Teisco SX-240

Back in 1984, this synth arrived as Teisco's top-of-the-line 8-voice polyphonic powerhouse, right before Kawai fully rebranded it—capturing that late analog era magic just as digital was knocking on the door.

Each of its 8 voices packs two DCOs plus a sub-oscillator, delivering saw, sine, and pulse waveforms with pulse width and PWM control, all feeding into SSM 2044 24dB/oct lowpass filters boasting resonance, cutoff, envelope amount, and a dedicated ADSR. A single LFO with saw, square, or triangle waves offers speed, delay, reverse, and depth tweaks to modulate DCO, VCF, or VCA, while dedicated ADSR envelopes shape the VCA and a high-pass filter adds bite. Hands-on editing shines via a big data wheel, four scroll buttons for parameter selection, LED indicators for every control, pitch bend wheel, dual volume sliders, and a bright electroluminescent display for naming and storing up to 48 tones—plus a 1,500-note sequencer with 8 song memories. The 61-key keyboard supports poly-8, poly-4, dual, split, and mono modes (stacking all 24 oscillators for massive leads), with chorus, portamento, glissando, hold, and early MIDI In/Out/Thru (omni receive).

Owners cherish its wide, warm analog tone—brighter and fatter than some DCO peers—often praising the filter growl and sequencer for hands-free inspiration, though the single-LFO limits complex modulation and basic MIDI feels dated today. It's a hidden gem for vintage poly chasers seeking Juno-era vibes without the hype.