Elka-X is presented as a Renaissance Synthesizer, and the original instrument's significance is documented by the developer: its voice architecture is somewhat typical of analog polysynths of the era, featuring eight voices comprised of two oscillators and a noise generator into a filter, and independent ADSR envelope generators for the filter and voltage-controlled amplifiers. However, it had a number of unique features including highly stable and unique sounding digitally controlled oscillators, as well as a state-variable filter capable of lowpass, highpass, and two bandpass curves. Along with a powerful onboard analog chorus effect, this gave it a unique and powerful tonality. That description identifies the instrument precisely: the Elka Synthex was an Italian polysynth built around digitally controlled oscillators and a state-variable filter, and its most famous use is Jean-Michel Jarre's — the "laser harp" sound of Rendez-Vous and the strings of Oxygène-era material — so the "Renaissance" framing is a claim about the instrument's place in electronic music history rather than a marketing flourish. Its features are documented individually. Two-part multitimbral operation: two different patches simultaneously playable, in either a keyboard split or stacked layer mode, with user-specified split point and discrete controls for layer volume and panning, and 16 polyphonic voices which can be layered or split across the keyboard — with the developer noting the original had the (then-rare) ability to simultaneously play two patches in split or layer mode, which we've retained with improved polyphony — a total of 16 voices. The multitimbral layering is the feature that explains the instrument's use in Jarre's music, since stacking two patches is how the expansive synthesizer washes and the layered lead sounds were built. Its sequencing is documented: the original also featured a really nifty four-track sequencer. Cherry Audio Elka-X includes the step sequencer, which has been both expanded and simplified. Its preset library is documented as over 600 presets created by a talented and diverse group of sound design veterans. Its workflow features include Cherry Audio's popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize with drag, complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI learn, and preset and global level MIDI mapping. Requirements are macOS 10.13 or above, macOS 13 Ventura supported, 64-bit required, with native Apple M1 or greater processor support including Ultra and a 3.4 GHz Quad-Core or M1 CPU with 8 GB of RAM recommended, or Windows 7 or above (including Windows 11), 64-bit required, with a quad-core computer and 8 GB of RAM recommended, and an internet connection required for product activation. It is priced at $59.00, with a 30-day demo available in which the demo will play white noise periodically but is otherwise unlimited, and downloads and updates can also be managed through Sync, Cherry Audio's free user application. It sits within Cherry Audio's instrument range — Eight Voice, ESQ-1, GX-80, ODC 2800, and others — along with the Stardust-201 tape echo, Rackmode Signal Processors, Galactic Reverb, and Filtomika. It suits synthwave, retro electronic, film score, ambient, and 1970s and 1980s-influenced production, and the state-variable filter's four modes are the tonal detail a player will notice first — a filter with two distinct bandpass curves behaves differently from a conventional two-pole design, which is why the instrument's character is not interchangeable with other polysynths of its era. #ElkaX #CherryAudio #ElkaSynthex #Synthex #AnalogModeling #Polysynth #Synth #DCOS #StateVariableFilter #AnalogChorus #Multitimbral #StepSequencer #FocusZoom #MIDILearn #Synthwave #Retro #ElectronicMusic #FilmScore #Ambient #MusicProduction #VST #VST3 #AU #AAX #Standalone #FLStudio #AbletonLive #LogicPro #Cubase #ProTools