Siel Keytek CTS-2000

Back in the days I gave this synthesizer a try at the stores. I wasn't impressed with the depth of the sound (presets) at all. And since I didn't have much time to dive in deeper and sort out the editing options, I passed on this instrument...

Now, I got hold of it for just a few bucks.

It's plastic exterior doesn't look gig-worthy, it'll break easily when bumped. My specimen is near-mint though, it never left the house of the first owner.

I got spend some time fiddling around with the sounds and had some time to edit them. The instrument's interface is very much like the one found (and hated) on the DX-models by Yamaha: one needs to select a function and use a slider (or increase/decrease buttons) to change the value. All with only one parameter at a time. This is a thing you need to get used to if you're an analogue knob twister. You need to remember how you build up your patch by memory. The compare function helps a bit, but only within the same parameter. As I'm used to program my DX7s in very much the same way, I adapted this form of editing quite happily.

Once you get to know this synth, it'll grow on you. The presets just about suck as much as you'd expect from a cheap plastic Italian synth. But editing sounds opens up a real world of sonic wonder. There's some serious weird sounds to be made! The programmable parameter change pallet (with 6 sliders) opens up possibilities for real-time tweaking and adds fine expression to your playing style.

I think I'll hang on to this underrated synth. Maybe I should have bought one back in the days...

I'm still looking for a manual. If I can get my hands on it, I'll upload it to the files section.