Technics SX-WSA1R

Set it up, turn it on, and...then go find the manual to figure out how to set the midi channel! A simple task once you know the secret, but typical of this beast! I sometimes have to search about, or even dig out the manual, but it's in there somewhere. The presets, as usual, vary from crap to gorgeous, and the surprise is in where it will shine (more later). Once you've cracked the OS philosophy (as on any synth), editing is fairly straight-forward. A patch editor might help, but the large, friendly blue display can show a lot of data - sometimes too much! The manual is adequate, about average for a modern synth (i.e., not as bad as Yamaha but not as good as Emu), and sometimes you have to hunt around to find a bit of information you'ld expect to be front-and-center. Much this probably comes from Technics more limited experience with the modern synth marketplace.

A mutant form of physical modeling is the basis for sound generation on the WS1R, trading basic PM sound generation capability for sample playback and increased polyphony. The sample set is horrible raw, but was designed to feed the true PM part of the synthesis engine. It is one of the major failings of this design that Technics didn't include some capability for users to import their own samples. That feature alone would have justified the ridiculously high list price on this synth and would have made it a selling sensation rather than an evolutionary curio. The filters, modulation, effects, etc., are perfectly adequate and typical for a few year-old (by 6/2000) synth. The effects are flexible, but the reverbs will not win any prizes. There was a mythological expansion board for this synth series, but these are as common and numerous as honest politicians. If I could add samples to this thing, it would get a "20" in this catagory, and Technics would've sold a million!

Amazing and unique sounds! Mine competes with a Yamaha EX5, Korg Z1, Memorymoog, and a pile of Emu and Yamaha modules, but can stand it's own with expressive, lovely, subtle, and uniques sounds. The presets go from useless (most of the acoustic pianos sound like they're under a matress) to astonishing. The latter can be seen in unexpected places, like the squeezebox patches. Aye, Irish sailor songs tonight! As to be expected though, it can really shine in beautiful evolving soundscapes, which you'll mostly have to program yourself as the pad presets barely hint at the sonic palette and control under the hood. I've thrown this thing into the mix on everything from prog rock to alternative to techno. It doesn't tend to be front and center, but instead shimmers along with the mix nicely. Good solo patches also - goes head to head with the Z1 in this arena. But in more ambient styles of music or slower ballads, the WSA1R fills beautifully, and I love blending it with Z1 and K5000 pads for gorgeous synth stacks! But as usual, it's what you make of it. It is effectively an orphan (Technics doesn't quite seem to acknowledge it anymore) so support is very limited, user-based sites are few, and you are simply going to have to roll up your sleeves and work with this synth to tap its true sonic potential. But it is indeed worth it!

Don't know. It seems to be built like a Mack truck, and certainly hasn't given me any problem in the few months I've had it. I don't take it out live (don't take any modules), so back-up is not an issue. I have sampled some of its sounds into the EX5 for live use though.

Never dealt with them, but their web site barely acknowledges it's existance. I wouldn't expect much help from them, unfortunately. One of the joys of orphan synths, eh?

If it were lost or stolen, I'd probably keep my eyes open for another one. They pop up for sale rarely, but that's how I got mine. I really like it though, and consider the WSA1R a nice addition to my collection of synth modules. Note: it gets a big double thumbs up for the blinky-light cool factor for its lovely display! On the other hand, its user interface philosophy has to be gotten use to, and is not real intuitive. It's not a beginners synth, more like something for the sonic connoisseur who likes to explore his synth's possibilities and is prepared to deal with the orphan status.