SYNTRX: The Weirdest Synth I Own

[@BennJordan]

I am now aware the trapeze didn't render. It's too late to go back. Use your imagination. 😲🌌🌟🔮

[@SanguinarySun]

It was so funny, I thought it was intentional.

[@k.s.8959]

@@SanguinarySun me too. thought it was a joke after waiting for a trapeze to appear and nothing happened 😂

[@Pandangus]

Hilaaaaaaaaaaarious! I just got to that point of the video and was like "I don't get it... Ima check the comments" 🤭

[@my4trackmachine]

HAHA I was wondering if I should point it out.

[@emmaessex]

honestly it was so funny i thought you were pulling a "yeah i'm bullshittin you it looks like whatever" bit

[@loopop]

Thanks for the shoutout and fun video! (note to self: include punching synths as part of the review)

[@SonicVibe]

Lol

[@trevormiddleton]

Takes me back to 1977. I was a 17 year old, working-class punk (as in I was into the Sex Pistols and The Clash) surrounded by nice rich kids on a Music performance course in Nottingham, UK. I'd played around with an ARP Odyssey (not mine), and seen Brian Eno use a VCS3 with Roxy Music. I knew the college had the VCS3's little brother, the Synthi AKS, in a cupboard(!), and it only came out for the college 'jazz' band (think sub-Weather Report) to make farting noises with it. Try as I might, I couldn't get them to let me take it out of the cupboard to process the tape loops I was playing around with at the time (think Steve Reich). If you're looking for a price comparison, $3000 for the SYNTRX looks positively bargain basement compared to the $30000 I've seen examples of the Synthi AKS go for on eBay.

[@ianhill5074]

While I'm in no place to afford a Syntrx, this video has inspired me to sit down with the stuff I already have and just get absolutely weird with it, so thank you Benn. Also I don't route external audio through synth filters enough, I'm clearly missing out

[@jameswooster4250]

I totally agree. I have a matrix brute and a Dave smith pro 2 and have never put audio into them. now I really want to see what can happen.

[@newkfromrotterdam]

or in my case.. use a VCS3 clone VST and try to apply some of the tricks here onto that :3 (i friggin love The Putney... but cannot afford one in any forseen time)

[@ianhill5074]

From what I have heard from VST emulations of the Synthi, they seem as close as you can get without the real thing, minus being able to punch them lol

[@0Fdigital]

@@ianhill5074 there's a Reaktor patch from many years ago that sounds pretty similar. I compared it to an original AKS and I can't remember which recording is which :P

[@grrggrrg4805]

I'm glad we're getting more EMS VCS3 type hardware coming out. Gives me some hope of someday being able to afford one.

[@graxjpg]

Right? Between gong, Klaus Schulze, and hawkwind, I must have at least one.

[@vinylarchaeologist]

4:25 Emperor’s new... trapezoid?

[@insektgod]

R.I.P. Peter Zinovieff (EMS) 06.23.2021 The SYNTRX is sort of the future child of the EMS VCS3... Were you running the Mic output through the V.U. meter in some of the video footage? It seemed to be bouncing to your voice. If you think the SYNTRX is expensive go look at what an actual VCS3 goes for these days... $24k.

[@NickHchaos]

Oh damn, can’t believe he just died

[@tempo.rarity]

Thanks for making this rad video, I have wanted this gorgeous thing since I saw demos for it a while back. As always, you give such a fun and honest look into these instruments, it's amazing to hear just how wild or sweet it can get sometimes.

[@DmitryPuffin]

Guys from Erica make really cool stuff. They are also supporting local electronic music scene in Latvia, which makes them even cooler.

[@maggitPL]

Saw its price, yeah, I'll stick with my LYRA-8 for weird synths.

[@darkuniversesound]

+1 on the Lyra-8 😍😍🌌

[@graxjpg]

The synthi/VCS3 design will always be the one closest to my heart. Its primitive and raw sound has such a profound effect on the overall effect of hearing this synth, making it feel very organic as it manipulates my brainwaves 😆 between Tim Blake’s work in Gong, and klaus schulzes use of this kind of synth alone I have to have an analog synth with this kind of design.

[@OscarUnderdog]

Super cool video. I was just working on a video about the Roland System-100 VST which gives similar "laboratory" feelings. Thanks for making this! 🤍

[@emmaessex]

some ridiculous groove in these jams - i'd heard a lot of SYNTRX already but this was the first time i truly wanted it. damn you

[@mbessey]

It's like someone designed something specifically to appeal to me. I really shouldn't buy one of these, but it's very hard not to feel the pull. The design, and the sound, is just so...what it is. Unapologetically weird.

[@NickHchaos]

Richard D James said the same thing about his Synthi!

[@ericgorter5334]

What would it sound like if you made a big smiley face using the matrix lights?

[@chrissearle23]

I had an EMS Synthi back in the day, a wonderful machine that taught me the basics of analogue synthesis. I regret selling it because of the rise in price but for no other reason, although I loved it as an object I could not get anything musical out of it. My modular set up could run rings around it.!

[@FreezingMocha]

This thing makes the cutest sounds i have ever fuckingg heard Its like pet frequencies

[@LukeLendrum]

RIP Peter Zinovieff His legacy lives on

[@cornerliston]

Hey Ben, good to see. There's a great plugin for us EMS fans: XILS-lab XILS 4. It's even more than capable of doing all the farting, blipping and ring modulated sounds : ) It's also a dual VCS3 so you get two to play with.

[@christophertew7893]

I can’t afford a syntrx, but I do have an iPad and Apesoft’s iVCS3 app. I feel as though I can do all of this - except from thumping it of course.

[@Gerald_Daniel]

Your videos just recently landed in my feed and I'm trying to catch up watching some night by night. That SYNTRX is certainly the first, (perhaps not the last instr.) that wants to be beaten. To hit electronic devices ain''t my thing, but otherwise one certainly wouldn't trigger spring reverbs well. I know from my own experience how the latter usually sound, mostly anemic. Cool video with hot, unique, organic sounds...

[@michaelrutchik9906]

By far my favorite type of video that you make. Love it. Been messing with the iPad version of the EMS VCS3 and far from satisfying the need for such a sound generating device, it makes me crave the knobs and joystick even more. Thanks! And of course, PC has it on sale now. Damn.

[@hakonsoreide]

Did you forget to include the trapeze graphic?

[@Baegus]

Yeah that's what I thought.. Hilarious :D

[@torond6908]

Ah, some good old Benn and Gear! Love it :)

[@Manmademadman]

This is great, showing many practical applications of the SYNTRX. thanks for this! _STILL_ searching for one.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Really enjoyed your take Benn.

[@barrnycharlton8951]

Ben did you forget to add in the trapeze?

[@martti7363]

Wow getting some rad sounds out of that machine, cool video!

[@sustomusickillsyoutube]

3 minutes in and THE SHIT SLAPS

[@donaldpriola1807]

Punch modulation!!! I am in love with the Syntrx II.

[@spaceiswater6539]

W0W it sounds awesome!

[@bazeblackwood]

I've always wanted a synth I could punch (meaningfully)

[@KnzoVortex]

I think theirs plenty of meaning in simply punching your computer because you’ve ran out of CPU. Maybe you just need to see it from the right perspective ;)

[@InFamousProductions]

Hey Benn, have you kept the Syntrx? and after one year, what is your thoughts on this vs the MK II? Have you gotten it do do the same kind of stuff as in the original VCS3/Synthi? I ordered a MK II, and wonder if the original takes you to different places due to it's "limitations" great vid on it.

[@loslosbaby]

Nice vid! Most supreme crunchy and lunatic possibilities...wow, send it in a time machine to FSOL!

[@graviton9282]

Haha! YES! 👊🏼 yes! I’ve been really considering trading my black system 2 for the Syntrx. Certainly sealed this deal. Yes I could do much of the same stuff with that but I really love the interface and the unique qualities it has. Great presentation!

[@avi8r66]

As a non musician that lacks a creative soul this all sounded very broken initially, but little by little it started to make some sense... and some of it had a dr who alien stronghold deathmachine vibe.

[@tc-bladeofgrass6719]

Sounds like Chewbacca shitting out R2D2

[@TheElOcean]

Has a 3k synth... punches it multiple times lmao

[@mrsulcus674]

It's chunky, it can take it ;-)

[@tonipepperoni3424]

@@mrsulcus674 it even looks like a tank

[@nodfactor8808]

Fun video, Benn! Man I’m sure I’d enjoy exploring the Syntrx, too. Maybe some day!

[@fuccasound3897]

it,s a sort of EMS VCS3 by the looks of it?

[@udk-tutorialsbyluke8434]

Im pretty sure there are enough Vsts and FX to make "Every" possible hearable sound

[@Subtronik]

Cool machine. Sounds great.

[@JuanAMatos-zx4ub]

This sort of reminds me of the Vermona Perfourmer, but much crazier. Both incredible synths.

[@drewfinn2]

super fan of spring reverb...it’s one of the best sources of reverb imho, besides maybe “plate” ...

[@NickHchaos]

Love my Vermona DSR, best one ever.

[@DanielD.mp3]

me watching this video: i dont know what a trapeze looks like

[@FastRCToys]

It's a new Behringer Synth ???

[@carltesta]

I'd like to see you do a video review of the Madrona Labs Aalto, a lot of wild sounds can be created with that VST.

[@LucidMusicIncRecordings]

That intro… THANK YOU!

[@BigPlasticPlant]

I love your videos, love em, nice.

[@lpil]

I have the subscribe bell on and I still didn't get notified about this video. KZbin is messed up

[@sauce_aux]

Very tobacco-esque vibes coming from this box! Killer video. Love the punching drum gate 😂😂

[@davidrohr6316]

Benn, you effectively have an EMS Synthi in front of you. How did you not plug your guitar in???

[@BoardgameBaker]

Yay! Ben and gear. ❤️

[@bananermat3798]

I would love more farting experiments tbh. Great inspiration for sound design.

[@MartinRuss]

I'm intrigued that you didn't mention the VERY strong influence of the EMS VCS3 and Synthi on the SYNTRX...

[@prinzbach]

The Syntryx is amazing but the price will forever stop me from getting one sadly...

[@donadoma]

Awesome! 👍 love the syntrx..

[@Kisker]

This thing is awesome, its like a musical etch a sketch

[@slother93]

This video is screaming out for some NES Punch-Out!! sequences. Don Flamenco, perhaps? Lol. Nice review!

[@k.s.8959]

The Synthrx gives me that Analogue Solutions VOSTOK mk1 vibes :)

[@johnrichardson3297]

Hijacking it’s capabilities is paramount even seen as CV controlled joystick video on YT separate to the Syntrx

[@DerDanko]

"Tell me it is an EMS Synthi AKS inspired synthesizer without telling me it is an EMS Synthi AKS inspired synthesizer."

[@jordanzish]

How you gonna mention not aggravating our gear acquisition syndrome and Erica Synths products in the same breath with a straight face? How much are they paying you to hurt me?

[@cdwhiley]

I still hate spring reverb. The look you gave the camera confirmed it.

[@zmix]

Isn't this basically an EMS Synthi A clone?

[@johnnyvandeclit259]

Just the layout. The electronics are not the same.

[@NickHchaos]

Yes, kind of

[@Cypeqq]

It seems to be worth to buy if you have free $3k, but if you are considering price, there are much more valuable synths eg. Combo of all moogs DFAM+Mother+SUBH ..actually whatever :))

[@marc-io]

Please make a sample pack out of this thing!

[@jameswooster4250]

I look at that synth and want one so badly, but most of the sounds I hear out of it are really super noisy noises. I don't know how usable most of those wacky sounds are. I have a DSI pro 2, that can make unbelievable noise/chaos sounds as well, but can do the standard synth stuff. I would like to see one in action that is making sounds that can be used in tracks. But I still want one just because it is so cool.

[@NickHchaos]

The pro 2 can do a lot. I replaced mine with a Motas-6 to do similar things and beyond with more analog sound though, and never looked back.

[@jameswooster4250]

@@NickHchaos I'm a synth junky and never heard of it, but I'm checking it out now. thanks for the tip

[@jameswooster4250]

now I'm watching the vid from the manufacturer , it's pretty insane. I hope you make a vid of it

[@NickHchaos]

@@jameswooster4250 i did! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJfWf2isf7WIo6s

[@NickHchaos]

@@jameswooster4250 yes, it’s a 1 man company and still very unknown, I’m trying to spread the word!

[@madguy228]

i'm so sad that the machinedrum was discontinued sometime when i was in high school i think? i've wanted one for years but it's just way way way out of my price range now

[@NickHchaos]

Weird to me the price went up so much. I bought a used one from guitar center for $600 6 years ago, and some parts of it broke right away (or weren’t working), so I returned it a few days later.

[@dustcombo]

Sounds like it’s always overdriven?

[@mbessey]

I think there's a lot of drive above maybe 50% or so. You can make cleaner tones with lower output settings (I've heard them in other videos).

[@P-S-T]

Hi! Syntrx has been discontinued. What do you think about that?

[@rubenzemog]

you didnt mention EMS in the whole video, it makes it look like if the people from Erica just figured out this crazy synth by themselbes.

[@GrizzlyWang]

can anyone name other synths (eurorack included) that would allow the audio input to be selected as a modulation source :)

[@erfwtf]

Checkout envelope followers

[@wellurban]

Pretty much any Eurorack module: cv and audio are just voltage, so you can feed audio into most cv inputs if you want. But if you want to modulate with the *amplitude* of the audio rather than the audio itself, you’ll need an envelope follower as erfwtf says.

[@aswarmofdeadinsects]

Also Hainbach does some beautiful things with the Syntrx. I’d strongly suggest watching his take alongside the methodically thorough Loopop.

[@LIFECYCLEZ]

so sick!

[@slipknotboy555]

Haven't been able to make anything musical sounding? I disagree, the way you went about it definitely provided musical results. The synth(s) this is based on was used by some industrial pioneers, I believe - I get the feeling Syntrx could be useful in this application, as well, heh

[@OVXX666]

the filth is soooo good wtf

[@Ziqohth]

Are you sure that is not from the TVA?

[@markb.7478]

Those are some expensive ass fart noises

[@Eidraify]

I need to try this beast one dat, hope it wont cost 10k till then !

[@jameshasseriousedoubtsabou560]

I knew this was gonna be good before clicking the video.

[@Js18100]

@5:50 - that feedback tho

[@USRFobiwan]

Sounds very SID to me.

[@embarklife]

i just be watchng this video all the time from time to time, it sounds amazing and i dont even own any synths, so the knowledge goes completely over my head, it just sounds like poetry haha.

[@lastnamefirstname6035]

Did you really just............ punch it? 😂😂

[@NickHchaos]

For everyone here who wants an amazing sounding synth with much MORE modulation capabilities than this device, but with fully analogue sound for a MUCH lower price, check out the Motas-6. I have a large modular system and I still think it’s one of the best monosynths ever made, love mine, and I did a long video about it on my channel. It is an equally rare and guided by 1 person’s vision-except in this case it’s a brand new one rather than essentially copying a design from decades ago with some changes.

[@Unifono2012]

Missed the old intro ☺️

[@daneguitarist1]

Benn is like my cool older brother that decided to choose music instead of become a doctor in chemistry lol my bro is pretty cool but he chose the more logical path in life and way less exciting to me path lol music or death! lol

[@xaosm_os]

its not weird...its VCS3.

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

too big synth for such a small mind

[@zlippery1]

Very Chernobyl like. Great!

[@mass-1128]

Erica synths are way overprized.

[@tomladdus9264]

It has a literally punchy sound.

[@OVXX666]

sounds awesome but what tf is goin on wtf

[@WarrenPostma]

This SYNTRX at $4K on Reverb, versus buying a MatrixBrute on reverb at 2.5K --- Um. I would 10 times out of 10 go for the Matrix Brute. But this thing is its own awesome cool weird wet fart thing, for sure. Since the syntrx has NO sequencer or keyboard, this is a perfect example of why everyone should own the BeatStepPro, who likes modular or desktop-modules, or rack synths. And the real spring reverb thing is amazing. I think I'm going to play some synths through my fender twin tonight and crank it up and then give the amp a bit of a tank crash.

[@NickHchaos]

I think a Motas-6 does a lot more than a Matrixbrute, sounds better, and is much cheaper. Just add keyboard and/or sequencer of your choice.

[@WarrenPostma]

@@NickHchaos Sounds better is debatable. The matrixbrute offers a matrix modulation system similar to SYNTRX and the MOTAS-6 does not do anything like SYNTRX or Matrixbrute in that respect.

[@NickHchaos]

@@WarrenPostma no, it offers unique set of modulation for every single parameter, which neither the matrixbrute nor any analog synth in existence does. Matrix modulation has been around for a long time and already exists in many synths, notably DSI.

[@apostatatheprovost3041]

❤️✌️

[@rainergeis]

Woohoo I'm first! I like the cream color.

[@stevekirkby6570]

Reasonably horrible for the money. :)

[@inf0tr8r]

just wait for the behringer

[@russellbertolino3014]

I have won several of your videos and I do have very much respect for what you do and I know that you know how to play actual music but the stuff that is happening with that synthesizer is horrible it's garbage it's nothing but noise and I find it surprising that you would be that involved with something like that

[@BennJordan]

Read the other comments. A lot of people love this type of synth, and a lot of people hate them. People feel the same way about the DFAM. I say if you're ever in a shop that has it, give it a go. It's surprisingly fun.

[@mbessey]

@@BennJordan Wait, there are people who DON'T love the DFAM? I thought it was universally-beloved :-) I kid, but I do find myself more-interested in atonal noise generators than I ever expected to be. This sounds like exactly my kind of ridiculousness.

[@NickHchaos]

The issue is whenever you’re dealing with a synth that allows you to quickly add all types of modulation, including audio rate, you’re going to quickly end up with a gnarly possibly unusuable piece of huge frequency content that’s changing constantly unless you’re conservative and careful with what you’re doing.

[@NickHchaos]

@@mbessey i enjoyed it..but then I got a Gotharman’s Spazedrum. This thing is the most ultimate drum machine, groovebox, and crunchy sounding insane modulateable noise machine I’ve ever encountered, love it so much.

[@darkuniversesound]

This is the problem with the microscopically-tiny demographic of people who love bizarre psychedelic sounds, versus literally the entire rest of the world who want to hear lovely tones 🙄🌌