Synth Museum

"Synthesizer preservation via research and education."


The Web SynthArk

VX90

Akai VX90

VX90
VX90 (image courtesy of synthony)

Released: 1986

MSRP: ?

Synopsis:

Rack AX73 Architecture Class: Conventional (subtractive).

Ebay Description:

The Akai VX-90 is a 2U rack (velocity sensitive), 6 voice analog synthesizer, featuring resonant low (24dB CEM) and high pass filters, dual envelopes, LFO, chorus, portamento, and MIDI.

Physical

Form Factor Dimensions Weight Audio Input Audio Output Communication Port Control Input Control Output Switch Input Power
2U rack ? ? VCF:13P DIN (S612) stereo MIDI: IN OUT THRU Tape: IN OUT no no no wired

Interface

Compatibility Multitimbral Memory Program Memory External Storage External Programming UI Input UI Output
none no 100 tape no menu driven LED display

Architecture

Multitimbral Polyphony Unison Architecture
no 6 yes VCO->VCF->HPF->VCA

Output

Effects Pan Modulator Volume Modulator Headphone
chorus no EG1|2 LFO MIDI-CC7 Velocity yes

Control

Arpeggiator Arpeggiator External Sequencer Sequencer Memory Sequencer External Continuous Program Change
no no no N/A N/A MIDI-CC1 MIDI-CC7 MIDI

Keyboard

Key Pressure Chord Memory External Control External Sustain Key Scaling Velocity Curves
no no MIDI MIDI 1 1

Source

Name Signal Class Waveform Octave Range Amplitude Modulator Harmonics Modulator Pitch Modulator Wave Assign Modulator
VCO analog pulse saw triangle 2-16′ no PWM:LFO (dedicated) EG1|2 LFO MIDI Portamento no
Noise analog pink noise - no no no no
External analog external - no no no no

Filter

Name Signal Class IC Resonant Shape Frequency Modulator Resonance Modulator Shape Modulator
VCF analog CEM3394 yes 24dB low pass EG1|2 Key LFO Velocity no no
HPF analog CEM3394 no high pass no no no

Envelope

Name Level Rate Loop Polarity Trigger Level Modulator Rate Modulator
EG1 sustain attack decay release no VCF key no no
EG2 sustain attack decay release no no key no no

LFO

Name Waveform Delay Polarity Sync Delay Modulator Level Modulator Rate Modulator
LFO Up Saw Down Saw Square Triangle Random yes no no no MIDI-CC1 no
Conventional Models
AX80 AX60 AX73 VX90 VX600