Cherry Audio Elka-X Virtual Synthesizer Software
ID: 4408
• MPN: CA-18
• SKU: 1316-1037
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$49.00
This item cannot be returned.
Key Features
• Emulation of ELKA Synthex Analog Synth
• Two DCO Multiwaveform Oscillators
• Versatile Mulitmode Filter
• 16-Voice Polyphony
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Cherry Audio Elka-X Virtual Synthesizer Software Overview
The Cherry Audio Elka-X painstakingly recreates the distinctive sound of the Synthex synthesizer, originally made by Italian manufacturer ELKA in the early ’80s and championed by discerning musicians including Stevie Wonder and Geoff Downs (of Yes). This modern emulation makes the sound of this rare instrument available for today’s workflows at a fraction of the price that the original sells for and can be used as a plug-in within your DAW or played as a standalone instrument on your Mac or Windows computer. Cherry Audio has exactingly replicated the original multimode filter and chorus effect that gave the Synthex such a distinctive flavor while expanding the polyphony from 8 voices to 16 a long and adding a wealth of additional features for demanding musicians, creators, and sound designers looking to integrate these uniquely vintage synth tones into their productions.
A Precise Recreation of a Distinctive Italian Legend
- Unlike most other popular synths utilizing CEM3320 filter chips in a low-pass-only configuration, the original ELKA Synthex filter featured a 24 dB/oct low-pass mode, 6 and 12 dB/oct band-pass modes, and a 12 dB/oct high-pass mode.
- Along with a powerful onboard analog chorus effect, this gave the Synthex a distinct and powerful tonality. It was multitimbral, with the ability to play two separate patches simultaneously, and playable in either split or layer mode. It even included an innovative four-track sequencer with real-time recording and transposition.
Extended and Enhanced
- Each aspect of Elka-X has been precisely modeled upon Cherry Audio’s pristine vintage Synthex. Extensive efforts were taken to emulate the prized tone of the original’s DCOs, dynamic filter, and stunning chorus. The innovative sound-sculpting and performance features such as layering and keyboard split have been preserved, while the original’s clunky step sequencer has been greatly improved.
- Cherry Audio has kept the soul of the classic instrument alive while updating its feature set for modern studio environments. They’ve increased the polyphony, included mono and unison modes, and added velocity response that was absent from the original design. They’ve expanded the functionality of the filter and the LFOs, greatly extending the modulation options. Not only has the operation of the four-track step sequencer been simplified, but a complete arpeggiator with independent assignments for both layers has been added.
- Unique panel controls make it painless to exchange settings between layers, sequencer tracks, and even different presets. In addition to the chorus effect found in the original, Elka-X adds studio-quality echo and reverb stereo effects, with independent settings for both layers. With additional touches such as chord memory, over 600 pro patches, and flexible MIDI mapping, Cherry Audio’s Elka-X brings the authentic and expanded Synthex experience roaring into the 21st century.
Elka-X Features at a Glance
- Two-part multitimbral operation: two different patches simultaneously playable in either a keyboard-split or stacked-layer mode, with user-specified split point and discrete controls for layer volume and panning
- 16 polyphonic voices which can be layered or split across the keyboard
- Panel Control for selecting layers, with a utility function for exchanging settings between the Lower and Upper sound layers, or even between presets
- Two DCO oscillators with triangle, sawtooth, square, and variable pulse waveforms, and independent tuning modes for polyphonic, single voice, and unison monophonic with unison detune
- PWM cross modulation and ring modulation for both oscillators
- White or Pink Noise Generator
- CEM3320-style multimode filter with 12 or 24 dB/oct lowpass, 6 or 12 dB/oct bandpass, or 12 dB/oct highpass
- Two tempo-syncable LFOs
- Two independent modulation sections: a fixed LFO 1 section, and performance-oriented LFO 2 section, intended for use with pitch and mod wheel controllers
- LFO 1 has triangle, sawtooth, ramp, bipolar square, unipolar square, and random waveforms; LFO 2 triangle waveform only
- ADSR filter and amplifier envelope generators with velocity control
- Multitriggering for the ADSR filter and amplifier envelope generators (in monophonic modes)
- Chord memory and oscillator 2 sync
- Tempo-sync buttons for LFO 1 and 2, sequencer rate, arpeggio rate, and echo rate for easy syncing to DAW project tempo
- Step Sequencer consisting of four individual monophonic sequences, each with a user-definable length of up to 128 steps, assignable to either layer, and stored with the preset
- Step Sequencer utility operation for copying, swapping, and moving sequencer data between tracks, or from one presets to another
- Glide (pitch envelope) and Portamento (standard glide), independently enabled for each oscillator
- Arpeggiator with tempo sync, independently assignable to both layers
- Studio-quality chorus, echo delay, and reverb effects, including Cherry Audio’s acclaimed Galactic reverb algorithm
- Cherry Audio’s popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize with drag
- Over 600 presets created by a talented and diverse group of sound design veterans
- Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI learn
- Preset and Global level MIDI mapping
- Highly optimized coding for optimal performance with ultralow CPU load
- User-adjustable oversampling control