Back in the mid-80s, this synth stepped up as Akai's bold play against the Roland Juno juggernaut, packing genuine analog punch into a 6-voice poly machine that could split its keyboard for bi-timbral tricks or stack all voices in unison for monster leads.
Its heart is a single VCO per voice—digitally controlled but fully analog in tone—with saw, triangle, pulse, and saw+tri waves plus noise, spanning octaves from 32' to 2' and PWM via a dedicated LFO. You get a resonant 24dB/octave CEM lowpass filter, static highpass, dual DADSR envelopes (one shaping VCF, the other VCA with velocity sensitivity), and a versatile LFO for pitch, filter, or amp modulation using down-saw, up-saw, triangle, square, or random waves. Hands-on sliders and knobs make programming a breeze on its sturdy metal chassis (1000x346x110mm, 11kg), with 61 velocity-sensitive keys, aftertouch, pitch/mod wheels, built-in BBD chorus (two modes), multi-mode arpeggiator (with external sync and hold), and 64 presets. Unique touches include a VCF input for routing external signals—like old Akai S612 samplers—through its filters, plus full MIDI In/Out/Thru, stereo outs, and headphones.
Players dig its warm-to-aggressive palette, especially the lush chorus and FM-like filter textures, calling it a Juno alternative with more bite and easier tweaks—perfect for learning subtractive synthesis. Sure, it's rare and may need TLC after decades, but that raw, hands-on vibe keeps it a vintage gem for thick pads, arpeggios, and everything in between.
