You can download the System Exclusive file by clicking the above name. The file contains the patch data for all 100 patches, from 00 to 99, exactly as it came from the synthesizer. Here's a list of the patches inside:
(All samples were recorded from my Matrix-12 after auto-tune through Mackie 1402-VLZ PRO audio mixer to Sound Blaster Live! computer soundcard at 16 bit and 48kHz stereo sampling setting. No EQ, effects or arpeggiator was used. Only the middle C key was played with a moderate force. As different patches have different characteristics, different durations are allowed, varying from less than 1 second to a bit over 10 seconds, to preserve the whole pictures as complete and faithful as possible.)
*Please note that all the samples are for your private non-commercial use only.*
Reviewed by Mike Metlay
Alan's set of patches came as no surprise at all; perhaps that's the best thing
one could say about imitative patches, as surprises are usually nasty ones where
programming the Xpander is concerned. Alan concentrates on imitating acoustic
sounds, and does so with a range of competency from fair (steel drums) to quite
good (kalimba). He spends a great deal of time working on the types of sounds
that one doesn't normally try to get from the Xpander; there are a few good
brasses, strings and synth pads, but a larger predominance of flutes and woodwinds.
There are some unconvincing piano patches, and some very good accordions and
church organs with rich and convincing harmonics. Alan shies away from percussive
sounds, including only a few tonal ones; ditto for sound effects. Perhaps the
best sounds on his tape were his "double" patches, which combined
elements of two distinct instruments (synthesiser and flute, for instance) in
a single patch, and several harp sounds, with which I was frankly enchanted.
I ended up spending several minutes just playing long glissandi before realizing
I was getting sidetracked !
The patches make use of pitch bend and often drastic VCO vibrato on the levers,
and that's all. No Pedal use is in evidence. Pressure modulation is used for
some nice special effects, like VCF swells and VCO detuning. Many patches have
a sparkling Velocity sensitivity. Use of ENV, RAMP and TRACK pages is subtle
or nonexistent, usually to tame loud notes in the high registers or to add vibrato.
Subtlety, here as elsewhere, appears to be the rule, the overused and overdone
Lever 2 vibrato being the glaring exception. The Multi Patch page has been neatly
blanked to default value so the end user can create his own Multis.
All in all, I found this a very competent set of synth standards for which Alan
probably could get away with asking at least 10 Pounds Sterling, so as a swap
they're definitely a bargain.