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Elektron SidStation

The Elektron SidStation is a musical synthesizer sound module, built around the MOS Technology SID mixed-mode synthesizer chip originally used in the Commodore 64 home computer. It was produced by the Swedish synthesizer company Elektron, and was introduced in 1999. As the SID chip had not been manufactured for years, Elektron allegedly bought up nearly all the remaining stock.

SidStation
SidStation, standard model
ManufacturerElektron
Dates1999 - 2006
PriceUS$950
Technical specifications
Polyphony1 or 3
TimbralityMonotimbral
Oscillator3
LFO4
Synthesis typeSubtractive
Filter1 (analog)
Input/output
Keyboardnumeric keypad
Left-hand control4x realtime rotaries
External controlMIDI

The company built the SidStation until 2003, when their initial supply of SID chips ran out. The last 100 units sold, the Final 100 Edition, were laser etched with a number on the front panel's bottom-left corner and sold in descending order from 100 to 1. In March 2005, Elektron claimed to have encountered an additional supply of 100 SID chips and produced 100 SidStation units, selling them for 920, USD $950, or SEK 8200 each.

In late 2006, Elektron claimed that "100 became 200", and the prices were raised once again. This marks the third time that an additional 100 chips were being produced, each time claiming to be the "final run". This (and the fact that some aftermarket clones of original SID chips exist)[citation needed] has raised skepticism as to how scarce the supply actually is, and which run is actually the final run. However, since January 18, 2007 no new SidStations have been shipped. [citation needed]

As SidStations were manufactured, the company kept the price in relation to the demand, meaning that the initial SidStations were fairly cheap and later on, when the device was more sought-after, the price increased.

The appearance of the SidStation is retro and features a small LCD-display where the sound editing is done, four assignable knobs, a keypad and a controller wheel.

Different models of SidStations edit

Besides the standard grey model of SidStation, two other models exist. The beta models of SidStations used by Elektron and their beta testers had a shining red color. Around twelve red units were made and approximately half of them were sold to early customers and beta-test partners. Some of these partners sold their units at a later time giving a handful of metallic red SidStations being owned by private people. Besides the color, these beta machines had a slightly more aggressive character due to some voltages running higher in the filter section, as well as certain beta-testing modes and the ability to upgrade the firmware to a greater extent.

Elektron also sold fifty black SidStation units, which had black aluminum casing and blue LEDs, contrary to the original green ones, called the Ninja Edition. This model also came with a different set of sound patches. There is also a blue SidStation that was made as a one off, by Elektron, for a walk in customer that just happened to see the blue shell sitting unused on the shelf [1].

Sound of the SidStation edit

The sound of SidStation is, of course, very similar to that of the original Commodore 64. The SID chip is well known for being noisy. By design, the oscillators never stop outputting signal—even while not in use. It's this flaw, however, that is part of the character and sound of the SID chip.

Most SidStations contain the 6581 R4AR incarnation of the SID chip. This version is considered the best trade-off between sound, stability and conformity (which is a big deal concerning the SID chip, since they tend to sound different from unit to unit).

The SidStation is capable of producing all the waveforms of the C64, Triangle, Saw, Pulse, Mix (which is a mix between Saw and Pulse) and variable Noise. Besides this is the synth, a 4-part LFO-modulation system which can be used with Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass and various combinations of these filters (including a Notchfilter). All of these are controllable by the four knobs on top of the SidStation.

Technical specifications edit

  • MOS6581 SID-synthesis
  • Brushed aluminium casing
  • Alphanumeric backlit 2x16 LCD display
  • MIDI 3*DIN5P In/Out/Thru
  • 1/4" line level audio out
  • 1/4" line level audio in (routed through SID-filter)
  • Dimensions: 240W x 70H x 200D [mm]
  • Powerful and user-friendly SidStation OS
  • Three oscillators, phase accumulation synthesis
  • All oscillators syncable (ringmodulation and synchronization)
  • Sweepable pulsewidth modulation
  • Resonant multi-mode analogue filter
  • Portamento, individual for all oscillators
  • Variable interval-independent portamento time
  • Unique wavetable function in form of 3-track mini-sequencer
  • Flexible 4-part LFO modulation system
  • Extensive MIDI support

Artists that use SidStations edit

Further reading edit

  • "Elektron SidStation". Future Music. February 2000. ISSN 0967-0378. OCLC 1032779031.

External links edit

  • SidStation homepage 2004-06-12 at the Wayback Machine
  • Elektron homepage
  • SidStation at vintagesynth.com
  • ucapps
  • Dedicated to the Sidstation: pictures and sounds demo

elektron, sidstation, musical, synthesizer, sound, module, built, around, technology, mixed, mode, synthesizer, chip, originally, used, commodore, home, computer, produced, swedish, synthesizer, company, elektron, introduced, 1999, chip, been, manufactured, ye. The Elektron SidStation is a musical synthesizer sound module built around the MOS Technology SID mixed mode synthesizer chip originally used in the Commodore 64 home computer It was produced by the Swedish synthesizer company Elektron and was introduced in 1999 As the SID chip had not been manufactured for years Elektron allegedly bought up nearly all the remaining stock SidStationSidStation standard modelManufacturerElektronDates1999 2006PriceUS 950Technical specificationsPolyphony1 or 3TimbralityMonotimbralOscillator3LFO4Synthesis typeSubtractiveFilter1 analog Input outputKeyboardnumeric keypadLeft hand control4x realtime rotariesExternal controlMIDI The company built the SidStation until 2003 when their initial supply of SID chips ran out The last 100 units sold the Final 100 Edition were laser etched with a number on the front panel s bottom left corner and sold in descending order from 100 to 1 In March 2005 Elektron claimed to have encountered an additional supply of 100 SID chips and produced 100 SidStation units selling them for 920 USD 950 or SEK 8200 each In late 2006 Elektron claimed that 100 became 200 and the prices were raised once again This marks the third time that an additional 100 chips were being produced each time claiming to be the final run This and the fact that some aftermarket clones of original SID chips exist citation needed has raised skepticism as to how scarce the supply actually is and which run is actually the final run However since January 18 2007 no new SidStations have been shipped citation needed As SidStations were manufactured the company kept the price in relation to the demand meaning that the initial SidStations were fairly cheap and later on when the device was more sought after the price increased The appearance of the SidStation is retro and features a small LCD display where the sound editing is done four assignable knobs a keypad and a controller wheel Contents 1 Different models of SidStations 2 Sound of the SidStation 3 Technical specifications 4 Artists that use SidStations 5 Further reading 6 External linksDifferent models of SidStations editBesides the standard grey model of SidStation two other models exist The beta models of SidStations used by Elektron and their beta testers had a shining red color Around twelve red units were made and approximately half of them were sold to early customers and beta test partners Some of these partners sold their units at a later time giving a handful of metallic red SidStations being owned by private people Besides the color these beta machines had a slightly more aggressive character due to some voltages running higher in the filter section as well as certain beta testing modes and the ability to upgrade the firmware to a greater extent Elektron also sold fifty black SidStation units which had black aluminum casing and blue LEDs contrary to the original green ones called the Ninja Edition This model also came with a different set of sound patches There is also a blue SidStation that was made as a one off by Elektron for a walk in customer that just happened to see the blue shell sitting unused on the shelf 1 Sound of the SidStation editThe sound of SidStation is of course very similar to that of the original Commodore 64 The SID chip is well known for being noisy By design the oscillators never stop outputting signal even while not in use It s this flaw however that is part of the character and sound of the SID chip Most SidStations contain the 6581 R4AR incarnation of the SID chip This version is considered the best trade off between sound stability and conformity which is a big deal concerning the SID chip since they tend to sound different from unit to unit The SidStation is capable of producing all the waveforms of the C64 Triangle Saw Pulse Mix which is a mix between Saw and Pulse and variable Noise Besides this is the synth a 4 part LFO modulation system which can be used with Lowpass Highpass Bandpass and various combinations of these filters including a Notchfilter All of these are controllable by the four knobs on top of the SidStation Technical specifications editMOS6581 SID synthesis Brushed aluminium casing Alphanumeric backlit 2x16 LCD display MIDI 3 DIN5P In Out Thru 1 4 line level audio out 1 4 line level audio in routed through SID filter Dimensions 240W x 70H x 200D mm Powerful and user friendly SidStation OS Three oscillators phase accumulation synthesis All oscillators syncable ringmodulation and synchronization Sweepable pulsewidth modulation Resonant multi mode analogue filter Portamento individual for all oscillators Variable interval independent portamento time Unique wavetable function in form of 3 track mini sequencer Flexible 4 part LFO modulation system Extensive MIDI supportArtists that use SidStations editAutechre Machinae Supremacy Daft Punk Freezepop Zombie Nation The Prodigy KMFDM 8 Bit Weapon Mr Pacman Timbaland Tarmvred Trent Reznor RedOne Carbon Based Lifeforms Kim Hiorthoy Jaga Jazzist Apoptygma Berzerk Depeche Mode Code 64 Thermostatic Linkin Park Robyn SidStation shown in the video for Hang With Me David Guetta Benny Benassi Big Bang Girls Generation SNSD Psy Kara Han Jae Ho Tsunku Crystal Castles Broadcast Susanne SundforFurther reading edit Elektron SidStation Future Music February 2000 ISSN 0967 0378 OCLC 1032779031 External links editSidStation homepage Archived 2004 06 12 at the Wayback Machine Elektron homepage Press release by Elektron announcing the 2005 SidStations SidStation at vintagesynth com ucapps Dedicated to the Sidstation pictures and sounds demo Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Elektron SidStation amp oldid 1146511492, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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