Nu-Trix The Synth Guy’s Cherry Audio Pentaphonic: Rare Vibes, Modern Mayhem

Ghost in the Plexi: A Rare Classic Reborn

Cherry Audio has dug up a true synth fossil and slapped it into plugin form: the Pentaphonic, originally a Gleeman oddity from 1981. Only about 70 of these five-note, DCO-driven rarities ever made it out of the rave bunker—some in black, some in translucent plexiglass, all dripping with ’80s sci-fi vibes. The emulation doesn’t just copy the look; you can even toggle between the OG black and the see-through green-board skin, in case you fancy a peek at its virtual innards.

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy wastes no time getting to the meat, highlighting the Pentaphonic’s hybrid heart: digital control for stability, pure analog sound for punch. No, he never touched the original—join the club—but Cherry Audio’s version walks the fine line between vintage attitude and modern usability. From the first note, you can tell this isn’t your grandad’s polysynth; it’s a five-voice street weapon, ready to brawl with any retro emu in your DAW.

Pressure, Velocity, and FX: Muscle Upgrades

Let’s get real: the original Gleeman didn’t know the meaning of ‘pressure mapping’ or ‘effects section.’ Cherry Audio’s Pentaphonic, on the other hand, comes loaded. You get full velocity response, aftertouch assignments, and a whole row of macro controls for live tweaking—assign key pressure to filter cutoff, oscillator gain, or wherever you want chaos to reign. It’s a playground for expressive playing, not just a static nostalgia trip.

And then there’s the effects rack: five insert slots, classic Cherry Audio fare, from chorus and delay to more modern toys. You can save FX chains, layer arpeggiators, and run wild with the built-in step sequencer. None of this was on the original hardware, and it shows—this is a vintage emu that’s been turbocharged for the 21st century. If you want static analog, look elsewhere. Here, it’s about bending the rules until they break.

Complex Oscillators: Lo-Fi with Bite

What sets the Pentaphonic apart? Its trio of oscillators, each with classic shapes plus two ‘complex’ waveforms—basically lo-fi samples called Complex 1 and 2. These aren’t your pristine digital waves; they add a gritty, unpredictable bite that’s more back-alley rave than concert hall. Modulation is classic: two LFOs, assignable across the board, with just enough depth to keep things spicy but not overwhelming. The result? A signature sound that’s as much about dirt as it is about depth. If you want clean, sterile pads, don’t bother. If you want character, you’re in the right place.

Polyphonic Unison: Stack Attack

This is where the Pentaphonic flexes. Flip into poly unison, and suddenly you’ve got a wall of tone that punches well above its five-note weight class. It’s thick, beefy, and—yes—slaps hard. Nu-Trix cycles through a pile of presets, layering effects and sequencing for maximum impact. It’s not just a polite nod to the past; it’s a proper toaster-fight of a synth, ready to cut through any mix with snarling unison leads or lush pads. You’ll want to hear this section in the video to catch the full sonic stampede.

Go Watch for the Full Rave

Honestly, if you want to hear the Pentaphonic’s full arsenal, you need to watch Nu-Trix’s original video. There’s a sound bank tour, preset demos, and enough audio examples to fill a small warehouse party. Words and screenshots can only take you so far—let your ears do the judging. For the full dirty details and some synth history with a wink, this tour’s essential viewing.