Erica Synths SYNTRX Does Things No Synthi Ever Could

Erica Synths shared this hands-on demo of their new SYNTRX – a new synth that, while inspired by the classic Synthi AKS, uses analog circuits that were developed from scratch.

Instead of making a nostalgic clone, Erica Synths’ SYNTRX is designed to go far beyond what the Synthi can do. It features a digitally-controlled patch matrix, instead of the Synthi’s pin patch matrix. Because the SYNTRX uses a digital patch matrix, it has reliable patch connections, connection points that can be attentuated, and the ability to save up to 256 patches.

The SYNTRX features 3 highly accurate VCOs, a noise generator with “color” filter, resonant VCF, ring modulator, spring reverb, looping envelope generator, joystick controller, input amplifier with adjustable gain for microphone to line level signals, 3 VCAs, output signal filter, analogue CV/audio signal level indicator and built-in speakers.

Pricing and Availability

The SYNTRX is expected to be available to preorder in the next week, priced at 2500EUR (VAT excluded).

23 thoughts on “Erica Synths SYNTRX Does Things No Synthi Ever Could

    1. A couple of grand is chump change for professionals that need serious instruments for their work, and well within range for a lot of other musicians.

      Go into the studio of anybody that’s been into synths for a while, and you’re going to find a ‘dream synth’ or two. In my case, there’s a MU modular and a Korg Prologue. For the next guy, it’s a Minimoog.

      Sequential, Moog, Korg, Yamaha and tons of other companies have no problem selling lots of instruments that cost thousands of dollars.

      If you’re just starting out, there are always cheaper alternatives. Now more than ever. But if you’re into this stuff, why wouldn’t you want to get the best you can afford?

      1. true. Most of times you need to spend money and time to get good sounds or some extra possibilities, it can be expensive to build a setup that offers some unique and good tones, timbres and sounds…
        May be less expensive if you look for second hand units…

        That said, this does not sound like a synthi at all. A lot of people won’t notice it but it doesn’t.
        So does it worse 2500 € ?
        I’d love to have a real synthi, but at like 17000 € for a vintage one, it’s far too much for me. But i won’t get a synthrx instead, at that price tag there’s a lot of good alternatives. It would be a real bargain if it were a real clone, sounding like the original (but price be a lot higher i guess).

      2. Another one who believes that you need instruments for thousands of Dollars to make “professional” music in a “serious” way….
        *lol*

        1. I think you misread AnalOG’s post. Nobody is saying you need expensive kit to make great music.

          But he is right to say that good quality kit has value to people who are serious about the craft, and you’ll usually find high-end hardware in the arsenal of anybody who’s been at this a long time.

          Do I absolutely need my OB-6? Of course not. But it is definitely in a different league than almost anything else in my studio. And I have lots of budget stuff.

          There is a market for the synthrx. Its price reflects the premium hardware used, and manual assembly.

      1. We can have everything, but we shit on digital simulacra, even if it sounds the same because we can’t wiggle the nurbles IRL!!!!

    2. But not everything should be an easy purchase for hobbyists to play around and move on. I’m sure that those who see in this a right instrument to buy, keep and use for many decades would not mind such a price tag.
      Besides, the original was ~£450 (according to Wikipedia) in 1972 (£5,150.16 of today’s) and became considerably more by the late 70s.
      Are we not living in better times to be into synths?

    3. About $4000 AUD – cheaper than a Korg ARP 2600 FS – and I wonder if the production run on this will be decent? I’d still pine for a 2600 though – hopefully Korg do a 2600 Mini.

  1. And in the price range for many too. These many may or may not be interested in this synth. I just glad they’ve got the chance to buy it if they want. (Lots of retailers do 0% interest over 12 months, that takes it into range for many more)

      1. Why? Define luxury audio gear. Look at the prices of high end audio, not the one off show pieces, and then tell me this is luxury.

        Surely you know your own finances? You’ll have to help me here: I can purchase an item today at today’s RRP and then pay it back a 1/12th (ish) at a time. Or I could save up 1/12th (ish) every month for a year only to find out it has gone up meaning i have to wait for month 13 until i can even twiddle a knob. Let me thing about that for a second……dont forget you will also have the descending total in your account earning (a paltry amount) of interest too. Could you get a better price for cash up front? possibly and that will be your choice.Then you will have saved up the money without knowing this was going to be launched.

        I got my last car used on 0%, i also got discount on the price and it is a nice Mercedes- a luxury brand?

        It might challenge what you think is acceptable but i struggle to see it as FUBB. I await your reply and please base it on what i have said and not what you think i have said. I would like to be corrected if I am wrong, others might benefit from this information too.

        I still think it is a great synth at a reasonable price all things considered.

      2. Bs , people take loans for crap like wedding zrips, cars and luxury products that wont retain their value after 3 month after purchase. Most rare musical instruments mostly retain value or even raise, so taking a loan for gigh end musical gear can make sense

  2. Nope, not worth that price. The general price range of synths have dropped over the last couple of years, Erica hasn’t been watching the market obviously.

    1. “The general price range of synths have dropped over the last couple of years, Erica hasn’t been watching the market obviously.”

      You’re misunderstanding what’s happened in the synth market completely.

      The synth market has been growing tremendously in the last few years, because more people are making electronic music. This volume of buyers means growth in the low end, but also growth in the high end.

      More buyers mean higher volumes, which means that cheap synths are getting cheaper. Like the Volcas and Behringer knockoffs and Roland Boutiques.

      At the other end of the market, though, more people buying high-end gear, so there are more high-end options than ever. Like the Moog One, Sequential Prophet X, Waldorf Quantum, the Korg Prologue, the explosive growth of modular synths, etc.

      This is great for everybody – there are more options in all price ranges. What’s not so great is that there’s also more demand for vintage gear, so it will keep on getting more expensive, in spite of clones, etc.

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