Sequential Circuits Six-Trak
Encyclopedia
The Six-Trak was an analogue synthesizer
manufactured by Sequential Circuits
in San Jose, California
and released in January 1984. It is notable for being one of the first multi-timbral synthesizers, equipped with MIDI and an on-board six-track digital sequencer, hence the name. It was designed as an inexpensive and easily portable 'scratch-pad' machine for trying out arrangements. You can latch the arpeggiator and
play along with sequences in real time. Also available is a unison mode which renders the keyboard monophonic but allows for very rich sounding timbres.
The Six-Trak is prominently featured and can be heard on the 1998 minimalist space music CD release "The Dream Garden, by musician/composer Dane Rochelle.
The Six-Trak's more famous sibling is the Prophet 5, widely used in much of the 1970s progressive rock. A number of other synthesizers made by Sequential Circuits
used similar electronics, including the Multi-Trak, Max, and Split-8
.
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
manufactured by Sequential Circuits
Sequential Circuits
Sequential Circuits Inc. was a California-based synthesizer company that was founded in the early 1970s by Dave Smith and sold to Yamaha Corporation in 1987. The company, throughout its lifespan, pioneered many groundbreaking technologies and design principles that are often taken for granted in...
in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
and released in January 1984. It is notable for being one of the first multi-timbral synthesizers, equipped with MIDI and an on-board six-track digital sequencer, hence the name. It was designed as an inexpensive and easily portable 'scratch-pad' machine for trying out arrangements. You can latch the arpeggiator and
play along with sequences in real time. Also available is a unison mode which renders the keyboard monophonic but allows for very rich sounding timbres.
The Six-Trak is prominently featured and can be heard on the 1998 minimalist space music CD release "The Dream Garden, by musician/composer Dane Rochelle.
The Six-Trak's more famous sibling is the Prophet 5, widely used in much of the 1970s progressive rock. A number of other synthesizers made by Sequential Circuits
Sequential Circuits
Sequential Circuits Inc. was a California-based synthesizer company that was founded in the early 1970s by Dave Smith and sold to Yamaha Corporation in 1987. The company, throughout its lifespan, pioneered many groundbreaking technologies and design principles that are often taken for granted in...
used similar electronics, including the Multi-Trak, Max, and Split-8
Split-8
The Split-8 is a polyphonic analogue keyboard synthesizer manufactured by Sequential Circuits. Built in Japan and going by the alternative name "Pro-8" in some markets, this was one of the last synthesizers produced by the company and was assigned model number 608. It was released in 1985 at a list...
.
Notable Users
- Gui BorattoGui BorattoGui Boratto is a Brazilian electronic music producer. In the 1990s he was a member of Sect.His album Chromophobia was awarded the title of Mixmag Album of the Month. Regarding why he chose the name Chromophobia, Boratto said: "The same meaning as monochromatism in architecture, which means...
- CirrusCirrus (band)Cirrus is an American big beat group formed in 1995 in Los Angeles, California. The group is composed of Aaron Carter and Stephen James Barry.In live performances, the group often added live guitar and bass to the electronic background. Their single "Superstar DJ" brought them mainstream exposure,...
- Helios CreedHelios CreedHelios Creed is an American guitarist, singer and bandleader. He first came to prominence in the mid 1970s with the San Francisco band Chrome. They are credited with being the godfathers of what later became known as Industrial Rock music...
- Dane Rochelle
- Technological Sun
- ÜberzoneUberzoneÜberzone is Anaheim, California native Timothy Wiles, is an electronic musician. He has also been known as Q, named after the popular character in the James Bond series....
- Ruki Vverh!
- Chris Tabron / The Ten PacesChris TabronChris Tabron is a record producer, mixer, and engineer based in Los Angeles and New York City. He is a house engineer at and a producer and engineer for Mirrorball Music, a production company formed by mix engineer Tony Maserati and writer-producer Stefan Skarbek...