Synth Museum

"Synthesizer preservation via research and education."


The Web SynthArk

EK44

Elka EK44

EK44
EK44 (copyright 2012)

Released: 1986

MSRP: $1995US

Synopsis:

An EK22 with Yamaha's 4op FM chips (YM2203) replacing the original subtractive architecture. Architecture Class: FM.

Ebay Description:

The Elka EK44 is a 61 key (velocity and pressure sensitive), 9+9 voice, multitimbral FM synthesizer, featuring four oscillators (8 algorithms), dedicated oscillator amplitude envelopes, pitch envelope, LFO, chorus, portamento, MIDI, and 96 program memories (64 preset, 32 user editable).

Physical

Form Factor Dimensions Weight Audio Input Audio Output Communication Port Control Input Control Output Switch Input Power
61 keys L:101.5cm H:11cm D:33cm 11.5kg no stereo MIDI: IN OUT THRU volume no portamento multi-inc sustain AC

Interface

Compatibility Multitimbral Memory Program Memory External Storage External Programming UI Input UI Output
EK44 EM44 ER44 16 preset:64 user:32 RAM44-cartridge:64 ROM44-cartridge:64 MIDI SysEx MIDI SysEx menu based LCD

Architecture

Multitimbral Polyphony Unison Architecture
Basic split/layer retains 9 voice polyphony for both sections. "Multisplit" dedicates 9 voice polyphony for one section, but shares 9 voice polyphony among other 7 sections 9+9 no 4 operator, 8 algorithm FM (YM2203), similar architecture to Yamaha 4op-FM family

Output

Effects Pan Modulator Volume Modulator Headphone
chorus (2) repeat no Env1 MIDI-CC7 Velocity yes

Control

Arpeggiator Arpeggiator External Sequencer Sequencer Memory Sequencer External Continuous Program Change
no N/A no N/A N/A MIDI-CC1 Pitch-Lever MIDI pedal

Keyboard

Key Pressure Chord Memory External Control External Sustain Key Scaling Velocity Curves
channel no MIDI MIDI pedal Env-Amplitude:+/- Env-Rate:4 1

Source

Name Signal Class Waveform Octave Range Amplitude Modulator Harmonics Modulator Pitch Modulator Wave Assign Modulator
DCO1 digital sine 0.5-15 Env1 FM LFO PitchEG Pitch-Lever portamento no
DCO2 digital sine 0.5-15 Env1 FM LFO PitchEG Pitch-Lever portamento no
DCO3 digital sine 0.5-15 Env1 FM LFO PitchEG Pitch-Lever portamento no
DCO4 digital sine 0.5-15 Env1 FM LFO PitchEG Pitch-Lever portamento no

Envelope

Name Level Rate Loop Polarity Trigger Level Modulator Rate Modulator
Env1 sustain attack decay sustain release no no key key velocity key
Env2 sustain attack decay sustain release no no key key velocity key
Env3 sustain attack decay sustain release no no key key velocity key
Env4 sustain attack decay sustain release no no key key velocity key
PitchEG - attack decay no yes key no velocity

LFO

Name Waveform Delay Polarity Sync Delay Modulator Level Modulator Rate Modulator
LFO down-saw sine square yes no no no pressure MIDI-CC1 Pitch-Lever no
FM Models
EK44 EM44 ER44 ER33