The Soviet Union's Only EMS Synthi 100 and Ukrainian Composer Vadim Khrapatchev

This one in via Alex Mylnikov.

Baran Records has a story about the one and only Soviet Union's EMS SYNTHI 100, and Ukrainian composer Vadim Khrapatchev. You can find two of his compositions featuring the EMS SYNTHI 100 at the bottom of this post.

For the full story, head over to Baran Records. The following is just the introduction.

"Nearly a decade ago some serious Russian synth music communities on the web rediscovered a couple of electronic themes from the music score to the soviet drama «Flights in dreams and reality», which appeared on the screens back in 1983. One of them, often named as "dance at the sculptor's party" after a corresponding movie scene, was of particular interest due to its rather simple but memorable space tune with a pulsating disco beat.

Since the soundtrack was too diverse, including different genres like jazz, orchestral pieces, electronic music and pop songs, there were doubts that it could be written entirely by a single person. This led to various theories, e.g. some listeners said that it could be an unknown performer covering certain unidentified themes by Edouard Artemiev or Vangelis, while others stated that one should just look into the movie's titles for the composer's name — Vadim Khrapatchev. Besides, there were thoughts that these compositions could be recorded using the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesizer, the one and only existing unit in Soviet Union at that time.

This last assumption was pretty close to the truth but any other information still remained unconfirmed and up to now all attempts of contacting the author for any clarification failed. However this summer we were lucky enough to get in touch with the composer in Kiev, Ukraine and we are incredibly happy to reveal some details about these two electronic gems as well as present them on this lovely 7" record."

Вадим Храпачёв — Танец (1982)

Published on Dec 28, 2016 Maxim Løy

"«Танец» (The Dance) — an epic Synthi 100 disco action by Ukraine's most notable film composer. Music for the soviet drama «Полёты во сне и наяву» (Flights In Dreams And Reality), directed by Roman Balayan. Both tracks were recorded and performed on the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesizer in Moscow on 15-16th of April, 1982. Written and composed by Vadim Khrapatchev. Guitar by Yuriy Bogdanov. More information on this release available at http://www.baranrecords.com"

Вадим Храпачёв — Финал (1982)

Published on Jan 9, 2017 Maxim Løy

"«Финал» (The Finale) — an opening and ending titles soundtrack for the soviet drama «Полёты во сне и наяву» (Flights In Dreams And Reality) directed by Roman Balayan and released in 1983. Both tracks were recorded and performed on the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesizer in Moscow on 15-16th of April, 1982. Written and composed by Vadim Khrapatchev. Features samples from the state symphonic orchestra of Ukraine conducted by Fedor Gluschenko. More information on this release available at http://www.baranrecords.com"

Beer Bottle on an EMS Synthi 100

Synthesis - EMS Synthi 100 - Köhn

Published on Mar 20, 2014 Dach ligt·7 videos

Kunstenfestival Tumult ism Icarus Records & IPEM
19/03/2014
Gravensteen
Gent

Update: video the set above in via phant in the comments. Original post follows:

The following is in via D' Naab 136. I have no way of verifying any of this, however, I have no reason to disbelieve it, unless these pics were somehow photoshopped. If anyone else was there, feel free to comment.

via D' Naab 136:

"Yesterday I witnessed some of the saddest stuff I've ever seen in my life. For an art exhibition going on in my hometown, they moved the EMS Synthi 100 belonging to IPEM at Ghent university to Gravensteen (a mideval castle) and let some 'artists' 'perform' live on it. I've known about this Synthi 100 for many years and even tried to buy it at some point from the university, because at that time it was in very poor condition and basically rotting away in a backroom somewhere. So, I was quite delighted to hear that it was somewhat restored and operational again. Also the idea of actually using it again and putting it on stage was just brilliant.

As you know, the sonic potential of the Synthi 100 is of galactic proportions: 9 VCO's, 8 VCF's, 3 LFO's, noise generators, ring modulators, spring reverbs, frequency to voltage converters, ... you name it, it has more than one of it. All of it interconnectable with two 64 by 64 matrix patch panels. One for signals and one for control voltages.

If there is one synthesizer in the world that allows for utterly mad complex modulations, earth shaking unison violence, insane self sequencing patches,... it's this one.

Of course I wanted to see these performances.

But, what I saw and heard was just sad... really sad. At first the Synthi 100 was not used at all, just standing there (talked to one of the organizers and he kept insisting I was hearing the Synthi 100 until he realized he could not bull*%#$ me and then told the machine needed some rest and was going to be used later. Read: more bull*%#$). When it was actually used, none of it went beyond some random (See the included pics of allmost empty patch panels) bleeps and bloops. Level: 3 year old on a Korg monotron. With a grand finale of some dude ranting a poem about the machine not being user friendly (I consider it as one of the most brilliantly laid out synths ever).

Much to my disgust, all 'acts' had one thing in common: They all put their beer on top of the EMS Synthi 100. Of which only 33 were ever made, just a handfull is still operational and which is now worth over 50000 EUR.

I see this like handling a Stradivarius after taking apart the engine of your car without washing your hands."

New DIGITANA E.M.S Synthi 100 Dual High Pass Filter Rack

video upload by Steven Thomas

"Testing the new Dual High Pass Filter rack FX built under license from E.M.S (Cornwall) by Digitana Electronics and Portabellabz. This filter was originally found in the E.M.S Synthi 100 synthesizer. The unit has the exact same form factor as classic E.M.S rack effects modules from the 1970s.

https://www.synthi.co.uk/synthi-100-m..."

"This is a new 19” rack module built under license from EMS (Cornwall) by Digitana Electronics (UK/Italy) and PORTABELLABZ (Belgium). It is a 100% faithful reproduction of the Dual High Pass Filter (DHPF) section found on early versions of the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesiser. An original spare ‘Mk1’ DHPF PCB from a Synthi 100 was kindly loaned by Robin at EMS and then faithfully reconstructed using the same trace artwork/layouts, via modern PCB design software. The PCBs are very high quality with ENS gold plated card edge contacts and traces. The same components as found in the original circuit are used throughout.

The DHPF rack case was deliberately chosen to be the same design as those found in the classic EMS rack instruments from the 1970s such as the Random Voltage Generator, Pitch to Voltage Converter, Octave Filter Bank etc. These were created in CAD from original engineering drawings kindly made available by Robin at EMS. The 1U high chassis is formed from 3mm silver anodised front/rear panels which are connected by solid aluminium side blocks and then 2mm anodised aluminium top/bottom covers. This allows the rack to be safely mounted in standard 19” rack enclosures. The panel graphics use anodic digital printing technology which is far more resistant to wear than silk screened graphics. Original control knobs/coloured inserts/jack sockets made by Cliff Plastics are also used to meticulously maintain authentic EMS design.

An optional beautiful wood rack sleeve is available with the exact same design as found in vintage units. These are made from Afrormosia hardwood (now on the protected species list) just like the original. The wood is ethically sourced from existing historical stock.

Inside the DHPF, the only change compared to 1970s rack modules has been to use a modern (and safer) switch mode PSU. This also has the advantage of allowing a wider range of operating mains voltages (from 98v–220v AC).

The Synthi 100 was designed by David Cockerell and the high pass filter design itself is rather unusual compared to other high high pass filters found in synthesisers. It has CV control of frequency cutoff but also has a response control which can control feedback of the output, creating a resonant peak that at extremes pushes the filter into self-oscillation. The use of diode ‘strings’ in the CV control section of frequency is quite unusual and is reminiscent of the same principle he used in his (later) Synthi Hi-Fli design, although there the filters sections are used to phase shift the input signal.

The high pass filter is capable of easily removing the fundamental in any audio passed through and then the first harmonic as the cutoff frequency is increased. By increasing also the response, the higher frequencies are boosted in a mix and eventually the filter will self-oscillate.

The two filters in the module are identical and a central three-way toggle switch has positions series, off and parallel."

EMS Synthi 100 Oscillographics [Radio Belgrade Electronic Studio]

EMS Synthi 100 Oscillographics [Radio Belgrade Electronic Studio] from macumbista on Vimeo.

"This is a series of audiovisual X/Y oscilloscope patches for the EMS Synthi 100 at the Radio Belgrade Electronic Music Studio, and visualized on the Tektronix 5000 series modular rack oscilloscope. They were programmed to run autonomously without any human control. Most of them use two or three oscillators tuned to a close harmonic, and small changes in the frequencies (including temperature drift!) will make large changes in the image/sound. A couple use the Synthi 100's low pass filters as well. All are based on Ron Pellegrino's laser designs from "The Electronic Arts of Sound and Light" (1983)."


Oscillographics EMS Synthi 100 filter test [Radio Belgrade Electronic Studio] from macumbista on Vimeo.

"This is an audiovisual X/Y oscilloscope patch designed for the EMS Synthi 100 at the Radio Belgrade Electronic Music Studio and visualized on the Tektronix 5000 series modular rack oscilloscope. OSC 1 serves a visual purpose mainly and can be adjusted freely. OSC 2 provides the fundamental of the image/sound. OSC 10 sweeps FIL 2 through the harmonics and adds or subtracts nodes from the visual figure. Based on Ron Pellegrino's "Laser design 6", The Electronic Arts of Sound and Light (1983). NOTE: for X/Y display, replace "Time Base/Ampl" module on oscilloscope with "Y2" module.



* OSC 1 -> OUT 1

* OSC 2 -> FIL 2

* OSC 10 -> FIL 2 (control)

* FIL 2 -> OUT 1 (control)

* FIL 2 -> OUT 2

* FIL 2 -> OUT 2 (control)

* OUT 1 -> SCOPE Y1

* OUT 2 -> SCOPE X

* OSC 1 settings: 5:10:10:7.4

* OSC 2 settings: 5:5:7:2.5

* OSC 10 settings: 0:10:5:3.5:0

* FIL 2 settings: 5.5:5:10

* OUT1 settings: LVL:7, FIL: 5 (ON)

* OUT 2 settings: LVL: 7, FIL: 5 (ON)

* OUT 4 settings: LVL: 10, FIL: 0 (OFF)

* LEFT MATRIX (left:top) 69:56, 70:58, 85:36, 88:15, 105:37, 105:39

* RIGHT MATRIX (left:top) 77:18, 72:42, 72:43"

EMS SYNTHI 100 for Auction

via this auction

BIN of 45,000.00 GBP or roughly 63,964.41 USD according to XE.com
Details:
"For sale the legendary EMS SYNTHI 100 modular in great condition and fully functional - one of the biggest and rarest synths ever built, 33 units ever built - including many original accessories and non-working parts of the ultra-rare COMPUTER SYNTHI !

The Synthi 100 was entirely serviced, finished in January.
The unit is an early one. That is, the filters are diode based (like the VCS3) and not OTA based, therefore they are by far the best sounding of the 2 "revisions".
Probably the richest, creamiest HP I have ever heard.
Says who ? says me and James Walker (http://www.synthrepairservices.com/), one of the best specialists worldwide in this matter.

With the main unit come many original accessories :
- original double keyboard
- original wooden keyboard cover
- original cable from keyboard to unit
- 2 wooden covers to protect each matrix from dust
- original manual for the Synthi 100 : "Handbook for Synthi 100"
- Female and male plugs for optional CV/gate or MIDI remote control
- Large quantity of pins :
91 blue
69 white
48 orange
6 reds
1 pin with cable to connect to coloured connectors to control pulsewidth of waveforms.
4 cables with pins at both ends which allow connecting between matrixes.
- special modification adding the possibility of controlling the oscillators' waveforms pulsewidth, not possible on stock Synthi 100s.
- A big pile of empty Synthi 100 patch sheets
- Ignition key
- original expansion card for analog cards repairs
- not original expansion card for digital cards repairs
(with these 2 last cards you can repair your unit forever, without them it would be a folly to buy this synth as the day it fails you cannot repair it anymore)

Also included with all this will come non-working parts of the ultra-rare COMPUTER SYNTHI.
Note that there has been only 3 ever built, 1 of them being the prototype, so this is more than rare, this is almost unique.
They are 3 parts of the Computer Synthi plus very extensive schematics for the Computer Synthi in a "HandBook for Synthi - Computer Synthi" big black book (in case you know someone very good at music electronics who wants to rebuild it). Here you will find more infos about this :
http://members.tripod.com/werdav/comsynth.htm
They seem to be the 2 upper panels :
* 1. Two, digital tape decks mounted at the top left of the front panel.
* 2. An alpha-numeric display, user push buttons, and a digital oscillator mounted at the top right of the front panel.
Plus the other rack under the alpha-numeric display+push buttons which is maybe the 3rd part described :
* 3. Analogue to digital converters and digital to analogue converters both with software, range and offset controls - mounted at the bottom right of the front panel."

SYNTHI 100 : Yoshio Machida + Constantin Papageorgiadis

Published on Dec 5, 2015 amorfon

"(JP/ENG)
The album will be released in Oct, 2017.

SYNTHI 100
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMS_Syn...

Yoshio Machida
http://www.yoshiomachida.com
http://www.baskaru.com/karu29.htm

Constantin Papageorgiadis (a.k.a. Trap & Zoid)
http://www.portabellabz.be

(JP)
2015年11月にベルギーのゲント大学機関：IPEM(Institute for Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music)で、町田良夫とConstantin Papageorgiadis (BE)が大学所有のEMS SYNTHI 100を使ってレコーディングを行いました。この映像は、アウトボードを使わずSYNTHI 100のみで演奏したものです。ほとんど動かない状態だったこのSYNTHI 100をTrap & Zoid自ら数週間かけて修理し動くようにしました。

(ENG)
Yoshio Machida + Constantin Papageorgiadis had recording using SYNTHI 100 in November 2015 at IPEM(Institute for Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music), Gent University.
http://www.ipem.ugent.be/
Performed with only SYNTHI 100, without any outboards and effects. This SYNTHI 100 was also broken, but Trap & Zoid repaired and re-tuned."

Spotted this one on sequencer.de. Not sure where to get the CD though. Not finding it at the links above or on sequencer.de. However there is one for the SYNTHI AKS here.

And via baskaru.com

"The machine that refuses to age

The SYNTHI AKS is a legendary machine. Manufactured by Electronic Music Studios in 1971, this portable modular synthesizer was extremely flexible. Not a keyboard synth like what Moog was doing at the time, this was a generative music machine with a matrix patch panel. Think Max/MSP in analog terms. Except that being analog, it wasn't entirely stable and, thus, had an organic quality that is still valued today.

Music from the SYNTHI is a new endeavour for Yoshio Machida, a consistently surprising sound and visual artist who, among other feats, has released an acclaimed series of sound collage albums (Hypernatural), albums of improvisations on steelpan drums, and records with the bands miimo and Ohanami. This new solo album arrives almost four years after his previous one The Spirit of Beauty (a slow-evolving piece combining instruments, field recordings and electronics), and six years after his Baskaru debut Hypernatural #3.

Music from the SYNTHI consists in 13 pieces. Most of them are quirky and playful. "SYNTHI n° 30" has a longing quality you would never expect from a synthesizer. And all of them are 100% SYNTHI. "I simply recorded the repeating patterns and mixed 3 to 5 patterns per piece, without any editing or effects," explains Machida. I wanted to record rich obscure improvisations as performed by the SYNTHI. Every modulation, reverb, effect like delay, and glitch sound is produced inside the SYNTHI."

Radio Belgrade EMS SYNTHI 100 Restoration is Complete

This system was briefly mentioned here on MATRIXSYNTH back in 2005. It is great to see that the system is not only fully working again, but is being made available for use. Very few working EMS SYNTHI 100s exist. This is pretty amazing news.

via camp303:

"Just wanted to tell you that we just finished the restoration of the Radio Belgrade Synthi 100!

The Synthi hasn’t been in use for years so it was very dirty but otherwise in good condition. Luckily they had a big supply of spare parts and replacement cards - enough to keep it running for years. We replaced the main power supply and rebuilt the sequencer power supply. Many smaller problems were fixed and all modules and functions were checked and tuned when necessary.

This Synthi is serial number 4 but in fact it was the first Synthi 100 ordered. According the information from one of the original founders of the studio, Paul Pignon, Radio Belgrade worked closely together with David Cockerell and Peter Zinovieff to come up with the specifications of the instrument that would eventually become Synthi 100. There are details that could indicate that it might have been the first machine built.

Synthi 100 in Radio Belgrade is planned to be used by local and international composers to create new works. The details are being worked out but it will stay at the Radio.

We have previously restored the Synthi 100 at the KSYME foundation in Athens in 2016 with the support of documenta 14.

/Daniel Araya and Jari Suominen"

Vintage EMS SYNTHI 100 Compositions Featuring Paul Turner & Simo Lazarov

Paul Turner - Panels V on EMS SYNTHI 100

Published on Jun 26, 2013 staffcarpenborg·34 videos

"Electronic Music - University of Melbourne.
Panels V was composed in 1975 it includes an extract from a parliamentary debate, an advertising jingle and the voice of a disc jockey. This upload is taken from an LP that was produced for the Faculty of Music from the above mentioned University. It was released in association with inter-galactic Fringe Benefit Productions by Serge Ermoll.

Engineer: Les Craythorn
Cover design: Anne Pottage
Photographer: Gerard Lier

The Custom Pressing is made by EMI (Australia) & at the heart of this recording is featured the SYNTHI 100 analogue synthesizer, made by EMS of London, linked to a PDP 11/10 computer.

Other Artists that feature on this rarity are Gary Wright, Chris Wyatt, Greg Riddell, Ken Guntar and Peter Tahourdin"

CLICK FOR MORE »

EMS Synthi 100 Restored in Australia

This one in via readers Ross & Luke. An EMS Synthi 100 is being restored at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music by Mr. Leslie Craythorn. According the article on ABC News Australia:

"My count is we're down to maybe three Synthi 100s which are actually working and in original condition, of which this is one"

I'm curious how close that count is. I took a quick look in the archives and there was one in Kohn. The Digitana was featured here (according to the video only about 30 total Synthi 100s were made). There was one fully functional for sale in 2009 and 2006 (the same one?). One was spotted in this Aphex Twin post. Meat Beat Manifest had one featured here. Note the one in the background of this post, and of course the one being lifted by a crane in this post. Click here for all posts featuring the EMS Synthi 100.



You'll find pics, video and the full story on ABC News Australia here.

"On request of the university, Mr Craythorn has spent some of his last months on the job meticulously restoring a rare Electronic Music Studios (EMS) Synthi 100 modular synthesiser.

With its rows of coloured knobs and primitive displays the large grey cabinet looks like something from an old science fiction TV show and, in a way, it is.

Mr Craythorn said the instrument is identical to the one used by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in the 1970s to create sound effects and incidental music for Doctor Who.

He first encountered the Synthi in 1975 when he was employed as a technician in the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music's electronic music laboratory.

'When I walked in and saw the size and the immensity of the machine... it's overwhelming,' he said."

EMS Synthi 100 - DEEWEE Sessions Vol.01 (Soulwax)

Published on May 5, 2020 The Vinyl Factory

This one was spotted and sent in via Joshuag.

"David & Stephen Dewaele (aka Soulwax/2manydjs) have always been fascinated by collecting instruments and recording gear. Their passion hasn’t been born by completism: every new item inspires a world of possibilities. The one item that always eluded them was the EMS Synthi 100—a huge and rare analogue synthesizer, of which there were only 31 ever produced, that can create a near infinite array of sounds."

via The Vinyl Factory

* David & Stephen Dewaele’s tribute to the EMS Synthi 100

* 48 page book exploring the background behind the album and the history of the Synthi 100.

* 1 x 180g black vinyl

* Vinyl and book housed in a fully art-worked inner sleeve, a perforated ‘patch bay’ outer sleeve and clear PVC bag.

* The book includes a foreword from David and Stephen Dewale, an introduction from 3030, the specific Synthi 100 unit that was used for the album; a history of its creation and an exploration of its sounds; and finally an interview with Ivan Schepers, the IPEM technician who has been 3030’s long-term custodian.

* Art Direction by Ill-Studio.

* Photography by Younes Klouche.

* Written, recorded, produced and mixed at DEEWEE by David & Stephen Dewaele.

* Available for pre-order from 05/05/2020

* Release date: 29/05/2020

CLICK FOR MORE »

DIY synth - inspired by EMS VCS3 and Synthi 100

Published on Nov 4, 2012 by MentallyUnfit

via Kris Campestre on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"First video of my DIY synth. Audio is recorded with the camera so not the best quality.
The synthesizer consists of VCS3, Synthi 100 and JH modules.
Specs:
4 vco's (VCS3)
1 Trapezoid (JH)
1 Trapezoid (synthi 100)
1 LPF (VCS3)
1 Sample & Hold (JH)
1 octave filterbank (synthi 100)
1 Wavefolder (JH)
1 Highpass filter (synthi 100)
1 Random voltage generator (synthi 100)
1 Slew limiter (synthi 100)
2 Ring modulators (VCS3)
1 Envelope follower (synthi 100)
1 Noise generator (VCS3)
1 joystick (VCS3)
1 inputmodule (VCS3)
1 outputmodule (VCS3)
1 reverb (VCS3)
1 matrix for audio
1 matrix for control voltages

patch:
VCO1 to Synthi 100 filter in Band pass mode to reverb to output
VCO3 to Sample & hold to VCO1 frequency
Synthi 100 trapezoid controls the filter frequency
The joystick is used to control delay, attack, on and decay parameters of the trapezoid and the reverb mix with 68K pins"

Meet Colossus - Analogue Solutions Rendition of the Classic EMS SYNTHI 100

You might remember Analogue Solutions EMS SYNTHI 100 for sale from previous posts. It appears they have put it to good use and designed their own version. P.S. I spotted this earlier this morning, but thanks to Soviet Space Child for sending in the link.

via Analogue Solutions:

"Available direct only... Come see Colossus at SynthFest (UK, 5/Oct)

Numbers will be limited - we are currently taking pre-orders, ready to ship in early 2020.

This is truly something special.

Price is £25K. This exclude any tax (most likely you can claim it back through your business). Shipping: Outside of UK it would need to be crated, onto a pallet, then freighted. Shipping and crating likely to be 500-1000GBP. If you aren’t too far from Calais there maybe other options.

WHAT IS COLOSSUS?
Analogue Solutions is excited to introduce Colossus, an exciting new mega-synth with a design ethos truly from the dawn of analogue synths. It is more than a powerful analogue ‘workstation’ - it is also art, architecture, exquisite studio furniture.

Design inspiration is of course from the 1970’s EMS Synthi 100, however, no circuit from the Synthi has been cloned or copied. We prefer to make our own designs. We have chosen some of our favourite circuits from our own large back catalogue synths such as Polymath, Telemark and Vostok.

Colossus is not a Synthi 100 clone - all circuits are non-EMS, Analogue Solutions’ design.

CLICK FOR MORE »

EMS Synthi 100 For Sale

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Note this one is from Analogue Solutions and is not yet working. You might remember the EMS Synthi 100 in a van and the decals posted here. This is that Synthi 100. Update: New pics added including a much larger version of the overall system to the left (click on it). Also there was no connection to John Carpenter. I might have misread John when the reference was to Tom Carpenter of Analogue Solutions who is selling it. I asked Tom how much of the system was original and he said, "Only really the cabinet is not original as the original one was destroyed."

Details from the listing:

"yes you read it right - Original EMS Synthi 100 s/n 16 (of around only 28 built)...

This unit is nearing the completion of full restoration -

I am finding it hard to dedicate time to complete this project due to running my own business and a busy family life. But I will complete it if need be!

At my work rate it will take at least a couple of years, despite that fact it probably only needs a few full time weeks to complete.

Selling this now as is is an opportunity for someone to jump the queue and avoid themuch higher price it will fetch when completed by me.

If you are after a Synthi100 - this could be the only chance to get one since most are now locked away in museums or private studios.

I am only looking to reclaim the total cost spent on this and will write off my weeks of labour time so far invested.

Sale price will be in the 5 figures, but significantly less then a completed unit. (I have been offered figures in the region of £60K for it when complete)...

Very briefly, to complete:
Final stage of the re-wire (estimate about 2-6 days to do that). Most of the wiring has been done, it's just the final leg. Double checking the wiring, then finally checking each card one at a time - to repair any dead components (dead due to age).

Essentially the synths is complete and almost no money needs to be spent on it other than labour time and any spare to fix any faulty boards...

Sale includes Full service documentation, plenty of EMS patch pins, original double keyboard, spares, cables - and a strong steel table if required."

Experimental Music (1984-1989) - EMS SYNTHI 100

YouTube via zijun01.

via THE SYNTHI EMS SYNTHI 100 track comes in at 3:46.

"I recorded these pieces in the 1980s and recently recovered them from twenty-year-old cassette tapes. The first excerpt is from a work that was recorded at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. The other songs were recorded at Carleton University in Ottawa.

The video clips are processed (using AfterEffects) screen captures (using CamStudio) of music visualizations (using the iTunes and Dr. Glitter visualizers).

'Blade' features drums, synthesizer (Yahama DX-7), alto saxophone, voices, a bicycle pump, coins, pieces of wood, water and probably a few things I have forgotten about.

'Ýoung Sycamore' has a live vocal and percussion part that wasn't recorded. The lyrics were adapted from a poem by Wlliam Carlos Williams (http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/35368-Willia m-Carlos-Williams-Young-Sycamore). The piece was written/played using the software 'PC Composer' and a midi controller.

'Untitled' features an EMS Synthi 100, a very early synthesizer from the early 70s. It takes up half of small room and is interesting to use because you have to physically connect all the different sound items like sine waves, noise and filters. According to Wikipedia, only about 30 of these synthesizers were produced and their original selling price was 25,000 USD (the equivalent of over $100,000 USD today). If I had known it was so rare and expensive, maybe I would have appreciated it more back then. The arpeggios and background sounds are from a Korg Poly61 synthesizer.

For 'Sting Quartet No. 2', all the notes were typed into a computer (using the PC Composer programme) and then played back through a midi controller before being recorded on a reel-to-reel tape deck.

'Mammals I Have Known and Loved' features the EMI Synthi 100, a tam tam (a kind of gong, but this time played with a violin bow), alto saxophone, empty pop bottles, voices, loops made of sound effects and laughter. The voices mainly came from outtakes of interviews I had been recording.

Well, I hope you enjoy the pieces, weird as they may be."

EMS SYNTHI 100 Coming to All Connected #6 - Special on IPEM, November 2, AB Club, Brussels, 6:30 PM

"IPEM: Established in 1963 as a joint venture between the then BRT and the University of Gent, the Institute for Psycho-acoustic and Electronic Music (IPEM) developed into an important centre of research and a studio where quite a few important composers of early electronica and contemporary music worked. People like Louis De Meester, Lucien Goethals and Karel Goeyvaerts are just a few of the important figures from this exciting period in recent (Belgian) music history.

During this evening, a number of original pieces from the IPEM studio are to be seen (coming from the collection of the MiM) together with the the EMS Synthi 100. The legendary synth in the possession of the IPEM since the 70’s.

We’ll start with a reading by Dr. Micheline Lesaffer on the history of IPEM. Right afterwards, a number of compositions played from from tape by Ivan Schepers, Head of Technolgy at IPEM.

screening: To Speak Or Not To Speak, R. Servais, 1970, 10min. Short animation film by Raoul Servais for which IPEM composer Lucien Goethals made music.

live set by Keith Fullerton Withman partly on the EMS Synthi 100

Screening: Harpya, R. Servais, 1979, 9min. Animation film in which Servais uses a technique with 35 mm projections on a multi-plane with a black back ground. The film won de Palme D’Or for best short-film in Cannes. Here too, the music is of Lucien Goethals is from the IPEM."

You'll find details on the event here.

Side note: this is the same Synthi 100 Featured in Köhn posted here.

How to program a EMS VCS3 AKS SYNTHI

video uploads by Andy Whitmore

"Demos of a wide range of sounds & special FX of the VCS3 - & how to program them - explained by Andy Whitmore & Paul Soulsby at Greystoke Studio.

The VCS 3 (or VCS3; an initialism for Voltage Controlled Studio, version) is a portable analog synthesiser with a flexible semi-modular voice architecture, by Electronic Music Studios (London) Limited (EMS) in 1969. This product was called various names by EMS. For example, the printed logo written to the front left of products are: "V.C.S. 3" or "The Putney (VCS 3)" on the earlier version, then "The Synthi (VCS 3) II" on the later version (Synthi VCS 3 II).

The VCS 3's basic design was reused by EMS in many other of their own products, most notably in the EMS Synthi 100 (1971), and the Synthi A (1971) and AKS (1972) (essentially a VCS 3 housed in a plastic briefcase). The AKS also has a sequencer built into the keyboard in the lid."

Playlist:
Instructional video How to program an EMS Synthi AKS : VCS3 recorded through a iPhone - Part 1
Instructional video How to program an EMS Synthi AKS : VCS3 recorded through a iPhone Part 2
Instructional video How to program an EMS Synthi AKS : VCS3 recorded through a iPhone Part 3
How to program a EMS VCS3 AKS Synthi – this incredible 1971 monster synth from Putney-Part 4
Demo of EMS AKS SYNTHI - VCS3 Demo of sounds & in depth programming – 1971-Part 5

Myself and the EMS Synthi 100 on YouTube

No, not me. YouTube via mustanghovercraft. Note: The Synthi 100 has an ignition key. : )

"Here's a clip of myself being interviewed by SonicState in 2003. We had nearly completed restoration of a EMS Synthi 100 and were showing it in London. I HATE having my pic taken - being filmed - whatever! And to have a mic shoved in front of you with no rehearsal - yikes! No wonder I forgot everything and stumbled all the way through!!

Just to correct a couple of things - this Synthi was researched in depth (with help from R. Wood!)and found to be the original DIGITANA (the name for the prototype before Synthi 100) as used and pictured in the EMS Studio. The sequencer was designed slightly later around '70 - 71... This being the original it consisted several veroboards!
An awesome instrument when its restoration was completed - and one I miss... "

EMS Synthi 100

Interesting thread on the EMS Synthi 100 on Vintage Synth Explorer. Two interesting tidbits that got me to post this. One in the History page of the EMS Site it lists Belgrade in The Users section. Optimus prime on the thread followed up and it turns out they have a Synthi 100. Two, the Synthi 100 is featured on Meat Beat Manifesto's later work including some shots of it in a DVD called "Tino Vision." I will definitely have to check that out.

EMS Synthi-100 Concert Set for Saturday 23 April 2016 in Melbourne Australia

via the Melbourne Recital Center

"A first ever live Synthi-100 concert experience

Melbourne Conservatorium of Music’s emeritus tonmeister Les Craythorn will join performance staff for a first ever live Synthi-100 concert experience, including a reconstruction of ground-breaking music by Percy Grainger, which has been immortalised in the beautifully carved walls of the Salon.

The Synthi-100 is best known for the ethereal sounds behind the Doctor Who theme music and was delivered to the university from London in March 1973. The Synthi-100 is one of only 30 made in the world and following recent restoration by Les Craythorn, is one of just three that have been restored to original working condition. The Synthi-100 became the centerpiece of the Conservatorium’s electronic music studio and was used to create Electronic Music, a vinyl LP released by the university in 1975, which was edited by Les Craythorn. The record includes ground-breaking work by Peter Tahourdin, Three Mobiles, featuring ocean-like wave noises, rapid-fire beeps and UFO sounds.

Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music"

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Live performance with the EMS Synthi-100 with a TB303 +TR606

Published on Mar 6, 2018 Honeysmack

"Recording of a live performance I did with the EMS Synthi-100 at The Melbourne Recital Centre in August 2017.

https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/e...

Synthi-100 is being triggered by a Roland TB-303, drums: Roland TR-606. Both 303 and 606 going through the Synthi-100 mixer. No added effects or processing.

Extra pair of hands helping me manipulate the Synthi in real-time is Anthony Lyons.

With special thanks to Lesley Craythorn and my colleagues Anthony Lyons and Mark Pollard at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne."