Scoring a Ninja Sci-Fi That Doesn't Exist With SYNTRX II

Following on from my video with the original Syntrx, I thought it would be fun to do another imaginary score with its successor, Syntrx II.

0:00 Intro
1:07 Future Ninjas
1:38 Creating the Sound FX
4:45 Creating the Theme Tune
7:12 The End Result
9:35 Summary
11:13 Outro Jam

My thoughts:
The following assumes you’ve seen my video and comments on the original Syntrx and will discuss where things have gone with Syntrx II.

Practical Updates:
On the practical improvement side, an onboard sequencer with modulation lanes is very welcome as it means you can just get going on the unit itself.

The oscillator tuning and octave selection is now more precise and easier to manage and whilst I did love those retro oscillator dials on the original, sometimes you just want to get something dialled in quickly.

The dual digital FX allow for more control and more options and whilst I did love the spring reverb, it could be quite wild and noisy and not suitable for everything.

There are some practical menu options that can now be handled on the matrix, which is easier too.

Necessary Updates:
Adding waveshape modulation as well as manual waveshape adjustment was definitely a desirable update and I’m glad it’s included.

Likewise, adding external clocking to the sample and hold as well as it being able to run freely was a must.

New:
Dual filters – fantastic, very welcome.
Envelope follower – brilliant and very useful
Inverter – very handy
Recording of joystick and effects movements – great idea, very useful
Additional scope out that can handle audio / CV – very useful

Gone:
Already mentioned, but the spring reverb.
The speakers are gone too, which worked well with the spring reverb as you could cause the unit to vibrate.
AD/ASR switch for the trapezoid. If I’ve one criticism, I’d have preferred it if this was included on Syntrx II.

Overall the Syntrx synths are a great thing to have available in a world where EMS Synthis are unobtainium and it’s great that Erica Synths have developed the concept further now.

This synth is all about the paradigm for me and you go to it for experimentation and surprising results. Maybe not the synth you turn on for an everyday sound, but certainly one that offers things others don’t.