X-705
"Full set of Hammond-clone drawbars with seven percussion settings, a full drum machine that was quite impressive for the time, and an 11-preset synth with sounds like guitar, trombone, clarinet, and sax. The synth sounds were polyphonic on the top manual and monophonic on the bottom and pedals. Used by Jean-Michael Jarre. Made from '77 to '81, original price £2662." (Thanks, Les!)
Following is a review from another happy X-705 owner:
"It has full drawbars for top and bottom. It also has a string/cello synth (polyphonic), like the Elka Rhapsody, available on both manuals, as well as a "piano", and "harpsi". There are a few organ presets and synth presets (polyphonic) for the top manual, and a position where you can create your own organ sound. There is also a very cool, cheesey mono synth voice on top, with controls for filter cutoff, resonance, portamento, vibrato, attack, and release. There are a dozen presets for this, which can be modified if you press the "var" button. They range from surprisingly good imitative sounds (trumpet, etc.) to spacey things. Very Superfly. All of these elements (except organ + polysynth) can be layered for some really queasy textures! Not only is there an analog rhythm machine (presets), but also[a] fairly sophisticated auto accompaniment which follows the chords you play on the lower manual. This auto accompaniment section has it's own set of analog synth generators for "piano", "brass", "guitar", and "bass", and several modes of use. There is a spring reverb, and also release sliders for many of the sounds, including the organ, which gives a spacey sound like a plaster echo chamber. You can play bass in one octave of the lower manual, or switch to the pedalboard. There are controls for an Elkatone leslie, but the connector is incompatible with my Elkatone, sadly. So, this thing contains a poly synth, a mono synth with controls, 2 organs, 2 string machines, two clavs, two pianos, 1 manual/pedal bass, separate generators for accompaniment bass/guitar/piano/brass, and a full kit of analog drums! The inside is beautiful, with the many circuit cards neatly held into place with a clever system of braces - looks very durable. Only weak point is tab switches...
