The EA-1 is a two voice analog modelling synth built around a relatively simple step sequencer. The sound of the thing is actually pretty cool though editing is a lot more limited than a traditional synth since you are limited mostly to what you see on the control panel (i.e. there is a lot less modulation options than most synths).
Now what this synth is good for is squelchy resonant sounds, some digital-ish clanky stuff (due to the resonance and delay effects) and rather phat pads (if you use the volume knob as a makeshift envelope). It was designed to make dancey type stuff but you can coax a reasonably wide range of sounds out of it thanks mostly to the ring mod and external input.
You need to think of it as a sample source since you only have two voices max at any time and much of the sound you get is by tweaking knobs realtime. If you have a sampler or are recording into a sound editor / tracker then it's useful. If this is all you have, you will need some other stuff depending on how dense you want to be (a guitar pedal or two, maybe some reverb).
Atrax Morgue could likely perform with this synth and a microphone but not everyone wants to strip it down that far.
I used the one had as both a primitive MIDI controller and sound source but I found the built in sequencer more hassle than it was worth.
It depends on what you think is "disturbing" as to whether this is a useful toy for you. It would be hard though to base an entire band around it unless you have some other gear as well or are a primitive elctroclash / new wave type act.
=)
Cheers
posted by: moron on 2005-02-21 09:13:28
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