Asked Questions
Is the Fénix monophonic or polyphonic?
The Fénix is capable of producing a few independent sounds at the same time, but it is essentially a monophonic synthesizer.The Fénix has two output amplifiers. Use them for stereo sounds, or have independent sounds on each channel. If you need more outputs, simply use jack->banana cables or the front-to-back interface section. Note that all outputs are very hot, so you’ll want to attenuate the signals before entering your mixing console.
Hi All,
I live in San Francisco and own a Fenix. I have a quick question to those of you on the list that use midi->CV convertors.
Recently I was almost able to purchase an Encore Expressionist but another buyer beat me out, however, the seller informed me that the Fenix didn’t track the Expressionist very well due to voltage issues and that he was using a kenton convertor. What are peoples experiences with the Expressionist, can the unit be tuned internally via trimpots or whatever so that the voltage is scaled appropriately?
I’m very interested in the Expressionist as it has 8cv/gates…
What does the Fénix use – 1v/octave? I don’t have a manual and I’m too lazy to meter it.
Thanks for any input you might have.
If the user tried to connect the output to too many inputs, it will load the output enough to cause scaling problems. There is a 100 ohm resistor (I think…haven’t look in a long time) in series with each CV output. That can be removed and replaced with a lower value if the user wants to connect to many inputs without a voltage drop across that resistor. Other than that, there should be no scaling problems with the two.
The Expressionist does not have internal trimmers; the adjustment is in software.
> Tony Karavidas
> Encore Electronics
> http://www.EncoreElectronics.com
> Designers of “The best MIDI to CV converter on the planet.” -Keyboard Oct. 1997
Use the CV1 input of a cv mixer for buffering the cv output of the midi convertor. Using unbuffered interface outputs may result in tuning problems. Buffered models include Kenton, unbuffered models include Doepfer.
We had to stop somewhere, and I don’t use VC resonance very often on my Synton 3000 modular.
If you want VC resonance, take an output of the filter and feed it back to the audio-input through a VCA. For VCF 1/2, use a mixer module to mix audio signals.
You can get different characteristics by inverting the feedback signal or by taking a different VCF output.
The Synton Syrinx is a monophonic lead synthesizer with keyboard. It uses 7 Curtis-chips for VCO, VCF’s and envelopes. It has been discontinued for many years and we have no plans to re-issue it.
The patch configuration is fixed with the exception of the filters, that can be configured in four ways using a rotary switch.
The Fenix has no keyboard, no pre-patched configuration and quite a lot more features. Because of its complexity, it is better suited for studio-use than for live performance.
Please read the user reviews for opinions.
It is not easy for us to give an objective account of the sound, but it is fair to say that the Fenix sounds very direct. The sounds can be distorted at various stages of a patch, so it can sound more aggressive than traditional pre-patched synths.
The envelope generator controls are optimized to give good control over the short times. They can produce very short envelopes.
The range of LFO 1 and 2 is a 90-second period (0.011 Hz) to 0.02 second period (50 Hz).
This range can be widened to 200-second period (0.005 Hz) to 0.005 second period (200 Hz) if you apply a voltage (for example from the CV-Mix-1 output) to the CV-2 input.
LFO-3 has a fixed range.
A bigger capacitor gives a lower frequency
The operating voltages of the Fenix are 0-8 volt for CV -4/+4 volt for audio. My synth uses 0-10 volt control voltages.
The Fénix responds to all popular levels of positive gates/triggers. The Fénix generates 0-8 volt gates which most synths using positive gates will accept.
Using Fénix 0-8 volt CV’s to control external synths means that VCO’s/VCF’s will be limited to an 8-octave range. If needed, you can amplify the signal to higher levels using a mixer module.
Applying a 0-10 voltage to the Fenix is no problem at all.
Does the Fénix fit into a standard 19-inch rack?
Not in all racks. The 19″ specifies only the outer width including the ‘ears’. The body-width is less than 19″, but the problem is that there is no standard for the maximum body width.
Every case/rack manufacturer has his own norm for maximum inner width.
The Fénix uses a very wide body width in order to space the knobs as wide as possible while still fitting in a rack enclosure. Unfortunately, the Fenix does not fit in many 19″ racks. The mounting options include:
* Using the PROEL MFPROMXU case
* Custom rack/case. Contact us for exact dimensions.
* Building into a desk by making a square hole in the desktop to fit the Fenix.
* Screwing wedge-shaped wood panels to the Fenix mounting ears. Having the Fenix leaning back provides easier access to the controls.