Elka-X is a virtual analog synthesizer plugin by Cherry Audio, modeled on the Italian Synthex from the early eighties. It adds 16-voice polyphony, unison and mono modes, and expanded modulation.
Elka-X is built around the character of the Synthex, a rare analog synth designed by Mario Maggi and made by ELKA. Cherry Audio based the plugin on its DCOs, multimode filter and chorus, then extended the feature set for modern studios. Producers get two-part multitimbral operation, a step sequencer, an arpeggiator and studio effects, along with over 600 presets included with the plugin.
Elka-X uses two DCO oscillators with triangle, sawtooth, square and variable pulse waveforms, each with independent tuning. Both oscillators support PWM cross modulation and ring modulation, and a white or pink noise generator is available.
The filter is a CEM3320-style multimode design. It offers 12 or 24 dB/oct lowpass, 6 or 12 dB/oct bandpass, and 12 dB/oct highpass modes, so you can shape the tone in ways the original hardware made famous.
The two sound layers can be played as a keyboard split or stacked layer, with a user-specified split point and separate volume and panning controls. A utility function exchanges settings between layers or between presets.
LFO 1 offers six waveforms, and LFO 2 is a performance section intended for pitch and mod wheel control. Both LFOs can sync to tempo. The step sequencer has four monophonic tracks of up to 128 steps each, and an arpeggiator with tempo sync can be assigned to either layer.
Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.
| Developer | Cherry Audio |
|---|---|
| Type | Plugin |
| Category | Synth |
| Formats | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
Elka-X is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX and Standalone formats.
Elka-X runs on Windows 7 or later, including Windows 11, and on macOS 10.13 or later, including macOS 13 Ventura and Apple M1 processors. Both require 64-bit and 8GB of RAM recommended.
Elka-X is modeled on the Synthex, a rare Italian analog synthesizer designed by Mario Maggi and manufactured by ELKA in the early eighties.
Yes. Elka-X includes over 600 presets created by a group of sound design veterans.
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