Oberheim Matrix 1000

The presets are kinda good, but the best have already been used by all kinds of artists. Expect some heavy dudy synth sounds when using the midi-editor. It works fine,

THe oberheim doesnt have a lot of features, but as i said before, dont sleep on the midieditor.

Ohhhhh these sounds are so sweet, warm but yet fat. THe string pad sounds are realy that Oberheim sound you would expect from the more expensive OB's(Xpander OBXa OB8 etc). Dont expect solid basslines from this synth, this synth is especialy suitable for midrange sounds.
But it always fits in the mix, ive never used a lot of equing to fit the matrix sounds in my productions.

Never had any problems, it feels solid and it is solid

I would absolutely buy it again when i lost it, the Matrix turned out to be one of my favourite synths next to my prophet vs and Jupiter 8.
THe Matrix is a very nice decent synth, and for the money its the best synth by far in that price range. But keep in mind that it is not realy capable of good bass sounds

Plug and play; it's an old, early-MIDI period rackmount synth. If you want to edit your old sounds, you'll need to do it via a PC/MAC and some software. You also can't edit on the fly unless you assign a MIDI controller to what you want to do, but again, this is a simple synth.

Only 6 voices and 6-note polyphony, but hey, it's an older synth. If you're reading this, you know that you're not buying a new 64-voice polyphonic wundersynth. The MIDI implementation is sparse, and you can only use 1 patch at a time. This was designed before bank select was implemented in MIDI, so doing things like switching patches isn't as easy as modern synths - but again, who cares? It still works in a MIDI rig; you just have to know its limitations.

If you like that Oberheim sound, this is one of the most affordable ways to get "those" sounds. In terms of bang for the buck, this synth definitely has it. 200 user programmable patches (filled with system defaults to start with) and 800 pre-programmed sounds, some of which are good, others which are not as good. A few years ago, I owned a MIDIfied OB-XA, and while this isn't 100% that (let's face it, the OB-X and OB-XA are what they are), this is pretty darn close. I am using it in a Rush tribute band, and programmed that "Tom Sawyer" sweep sound/growl and it has the "Subdivisions"/Van Halen "Jump" sound as a Preset (220) ... and the Styx "Too Much Time on My Hands" bass sound among others. I love this thing.

I got it used, it's from the late 80s, and still is great. I put it in my rack and it just works. I don't anticipate any problems.

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If you're looking for an affordable Obie, this is it. Better than the Matrix 6s if you ask me (although the M6 series is programmable without needing software; you can do it via the synth) in both form factor and such, you can't go wrong with this one. I also use a Roland JV-1010 with the Vintage Synth expansion board, and as good as that sounds for some things (i.e. patch 16 for the "Subdivisions" sound or the custom "TS" sweep sound I made), this thing blows it away for those Obie-based sounds. Even sampled, nothing sounds like an Oberheim other than an Oberheim. You can't beat the cost to value ratio of the Matrix 1000 ... for $300 you can get a real MIDI analog synth that sounds as good as it should. It's a shame Gibson (who now owns the Oberheim name) didn't take the M1000 when they re-released it, up the MIDI spec, and then maybe add in a few other features to make an affordable rackmount analog synth. OH well. Buy this if you are even considering it. You won't be sorry.

Its extremly easy to use - just plug and play one of 1000 presets

Just 6 DCO, but enough for most tasks. Theres a mode called Midi-overflow, so u can use a bunch of them and have a 32 voices mega Matrix!!

Its warm, its analogue. And two oscillators on every voice.

It works like a clock. But I had to glue the plastic cover on the display once. The transformator is a little bit to noicy

Oberheim is no longer

If I'll see one for sale (they use to be quit cheap)I will buy that one and use for Midi-overflow mode.

If you just want to plugg in and play, there's 1000 redy-made presets to choose from. However if you want to edit the sounds, you will have to get a editor program. There are several but most of them don't cover all of the functions. I use x-or that which does.
Maybe not really for the very beginner, but if you have patiens with this rather complex synth, you will bee greatly rewarded.

A sigle rack unit module. 6 note polyphony, two MX 1000 can be linked and form a 12 voice stereo instrument. 1000 sounds to begin with.

This is by any mean the strongest side of this synth. Incredible frequenzy range!!!! It's able to go up to 20 000 hz and beyond, what other synth can? Great and complex modulating abillities. extraordenary sound quality. Wery well for any kind of analouge sound.
warm and bright at the same time. I realy rekomend you to get this one, instead of some pathetic physical modeling-crap. Compared to each other this one cuts the balls of any, however expensive physical modeling-machine.

I had mine for ten years and i have never experienced any kind of problem. Nor in the studio or live.

None, but don't panic. You will propably never need it any way.

Deffenitly value for money. One of my favourites. ther's always somthing new to explore in this little baby.

There are some excellent reviews down below, so I'll be brief. As far as the 1000 presets go, it couldn't be easier. Sounds are not organized in banks with any particular logic, so be prepared to write down which patches fit you best.

Great OB sounds at the touch of a button. If you want to expand it, 2 units can be linked to expand 6-voice polyphony to 12-voice. If you have the time and techno-philia to design sounds, patches can be edited via computer.

True OB sounds like these are unique (you either love them or don't) and I've never found any really good emulations. Great for pads, leads, and bass. Not many folks have the cash for a Matrix or Expander, which are hella-complex to program anyways. The best buy for true analog synth sounds.

Solid. Rock solid. Great analog sounds without the repair bills. I wish I could say the same about some of my other gear.

Not a chance, but you won't need it.

One of my favorite units. Buy one if you want true OB sounds. Nothing else compares at this price. By the way, 1000 patches is no joke. It can easily take 8 hours just to listen to all the presets. Incredible value for the money.

This synth has a very complex structure, but only editable via an extrenal editor. That makes programming the synth a tough job to do, but there are some pretty good programs out there (ob6000) wich make the job somewhat easier. As for the front pannel, it's only possible to do some fine tune, unison on/off and bank locks etc. No actual waveform/filter etc. editting. That's too bad.

Well it totally lacks on sufficient polyphony. 6 voices is (in my case) way not enough. You can make some tiny chords with it though, but it's preferrable to hook up another matrix for 12 voice polyphony. The oberheim has no inbuild fx at all, no sequencer nor expesion capabillity (as far as I know).
But the internal matrix is a great feature. You have allmost unlimited routing capabillities of the internal mod-sources and destinations. You will need an external editor for this too though.

This synth is really awesome for ambient music. The bass, pads and leads are just beautifull, the filter is a bit weird though, the resonance has a pretty strange character as it starts to make sort of FM-flanges when fully opened. But overall, it's a very flexible and complex synth with lot's of capabillities

Hard as a rock, solid metall, indistructable. In other words: In the 15 years It's been used, it never broke down on me...

This is bad, they don't even have a site. No support at all, but then again. Who needs any? It just won't break down.

I would definetly buy it again if it where lost or stolen. It's a very important add to my style and studio setup. Some sounds on this synth are irreplacable by other synths, it's a unique piece of gear..

Presets are useful and very clean. Editing patches is a nightmare. I am yet to find an editor that works. Email me if you kind one. The power is there to make KILLER patches, but you need software to do it, or an absolute passion for sysex editing.

Hey, all it is is a box of presets. The modulation matrix rocks. You can make it do what you want if you can program it.

This box isn't for "real" sounds. It is suited for electronic music. It can be set up to use velocity and aftertouch, pedals, levers, etc.

Solid as a rock. Would gig with no backup.

Gibson owns Oberheim and they don't care about the Oberheim customer. DO NOT count on getting ANY support from the company.

If it were lost or stolen, I would replace it. I have had it for 2 years or so. It's programming capabilities, like I said, are there, but diffcult to work with. I wish it had editing capabilities on the front panel. If you want that, get a Matrix 6R. This box absolutely rocks!

Well, you can't really get into the guts of the M1k w/out some external help, so it is quite simple to use as is. I have made my own Editor in Cubase, if anyone is interested in it email me... It's for the mac. The only thing i couldn't figure out how to get to was the matrix modulations, which, unfortunatley is the sweet part of this beast.. but the editor i set up controls everything else. The manual is very easy to understand, as has already been said.

Midi capacity is pretty good, but i notice when you change sysex parameters, it sort of freazes for a second or two, kind of bothersome when editing a sound, but i have a homemade editor, so, could be my fault. The filters are great and oberheim-ish. I like the ability to set pulse-width, adds flavor. It's a real analog, and for what it is, it has good features.

Very nice to my ears, i am using it almost exclusively as a bass machine lately, but the strings and pads are pure heaven.. It does a decent sync, and can do some wild fx, leads, brass, heck it all sounds good.. if you can program it, there is not a patch that you could complain about.. 200 user patches, thats plenty for me. (plus the 800 rom patches.. phew!)

Not had it that long, but it is built like a tank.. all metal..

Don't think it exists.. does it?

I use a matrix editor for PC. Although I don't have a manual for it, so it is still guessing how it works
-There is a 1000 presets (wow!). Indeed, a lot of them suck big time, but there is plenty of good ones. Very good are: strings, synth brass types, bass, and some cool analog filter sweeps. Also, there is one very good electronic piano (surprisingly). In unison ('nuclear mode' according to the manual, the presets sound really fat.
It is a true analog sound, some presets sound like the juno 106, others are more typical oberheim (like the OB-X sounds).
The manual is easy and clear. Funny comment in the manual: "if something doesn't sound good, you are probably not playing it right".
Patches cannot be edited from the module. That's why I use the PC software editor.

It has polyphony (6), just barely enough
it's a rack mounted module. My Roland masterkeyboard triggers it almost perfectly.
No inboard effects. You need to add some external delay,etc.
No expansion capabilities, however, you can hook up up to 6 MAtrixes to work as one Mega-synth.
Midi: it can be triggered by pressure sensitivity (not on all sounds) and sustain (not on all sounds) and probably aftertouch too.
No sequencer on board

Only the strings are somewhat realistic. There rest is analogue fun. No imitation of real instruments.
It works perfect for 80-ies rock & Pop: Van Halen, Rush-like sounds. Or Depeche mode, talk talk, etc. Also, it works for dance, there are a few real techno sounds and fat basses/
It reacts to playing fine, but not on all presets.
Velocity is only active on certain presets

Never had any problems. A lot more reliable than the old analogs

dont know

yes I would buy it again. It is a very good analog synth, easy to use, responds fine to midi, and for a reasonable price.
I have been playing it for a year now. I also own a Akai S950 sampler, a korg X5DR FM-module, A Yamaha PSR16Q workstation, A Roland A33 Mastercontroller.

I love the sound of the Oberheim. I hate some presets that don't respond to sustain/velocity. I hate the fact thereis no patch editing

This is an addendum to my review (since I can't edit the review).
One of the limitations I mentioned with the Matrix 1000 was that I could not get it to respond to sustain pedal messages.
I went home, cracked open the manual and fired up the editor and finally discovered how to do it.
See Blackstone Hamilton's review of the Matrix 6, he is very right in reminding you that the Matrix series are really MODULAR synths.
My problem was that I was looking for a "sustain pedal" switch or similar parameter, which I could not find.
What you have to do is to scroll down to the Matrix Modulation assignments and route controller 64 to the Oscillator release for both oscillators (note doing this requires using two modulation routings), and then turn up the value for the modulation.
This worked like a charm - instant sustain pedal compability.
Having done that, I messed around a little and discovered why most of the patches don't have a routing for this - with only 6 voices it's real easy to run out when holding the pedal down. Notes cut off and it doesn't sound very pretty.
Another thing that I discovered is that unlike the sustain pedal, there is a portamento switch. Just engaging this does not work though, you have to go down to the matrix mod section, and route portamento to the oscillator pitch (again requires two separate routings).
If you are doing editing with this synth, I highly recommend finding a sound you like, loading it in the editor, and looking at the Matrix modulation routings to see how the sound is modified.
It is really informative, rather than just trying to do it from scratch.
Sorry for the addendum, I really should have figured this out before I made the posting.