Xpantastic!

----- Original Message -----

From: Terje Winther

To: xpantastic@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 3:13 PM

Subject: [xpantastic] The pure size of the Matrix-12

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/