TMP-3-04 Vintage Synth TV Series from Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

Additional episodes

00:00 Opening Titles
00:17 Introduction
01:25 Switched On 80s
13:08 Synthesiser Club
15:58 Little Black Boxes
20:05 Commercial Break
23:45 Patching Today
35:08 Video Lab
40:29 Outro

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Episode four 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

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

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

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 the Oberheim Xpander hybrid polysynth from 1984

SYNTHESISER CLUB - The Emu Strut - featuring the Emulator 2, the Drumulator, the Proteus/2 and the mighty Emu Modular 2000

LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A look at the highly underrated Yamaha TX16W and its companion reverb unit, the REV7

COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some adverts for Memetune-related goodies, including the Memetune Annual 2024, the range of Memetune merchandise and Benge's FORMS series of single-synth albums

PATCHING TODAY - on the incredible ARP 2500, which I bought exactly 20 years ago this month

VIDEO LAB - In this episode we take a closer look at the Grass Valley Indigo AV Mixer, which is the central hub of the Video Lab, and provides many more ways of getting that genuinely vintage look to the Memetune video productions, in particular using its memory recall system which allows you to program complex time-based actions

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LINKS:

Benge's Studio Blog: http://myblogitsfullofstars.blogspot.com

Memetune Studio Instagram: @memetunestudio

Benge & Memetune Merch on Bandcamp: https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com

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The MemeTune Programme Credits:
Everything in this video was created by B D Edwards (Benge)
All music, design, writing, filming and production completed at Memetune Studios, UK, 2025"

E-mu Planet Phatt Rackmount Synthesizer Module

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

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

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E-mu XL-7 Command Station Groove Box

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

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

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E-MU MP-7 Command Station

video upload by Isobutane

"All sounds were created using the MP-7 synth engine.

Thank you for watching!"

Synths That Tanked! Top 15 Value Crashes You Won’t Believe!?

video upload by Andy Whitmore

You be the judge. Feel free to comment below.

"💥 The biggest synth value crashes of all time! These once-iconic instruments lost tens of thousands in value—from legendary analog giants to futuristic digital monsters.

You've seen the synths that became priceless icons… but what about the ones that didn’t?

In this countdown, we reveal 15 professional synthesizers that lost the most value from their original prices (adjusted for inflation). From boutique rarities to digital behemoths, these are the synths that hit the market hard—and hit resale even harder.

🎹 We cover:

Synth name + release year

Original price + adjusted inflation value

Current resale value

Total loss 💸

A fun or tragic fact per synth

Whether it's a Fairlight, Synclavier, or the ultra-rare GX-1, some of this gear once cost more than a house… and now? Let’s just say you could buy one for the price of a laptop.

🧠 Think you can guess the biggest loser?"

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EMU XL-7 #dawless #synth #synthesizer #beatmaking

video upload by Kaseki Hammer

E-MU Systems B-3 Rackmount 64-Voice Tone Wheel Organ w/ Original Box

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via this Reverb listing

Additional Three Wave Music Listings

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EMU PROTEUS 2500 w/ Original Box, Manual & CD

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

via this eBay listing

Pic of the inside below.

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Lyle Mays and the Oberheim Synthesizer 🎹

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-25 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

One of my favorite tracks from the early 80s
September Fifteenth by the Pat Metheny Group with the wonderful keyboard player Lyle Mays from the album As Falls Wichita, so Falls Wichita Falls
Written by Lyle Mays

Featured the Oberheim OB-X Analog Synthesizer (1979)
landscape video sequence: RetroSound"

Grime ! Oto Bisquit + Emu SP1200

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"Grime on grime = grime squared

Pure filth and funk"

Emu Emulator II+ Restored 80s Sampler Keyboard Synthesizer SN 2031

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

via this eBay listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"This unit has been fully serviced to make it better than the rest, a process that cost us 22 hours of highly skilled and valuable tech time. The result is a professionally overhauled instrument that's fully functioning and is ready to play, unlike most, and is justifiably more costly than lesser examples. Depeche Mode used this model sampler heavily to create its signature sound in the 80s.

Our tech did the following work to this item:

Fuse holder replaced.
2 molex connectors terminals were replaced.
Memory tested, all tests passed.
Front panel membrane sheets removed and replaced.
Power supply recapped.
Replaced defective floppy drive with a serviced one.
Replaced 1/4” jack nuts and washers.
Cleaned key contacts.
Replaced backlight with new one.
Multiple burn in tests performed, all tests passed.

Note: These originally left the factory with 6 rubber feet. The one that would normally be found in the back left corner is missing, but thanks to the 5 others, this is a non-issue as it's perfectly stable the way it is. We normally would have just replaced it, but this isn't the fast and easy process it is on most other gear. We can pay our tech to do it though if it matters to you - please contact us for a quote.

This EII is the PLUS version, with maximum memory (17.6 seconds max sampling time)."

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A favourite filter - Frostwave Resonator + EMU SP1200

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"The Frostwave resonator is a clone of the filter in the Korg MS20.
Australian pedal , and highly regarded.
It screams."

E-mu Orbit 9090 - "Modern Sampler Series" 207 Samples

video upload by LFOstore

"Nick Klimenko had a great opportunity to play & record on one of rare instruments - E-mu Orbit 9090 synthesizer!

Buy: https://lfo.sellfy.store/p/emu9090/

This yellow 90's machine having complex waves, morphing filters & lot's of dance sounds onboard & ofcourse - unique sound.

Now you have an access to 207 exclusive samples:

Leads
Basses
Drones
Strings
Pads
Seq’s

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E-mu Mo'Phatt 64-Voice Rackmount Synthesizer

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

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

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E-MU Systems Proteus/3 World Rackmount 32-Voice Sampler Module

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via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

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E-MU Planet Earth (Model 9113) Rackmount Synthesizer w/ WORLD Expansion

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

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Chunk Systems Agent 00 Funk Envelope Filter & Emu SP1200 - MikeSynth

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"My favourite envelope filter pedal doing its thing .
It’s a bit dull / rolled off - but still sounds great"

David Lynch's Synth Gear Up for Auction

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

Apprenlty JULIEN*S auction house is auctioning off David Lynch's belongings.

Among the items you will some of studio equipment including the synths pictured here. It's interesting to see the gear he used. The Roland MKS-70 (JX10/JX-8P) used on Twin Peaks is not listed as I believe it was owned and by Angelo Badalamenti, not Lynch. I included his portable audio recording equipment, not as a synth, but as a possible sample source. Unfortunately the listing does not mention if there are any recordings present in them so keep that in mind if you bid. It would be a shame if they were removed.

Most of the items mention they were "owned and used by David Lynch in his personal recording studio."

Images in this post were captured in the order listed for each listing.

E-Mu Systems E III Model 6083 SN 02200324

Korg microX SN 003322 & Yamaha Motif 7 SN 1001208

Korg KAOS Pad KP3 SN 057331 & Kaossilator SN 080602

"Dumbland" Boss VT-1 Voice Transformer with Box Set and Studio-Used Microphones

"A lot containing the BOSS VT-1 Voice Transformer owned and used by David Lynch for voicing the characters of his cartoon DumbLand (2002), a Dumbland DVD box set, and two microphones used by David Lynch in his home recording studio known as Asymmetrical Studio."

Tony Bassett No. 1 Electronics Theremin "Spacetrip Passport"

Stylophone Pocket Synthesizer

Lot of Three Synthesizers: Alesis Nanosynth, Gakken SX-150 Mark II, Roland JV-1010 SN BN26304

Roland SPD-20 Sampling Pad SN FV41503

Portable Audio Recording Equipment - not a synth, but you have to wonder what recordings, if any, may be preserved for sample sources.

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E-Mu Emulator II 61-Key 8-Voice Sampler Workstation SN 1609

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

via this Reverb listing

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E-mu Drumulator 8 Kits + MIDI upgrade board

video upload by Harry Axten

https://hkadesign.org.uk/d8km.html



"ROM switcher boards and third-party sound ROMs are nothing new as far as the E-mu Drumulator is concerned – in fact both were available while the machine was current. JL Cooper Electronics and others made 3-kit boards, and Digidesign (who later became Avid) got their start producing alternative sound ROMs for the Drumulator under their original name of Digidrums. That said, while the various alternative ROM sets are easy to come by these days, ROM switcher boards are not, and without one it’s a total pain to keep swapping chips in and out as you have to take out 8 screws on the underneath of the thing, lift off the lid, swap 5 chips over and put it all back together again.

8 Kits

I wanted a modification very much in the same style as my TR-707 ROM expansion board, with a number of kits that you can instantly switch between. As with that project, this is done without the need for any additional switches and instead uses a microcontroller to snoop on the front panel switch matrix. Kits are selected by holding down one of the bottom row of buttons marked 1-8 and pressing the ENTER button. The selection is remembered when the Drumulator is powered off too.

The Drumulator’s sounds are stored across 4x 16kB ROM chips, although they form one continuous region of memory. Thanks to this, and due to the way that they’re selected, it’s really easy to replace all four with a single large capacity chip. The 512kB flash ROM that I used can hold 8 kits worth of sounds, which works out nicely as that’s the stock sounds plus 7 of the Digidrums kits, including the famous Rock Drums kit:

Stock kit
Digidrums Alternate Drum Set 1
Digidrums Electronic Drums 1
Digidrums Electronic Drums 2
Digidrums Rock Drums
Digidrums Jazz Drums
Digidrums Latin Percussion
Digidrums African + Misc Percussion
Because each kit also has a corresponding modified program ROM (as the length of sounds, locations in memory and channel assignments are all hard-coded into the Drumulator’s firmware); the D8KM board also has an EPROM which contains the relevant OS for all 8 kits, and is connected to the Drumulator’s OS ROM socket with a ribbon cable. Fortunately the Drumulator doesn’t care if the OS ROM changes while the machine is running as long as they’re all the same version, which they are – ‘P3.00’, the final version.

MIDI

I chose also to include MIDI functionality as part of the upgrade, as most Drumulators don’t have it. E-mu did offer a retrofit, which has been cloned over the years, but it’s very basic and only does MIDI notes. The D8KM board on the other hand also offers the ability to sync the sequencer to incoming MIDI clock. Just set the Drumulator to external clock and if MIDI clock is available, it will automatically override the external clock signal and will also start and stop playback. If MIDI clock is not available the Drumulator will use the external clock signal as normal, including for the tape loading functionality."