Xpantastic!

Thanks to all on this list for the kind help in debugging the Matrix-12.
The kindness and the high level of expertise is really appreciated.
I have learned a lot.

I have also had a little bit of time to play with the Matrix, and I  
can see why many people prefer the Xpander. The Matrix-12 is huge in  
all manners of the word. It is physically big, heavy, and just the  
depth from front of the keys to the rear is staggering. Most other  
analog polysynths are small by comparison. Also, the sound when using  
all 12 keys are almost over the top. I originally thought that having  
an Xpander with "only" 6 voices would be limiting, but now I know that  
used in a musical context, that is plenty. Also: the Xpander do not  
have to boggle with the dual voice cards, the keyboard and all that.  
Thinking about it, I am not really sure I want a Matrix-12, but I must  
say that I am getting really interested in getting myself an Xpander.
My music is typically "old school", and I use a lot of analog modular  
synths, step sequencers and floating pads, and the Xpander would be  
perfect for that kind of music. The depth of modulation is really  
good, and I must say that for once the sale pitch is correct: it is  
almost like a polyphonic modular synth. I don´t know many other analog  
synths that can modulate the VCOs with so many modulators, and have  
the modulators being modulated by something else, that in turn are  
modulated again. Just having two different LFOs for each of the VCOs  
pulse width modulation is already luxury, and when you start using  
several moving modulation patchs into pitch, pulse width and VCF  
cutoff fluxuation, the livelyness of the sound is just beautiful.
Technically I am also quite impressed with the tuning stability (when  
it works...). On the scope I can see how the pitch correction works in  
the first few minutes after power-up, and how it works while I am  
playing. I know how hard it can be to have analog VCOs track over 5  
octaves (I regulary calibrate my own modular VCOs), so yes, I am  
impressed by what this machine can do.

I see on the ´net that an Xpander will easily cost me around 3.000  
dollars, while a Matrix-12 is only marginally more expensive. Hm. I  
will have to do some more repair work before I can even consider  
buying one. So one day, then.



Terje Winther
terje.winther@...
http://www.wintherstormer.no/