The instrument
The Elka Rhapsody 610 was manufactured from 1975-1980 and was a popular string synthesizer used by many musicians in the 1970s and 1980s, including Jean Michel Jarre, Klaus Schulze, Supertramp, Jethro Tull and Tangerine Dream. In sound and technique it can be compared with other string ensembles of that time (ARP Solina String Ensemble, Roland RS-202, Hohner / Logan String Melody). The technology of the 610 is also built into organs of the Artist series by Elka: in the models 605, 606 / X605, X606 once, in the models 705, 707 / X705, X707 twice.
Details
The model 610 has 61 keys and four different sounds: "Violoncello", "Strings", "Piano" and "Clavichord". They have their own faders for volume and additionally three sliders to control the decay for piano, strings and clavinet. There are also four separate mute buttons for each sound. The special feature is the split keyboard: the volume ratio of the individual voices in the two lower and the three upper octaves can be adjusted independently of each other. Thus, a bass accompaniment (e.g. "Violoncello" + "Piano") can be played with the left hand, while the right hand strikes "String" chords. (Source: Amazona)