The Florian Schneider Collection to Be Auctioned at JULIEN*S November 19

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via JULIEN*S

"THE FLORIAN SCHNEIDER COLLECTION

Auction to be held at Musician's Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville, on November 19

An incredible collection of more than 450 artifacts from the life and career of Florian Schneider, co-founder of the pioneer electronic band Kraftwerk."

Pics and videos featuring some of the gear below, and his Lederhosen for good measure (thanks greg!).

Update: the post has been fully updated with all the synth related gear. This may just well be the longest post to be featured on the site. I wanted to capture all the pics for all of the details including notes, scuffs, and of course serial numbers. It's an interesting look into what he used, the condition he keped his gear, in some cases, how he actually used his gear. Note the phonetics on the keys of the Casio CZ-101 and DX-100. Note the Midi Switch Box with a built-in speaker? What's that about? Note the camouflage key strap on the Korg RK-100 Remote Keyboard. Did he pick it out himself or did the keytar just come with it? Note the repeat midi controllers and the MIDI saxaphones. Wind was his primary instrument. You'll find a ton of the acoustic gear he used in the other listings. This is a fascinating insight into both what and how he used his gear.

Side note: there is no affiliate compensation for this post. The note at the top automatically shows for all posts with the Auction label.


Rack Mount Sennheiser VSM-201 Vocoder

Starting Bid $5,000

Estimate $20,000 - $40,000 USD

A late 1970s Sennheiser VSM 201 Vocoder with no serial number from the personal studio and collection of Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk (see images). While it’s said that only a few dozen of these Vocoders were produced, a few examples made it into the hands of forward-thinking musical artists including Herbie Hancock, Daft Punk, and of course, Kraftwerk, who used a VSM-201 like this on their albums Man Machine (1978) and Computerworld (1981). The VSM-201 has an intelligible sound that has not yet been bested by modern gear. Includes power cable. This VSM-201 has been removed from its wooden enclosure (which bears the serial number plate) and modified with a metal rack mount casing, presumably for live use. Requires 240v, IEC power cable not included.

Dimensions: 19 x 9 x 9 inches

Category: Kraftwerk, Equipment

Provenance: PROVENANCE From the Estate of Florian Schneider

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Future Retro Revolution very rare version

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

via this Reverb listing

"This is a very rare silver Revolution rev2 limited to i think 9 made. Hand signed & numbered by the creator of Future Retro himself, Jered Flickinger & it was sold exclusively through Nova Musik at the time. Additionally, this specific one was previously owned by Chicago House DJ Derek Carter, a certificate of authenticity is included in the sale. As for the synth itself, the resonance, cutoff & volume pots are a little bit scratchy sounding & probably need a good contact cleaning at best or replacement at worst. Everything else functions perfectly..."

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FutureRetro Announces 777 Re-issue

via Kickstarter

"The Return of a Legend - Our Re-issue of the 777 analog synthesizer with Updated Sequencer Features from the Revolution and Swynx!

In 1997, The 777 was the first 303 clone to include the all-important sequencer, and provide real-time editing of patterns during playback. However, it really was much more than a clone..

...The first 30 units produced were the purple 777 models. Approximately 25 of the blue 777 models were then produced. There were 7 custom hand-brushed silver front panels created, and only 3 of those were ever sold to the public. The white 777 is the only one in existence. The majority of 777’s produced were the black and white models. Notice these models had slightly different screen-printing with the 777 name typed out instead of using a symbol like the first models had. ...It sounded fabulous but also caused the output to increase drastically in volume. So a completely new overdrive stage was implemented on later models that kept the output more consistent as the overdrive was increased. I would say later models had a cleaner sound overall, and slightly better stability.

All 777’s were hand assembled, and the first 200 plus units of the 777 were made entirely by myself. It took at least 8 hours to assemble a single unit. As demand grew for the 777, I hired another hand assembly company to do the majority of component placement, while I focused on final assembly, testing, and tuning of each unit, and the day-to-day chores of running a business. The 777 quickly became the acid synth of choice by many well known artists including: Skylab2000, Uberzone, The Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method, KMFDM, Nine Inch Nails, Jason Nevins, Air Liquide, Alex Gopher, Richie Hawtin, Aphex Twin, BT, The Juan MacLean, Terra Firma/Union Jack, Nortec Collective, Atomic Babies, Electric Skychurch, and many others. Bands like Hardfloor and Plastikmand inspired the original concept for the 777, with the minimal acid house music they were creating using only a drum machine or two, and a TB-303.

I wanted to create similar music using only the 777, as digital multi-tracking was becoming more accessible at that time. The 777 provided built in distortion to achieve those ripping acid leads that were becoming popular, and also provided enough additional circuitry to allow analog percussion and other sounds to be generated. The 777 was originally called the Bassix, which can be seen printed on the PC boards. Although it was never publicly called this, it was simply a nickname given during development. This was a derived combination of the TB-303’s “Bassline” name and the TR-606’s “Drumatix” name. As this unit could sound like the 303, but its sequencer operated more like the 606 with its live note entry and editing features.

In 2003 production of the 777 stopped, with a total of 678 units being produced in all. These units quickly became collector like commodities, and continue to command high prices in the used market. We are very excited to bring it back! As of 2025 we have been prototyping the 777 for over 2 years to bring it back to the market. We have been through many iterations of the analog board in order to make it sound as much like my personal vintage unit while also designing it for manufacture.

Now we are asking for you help to do it the way we would like to. We are wanting to upgrade the processor and code base so that we have the ability to include the remix feature from the Revolution/Orb sequencers as well as the time signatures and swing features from the SWYNX!"

See Kickstarter for additional details.

Future Retro 777 Analog Synthesizer SN FR3D71499407

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

via this Reverb listing

"minor bumps and bruises but overall In great condition works flawlessly

Modern TB-303 clone on steroids

- 2 independently tunable VCOs

- 1 sub oscillator for each VCO

- 1 noise oscillator

- pre filter overdrive

- extended env decay controls

- selectable post filter overdrive or phase distortion

- selectable 3 or 7 pole filter slope

- selectable env or gate note shape mode

- bass boost

- high pass filter

- 256 patterns, 16 songs"

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Future Retro Vectra Prototype with Black/Gold Faceplate SN 0001

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

via this Reverb listing

"One of only 2 known Vectras with an early Black/Gold faceplate which was never put into production. No Black Gold keyboards were ever made as far as I know. These were prototypes. This unit is fully working with all mods and upgrades including a firmware upgrade to version 2. Includes box, packing, manuals, and Universal power supply. The other known unit has purple heartwood endcaps and ALSO features a 001 serial number. These are the only units like this known to exist. Will be double boxed for safe delivery worldwide.

The Vectra is a unique hybrid synthesizer with a flexible architecture that allows many different forms of synthesis to be realized. It’s the best of both worlds… The Vectra utilizes digital oscillators, ring modulators, noise sources, vector mixer, LFO’s, complex envelopes, and modulation routings providing many capabilities that would be very difficult to produce with analog circuitry alone. This allows for accurate tuning, repeatability of complex patches, and patch storage. The Vectra also provides a multi-mode analog filter, VCA, and final output, as these provide the best sonic qualities."

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"Firmware Ghost" - Eurorack Techno -131BPM 🎛️

video upload by Electronisounds Audio

"Whatever kind of music you are making - KEEP IT UP, Friends!
Don't stop making *YOUR MUSIC*!!
---
▼CONNECT with me / SUPPORT creativity and good content▼
WEBSTORE ► https://www.electronisounds.com/
PATREON ► https://www.patreon.com/DeanDaughters"

Future Retro Mobius Sequencer

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

via this Reverb listing

"A little tape residue that I’m going to clean off of the 4/4 and 3/4 scale screenprint… shouldn’t be an issue at all.

The Mobius is very practical little sequencer in my opinion… I also have a Sequentix Cirklon 2 and it was a breath of fresh air with how fast the Mobius simplifies and assists in creating productive limitations for me to commit to.

No menu divey time consuming pages… just start putting notes in immidiatly and choosing between the 2 time signatures that future retro allows.

Super fun making patterns and transposing patterns on this machine

Lots of sweet spots with pattern lengths and DIN Syncing to my drum machines..

The Mobius can also control vintage cv/gate synths ( SH-101 ) and Hz/v synths like yamaha CS-15 / Korg MS20

You can send clock out of Mobius to control your synths internal sequencer or arpeggiator as well

The little red lcd screen protector has come away from the machine

I removed it so it wouldn’t fall inside of the Mobius and get lost"

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ESK - Improvisation 4

video upload by Metunar

"An Ambient, Free Jazz, Experimental jamsession with a the Future Retro Vectra, Yamaha TX-802 and the Akai MPC One (Looping, HH, Effects).
Direct recording with mastering."

http://www.metunar.ch

Future Retro 777 Analog Synthesizer

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional Three Wave Music Listings

"Futureretro 777 in excellent condition. Tested and confirmed to fully function. Includes manual and AC adapter"

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ESK - Improvisation 3

video upload by Metunar

"Looping with the Future Retro Vectra and the Akai MPC One.
Direct recording with mastering."

http://www.metunar.ch

Futureretro SWYNX Available in Extremely Limited Quantities & Other Updates / Tariff News

via Futureretro

Futureretro Swynx available in super limited quantities ONLY through our online store.

Using recently found old stock parts, Futureretro has built and is offering the long out of production SWYNX in super limited quantities (less than 10 units available). These use the same chassis, circuit boards, and parts as the original run (knobs are slightly different) and serves as a test for a possible re-introduction of the unit into the Futureretro catalogue in the near future.

The Swynx is a sync box that converts incoming MIDI messages to MIDI clock, DIN sync, CR-78 clock, and Analog clocks. In addition, the Swynx provides the ability to swing the timing of all these clock outputs and select different time signatures in real-time with the front panel controls, and can also act as a CR-78 pattern programmer. After you try it in your setup, you will realize just what you've been missing. For instance, many DIN sync devices do not provide a built-in swing function. And many MIDI sequencers and drum machines suffer from poor implementation of swing, preventing changes to be made live, or only providing swing for 4/4 patterns. Quite a few MIDI sequencers don't offer any swing function, including our own 777 and Mobius products. Now you can apply swing to any MIDI sequencer, and select new time signatures as well Need to sync your analog sequencer or arpeggiator with MIDI gear? No problem! Not only can you do so, but now you can swing the timing of those devices as well. You can even use the analog clock output to Gate the envelopes in a synthesizer. The clock duty cycle is 50% of a note duration. If you are a Roland CR-78 owner, you may have realized finding a WS-1 or TS-1 to program the CR-78 is next to impossible. The Swynx can replicate the programming capabilities of these units, plus provide sync to MIDI, and realtime swing adjustment. The ability to add swing to the CR-78's preset patterns alone will breathe new life into this old friend. The Swing value is accurate to 0.5% providing much more control resolution than is typically found in sequencers and drum machines. The Swynx provides 12 different time signatures to choose from. Some time signatures are duplicate, but provide different shuffle patterns for that time signature. Time signatures include 9/8, 7/8, 6/8, 5/8, 2/4, 4/4, 8/4, 3/4, and 6/4. The Swynx is all about making the gear you have sound better!

Swynx Features
Converts MIDI messages to MIDI clock, DIN sync, CR-78 clock, and analog clock
Can be used as a CR-78 pattern programmer
Control over the swing amount
Swing - 50% - 75% (0.5% resolution)
Time-signatures include 9/8, 7/8, 6/8, 5/8, 2/4, 4/4, 8/4, 3/4, and 6/4

No more NEW Vectra units will be sent out to stores after this month.
We have a very small order to fill with one US Store that will be filled by the end of May. After that, we will be out of Vectra parts and do not plan on restocking the product. The build time and cost is too excessive for us to continue this unique product. If you are wanting a Vectra and have not yet ordered a unit, the time to get them is now. Please check with your favorite stores for availability.

The 777
Many have asked, many are waiting and wanting to know details. ALL we can say at this point is that this product has been sent back to engineering. The 777 project has been a major undertaking and while close, seemingly minor issues have been exaggerated by parts availability. We continue to work towards this goal but no further information is available.

Furthermore, NO NEW manufacturing can be put in place until tariff issues are worked out.

Acid Bassline : Future Retro Revolution, Roland TR-606.

video upload by David Noise

"Step 1:
Make a bassline using live recording on digitone so you can funk better than step programming, don’t forget slides and accents.
Step 2:
Make 4 bars of breakbeat on 606.
Step 3:
Use some reverb and little chorus."

https://future-retro.com

Future Retro revolution. (Tb-303 clone).

video upload by David Noise

"The famous TB-303..

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Future Retro Revolution mk2

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by JG

via this listing

"Future Retro Revolution MK2 for sale on Reverb.

00:00 - Playing with patterns
01:03 - Switching Waveform|
01:30 - Daft Punk - Da Funk
01:43 - FX Controls
02:03 - Remix Controls
02:23 - Overdrive

The sound in this vid is recorded directly into 1010Music BlueBox, with no added mastering, compression, or limiting.

Kick drum plays to show the unit receiving MIDI clock and transport without hiccups."

via this listing

"Future Retro Revolution mk2: a rare and gnarly Roland TB-303 clone for that classic acid house sound. (demo video in image gallery).

Here's the good stuff:

Rare analog monosynth
Onboard digital effects processor
3-pole (18 dB/oct) filter like the original TB
Onboard overdrive
New onboard memory battery
Run external signals through the filter and gated sequencer
CV, Din Sync, MIDI IO
Easily programmable sequencer (unlike the original TB-303)
remix your patterns with 256 algorithmic variations (more than 65,000 combinations)
Note: screen IS NOT foggy. That's just my phone failing to expose correctly."

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Future Retro 777 Analog Synthesizer SN FR3D71499661

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

via this listing

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Future Retro Mobius Sequencer

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

via this listing

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Future Retro Vectra Demo (no talking) with UAFX DelVerb: Free Presets

video upload by Limbic Bits

https://future-retro.com/

0:00 Preview
1:38 Poly Patches
8:45 Bass
15:48 Dub Chords
19:29 Leads
23:27 Rhythmic FX and Bleeps

Synth Showcase: Music from the Future Retro Vectra 🎹

video upload by Electronisounds Audio

"More info on Future Retro synths and product line: https://future-retro.com/

Whatever kind of music you are making - KEEP IT UP, Friends!
Don't stop making *YOUR MUSIC*!!

---
▼CONNECT with me / SUPPORT creativity and good content▼
WEBSTORE ► https://www.electronisounds.com/
PATREON ► https://www.patreon.com/DeanDaughters"

Future Retro TRANSFER Multimode Filter Module : Demo with Intellijel Atlantix and more

video upload by Limbic Bits

https://future-retro.com/

"Future Retro Transfer Multimode Filter Module Demo (VCO, Drum, Dub Chords ...)"

0:00 Quick Video Rundown
0:44 Dub Chords
2:44 VCO into filter, env controls AMP and VCF
4:05 Chilled Filter Type Switch
6:07 Drum Sequence
8:11 Wah-Filter-Modes on Plucked-Strings
10:38 Gibberish into Industrial Sequence

Future Retro Vectra original with firmware 2.0. Wood side panels

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

via this listing

"Original Vectra synth just upgraded with Firmware 2.0. Upgrade done by Futureretro. Also has cap upgrade necessary to make the synth quieter when the Master Volume is changed downward. 100% functional. These upgrades basically makes it exactly like the newest version but it has original style wood side panels. Also has the newest soundset on the card. Complete upgrades include the following:

Improvements

Randomization over sequencer parameters.
Reset to step 1 of sequencer.
Midi cc control over sequencer parameters.
Midi cc in and out of joysticks.
Sequencer parameter improvement for more convenient usage of features during live performance including keyboard enhancements.
Bug Fixes

Eliminates crash when receiving midi data during preset change.
All 16 midi channels now sending and receiving.
Fixes crashes on sequencer edit page when using for long periods of time.
Soundset expansion

Contributions from:

Matia Simovich
Jon Sonnenberg
Drew Schlesinger"

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