All user reviews for the 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

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!

Expander analog 6 voice polyphony dco 2 per voice.
Midi in out thru
200 pitches + 800 user sounds rom, only editable via software.
1 rack unit
Internal power supply (that's good!)
Mono (not so annoying that ...)

UTILIZATION

Configuration very simple: the number of steps on his digital wreck, and hop.
or where it gets tough is to control midi.

-I have not yet found a publisher that works on mac or pc or.
ModWheel it's always assigned to vibrato, it would arrange to be able to assign to something more useful without a publisher and without modifying every patch for it.
-Regardless of the mode selected in the set-up, the sustain pedal is not recognized.

I would say that as the box is a breeze.
but even for basic editing, it is hell.
Oberheim relied on clearly that the 800 sounds should cover all needs ... see next chapter ...

SOUNDS

10 banks of sounds. which are the first 2 of BESR, which can theoretically accommodate other sounds, or backups of our own editions.

Bank 0: "Top 100"
Bank 1: "Volume 2" Original factory patch
Bank 2: "Synth 1"
Bank 3: "Synth 2"
Bank 4 "+ horns woodwinds"
Bank 5: "Horns + leads"
bank 6 "strings"
bank 7: "low"
bank 8 "FX & perc"
bank 9 "Keyboards"


there are very new wave analog bass, pads strings detune mals that are not ...
with a spring effect groundwater become really good (whereas with a digital reverb, it just reinforces the impression mediums j, in any case it is less)
I remind everyone that this is an analog synth sounds so realistic it's not his area too.

Do not hesitate to checker the whole range of the keyboard, playing dive, was soliciting aftertouch etc., there are no buttons, but it moves in all directions. J have had confirmation by connecting a controller oxygen above twelve o'clock.
The bank 6 or 7 to a control knob that I think the envelope for the filter, and rotating it makes things really foufou ...

Why I think this knob (which responds to CC 02 I think), is assigned to the envelope for the filter?
becaufe on some sounds, you can clearly hear the resonance be modified, but not all ... To be continued ...

OVERALL OPINION

I have only been a week and my first reaction was to relist presto ...

This is not a definitive opinion. Even so subjective, I'm not very attached ... very annoying some aspects can make my judgment a little unfair.

Overall, I'm still a bit unsatisfied ... it took him that I bough a spring reverb to finally hear slicks "on Oberheim." Without treatment, it sounds a little when dco 80's, we are not stuck against a juno ...

Well it is also frustrated not being able to change the cutoff frequency or resonnance, so it's a little unfair to go ...

It is still endearing, and say that it's worth it to break your head a little to make it sound, after all, it is not dear ... what do you get for that price .. .

Before acquiring j've owned a roland Jx3p, Juno 2, Nordlead, blofeld, moog lp, dave smith Mopho kb to mention that analos or claim to this heritage ... Little we had lent one to OBX few weeks, quite fascinating (at the same time four years revox was also fascinating to me)

What I like least is the implementation noon, rested few resources on the net, slow cpu which manages the afternoon.

The value for money is still not bad so far (300 to 400 euros, in addition, a jx3P or dsi tetra could be more versatile and easy to use)
For quelqun that does not sound source analog polyphonic bufget this, there will be Alpha juno, the JX8P, and it is almost everything ...
But who has not, I think that an alpha juno 1 with a controller noon will be more fulfilling, since we will then have the opportunity to tweak his juno buttons, something much more unlikely in the matrix.

So I keep some time, because it still feels contained and hidden power, and some layers are very melancholy, which is quite rare in a rack.

it remains a good expander, with limitations, faults, but a character.
This is one of the only opportunity to own Oberheim not too expensive ...

Ah ... the sound Oberheim What a treat!

The Matrix 1000 is a U.S. firm synthexpander the Oberheim synth known for its very high end (one of the only real competitor to waldorf) who wishes to embark on the market for small studio launched the series to the second matrix half of the 80 ann. The most famous matrix: the matrix 6.

The matrix1000 presents itself as a 1U rack (black or white depending on the version), connection midi in / out / thru, TRS release 6.5, a screen and some buttons on the front ... but most of the bike and inside.

UTILIZATION

Typically a synth School with a multitude of oscillators editable via a Mac or PC software (Logic and SoundDiver UnySyn MOTU) or with a control surface (access, Kenton, etc.).. square waveform, saw thooth, synusoid, etc.. the almost infinite possible when we learn a bit of a handle a lot of software to use

possibility to save 999 presets directly accessible via the paved numrique facade.

SOUNDS

What a sound!
and the OOUI is the hallmark of Oberheim, a sound of clarity and a reminder that those in power at exorbitant prices synth .... It sounds good recess sometimes a bit 80's but hey it was almost 20 years while the poor matrix is ​​normal but by digging well and working a bit on the synthesis we get a sound out amazing.
and mono output so if you want stereo sound you need two matrix1000 (but then saw his side by the Okaz it cost less and less in a recent waldorf)
To give you an idea of ​​the type of sound you can get away with a matrix and a little practice a few Listen Future Sound of London or Cabaret Voltaire (yes, matrix inside!)

OVERALL OPINION

The dimension of the occasion and quite variable on this machine (depending on demand), but it tends to rise above his time, as many understand the true power of the matrix!
I think the report is such a synthesis is quite personal one likes or not hook at all ... I love ....

It is a muse Oberheim rack!
The connection is pure trs: the 3 MIDI in, out and through, one audio output and power supply pin.

UTILIZATION

Operation is ultra-simple, but the use of software or a MIDI controller can edit sounds.

SOUNDS

Exellent sound!
Type 80s, but are still NEWS I connect with a multi effect and sounds great!
Brass type of Van Halen Jump, Rosanna Toto .....
The warm strings trs
Low rev fm, much like the DX7 DX9 and see the same 11
Effects spciaux original trs
Organs rather bizarre, but usable trs

OVERALL OPINION

I love it!
Shuffled to other machines, it dmarque trs well!
L o trs other synths are heavy with a mix scratch ....., the Matrix 1000 is dmarque not eat the other parts!

Expander-6 matrix with the split and edit in less
-3 1 MIDI output power supply and a mono (for mono Lamentable)
-No effect (hard to believe at the hearing of certain sounds!)
6-polyphony channels but no split or layer (a shame)

UTILIZATION

-The use is very simple, you turn and we play
-The editing is non-existent unless you have the matrix set out in price or a PC with appropriate software, or other control surfaces
-The manual is useless and pathetic, full of hexadecimal data to be used in external control

SOUNDS

The sounds are simply great! 1000 preset is good on the poop and there is good or very good. No acoustic sounds possible but synth side, I think being in the presence of a monster of synthesis! Having touched on the range and juno OB8 matrix and 12 I can say that it covers quite well. It Exel ds the strings of any type (Bowed, slow), the brass at the Wham! or vangelis and voices are harsh environment. For the new age it is perfect. Drop the piano or organ, rather infamous and unusable for me it don 'remains an EXCELLENT trader low that it is in cash, sweep, FM, or at the juno. The term is rather good with my driver I roland w30 (level hit that is my favorite) and I didn 't have to complain because the secret of the matrix that is to hide the opening of an envelope or cutoff in velocity, so take the most receptive of your keyboard to control it.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 1 month and I appreciate very much the fact that he can always get out the sounds that I have more or pmoins head in the moment that it is a 80's sound. on the other hand I like not the MIDI implementation does not control it except for the note bend + shift + October, over a small arpegiatteur would not have been a luxury. As has been said, that is really a museum at the lowest price Oberheim covering ground in January or hammer riffs van halen or Thomas Dolby, I have even found on some pads heard Prince and Human league.Si c 'had to be rebuilt I think I would take an extra 6 matrix to happen because the older version is really hard combo to sound terrible because the matrix is ​​a can ch ... with its mono output, I find it lamentable a square for a synth of this quality.

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)