Extensive Collection of Schematics, Prototypes, and More Donated to the
Bob Moog Foundation Archives
The Bob Moog Foundation is excited to announce an extraordinary donation from inMusic Brands, the parent company of Moog Music. This collection of an astounding 4,489 items includes Bob Moog’s office effects from his final years at Moog Music, over 500 schematics and 700 letters spanning the 1970s through the early 2000s, and vintage synthesizers and prototype models, including a Fairlight CMI synthesizer and Minimoog Voyager bench-model prototype!
Vintage product catalogs from dozens of industry competitors and collaborators, drafted speeches and articles, letters of both a business and personal nature, and plenty of other surprises fill drawer after drawer of Bob's file cabinets. In one file folder, there might be something as everyday as a tax form or an employee review, and in the next, a poignant, handwritten letter from Wendy Carlos or Lydia Kavina! It took almost two years and many volunteers to assist the Bob Moog Foundation in accessioning these historical materials into the Bob Moog Foundation Archives.
Moogerfooger prototypes, a Multiple Resonant Filter (MuRF) test fixture, and a rare Moog Phone Controller model PC-30 are just a few more of the fascinating artifacts included, which altogether shine a fascinating light on some of Moog Music's legacy of engineering and innovation. There are far too many items in this collection to fully share here, but we created a blog post with a few more details and images. And of course, we hope to have a few of these rarities on display in the Moogseum!
Contributions like this, along with the ongoing support of our Members and other Donation sources, empower us to maintain our continually growing collection of over 15,000 historical pieces. Please consider making a donation today so that we can give this world-class archive the attention it deserves.
“A Love-Letter for Fans of Electronic Musical Instruments”
… from one of the foremost historians in the field, Dr. Tom Rhea.
Forty-five years in the making, Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments contains all of Tom Rhea’s fifty-two influential columns that were first published in Keyboard magazine from 1977-1981. This 400-page tome greatly expands on the original content with updated information and hundreds of newly restored images. Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments includes two CDs of unearthed recordings; spanning multiple eras of electronic music. All in a gold foil-embossed hardcover book, housed in a deluxe slipcase.
Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments is in pre-production. Price/release date to be determined.
This one was sent my way via Brian Kehew who tells me it will feature the "first Buchla and Moog recordings ever made (both unreleased) as well as Con Brio, etc." See the link above for full details including video featuring the inside of the book. It's a beauty.
Those of you who have been coming to the site over the years should be familiar with the ultra rare Con Brio ADS. There was a keyboard version and a remote, or rather desktop, version. They are identical in function and sound. There is only one known ADS 200R in existance and that is it in the videos above (and farther below). Note the placeholder image is the ADS 200 keyboard version but you will see the videos feature the 200R. Brian Kehew wrote in to let us know he is working on a website that will cover the history of this rare synth. He also made the set of functional and audio demos. Above are the functional demos and farther below are the audio demos. You will find video titles and descriptions for each video in the playlistbelow, but before that, here's what Brian had to say:
"I've been making a website for the Con Brio synth history. Will be ready in a few more months. But meanwhile I've uploaded some video of how the thing worked. Primitive now, especially to younger musicians. But for anyone who lived through the days of floppy discs and early digital synthesis will see how advanced the Con Brio's design was.
We still don't know much about the workings, as all known manuals are gone, and the designers can't recall everything of how it did work. Here are some simple explanations and demonstrations of the main functions.
It's also a true 16-bit synthesizer, which was rare and expensive at the time. It also used an iron output transformer (like good studio consoles) which somehow also helps it sound (in my opinion) better than the Fairlight, DKS and Synclavier designs.
The two instruments I had are now at the EMEAPP Archive Project in PA, they may be able to make better headway figuring out more of the system and it's operations..."
Be sure to see the Con Brio label for various bits of info that have come in over the years. Also see the exclusive label for the rare of the rare in the synth world.
Playlist:
1. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #1: Loading the O.S. and Light Show
This is the basic beginning, to load an Operating System for the Con Brio synthesizer from an 8" floppy disc. First, the Light Show disc is used, then the standard OS disc that allows for music synthesis.
2. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #2; Panel lights show relevance.
One of the most-brilliant and unique aspects of the Con Brio design is the implementation of panel lights; they guide you to work much faster and more accurately.
3. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #3: Loading Sounds onto the keyboard zones.
Finding sounds on the 8" floppy disc directories, and then assigning them to the two keyboards in various combinations.
4. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #4 - Speed of Disc Access
One of the notable aspects of the Con Brio systems is a custom-written code to make disc access practically instantaneous. This demonstration shows the rapid access speed when loading from the floppy drive.
5. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #5 - Basic Loading
Further demonstration of loading sounds from disc and sequences to play them.
6. Con Brio Synthesizer Instruction #6 - Ensemble
Loading and using the Ensemble feature; the Con Brio could store a combination of sounds, layers, outputs, and sequences - and then save the whole set as an "Ensemble" preset - which loads nearly instantaneously.
7. Con Brio Synthesizer Instruction #7 - Loading and Stacking
Bringing in two sounds and layering them together.
8. Con Brio Synthesizers #8 - String Sequence with Tempo change
Basic Tempo control of a string sequence with the panel Tempo knob.
9. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #9 - Tuning and Synthesis modes experiment
As none of the Con Brio Owner's Manuals survived, it's very difficult to understand how they were supposed to operate. With a little guidance and help from the inventors, some methods produce results. This video is an experiment with saved alternate Tuning Tables and the Synthesis modes.
1. Con Brio Audio Demo One
A really nice wide-ranging set of sounds, changing across time, yet just a beginning demonstration of what the instrument could have done with more time and exploration.
2. Con Brio - String Section
Some string section sounds, very detailed and shimmering timbres.
3. Con Brio - Pipe Organ
Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition using a basic pipe organ program.
4. Con Brio - Wine Glasses
Digital synthesizers excel at this kind of crystalline ringing sound.
5. Con Brio - Sound 67
Playback of a sound with glitching, jittery elements; a fairly complex layered tone with some noise components, too.
6. Custom Con Brio Sounds
These tones are quite ahead of their time for 1980, and still sound quite modern. Easy enough to do them today, but back then, these were exceptional tones.
7. Random Number demo
Very similar to the randomness of a Sample/Hold on an analog synthesizer, but quickly becomes more layered and deep, a complexity that would take many analog synths to generate.
Con Brio Synthesizers #8 - String Sequence with Tempo change
Basic Tempo control of a string sequence with the panel Tempo knob.
9. Con Brio - Clear and Bright sequence
Demonstrates the sharp and detailed sound of these instruments.
"Two vintage digital synthesizer brochures. Just the Brochures. ConBrio ADS 100 and the Crumar GDS General Development System. Both brochures have punch holes, no writing, no missing pages, no highlights, no stains, no stamp. Very rare."
"The Complete Guide to Synthesizers by Devarahi. Covers many legendary, vintage, analog and digital synthesizers. Arp 2600 sections. Many pics and diagrams."
"SYNTH EVOLUTION is a new business specialising in illustrations of classic synthesizers, from the earliest Moog and Buchla systems of the early 1960s, right up to the introduction of the first analogue modelling synths of the early 1990s.
Every synth manufactured during that time has been covered - from the big names of Moog, Roland and Yamaha to the more esoteric products from RMI, Wersi and Powertran. Between them, all these synthesizers - and more importantly, the musicians who use them, have transformed music of the last 50 years bringing previously undreamt of sounds and styles to musical culture.
The first range of products from SYNTH EVOLUTION are stylish white ceramic mugs emblazoned with illustrations of these mighty instruments. There is a selection to browse from on the website, but any synth from a list of over 270 can be requested!
Note that currently only synthesizers are available - drum machines, samplers and more recent instruments are in the pipeline, as are other products.
The Moog Modular Synthesizer 3C (1967) was one of Robert Moog's earliest instruments and formed the basis of what was to become the world's largest modular synthesizer 'TONTO'. Created by Malcolm Cecil, 'The Original New Timbral Orchestra’ eventually comprised two Moog Modular 3C's as well as many other modules from other manufacturers.
The Arp 2600 was created in 1971 by Alan R. Pearlman and has been a classic ever since. Notable users are too numerous to list in full, but include Stevie Wonder, Jean-Michel Jarre, Orbital, Rick Wakeman and Nine Inch Nails. It was also used to create R2D2's bleeps and bloops in Star Wars.
The Con Brio Advanced Digital Synthesizer (ADS) 200 was an extraordinary synthesizer released in 1980 costing over $20,000. Based on additive synthesis, FM, phase modulation and some other esoteric sound generation methods it had 64 note polyphony and 16 oscillators per note.
Quite a beast, and a splendid looking one too - perfect for a retro-futuristic mug of tea!
—————
SYNTH EVOLUTION is the brainchild of Oli Freke, a composer and musician who’s had a lifelong passion for the synthesizer. He has previously supported the Human League on tour, run a dance music label, performed live house and techno in clubs and festivals, performed Brazilian drumming at the world famous Glastonbury festival and composed music for television. Find out more at www.olifreke.co.uk"
"One of the more rare and interesting synthesizers is the CON BRIO ADS-100 and attempted to steal some of the market from Synclavier, Fairlight and Con Brio. This is the brochure and spec sheet for the single prototype which never sold. This in in great shape. I have more vintage synthesizer stuff going up on auction, so check out my other listings, including more Moog panels. Thanks!"
"Very rare, circa 1980 original brochure for the legendary CON BRIO synthesizer. This is for the first model, the ADS100, and this is the 4 page brochure plus spec sheet. In fairly good condition for its age. An amazing synthesizer design, legendary for its appeal and space age look. Only one was ever made!"
Some great synth spotting below as well. Note the Con Brio, Conn Electric, 360 Systems, and OB-Mx amongst others..
"Perfect for someone with a large keyboard/synth collection and want to keep it close without a lotta space. It is a 6 tier keyboard stand for wall mounting. It's VERY strong, and mounts to the wall (please find studs to screw into!) securely with long screws/bolts. It's welded iron, with some foam pads added to each tier. Over the years, I've had many people approach me about making another, but I never did. It will be a bear to ship, but it's possible. I'll leave it at "local pickup" for the auction, and IF you want to ship it, we'll deal with the cost them."
"VintageTech electric organ/synthesizer looks to be on loan from a Tatooine Cantina -- or Captain Kirk's garage band."
That would be the Con Brio ADS200. Click on the Con Brio label below for more.
Update via Kiel in the comments: "Here's what Sellam (VintageTech president) gave me about it: 'That's the famous Con Brio ADS-200, a way-ahead-of-its-time synthesizer produced in the late 1970s/early 1980s. It was a project by 4 gard students at CalTech. They turned it into a company but since they were all engineers it failed pretty quickly, and only a couple of these were made. This is one of only two known to exist.
It was exhibited at the last VCF, along with the ADS-200R (the portable version). We got the ADS-200R working again recently, thanks in part to one of the original designers who lives in San Jose.
Both belong to Brian Kehew, and this one has been in my warehouse for a while as I'm trying to restore it for him (needs a new disk drive and a few electronic connectors fixed).' "
Update via Sellam in the comments: "I'm not sure what Brian has done to document our restoration progress online, but I'm sure at some point there will be ample web space devoted to these synths.
This is what I currently know (some details might be a little off):
1) Details about the ADS-200 in Kiel's photo can be found on the Con Brio Wikipedia page1b) According to the above link, it was THREE CalTech grad students, not four ;)
2) The 200R model is a portable version of the 200 pictured above. Brian Kehew scored it from Don Lieberman a couple years back. Don (one of the original of the three CalTech grads) had it in his workshop and was just about to throw it out when Brian made contact. Brian brought it up from San Jose to my warehouse, we plugged it in, and it came right up. It was actually in nearly flawless condition. We were able to get it mostly functional using the system disks from the 200 model above.
2b) We finally got it totally functional (well, 98%...) earlier this year. Don and Brian came up and we worked on it for half an afternoon and got the last problem solved (the keyboards). We played old samples stored on dusty old 8" floppy disks. The 2% that still needs to get functional is the video. The system disks we're using were coded for the 200, which uses a different video driver chip or something. We can boot the 200R using the same disks but the video is horizontally shifted and rolling. We can alleviate it by manipulating the video controls, but we don't get to see the whole screen. We get to see enough to load/edit/play samples, etc. Fixing this will be a matter of software, and that will take lots more work and hacking. Unless we can find an original system disk for the 200R.
3) The 200 model needs a new 8" floppy drive. Oddly, the one that it used is some rare CDC (Control Data Corporation) model for which I cannot find documentation. If anyone knows where to get documentation and a schematic for a CDC BR8A8 8" floppy disk then that would be fab. I tried substituting different 8" drives but none will work. Hmm...I just had a thought: maybe it's NOT the disk drive but rather the controller, or a cable. But anyway, can't say for sure until I know what the BR8A8 is equivalent to, or what's special about it, if anything.
4) As soon as the 200 is restored it will go back to Brian and he will do some magick with it. We (or at least I) hope to reprise the demo at the next VCF.
5) I video'd our restoration session as I thought it might be historically significant. It includes audio from the 200R. I'll get that digitized and up on YouTube as soon as someone invents a time machine so I can get more hours in the day. If someone wants to volunteer to do this then I'll be happy to get you a copy of the tape (Kiel?)
