Sequential Circuits Max

The ease of use depends upon how you use the Max. It was originally supposed to be used with the Commodore 64 but it's a pain to program in that archaic way. Without any MIDI controller this is simply a preset machine. With a good MIDI controller this thing is a beast.

6 VCOs. If that doesn't get your attention perhaps you should do a little more research concerning analog synths. It has MIDI and more importantly is uses continously controlled MIDI messages, which means you can control the synth via a MIDI controller. I use the Behringer BCR2000 to control this synth and it works great. With the BCR2000 I can control 37(!) different sound parameters. For those who are counting that's way more control than a SCI Sic Trak or the beloved Prophet 600.

Another nice thing about using the Max with a MIDI controller is that the Pots won't become scratchy or need replacing (as do many pots/sliders after 20+ years).

There's also a very limited sequencer which can be fun when doing live loops and other such stuff but it is pretty limited. There's also a tape storage for saving and retrieving your own patches (which is a pain).

If you understand synths and love VCOs you really can't beat the Max.

This sounds like your typical SCI instrument. If memory serves me correctly it uses the same architechture as the Six Trak. If you like SCI's sounds this is a perfect example. It is an older analog synth so don't be expecting a lot of proverbial "bells and whistles" (i.e. realistic piano sounds, weighted keys, etc.).

With a decent MIDI controller I have absolute faith in this synth. In fact, when I have friends come over this is the synth I let them play with because it is so hard to damage.

Customer Support?

If you can find this synth for $200 or less you'd be a fool not to invest in it. Amazing SCI sounds and potentially more controllable parameters than the Six Trax or P600.

I've been making electronic(ish) music for over 15 years. I own a Juno 106, Juno 60, Korg K2, SCI Max, Roland XP-80, and much much more. this is probbly one of the most overlooked synths out there (which is why I'm writing this review). An amazing synth with lots of potential control and 6 VCOs.

If I saw another Max cheap I would buy it. This synth should get way more respect than it does and I think any individual who really understands analog synths will appreciate this.

If you are looking for an "all-in-one" synth than you shouldlook elsewhere. If you're looking for an SCI synth for cheap, look no further.

Well...after reading the only review of this synth I feel obligated to provide the world with information that is not known about this synth. 1) Its all analog. It uses CEM3394 chips. It has six of these, one per voice. It uses a Z80 computer chip to control the CEM3394's and other functions. 2) It has NO knobs, sliders, or other stuff that allows you to control the parameters like TUNE, PWM, CUTOFF, RESONANCE...etc. BUT, a VERY VERY BIG BUT, it has MIDI!!!!!!!! So what does that mean???? Well, you can use ANY OTHER MIDI device that does have knobs, sliders etc to control the MAX's parameters. This includes a computer (sequencer or the MAX editor for the Apple MAC), another synth that sends messages via MIDI, or a control box like the ones from Kenton, Phil Rees, Doepfer, or even the MIDIBOX64.

The easiest is the FREE editor for the MAC. It works great on any pre OSX Mac.

So, while the synth itself is not easy to use, with an editor, you have an easy to use TRUE SIX VOICE ANALOG synth for about $100.00USD.

Its got six ANALOG voices. Each voice can be set to a DIFFERENT patch. Its very flexible. So its really multi-timbral as well. As I stated, it has full MIDI implementation. The patch memory is very limited. But if you use a computer to edit it or the MIDIBOX64 with a memory stick, you can load patches via MIDI and storage is not an issue.

Most of the preset patches suck. Most synths' presets suck. Once you start turning knobs through an editor, the synth comes alive. It sounds on par with my Juno 60. Its great for spacey evolving sounds, bass, and tricked out mutant leads.

As I stated before its multi-trimbral, but you can also "stack" the patches so all voices have the same patch on the same MIDI channel. This produces a very thick/loud sound.

I wouldn't say that this synth is better than most more expenisve polyphonic analogs, but its miles above most "virtual analogs". I like the sounds better than the Roland JP8000/8080, the Nords, the Korg stuff, even the Waldorfs. It has "that" analog richness in harmonics.

I often run this synth through an external filter (MS20 clone or Moog clone filter) and old effects pedals. It sounds great.

So far...so good.

Wine Country is the only place I know of to get info. Lucky for me mine came with schematics. I was able to pick up a few extra CEM3394 chips off of EBAY. If the Z80 ever goes or the memory goes....well you're going to have to chuck it, but before you do, save the CEM3394's. They are easy to remove as they are in sockets. But you can always buy another one for $100.00

Its worth $100 and a free download to check these guys out. I think this is THE MOST UNDERATED SYNTH EVER. Use the money you save to buy an old ANALOG DELAY and slap it on the output of this baby and make some music. It'll be like making your own eiree soundtracks to movies...

There is virtually nothing that can go wrong with this machine unless you spill hot coffee on it AND drop it on a concrete floor before kicking it out a window and even then it's probably too stubbornly simple to stop working.

49, non-anything keys. NO performance wheels. 6 voice/6 part multitimbral (mono voiced only). Responds to velocity and patch changes over MIDI. 80 presets/20 RAM (volatile); cassette interface; 500 note, two-song sequencer. MIDI In/Out. Mono (?).

Do not be confused. This is not the stampeding analog juggernaut sound of the Prophet 5 and T8. This is the not-bad single-oscillator sound of the Split-8, Six-Trak, and Multi-Track.
Does this mean it sucks? Nope. Whoever programmed the Max gave it their best shot and there's some useful pads, leads, and wacky effects onboard.

The buttons are rubber so they can't break off (though you could try and jam them IN). It is not rock-solidly built; more plastic than anything else, but there's so little there to mess with that you'd have to WANT to hurt it to hurt it.
The chips are getting hard to come by, though.

Sequential stopped answering its phones long ago.

More slab than keyboard with almost no way to download new sounds into those 20 RAM slots unless your Editor/Librarian happens to support it (Sequential once made a C/64 E/L for the Max, which gives you some idea of how ancient this thing is).
RAM (sic) sounds and any of the possible tiny sequences you record vanish whenever you turn the Max off, so it's best to just consider this an 80-voice, analog playback machine.
Would I buy another one? Never. Though I might consider one of its more capable cousins like a Split-8.