H.W. Cano Gravitom Rare Drum Synthesizer

video upload by akestromer

"Quick demo of an early 80's drum synth made by H.W. Cano."

Here's an intersting bit of synth history. You can find previous creations by Cano here. I believe Cano's designs were bought out by Basyn according to this post back in 2006. Not sure if Cano dates back to the 80s. This is the first post to feature the Gravitom though. The design and sound remind me of the JHS/Cortez variety drum synths various band produced.

BOSS DR-55 + PRO-RHYTHM MINI SYNTH D-2

via this auction

Anyone ID the top right logo on the D-2? These were branded Coron, Cortez, JHS, Grant, BIAS, etc...

Song step pattern book for the DR-55 picktured below.

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Chrome / Silver BIAS BS-2 Analog Drum Synthesizer

via this auction

The classic Cortez, Coron, JHS, etc. drum synth in chrome.

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D-2 Cortez Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth

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via this auction

"Very rare Cortez Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth. Sounds awesome! Runs on a nine volt battery."

One of the most re-branded mini drum synths out there. See this post for a JHS branded demo. These were branded Coron, Cortez, JHS, Grant, BIAS, etc... See the labels at the bottom of this post for more.

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Cortez D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini-Synth

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via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"Made in JAPAN, the Cortez D-2 MINI-SYNTH (1976-7) created the “Puuuu, Puuuuuu" sound that became the signature sound of 1970s DISCO with songs such as Donna Summers’ "Last Dance" and The Gap Band's "You Dropped a Bomb On Me.” The mini-synth clamps on to a tom-tom, cymbal, snare or other stand; there's a small clamp provided for that purpose. Can be used to trigger or create sounds. No manual – but there are plenty of resources online for how to use it. 4-1/2" x 2"."

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Gakken Analog Synth SX150 Cortez Synth Stick MKII

Published on Jun 3, 2013 Jorge Cortes·39 videos

"A modified Gakken SX-150 Analog synth with a Ribbon controller being played through a Moog Filtatron on the iPad Mini"

Dragonfly and some synth cat sounds at :57.

The Saurus Cortez Analog Synth Bass Pedals

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video upload by JorgeCortez01 on Sep 19, 2012



via this auction

"This is a one of a kind, it's a handmade set of bass pedals, the board was made by Howard Cano and it's called the Saurus: it's an all analog programmable with 28 memories synth.

2 oscillators, with digital frequency control for drift-free performance. Osc 1 is tuned to 16' (low C=32.7 Hz) and Osc 2 is tuned to 8'. They have variable detuning to give a very thick sound when used together.


A pseudo-random noise generator with a cicle time of more than four minutes

A real analog ADSR

A real analog VCF (24 dB/octave)

VCA.

easy to use programming interface: everything is done via the LED display and five pushbutton switches., no other components are needed.

I build it to be very small and portable, it has a lexan case which is kind of scratched but it's also very sturdy, it has 13 (notes) pushbuttons or "keys" (1octave) midi in to control it's internal sounds. A line level 1/4" audio phone jack which you just conect to an amp."

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Japan Cortez D-2 PRO-RHYTHM MINI SYNTH with Original Box

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"Made in "JAPAN" ...The 'Cortez D-2 "MINI-SYNTH"'1976-7' Was Born The "Puuuu, Puuuuuu" PUUUUuuu "Sound" that became ''the signature sound of 1970s 'DISCO' ' ! With notable 'Music artists' such as with "Donna Summers" "The Last Dance", The Gap Band's 'You Dropped a Bomb On Me', And just about everyone used this "Japan-Made "Cortez 'Mini-Synth' What a cool little synth it really is ! ! !

The 'Cortez-"MINI SYNTH" clamps on to your 'Tom Drum or a Cymbal stand/ Snare stand or any stand will doooo You just "HIT THE Surrounding area of the mounted "Cortez" and it triggers the 'Synth' ...''that's how it works'''...! ((I have used this synth "Back In The Good 'OL' 70s Playing these songs in the studio, and on my Drum Kit while touring))

FYI:, I found it does "Way-More" than Just manually selected "Puuuuu, Puuuu's ...The synth will allow you to 'Create many "Way-Cool" Perc, and Low Frq 'PHAT" Moog-Like "Boom Tricks, and Very 'Metallic resonator sound Frequencies ...An Excessively & Musically-''cool-and-unique'' sounds and EFFECTS" Left only to the imagination !

* * You can spend hours messing with this Synth...A true Piece Of ''The "70's" "Thing" 'If ever you could find'.!...

As a collectors, or a serious Recording Project use the "MINI-SYNTH" to add a "Totally unique'' effect or 'Dub/Groove' "thing" this is the "MAN" !!!

* * Absolutely 'MINT.'.. No Digs, or Bongs, 'All is like new' ..W/ The ''Original": Mint Box 'AAANNDDD' comes w/ 'Complete Disco instructions', and "How To" operate instructions.

"WOW What a find...See Ya In The Funny-Papers" ! !

" T E C H "

The Cortez utilizes a : Wave form Rate...a-Mode-variable, ...A Sweep, ...Decay, ...VCO,.. Master Gain, and out put... Also possessing a "Vibration- Sensitivity'-"Cut-or-Gain"control !... As well ((on the side-panel)) a Pair of 1/4" OUTPUT Mono and optional "Foot-switch in" ( I never had that option) I believe it is a momentary click-on..Click-off !!!

" HOPEYOUGETIT "

* * Please visit our "Arte' Buss" eBay Store for ''additional 'pro audio and 'Music instruments'...."

Cortez D-2 MINI Synth with Box - "Disco's Signature Sound"

"Cortez "MINI-SYNTH"DISCO's 'SignatureSound' Stupid RARE Mint W Box Instruc WOW""

via this auction

These actually come up fairly often under various brand names including the Coron DS8, Asama Drum Sync, Storm Drum Sync, Grant PS-7 Percussion Synth, KMD Drum Exciter, and possibly more. What's really odd is there appears to be a Cortez D-3 with the same controls. See the labels below for other branding.

"Made in "JAPAN" The 'Cortez D-2 "MINI-SYNTH"'1976-7' Was Born The "Puuuu, Puuuuuu" "Sound" that became the signature sound of 1970s 'DISCO' with notable 'Music artists' such as with "Donna Summers" "Last Dance", The Gap Band's 'You Dropped a Bomb On Me', And just about everyone used this "Cortez 'Mini-Synth' What a cool little synth it really is ! ! !

The 'Cortez-"MINI SYNTH" clamps on to your 'Tom Drum or a Cymbal stand/ Snare stand or any stand will doooo You just "HIT THE Surrounding area of the mounted "Cortez" and it triggers the 'Synth' ...''that's how it works'''...! I have used this synth and found it does "Way-More" than Just manually selected "Puuuuu, Puuuu's ...The synth will allow you to 'Create many "Way-Cool" Perc, and Low Frq 'PHAT" Moog-Like "Boom Tricks, and Very 'Metallic resonator sound Frequencies ...An Excessively & Musically-''cool-and-unique'' sounds and EFFECTS" Left only to the imagination ! You can spend hours messing with this Synth...A true Piece Of the "70's" "Thing" 'If ever you could find'.!...As a collectors, or a serious Recording Project to add a "Totally unique effect or 'Dub/Groove' "thing" this is the "MAN" !!!"

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RARE VINTAGE JSH DX-5 PRO-RHYTHM MINI SYNTH

YouTube Uploaded by ThePromoHouse on Jul 12, 2011

via this auction

Also known as the Coron DS8, Asama Drum Sync, Storm Drum Sync, Grant PS-7 Percussion Synth, KMD Drum Exciter, Cortez D-2 Mini Synth, BIAS BS-2, and possibly more. See the Coron label below. Anyone know why there were so many branding for this? I think this holds the record.

via the listing: "The Mini Synth, when connected to my headphones, covered a massive range of synthesised sounds and this is an incredibly flexible unit for its mini size and I would, I guess, sound fabulous in the right hands and with the right input and amplification (I haven't got the means to really put it through its paces). Please feel free to ask as many questions as you wish - I am not familiar with synthesisers (I obtained this in a job-lot including vintage microphones and headphones)"

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Cortez Pro-Rhythm D-3 Mini Synth

via this auction

"1980's Cortez D-3 Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth."

Cortez D-20 Pro-Rhythm MINI SYNTH

via this auction

"Cortez-D-20 Pro-Rhythm MINI SYNTH-Vintage 70's guitar effect. Uses 9 volt battery. Features: 6 knobs on top. Rate, Mode, Sweep, Volume, Decay & VCO. 1 knob on back for Intensity. 2 footswitch input jacks plus 1 output jack."

Cortez SynthStick Ribbon Controller

YouTube via JorgeCortez01
"Trying out my prototype SynthStick. A very basic Square wave Atari Punk module modification, played thru a synth bass pedal and a sustainer pedal"

SynthStick Ribbon Controller

Cortez D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth

via this auction

Cortez D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth

images via this auction

"Interesting little drum synthesizer. Apparently meant to mount on your percussion kit. It's activated by vibration; hit the thing it's attached to and it operates. More info on it here. Has controls for Rate, Mode, Sweep, Volume, Decay, VCO, Intensity (which might be sensitivity to vibration). Includes two footswitch jacks and an output jack. This is an excellent addition to an existing kit for crazy synth drum tones which are easily adjusted via the knobs, or as a "kit" for the intrepid analog hacker to play with. All analog!"