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Oberheim Matrix 6

 

 

 

Oberheim Matrix 6

info Country: USA
Weight: 10 Kg
Dimensions: n/a
audio demo trend price : 400€
manual schematics demo video comments

Oberheim Matrix 6
6 Voices Polyphonic Synthesizer (1986)

 

Affordable analog polysynth derived from classic Matrix 12 / Xpander intelligent technology.

The Matrix series gets the name the Digital Matrix Control a digital way to internally route signals and modulation to different synt section, simplified from previous huge modular patchbays.

sequencer
logo

info KEYBOARD 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch (the "pressure"). The main panel features a 16-characters VDF fluorescent display (adjustable brightness), 20 membrane buttons, 1 volume slider and 2 levers for pitch bend and modulation control.

Rear panel terminal connectors:
- main out (it is stereo: 2 sounds can be split)
- cassette interface I/O
- Midi interface
- expression pedal input (cutoff / volume or assignable to the matrix)
- pedalswitch input for sustain or analog trigger 1-10V range input (for LFO retrig or EG)
- memory protect switch
- headphones (front).

 

 

edit VOICE main core based on a 8-bits Motorola 6809 CPU manages 6 channels polyphony.
Each voice is composed by 2 (quite) identical DCO oscillators based on 6 X CEM 3396 IC (big body version). Below an oscillator table sum-up

 

8-bits Motorola 6809


  DCO1 DCO2
waveforms pulse / saw / wave / both* pulse / saw / wave / noise / both*
rect. width yes yes
sync yes 1>2 (3 modes) no
detune no yes
volume gain yes (mix 1/2) yes (mix 1/2)
key click sound yes yes

* range value is from 0 to 63: 0 is the sawtooth, 63 the triangle. Middle values are combo mixes of saw/triangle (waveshaping)

 

editPERFORMANCE a LOT of useful functions;
- bender lever can be assigned to pitch DCO1 / DCO2 / both
- modulation lever can be assigned to LFO / VCF cutoff
- 3 modes portamento generator (for pitch or cutoff)
- keyboard split in 2 zones "LOWER" and "UPPER"
- voice split / dual modes: 2+4 / 4+2 / 6+0 / 0+6 ("0" to splillover data by Midi)
- unison stack mode (6 voices, no detune)
- master tune (also autotune function)
- key velocity to VCF / LFO
- 3 voices rotate modes
- 3 keyboard response curves : linear + 2 exponential
- calibration mode for DOC and VCF


edit FILTER the system take advantage of the Curtis 3396 from the DCO which includes a 4 poles resonant filter. The VCF can auto-oscillate and consequently modulate the DCO1 by Frequency Modulation process. It follows the FM basic principle like Yamaha DX-7 but in this case the DCO1 is the modulator and the VCF is the carrier.


cem 33986

cem3396




edit
ENVELOPE 3 EGs (4 segments + 1 delay time + 1 main level)
- EG1 is assigned into the matrix control
- EG2 is routed to amplitude by default but can be re-assigned by matrix control
- EG3 is be assigned into the matrix control
The 3 EGs are triggered in 4 modes: retrigger, free flown, reset. lfo + external signal.
In addition 2 RAMP GENERATORS: a kind of EG-triggers with only attack portion which can be defined using the RATE parameter. Finally 2 dynamic VCA controllers (linear or exponential) also generated by the Curtis IC.

attack




edit LFO
there are basically 2 modulators (shapes: sawtooth up / down, triangle, square, random, S&H and noise) with variable depth, 3 retrig modes and lag mode.
- LFO1
: destinations can be freely assigned into the matrix modulation
- LFO2
: destinations can be freely assigned into the matrix modulation
A third slimmed-down LFO3 acts as a simple vibrato with individual depth, frequency and same shapes.

LFO




edit MATRIX
the computerized section is a kind of signal router previously implemented in more expensive Matrix 12: a totally open structure! each sound manages up to 10 combinations between 20 sources and 32 destinations (see table below)
TRAKING GENERATOR
function tracks and transform one of the 20 modulation matrix sources (the INPUT) through 5 defined points, then the final shaped result is the OUTPUT. Each tracking point has 63 different values and can be smoothed using a lag process.


Sources: Destinations:
EG 1 / 2 / 3
LFO 1 / 2
vibrato
ramp generator EG 1 / 2
velocity
aftertouch
pedal 1 / 2
modulation lever (bipolar)
pitch lever (bipolar)
keyboard velocity / aftertouch
pitch DCO1 / DCO2
pulse width DCO1 / DCO2
waveshape DCO1 / DCO2
filter cutoff
filter resonance
EG1 delay /attack / decay / release / amp
EG2 delay /attack / decay / release / amp
LFO1 frequency / depth
LFO2 frequency / depth
portamento speed
DCO1 / DCO2 balancing
FM amount

 

edit MIDI basic contro changes, but full sysex implementation. Some controls:
- program change
- pedals and levers can be CC# re-assigned
- it is possible to assign 2 Midi channel to lower and upper part (bitimbric).




edit
MEMORY:
- 100 patch slots
- 50 split zones configurations (the "multis")
Sounds can be saved to Midi exclusives dump or by tape.
Battery replacement: CR-2032 in battery holder, easy to replace.

 

edit EDITOR here's a selection of both free and commercial Matrix 6 /6r editor (generally also model 1000).
- Midiquest (PC/MAC, commercial)
- DR.T Matrix editor (ATARI ST screenshot)
- M1000X (MAC , free)
- Synlib (free)
-
Oberheim Matrix Patch Editor (FREE, max MSP)
- Ctrlr editor (free)
- Obiex401 (free, DOS old PC)
- Patch Touch (IOS, commercial)


matrix 6 editor

 

 

edit RELATED FAMILY:

MATRIX6R

MATRIX 6R rackmount version, keeps same characteristics

matrix1000
MATRIX 1000 hyper compressed Matrix6 technology keeping similar structure but different board. Interface is even more limited and deep edit is not possible from panel. Considered more as a "preset" matrix with no less than 1000 sounds on board. Matrix 6 and 1000 are compatible.
Also a later "white face" version VIDEO
matrix12 MATRIX 12 concept started with this classic huge expensive synthesizer with impressive finish and many more tweaks VIDEO
ACCESS MATRIX PROGRAMMER ACCESS MATRIX PROGRAMMER same concept as the MICROWAVE PROGRAMMER
Sadly it features a limited edit (no matrix access) and it can be replaced by any computer editor - check out list below- VIDEO


 

effet VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there is NO official Matrix6 / 6R VST plugin emulator.
Here is a selection of free samples sources and related plugins:

  name price link demo
OPX PRO II OPX PRO II Commercial VST.
Classic Oberheim sound from 70
effet video
free samples waveformless FREE samples
effet n/a
patch matrx6 Logic-caffe FREE samples effet n/a
matrix samples kontakt banks -commercial
-free demo
effet n/a



demo AUDIO DEMO

demo Ultima IV* game theme - all matrix 6
demo polished
demo Missing polyphony!
demo hammond organ (quite)
demo resonance
demo brassy

WE DO SELL THE MATRIX 6 long time ago and don't have much demos, il you have some and want to contrinute, we would be happy to publish 'em with credits :) thanks - UPLOAD FORM

*Ultima IV is a game by Origin, music by Kenneth. W. Arnold WIKI-LINK


effet Soundcloud Oberheim Matrix 6

demo1 cloud2 demo3  


video VIDEO CLIP SELECTION

video1 video2 video3
Demo demo2 demo3

oberheim matrix 6 keyboard

Oberheim Matrix 6 FACTORY RESET PROCEDURE

SWITCH ON holding STORE button

edit

 




manual
Oberheim Matrix 6 MANUAL

 

 

 

 


manual
OBERHEIM MATRIX 6 SCHEMATICS / SERVICE MANUAL

 

 


edit

OS latest OS is 2.13 (download BINARY) must be burnt to EPROM (WARNING: NOT a Midi upgrade!)

 

 

 

 

brochure1

 

 

 

brochure2

 

 

 

brochure3

 

 

 

brochure4

 

 

brochure5

 

 

brochure6

 

 

brochure6

 

 

brochure8

 

 


Oberheim Matrix 6 FOR SALE
Oberheim Matrix 6 FOR SALE
CHECK OUT EBAY OFFERS

 


 

 

rsf kobol circuit drum pad


manual

-still affordable
-complex routing


manual

- awful edit interface
-maybe too complicated for noobs


comment


REVIEW : "The cut-down version of the Mighty Matrix 12 is a very clever machine, but it sounds different from previous model. Good sound, pads, brasses and effects - like tradition in Oberheim. Main interface with no knobs and so many parameters can be frustrating, that's why Matrix6 prices are still affordable"

 

matrix 6

COMMENTS

 

 

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Oberheim Matrix 6 3.5 out of 5 based on 6 ratings. price €400