SynthFest 2023 Exclusively Analogue - The Pioneer

video upload by Sound On Sound magazine

New Batch of Synthfest UK 23 Videos

video uploads by sonicstate

Playlist: (you can use the player controls to skip around)

1. Synthfest UK 23: Sequential - Trigon 6 Desktop

At SynthFest UK 2023, we had the opportunity to chat with Chris from Sequential, a part of the Focusrite group. Chris introduced us to the Trigon 6 Desktop, the latest addition to Sequential's synthesizer lineup. This compact desktop version of the Trigon 6 packs a powerful punch, offering three oscillators and a distinctive Dave Smith ladder filter. Designed for those seeking a space-saving solution without compromising on sound quality, the Trigon 6 Desktop retains all the features of its larger sibling, including patch recall, a versatile effects section with various modulation possibilities, and the distinctive feedback control that allows you to sculpt sub-harmonic richness.

Trigon 6 Desktop Price: $2,499

https://www.sequential.com/

2. Synthfest UK 2023: Calc And the Prophet X

At Synthfest UK 2023, we caught up with Calc from Sequential, and he gave us the lowdown on the Prophet X. Now, you might be thinking, Prophet X? Haven't we seen that before? Well, you're right, but this hybrid instrument has been quietly making waves in the music world. It combines digital and analog elements, with digital oscillators and a unique twist in the form of multi-sample-based instruments. Yes, you heard that right, it's not just your run-of-the-mill synth; it's a full-on sampler too, boasting an impressive 50 gigabytes of memory for your custom samples. You can treat it like a rompler, a sample player, or even use those samples as oscillators, creating a whole new realm of sonic possibilities.

Plus, it's packed with stereo goodness, allowing you to explore a wide soundstage with ease. It's not your typical synth, and that's what makes its a favourute of Calc's

Looking for some more info on the Prophet X? Check out Sequential's official page: www.sequential.com/prophet-x/

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Exclusively Analog ARP Style Sequencer Built for Vince Clarke

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

via this auction

"ARP 1601/ 1623 type sequencer clone built in England by Exclusively Analog. Very versatile sequencer with 16 steps and the following features:

- 16 Steps ( can be limited to any range of steps like 8, 12, 4, etf
- Each step has on, off, and reset
- Clock Divider
- Q-Scale for preset scales
- Sequencer mode in forward or Random
- Clock in / Clocked Gate
- Gate and CV
- EuroRack compatible
- Wooden Box

Note: Sequencer was built for and used by Vince Clarke from Depeche Mode and Erasure."

I'm guessing the design was built for Vince Clarke and not this specific unit? If it matters to you, check with the seller.

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Exclusively Analogue 'The Aviator' Analogue Modular Mono Synth SN 0029

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

via this auction

You can find audio demos of one here, and a video of a black panel model here. See the Exclusively Analogue label at the bottom of this post for more.

"Used, serviced and very rare Exclusively Analogue 'The Aviator' analogue mono modular synthesiser

Built by Tony Wride who was also known for E-mu modular clones in the mid 90's

power is set to 220V European power

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Merlin - New Semi-Modular Rack Synth From Exclusively Analogue

via Exclusively Analogue

"We’re pleased to confirm that ‘The Merlin’ is now real and in direct response to feedback and suggestions from Exclusively Analogue customers. In keeping with the aviation link the ‘Merlin’ is named after the iconic Rolls Royce engine that powered a number of aircraft including the Spitfire, Hurricane, Mosquito, and Lancaster.

The aim of Merlin is to provide a powerful analogue synthesizer with maximum flexibility and at a competitive price (approximately £800 depending on format). Part of the flexibility comes from making it small enough to fit into the Eurorack format but without compromising usability. To this end all of the jack sockets are on the bottom to avoid patch leads crossing the controls which is a common drawback of a lot of Eurorack modules. Merlin is available either as a self powered 19″ rack mount module, a self powered desktop module, or in Eurorack format able to utilise an existing power supply.

‘Out of the box’ it just requires a CV and Gate input to work and is pre-patched to form the classic Analogue Synth routing. The 54 mini jack sockets enable the user to create numerous alternative routings – input signals and control voltages or output signal and control voltages. The format is ‘classic’ with 2 Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) providing Sawtooth, Square, Sine and Triangle waveforms. There is also a separate Noise Source and an External input. There are 2 LFOs – one Voltage Controlled and the other normally dedicated to Pulse Width Modulation. For interesting modulation there is a Sample & Hold and that’s normally clocked by the VCLFO and sampling the Noise Source. A Ring Modulator is also provided to allow creation of complex waveforms.

The heart of any Analogue synthesizer is the Filter and ‘Merlin’ has a powerful Multi Mode Filter. The Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF) is based around the SSM2040 design and has 24dB Lowpass, 12dB Lowpass, High Pass, and Band Pass outputs thereby giving a broad spectrum of sound modification. The standard filter frequency modulation options are available (Keyboard CV, FM, and selectable positive or negative Envelope) plus the Resonance (Q) can also be modulated which most filters do not have. There are also 2 Envelope Generators – one for the VCF and one for the Voltage Controlled Amplifier.

The picture shows the first Merlin in a rack unit and as a comparison a collection of Eurorack modules have been included on the bottom to give you an idea of how ‘Merlin’ might be added to an existing system or as a starting point for a system that can be expanded by adding modules.

We are currently at the testing phase of the prototypes and should have some sound and video files available soon. At this stage we are taking expressions of interest with the opportunity to be one of the early owners once production starts."

The Very First Exclusively Analogue Aviator

via Exclusively Analogue where you'll find the full post.

"Digging around the other day we came across a set of photographs of the very first Aviator, the 'First of the Few'. This first unit was very much a prototype and although it had a full front panel initially it was mounted into a rack case with all the additional electronics circuitry bolted on. Later the unit was modified, put into a proper case and the additional circuitry tidied up. On the very early Aviators the 3 Voltage Controlled Oscillators and the Voltage Controlled Low Frequency Oscillator were built on individual circuit boards that were stacked. The 24dB Low Pass Filter, the Range Switch and Ring Modulator Circuitry were also on individual circuit boards..."

Not seeing the year for it in the post.

Exclusively Analogue Aviator #33 and #42 at Happy Knobbing Germany

via Exclusively Analogue

"We’ve already mentioned the “Happy Knobbing” event in a previous post where a group of enthusiasts in Germany get together for some Synth fun. One of their “meet ups” happened recently and the owners of Aviator #33 and #42 were kind enough to send us some photos. Aviator #33 uses the original design of the front panel while #44 (as can be seen in the photos below) has the new black front panel. The cabinet housing #44 also has in it a Theis TMSS modular synth..."

Exclusively Analogue - Aviator doing Lucky Man & More

"This sound file has The Aviator synthesizer doing the lead synth solo that Keith Emerson did in Lucky Man. It starts with a 24 dB Low Pass filter before adding a VCF2 in Multi-Mode as an additional output to change the sound."


"Another sound test with The Aviator synthesizer. This one is based on the track "Greece 2000" and starts with a 24 dB Low Pass filter before switching to a 12dB Multimode filter."


"This sound file is based on the intro beat from the Swedish House Mafia track "Greyhound". It uses the Exclusively Analogue Aviator synthesizer with the 24 dB Low Pass filter before switching to a 12 dB Multimode filter and demonstrating Low Pass through to High Pass."

More information The Aviator can be found at www.exclusivelyanalogue.com

Exclusively Analogue - The Aviator

Published on Jan 18, 2013 Philip Wride·2 videos

"A sound test of the first Aviator to be built by Exclusively Analogue since 1996. Utilising the original design and the alternate black front panel this video demonstrates the filter functionality."

Update: some additional details here.

Exclusively Analog Aviator In Black

via Exclusively Analogue

"With the festive season nearly finished and everyone looking forward to 2013 we’ve managed to spend some time building another Aviator system. This is the first one to be built since 1996 and features the alternate black front panel with the eMu modular style knobs. The photo below was taken during a test build to fit all the parts together and to organise the internal wiring.

This Aviator will be headed to France once completed and will feature the “Custom Built for ……” inscription laser etched on to the top left corner. If we get some time (and permission) we will attempt to try and get more photos of the completed system with the laser etching finished and visible..."

Exclusively Analogue E-mu Universal Active Filter

via Exclusively Analogue

"The quieter Winter period has meant more time to build the various systems and modules we have to offer and one of the most recent has been the Universal Active Filter. Below are photos of one that was shipped over to Belgium recently. This one uses a number of the same original components from the eMu UAF while our Belgian friend built the wood casing himself."

Emu Modular Exclusively Analogue - Pioneer Tribute Sound Test

YouTube Published on Apr 15, 2012 by Philip Wride

"This is a short sound test of the Pioneer "Tribute" system built by Exclusively Analogue. Modelled on the famous eMu system it uses a mixture of the original parts and a new front panel design (and blue LEDs).

More information about the system and about Exclusively Analogue can be found at www.exclusivelyanalogue.com"

New Exclusively Analogue E-Mu Modular For Sale

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. via this auction
"This system was built by Exclusively Analogue earlier this year and is based on the classic 1970s Emu Modular design. It is serial number 4 of 10, is in as new condition, and further details are available on

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Peter Forrest's A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers books

via this auction

"A complete two-volume set of the most comprehensive encyclopaedia of analogue synths and keyboards in the world - direct from the author. Now that all completely mint copies of the A-M part are sold out, I'm selling sets which include an A-M which is not mint...

"The A-M is a printers' run-on copy, so had no serial number, but I have written that in it, and the N-Z is serial number 855. Both books will be signed by the author - if you want a particular dedication, please say when you pay.

The original A-M was produced in 1994, and then re-written and expanded in 1998. There are probably nearly twice as many words crammed in to the second edition as there were in the first. The second edition has 320 pages, 16 of which are full colour, while the original edition only had 240 pages. There's a whole lot of extra information about EMS, Moog, and many other manufacturers; a greatly improved index, and a new index to the musicians mentioned in the book. So if you're into, say, Tangerine Dream, you can find the 25 pages on which they're mentioned; Tim Blake, 8 pages; and even Tim Buckley on two.

The first edition was printed in a run of 2000, and 2000 copies of this revised edition were also printed. This second edition has been officially out of print for well over a year now, so is impossible to buy via any bookseller like Amazon.

The original N-Z was printed in 1996, in a run of 2000, and then the second revised edition (of 3000) was printed in 2003. It has 384 pages, including 16 in full colour. Please check the photos to see the sort of coverage you will get of rare, obscure instruments like the Syntons and Wavemakers or ultra-famous offerings like the Rolands and Yamahas.

The total number of words in these two books is probably over half a million. With hundreds of illustrations, charts, etc., the whole package provides a comprehensive guide to analogue synths, organs, electric pianos, theremins, etc., up to 1998 for ones beginning A-M, and 2003 for the N-Zs. The books have been well-reviewed in magazines all round the world, by people as knowledgeable as Mark Vail and Gino Robair, and enjoyed by some of the best-known names in electronic music, such as Fatboy Slim, Hans Zimmer, Herbie Hancock, Aphex Twin, Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, and Adrian Utley of Portishead.

Who's selling: my name's Peter Forrest. I've been writing about synths, keyboards, effects and recording gear for over 20 years now, and for 14 years I have been running an internet auction called VEMIA (Vintage Electric Musical Instrument Auctions) which specialises in synths, drum machines, effects, and so on. Please check my eBay feedback to see that you can bid with confidence. Feel free to email me any questions."

I have a copy of these books. They are absolutely amazing. Highly, highly recommended. This is the ultimate analog synth reference book. This is also listed in the Synth Books section.

Pages pictured:

-Cover
-Roland System 100 and 100m
-Roland Pics
-Exclusively Analogue Aviator, F.A.T. and Farfisa
-Moog The Source
-Cano Electronics, CEI, Cellulophone, CFR Associates, INC, Chadacre, Chamberline
- Buchla, Crumar, Stylophone, Digisound Mod 80, EDP pics
EMS
- College, Series3000 - note that is not a x0xb0x
- Wavemaker
- Yamaha
- Moog pics

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