KORG X-911
This is an analog box and an incredible sound mangler from the Korg MS series dynasty. Basically it's a pitch to CV oriented synth with some "preset" sounds on one side and a synth section on the other that can be set up as a tracking VCO or external processor. The preset sounds are surprisingly interesting and each has one dedicated knob (Tone or in the case of the violin, attack). You can turn on each individually nad/or stack any combination of sounds (Tuba, Flute, and Dist Guitar are nice together IMO). The Synth side is basically a processor. Autowah, envelope follower stuff, waveform distortion and more are available. There are various wave settings for the VCF and agaiun each has one dedicated knob for tweaks (usually attach or decay). It has the MS20 Lowpass filter (w/cutoff knob) You can also detune the presets from the VCO to make pseudo stringz and such (very Adrian Belewish). Again this can be set to track with senstivity via the synthwah or a separate velocity switch. There are various settings for input to adapt tracking from guitar to synth to theremin or whatever. Of course this is all relative as all these units glitch like crazy unless you set them up *exactly* right. Running a drumloop into it will make the most wonderous mistracking and rhythmic shrieks you've ever heard. Add the portamento or screw with the tune knobs and it get's very twisted. The CV/Gate in tracks perfectly which makes this a great simple monosynth as well if you have a midi->CV convertor that runs Htz/vt. The unti has a lot of flexibility but excels at thin reedy type sounds. I would say it's not very "phat" like a Pulse or Pro One but sounds more like a Roland X0Xish thing with some HPF on. Because you can stack the prests and combine the synth side you can get some very nasty, raspy tones or if you're dedicated you can even get some nice round tones out of it. The unit is small (about a foot long and 8" or so wide) and weighs a couple pound so it's idea for live gigs or sitting next to a drum machine or mixing board in the studio. Overall I'd say it's one of the more unique quirky things out there. I've listed the in/outs below so you can get an idea of how this can be interfaced as well. All 1/4" jacks on back: CV in and out (Htz/Vt Trigger in and out VCF in FM in Front 1/4": Input Dry output Output Hold One or two others .
Accompany Yourself on Lead Guitar. The More Versatile Guitarist's Synthesizer.
Although designed essentially as a guitar synthesizer, this compact, versatile unit can also derive a control signal from trumpet, saxophone, and other instruments. Until now, guitar synthesizers have had a reputation for misoperation and an inability to take full advantage of the guitar's expressive potential.
In contrast, the Korg X-911 is as easy to use as any effects device, yet will produce extremely complex sonic variations. No special guitar pickup is required. Merely patch your guitar, microphone, or other instrument into the X-911 and play one note at a time.
Simple pushbuttons on the front panel let you choose five different instrumental sounds including bass, trumpet, and flute, along with five synthesizer waveforms which can be varied freely to get a wide variety of different effects. Any or all of these may be mixed together to produce 2047 different tone color combinations.
Also, you can use a foot switch to instantly raise or lower the X-911's pitch an octave above or below the guitar pitch. Or you can play in unison with yourself with two lead lines a third or fifth apart. Footswitches can also be used for instant witching on or off of such effects as portamento and hold. There are even rear panel jacks for interfacing with other synthesizers such as the compact Korg MS-series to add even greater sound synthesis capability.
