Oberheim Matrix-1000

I bought the Matrix 1000 in black one week ago as a counterpart for my beloved Juno 60. And this 6 voice polyphonic rack synthesizer sounds really analog and wide , even without FX. I really love the overall warm sound, it is the opposite of some harsh sounding modern synths.

But with adding a bit of delay, reverb or modulation FX turns it into an epic analog pad, brass &string machine. This it what I am mainly using it for.
But nevertheless there are also fantastic bass, leads, FM, FX and all other kind of analog sounds possible.
With the Mod matrix it is easy to make very organic sounds.
And even if attack time and LFO's are a bit slower, for my kinda music they fit.

When I bought it, Firmware was 1.11, so I did an eprom upgrade to 1.20 (Tauntek/Rob Grieb) where a lot of bugfixes have been solved. It is possible to use the Matrix now with a MIDI controller without problems! The eprom also includes the important global detune from Gigli v. 1.6. With this upgrade the Matrix 1000 does not sound static anymore, the DCO's behave more VCO like.

Without an external controller the matrix 1000 is more or less a preset machine because no editing is possible.
With my stereoping controller it is really fun to tweak the synth. Of course you can also use a Software to tweak, but I prefer real knobs.

For me it is the perfect sounding analog poly!
And I am thinking of grabbing a second one for stereo operations or 12 voice polyphony

You could say there is a lot missing in the matrix 1000. After all, it´s only a 1unit rack module. But then again, you only pay 250$ for a used one. So I don´t think that gives me much right to complain. But if I must, some onboard fx would´ve been great. You feel quite often the urge to tweak the sounds just a bit... And it should´ve been stereo, not mono. But you can buy a 2nd unit and hook ´em up in stereo.

$250

UTILIZATION

Since it´s a 1 unit rack, it´s very easy to use. It´s a preset-box. You simply have to connect your keyboard and start playing the great sounds. I´ve never even opened my manual uptill now. You can edit the patches with a pc editor. Or buy the Access matrix programmer (which strangly enough gives you hands-on access to every parameter except the matrix itself) for instant tweak-pleasure. I have no experience with the pc-editor, but the access controller is just great. It even has wooden side panels and the same looks as the matrix 6, 12 and expander.

It´s said to be built like a tank, and I completely agree with that. Mine is one of the older black units, and I´ve never had any problems with it. I wouldn´t hesitate a split second to take this thing out on the road. It´s pretty heavy, but it´s very robust.

SOUNDS

You got 1000 matrix 6 patches. It´s got excellent pads, textures and ambient sounds. It has 195 "keyboard" sounds, 118 "strings", 130 "woodwinds & perc", 239 "synthesizer", 119 "bass", 74 "lead" and 125 "effects". 200 are user patches, 800 are preset patches. But that´s the technical specs. I think this synth has some beautiful, breath-taking patches. Some of the best pads I´ve heard, and although some of its fx might sound outdated, they have such warmth in them that you can still fall in love with them instantly. Even if you´ll only use 10 out 100 patches, those 10 you picked will most certainly be some of the best analog sounds you´ve ever heard.

OVERALL OPINION

I love it. 1000 analogue sounds for about 250$. That´s a quarter for each patch. Hard to beat, no ? If you´re looking for an analog synth but don´t want the typical trouble you can have with most analogs (no midi, unstable tuning, overheating,...), get this unit. You won´t regret it (and if you do, contact me, )

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 1-, 2003)

Very classic, no need to highlight all the characteristics ... The only weak point (and again) might be the only mono output, aisment circumvented by adding various effects.

USE

As bote prsets use could not be simpler, we do dfiler sounds with 2 keys, or you can type directly the issue of The pRSET desire Using the digital pav.
As synth obliged to have recourse against by the computer ... Once tlcharg soft adquat (they are several, aisment findable on the net) is the edition very simple, not more complicated than a plug but also visually ugly.

SONORITS

It comes intresse which we really ...

The sound is of great clarity (the hallmark of Oberheim) with beautiful mdiums well presented without aggressiveness. For COD synth is enough fat (for "fat" I mean that the lower is the mdium. It is the most comfortable in the tablecloths (the presence is remarkable, with a nice sweetness), typical brass funk in which he excels eighties (which alone would justify the purchase of the rack) and false pianos and other realistic but not so touching organ (I have a fondness for this kind of sonority - yes I know to love).

As against this is not what you might call a deep sound with good bass prsentes Moog or others. To be honest even, bass is not really his forte in the absolute. Please note I'm not saying that one can not do good bass lines with Matrix 1000, no. It is you who are making bass lines, not bcane ... but even when there is a lack sitting level. So you will have if you like the soothsayer infra go your way.
For leads, but has spent most be honest it sounds a bit thin and not very powerful. Better a good mono VCO families for a (excuse my snobitude). Furthermore the envelopes do not seem to be the thunders of war.

A final word on the really very good audio quality, with good dynamics and especially almost no breath volume background, which for analog (even COD) is not forcment acquired (- -> Juno 60).

NOTICE GLOBAL

I wanted a cheap analog synth to satisfy my needs polyphonic, mainly for my sheets and my 80's brass. This is exactly what I needed. For this type of sound there is hardly the best quality-price ratio (most of the time cheaper than a plug!).
So I would say that the Matrix 1000 belongs this family of inexpensive synths (between 150 and 350 euros), not forcment more versatile (or best known), but that sound terribly well in their respective fields, the example image of the JX series of Roland, Yamaha CS-5/10, Korg Delta, 700, Crumar Bit One, Waldorf Microwave 1, Pulse, and so on.

Module 6 analog polyphonic voices, three MIDI jacks and one audio output (mono). 1000 sounds typical 80s, they all are!

UTILIZATION

It could not be simpler, no editing capabilities so you just select the desired patch the cursor increment / decrement or enter the number on the keypad. Manuel useless.

SOUNDS

Analog sounds are typically those 80s! Tablecloths, lead, bass, effects, etc., everything is to get back into the "eightee". You will not find any style of piano sounds, violin, guitar or other acoustic instruments, the Matrix 1000 is not so much the better!

OVERALL OPINION

I like this unit because it is analog, easy to use and sounds great!