TMP-3-03 Vintage Synth TV Series from Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

00:00 Opening Titles
00:17 Introduction
01:27 Switched On 80s
16:14 Synthesiser Club
19:48 Commercial Break
23:57 Patching Today
35:04 Little Black Boxes
38:53 Video Lab
44:22 Outro

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Episode three of the third series of the TV program from Benge, made at his Memetune Electronic Music Studio

The series explores his passion for vintage synthesiser instruments and studio gear and how he uses them in his productions and collaborations

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It is divided into the following sections:

SWITCHED ON 80s - This third series takes an in-depth look into six classic 80s synthesisers, selected because of their interesting and unique attributes

SYNTHESISER CLUB - A short musical demonstration of a synthesiser classic or three, concentrating on 'families' of synths

COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some shameless Memetune shilling

PATCHING TODAY - A deep-dive into vintage modular systems and how to set up a patch on them, starting from scratch, this time using Cybersynthesis techniques to bring an element of surprise to the patches

LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A further look at some classic rack mount studio gear of the 80s and 90s

VIDEO LAB - A look at old video equipment and how to create experimental visuals, concentrating on a specific device in each episode

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In THIS episode:

SWITCHED ON 80s - A detailed presentation on FM synthesis and its history, looking at the DK Synergy (as used on the Tron soundtrack), but mainly the Yamaha DX series of synths

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1981 Digital Keyboards Inc. DK Synergy SN 01225

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

via this listing

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DK Synergy II+ with MIDI + Kaypro 2 computer + manuals + pedal + all sound banks (upgraded & serviced)

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

via this listing

SN 01646 & 74313

"Digital Keyboards Inc. Synergy II+ synthesizer with MIDI and Kaypro II computer, original owner's manual and all other information about connecting and editing in PDF, all factory and Wendy Carlos sounds on board of the Kaypro, SD cartridge as an extra backup of the sound banks and to save your own sounds, sustain pedals and custom made hardcase available for sale. It's a complete system which you won't find anywhere else in the world at this moment.

Both the synthesizer and the Kaypro have been serviced. Dani Wilson (Hideaway Studios, UK) serviced the Kaypro computer and added two Gotek disk emulators pre-loaded with the SynHCS Host Editor and voice/cart library. The old power supply has been replaced by a modern SMPSU version. The synthesizer got a new psu too, has been recapped and the keyboard contacts were cleaned. The RS-232 SIA cable is also new. Both the service invoices are included as a proof of what's been done exactly. We didn't save money to bring this beauty set back to life.

The Synergy is a very much more powerful synth than many realize - having two complete sets of 16 stage loopable envelope generators per operator which morph between high and low velocity acting on 32 digital oscillators with a remarkable amount of fluid modulation control available all in 16-bit digital audio is just mind blowing for a design that came out of the mid 1970s.

If you want to go deep into the programming side of the synth you need the Kaypro II computer. The complex synth engine gives you the ability to build up sounds from the ground on. It's a joy to build rich pads and melancholic film music sounds. The new owner will receive a testing video with information how to edit sounds prior to the packing process.

Optically there are some signs of use, but the overall condition is very good. The black case of the synth has some scratches, small dents, some missing parts at the edges. The tolex has sings of use too. The upper plastic panel of the SD cartridge is missing and the cartridge itself is in used condition. The Kaypro has some small scratches on the metal case and keyboard. There is a custom made hardcase for the synth which has signs of use too. Please check all the photos and ask for more photos if something is not clear enough.

Both the units are set to 240v. The serial numbers are: 01646 (DK Synergy) and 74313 (Kaypro II)"

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DK Synergy II+ Digital Synthesizer SN 01170

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

via this listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"Fully serviced and working great. The Synergy II+ is a digital additive/FM synthesizer that sounds like no other. Somewhat similar to the extremely popular Yamaha DX7, it's tone is mellower and warmer. A popular website states 700-800 were made and estimates less than 100 are in operation today. We don't know how they came up with this estimation, but this one's working great, as we just fully serviced it. Famous users include Jay Wires, Wendy Carlos, BT (crumar gds), Junkie XL and Steely Dan. Carlos used it on the Tron soundtrack and other recordings.

Previously, one needed an old Kaypro computer with special software to edit sounds, but someone recently developed an editor that can be run on a modern computer."

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Synergy Synergize Synergia 2024

video upload by Ross Totino and Fans of Collision

"Demo of original presets I've created using the Synergize editor with the Crumar DK Synergy synthesizer, and then recorded with the Synergia emulated version of the Synergy on an iMac M1. Synergize editor by Steve Tynor available at https://chinenual.github.io/synergize Synergia by Jari Kleimola available at https://jariseon.github.io/synergia/"

0:00 Shimmer
0:57 PercSweep
01:47 ADDSWP2
02:26 BRASSBAS
03:04 BUZZBUD
03:35 CRYSTAL
04:25 ORBITER
05:40 CONTAKT
06:38 SHIPTRIP
07:35 MODFUN
08:40 ORGSWP
09:45 STLDRM
10:46 SHIPTRIP
11:45 VOICIFOR

You can find additional posts featuring Synergia here.

DK Synergy II+ For Sale - Professionally Refurbished

video upload by tonetweakers

"Here’s the DK Synergy II+ we just refurbished and will soon put up for sale on our website at tonetweakers.com. The Synergy is an incredibly powerful FM / additive synthesizer that sounds somewhat similar to the famous Yamaha DX7 series, but many feel it sounds much better. We love both. Famous users include Jay Wires, Wendy Carlos and Donald Fagen. In the past, one needed to hook up their Synergy to a Kaypro computer running special software to create their own Synergy sounds. However, someone recently developed a new editor that runs on modern computers. This is a game changer - we can’t wait to hook our Synergy up to it!"

https://tonetweakers.com & Tone Tweakers on eBay

Synergize/Synergia Tutorial: FM Algorithms (Digital Keyboards Synergy)

video upload by Lantertronics - Aaron Lanterman

Synergia emulator: https://jariseon.github.io/synergia
Synergize patch editor: https://chinenual.github.io/synergize

0:00 -- Introduction
0:47 -- Connecting
1:35 -- FM algorithms
4:24 -- Patching with registers
10:50 -- Limitations
11:35 -- Harmonic numbers
11:56 -- Detuning
12:15 -- Waveforms
12:55 -- Semitones
13:31 -- Envelopes
14:21 -- Experiments

DK Synergy: Origins of an Additive/FM Synthesis Powerhouse (Synergia softsynth + Synergize editor)

video upload by Lantertronics - Aaron Lanterman

0:00 -- Introduction
1:57 -- Famous users
3:01 -- Sample packs
3:17 -- Synergia softsynth
4:13 -- Synergize patch editor
5:09 -- Bell Labs/Hal Alles synthesizer
5:49 -- Crumar GDS
6:45 -- Mulogix Slave 32
7:16 -- Setting up Synergia+Synergize
9:23 -- Patent
9:37 -- Facebook group
9:58 -- Dani Wilson
10:14 -- Alex Ball

Also see DK Synergy II+ with Kaypro and Synergize talk about editing software

Background Modulars No.5 - Buchla 200 & DK Synergy

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Don’t have a Buchla 200 and Digital Keyboards Synergy to hand? No worries! Just put this video on in the background (in full-screen mode), and have the next best thing 😁

Here is 10 minutes of self-playing modular synthesiser randomness. Why not put it on loop - then you can have it bubbling away in the background while you do other things. Or maybe check out the playlist I have made with all the Background Modular Series videos: [playlist below]

A note on the patch: The Buchla (cloned) MARF is sending note and velocity (ie CV) data to the Synergy via a Kenton CV to MIDI converter - a very handy unit if you have a lot of analogue sequencers!

The Synergy is extremely flexible and you can set virtually any parameter to respond to velocity - and using the Kenton you can send any CV to modify the velocity over MIDI - something I am exploring at the moment

The Buchla 200 chimes really well with the Synergy. Don spent most of the late 70s and 80s exploring digital synthesis - starting out with hybrid systems (the 500 and 300 Series) and later fully digital systems (the Touche, 400 and 700 Series). The Synergy was developed at exactly the same time taking fully digital ideas to their logical extreme. It is a very capable system and the pairing with the 200 Series is sublime"

DK (Digital Keyboards Inc.) Synergy SN 01185

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

via this listing

"The Synergy is a digital additive synthesizer that uses phase modulation with 32 digital oscillators and produces a unique sound. All functions have been tested and are in great working condition. This is a vintage Digital Keyboards Synergy synthesizer. This gem is a piece of music history, with an iconic sound that can be heard in such places as the Tron soundtrack. It has been used and loved, which shows, but is a great synth!

This unit is in excellent working condition, with only one known function issue. The Eb key in the 2nd octave on the keyboard seems to stick after the first time it is struck (it is playable again 1 time after each power-up). There are no other known issues. The pictures are of the actual item."

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Marble Madness Soundtrack Played On A Super Rare Synthesizer NES, Spatial Audio

video upload by Critical Beach Town

DK Synergy

"These days, the Synergy is a super rare synthesizer to come across in the wild. Originally produced in 1982, it is estimated that less than 100 are still in operation across the globe. Interestingly, it ran off cartridges, something it had in common with the Nintendo Entertainment System!

Recently, I had the opportunity to recreate some of my favorite video game music on a Synergy. This video demonstrates some of the sound textures the synthesizer is capable of, while showcasing a beloved soundtrack through a unique lens.

Audio: Marble Madness Level One Music (Cover by Will C.) Instrument: Digital Keyboards Synergy I Synthesizer

Spatial Audio Re-Mix in Binaural Stereo

• Marble Madness was released by Atari Games in 1984.

• Marble Madness was Atari's first game to use an FM sound chip produced by Yamaha, which is similar to a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer and creates the music in real time so that it is in synchronization with the game's on-screen action.

• The music composers behind Marble Madness, Brad Fuller and Hal Canon, first collaborated on a video game based on Michael Jackson's Thriller. The project was canceled and the two began working on an idea that eventually became Marble Madness."

Benge - Forms 15 "Dawn" made on the DK Synergy

video upload by zack dagoba

"New album by Benge - part 15 of his FORMS Series - albums made on one synthesis system. Here is an ambient album made entirely on a Digital Keyboards Synergy II+ and Lexicon Model 200 / Primetime early digital FX

https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com/album...

'The pure digital sounds of the D K Synergy, and the two very special effects units from the same year (1984), feature the same no-compromise approach to digital sound production, which in the early 80s was a very new territory for manufacturers and musicians to explore. To my ears, these abecedarian digital devices have a purity and warmth that is particularly suited to simple ambient pieces of music such as those presented on 'Dawn'. In some ways, it was the dawning of a new era for electronic music in general, and one which I happily reexplore on this album'"

Dawn - D.K.Synergy ambient music by Benge

video upload by zack dagoba

"Good morning!

Here is an ambient study by Benge, made on the D.K.Synergy digital synthesis system, Lexicon Model 200 reverb and Lexicon Prime Time Model 95 Stereo delay unit, SSL SiX mixer/compressor, SSL 2+ sound card. Shot on JVC KY-1900 video camera. Font used: Lazenby Computer. Field recordings of the dawn chorus, England, April 27th, 5:37am"

Walnut Digital Keyboards Inc. (DKI) Synergy II +

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

via this auction

"This unit is the Synergy II +, which means it has MIDI and an RS-232 port for communications. It would normally hook up to a Kaypro (!) computer for sound storage and editing, but these days, some crafty folks have made interfaces available to connect to modern computers."

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10 Minutes of DK Synergy and Emu Modular

video upload by zack dagoba

"10 minutes of random digital tonalities

A DK Synergy being played by random voltages from an Emu Modular by way of a CV to MIDI converter"

Digital Keyboards Synergy DKII+ with Kaypro 2 and programmer

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

via this auction

"Synergy DKII+ rare vintage digital synthesizer made by Digital Keyboards in New Jersey in the early 80s. It has a super valuable programmer upgrade that stores 24 preset cartridges internally which you can load as banks right from the front panel. No need for the actual cartridges with this one as it has the massive preset library onboard.

Also included is a working Kaypro 2 computer for essential deep programming of the instrument.

If you are reading this, you likely know what these are and their historical significance in the FM canon."

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Quick DK Synergy Sequencer Tutorial

video upload by Bata

"Someone asked how I did something in another Synergy video so I'm showing how I went about it here. It looks like the overdubbed sequences are cutting off the last note played so its possible that you do need to enter an extra note for the overdubbed sequences as well. I will investigate this more in the next couple days."

Messing around with LinnDrum, DK Synergy, and Korg Delta

video upload by Bata

"Playing around with a Korg Delta and Digital Keyboards Synergy MK1 over a LinnDrum beat. Korg Delta getting some modulation from a Behringer 2600."

Messing Around with DK Synergy (2)

video upload by Bata

"Messing around with the sequencer that's built into the Digital Keyboards Synergy MK1."

Messing Around with DK Synergy

video upload by Bata

"Messing around with the sequencer that's built into the Digital Keyboards Synergy MK1."

80's Digital Synth Percussion

video upload by Bata

"Digital Keyboards Synergy MK1
Casio CZ-101"