Elka Professional

Also known as: Elka

Elka is an Italian music electronics manufacturer founded in 1965 in Castelfidardo, a town on the Adriatic coast with deep roots in accordion and musical instrument production. The company name is an acronym for "Elettronica e Kastelfidardo," and it was established by Piero Crucianelli in the same building that had housed his family's accordion factory. Elka built its reputation through combo o...

24 Products · Used by 68 Artists

Elka Professional Synthex Synthesizers

$17,882.17

1 available store

5.0 (5)

25 artists using

Elka Professional Rhapsody 610 Synthesizers

5.0 (4)

15 artists using

Elka Professional Panther 300 Organs

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^# 73

in Organs Rank

9 artists using

Elka Professional MK88 Synthesizers

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1 artist using

Elka Professional X50 Organs

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Elka Professional Concorde 802 Organs

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Elka Professional Soloist 505 Synthesizers

4.0 (1)

Elka Professional Drummer 1 Drum Machines

3 artists using

Elka Professional 144 Synthesizers

1 artist using

Elka Professional Drummer One Drum Machines

1 artist using

Elka Professional X705 Synthesizers

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3 artists using

Elka Professional Artist 707 Synthesizers

4.0 (1)

1 artist using

Elka Professional Twin 61 Organs

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2 artists using

Elka Professional EK22 Synthesizers

3 artists using

Elka Professional Panther Duo 2200 Organs

2 artists using

Elka Professional AMK 800 Accordions

1 artist using

Elka Professional Rhapsody 490 Analog String Synthesizer Synthesizers

4 artists using

Elka Professional MK55 Synthesizers

3.0 (1)

2 artists using

Elka Professional Panther 100 Organs

2 artists using

Elka Professional MK76 Synthesizers

1 artist using

Elka Professional RM100 Keyboard Amplifiers

Elka Professional EM-44 Sound Modules

Elka Professional Capri 101 Organs

Elka Professional AB15100 Bass Combo Amplifiers

The brand is best known for the Synthex, an eight-voice analog polysynth released in 1981 and designed by independent Italian engineer Mario Maggi. The Synthex featured digitally-controlled analog oscillators and a four-pole multimode filter, and it found favor with high-profile players including Keith Emerson, Jean-Michel Jarre (who used it for the laser harp sound on Rendez-Vous), Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, Geoff Downes of Asia, Peter Howell of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, and Stevie Wonder. Earlier, the Rhapsody 610 string machine (1974) had already put Elka on the map with artists like Tangerine Dream and Vangelis.

Beyond the Synthex line, Elka produced a wide range of combo organs and hybrid instruments, including the X705 space organ, the Artist 707, and the Elkatwin 61, a polyphonic string/organ/synth instrument. The company was acquired by Generalmusic (GEM) in 1989, and Elka instruments remain collectible on the vintage market for their distinctive Italian-built character.

Elka Professional has 24 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Synthesizers, Organs, and Drum Machines. Their gear is featured by 68 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Electronic, and Pop. Notable users include Jean Michel Jarre, Legowelt, and RJD2.