Impressions of the Oberheim Matrix-12

2021-08-02
by Theo Bloderer
comment 1

The Oberheim Matrix-12: One of the “Great Synthesizers” of all time – an impressive instrument to this day. Impressive in its (comprehensive) sound architecture, impressive in its (comprehensive) size. An exceptional instrument that was built from 1985 to approx. 1990. Its design and functions were inspiration for many other significant synthesizer developments over the past 30 years. Here are some impressions of the Matrix-12 …

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer
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Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer

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“Es genügt, einen Ton schön zu spielen” sagte der Komponist Arvo Pärt im Jahre 2005. Diese Aussage ist ebenso einfach wie ich auch exzellent: Es braucht kein Meer an Tönen, denn entscheidend ist der Klang. Dass so mancher Vintage-Synthesizer der 70er und 80er Jahre teils unerreicht hochwertige Klänge liefert, steht außer Frage. Doch tatsächlich leben wir “heute” in einer nahezu perfekten Zeit. Einerseits hat man – mehr oder weniger – noch Zugriff auf die Vintage Analogen, andererseits wird auch bei Neugeräten die wichtige Komponente des hochwertigen Klanges wieder zunehmend berücksichtigt. Doepfer, Cwejman, Synthesizers.com, MacBeth, Moog, GRP, Studio Electronics, COTK, John Bowen und andere Hersteller bauen hervorragende Synthesizer, die den “Klassikern” in nichts nachstehen. All diesen (alten wie neuen) “großartigen” Instrumenten ist Great Synthesizers gewidmet. _________________________________________________________ In 2005 composer Arvo Pärt said: “Playing one tone really well is enough”. In other words, it is sufficient to play one tone 'beautifully'. I agree with that. All musical efforts are focused on the sound itself. Although I studied classical music (piano and drums), it’s the electronic sound that inspires me. Synthesizers are the epitome of new sounds and exciting tonal spheres. Today, many companies produce high-quality - excellent! - synthesizers: Doepfer, Cwejman, MacBeth, Moog, GRP, Synthesizers.com, COTK, Studio Electronics, John Bowen and others. It's their products I'm really interested in ... apart from Vintage Synthesizers, which I have been collecting for 20 years. Subsequent to our former websites Bluesynths and Blogasys, Peter Mahr and I have now created GreatSynthesizers. We hope you like it.

1 Comment

  1. Thor Z
    2022-10-15

    The pdf link doesn’t work, so I couldn’t read your article…
    Impressions of the Oberheim Matrix-12

    I bought one! It was really hard to find too. These are getting really rare.
    Thor

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