giving up on my Matrix 6

[blinky909]

i have owned three Matrix 6's over the years, two racks and a keyboard. on paper it's a really powerful synth especially for the price. where the Matrix 6 falls down flat is the programming; using the front panel is a chore and using a software editor (or hardware controller like a PC-1600) usually is a lesson in curse word combinations due to the synth locking up as it chokes on the value changes.

as much as i love the sound and the vast array of modulation possibilities, i've come to the same point with the synth that i reached with the previous two, i'm ready to give up on it. i don't want a synth that requires me to be a synth programmer who sits around making neat sounds that don't have an application, i need a synth that allows me to shape sounds in the moment while i'm working on a song.

one suggestion that has been offered is to simply comb the numerous Matrix 1000 presets for the 100 i like the most and use the synth as a preset box. some basses, some leads, some fx, some pads, some strings, there is room for 20 of each of those type of sounds.

the problem with using it as a preset box is digging through the huge number of sounds and then deciding which i like. that will take several hours, time i could use for better things, like watching TV or using my synths that have immediate interfaces.

what are all you other Matrix 6 owners doing with this last of the 80's Oberheims?

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by blinky909

i have owned three Matrix 6's over the years, two racks and a keyboard. on paper it's a really powerful synth especially for the price. where the Matrix 6 falls down flat is the programming; using the front panel is a chore and using a software editor (or hardware controller like a PC-1600) usually is a lesson in curse word combinations due to the synth locking up as it chokes on the value changes.

as much as i love the sound and the vast array of modulation possibilities, i've come to the same point with the synth that i reached with the previous two, i'm ready to give up on it. i don't want a synth that requires me to be a synth programmer who sits around making neat sounds that don't have an application, i need a synth that allows me to shape sounds in the moment while i'm working on a song.

Blinky, I came to the same conclusion and I've only had it once

But I understand why you've had it 3 times as I'm always on the semi-lookout for the rack version so I can try again.

But yeah, best to avoid this temptation and find a synth that has the knobs and sliders you need.

Save up for a Matrix 12!

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by dhollmusik

But I understand why you've had it 3 times as I'm always on the semi-lookout for the rack version so I can try again.

i have a rack version right now... you want it? i need a two channel MIDI to CV box for the 202 and Pro One.

[soundxplorer]

I've been there. The first one I owned was a 6R rack and I thought it sounded great but it had a bad habit of going way out of tune every 30 minutes or so. Sold it, then over the next 10 years I bought/sold a few Matrix 1000s - each time forgetting & realizing all over again that it isn't fun to use software editors.

I think a good alternative would be a DSI Prophet '08 rack (preferably the pot edition). It isn't a cheap way to go, but I think it sounds very similar and it has lots of knobs.

[ahmo]

Sounds like someone is itching for an Xpander!

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by soundxplorer

I think a good alternative would be a DSI Prophet '08 rack (preferably the pot edition). It isn't a cheap way to go, but I think it sounds very similar and it has lots of knobs.

the reason to own a Matrix 6 is because it is damn near a 3U modular for effectively peanuts. the P08 is close in spec but is a factor of 10 the cost.

[msl]

Even with that niffty ipad+touchOSC editor thats about?



.

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by blinky909

i have a rack version right now... you want it? i need a two channel MIDI to CV box for the 202 and Pro One.

(must. resist. temptation. to. ask. how. much.)



erm...how much, like? Just out of interest, mind.

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by msl

Even with that niffty ipad+touchOSC editor thats about?

the issue has always been and will forever be the processor of the Matrix 6/1000. it simply can not handle the data from a real time stream - they only way i can see any editor working is to provide a delay in the stream so the processor isn't overwhelmed - and that means macro adjustments on knobs, not micro, it kills the resolution of the knob because you can't adjust it with instant feedback.

[SWAN808]

I felt the same and saved up for an OB8

However - I may have to downsize in the near future so not sure might have to repurchase the Matrix...

[zerocrossing]

Originally Posted by blinky909

the reason to own a Matrix 6 is because it is damn near a 3U modular for effectively peanuts. the P08 is close in spec but is a factor of 10 the cost.

Well, I got my Prophet 08 (encoder edition, but they're holding up fine) rack for $800. Not sure what the going rate is these days but I bet if you were patient and diligent you could probably get a deal.

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by zerocrossing

Well, I got my Prophet 08 (encoder edition, but they're holding up fine) rack for $800. Not sure what the going rate is these days but I bet if you were patient and diligent you could probably get a deal.

i have plenty of synths
i have plenty of synths
i have plenty of synths
i have plenty of synths
i have plenty of synths
i have plenty of synths

[SWAN808]

bear in mind that the DSI sound is quite different to the 80s Oberheim...

If anything I would suggest having both if you dont want to save for a bigger OB...

I thought the M6 didnt have the CPU progamming sluggishness? There is some video around of a guy programming with a Doepfer Drehbank and it seemed smooth...

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

I thought the M6 didnt have the CPU progamming sluggishness? There is some video around of a guy programming with a Doepfer Drehbank and it seemed smooth...

i would love to know how he did that, i tried using a PC 1600 and it just chokes on the data. i don't believe everything i see.

[soundxplorer]

Originally Posted by blinky909

i would love to know how he did that, i tried using a PC 1600 and it just chokes on the data. i don't believe everything i see.

In the questions/comments below the video he suggests that only some parameters hang up the processor. So maybe it's just a matter of avoiding those.

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by soundxplorer

In the questions/comments below the video he suggests that only some parameters hang up the processor. So maybe it's just a matter of avoiding those.

i'd like to know which one's to avoid.

[soundxplorer]

Originally Posted by blinky909

i'd like to know which one's to avoid.

I've got an idea - you should send a message to that YouTube user and ask him.

[Mardi Gras]

How does the m6's midi work blinky? Does it glitch up or drop notes? Im considering my next poly and this thing is on the cards

[rockmanrock]

Originally Posted by blinky909

i'd like to know which one's to avoid.

I think the main ones are the mod matrix sources and destinations.

With the Drehbank editor software you can set a delay between sys-ex messages so the destination (Matrix here) doesn't get clogged up.

[dariendaniel]

I have two m6r's...

I'm using a bitstream 3x.

Also I have been using sound quest xl. Only on occasion do I get glitches.

But I'm getting instant adjustment.
For the most part.

By the way I have another thread , would any of the m6 programmers care to start a programming thread topic being getting modern sound from 80s machines....?

Anyone anyone.

[Don Edgar]

I own a Matrix 6r for two months now and I can perfectly understand how you feel. Even though I made a map for my Novation SL controller, it's not the type of synth you go to if you want to add a sound to an existing track, it just takes too long and by the time you have something going, the momentum is gone.
My approach right now is to just make basic sounds on it and save them for later use, or build tracks around the sounds I made. Also nice is to hit record in your daw while you're tweaking and resample that, something the glitches sound rather interesting, accidents are always welcome in my world.
I have a Midi Rack in Ableton (made with Macrobat) that I use to control the CCs (Levers and Pedals), so I'm ready to tweak in realtime once I have a sound going.
One question, when I set pitchbend or vibrato as levers for the DCOs the Matrix seems to go out of tune (or drift in tune). Is that normal? Can be quite interesting but not always wanted...
Anyway, I will sell it sometime for something with more "immediacy", thinking of a Juno-106 (though it seems not to be that versatile) or a Prophet 08...

[Don Edgar]

Originally Posted by blinky909

i'd like to know which one's to avoid.

It seems to depend on the controller, mine chokes on Env1>VCF, but in the Video it's with other parameters (DCO1F>LFO1).

[dariendaniel]

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tvfh...e_gdata_player



Also
Here is a real time tweaker.

http://www.kiwitechnics.com/

[dariendaniel]

One thing I have learned to do is create a palate of sounds for a project. If I were a chef that is the same as prepping and chopping veggies prior to cooking and plating.

Yes I hunt and find sounds then I go into the matrix 6r or xpander and
create a universe of sounds in and around the project. That is my base.

Remember
You get out of an oberheim what you put into it and a lll setup and one will be in the position to get a more instant gratification.

Btw the m6/r has a hro that drifts the dco for a lack of better words.

I'd reset and re calibrate the m6


Take it from there.

[dariendaniel]

http://www.kiwitechnics.com/

And here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tvfh...e_gdata_player

[LiveFromKyoto]

Originally Posted by soundxplorer

In the questions/comments below the video he suggests that only some parameters hang up the processor. So maybe it's just a matter of avoiding those.

8 minutes of tweaking and he still never got close to the original sound...



I think it might have been done on a Roland (SH-101?), though.

[slippast]

I came to the same conclusion about my m6r. Sold it recently. Excellent sound and programming capabilities locked up in a little black box. I doubt I'll ever miss it. Besides, I recently landed another famously painful-to-program synth as a replacement for $50: a Microwave Rev.B. I like it much more than the m6r, but then I'm able to program it in real time with a novation controller.

I remember mine becoming locked up when modifying the envelopes on a software (soundquest) interface. I never turned on the Sysex queuing. I simply got sick of using software too. If I want click and drag I'll use a VSTi.

Oh yeah, I also got tired of the endless hardware problems....

[SWAN808]

its a shame the Kiwitechnics does not work with the M6...

[blinky909]

i recall buying a later version OS for the Matrix that did something, not sure what. i wonder if the OS version has something to do with the choking.

at this point it doesn't really matter - i'm trading it away for something i need and it far more useful, a Kenton Pro2.

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by dariendaniel

KiwiTechnics Home

And here

Programming Oberheim Matrix 6 With MIDIQUEST Software - YouTube

per the Kiwi site:

The Mx1000 control is not suitable for live use as the Mx1000 is not able to process sysex data quickly enough. This will cause hanging notes and other random midi error

plus i have a PC 1600x. i also have MIDIQuest XL 10 and it locks up frequently with that.

the sysex delay is the key to successful "real time" editing.