Behringer is working on the STX, an authentic clone/replica of the legendary Italian Elka Synthex analog polyphonic Synthesizer from 1981.
A month ago, I reported that an Elka Synhtex clone/replica is in the works. More precisely, a dedicated Italian team is currently working on this project.
Now there are the first pictures of the instrument available and it also a name: STX.
Behringer STX
The STX’s design is very different. It is much more compact than the original Elka Synthex. Everything is very close together. On the far left are the LFOs, followed by the two oscillators, noise generator, multimode filter, envelopes, and, at the right end, the display.
Just like on the original, there are no pitch or mod wheels. Behringer has opted for a joystick on the STX that controls the pitch, the filter, or bends the sound.
On the back side, you have a built-in power supply, full MIDI interface, and various inputs and outputs.
Behringer says on the socials:
Recreating the Magic of the Elka Synthex
The Elka Synthex, a synthesizer from the early 1980s, is cherished for its rich, warm sound and unique character. Musicians like Jean-Michel Jarre and Duran Duran have used it to create iconic tracks, solidifying its place in music history. Designed by Mario Maggi and produced by the Italian company Elka, the Synthex has a storied past.At Behringer, we’re working to revive the Elka Synthex with a dedicated team of top-notch R&D engineers in Italy, where the original was created. Using advanced Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), we’re able to replicate the original circuitry and signal paths, capturing the essence of its distinctive sound.Honoring a ClassicOur goal is to make the classic sound of the Elka Synthex available to today’s musicians, combining its vintage appeal with modern technology. This passion project aims to respect the legacy of the Synthex while providing the enhancements needed for contemporary use.Bringing back the Synthex
Stay tuned as we work to bring the Elka Synthex back to life, celebrating its history and sound with the same passion and innovation that marked its original creation. This “labor of love” project will take lots of time, but it’ll be worth the wait as the Synthex is one of the most iconic synthesizers of all times.
Article From June 15, 2024
Let’s stay with cloning and replicating. As we know, Behringer is working with several teams on many analog synthesizers. Just yesterday, there was an update to the Pro-16, a clone of the Sequential Prophet 5 with 16 voices and polyAT.
Another large polysynth project was announced during the night from Friday to Saturday. Behringer is also working on an Elka Synthex clone (updated: called STX).
Behringer Elka Synthex
With the Elka Synthex, another analog polysynth legend is in the making. As a reminder, they are currently working on clones of the Oberheim OB-X, PPG Wave, Prophet-5, Yamaha CS-80, and more. The UB-Xa is on the market.
The Elka Synthex by Mario Maggi is a unique analog polyphonic Synthesizer with eight voices, Curtis-based filters (low- high-, and bandpass.), and more. An Italian development team led by Matteo Di Cosmo is working on the Elka Synthex project.
If you look at the shared pictures, you can see that they have been working on this project for a while. Many circuit boards already look very advanced. According to Behringer, they recreate the original circuitry and the signal path of the Elka Synthex to match the sound and behaviour of the original.
Interestingly, hybrid technology is used to re-create the synth. So, not just analog circuitry but also FPGAs are used in this case. Behringer says:
FPGAs help us recreate the immensely complex inner workings of the Synthex, ensuring we maintain its unique tonal qualities while improving reliability and performance. The two large chips in the center of the main board are Xylinx FPGA’s.
Stay tuned as we work to bring the Elka Synthex back to life, celebrating its history and sound with the same passion and innovation that marked its original creation.
This “labor of love” project will take a few years, but it’ll be worth the wait as the Synthex is one of the most iconic synthesizers of all times. Send some love to Matteo and his R&D team
At the moment, Behringer has not provided information about the feature set of its upcoming Elka Synthex clone/replica. I estimate that it will have 16 voices like the UB-Xa and Pro-16 and will host a polyAT keybed.
I will expand the article when there are updates. Stay tuned.
More information will follow here: Behringer
