Revived
Arturia has just released a new plugin called Synthx V, emulating the classic Elka Synthx synthesizer from the 1980s.
The Elka Synthx was a classic analog synthesizer that was produced in the early 1980s by an Italian engineer Mario Maggi. The synth was known for its rich sound and its digital oscillators. Which offered the same warm sound of any analog synth, but with the stability of digital sound (DCO). The classic Elka Synthex was used by many nominated artists, such as Depeche Mode, Stevie Wonder, and Jean-Michel Jarre.
Arturia – Synthx V
Arturia’s Synthx V is a software recreation of the classic Elka Synthex. It has all the original’s cool features but with some modern updates from Arturia. It has a really powerful control panel with cool features like in the Advanced section which makes it the same Synthex but with many other features. One of the features that stands out on Synthx V is the DCO – Digital Controlled Oscillators. These two oscillators are digitally controlled, making them super stable and precise. But they still sound lush, warm, and analog, which is pretty cool.
Moreover, It’s got this really cool geometric multi-arp, which is like a modern take on the old 4-track sequencer. Plus, there are a bunch of effects you can add, and it’s easy to route them however you want. They’ve also made it really expressive, so you can use things like MPE and polyphonic aftertouch if you have a keyboard.
Advanced Panel
Another point worth mentioning is the macro system, They’ve made it really easy to tweak the synth’s settings. You can link them to a bunch of different parameters at once and really get creative with how you control the sound. Plus, if you’ve got a keyboard that supports it, you can use things like MPE slides to add another dimension of expression to your playing. And it’s not just the macros. Every single tab in the Advanced panel could be linked to any parameter in the synth. Which includes ADSR (Envelope), Function (LFO), Step Seq (Sequencer), and the Random (Randomizer), all this makes Synthex much more flexible than being a classic synthesizer.
You’ve got a ton of flexibility with how you shape your sound. The envelopes, LFOs, and sequencers aren’t fixed, so you can customize them. You can even use three different envelopes to modulate the synth! It’s pretty handy for sound design.
Demo Sounds
Here are some demo sounds we have created on Synthx V to emulate the capabilities of the synth. Mind that some of the sounds that we created were made with 2 Synthx V plugins to emulate the full potential of the plugin.
Arturia’s Synthx V is a fantastic way to experience the legendary Elka Synthex. It’s more than just a recreation; it’s a loving tribute that expands on the original with modern features and creative possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned synth enthusiast or just starting out, the plugin offers a powerful and inspiring tool for making music. Synthx V is available right now on Arturia’s website, the current price for the plugin is $199 and will work on any DAW that supports VST, VST3, and AAX.
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