Studio Electronics SE-3X 3-Voice Rackmount Paraphonic Analog Synthesizer
The SE-1 was Studio Electronics’ first original product. We had spent several years adding MIDI, doing mods, and rack-mounting older synths. By 1991, we were ready to create our own product. Based largely on the MiniMoog, but incorporating many features from other classic Analog synths, it stored 255 patches and had extensive MIDI control; quickly it greased & boomed the bottom and wormed its way to the top on a multitude of hit records, soundtracks, video games, and touring racks.
After making it for 10 years or so and getting a lot of customer requests, we decided a major update was in order. The original ROM chip that held the operating system was full, so we designed a new CPU board, using a much larger Flash chip which enabled updating the OS over MIDI. Other standouts included 4 banks of 128 ROM patches, 4 RAM banks, an up-sized battery-backed SRAM chip made that possible, and a CV generator boost to produce smoother envelopes and LFOs; the pot reading was greatly improved as well, making that vital programming aspect much faster and smoother.
We continued to sell them for another 10 years...
In 2020, we got a request from one of our top dealers and good friends, Lewis Chiodo at Awave, to make a second special '1X model for him. In addition to the custom hardware he wanted—2 extra VCFs—he wondered if we could include some potent software updates too. At first I declined, since I hadn't been working with the Motorola (now Freescale) chip that ran it for several years, added to that, my development system for it didn't work anymore. After some persuasion however, I decided to try. Progress was painfully slow at first, but I was eventually able to put it all together, with the usual optimistic and determined circuit-bending assist from Greg St. Regis.
The SE-3X… Hard to believe it was nearly 30 years ago the SE-1 helped the world to play… TC
VCOs: 3 Voltage Controlled Discrete Analog Oscillators: OSC 1 waveforms: triangle, sawtooth, variable width square; OSC 2 waveforms: sine, sawtooth, variable width square; OSC 3 waveforms: triangle, sawtooth, variable width square. All waveforms output simultaneously. OSC 1 syncs to OSC 2, 3.
VCFs: 4 Voltage Controlled Discrete Analog Filters: SE Classic 24dB Moog®; SE Classic 24dB ARP®; SE Classic Juno/Jupiter 24dB, 12dB, and Mix modes; SE Classic 12dB Oberheim® filter incorporating Low Pass & Band Pass modes. Oberheim filter frequency range has been expanded by a whole tone.
Envelopes: 4 Multiple Stage Envelope Generators: attack, decay, sustain, release with inverting & multiple triggering. Envelope 1 fixed to filter frequency. Envelope 2 fixed to amplifier level. Envelopes 3 & 4 are assignable. ADSR speed increased from standard SE-1X.
LFOs: 3 Low Frequency Oscillators: triangle, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, noise, random waveforms. One destination/amount for each LFO with key trigger, phase, clock-divisible MIDI-sync, auto-gate.
Glide: Linear or exponential glide (portamento), auto glide.
Fuzz: Switchable fixed value hardware amplifier overdrive for saturated distortion: 70’s (soft fuzz), 90’s (hard fuzz).
Presets: 4 factory banks, 4 designer banks: Scroggins Synquence, Infared, Diademer, PARAdizer (available 6/'21)
Faceplate: Matte Black, high contrast 4 color black, red, blue, green, white.
Additional Features: Noise Generator, hardware Ring Modulation.
Modulation Destinations: LFOs 1, 2, 3: VCOs 1, 2, 3 frequency; VCOs 1, 2, 3 mix level; VCOs 1, 2, 3 pulse width; ring mod mix level; noise mix level; VCF resonance; VCF frequency; volume. Envelopes 3, 4: VCOs 1, 2, 3 frequency; VCOs 1, 2, 3 mix level; VCOs 1, 2, 3 pulse width; ring mod mix level; noise mix level; LFO 1, 2, 3 rate, depth, VCF resonance.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Voices: Monophonic, with 3 note Paraphonic mode.
- Audio Outputs: 1
- External Audio Inputs: 1
- Interface: 1 rotary encoder, 24 knobs, 20 square switches—17 illuminated, one three-way toggle (filter fuzz), one 5-way rotary switch (filter selection), power.
- Main Display: 20 x 4 blue back-lit liquid crystal.
- Memory: 8 banks of 99: 396 patches in ROM, 396 in RAM.
- Weight: 11 lbs.
- Dimensions: 3 rack spaces, 8 inches deep.
- Power: 90 - 250 volts AC auto switching.
Please Note: The item displayed in the images may not be the actual item you receive.
Payment Terms - Orders Internet orders may be paid for using the following methods: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. For phone or mail orders you may pay money orders and cashier's checks by mail. Just call us at 773-525-7773 to place your order. All non-credit-card orders are subject to a 10-business-day hold. We do not accept international credit card or PayPal payments from international accounts. For international security reasons, please call the store to arrange a Bank Wire: +01-773-525-7773.
Shipping Charges - Taxes and Title Separate charges for shipping and handling will be shown on your order form. As a security precaution, initial orders and orders shipping to alternate addresses may be held for extended verification. We reserve the right to make partial shipments, which will not relieve you of your obligation to pay for the remaining deliveries. All items purchased from Chicago Music Exchange are made pursuant to a shipment contract. This means that the risk of loss and title for such items passes to you upon our delivery to the carrier. The published rates are for US domestic shipping only. Contact us directly if you wish to place an international order. For more information on our shipping policies, including rates, delivery times, and delays, please visit our website at chicagomusicexchange or call us at: 773-525-7773. If applicable, a separate charge for taxes will be shown on the invoice. We are required to collect sales tax on all orders shipped to Illinois.
3-Day / 15-day Return Policy If you are not completely satisfied with any product, return it for a full refund of the product purchase price, full credit, or exchange of your choice. We give you 3 days from the shipping date on Vintage instruments, and 15 days on New instruments. Credit card returns are issued a credit for purchase price. Refunds are made for product value only, excluding shipping and handling charges. New, Unopened items: You may return most NEW, untouched, unopened items within 15 days of delivery for a full refund. if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.) we'll also pay the return shipping costs. AmEx credit cards: Note that if your order was paid using an AmEx card we may pass on a 3.5% fee of the purchase price to process your refund. Vintage, Used items: We have to evaluate vintage and used guitars, amps, and other items on a case by case basis. We spend a lot of time with you and the item before your purchase to try to avoid any surprises after your purchase. AmEx credit cards: Note that if your order was paid using an AmEx card we may pass on a 3.5% fee of the purchase price to process your refund. You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, we strive to issue your refund sooner. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days). Send your return to: Chicago Music Exchange 3316 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60657 The following items are returnable only if defective OR unopened or unused: strings, harmonicas, microphones, cleaners, polishes, and polishing cloths. Software/soundware, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, and videos may be returned for credit only if they are in their original, sealed packaging. If defective, these items will only be exchanged for the same product. For complete details on our guarantees, shipping, and return policies, please contact our Customer Service Department at 773-525-7773; fax us at 773-525-2775; visit our website at www.chicagomusicexchange.com, or write us at Chicago Music Exchange, 3316 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657.