via C. S. Cairney"what I have attached here is a photograph of my Digital Keyboards Synergy Synthesizer. I just got it two days ago here in San Francisco from this guitar player who had no room in his moving van for it. He gave it to me for FREE. When I arrived at his place in the east bay he immediately mentioned how many dudes had offered him good money for it in their replies to his craigslist posting but since I had been the first to reply he remained true to his word and kept it for me. I immediately recognized the keyboard from a photograph [via] of one of my heros, Wendy Carlos posing in front of two Synergy synthesizers. I will frame it and put it next to my MOPHO (I repainted my DSI MOPHO white. It is controlled with a REALISTIC MusicStar Midi Controler). Along with the keyboard came a sack of accessories: Full manual, sustain pedal/foot switch and for cartridges of 24 patches each, 3 cartridges of patches created by Ms. Carlos herself and one custom cartridge for a man named Chuck Rzeszutko (Original Owner?).
Though most of the factory presets are great, some are so so, some are incredible, half the beauty of this synth lies in an outboard computer that I do not possess. The Kaypro II computer was what ran the software for fully editing patches from scratch. I will try to get ahold of someone who has this setup. I have read that it is possible to write new chips for cartridges with certain existing units. I am very happy with the patches I have and have absolutely no problems with this synthesizer. It sounds immaculate for being digital. I will send a link to some tunes after I record with it."
After all these years, I do not know a single SYNERGY owner who doesn't love the sound. Other keyboards (especially digital) don't do it. I suppose it could be the D/A section design and the analog output stages they built? Regardless I find many of the sounds normal or less-than-exciting, but there are GREAT sounds to be heard.
ReplyDeleteTry to contact JL at Cantos Music Museum; he made me custom cartridges with switchable banks - each cart hold up to 16 carts worth of sounds. I now have hundreds to choose from. Whatever it costs - if he can do it - go for it.
The KAYPRO computer you hook this up to is cheap and easy to find, but it uses CPM language, and is VERY tricky to work. Myself and another Synergy user have spent ages trying to get it to work - no luck.
Uh-oh - it looks like Wendy forgot to renew her domain name registration....
ReplyDeletehttp://wendycarlos.com/
ReplyDeleteIt still works for me...
thats the best 'i got this synth for free' story i've ever heard. in fact i haven't heard that many really
ReplyDelete