Oberheim Matrix-1000

The classic analog synthesizer sound. Actually, one thousand classic analog synthesizer sounds, all in a single rack space. Either all alone, fattening up sterile samples, or delivering new dimension and depth to a digital synthesizer, the Matrix 1000 adds a unique and distinctive flavor that is a welcome addition to any rack system.

The Matrix 1000 begins as a six voice synthesizer, featuring instant access to one thousand internal sounds. These presets are conveniently grouped by style (Basses, Strings, Keyboards, Woodwinds & Horns, FX & Percussion, etc...) in to banks of one hundred sounds. The first two banks are user programmable. Sounds may be saved, loaded, and edited via MIDI. Individual sound parameters may also be controlled in real time over MIDI. The Matrix 1000 voice architecture is derived from the wildly popular Oberheim Matrix series. Each voice features two syncable Oscillators, the classic Oberheim Voltage Controlled Filter, Noise, two Low Frequency Oscillators, three Envelope Generators, plus Tracking and Ramp generators.

The front panel controls are laid out in an easy to use and uncluttered fashion. And while the front panel may appear sparse, the Matrix 1000 is jam packed with features.

Fine Tuning assures the Matrix 1000 will be in tune with the rest of your equipment. The Transpose function lets you shift the tuning of the Matrix 1000 up or down two octaves, in semi-tone increments. A built-in Calibration routine keeps all six of the Matrix 1000 voices in perfect tune.

All six Matrix 1000 voices can be stacked up in the Unison mode, transforming the Matrix 1000 into a twelve oscillator lead synthesizer.

The Matrix 1000 is programmed to respond to Pitch Bend, Aftertouch, Breath Control, Mod Wheel, Sustain and Pedal Control {not every effect is used on every patch). The Pedal Control can be reassigned to any MIDI Continuous Controller number.

To increase the flexibility of your rig with a minimum of changes, the MIDI Echo mode allows the MIDI Out port of the Matrix 1000 to behave as a MIDI Thru port at the touch of a button

MIDI guitarists (and other MIDI instrumentalists) will appreciate the Guitar MIDI mode. In this mode, each Matrix 1000 voice is played on separate MIDI channel, corresponding to the separate strings of the MIDI guitar. This sophisticated MIDI mode allows each string to have entirely independent control of Pitch Bend, Aftertouch, and Volume Pedal effects.

When using the Matrix 1000 with another sound module, crossfade effects are achieved using the MIDI Volume Invert Mode. As the other module plays softer, the Matrix 1000 will play louder, and vice versa.

As with other Oberheim analog synthesizers, the Matrix 1000's specifications are amazing, the Matrix 1000 is modular in nature. Up to six Matrix 1000 synthesizers can be combined into one massive 36 voice synthesizer. The unique Matrix 1000 "Group" mode automatically distributes the incoming MIDI data to the appropriate Matrix 1000 in a "group": two Matrix 1000s = 12 Voices, 3 Matrix 1000s = 18 voices, etc... This Group mode can be individually assigned for each and every of the 1000 sounds in the Matrix 1000. In this way, a particular sound can either contain more voices, or with group mode off, play in layers.