Recording - June 2021 - 26

REVIEW
Erica Synths
SYNTRX Analog
Synthesizer
Classic looks, functions and
style, with a sound all its own
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.

B

ased in Latvia, Erica Synths is well known for its Eurorack systems
and modules. The company also offers effects pedals and desktop
synthesizers, including the one under review here: SYNTRX.

Visually inspired, internally
unique

SYNTRX (pronounced sintrex) was
quickly assumed to be a modern clone of
the famous Synthi AKS or VCS3. Thanks
to its trio of large, three-turn Vernier dials, joystick, and of course its unique
center routing matrix, you'd be forgiven
for thinking so. However, according to
Erica Synths, its hand-wired circuits have
been developed from scratch.

A quick tour

SYNTRX comprises three VCOs (oscillators), a resonant VCF (filter), a noise
generator, a sample and hold module,
a ring modulator, a switchable ADS/AD
looping envelope, and a second output
signal filter. It can accept external audio
input, has a joystick controller, an internal
analog spring reverb tank, a mechanical
CV/audio VU-style level meter, and a pair
of built-in audio speakers, all housed in a
robust 9 lb., 4.52 " x 17.99 " x 12.16 "
metal enclosure with wood end caps.

Patch me in

SYNTRX is a self-contained modular
synth with a 256-point digitally controlled internal patch matrix. A pair of
left/right, up/down push-button navigation controls replace the physical pushpegs of yore and allow you to creatively
chain and route the audio sources and
assign modulators and other controls.
Every patch point has three levels of
26 RECORDING June 2021

volume and/or control intensity. While
the controls are always live, the digital
patch matrix can be stored and recalled
in one of 254 memory slots. 

Around back

I/O on the back are all 1/4 " along
with a pair of 5-Pin MIDI in and thru
jacks. There's a headphone out and
a pair of dual assignable outputs that
can be assigned to any output source
and panned. There's also a pair of audio inputs, a pair of CV inputs, and a
gate input. An external 12v DC adaptor supplies power.

Sound

SYNTRX exhibits a rich and full
analog sound weighted towards the
metallic side of the spectrum, with a
nice edge. The broad frequency range
of the oscillators is easy to control with
the high-precision Vernier dials. The
filters are also quite nice, not only in the
VCF section, which can get nice and
aggressive, but the filters on the master
outputs as well-great for adding a
final warmth and polish to the sound. 
The spring reverb adds an instant,
Forbidden Planet retro sci-fi feel to the
sound, although higher settings can induce a droning feedback, even without
having the feedback knob turned up
(you can also tap the SYNTRX with your
finger for some spring and twang). The
speakers won't win any prizes for audio

fidelity, but they're handy for dialing in
sounds, and they can be fun to mic up
for lo-fi textures.

In-play

SYNTRX is so open-ended and deep
that I can't cover every knob, function,
action or reaction. Overall, this is not a
synth you play, it is a synth that plays you,
and occasionally you can tame it. You can
play it as a mono-synth of sorts with a MIDI
controller, but you need to manually tune
the oscillators to your desired pitch first. 
SYNTRX excels as a self-generating
noise/drone machine that can even play
pseudo sequences or be manipulated
with a keyboard, sequencer or better still,
the onboard knobs and the assignable
joystick. Thanks to the external inputs,
you can use it as a vocal effect (think
1960s Dr. Who Dalek voices), a clanging ring mod effect on toms, and more.
The only downside to SYNTRX is that
the digital matrix can introduce noise
into the signal path, but once your
patching is done and it's time to play,
you can turn the LED display off, and the
noise goes away.

Wrap-up

SYNTRX is a boutique secret sauce
device and a unique, atmospheric,
self-generating, unpredictable sound
creation device. Like any hand-wired
boutique analog synth, it does come
with a respectable price tag, but few devices on the market (short of rolling your
own similar modular setup) can sound or
do what this exquisite beast can.
Price: $3029
More from: ericasynths.lv


http://www.ericasynths.lv

Recording - June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - June 2021

Fade In
Fast Forward
Plugin Outlet: Accusonus ERA 5 Pro Bundle
Arturia KeyStep 37
Soundware Showcase: Spitfire Audio Originals Mrs Mills Piano
Richard Barbieri: Living under a spell: interpreting dreams through texture
Erica Synths: SYNTRX Analog Synthesizer
Moog Sound Studio: Mother-32 & DFAM Analog Synthesis Experience
Patch & Tweak with Moog from Bjooks
Plugin Outlet: NUGEN Stereoizer Elements
Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: A little summin, summin!
Eventide: H9000 Next Generation Harmonizer (Part 2)
Reviewed & Revisited: Steinberg Cubase Pro 11
Radial Engineering: EXTC Stereo
Inside the Box with Joe Albano: Working In Multiple DAWs
Reviewed and Revisited: PreSonus Studio One 5.2
Plugin Outlet: Focusrite FAST Plugins
Session Log: The Angelheaded Hipster, Part 6: Plugins
Plugin Outlet: BOOM Library EnRage
Reviewed and Revisited: Modarrt Pianoteq 7
Readers' Tracks
Reviewed and Revisited: Ableton Live 11
Plugin Outlet: Waves Vocal Bender
Fade Out: Spaceship Syndrome
Recording - June 2021 - Intro
Recording - June 2021 - Cover1
Recording - June 2021 - Cover2
Recording - June 2021 - 1
Recording - June 2021 - 2
Recording - June 2021 - 3
Recording - June 2021 - Fade In
Recording - June 2021 - 5
Recording - June 2021 - 6
Recording - June 2021 - 7
Recording - June 2021 - Fast Forward
Recording - June 2021 - 9
Recording - June 2021 - Plugin Outlet: Accusonus ERA 5 Pro Bundle
Recording - June 2021 - 11
Recording - June 2021 - 12
Recording - June 2021 - 13
Recording - June 2021 - Arturia KeyStep 37
Recording - June 2021 - 15
Recording - June 2021 - Soundware Showcase: Spitfire Audio Originals Mrs Mills Piano
Recording - June 2021 - 17
Recording - June 2021 - Richard Barbieri: Living under a spell: interpreting dreams through texture
Recording - June 2021 - 19
Recording - June 2021 - 20
Recording - June 2021 - 21
Recording - June 2021 - 22
Recording - June 2021 - 23
Recording - June 2021 - 24
Recording - June 2021 - 25
Recording - June 2021 - Erica Synths: SYNTRX Analog Synthesizer
Recording - June 2021 - 27
Recording - June 2021 - Moog Sound Studio: Mother-32 & DFAM Analog Synthesis Experience
Recording - June 2021 - 29
Recording - June 2021 - Patch & Tweak with Moog from Bjooks
Recording - June 2021 - 31
Recording - June 2021 - Plugin Outlet: NUGEN Stereoizer Elements
Recording - June 2021 - 33
Recording - June 2021 - Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: A little summin, summin!
Recording - June 2021 - 35
Recording - June 2021 - Eventide: H9000 Next Generation Harmonizer (Part 2)
Recording - June 2021 - 37
Recording - June 2021 - Reviewed & Revisited: Steinberg Cubase Pro 11
Recording - June 2021 - 39
Recording - June 2021 - 40
Recording - June 2021 - 41
Recording - June 2021 - Radial Engineering: EXTC Stereo
Recording - June 2021 - 43
Recording - June 2021 - Inside the Box with Joe Albano: Working In Multiple DAWs
Recording - June 2021 - 45
Recording - June 2021 - 46
Recording - June 2021 - 47
Recording - June 2021 - Reviewed and Revisited: PreSonus Studio One 5.2
Recording - June 2021 - 49
Recording - June 2021 - Plugin Outlet: Focusrite FAST Plugins
Recording - June 2021 - 51
Recording - June 2021 - Session Log: The Angelheaded Hipster, Part 6: Plugins
Recording - June 2021 - 53
Recording - June 2021 - 54
Recording - June 2021 - 55
Recording - June 2021 - Plugin Outlet: BOOM Library EnRage
Recording - June 2021 - 57
Recording - June 2021 - Reviewed and Revisited: Modarrt Pianoteq 7
Recording - June 2021 - 59
Recording - June 2021 - Readers' Tracks
Recording - June 2021 - 61
Recording - June 2021 - 62
Recording - June 2021 - 63
Recording - June 2021 - 64
Recording - June 2021 - 65
Recording - June 2021 - Reviewed and Revisited: Ableton Live 11
Recording - June 2021 - 67
Recording - June 2021 - Plugin Outlet: Waves Vocal Bender
Recording - June 2021 - 69
Recording - June 2021 - 70
Recording - June 2021 - 71
Recording - June 2021 - Fade Out: Spaceship Syndrome
Recording - June 2021 - Cover3
Recording - June 2021 - Cover4
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