Synth Spotting with Pete Townshend of The Who

via Pete Townshend's Instagram @yaggerdang

Cameron Jones, mentioned below, is the co-creator of the Synclavier. Curious about that new mac-based program. Cameron recently worked on the Synclavier iOS app and the Synclavier KNOB.

"Between tours I spend a lot of my free time trying to improve my various studios. I have a number of spaces (only one large studio big enough for bands) and each one has a different focus. Recently, after getting inspired by the Eurorack world, and by being able to carry small devices on the road - like Akai MPC Mini, Volcas and Digitakts etc - I realised I’d neglected my larger modular synths that I am damned lucky to have and even luckier to know how to operate. So here’s where I left things with my ARP2500 (restored by the wonderful Phil Cirocco of CMS) and MOOG 35 before I sadly packed my leaving trunk to go on the road. Two months!!! Spiders will move in. The sharp eyed among you might spot the controller and keyboard for my Synclavier 9600 and Direct to Disk system. This has also recently been revived because Cameron Jones created a new Mac-based computer program to run the old towers. Steve Hill’s installed it for me. Cameron also worked with Arturia to create the Synclavier V. This is a fine development of the old FM system. The three stringed things on the wall are all by Collings. Love their boxes. .

This one was sent my way via bÖsch @fabmass

Update: you can find a video of it here. Embedding is disabled otherwise I'd embed it in this post.  Thanks to @Precarsious_333 for the link!

ARP Odyssey MKI 2800 w/ cv mods (1972)

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

via this auction

"Have a closer look at the pictures!?

Yes thats correct! It’s modded with cv patch points all over to give you some of the 2600s capabilities!! Including cv pitch control!

The mod work was done by the famous Phil Cirocco,

This unit is in fabulous condition, is in perfect working order and sounds incredible, was restored by switched on.

We are only because we have 2 arp 2600s the little guy is hardly being used and that’s a shame!!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Tonus Model 2002 Predecessor to ARP 2500

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

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

ARP Blue Marvin restoration demonstration - operational tips from CMS

Published on Oct 14, 2018 Phil Cirocco

"This is a short demo video showing some operational tips and nominal volume levels on the ARP 2600. The unit shown is one of the very first 2600s ever made. We recently repaired and restored this beauty to full functionality for a customer. The sound is coming from the 2600 speakers and being recorded by the phone mic. This unit had a partial APU installed since it already had great sounding chips."

Phil Cirocco demonstrating the ARP 2003 synthesizer by Tonus

Published on Oct 12, 2018 Phil Cirocco

"We recently refurbished and also refinished this beautiful 6 foot long ARP 2003. The predecessor to the ARP 2500. I Don't usually end up playing the blues, but this particular patch suggested it."

An ARP 2500 in Eurorack Format?

CMS 1004 demo - The Pearlman Oscillator and T-mixer Published on Sep 24, 2018 Phil Cirocco

"This is a quick preliminary demo of the new CMS 1004 Pearlman Oscillator. This VCO is a faithful reproduction of the massive VCO circuit from the ARP 2500, shrunk down to euro rack format. An analog CRT oscilloscope shows some of the unique and interesting waveform combinations available. discretesynthesizers.com"

CMS is going eurorack with the CMS 1004T (ARP 2500) - Pearlman Oscillator and T-mixer

This is huge news. Not only the ARP 2500 1004T oscillator in eurorack format, but CMS entering the eurorack market as well. Phil Cirocco of CMS is known as the ARP specialist in the US. He works on vintage ARPs as well as designing his own synths, most recently the CMS 2607. Be sure to see the CMS label at the bottom of this post for more.

Pearlman, of course refers to ARP's founder Alan R. Pearlman.

Curious if CMS plans a full blown ARP 2500 in eurorack format. Imagine that. :)

ARP 2500 pictured below for reference, via this post.

Orange on Black ARP 2600 Keyboard Synthesizer SN 0801 w/ Keyboard

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

via this auction

"It was completely refurbished and upgraded by Phil Cirocco in 2013 and has been sitting in my air conditioned studio since then.
The work carried out at that time is as follows:
Power supply - Replacement/upgrade
All sliders - Chemical bath and lube
Reverb Tank - Replacement/upgrade with 17" tank
Reverb cable microphonic - Replacement
1/8" Jacks - All replaced
VCO Sliders - All replaced
Panel/Internal Boards - All cleaned
APU - Replaced
VCA - Upgraded
Filter - Upgraded to 4012CX ARP ladder filter
Keyboard Contacts - Cleaned and burnished
Total cost of that work at the time was $2,253.

Since then I have replaced the latch hardware where necessary and prior to this listing I completed a total system test and everything is in perfect working order!"

SN 36200801

CLICK FOR MORE »

CMS 2607 "Tower of Doom"

DAYUM. Just look at it.

via Discrete Synthesizers:


"THE PICTURE SHOWS 5 OF THEM MOUNTED IN A MID CENTURY EMCOR RACK CABINET"

"HOLY CRAP BATMAN - THE BAT COMPUTER HAS UPDATED ITSELF"!

Don't miss the CMS 2607 live 2 track demo - "Ruination".


A single CMS 2607 is essentially an ARP 2600 on steroids.

ARP 2600 Synthesizer w/ CMS Filter and Oscillator + 3604-P Keyboard SN 26734

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

via this auction, also on Reverb.

"THIS ARP 2600 was serviced and modified by Phil Cirocco at discretesynthesizers. The built-in speakers have been replaced with a CMS Oscillator and CMS Filter.

I purchased this 2600 back in 2008 from the original owner in very good condition. In 2012, I had this synth fully cleaned and serviced by Phil Cirocco (look him up if you don't know who he is in the ARP world)

Added / Modded:
CMS 4012 CX Filter
CMS 2621 Dual Slope Filter
CMS 2627 Oscillator
1/4 Inch input jack
1/4 Initial Gain, Left, and Right output jacks"

CLICK FOR MORE »

ARP 2600 1970's Black / Orange

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

via this auction

"This Arp has been recently gone over by Phil Cirocco of CMS/Discrete Synthesizers.
Power Supply has been rebuilt, all sliders, boards and contacts cleaned, and the keyboard case hardware has been replaced. Unit has been fully calibrated. One of the internal speakers does not work. Otherwise it is in excellent condition!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

CMS 2607 music video, interesting ARP photos

Published on Oct 27, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is a promotional video for the CMS 2607 synthesizer. There are also some interesting and rare photos of some landmark ARP instruments and some significant CMS 2500 restorations. The music is a live stereo mix of the sequence I am presently having fun with. Phil Cirocco"

CMS 2607 demo #5 - filter sweeps & highpass filter

Published on Oct 25, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is a demonstration video of the CMS 2607 synthesizer. The manual playing is poorly executed but it does show the filter response including the high-pass function."

All parts here.

CMS 2607 GATED REVERB DEMOS

CMS 2607 DEMO #3 - GATED REVERB PATCH

Published on Oct 24, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is a demo of the CMS 2607 featuring a gated reverb patch with a basic sequence and a Roland 808."

CMS 2607 DEMO #4 - RESONANT GATED REVERB PATCH

Published on Oct 24, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is a demo video of the new CMS 2607 using a tuned resonant gated reverb patch."

You can find all parts including details on the CMS 2607 here.

New CMS 2607 Demo Videos

Videos added to the main post here.

Chrome Rain - CMS MC-24 demo

Published on Mar 23, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is a demo of the CMS MC-24 modular synthesizer. There are various pictures from the CMS studio, Hans Zimmer's studio and John McIntire's studio"

ARP Odyssey Multimode Filter Demo

Published on Nov 1, 2015 Phil Cirocco

"This is a demo of the new ARP Odyssey filter mod by CMS/Discrete Synthesizers. Both Odysseys in the demo also feature our new Mega Lumina illuminated slider kit with the original factory color code. It also briefly shows the new Centaur Post Filter Distortion circuit in action."

Phil Cirocco playing a large Moog Modular

Published on Oct 18, 2012 Phil Cirocco

"Phil Cirocco of CMS Discrete synthesizers testing out a large Moog modular system for a customer just before pickup. The monster was assembled using various body parts and systems collected over the last 2 years."

Phil Cirocco at the Buchla 100

Phil Cirocco at the Buchla 100 in high resolution

Published on Apr 25, 2012 Phil Cirocco

"This is the second installment of Phil Cirocco of CMS playing a large Buchla 100 system that he recently restored. This system contains the extremely rare and complex "Harmonic Generator Module". This module along with some other unusual modules, gives it a very beautiful and distinctive sound when coupled with the very effective method of control using the 2 touch keyboards. discretesynthesizers.com"

Phil Cirocco of CMS / Discrete Synthesizers playing a large Buchla 100 system

Published on Apr 25, 2012 Phil Cirocco

"Phil Cirocco of CMS playing a large Buchla 100 system that he recently restored. This system contains the extremely rare and complex 'Harmonic Generator Module'. This module along with some other unusual modules, gives it a very beautiful and distinctive sound when coupled with the very effective method of control using the 2 touch keyboards. A singular instrument considering this is the only Buchla system I have ever seen with a Harmonic Generator module in it. It actually reminds me of certain sound effects (not music) used on the original "Star Trek" series. The time and location of manufacture makes this a definite possibility. Please excuse the excessive noodling!"

Introducing THE CMS 2607 - An ARP 2600 on Steroids

As you know, CMS (Cirocco Music Systems) is Phil Cirocco's synth company. He is not only the world's most renown ARP tech (BTW, see my CMS Lumina upgraded Odyssey here!), but also a manufacturer. THE CMS 2607 is his latest creation. Knowing it comes from him, you know this is going to be one great synth.

The following are some details via CMS:

"THE CMS 2607 6U RACK MOUNT INTEGRATED SYNTHESIZER

CMS is proud to unveil for the first time, our new synthesizer, the CMS 2607. We took all the features of the original ARP 2600, combined them with our world famous upgrades, added more cool stuff and then squeezed it all into a 6 space rack mount heavy duty enclosure. This particular incarnation is the '2500 version' that features a beautiful heavy duty brushed aluminum front panel. We are also currently making standard versions using grey and blue paint similar to the original ARP 2600 factory color schemes.

Initially, a very small quantity of special issue handmade 2607s will be made available to the general public until the factory produced models are available. These will be priced higher than the factory made mass produced units.

Price for one of the hand-made limited edition $8699.00. (9,499.00 for units with early type VCOs) plus packing and shipping charges.

Target price for the standard version 2607 will be 4999.00 USD . The standard version is not available at this time but we will soon be taking orders on the standard version. This price is subject to change. Check back with this page if you are interested in the standard version and can wait.

If you are interested in ordering one of the special issue limited edition 2607s now, send a paypal deposit of $3000.00 USD to filter@discretesynthesizers.com to register your order or mail us a personal check. Delivery guaranteed to be no longer than 4 months from the date of deposit. There is a limit on how many of these special order units that will be available for 2016, so contact us now if you are seriously interested.."

And the front panel (click for a slightly larger shot):



Update: A couple videos spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child:

CMS 2607 DEMO #1- NO PANEL GRAPHICS

Published on Sep 22, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is demo #1 of the new CMS 2607 prototype. This is before we had the front panel graphics finished. For more info go to discretesynthesizers.com"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Arp 2600 - Phil C Upgrade/Service SN 0801

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

via this auction

"Rare Arp 2600 - Fully restored internals - Upgraded to better than new!

If you are looking at this listing you already know what makes the Arp 2600 classic,so I'll just tell you about what makes this Arp different from the rest!

Service/Refurb/Upgrades comprising of the following work...

Console:
Power supply upgrade
Reverb tank upgraded with 17" tank
APU upgrade
VCA upgrade
4072 filter 4012CX ARP ladder filter upgrade
All sliders chemical bath and lube
1 reverb cable microphonic replaced
84 rusty 1/8th jack washers replaced
84 rusty 1/8th jack nuts replaced
VCO3 slider in vcf mixer rebuilt
Front panel, boards, inside, and lid cleaned
Full calibration

Keyboard:
Oxidized connector clean and burnish * $35.00
Stiff sliders recondition
CV output erratic clean and burnish key contacts
Rusty jack washers and nuts replace
Rusty black hardware replace
Dirty panel, keys, inside, lid clean
Calibrate

All of this work was carried out by Phil Cirocco in 2013 [CMS], since then the synthesizer has seen relatively little use and has spent it's time in a smoke free home studio. So functionally it's better than new."

CLICK FOR MORE »