Cheetah MS6 (1988–1992)

A 19-inch rack of plain British analog that earned cult status and a mention alongside Aphex Twin

Overview

The Cheetah MS6 is 19 inches wide and built like a no-frills studio workhorse. It arrived in 1988 from Cardiff, Wales. It didn't come from a synth giant. It came from a company better known for computer peripherals. Cheetah had been in data interfaces and floppy disk solutions, and it moved into the analog synth market with this full-featured, six-voice module. It was priced at £299 on release, aimed at musicians who wanted real analog polyphony without the Roland or Yamaha price tag. The MS6 uses traditional sound generation with CEM-based circuitry, following the classic oscillator-filter-amplifier model. It is a standalone sound module, rack-mounted and keyboardless, and it relies on external MIDI control. It stayed in studios long after Cheetah vanished from the scene, remembered for raw sonic character more than polish.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Cheetah
Model	MS6
Type	Analog polyphonic synthesizer module
Synthesis Method	Subtractive
Oscillators	2 per voice (DCOs)
Waveforms	Pulse Variable, Saw Up, Sine
Polyphony	6 voices
Multitimbral	Yes
Physical Format	19″ rack-mount
Original Price	£299

Key Features

Two DCOs per Voice with PWM

Each of the MS6's six voices has two digitally controlled oscillators, which give stable tuning and precise waveform control. They are not as richly textured as VCO-based drift. The DCOs give a clean, consistent foundation for everything from tight basslines to evolving pads.

Oscillator-Filter-Amplifier Architecture

The MS6 sticks to the subtractive synthesis model. Oscillators feed a filter stage, then a voltage-controlled amplifier. That path is easy to follow for anyone familiar with classics like the Prophet or Jupiter lines. Signal flow is uncluttered, and there are fewer modulation routing options than on contemporaries, but enough to shape characterful tones without overcomplication.

CEM-Based Analog Circuitry

The MS6 is built around Curtis Electromusic Specialties (CEM) chips, so it shares sonic DNA with other late-'80s analog gear. That gives it a somewhat uniform, slightly clinical analog tone. It is cleaner than the warmth of discrete designs, but it can still punch. The CEM chips likely helped keep costs down while keeping performance reliable across temperature changes.

19″ Rack-Mount Design

The MS6 was designed for professional and semi-pro setups. It takes standard 19-inch rack space, so it is easy to install alongside effects units, sequencers, or mixing gear. There is no keyboard. It works solely as a MIDI-controlled sound module, a practical choice for composers building a modular rig.

Overall Volume Memory

One of the few memory functions documented is the ability to store an overall volume level. The manual confirms multitimbral operation, but the extent of patch memory, such as how many presets it can store, is not specified in available documentation. The limited memory reflects its era's compromise: real-time control over deep recall.

Historical Context

Cheetah was originally a British computer peripherals manufacturer, and it ventured into the hi-tech music market in the 1980s with the Designed by Ian Jannaway, the synth was an ambitious attempt to deliver professional-grade analog sound at a consumer price. It came out when digital synths dominated, yet it kept a fully analog signal path, a deliberate choice that appealed to purists. There were positive remarks about its sonic flexibility, but Cheetah failed to sustain momentum and is now listed among synth companies that tried and failed. The MS6 gained a quiet afterlife in underground circles. Aphex Twin was said to have referenced or used the MS6.

Collectibility & Value

The MS6 has grown in reputation among analog synth enthusiasts, though it remains obscure compared to Japanese contemporaries. Owners note its ability to produce a wide range of sounds, and one reviewer stated it "can turn its hand to just about anything the analogue enthusiast might want to hear." Some users report a specific issue with patches, particularly the most desirable ones, which show instability or fail to recall correctly. The root cause isn't documented. A service log from December 2020 records a unit brought in for repair due to a faulty power supply, suggesting this may be a point of failure over time. Market prices vary widely. One unit reportedly sold for £460 on eBay in the past, while a recent listing on Reverb offered a "Used - Very Good" condition unit at $1,165.91 plus shipping, which points to rising collector interest, if not broad liquidity.