ETI/Maplin 4600

flickr set By uhddra
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ETI Maplin 5600 modular synth boards

via this auction

"Reading from the boards they are:
Power Supply (issue 3 BB40T) – built, but missing a power transistor (or IC regulator)
1979 Keyboard Controller (issue 5 BY88V) – built, appears complete.
Sample and Noise (issue 4 BY90X) – built, missing IC’s (and other parts).
2 x Oscillator (issue 2 BB38R) – built, both look complete but for 1 (the same) IC on both boards.
2 x Preset MTG PCB (issue 1 BY87) - each has 7 preset pots on – used for oscillator octaves..?
Transient Retrigger (issue 1 BY81C) – some components, incomplete.
MES Output Board (mod 1 BB47B) – Bare board.
Transient [Envelope Gen] (mod 2 BB43W) – Bare board.
Transient 2 [Envelope Gen] (issue 1 BB45Y) – Bare board.
VCF (issue 3 BB65V) – Bare board.
VCA Mk 2 (issue 1 BB44X) – Bare board.
Interface PCB (issue 2 BY86T) – Bare board.

Also included are 9 aluminium mounting brackets (drilled to take pots, but I’m unsure which boards they are for)."

Trevor Marshall ETI4600 Synth

via this auction


"The patchbay comes with 4 pins but no writing. There is also a small bag of leads/connectors and some literature (manual etc).

These are pretty rare I believe - had a quick web search. Try here - eti4600synthesiser.org.uk"

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Maplin ETI 4600 vintage synthesiser

via this auction

"ETI 4600 Synth for restoration /repair. This has been stored away with the intension of repairing it some day but never had the time to bring it back to life. The power supply is missing the minus 14 volt rail and oscillator one has a short out on + 14 to 0 volt . Also filter two drags the supply down to + 8 volts from the +14 volt rail.I have not gone any further with this so it's going up for auction.The front panel is in good condition and the case has only a few marks here and there,one shown in photo on right hand side of cabinet.This synth is complete ,nothing missing from inside just needs some time spending on it . It comes with mains lead, pack of patch pins and copy of construction manual."

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ETI Maplin 4600 Analogue Synthesiser

via this auction

"Electronics Today International/Maplin Analogue Synthesiser circa 1975 that would have been originally purchased in kit form."

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ETI Transcendent 2000 vintage analog Synthesizer

via this auction

Synth Surprise in Morrissey's "Last Of The Famous International Playboys"

This one spotted via Gunner:

"I was just taken aback by some synth content in a Morissey video(!) Synth at about 2:40 and for microseconds in a couple other places. Looks like the [Maplin] ETI 4600 "International", which corresponds too nicely with the song title to be incidental."



ETI 4600 international synthesizer
YouTube via scienceforce
"This is the ETI 4600 intarnational synthesizer, structure based on Matrix patch panel like EMS VCS-3, AKS.
There are two different ETI 4600 versions: one blackface and the other extremly rare Silver face!
Sound like Space Odyssey ;-)"

ETI Maplin International 4600 Analog Synthesiser

via this auction via the forum

"ETI 4600 International - Maplin Edition

This is a 1973/74 Analog Synthesiser."

ETI 4600 international synthesizer

YouTube via scienceforce

"This is the ETI 4600 intarnational synthesizer, structure based on Matrix patch panel like EMS VCS-3, AKS.
There are two different ETI 4600 versions: one blackface and the other extremly rare Silver face!
Sound like Space Odyssey ;-)"

ETI 4600 vintage analog synthesizer

via this auction

"Vary rare ETI 4600 vintage synthesizer flagship, a contellation of knobs where you can find all the necessary in order to make impressive sound combinations between his Matrix patch panel like EMS VCS-3 or AKS. It is the rare silverplate release.

CLICK here about some informations about the ETI 4600"

Analogue Synthesizer ETI Project circa 1979

via this auction
"This ETI Synthesizer project was built around 1979 by my father, the modules all worked when I powered them up recently (the original keyboard and power supply is not available due to someone connecting the mains to a +/- 12Volt input!) The modules consist of :

4 x VCOs
2 x VCFs
2 x VC Variable state filters
1 x Reverb unit
1 x VCLFO
2 x VC Mixers
1 x Noise/Sample & Hold module
1 x DRF
1 x Ring Modulator
2 x Dual ADSR modules
2 x Dual VCAs
1 x Dual Envelope Generator
1 x VC Envelope Generator
1 x D-A Convertor
1 PA (not tested)"

ETI 4600 - VEMIA

"ETI International 4600 Modular Synthesizer from 1975. Electronically it has been professionally assembled from kit form by the guys who later founded Fairlight (told to me by the previous owner). This ETI 4600 also contains a few Fairlight PCB's, so don't know if these guys were already involved in the synthesizer industry at that time. All parts are present and it does make sound and noises when you use the pin matrix board. Notice that this system does need a good service and calibration. List with what a ETI 4600 offers you: 4VCO's, Noise Generator PINK/WHITE, 5 Mixers, 2 Filters, Joystick, Keyboard Control, Keyboard, Equalizer, Reverb, Main Output, Headphone Output, 2 External Inputs, 2 Amplifiers, Controller, Envelope Control, 2 Transients, Pin Matrix 22 x 22. System comes with 220V power supply, original manual printed in 1975 with instructions on every module + schematics for each module and part list, and 11 pins. Note that this is a 33 year old modular system that needs a good service and maintaince. The wooden case has been completely rebuilt by myself and has been coloured in white oak. It looks a bit greenish/brown but it certainly gives the system a great old look as you would expect from an old system. The case has been built using the original manual and i did some modifications on the wooden case to make it more useful and give better possibilities to service/work on the system."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5946.

Update via peterwendt in the comments:
"As for the Fairlight connection ... apparently, the 4600 was co-designed by Kim Ryrie, a co-founder of Fairlight, and Trevor Marshall, who had some provisional patents on the switched-resistor VCFs and on the sawtooth waveshaping in the VCOs. (He used variable-duty-cycle HF oscillators and CMOS switches to turn the resistor paths on and off in a VCF, thus varying the effective resistances and the cutoff frequency.)

Trevor's WWW page about it is here.

I've always been puzzled by the stories of the Fairlight involvement. Interviews gave the impression that this was their first attempt at a synthesizer before they went on to the CMI, but I don't remember them mentioning Trevor. I'm not saying that there was a controversy, but I just don't know who actually did what.

If I remember correctly, the 4600 construction articles started in ETi in Oct. 1973."

Update via peterwendt in the comments:
"Not wishing to spread undocumented hearsay, I did some research.

An article about the Fairlight CMI in Sound on Sound states that Ryrie designed the 4600 and founded the magazine, ETI (Electronics Today International) that published the construction articles.

That's where I read about the supposed Fairlight connection.

The actual construction articles are on Cloned Analog Gear as a large PDF file, here.

One of the intro/title pages specifically states:

"Designed in Australia by Barry Wilkinson and Trevor Marshall". Ryrie's name doesn't appear.

But the articles are just as I remember them. Sigh."

ETI International 4600

images via this auction. via Adam

There are some fantastic shots of the inside and outside in this set so be sure to check them out. Click on the All Sizes link on the top of each image for the full detail.


"This is a very rare ETI 4600 synthesizer and would suit a synth enthusiast or collector.
All knobs/switches present and faceplate mint!!
Powerful Analog machine 4 vcos (and the 4th has two outputs) !!! A matrix patch bay allows for incredible routing options, I’ve used this along side an ems synthi and it gives it a good run for its money. This thing is ultra fat and makes the craziest sound effects, mega sci-fi sounds with its inbuilt spring reverb. Absolutely unreal for sound effects!!

Electronically it has been professionally put together, I am told by the previous owner that the guys from fairlight built it from kit form. The cabinet isn’t the best and needs a tidy up or even nicer would be to rebuild it with an attractive timber. It comes with cabinet construction diagrams in the manual. The keyboard is missing some keys, but you can use generic organ keyboards with this machine (or what I was going to do is get rid of the keyboard and make a new cabinet as an expander module without keys).

These don’t show up often at all. Parts are still available and the manual shows in great detail how to build it, Do some research on this synth and you will find there is a lot you can do with it. Mod it or expand it etc. link

I recently did a full test on the synth with the following results:
Oscillator 1 - All Range settings, Tune, Free run, Shape and All waveforms tested and working.
Oscillator 2 - All Range settings, Tune, Free run, Shape and All waveforms tested and working.
Oscillator 3 - Intermittent, was working and now isn’t.
Oscillator 4 - All Range settings, Tune, Free run, Shape and All waveforms tested and working.
Oscillator 4, Second output - All waveforms, including noise selection and Controller tested and working.
Noise generator - Pink and white tested and working.
Mixer 1 - Tested and working.
Mixer 2 - Tested and working.
Mixer 3 - Tested and working.
Mixer 4 - Tested and working.
Mixer 5 - Tested and working.
Filter 1 - Tested and working.
Filter 2 - Tested and working.
Joystick - Tested and working in both planes, range pot also working.
Keyboard Control – Sweep, Glide, Transient, Modulation and Tune tested and working.
Keyboard – Tested but not tracking 100% (needs calibrating)
Equalizer – All five bands tested and working.
Reverb - Tested and working.
Main Output - Tested and working, no crackle upon turning volume pot.
Headphone Output – Works, but is very crackly upon turning volume pot.
External Inputs 1 and 2 - Tested and working.
Amplifiers 1 and 2 - Tested and working.
Controller – Level is working but I’m not able to get any change with modulation.
Envelope control - Tested and working.
Transient 1 - Tested and working.
Transient 2 - Tested and working.

Its heavy !! weighs 20kg unpacked. Allow 4kg for packing (I will pack it very well)
The synth could be sent without keyboard and cabinet to reduce weight if seller prefers
Approximate Size (packed) 105x45x50cm"

ETI 4600 Overview Part 1 of 2

ETI 4600 Overview Part 2 of 2

YouTube via lechaise
"Just playing around with the eti 4600, not trying to be a genius or even trying to play, just showing a few bits of what it can do."

ETI International 4600 Analogue Synthesiser

More images in this flickr set by snarfusmaximus.

ETI 4600

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.
Details:
"This is a very rare ETI 4600 synthesizer by jaycar electronics. The ETI came out as a kit in which you could build week by week with each issue of the jaycar magazine. This synth has been professionally put together (electronics)."