Studio Electronics ATC-X

Analog Studio Electronics rack signed, famous brand whose specialty was, at one time, transform keyboard and the Prophet in versions 05 'rack' Minimoog. Heresy you tell me! Yes and no, because it was actually a brand name and reputation at this level and many musicians were using them for many useful transformations of their devices on tour (Kraftwerk it seems ...)
SE offers brief experience as a rack analog mono 'full of four concrete filters and interface ... quite unsettling. Everything is controlled via Midi and all settings seem clearly assignable via a dedicated interface (master keyboard, PC / Mac & co)

UTILIZATION

Use is at first a little strange because of this single wheel on the dashboard. It takes time to get his bearings, the minimalist manual provide some interesting insights and clears the persistent little esoteric. Once in hand, where it heats and frankly I do not feel any discomfort in use, it's something else and somewhere it has its charm.
Editing is simple (one button) but better note No. because only the numbers will guide you throughout the 512 memory locations.
We will very quickly in the development of sound and we take pleasure in assigning different elements of 'montage' in this unique encoder.

SOUNDS

Well here without hesitation this is a true analog sound. Through four filters (Moog, Shem, 303, Arp) there is a choice and it sounds really hot. The possibilities of modulations are very interesting and not mine there is plenty to do on the machine. Equally at home in the lower than in the lead, the strings, fx, one wonders what can frighten. Nothing! A standalone machine at 100% and goes far, far away.
No effects, sequencers and other selling points. Here remains sound, the development, the return of your visions.
Obviously for 'novices' which adheres to the synthesis as a function key = a "you will have the opportunity to try your hand on a direct machine that requires some thought. The facade is clearly drawn in this sense. This does not mean that testing is banned, away you go and you have to go very far.
To set the sound I would say it reminds me a Moog (at the same time it depends on the filter used) more nervous, more 'electric' see more 'metallic' in some settings.
Suffice to say that it is complementary to the Minimoog without any worries.
Sound very 'U.S.' finally, finally it remains to be defined more precisely.

OVERALL OPINION

Use for several days and ... I am amazed by the depth of sound. Here it is 100% organic, living and flexible. Certainly it is mono but important. It is far from neo / proto-like full effect hides misery. It is direct and without coating with what it takes to draw what you have in mind. Given the slew of devices that I've had in my life, rarely are the flashes as obvious and immediate.
In short ATC-X Quad Filter is a high-level synthesizer whose cost remains well below potential and sound quality.
Excellent!

And monophonic analog synth.

UTILIZATION

Super easy to use when we have the experience of a programmable synth.
The manual should be something like 20 pages.

There is only one master fader to change all values. Everything else, it's tactile. It works very well even though obviously it would be better to have an interface like his brother, SE1-X

SOUNDS

That's all that matters: the sound.

This synth sounds "old", purely analog. It may sound bold and heavy, very low organic. But it can also be incisive with leads and fx crazy.

Many people have told me that some of my compositions made with the ATC-X sound "Old School" in the good sense. It is thousands of light years of VST, even though that Trilogy is a great VST in bass.

OVERALL OPINION

I used it one year. I sold it (young fool!) To buy a Little Phatty because I already own an Omega-6 from the same brand, so I wanted to sound very different. I have not bought the Little Phatty, and sometimes when I see the ATC-X, I want to buy and never sell it.

Beautiful synth, at an affordable price. Studio Electronics has for me a sound all their own: a signal that seems pure, unaffected by the effects.

Mono synth rack 100% analog!
Over 500 editable presets all with memories of course.
See feature manufacturer.
In the same family I also Se1, and I can not say that studio electronics moog nothing to envy!

UTILIZATION

Editing sounds and effects is it easy?

editing is simple when you know the principle of a synth.
the only thing is that we have to edit a single knob main
ca for me frankly no problem, others like less is the only one with this ergonomic, but it very quickly and in any case it fully assignable midi, controller for a live example going very well!
The manual is clear and sufficient?

Very short ... But when you know a little synthesis do not worry, once attention not to lose it because Studio Electronics on this point are a little scratch is charged in the download books ...

SOUNDS

Huge! Nothing to say! For all styles! Studio Electronics is the big qualitée just like moog example, I would even say that I prefer! the four filters are ultra efficacent, the sound is incredible!
A must try!

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?

6 months

Have you tried many other models before buying it?

yes

How would you rate the quality / price? With experience, you do again this choice? ...

No problem and I do not resell!