Behringer today shared this first look at their upcoming copy of the Elka Synthex, an 8-voice DCO polysynth design from 1981.
The Behringer STX, first previewed last year, appears to be a fairly straight copy of the Synthex’s design, but reduced in size and with a smaller keyboard range, to conform to Behringer’s 4-octave Deepmind 12 form factor.
The original Elka Synthex has been used notably by Jean-Michel Jarre.
“We spent the afternoon with Gianni Grisanzio (aka Synthguru) with the first prototype of our STX synthesizer,” notes Behringer. “His initial feedback was highly encouraging as he described the synth as ‘already sounding massive’.”
Behringer hasn’t shared any official specs yet, but based on the images that they’ve shared, it looks like the main changes are the addition of MIDI, and shrinking the synth down to fit into one of Behringer’s standard formats, losing an octave off the keyboard in the process.
Pricing and Availability:
Details on pricing and availability for the Behringer STX are to be announced. While the engineering prototype looks like a finished product, Behringer has previewed working prototypes of several other synths in the last few years that have not made it to market yet.
I’m really excited for this
The demo isn’t bad, but of course, its just a sound or two. I’ve been digging into Cherry Audio’s version, the ELKA-X. Its like a perfect blend of a Prophet-5 and a JUNO-2, with a little PPG thrown in. Its punchy & versatile.
It’ll be interesting to see if this version comes close. As close as original hardware turned into software and then a hardware reworking can get, anyway. Very few have ever laid hands to a real Synthex, so its a real cyborg of a situation.
You can play one at the Vintage Synth Museum in LA. They aren’t the rarest thing out there.
Still waiting for the PolyKobol. It also has digital oscillators. One feature the PolyKobol’s oscillator have is the ability to morph between different waveforms via the LFO.
yeah, the Kobol’s are the most interesting for me too. although another 4 octave would go with the Wave nicely. the oddballs are the most attactive. and polykobol looks has a lot of front panel modulation control *thumbsup*
thank you Synthtopia for not embarrasing yourself and calling it a “knockoff” for a change
Yes Synthhead changed his ways, Good to see indeed
You two have been readers long enough that you should already know that we reserve the term ‘knockoff’ for synths and other gear that are manufactured and marketed as cheap, unofficial copies of another company’s product.
The STX may look like another knockoff, but it’s appropriate to stick to the more generic term, like ‘copy’, until specs and other information is available.
19″ rack-mount version please
No behringer keyboards needed
no they need to do the Synton Syrinx
I think we all know by now that “knockoff” isn’t an unfair term, but I’ve begun to say “reimagining.” It involves less bile and its just as fair to call the OB-X8 one of them. Its all of the desirable basics, with some useful modern additions.
B isn’t on my personal list for several reasons, but there’s no point in pecking at someone who feels excited to acquire a synth they couldn’t have in any other way. Softsynths don’t do it for everyone. I love ’em; they generally mean less Repair Hell.
Let’s hear it for the nice range of choices. I prefer to think of the newbie who suddenly gets a near-Synthex. I remember that kind of thrill. Synths allow you to keep having it. Those bananas only turn black once in a while.
yeah, i use ‘reimagining’ as well. like disney’s ‘imagineers’. it’s not perjorative and accurately describes the product and the process as well.
How about ‘Reproduction’. It’s the term often used to describe the manufacturing of modern versions and indeed copies of furniture and other items that are.from bygone days. It doesn’t necessarily apply to copies of products that are subject to copyright etc. or currently in production. These are rightly considered knockoffs.