Cherry Audio - Elka-X

Elka-X is Cherry Audio's emulation of the ELKA Synthex, the rare Italian analogue polysynth designed by Mario Maggi in the early 80s, for bright, chorused poly sounds, punchy basses and the sparkling tones made famous on Jean-Michel Jarre's records.

The architecture

The Synthex was ahead of its time. It used highly stable digitally controlled analogue oscillators and a four-pole multimode filter with 24dB/oct low-pass, 6 and 12dB/oct band-pass and 12dB/oct high-pass modes, where most rivals offered low-pass only. Add a strong analogue chorus, two-part split and layer modes and a four-track sequencer, and it was a serious instrument. Elka-X keeps all of that and expands the feature set, with up to 16 voices.

The sound

Bright, clean and present, with a chorus that makes everything shimmer. The multimode filter gives it more range than a typical 80s poly, from thin, buzzy band-pass leads to fat low-pass basses (Stevie Wonder used the last Synthex built for his bass on Skeletons). It sits nicely between the warmth of an American poly and the precision of a digital synth. Over 600 presets show off its range.

Features

• ELKA Synthex emulation
• Stable DCO-based oscillators
• Four-pole multimode filter: 24dB LP, 6 and 12dB BP, 12dB HP
• Modelled analogue chorus
• Split and layer modes
• Up to 16-voice polyphony
• Over 600 presets
• Full MIDI control and DAW automation

System requirements

• Version: 1.4.0
• Mac: macOS 10.13 or later, native on Apple Silicon. AU, VST2, VST3, AAX and standalone (64-bit)
• Windows: Windows 7 or later, including Windows 11. VST2, VST3, AAX and standalone (64-bit)
• Quad-core CPU and 8GB RAM recommended
• Internet connection needed for activation

SOUND7 is an authorised Cherry Audio reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email. See How to Activate Your Cherry Audio Plugins.

Demo