German gear site Amazona.de reports that a new project, by developer Markus Malik, promises to bring back the powerful Oberheim Xpander synthesizer.
The Oberheim Xpander, originally introduced in 1984, is a sought-after analog synthesizer, known for its great sound and powerful digitally-controlled analog voice architecture. The synth features very flexible multimode filters and deep modulation capabilities.
The ACME XP60 is designed to be a replica of the Xpander. Synth replicas, like the modern Moog Model D and the Din Sync RE-303, are designed replicate the original boards and build of their vintage counterparts accurately enough that you can use the modern boards to repair the original synths.
It’s not clear yet if this will be the case for the ACME XP60, but Malik has previously offered modifications, replacement boards and repairs for the original Xpander.
Here are details on the project, translated from the German article:
“Like its role model, the XP60 is also a six-voice analog synthesizer. However, the design is smaller, because the device, which actually has a desktop format, also fits in a 19” rack.
Not only the structure of the sound generation was adopted, but also the operating concept with the three displays. One improvement, however, are the controls with LED rings, whose colors can be customized.
For the sound generation, modern counterparts (clone chips) of the CEM3374 (Dual VCO) and CEM3372 (VC Mix-VCF-VCA) circuits used at the time are used. As a reference, developer Markus Malik was able to build the voice cards for the prototype with original oscillator ICs. In blind tests with mixed operation, no differences could be found between the original and clone chips.
Initially, no new firmware was written, but the original OS was used during development. The firmware is very complex, as envelopes, LFOs and other modulation options are also implemented using software. Tom Oberheim‘s consent was requested for the use of the firmware.
If the original firmware is retained, this will also entail certain restrictions, as it does not include parameter control with MIDI CCs, for example, but only Sysex. The developer may not be able to avoid creating his own OS sooner or later.”
Pricing and Availability:
Details on pricing and availability are still to come at the Acme Synthworks site, but a small series of 50 units is planned, with the possibility of more, based on demand.
via Amazona.de, Matrixsynth
I’m pretty sure that Behringer will release it earlier and for much less… 😉
wish they would, but coolaudio doesn’t have the 3372 clone chip yet, and without it the burdened BOM costs are surely too high for their cost envelopes. if the Matrix-12 had the draw like the Jupiter… but there are easier fish in the sea. maybe in a couple of years? woiuld love one i could afford.
Even if this is just a 1:1 clone, I’m *very* interested, but a few additional features would go a long way. “T” mixers for the oscillators (or even better, wavefolders), and a few tweaks to the firmware to expand the functionality of the LFOs and the envelopes. Hopefully the developer opts for a CPU that is capable of facilitating more features at the software level, at least. Regardless though, I’m very interested.
That brings me back to my biggest blunder: I bought a Xpander in 2001 for $1000 (yes, really).
I sold it in 2004 because I frankly didn’t use it that much, and was afraid I would end up with a very expensive brick, if some component failed.
I sold it for $1100.
If I only knew and had waited, I could easily have gotten north of $8000 for it.
Dont get to het up about it. It is annoying that musical instruments have turned into some attempt at investment. Dont play that game and make music. You sold because you werent using it. That is enough
Thanks for putting a healthy spin on this.
You likely wouldn’t get 8k for it. There are plenty out there for sale at this price just sitting there not selling. If you check the reverb sales history, it looks like they sell around 5K at most, more likely 4.5k.
the limited run, and expected demand puts this outside my wish list,. would have been nice though… even without knowing the price.
Does ACME know that the name XP60 was already used for a Roland instrument?
https://www.roland.com/us/products/xp-60/
XP60 and XP-60, there is a difference. Besides did b-word care that Roland sells a drum module as TD-3?
The more years that pile up since the originals first appeared, the more people seem keen on the same experience. You should enjoy the gear of your choice, but with both hardware and software Oberheims dotting the landscape, this feels like too much of a reach. The Matrix-12/Xpander can be mastered, sure, but IMO, they’re only worth it if you’re going to dig deeper. Unless you plan to marry it for its unique sound-design powers, take up one of the software Obies. Less worries, mo’ fun.
On Erasure’s “Two Ring Circus” live album there’s a silly moment where the singer introduces the “band,” introducing all the synths on the stage that Vince Clarke is playing. The Oberheim Xpander gets its due. Funny stuff. Great synth.