Back in 1982, this synth broke new ground as one of the first affordable polysynths with dual digitally controlled oscillators per voice, bringing rock-solid tuning to warm analog tones without breaking the bank.
It packs six voices of polyphony across a 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch, each voice driven by two DCOs—DCO1 offering sawtooth, square, and PWM waveforms across four octaves, while DCO2 adds saw and square with detune options like thirds or fifths for lush chorusing. A shared 24dB/oct lowpass VCF per voice bank handles cutoff, resonance (up to seven levels), keyboard tracking, and a single ADSR envelope that modulates both filter and VCA, with generous times up to 10 seconds attack and 23 seconds decay. Modulation comes from one LFO (triangle, square, S&H, noise) routing to pitch, PWM, and filter, plus a joystick for pitch bend up to seven semitones and independent vibrato or filter sweeps. Editing uses a digital interface with parameter buttons and a small LCD, storing 64 patches internally, with chord memory for six-note chords from one key, arpeggiator, hold, and even paraphonic mono mode stacking all 12 oscillators. Built sturdy at 985 x 350 x 110 mm and 12 kg, it outputs mono audio with headphone jack and tape interface for backups, all powered by a simple AC cord.
Players have long praised its creamy filters and stable DCOs for everything from dreamy pads to punchy basses, though some note the button-based editing feels dated compared to knob-per-function designs, and aging voice chips can need service on vintage units.
