Jorb takes a look at the Sequential Six-Trak synthesizer, from 1984, a keyboard that offers a basic analog synth voice, but that also offers one of the first multi-timbral synth architectures, a powerful unison mode, deep CC-control and multi-track sequencer.
Topics covered:
Intro 0:00
He Speaks 1:00
What Makes it Special? 2:30
Patch Demonstrations 7:34
Parameter Walkthrough 11:09
Parameters Continue Via Midi CC 16:14
Multi-Track Recorder 23:42
Stack Modes 27:46
Arpeggiator 29:00
Voices on Separate Midi Tracks 29:56
Conclusions & Used Market 33:14
Check it out and share your thoughts on the Six-Trak in the comments!
its a piece of shit
I had the multitrack (the upgraded version of this)
only one DCO (u need to use layers to get a second osc)
Parameters are like resonance 0 to 15 and so on
chorus unusable because it makes to much noise
creating sounds on it makes 0 fun because its one edit dial
Like the Roland Alpha Juno, the Six-Trak is a great synth in the right hands.
The Six-Trak has VCOs, don’t know about the Multi-Trak.
Single oscillator synth voices are basic, but basic can sound fantastic. How many mono synths let you stack 6-different patches in one voice? To get the flexibility of the Six-Trak sequencer on an analog synth, you have to look at much more modern synths, like the Analog Four.
The main thing I miss with the Six-Trak is individual analog outs.
if you use layers to get a 2nd osc – polyphony is down to 3 voices.
and parameter resolution isn’t fine enough
attack from zero to 15
cutoff from zero to 60
ect.
not sexy in the year 2021
Parameter range really doesn’t matter. The sounds you can get from it is what matters. I dig the sounds I get from mine.
Of course it matters if I can’t dial in that frequency that I want. It’s not going to make the sound that I want. Parameter resolution is big deal 😉
So it’s a very simple synth and it can’t even do what previous generation of synth were able to do, no steps 😉
It’s the first generation of polyphonic synths, nothing to get excited about today.
Let’s say it does 30 hz to 15.000hz
15000 – 30 – 60 steps = 14910 frequencies not available 😉
I had one of those, it was great and had a cool sound like all sequential synths. Loved the sequencer.
Hard times took all my synths.
This was my first synth (I now have some 40 synths). I still use it and love the architecture. My only concern is the hardwired battery. I have owned this synth since 1985 and the battery still works. What happens when it goes? How to save presets? I have the replacement battery but would probably convert to a drop in type battery. Do not want to lose the 99 presets though.
According to the manual, you can dump presets to MIDI, does that work?
Thanks. Yes that should work.
I ordered a Six-Trak when it first came out but then they released the Multi-Trak and I got that instead. I got a lot out of it especially since it had an output for each voice. These are a lot better than many give them credit for. Editing sounds is no big deal since parameters are all right in front of you. Check out demos on YouTube.
I love mine, it can produce some truly wonderful sounds. Setting up an external programmer is a piece of cake. it gets used on just about everything I do. Is it the best synth I own? Of course not, but it’s great.
But why are the modern synths not Multi Timbral anymore?
Honestly, I never use the multi timbral on my Six-Trak and almost never on any of my other synths that can do it. With unlimited tracks in any DAW it is usually more trouble than it is worth for me and I never gig my hardware. Unless a unit has separate outs being multitimbral is an over rated feature. And even with it, I personally have just enough interface inputs for my hardware as it is. Other people’s mileage might vary, but I never worry about it.
CONSOOM MOAR PRODDUX
curious if the experts here think a cool audio SMT clone of CEM3394 would be awesome or a waste of time? seems to me like it would be a useful chip to have back on the market.