Sonicware ELZ_1 core brings the colorful multi-engine of the ELZ_1 Play into a more compact desktop instrument.
Many hardware synthesizers rely on multiple engines rather than just one—for example, the MicroFreak or MiniFreak. Sonicware’s answer was the ELZ_1, released in 2018, which was succeeded by the ELZ_1 Play in 2023.
It’s a digital synth with a multi-track looper, packed with synthesis power and playable via key-buttons. If you like the engines but prefer using your own traditional keyboard, the new Sonicware ELZ_1 core could be a great deal.
Sonicware ELZ_1 core
The new Sonicware ELZ_1 core is the new compact desktop/module version of its ELZ_1 Play Synthesizer, offering the same powerful multi-engine as the keys version. Sonicware says that it’s designed to bring the ELZ_1 sound engine into the gear you already use.
In other words: for those who prefer using a traditional MIDI keyboard with velocity and aftertouch instead of the clicky buttons. Or simply as a sound expander in an existing setup
For the Core version, they didn’t just remove the keys and release it as a new product; the developers designed a new, compact housing with a new layout. It has a 2.4-inch full-color LCD on the left side, five rotary encoders, and 25 full-color LED buttons.
The first row of round buttons navigates through the engine’s various sections and carries over from the ELZ_1 Play interface. The remaining 18 knobs are new and offer various functions like BPM, save, or trigger a sound.
ELZ_1 Multi-Engine
At its core, the new ELZ_1 Core is identical to the Sonicware ELZ_1 Play with the same polyphony (15-20 depending on the loaded oscillators), engines, and more. It features 18 colorful oscillator engines that you can stack into up to three layers.
They include a wavetable oscillator with Waldorf-licensed wavetables, a super oscillator (super saw…), distinct granular engines with sampling, 8-bit oscillators, noise generators, physical modeling, and more.
It also includes a multimode filter, 4-mode envelopes (ADSR, ADS-RA-R…), LFOs, and a multi-FX processor with 49 algorithms. The latter includes bread-and-butter delays and reverbs, plus more creative options like five granular processors, a formant filter, and more.
Like the keyboard version, it also ships with a sequencer with up to 128 steps and 128 patterns, plus a multimode arpeggiator.
A highlight of the ELZ_1 play is the 4-track audio looper, which lets you record the engine or external sources with a button press. This is sadly missing in the Core version.
Connectivity
On the back, you can find the connectivity of the new ELZ_1 core. Most things here remain the same, but there is a great addition.
From left to right, you have a 3.5mm headphone socket with a dedicated volume knob, stereo output on two 6.3mm mono sockets, a line input, 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT connectivity, a USB-C port for data and audio transfer, and a power supply input. Unlike the keyboard version, it doesn’t run on batteries but only on USB-C
The new ELZ_1 core includes a USB host port that lets you quickly and easily connect a USB MIDI controller. Supported controllers can also receive bus power directly from the unit, keeping the setup simple and computer-free.
Use the keys or controller you already know as the interface to ELZ_1. ELZ_1 core’s dedicated TRIG function also lets you trigger chords or drum sounds from the unit itself when you want to get an idea moving without an external keyboard.
ELZ_1 play Firmware Update 3.0
Alongside the launch of the ELZ_1 core, Sonicware treats the ELZ_1 play to new firmware 3.0 with various new features and improvements.
Firmware 3.0 introduces a redesigned patch browser with sound categories, so you can search by the kind of sound you need and tag them to find them again. It also includes a favorite function to assign the ones you need to a shortcut for instant recall.
Furthermore, it adds three performance macros, each capable of controlling up to three parameters at once. A new redesigned edit UI is also part of this free update and keeps deeper programming close at hand,
However, this firmware update does not include new engine features such as oscillators, filters, or effects.
Sonicware ELZ_1 core First Impression
I’ve been using the ELZ_1 play regularly in my studio for a few months now. The engines are very distinctive and unique—not comparable to those in the OP-1 or the Micro/MiniFreak. The wavetable and five granular FX were a great addition.
The button keys were the only thing that has bothered me so far about the ELZ_1 play. They aren’t particularly fun and expressive to play. I’ve often wished for a USB host port that would let me connect a MIDI controller quickly and easily.
The ELZ_1 core now offers exactly that in a much smaller, portable format. Sadly, it doesn’t include the cool 4-track audio looper. A desktop module is a great move, since the engine sounds pretty original and deserves a wider user group.
For me, they still fly way under the radar for many people. Hope the module version helps here.
Sonicware ELZ_1 core will be available for $499/£449 (incl. VAT)/539€ (incl. VAT). Due to rising component costs and ongoing supply instability, they found it difficult to secure the quantities required for mass production.
For this reason, they have decided to offer the ELZ_1 core on a made-to-order basis for now.
More information here: Sonicware
Price is very reasonable considering how many sound engines are available here. If the interface is good, this is a solid offering.
Hi Tom.
Sorry to correct you but this Core doesn’t have the looper that the Play has.
oh okay thanks
What I do not understand:
I read about kind of 4 track recording sequencer. Is it multitimbral? So has it different tracks with different Midi channels?
My error: the Core don’t have the loop. The Play has the loop and no. it’s like the OP-1: you have four audio loopers where you can play the sounds on it.
Hello.
I think the price of 539 € including VAT is for Germany. For Finland, the price including VAT is 568 €. The first 50 units are already sold. The European website doesn’t display the date for the next batch, yet.
They write on their website: next batch ships later October