Analog Guitar Synthesizer
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Electro-harmonix Micro synthesizer Good conditions with adapterCertainly one of the most unusual devices made for guitarists is the Electro-Harmonix Micro Synthesizer. An all-analog design, the Micro Synthesizer boasts the ability to provide the great older analog synthesizer sounds made famous by Moog, Avitar, Art and by using a guitar instead of a keyboard as the input device. Listen to Pink Floyd from the "Dark Side of the Moon" era or recall the theme music from Doctor Who and you’ll get the idea of the analog synthesizer sound. What a trip the Micro Synthesizer offers with sounds that can be explored for a new generation of players. It’s no wonder that newer bands such as Smashing Pumkins, Beck, and Moby have incorporated the Micro Synthesizer into their own palette of creative sonic tools.FEATURESThe Micro Synthesizer’s operation and features look simple enough, with ten slider controls featuring four independent voices, one input and one output jack, effect on/off footswitch and power on/off switch. Effective use of the slider controls is of course the key to unlocking the myriad number of sounds from the Micro Synthesizer. The first group of sliders are for the overall "mix" of the voices, from the standard guitar tone, one octave and two octave below sliders, and a square wave slider that provides the distorted "edge." Controls are also present to control the attack time, the frequency center of the sweep range, how far the sweep range goes and how quickly the sweep occurs.In addition, the bottom of the Micro Synthesizer has a control for setting the input volume based on whether single-coil or humbucking pickups are used. The adjustments can be made with a very small Phillips screwdriver.The Micro Synthesizer comes with its own A/C power supply. Also included is a small pamphlet with sample settings that are a good start for using the Micro Synthesizer. Last but not least, the Micro Synthesizer comes housed in a very cool wooden storage box.CONSTRUCTIONLegendaryTones was fortunate enough to speak to Electro-Harmonix President Mike Mathews about the Micro Synthesizer as well as tone in general. The Micro Synthesizer, while dubbed a reissue, uses the same components as the original units made in the late 70’s, according to Mr. Mathews. He also shared with us that the supplier of the analog chips, Panasonic, has discontinued production of the chips but that Electro-Harmonix has purchased the remaining supply. This will allow production to continue for 2-3 more years, but it is clear that it will only be a short while before even the reissue Micro Synthesizers will be considered vintage and highly collectable.The Micro Synthesizer is housed in a medium grade sheet-metal box that is clearly not as sturdy as heavier metal enclosures. However, this does help keep some of the costs down, and with care, the sheet-metal enclosure is certainly more than adequate. Opening up the Micro Synthesizer, I saw that it uses two glass-epoxy circuit boards, one for the basic circuit itself, and one that serves to hold the slider controls as well as link the controls of these sliders (a.k.a. variable resistors) to the main board. Soldering quality looked good and I am also a fan of the use of heavy-duty SPDT footswitches like the Micro Synthesizer incorporates.SOUNDPlaying a guitar through a Micro Synthesizer is unlike any other experience. It just feels more like you’ve switched instruments, rather than just stepping on an effect.One does have to keep in mind that since this is an analog synthesizer device, you won’t get the same types of tones as you do with a modern digital synthesizer. In other words, the Micro Synthesizer won’t make your guitar sound like a choir orchestra or a piano for that matter. What the Micro Synthesizer does offer is the great analog sweeping sounds of the past. One of the great things about the Micro Synthesizer is that it can be "played" like any other instrument. For those who are looking for the old analog synth tones of the past, with real-time control, or who simply want to experience a tool that can potentially expand creativity, Electro-Harmonix’ Micro Synthesizer is the ticket. This thing is a beast!
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