Xpantastic!

Well, this is something I asked myself like 3 years ago when a Matrix-12 showed up for sale locally.

Got in contact with a great musician, who said:
"Used to own the Xpander, but got the M12 and have never looked back."
The reason was LAYERING! 

I LOVE the sound of Oberheims, and thought maybe the Xpander + OB-Xa would be a better combo than just the M12. 

But I got the M12 afterall (and an OB-Xa later:) ) and I am REALLY glad did that. I can just agree the statement above about layering.

I´ve done pads on the M12 in "dualmode" that literally blow me away. 
Could never do this on the Xpander. Well I could "almost", but 3 voices only.
It took me a while to get the hang of it...but damn :)
Also it layers well, something I don´t think my OB-Xa does, due to different characther in sound and of course that it´s way less flexible.

To me (and others) the design REALLY comes to life in the M12.

IMO. it´s a little bit like comparing a CS-60 to a CS-80, or rather a JX-8P to a JX-10.

And add the detune functions..no contest.

Wouldn´t mind an Xpander as well though for live gigs :)