Hilltree © Productions

Elka ER-44. 

19 inch rack version of the ELKA EK-44

The ELKA EK22

was released in 1986 as one of the last synthesizer models from the ELKA synthesizer factory, and for that also one of the last Italian analogs, ending a great legacy that included the mighty Elka Synthex. What we have here is the usual 6 voice analog 2 oscillator synth with some exotic modulation, sync routings and multi stage envelope generators. Not quite an Oberheim Matrix 6 in its synth modulation capabilities but coming close and on some fronts even superior. A broad range of sounds is possible and its all there; haunting strings, eerie pads, deep monophonic portamento moog basses and leads, fine harps, metallic stuff, low-end brass etc. All with a very good character, tight and compact…a good punch but also enough warmth..Actually this synth sounds pretty darn excellent! I am pretty sure its got faster envelopes then a Matrix 6 and also sounds less gritty/grainy/plasticy. Its an often overlooked synthesizer, proberly not many were built and programming goes with the typical 80ies numerical interface. It also comes with a Rom cartridge containing an extra 89 preset sounds."

Polyphony – 6 voices
Oscillators – 2 DCOs per voice (sqr, saw, tri, pulse)
Memory – 64 preset, 32 user
Multitimbral – 2 parts
VCA – 2 envelopes
Keyboard – 61 weighted keys (velocity and aftertouch)
Arpeg/Seq – None
Control – MIDI
Date Produced – 1986

* ELKA EK22 pads demo mp3 Download

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

* ELKA EK22 bleeps demo mp3 Download

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

* Elka Ek-22 / EM-22 manual Download.

There is also a P.C and a Mac editor for the  Elka Em-22/EK-22 .
http://jeanjeanmusic.free.fr/jeanmsp.htm

Elka EM-22 Synthesizer module [EK-22 expander]

Self resonant 24 db/Oct Lowpassfilter 4-Pole, PWM, Cross modulation, 2 x ADBDSR.Oscillator Sync! Wave A 1~32 Square variations with different Harmonic content. Wave B 1~8 Saw 1-4, Tri 1+2, Pulse 1+2, Noise/Coloured noise. LFO Sinus, Saw, Square, Random.Nice Chorus x 2

Velocity (Attack, Filter, Amplitude) /Aftertouch (LFO,VCF,VCA)response.)

Synthesis Type: Analog Subtracive
Polyphony: Max: 6  Typical in use: 6
Multi-timbral (number of parts): 2
Oscillators per Voice : Min : 2
Controllers : Volume Pedal, Sustain pedal, Portamento pedal, Increment Selected Performance pedal
Number of FX units : 1
Number of different effects : 2
Can send on 2 simultaneous MIDI channels
Responds to : velocity, after-touch
Sounds can be split by : keyboard
Patches : 128
Performances : 16
Number of Audio Outs (excluding Phones) : 2 – stereo pair
Number of MIDI Outs (excluding Thru) : 1
Number of MIDI Ins : 1

* Elka Ek-22 / EM-22 manual Download.

There is also a P.C and a Mac editor for the  Elka Em-22/EK-22 .
http://jeanjeanmusic.free.fr/jeanmsp.htm

 ELKA ER-33

FM synth capable of impressive sounds! It’s different enough from the other FM synths, it sounds more "analog". With 8 operators and an 8-part multitimbrality it can produce very complex sounds. Just a bit difficult to program, like any other FM synth. It’s got 64 preset and 32 user patches, the presets are good and really useful (there are some wonderful organ and strings patches) Excellent for basses, E.pianos and all that sounds that make the FM synthesis so unique.

2 versions ?…the early version without  the Elka front logo and text. And the later verion with the Elka front logo and text.

Synthesizer module
Synthesis Type: Digital Analog FM
Polyphony: 8
64 Presets, 32 User Patches
Multi-timbral (number of parts): 8
Controllers : 1
Number of Audio Outs (excluding Phones) : 1
Number of MIDI Outs (excluding Thru) : 1
Number of MIDI Ins : 1
 

ELKA Synthex

Designed by Mario Maggi, it was produced between 1981 and 1985 by the Elka company of Italy. A company more noted for its organs, this would be its first and last foray into music synthesizers under that name. Unusually, it also contained a built in real-time and step-time 4-track monophonic sequencer with real-time transposition. The four different sequencer tracks can have different length, and sounds (Upper/Lower can be allocated to different tracks). Also it is possible to insert rests between notes as well as length of notes. Sequences and patches could be dumped to analog cassette tape through an audio interface.Two of it’s tracks can output MIDI data. Each of the eight voices has 2 DCO’s with selectable waveform. The Synthex has three keyboard modes. 8 voice single sound (both Lower/Upper voices), Split with user selected split point (4 voices Lower/4 voices Upper) or Double which reduce the polyphony to four voices.Other great features include the onboard digital Ring-Modulator, Chorus effect and Dual or Layer modes available

Manufactured by Elka
Production years    1981-1985
Polyphony     8
Multitimbral     4
LFO     2
Envelope 2 adsr
Multimode filter
Synthesis type     Analog Subtractive
Memory     40+40 user
Effects     Chorus, Ring Modulation
Keyboard     61-key
Left-hand control     Joystick
External control     Custom interface / MIDI (late models)
Foot switches (Advance, Glide, Hold, Release)

* Elka synthex  manual Download

* Elka synthex french folder Download

* Elka synthex german brochure Download

* Elka synthex Schematics Download

Wersi EX-20 Midi expander

Additive synth-module of Wersi, module version of MK1.
The consonance soundgenerator rely thereby on formant or fourier- (additive) synthesis.

Synthesis to 4 layers (32+32+16+16 harmonics ), 16-staps envelopes drawbar function on several filters. All to establish with the sliders. Also still (some) analog VCF plus editable chorus/flanger (with BBD-chips). Built as a tank, beautiful posting, fourier synthesis, SSM filter, much memory to store layer and edit to your own creations, sounds. There a connection to the front for a Rom Cartridge with extra sounds sits. The strings which comes from this barge its similar with the Solina and other string synthesizers, with thick plus that you can these edit. Deliciously analogue thanks to the SSM filter sounds, patches are touch sensitively and change in tone something as a result of which you really a type gets Kraftwerk sounded. The filter is assign also to the modulationwheel. The advantage of this technique was that  more easily imitate nature like sounds in those years. Filtering, modulation and ADSR (attack decay sustain release = tone commitment and release) finished the patches . An additional advantage of fourier synthesis is that the terrible good in capable breathing sounds (trumpets, vocal) and synth-pads. The disadvantage of fourier synthesis was that the number of determined additive how nature like sounds could become.Comes with a user manual- service manual and a quick guide.It is almost impossible to program without a manual.

* Wersi EX-20 demo mp3 Download.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

* Wersi  EX-20 youtube video

Elka PM 13 Vintage MIDI Bass Pedals.

Pedalboard Connects to any MIDI Generator (or Keyboard) and Play the Bass by Foot Pedals. Transpose and Hold Functions are Incorporated on the Pedal. The White Keys are from Left to Right the MIDI Channels 1 to 7, the Black Keys are the Octave Range (C# = C1-C2, D# = C2-C3 …). Unit Functions Very Well for Performing without a Bass Player.Version a is without a reset button and version b with a reset button .Programming is a bit tricky.

* Elka PM 13 Demo Video

* ELKA PM-13 Short Manual Download. 

General music GEM S3

S3 Turbo Music Processors are keyboard synthesizers with 61 keys and 76 keys respectively. This manual also refers to the previous models upgraded with the“Turbokit” board. S2 and S3 also operate as Master Keyboards, thanks to the integrated controls (Wheels, Function Controllers) and extensive MIDI programmability. S2R is the 19” rack version of the S2/S3 Turbo. It is totally compatible with these two keyboard synthesizers.

• Multitimbral generator
The S Series instruments are 16 part multi-timbral units with a maximum polyphony of 32 notes.

• Sound generation method
Sound generation is based on a mixed digital/analog technology which permits, through the use of analog techniques, the manipulation of Samples of real or synthetic origin. The S Series Sounds are based on sampled Waveforms which are processed by one or two digital State Variable Filters with programmable envelope. Separately, each filter provide a 12 dB per octave slope (2 pole). Combined, they operate as a 4 pole filter with a 24 dB per octave slope.
• ROM and RAM Sounds
The permanent memory (ROM) houses 6 Megabytes of Waveform, the basic element which provides more than 500 Rom Sounds. 2 Megabytes of Sample RAM are ready to receive (from disk or MIDI) other Waveforms, or the creation of Sounds based on new Waveforms created with the Sample Translator. The new Waveforms can be loaded from Atari/MS-DOS floppy disks in the formats Sound Designer, Avalon, Sample Vision, Wave. They can be loaded from Akai S1000 disks, or received via MIDI. The Sound Library is where the Sounds are housed. It can contain up to 2048 Sounds (ROM + RAM Sounds).

• Amount of RAM
The S Series units are fitted with 4 Megabytes of RAM (volatile):
– 2 Megabytes of Operative-Ram to process and control the Banks and the Songs;
– 2 Megabytes of Sample-Ram to control the Waveforms created with Sample Translator or loaded with the RAM-Sounds.
• 2 Digital Signal Processors
Two Digital Effects Processors, controlled in real time, enrich the sound with environ INTRODUCTION 3 mental and creative effects (reverbs and modulations). The Effects Libraries house the Effects and they can store up to 64 reverbs and 64 modulations.
• Sequencer
The multi-track sequencer can memorise 250.000 events in the 2 Megabyte Operative- RAM. This 16 track sequencer has a very extensive Event Edit facility, including the functions Master Track, Copy, Insert/Delete Events, Quantize, Microscope and others.
• Disk drive
The S Series Music Processor data can be saved to floppy disk via the disk drive, which handles 3.5” HD floppy disks and force-formats them with a capacity of 1.62 Megabytes. The drive can also format and use Ms-Dos floppy disks (1.44 Mb or 720 Kb) or Atari (720 Kb), for the transferring of MIDI Files and Samples read by Sample translator.
• RAM-disk
The S Series Music Processor can be fitted with a 512 kb or 2 Mb optional Static RAM (NON-VOLATILE), backed by a small rechargeable Nickel/Cadmium battery. The RAMdisk is a fixed disk with high speed accessing facilities.
• MIOS multitasking operating system
The S Series Music Instrument Operating System allows simultaneous operation of several tasks, such as modifying a Sound, playing back a Song, loading a Song in background, etc..
• User Program
The MIOS can be expanded by User Programs, made available from time to time by Generalmusic, providing the instrument with additional functions by loading appropriate software via floppy disk.
• Advanced MIDI control
The S Series Music Processors incorporate 2 independent MIDI lines with MIDI-Merge and MIDI-Thru functions. These instruments are fully implemented MIDI units.
• SampleTranslator 2.0 incorporated
SampleTranslator is a Waveform creating programme which allows the creation of new Sounds starting from samples originating from Akai S1000 floppies, from floppies containing files generated by the more popular computer editors, or from data received via MIDI.
• Samples and Programs read from Akai S1000™ floppy disks
The possibility of reading the Akai format allows the S Series instruments to gain access to the greatest sample library available on the market. The Programs (multisamples) are converted into Music Processor Waveforms.

* GEM S2/ S3 Manual Download

* GEM S2/ S3 Turbo installation instructions Download

* GEM S3 Turbokit installation Manual Download

* More patch download mp3

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

*Styrastring patch download mp3

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

*Monolith patch download mp3

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.