Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bds beta 6/6/85; site pucc-h
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!pucc-j!pucc-h!ach
From: ach@pucc-h (Stephen Uitti)
Newsgroups: net.music.synth
Subject: Re: Oberheim Matrix 6
Message-ID: <2714@pucc-h>
Date: Wed, 19-Mar-86 12:42:25 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-h.2714
Posted: Wed Mar 19 12:42:25 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Mar-86 04:17:44 EST
References: <157@rtech.UUCP>
Reply-To: ach@pucc-h.UUCP (Stephen Uitti)
Distribution: net
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 36

In article <157@rtech.UUCP> markh@rtech.UUCP writes:
>anyone out there own an oberheim matrix 6? i am dangerously
>close to buying one of these gizmos, and would like to hear
>any opinions...
>mark hanner
>markh@rtech.ARPA
>..ucbvax!mtxinu!rtech!markh
>		"there is a motorcycle in new mexico." -r.brautigan


	There is a review of the Matrix 6 in a Keyboard Magazine (It
couldn't have been more than 2 or 3 months ago).
	(The Keyboard reviews are the best.  They generally require
several readings, due to the amount of info-per-word ratios.)
	I have a Matrix-12, which is pretty awesome.  (It's
incredible, even when compared to my Sequential Circuits Prophet T-8
and Yamaha DX-7.)  The Matrix-6 is missing some of the sound making
versatility stuff from the Xpander.  The Keyboard review talks about
this.  It didn't sound like it's missing too much.  One thing that
I'd miss is that you can't do differant patches on each voice.  It
also doesn't have as many buttons, etc.  as the Xpander/Matrix-12,
so the user interface becomes more tedious (but probably not any
worse than, say a DX-7).  Still, it's less expensive (like the
review says, this has been one the big reasons people stopped buying
modular equipement) and pretty versatile.
	One bias to be aware of:  it's typical to compare the
Matrix-6 with the Xpander/Matrix-12.  True, these are "big sisters
(brothers?)" to the six, but it's hardly a fair comparison.  You end
up hearing only about what it doesn't have.  These are mostly
features only found on the Xpander/Matrix-12.  My Prophet T-8 won't
hold up too well against a Matrix-12 (feature for feature) either.
Yet I still use the T-8's keyboard almost exclusivly.
	The only other thing I've got to say is that I like the
interactions I've had with Oberhiem.  I sent them a bug report for
a minor Matrix-12 bug, and recieved a prompt, courteous reply.
	Stephen Uitti, ach@pucc-h