"You canmodulate a lot using control voltages:
The VCO’s waveform, LFO rate, resonance, attack time, decay time, sustainlevel, release time (Exp. II)!
The RSF Kobol was the French synth company's firstcompact keyboard synthesizer, certainly inspired by the Minimoog. It is a muchmore compact instrument than the Modular Model 11 series of synthesizers theyhad been making thus far. It is a monophonic analog synthesizer withtraditional controls, knobs, switches and two oscillators for a good solidanalog synth sound. Initally released as a keyboard in 1978, a 3-unitrack-mount system was later released in 1979.
"The rack version of the RSF Kobol with a great sounding and very snappy SSM filter. The Kobol Rack (Expander I) was essentially only the VCO/VCF/VCA/LFO sections of the Kobol in a rack module. The Expander 2 was an add-on to the Kobol that added some new processing modules such as ring modulation, sample-hold, andenvelope followers as well as extra VCA and LFO modules.
The Kobol looked and sounded great, andwas quickly snapped up by the big names in synthesizers of the time. But beinga small French company, RSF were never able to truly mass produce these. About 800 Kobol Racks were made, 200 Expander 2's. This makes them quite rare!
They have been used by Vince Clarke,Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel and Hans Zimmer.
The RSF Expander II rack mount modular synth was manufactured as a companionoption module for the Kobol Expander I synthesizer. The19" 3 U space unit features a Ring Modulator, Envelope, a VCA, an LFO,Mixer with 3 inputs and 1 output. Additionally it has a Sample & Holdmodule with internal or external clock, a Noise Generator, Voltage processorthat is delectable Linear or Logarithmic, Voltage Inverter, Gate Delay, anEnvelope Follower, Lag Generator, and finally 2 multiples."
"This is a monstrous and extremely rare RSF Kobol modular system composed of 8x Kobol Expander 1s with cv gate, modulation, audio in and programmer expansions, 1x Expander II, 2x Programmer sequencers, 1x Keyboard mixer, patchbay and Polyclavier (8 voices and sequencer) that can drive the whole system. All modular system is perfectly working and fully tested. About the Polyclavier status, I have just plugged the keyboard and tried for a while...and all seems to be ok. The Kobol modules are fitted on three high quality professional travel cases, closable as a cube... very nice! I'm not sure if it was this one, but seems that a similar Kobol big modular was used on the Jean Michel Jarre China tour in the '80s ... The cosmetic condition is very good apart from the Polyclavier upper wood and front left corner which need some restoration. Working voltage is 220 /240 volts. (VEMIA note: please bear in mind that the owner isn't guaranteeing that all Polyklavier functions are 100%, because he is not familiar with it.)"
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"Here is for sale a rare example of a perfectly working RSF Kobol Expander I, one of the most sought after synths of the 80s. Only around 800 units manufactured! Probably one of the best sounding mono synths ever built. Note this is a 220-240v European voltage model. You must use a transformer to work with 115V US power (transformer not provided).
Some called it the French answer to the MiniMoog, among other great features it has :
1. An incredibly pure and powerful tone, due in part to its high quality components
2. analog morphing waveforms (UA726 Fairchild)
3. SSM filters and envelopes (2040 & 2050)
4. and many others (see below)
"Avant la venue du propriétaire du Kobol que j'ai remis en état j'ai fait un petit test que j'ai filmé. Voilà donc une petite vidéo montrant son Kobol en action, il est séquencé par un Q960 Synthesizers.com. Le son est capté par le microphone de la caméra donc ce n'est pas de très haute qualité et l'on peut parfois entendre ma respiration (Noise generator 100% bio !).
Un Kobol Expander Rack vient en second ajouter une couche à la séquence puis je m'amuse successivement avec le Waldorf MicroWave XT, le Manikin Memotron, le MatrixBrute d'Arturia, le CS15 de Yamaha, le Multiman S de Crumar et enfin la "Main Console" du Roland System 700 modular. Aucune prétention musicale dans tout ceci qui est totalement improvisé.
J'espère que ces 4 minutes vous distraieront.
I shot this video to test the Kobol synthesizer that I repaired for a friend. The Kobol is sequenced by a Q960 Synthesizers.com . The sound is recorded by the camera microphone therefore don't expect high quality... and sometimes one can hear me breathing (100% biological noise generator). As the sequence loops I have fun improvising with some of my synths : Waldorf MicroWave XT, Manikin Memotron, Arturia MatrixBrute, Yamaha CS15, lCrumar Multiman S and "Main Console" of the Roland System 700 modular"
"The Kobol synthesizer is a true legendary synthesizer, designed by the long extinct company RSF. It's so addictive that you'll never want to put it down. It has amazing morphing features, but also full patch memory.
Get ready to rock out with the Kobol and unleash your inner musician!
The Kobol is now fully developed and scheduled for production. We’re super excited 🙂 "
"In this video, Meta Function demonstrate oscillator modulation on a RSF Kobol Xpander I & II.
The Kobol features continuous morphing of the oscillators waveshapes. Oscillator one is modulated via a triangle LFO, with oscillator two modulated via the same LFO but with a S&H waveshape. The Kobol's filter is a SSM2040, designed by Dave Rossum of E-mu Systems and used in the first 2 versions of the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5. The Kobol was used heavily on early Depeche Mode tracks and by the late great and dearly missed Fad Gadget.
Sequenced via a Sequentix Cirklon.
Audio recorded via Calrec S2 console and SSL convertors. All dry, no FX, EQ or compression. The only post production performed was normalization.
Watch at 1080p with good quality audio monitoring for the best experience.
Meta Function developed the free Max For Live synthesizer, The Mono Junction in partnership with Sonicstae.com. Featuring a novel NegSawPW waveshape, extended pulse width modulation sounds are easily created.
"Super rare RSF Kobol Expander 2. Approx Only +-200 units built. Not serviced, but fully functional, in good condition (just a few small aesthetic scraches). Powersuply is 220V.(Europe)
If you own a Kobol expander 1 The Expander2 gives you a full ADSR, S&H, an extra LFO, Lag & noise, ring mod, etc.
It can also be combined with other machines.
Comes with power chord
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
The rsf's are powerfull synthesizers, built in France in the end of 70's begining 80's, with a HUGE and beautiful, super warm and wide sound.
The Kobol can be coupled with the Kobol Expander 2 and the programmer ( very very rare amazing sequencer ).
These beautiful machines are rare because they were produced by hand by two brothers for only a couple of years."
Here's a one minute video of the RSF Kobol and Analogue Solutions Oberkorn in action, recreating a classic bass line from the Sensual Remix of "Dangerous", by Depeche Mode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBogM-vrmCY
The Oberkorn is stepping the bass pattern and controlling the filter of the RSF Kobol Expander. The filter is also being manually opened and closed. The transposition is being done via MIDI to CV into the Oberkorn's transpose section for CVA (pitch).
"KIJIMI, a new 8-voice analogue synth by Black Corporation. Info, presentation and preorders start at Superbooth."
Black Corporation of course are the people behind Deckard's Dream, the Yamaha CS80 inspired polysynth. The KIJIMI will be RSF inspired - essentially a polyphonic Kobol with ssm2040-like filters, Kobol waveshapers, additional modulation sources and destinations, an additional HPF, 2nd LFO, extended envelopes, and polyAT. A prototype KIJIMI was spotted at NAMM this year.
Update: some additional info added above.
Note: Kijimi is based on the RSF Kobol mono synth. via the creator himself, Roman Filippov: "It’s a polyphonic kobol more than polykobol, since it uses ssm2040-like filters, not ssm2044"
"«Explorer» is a collection of 50 patches: 13 Leads, 13 Basses, 13 Plucks, 6 Drones, 5 FX. This soundset is the opposite of my previous one, 'Analog Classics,' where I focused on creating more vintage/classical timbres. In the "Explorer" bank of presets, I aimed to dive deeper into the Kobol Expander and achieve the most interesting and experimental results.
💎 The collection includes aggressive, bright, detuned, freaky, noisy, atonal, metallic, generative, evolving, rhythmic timbres. Plucks are excellent for use with arpeggiators or sequencers. In most examples of this category, I utilize an arpeggiator. Kobol Expander doesn’t have a built in arp/seq, but you may integrate your preferred arpeggiators or sequencers from your DAW or MIDI controller. Drones produce dark, distorted tones with heavy modulations, FM, noise, etc. They can be used as pads in genres like techno, industrial, or ambient to create a certain inharmonic atmosphere.
📻 The presets are suitable for a variety of genres, including: ambient, electronica, IDM, deep, techno, house, progressive, trance, lounge, downtempo, pop, chill out, new age, cinematic, breaks, jungle, drum and bass, dub and others.
📚 The soundset is presented in the form of PDF-Document. Each page contains notes that explain how the patch works, what parameters are worth tweaking during playback, and how to develop the timbre during a performance. If you make all the settings consciously and try the things mentioned in the notes, you will learn a lot about the synth and discover its true depth.
⏱ To recreate these patches, you will need up to 5 patch cords. There are audio examples of all patches inside the folder with the soundset.
Drums and pads from the video demo are not included into the soundset."
*Here's the new WFM Oscillator from LA67. It's a 8HP Eurorack oscillator that offers multiple dimensions of sound shaping and control. There's the standard triangle and square outs and then a unique 'WFM' section. That offers level control (CV modulation or audio rate for AM synthesis) as well as RSF Kobol style wave shaping and also pulse width modulation. There's the standard FM (exp/lin), sync and 1v/oct controls too. As always this video is about demonstrating the raw sounds and features with musical example and patch tips that can help us all push our synthesis and sound design further.
TIMING INDEX // SECTIONS
00:00 Hello and video previews
01:25 Feature run down
02:43 Kobol style waveform morphing
03:03 AM synthesis demo
05:34 Melodic AM ideas
07:12 Random “modulate everything” AM
07:23 PWM pulse width modulation demo
09:07 Dynamic and musical audio rate PWM
10:39 Rich PWM bass
11:40 Turning the WFM into an LFO
13:20 FM synthesis demo
14:47 Percussive FM patch
15:24 Additional FM patch
16:26 Audio rate wave shaping and “complex oscillator” patching
18:20 This was begging for a beat
18:51 Ambient fading wave shapes
19:42 Sync demo & more dynamic level control"
"Analog Classics is a collection of 50 presets for the semi-modular synth Behringer Kobol Expander: 15 Leads, 15 Basses, 15 Plucks, 5 Chords. It includes famous sounds that are found in many electronic tracks, from vintage to modern, musical solo timbres; basses that will fit into any track or performance. Additionally, there are some experimental patches that will add uniqueness to your music, featuring the characteristic sound introduced by the Behringer Kobol Expander. Plucks are excellent for use with arpeggiators or sequencers. In most examples of this category, I utilize an arpeggiator. Kobol Expander doesn’t have a built in arp/seq, but you may integrate your preferred arpeggiators or sequencers from your DAW or MIDI controller. Chords are patches that involve intervals between the oscillators, such as major/minor thirds and others, creating the illusion of a chord.
The presets are suitable for a variety of genres, including: ambient, electronica, IDM, deep, techno, house, progressive, trance, lounge, downtempo, funk, jazz, pop, chill out, new age, cinematic, breaks, jungle, drum and bass, dub and others.
The soundset is presented in the form of PDF-Document. Each page contains notes that explain how the patch works, what parameters are worth tweaking during playback, and how to develop the timbre during a performance. If you make all the settings consciously and try the things mentioned in the notes, you will learn a lot about the synth and discover its true depth.
To recreate these patches, you will need up to 5 patch cords. There are audio examples of all patches inside the folder with the soundset.
Here's the new Medic Module EKG sequencer paired with an RSF Kobol Expander synthesizer. CV, Gate out to the Kobol. The Kobol is fed into the AS Spring Reverb module from Analogue Solutions.
Clock is from an Oberkorn, but can also be any LFO.
The EKG analogue sequencer is a a versatile 8 step analogue sequencer with unique Mode switches
CV Out, Gate Out, Clock In, Clock Thru, Reset In.
Each step also has a unique Function control. Each step can be turned off, skipped, repeated or set as a reset point.
Modes; Off (rest), x1, x2, x3, x4, Skip, Reverse, Reset
"Petit concert dans le studio avec une programmation de séquence dans le séquenceur du RSF Polykobol.
Mais aussi, RSF Kobol, ARP Odyssey et le clavier ROLAND 101... joué en temps réel.
Petit concert uniquement :)
Enregistré en sortie directe de la table de mixage MACKIE LM-3204.
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New Live with RSF Polykobol sequencer (programming sequence in the sequencer), RSF Kobol, ARP Odyssey and ROLAND 101 keyboard... played in real time.
Short live only :)
Recorded directly from the mix table MACKIE LM-3204.
Video by NightBirds.
Publication & Copyright by NightBirds Electronic Music - 2012
"A stunning recreation of the RFS Kobol Expander synth, made by the genius company MOS-LAB. Everyone who used this along the original RSF Kobol side by side says they sound absolutely spot on. There's on Kobol Expander being sold at 10K on Reverb right now... This one is even more rare, as only about 30 were ever made.
Super snappy, big bass and morphable waveforms. Since the waveform morphing is made with a discrete waveshaper, the volume isn't consistent during the sweep. The original responds like this, too, but it got me by surprise so I'm mentioning it, so that you don't have to do your research ;-) The filter is super smooth and liquidy.
The synth comes in a Moon Modular rack, with a standard PSU."
"Instruments Used :
RSF Kobol (Fx)
RSF Polykobol II (sequence & Fx with the second split part)
ARP Odyssey (Fx & play)
WEM Reverbmaster & Pre-Mixer (mix & spring reverb used)
Video by Monade
P&C NightBirds Electronic Music - 2011
* Just a hypnotic sequence recorded with a RSF Polykobol II.
Live improvisation with ARP Odyssey, RSF Kobol."
NightBirds Teaser 2 (Live arpegiator sequence with the RSF Polykobol II...)
Uploaded by NightBirds31 on Nov 6, 2011
"Instruments Used :
RSF Kobol (Melodie)
RSF Polykobol II (Arpegiator sequence & Fx sounds with the second part split)
KORG Micro-Preset (Improvisation)
ROLAND MC-202 (Ambient Sounds)
WEM Reverbmaster & Pre-Mixer IV (mix with spring reverb)
I made this demo video right after servicing the unit.
RSF produced less than 200 units of the keyboard version of Kobol, and God knows how much of them
are in working conditions on these years. It is a very rare and very interesting synth, with its audio path
based on SSM chips (VCO, VCF, VCA) and 16 memories.
Curiously, the digital board which interfaces the panel and allows parameters to reach the memory
"has none CPU chip", nor even an eprom with a routine. It's all C-MOS logic and a pair of 1k-bit memory chips.
We are talking of 1978 !"
