Meet The Makers - Ken MacBeth

Published on May 23, 2016 sonicstate

"Scottish synthesizer maker Ken MacBeth talks to Sonicstate, about his roots and designing synthesizers."

Blue PE Minisonic

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

via this auction

"Practical Electronics Minisonic analog synth.

These synths were constructed from schematics in the practical electronics magazine and are quite rare. This one uses the PCB that was available from the magazine.

This is being sold as spares or repair because VCO 1 is not functioning correctly, it can be heard but is not responding to the controls on the panel. VCO 2 is working as are the envelope generators. I am unable to test the filter and ring modulator because I have lost the patch cables. There is also a tear in one of the speakers.

I have copies of the magazine articles with schematics so this is probably and easy fix for someone with the right knowledge."

Rare Vintage Analog Synthesizer Keyboard of Unknown Origin

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via this auction

If anyone knows more about this one feel free to comment (no need to login!). The look kind of reminds me of a Vermona '14 meets Baldwin Explorer.

Update: someone in the comments said it looks like a Minisonic 2. I think that might be it (see this post). The knob layout starting with the two large knobs on right match.

The following is the description from the auction. This is not a modular so obviously ignore that bit.

"Rare VINTAGE Analogue MODULAR SYNTHESIZER similar To ''PAIA 2720 1970s**mid to late 70s presented in teak coloured angular upright case with nicely hinged metal upper, Measures 83 cms LENGTH/ .31 cms DEPTH/WITH AN OVERALL HEIGHT OF 21cms (approx) 29main keys output socet to front /headphone socket to rear comes with mains supply lead which is 3 pin 220/240 volts.OFFERED IN V.GOOD CONDITION THROUGHOUT /Mains tested and ights up correctly when switched on!all components appear original and intact and solder seems sound.
Features 27 Rotational knobs,18 push set buttons 2 large adjustable Frequency buttons, 2 small trig buttons.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THE CONTROL PANEL READS;-
KEYBOARD]PORTAMENTO/ BEND/ TUNE/ SPAN
FILTER]FREQUENCY/ LEVEL/ RESPONSE
OSCILLATOR]MOD LEVEL/ SYNC LEVEL/ SIGNAL LEVEL/MOD LEVEL
ENVELOPE]LEVEL 1+2
NOISE LEVEL]LEVEL/ RING MODE
TRIG 1/TRIG 2
ENVELOPE SHAPER]ATTACK/ DELAY/ LEVEL
PAN 1/PAN 2
PHONES ON/OFF SWITCH

THE PUSH BUTTON SET UP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT READS;-
KEYBOARD CONTROL{SPAN/OSC 1/OSC 2}
RING MODE {F/ES1}
OSC MODE{+E-1/-E-1/+E-2}
FILTER MODE{KBD/+E/-E}
OUT{OSCL/ESI}
ENVELOPE {1+2}
OSC FILTER{1/2/F/RM}"

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Vintage Minisonic Synthesizer

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via this auction

See the Minisonic channel for more.

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PE Minisonic Serial Number 001

via Julian

"The inventor of the Minisonic (Doug Shaw) tells me: 'Serial No.001 Minisonic must have been the first to have been made under license by SMS (Synthesiser Music Services) Ltd., from their base in Holland Park, London, and probably dates to late 1974- early 1975.'"

You can find more pics here. Be sure to also scroll up when you get there for more info on the Minisonic. The label below will take you to prior posts here as well.

Minisonic 2 Dual VCO Analogue Synth w/ EMS like filter

images via this auction

"The Minisonic 2 was a two-oscillator synth with an EMS-Synthi-like filter as well as a VCA, a ring modulator, two envelope generators and a noise generator." (SoundOnSound)"

Playing around with the Minisonic II Analogue Synthesizer

YouTube via cogshiftingman.

via Nusonica.

"Here I am making some initial knob twiddles and switch action on my Minisonic II. I recently improved the power supply, and tuning of the VCOs."

Practical Electronics Sound Synthesizer and the Minisonic

There is a current thread on the SDIY list regarding who has the oldest DIY synth. You might remember Jim Patchell's 1978 DIY modular.

Geoff built the Sound Synthesizer designed by G.D. Shaw featured in Practical Electronics.

"I built the Practical Electronics Sound Synthesiser featured in the February 1973 issue of the magazine. I think it was the first DIY Synth to be published in the UK. For those who have never seen this, the designers page is here (Shaw's Corner), click on 'New Stuff v Old Hat' and scroll down to the front cover of the magazine"

From the site:
"An interest in the physics of sound meant that 1972 saw the design of a Sound Synthesiser. The prototype instrument is shown on the far left. Practical Electronics agreed to publish the design providing that it was made in modular form and equipped with a keyboard. The resulting instrument is shown on the front cover of PE for February 1973 and the series ran for a total of thirteen months."

Be sure to check out the Practical link below for more. Also check out this site.

Update via McKansas in the comments:
"Hi. I also built the 1973 Practical Electronics synth . Added the VCF that was published later. It had a sample and hold module that is still unrivalled. There were two simple but incredibly useful differential inverter/non-inverter/mixer amps. The ramp generators are very interesting eg: one ramp through the non-inverting and the other ramp output to the inverting input- this result to osc or filter. All my modules still work. This was a well thought out design. It was of course intended as a 'sound workshop' rather than a keyboard synth. The only glaring omission was the VCF. ... also had a great Ring Modulator..and voltage controlled stereo output amps."

Analogue Sound Synthesizers

Title link takes you to Analogue Sound Synthesizers, home to a number of synth oddities including the Practical Electronics Sound Synthesizer pictured and the Dewtron.

"This is G.D.Shaw's prototype Practical Electronics Sound Synthesizer, as pictured in the Feb 1973 Practical Electronics (PE) Magazine."

While there also be sure to check out the Minisonic2, previously posted here.

Via Rick

"Some great old synth ics, including the mighty Dewtron which I had never heard of. Typical British design with a patch panel (though it seems to be a dual-pin patch panel rather than the simple ones used by EMS and ETI)."

Minisonic Synth Site

Remember the Minisonic 2? Well, this is the original Minisonic. Title link takes you to the Minisonic Synth Site with more info, images and samples. Thanks Kris!

Minisonic Synthesizer - New Flickr Shots

flickr by snigfargle. Title link takes you to more.