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Elka Professional Synthex

$20,181.18 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (5)

2 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Elka Synthex

3 community setups

13 wishlisted

22 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

$20,181.18 5 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $20,181

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Elka Professional Synthex is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Elka Professional Synthex synthesizer is a celebrated piece of musical equipment known for its rich, analog soundscapes and distinct architectural design. Crafted in the 1980s, this 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer quickly became a favorite among musicians for its lush sounds and versatile modulation capabilities. Designed for both live performances and studio recordings, the Synthex features a dual oscillator per voice and a robust multimode filter, allowing for a wide range of sonic possibilities.

This powerful synth stands out with its unique joystick controller, providing intuitive real-time modulation control. Musicians can effortlessly blend pitch bends, filter sweeps, and modulation effects, adding an expressive dimension to their performances. Its comprehensive sound design options, including a noise generator and a ring modulator, make the Synthex a versatile tool for creating everything from classic analog tones to experimental textures.

With its intuitive interface, the Elka Professional Synthex invites both seasoned synth enthusiasts and newcomers to explore its vast tonal landscape. Its legacy is preserved through its reliability and timeless sound, making it a cherished addition to any musician's setup.

Key Features:

8-voice polyphonic synthesizer
Dual oscillators per voice
Joystick controller for real-time modulation
Multimode filter with resonant capabilities
Built-in chorus effect
Ring modulator and noise generator
Comprehensive modulation options
MIDI compatibility for modern setups

Product specs

Brand	Elka
Model	Synthex
Finish	Black
Year	1980s
Categories	Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital	Analog
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Synth Action
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys	61 Keys
Polyphony	8 Voices

FAQs

Is the Elka Synthex synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?: The Elka Synthex is a polyphonic synthesizer with 8 voices, allowing you to play multiple notes simultaneously for rich, complex sounds.
What kind of sound engine does the Elka Synthex have?: The Elka Synthex features an analog sound engine, renowned for its warm and lush sound, making it a favorite for vintage synth enthusiasts.
How many keys does the Elka Synthex have, and what is the action type?: The Elka Synthex has 61 full-size keys with a synth action, providing a responsive and smooth playing experience suitable for various playing styles.
Does the Elka Synthex support MIDI connectivity?: Yes, the Elka Synthex supports MIDI connectivity with MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing integration with other MIDI-compatible gear.
What are the standout features of the Elka Synthex?: The Elka Synthex is renowned for its unique multimode filter, lush analog sound, and the rare capability of creating complex, evolving textures with its polyphonic capabilities.

Videos

Add video

JMPSynth

Elka Synthex Demo Track

JMPSynth

ELKA SYNTHEX

MrFirechild

Elka Synthex

Pulsophonic

ELKA SYNTHEX - Rosen Sound Demo

Rosen Sound

The Story of the Elka Synthex

Johnny Morgan Synth Dreams

ELKA SYNTHEX - Sounds, Patches & Ambient Soundscapes | Synthesizer Demo

synth4ever

Paul Wiffen & The Elka Synthex

Mark Keen

ELKA SYNTHEX - 42 minutes pure analog sound - no talking

The Synth King

History and Sounds: Elka Synthex (deutsch)

AMAZONA Music Mag

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Elka Professional Synthex.

Features and functionality

0 0

The Elka Synthex's MIDI interface is an optional accessory, not included in the $3,000 base price.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The Synthex is considered on par with the Jupiter-8 and Memorymoog in terms of polyphonic synthesis capabilities.
Source
0 0

The Elka Synthex is seen as a heavyweight poly, similar to expensive models like the Schmidt Synthesizer and Modulus 008, but more affordable.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

At $3,000, the reissue is much cheaper than an original, which can sell for $10,000.
Source

User experience

0 0

The Synthex was initially unpopular, gaining fame later, possibly due to its association with the home organ market.
Source

Critic Reviews

Elka Synthex [Retrozone]

soundonsound.com

The Elka Synthex is a synth powerhouse, celebrated for its stable digital oscillators and rich sound palette that rivals even its American contemporaries. The inclusion of a robust chorus unit and versatile filters elevate its sonic capabilities, offering lush strings and powerful leads. However, its limited MIDI implementation and Elka's lackluster marketing hindered its commercial success. Despite these setbacks, the Synthex's reputation has only grown, cementing its status as a cult classic in the synth community. If you can overlook its quirks, it’s a hidden gem worth exploring for its distinct sound.

positive

Full Review

ELKA Synthex - analog Classic and vintage Workstation - GreatSynthesizers

greatsynthesizers.com

The Elka Synthex is a revered polyphonic synthesizer, celebrated for its unique blend of analog warmth and digital clarity, placing it among the top analog synths of all time. With its powerful 8-voice capabilities, stable oscillators, and distinctive sound, it's a standout in the vintage synth market. However, its loud fan and basic MIDI implementation are minor drawbacks. Despite these, the Synthex's robust hardware and exceptional sound quality ensure it remains a coveted piece for enthusiasts, albeit at a premium price. Ultimately, its singular character makes it an irreplaceable musical tool.

positive

Full Review

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

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1 star

peasinafookinpod420

2423

over 6 years ago

great

used on "Moonlanding Boogie" by Janis. It sounds cool.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Grunge Noise rock Sleaze rock

anamangot

131

over 8 years ago

Analog Monster Synth

8 voices and 16 DCOs packed with power controlled by a Curtis filter and state of the art modulation and routing. Elka Synthex is a real instrument for the real musicians.

Roles:

Singer

Genres:

Rock

Artist usage

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Bon Harris

Composer

Nitzer Ebb

Verified via YouTube

In a video by Voltage Control Lab, Bon Harris of Nitzer Ebb discusses the Elka Synthex as his first synthesizer.

Anthony Marinelli

Keyboardist, Composer

Verified via YouTube

At 1:15:20 in the video "My Synth Studio Revealed | Studio Tour 2025" by Anthony Marinelli Music, Anthony Marinelli is shown using the Elka Professional Synthex, confirming its presence in his studio setup.

Skudge

Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by skudge_elias_landberg, Skudge is shown utilizing the Elka Synthex, highlighting its role in their analog synthesizer collection.

Peter Howell

Keyboardist, Composer

Verified via Photo

Peter Howell can be seen in Maida Vale studios at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop with his own setup. A list of synths in here are the Elka Synthex, Yamaha DX7, Fairlight CMI.

Firechild

Keyboardist, Composer

Verified via YouTube

video of Firechild performing on the Elka Sythex in his studio

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Composer, Music Producer

Verified via Whitefiles

The list of synthesizers that the radiophonic workshop had in 1985

Pascal Languirand

Music Producer

Trans-X

Verified via Muzines

In fact, 'Digital World', which formed the B-side of the single, is the album's outstanding track, in spite (because?) of the fact that its vocal content is sparse and its synthesiser work verging on the experimental. It was written with occasional synth player Steve Wyatt, and used some larger polysynths such as the Elka Synthex, which Languirand chanced upon in the studio while recording the album.

Dominique Perrier

Keyboardist

Gipsy Kings

Verified via Photo

In a photograph shared by Drew Schlesinger on Instagram, Dominique Perrier, a notable keyboardist, is depicted utilizing an Elka Synthex synthesizer among his musical equipment. This image serves as evidence of Perrier's use of the Elka Synthex in his setup.

Neil Carter

Singer, Guitarist

UFO

Verified via YouTube

Neil Carter is seen using an Elka Synthex at the 7 minute and 37 second mark in the live performance with Gary Moore in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 25, 1987, as documented by the YouTube video uploaded by Ovidiu Buzdugan Romcea.

Diego Merletto

Music Producer

The Frozen Autumn

Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "The Frozen Autumn - Venetian Blinds," Diego Merletto can be seen using the Elka Synthex synthesizer.

Mark Stanway

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Grand Slam

Verified via YouTube

Mark is seen using the Elka Synthex 43 seconds in this YouTube video of Magnum's "How Far Jerusalem".

Roger Limb

Keyboardist, Composer

Verified

Roger Limb uses the Elka Professional Synthex, as he stated: "Oberheim OBXa and an Elka Synthex. For a long time I used the Oberheim alone and we've only recently got the Synthex — they only overlap very slightly and there are still a lot of very useful sounds I can get on the Oberheim. To be honest you can't get such a it's a little bit lacking in bass body but it's got a lot of very interesting mid and upper-range sounds which the Oberheim can't do." This information is supported by a source document.