EK44

Elka EK44

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

Synth Museum

"Synthesizer preservation via research and education."