The Xpander is, quite simply, one of the most revered analog synthesizers ever built: a six-voice, keyboardless powerhouse that is essentially half a Matrix-12. Each of its six voices is fully independent, with two VCOs, and routes through Oberheim's legendary Matrix Modulation, a patch-anything-to-anything system that gives you modular-style freedom with digital recall. The filter section alone is the stuff of legend: 15 selectable modes (multiple low-pass slopes, high-pass, bandpass, notch, phase). Five LFOs and five envelopes per voice. The result is lush, enormous, endlessly tweakable analog: pads that breathe, basses that snarl, evolving textures you simply cannot get anywhere else. These almost never surface in South Africa.

FEATURES & PROS:

• Six Independent Voices: Two VCOs per voice, each voice fully independent for huge multitimbral patches.
• 15 Filter Modes: Low-pass (1 to 4 pole), high-pass, bandpass, notch and phase, all switchable.
• Matrix Modulation: Patch any source to any destination, modular freedom with digital recall.
• Five LFOs and Five Envelopes Per Voice: Modulation depth that still embarrasses modern synths.
• That Oberheim Sound: Lush, wide, characterful analog, from gentle pads to monster basses.
• Grail-Tier Rarity: One of the most sought-after polysynths ever, almost unheard of in SA.

AS USED BY

• Sasha, whose track "Xpander" is named after it
• Depeche Mode, from "Black Celebration" onward
• Orbital and The Chemical Brothers
• Tangerine Dream and Steve Roach
• Nitzer Ebb and Nine Inch Nails
• Hans Zimmer, on film scores
• Vince Clarke and Josh Wink

THE WORD: Owners and reviewers rank the Xpander among the deepest analog polysynths ever made, citing its 15 filter modes and Matrix Modulation as still unmatched. Read more at Vintage Synth Explorer.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Oberheim Xpander
• Released: 1984 to 1988
• Type: 6-voice analog synthesizer module (no keyboard)
• Oscillators: 2 VCOs per voice (CEM3374)
• Filters: multimode, 15 variations (LP/HP/BP/notch/phase)
• Modulation: Matrix Modulation; 5 LFOs and 5 envelopes per voice
• Memory: 100 single and 100 multi patches
• Multitimbral: 6-part, up to 6 zones
• Connectivity: MIDI, CV/Gate, cassette interface