![\"Endorphin.es](\"https:\/\/greatsynthesizers.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Endorphin-PLUS3-07.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPLUS 3 is exactly what its name implies: 3 additional (physical) elements. The fader provides a CV voltage (like an expression pedal), the small switch acts as a sustain pedal, and the \u201cpopcorn bag\u201d button cuts off held notes or chords while keeping sustain active (simply put, it simulates lifting the pedal). The popcorn button also acts as momentary switch. Here are a few examples of how useful PLUS 3 is in practice …<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with our all-time favorite digital pad-synthesizer, the Roland JD-800<\/a>. PLUS 3 adds the classic synth feature HOLD at the push of a button (SUSTAIN input), as well as\u2014ta-daaa\u2014a fixed modulation intensity (EXPRESSION input, set internally to MOD). First, this eliminates the need for a cumbersome sustain pedal and, second, addresses the weakness of the annoying \u201cRoland-style pitch-mod lever\u201d: Modulations can now be set precisely and continuously via a fader.<\/p>\n With the Studiologic Sledge<\/a>\u2014also one of our favorite digital synthesizers\u2014PLUS 3 offers similar advantages. Once again, you get HOLD (without a cumbersome pedal), once again you get MOD control via fader, or\u2014since Sledge already has a real mod wheel\u2014CUTOFF control via fader (to be set internally via EXP PED). Ok, ok … Sledge has its own filter knob, so adding an extra cutoff slider seems redundant. Still, in practice, it\u2019s a wonderful addendum …<\/p>\n … to have an additional cutoff fader on the left\u2014where, as with the wheels, the important live performance mostly takes place. After all, the right hand is often busy playing solo lines on the keyboard, so there\u2019s no longer any need for the awkward (crossing your hands) operation of the filter cutoff on the right side. PLUS 3 on the far left (which can also be used in conjunction<\/em> with the regular cutoff control) now allows for greater physical flexibility when making music. Third example: PLUS 3 controls two analog synthesizers, the Korg POLY-61 and the Roland SH-101. SUSTAIN is connected to the POLY-61\u2019s RELEASE jack and is now responsible for release times of more than 4 (!) minutes, thanks to the SSM2056 envelope chip. These extraordinary release times can only<\/em> be achieved via external pedal\u2014according to the original accessories, the Korg PS-2 footswitch is intended for this purpose\u2014and can now be conveniently activated from the panel. What you get is not HOLD (the POLY-61 has a separate switch for that), but an ultra-long fade-out of the voices \u2026<\/p>\n Since there is no extra CV-input on the POLY-61, the up to now unused PLUS 3 slider may serve as a filter control for the Roland SH-101 (we retrofitted a corresponding Kenton jack), but any other analog synthesizer with a VCF input could be used as well. Simple idea behind our example: If the instruments in the studio aren\u2019t placed right next to or on top of each other (not everything can be set up in a central position), this would be an effective way to perform both instruments at the same time. Flexibility<\/em> is the PLUS 3 keyword …<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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