Six-Trak - tips, tricks & firmware update

[@FileTransferProtocol]

Thanks for bringing attention to this amazing synth and the new firmware. I hadn’t heard of the version 14 firmware. I just installed it, and it’s amazing. The tuning option alone, is worth it.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@Brumairevideo]

Love this synth, one of the best ever built

[@spookypen]

The high resonance sweeps sound so good, tons of character in that filter. 😎👍

[@cortical1]

I'm a huge fan of the Six and the Multi-Trak. IMO, people really underestimate how good they sound.

[@EspenKraft]

Many people do/did. ;-)

[@jasontarner1227]

yeah, tell them to go to 6:10 in this vid. That bass is thick!...

[@brianmartin7710]

wow, the tone of this synth is absolute great.

[@EspenKraft]

It's great.

[@Gedemondas]

It was one of the first analogs I ever owned back in the late 80's, and I still love it to this day for helping me discover this world. But as soon as I saw the Multi-Trak, I sold the Six-Trak and got one of those instead. Great little synthesizer though...great video too!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers! :)

[@gbkny1]

Thank you so much for this video. You make selecting a synth easy. There really is no need to buy any of the new expensive junk. With a decent polysynth, a controller and a few apps or plugins, i have the minimoog model d and the ob-xd. That's all you really need. Thanks to your videos which i really appreciate.

[@ropewalkingelephant]

For some reason it’s very nice to thank us for watching right at the beginning. And as i am just about to watch the video, thank you for making!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers! :D

[@kemek3000]

Love those mid-80s Sequential synths.

[@bullet0657]

Just got mine. It sounds like the stranger things sound track. I love it

[@mastercylinder1939]

The Six~Trak is a keeper.

[@EspenKraft]

Always.

[@donnoone9665]

Thanks for the great demo, your videos are inspirational to anyone who grew up in that era. I got my Six-Trak in 1985 and still use it to this day. I intend to upgrade the firmware particlulary to get the midi sync to work. A great synth, I can't bring myself to part with it for it's warm sound and multitimbral functionality.

[@tommhill9948]

Ditto here! Great little scratchpad powerhouse 🎹🤎🖤

[@MrAndyshanahan]

You keep showing me stuff about synths I own that I never knew lol :) legend. Thanks once again!

[@EspenKraft]

Happy to be of service. :P Cheers

[@steveglenister4939]

In 1986 I took my rent cheque up to London, went to the Soho Soundhouse and bought a Six-Track and an RX21 drum machine for £360. Loved this keyboard. I squeezed every ounce of sound out of that thing. Wish I still had it. Happy days. Not for my landlord.

[@EspenKraft]

Some story. ;-)

[@danielvahnke3369]

I remember my 6trk being much more primitive with no lights on the left panel and little text at all - but, I was able to write faster riffs on it than any other modern machine afterwards.

[@assistantassistant5516]

Thank you for this! This was amazingly helpful. Love your stuff!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@SelimReza-iw4pr]

Sound feels good 👍😌👌

[@LFOVCF]

Sounds awesome!

[@12bit-musiclab34]

Hi Espen your videos are always so interesting and informative;)

[@EspenKraft]

Happy you think so! :D

[@lassel1644]

Dammit! This is very cool stuff... not a huge fan of the "budget" sequental stuff but damn good post👍

[@lucianomellomusic]

Thanks a lot!

[@kabongpope]

New one on me, very cool!

[@lab-by-the-sea]

That is one synth i should not have sold when i had no space, back then they sold for 100 usd.... :-(

[@rickjames2043]

The sounds blew me away!! Thank you Espen for showing off you new toy!! As always take care and be safe!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks Rick, you too! :D

[@itsmejoewbrown]

That's got some amazing functionality

[@xnonsuchx]

I think I dismissed the Six-Trak at the time for not having knobs/sliders. I remember there was a Commodore 64 interface and software for it too, so kinda made it seem like it was intended for computer interface more than standalone use. Hard to remember details THAT long ago.

[@EspenKraft]

A lot of people underestimated the Six-Trak. ;-)

[@maurumsynthwave618]

Hola Espen estaba esperándote, como siempre... saludos

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@CollapseReport]

I hope the rubber contact buttons are working fine from your Sixtrak .

[@EspenKraft]

Perfect.

[@timnordberg7204]

I've read they can be repaired with graphite paste.

[@infindebula]

Interesting ... Pretty sure my Six-Trak (sold it about 4 years ago) didn't have a hinged panel. 3 screws on the back, then you end up with this panel you have to lay down somewhere. I sold it because I felt my CEM3394 bases were covered by my Multi-Trak and AX60.

[@EspenKraft]

I didn't know they did revisions on the design. Anyways, thanks for watching!

[@crimsonweather]

Thanks you for the demo May I know the name of the programmer you are using to adjust the parameters?

[@EspenKraft]

Evolution X-session. It's quite old now.

[@crimsonweather]

@@EspenKraft Perfect Thanks I have a six trak for 750 EUR, do you think it's a good price ?

[@EspenKraft]

Well, it seems to be what they're going for now. In pristine condition I guess it's fair.

[@crimsonweather]

@@EspenKraft awesomeness, much appreciated for your response 👌

[@VladoT]

Great synth ideed.

[@Casious_Productions]

I've had a few synths in my life..but Sixtrak is the only one i really miss...still after 35 years :-( ....if only Behringer could...naaah...oh well..i know you can't control it realtime on a show etc etc..except with some external controller or something like that..but the sounds..OH THE SOUNDS!!!

[@EspenKraft]

Did you actually watch the video? I use a controller here, works very well. ;-)

[@markaprill6501]

@@EspenKraft lol

[@scottmadden97]

@@EspenKraft What is the controller you're using for the video? I have a six trak and would like to get a cc controller for it, but most solutions are either old or rather expensive - Not interested in a software controller, what those physical knobs to turn. :)

[@davidm3569]

Thanks for showing us how to open the top and gain access to the circuit board. Mines been I storage so no doubt the battery will need changing. Not looking forward to that or changing any capacitors though 😞 Do you know how easy or not to obtain the firmware update?

[@EspenKraft]

Synths is storage are ticking bombs. Vintage gear needs to be turned on and warmed up regularly, otherwise it'll be in a much worse shape than the opposite. I see so many people trying to talk up their synths that's been in storage so and so many years, but I'd much rather buy a synth that's been used every day. Storage ruins the electronics. Don't turn yours on before checking it thoroughly first. The firmware chip is easily obtained online. A quick google search should give you lots of options. Good luck! Cheers :D

[@davidm3569]

@@EspenKraft Thank you for the very good advice. I hate having my music equipment in storage, it's in a Big Yellow Storage company, so not in a damp or hot place. Hoping to get things back soon, miss them and it costs such a lot there!!

[@EspenKraft]

Get them out of there, check them and fix what's needed. Then turn them on at least a couple of times a week. That is mandatory. Having them close means you can actually play them and after all, that's the fun part! :D

[@_P_M_]

@@EspenKraft I've heard this. Can you explain why this is? Do you turn on all of your gear in your studio when you work on a project? I have old gear that I rarely use and so I don't turn it on unless I need it. Does this affect the capacitors or something? Thanks!

[@EspenKraft]

No, I turn only on the gear I set out to use before I start a session. That is determined beforehand. I have it in my head what gear I'm going to use. But sending electricity through components is like oiling your engine. Don't do it and it all goes "stiff". Especially capacitors yes. They dry out. Using the gear every day from it was made, over a period of 40 years will not warrant it will work ok, as there are other factors as well, but in my (and many others) experience, using the gear, letting it warm up etc often, will maintain it much better than not. I turn on my gear (not all at the same time) many times a week, and just let it sit there for a couple of hours. Then I turn it off again. Years of storage in some cellar or attic makes my hair curl. I would never turn on so a piece of gear without a solid check of all critical components, especially in the power supply of course.

[@nullfusion]

hey espen! a question; do you have any idea how i can change/increase the divide/resolution of the arpeggio while syncing my sixtrak to a drumtraks. (sorry quite a rookie question) thanks a lot, love your videos!!

[@EspenKraft]

To my knowledge you can't do that. Only way to change the resolution is through external MIDI to sync boxes like the Doepfer MSY2. Even then it's a hit and miss as the Six-Trak is notoriously difficult to sync. I've used the sync out of the Isla S2400 lately, with some success.

[@nullfusion]

@@EspenKraft thanks alot!

[@pedrokremermotta605]

Hi Espenkraft, were i can buy the latest V14 firmware, i bought a V11 by mistake....

[@EspenKraft]

I assume Tauntek is the place to start.

[@mikebro2557]

Hi, great video. When I turn my six-trak on, it now only makes random untuned sound fx noises when any key is pressed, the battery is fine, all caps look good. I purchased this synth back in 1989, and I would love to get it working again, do you have any ideas? Many thanks in advance

[@EspenKraft]

If it's been sitting since 89 that is not good. All old tech must be used regularly. Try pulling out the chips from sockets and reseat them. Could work. That said, take it to a tech if you're not familiar with servicing synths. ;-) Cheers

[@mikebro2557]

@@EspenKraftthanks for your fast reply, I will try that and get back to you with the results 👍

[@mikebro2557]

@@EspenKrafthi, I have removed and placed all the chips into their holders - still no joy. How critical is the on board voltage supply? The +5 volts through out the pcb is only +4.7volts. The 6 Curtis chips receive +4.7volts at pin 20, pin 3 receives -6.7volts. The voltage regulator (with heat sink) supplies +5.7 volts to two diodes (left side of the pcb ac connection plug) the v out of these diodes is +4.7 volts. The sound I can hear is made by modulating the Filter, there is no audio output from the Curtis chips. The fault did not occur from lack of use, it was ok when I turned it off, a few days later this fault occurred, maybe I should just put it back in the cupboard, what do you think?

[@mikebro2557]

@@EspenKraftI forgot to mention the noise generator works.

[@EspenKraft]

Definitely take it to a tech. That's my best advice.

[@helpmeiaminhell]

Someone please reissue this synth it's one of my favorites but mine died.

[@wailani3263]

I appreciate your video Soo much! First off, your under the hood camera work was super. I can see the correct polarity of the battery! Thanks! I can see the correct attachment of the keyboard strip (The blank hole is on the right.) however, my wires begin with 2 black and a white and then alternate black and white going to the right. My EPROM precedes the 11 you exchange for a 14.... I've just ordered t 14 and it's test diagnostic from Germany ... ( I broke a tab on my old EPROM!). A demonstration of what you can do with just the stand alone Six Trak would be nice ... Oh, and I'm curious that you didn't have to run the tune test after changing the EPROM ... no need? because you didn't change the battery? I find my audio output signal to be quite weak ... how strong is yours? What amp/speaker are you using?

[@EspenKraft]

It's not the strongest of outputs on my either. I just crank up the preamp a little more. If it's in tune it's in tune. ;-)

[@wailani3263]

@@EspenKraft Thank you Espen. I'll look into a preamp. Head phones were useless

[@chloedevereaux1801]

hey espen, what's the outro music?????? its nice.

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! That's the music I made on the Six-Trak for the original and main Six-Trak video. You can find that video on my channel. That's much more in-depth on the synth. This video here is just some random tips and tricks. ;-)

[@Charleshowes23]

I noticed extra holes in the back of the case. Did it come with the individual voice output mod installed?

[@EspenKraft]

I think a previous owner had that planned, but never got it finished. Beside drilling the holes. ;-)

[@Charleshowes23]

@@EspenKraft Interesting. I’ve only seen one or two around that had it installed. I’d love to find the schematic and instructions on that mod.

[@pharmacistmichael7820]

One of my first synths- I've got lots of pics of my kids growing up ,while I'm noodeling on my 6-track. Now ,with my i-pad and any number of synths and sequencers- how far the tech has grown.Some things change,and some things remain the same....

[@GoodfaYou]

I use my iPad to control my Six-Trak now that’s cool

[@justinmerritt3843]

Espen, How do you feel this synth compares to a Juno 106 in raw sound and capabilities? Would this be a good addition to my Juno 106?

[@EspenKraft]

Yes it would. It sounds totally opposite. The 106 is glossy, hi-fi and stale while this is lo-fi, gritty and alive. Both are great though, for different reasons.

[@justinmerritt3843]

@@EspenKraft now I must start my search! I've seen them but I didn't know anything about them really, thanks.

[@EspenKraft]

Check my main video about the Six-Trak, that will give some very good insight. Cheers

[@justinmerritt3843]

@@EspenKraft I'm going to check it out now.

[@timnordberg7204]

hey, what's up with the holes in the back of your Six-Trak? Was that an aborted multi-output mod?

[@EspenKraft]

Yes it is. Not by me though.

[@12bit-musiclab34]

Also how do you like the ISLA S2400?

[@watchmebleed5349]

Hi Espen, in this video are you using any third party effect or its just the six trak with CC controller? I know in another video you were using the Yamaha REV7 for reverb, wondering if you are using it here too.

[@EspenKraft]

I honestly can't remember, but I'm pretty sure it's the Valhalla VintageVerb. Unless I show some other reverb in particular, I only use that these days. I find it does what I want in 90% of all my productions, either for videos or my professional work.