The Gmebaphone Concept and the Cybernéphone Instrument

This one is in via Asbjørn Blokkum Flø. "Here is an interesting synth produced in various forms from 1973-2001. It was produced in various analogue and digital forms. If you do a Google image search for 'Gmebaphone' you will see a few different versions. The music of Christian Clozier and Françoise Barrière probably includes the instrument. I tried the instrument at the Bourges festival in 2004, and it was quirky but fascinating."

via https://ur.booksc.eu/book/43779232/b24219

"The Gmebaphone is an instrumentarium consisting of amplifiers, sound-treatment systems, loudspeakers, a console, and a processing system designed and built for live diffusion and performance. The specifications for the instrument were dictated by musical criteria. The musical interpretation of a work is based on analysis of the work and on analysis of its physical signals. Thus, the instrument is able to provide a pertinent acoustic rendering of a work’s sonic complexities (in terms of timbre, time, and space) directly under the performer’s control, thereby allowing transparent and expressive interpretations. The Gmebaphone is a processor/simulator of sonic electroacoustic space, as well as a polyphonic acoustic synthesizer of musical spaces. It is an instrument comprised of the hierarchical combination of a control system with memory, tablatures, and combinatory modes of play that give rise to a rich and workable system of interpretation and expression."

Also see https://collectionsdumusee.philharmoniedeparis.fr/

Image below with an E-Mu Modular in the back ground, and EMS Putney on the left via here.  Not sure what the black system on the farl left is.  If you know feel free to leave a comment. Also if you know if any demos of the Gmebaphone let us know!

P.S. The design reminds me of various equipment featured in synth rorschach posts.

See the exclusive label for more of the rare of the rare in the synth world.

Update: additonal info in via Asbjørn Blokkum Flø:

I've looked further into the Gmebaphone.

It basically looks like a system for live surround sound for electronic music, or as it is called "diffusion" of electroacoustic music. The surround setups could be very complex with up to 50 loudspeakers of various shapes and placements, a bit like the Acousmonium (GRM 1974-) [link]

The term 'acoustic' is used several times in the article. This seems to describe how loudspeakers interacts with the acoustics of the space, and not acoustic sound sources in the traditional meaning the word.

Being built as a custom instrument for live performance of electronic music, it is more of a musical and compositional tool than a conventional analogue or digital mixer.

It evolved over the years, but the latest model seemed to have a 76 channel mixer with 8 inputs and 16 outputs, with the possibility of digital treatments (phasing, delay, reverberation, and detuning).

From the article:
'The console has a total number of 76 channels of diffusion (36 are touch-controlled and 40 are digitally controlled via the screens) spread over 16 master outputs and eight master inputs. [..] Pull-down menus control digital treatments (phasing, delay, reverberation, and detuning).'

The article describes 6 different models (with photos):
Gmebaphone 1 (1973)
Gmebaphone 2 (1975) - 6 inputs, 2 "networks" (outputs?).
Gmebaphone 3 (1979) - 8 inputs, 22 outputs. Manual analogue control as well as digital computer control.
Gmebaphone 4 (1983) - Digital playback of soundfiles. Digital treatments (phasing, delay, and timbre).
Gmebaphone 5 (1992) - sequencing, graphical interface, automation.
Gmebaphone 6 - (renamed Cybernéphone) (1997) - 8 inputs, 16 outputs, 50 loudspeakers. Possible to save files to CD-ROM.

This page mentions the Gmebaphone number 7 / Cybernéphone (2005): [link]

The convoluted language of the article reminds me of the writings of French composer Pierre Schaeffer, and can be a bit hard to decipher.
--------
There is also some information on a large number of synthesizers that they produced between 1973 and 2008. called Systhysysop (1976), Charybde (1985), Gmebogosse (1972-1999) and Cybersongosse (??-2008?).

They are described in this article (with images): [link]

Many nice images here: [pdf link]

Another article: [link]

More images: [link 1 Also captured here] [link 2] [link 3 Also captured here]

These instruments was also made at the International Institute of Electroacoustic Music at Bourges /IMEB. Read more about IMEB here (use Google translate). [link]

You have written about the Cybersongosse before: [link]

I could not find any audio clips.

All the best"

SOUND RECORDING - Old synthesizer

video upload by Woodlark Studio

This is the first post on the site to feature one. What is it?

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Welson Polyorchestra Rare Italian Analog Synthesizer

video upload by George Engineer

This appears to be the first post on the site to feature the Polyorchestra. You can find additional Welson posts here, including other Orchestra models.

"Welson Polyorchestra Rare Italian Analog Synthesizer
The Audio Demo was made only with the Welson Polyorchestra and the drums is from the Korg KR55"

Welson Polyorchestra Rare Italian Vintage Synthesizer Full Video

VINTAGE ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER....Wireless World 1973

video upload by Outdoorsman

"This is an early analogue synth that I built from a series of articles in Wireless World magazine. I obviously spent a LOT of time making it....let's see if it still works..... (update coming soon!) Here's a link to the original articles....http://www.keith-snook.info/wireless-..." (PDF link - pics below if you want to skip)

Note the article appears to be by Tim Orr of Powertran, and a D. W. Thomas. Anyone know who that is? The design reminds me of a Maplin.

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Philip Rees Percussion Sample Player MIDI Sound Module

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via this auction

"Works well, has individual outputs, selectable MIDI CH plus MIDI IN & MIDI THRU."

SN 144982 or 144962

This appears to be the first post to feature the Philip Rees Percussion Sample Player. Some info via mu:zines:

"More than a beatbox, less than a sampler, the Percussion Sample Player appears to be a unique rhythmatist's instrument. Simon Trask looks at the pros and cons of a dedicated drum sampler..."

"THE PSP'S PCM samples are eight-bit companded (giving a 72dB dynamic range, equivalent to a 13-bit linear system), and sampled at 31.25kHz. The five built-in cymbal sounds have a neutral (you could say characterless) quality which allows them to blend in with the variety of percussive sounds found on the various cartridges. The longer cymbal samples both succumb to the lack-of-memory syndrome, though as always a touch of external reverb processing can help out."

"The nine cartridges available as of writing are (with number of samples indicated in brackets): Neutral Kit (7), Tight Kit (9), Analogue Drum Machine (12), Techno Kit (7), Latin Kit (10), Power Kit (8), Metal Kit (8), Snare Collection (8) and Tabla (12). Each cartridge comes in a small plastic box, with a transparent plastic lid which can be clipped securely into place and a piece of foam in the base to help prevent the cartridge from getting knocked about. Also provided in the case is a small fold-out leaflet which includes a list of the samples on the cartridge together with their MIDI trigger notes, a description of each sample, and several example rhythm patterns printed in a grid format. Additionally, each cartridge has a handy diagram printed on its upper face which tells you not only what samples the cartridge contains but also which MIDI notes trigger them."

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Hohner Cembalet CF

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video upload by

"Recorded through a Roland Cube Mini amp (Mic setting, minimum gain)."

via this auction

Note technically a synth as it is electro-mechanical. Posting it more for historical purposes. Here's the description from the listing "This is a rare Hohner Cembalet CF electro-mechanical piano built around 1963 - 1966. Rather a harpsichord than a piano since it has no dynamic touch and reeds are plucked. Unit for sale has been serviced: reeds have been cleaned from corrosion, tuned and action has been set to ensure notes volumes are as consistant as possible through the whole keyboard. Due to the reed and plectrum system there may still be some slighjt difference in volume, sound or pitch, but overall it plays and sound very well."

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V.A.I. 62 Welson Stereo Symphony / Maestro USS / Maestro Rhythmking 4 / Ekosynth

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

This appears to be the first post to feature the Meastro Rhythm King 4.

"The mighty Welson Stereo Symphony is a rare Italian string machine with modulation stereo capabilities that are quite unique.

The Maestro USS is the first multi- effect for guitars: phaser, envelope follower, octave follower, Sample and hold etc.

The Meastro Rhythm King 4 is a drum machine with a rhythmic, tremolo modulation - chopping up whatever sound source you give the input in the back."

Univox Compac CP110 Synth Piano Keyboard w/ Original Gig Bag Case

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via this auction

This appears to be the first one posted on the site. There was a Compac 2 and CP115B you can find in previous posts here. The case was featured though.

"Stunning, vintage and made in Italy - the Univox CP-110 also known as the Compac Piano. Even the lettering is reminiscent of Pac-Man funnily enough.

This funky vintage keyboard features three presets that are all individually combinable to produce an array of different sounds. There is also a switch to change between a natural release or gated and controlled by the sustain pedal. Add your favorite guitar pedal to this thing and it will murder any digital piano you can find.

All functions are 100%. The volume pot could use some deoxit but other than that there are no issues to be had.

Included is the original, Italian bovine leather bag made just for the CP-110. These are getting hard to come by, and is a great collector’s piece to add to your studio for some vintage flare."

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Best Ambient Synth Shootout #115: Wersi City Rack KF2 - Song 1

video upload by Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the City Rack KF2. There are virtually no any information online available about this rack unit. I think it was intended as a sound addition to an organ because that was Wersi's core business. Unlike Dr. Böhm who used Yamaha's FM chips for sound creation, Wersi used PCM sounds combined with reverb and ensemble effects.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
HT-3000 - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated.

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC via USB for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track."

This is the first post to feature the Wersi City Rack KF2.

Kramer Midi Synthesizer PITCHRIDER PR7000R & Instant Harmony by SMS Synthesizer

via this auction

This appears to be the first SMS Instant Harmony posted on the site. Anyone remember the SMS 2000? This isn't it. Details from the listing:

"Vintage Kramer Midi Synthesizer PITCHRIDER PR7000R Guitar Midi Interface only, no pickup and no power adapter, AND a vintage Instant Harmony by SMS synthesizer, no power adapter. I am parting out inherited stage performance equipment. This sale is for a Kramer Pitchrider 7000 Guitar Midi Interface by ivl Technologies and an Instant Harmony synthesizer by SMS. Neither of these items has a power adapter, so could not be tested. Both units have significant wear. All buttons seem functional, and all inputs seem OK. Items sold as is. Buyer pays shipping."

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Emu SSM Modular 1 of 1

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via this auction

"For sale is one incredibly rare (1 of 1) E-MU SSM modular based around the SSM voice demo board issued by E-MU. This was built by Gene Stopp (technician for ELP!!). As well as having all the features of the SSM voice demo board a 3rd CEM (curtis) based oscillator was added, along with a slew of other functions! Also included is a binder detailing each and every part of the build (schematics for added functions, schematics from E-MU etc). Undoubtedly the only one like this! The synth itself is has been tuned up and is 100% working.

This sale includes the E-MU mini-modular, binder with ALL documentation, and of course a power cord!"

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The Forgotten Synthesizers Of Marche Region

video upload by HAINBACH

Update: you can find additional posts featuring The Museo Del Synth Marchigiano here.

"The Marche Region in Italy was home to a thriving industry of music instrument production from the 1950s to the mid-90s. Tens of thousands of people made organs, accordions and small runs of synthesizers that were like nothing else in the world. Much production closed in the 90s, leaving only a few companies around, and many people lost their jobs. The history of Marche synths was not talked about, too bitter were the memories. The Museo Del Synth Marchigiano aims to change that - a motley crew of synth lovers work together to get the story about this special time in music instrument history out.

I was invited to play a show at Acusmatic Festival in Ancona and visit the collection before. I was overwhelmed by the amazing sounds these machines made, so I captured them on tape and for use in my performance. I also just had to film every synth I could get my hand for you to enjoy. You will find instruments by Siel, Elka, Elgan, Farfisa, Crumar, CRB and more here.

https://www.museodelsynth.org"

Timeline:

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E-MU Proteus 1000 30th Anniversary

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E-mu | Proteus 1000 | Demo Presets video upload by Simon Le Grec

via this auction

This appears to be the first 30th Anniversary model to be featured on the site. You can see the 30th Anniversary on top of the display.

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E.E.W. Vintage Analog 10-Band Vocoder Synth EEW Eizuka Engineering Workshop JAPAN

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

via this auction

Also see the Model 101 vocoder here.

"Up for sale is a super rare 10-band vintage analog vocoder built by E.EW. (Eizuka Engineering Workshop) possibly in the 80s in Japan.

Seems like this has the same functions as the E.E.W. Model 101 vocoder, however, there is no model name printed anywhere and so it could possibly be a proto-model or a custom-made unit.

The unit appears to be working as it should, with all the knobs and switches responding and working fine to the best of my knowledge as being tested by a guitar. There are slight scratch noise on some of the knobs due to the nature of these vintage synths, which could do with some adjustment/servicing if required.

Cosmetically the unit is in nice condition for its age as you can see. There are some wear and light scuffs marks here and there as pictured, but nothing serious. I'm including plenty of pictures of the actual item so you can see exactly how it looks.

Power cable included.

**This unit was made for the Japanese market which runs on 100 volts. You will need a stepdown voltage converter for 120V - 220V regions."

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Solton TS3K (1988) Italo Disco Machine Synthesizer!

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via this auction

This appears to be the first one to be featured on the site.

"Rare Solton TS3K with PCM drums and some analog sections like bass especially designed for real-time arranger performance. Made in Italy in 1988! It’s the brother of the Solton Programmer 24!

Fingered playing with styles and auto-accompaniment but also recording with quantizes from 4 to 96 resolution and variable time signature. There are several preset functions for live play!

Functions:

· Auto bass
· Custom arranger
· Patch change
· Manual drums (triggers with notes)
· Odd bass 16/8 feet
· Tempo change
· Memory save
· Custom variation
· Intro fill in-end

Sounds:

· BASS: features 16 different presets e.g slap, picked, sixties, fingered.

· CHORD 1: there are 32 patches e.g strings, EP, grand piano, fiddle, organ, choir, brass, pads... You can filter it with CHORD BRILLANCE function.

· CHORD 2: another wave of 32 patches: marimba, piano, funky, mellow, clarinet, flute, harmonica, guitar, bell.

You can mix sounds between bass, chord 1 and chord 2 to create incredible new sounds!

· RHYTHMS: 48 wonderful programmable presets from disco to rap, etc.

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Rare Elgam R12 (Italy, 1970s) Vintage Analog Drum Machine

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

via this auction

This appears to be the first one to be featured on the site.

"This gorgeous analog rhythm box - made in Italy in 1970s - is one of the best electronic drum machine produced by Elgam, the italian brand that also invented the legendary Elgam Carousel in the same years!

Elgam was the Italian brand that produced many legendary instruments, including the Elgam Carousel. Based in Marche, Italy, in the same area where Elka, Eko, Farfisa, Crumar, Jen, Siel, Solton, CRB, etc. were born.

It’s born in 1970s! The item is fully working and in good cosmetical conditions for its age: on the surface there are scratches here and there (please, check all the photos), but the drum machine sounds great and works perfectly!

It has a characteristic fat warm sound especially with a nice tape delay and reverb added. The tempo knob slows things right down and you can get some unintential sounds out of this piece of kit. For example, you could use it running through distortion pedals to get some interesting riff style sounds!

· 12 drum style buttons

· 1 x “break” button (adds fill to each drum beat)

· 1 x start/stop button

· 1 x tempo knob

· 1 x volume knob

· 1 x power on/off button

It's mains powered and on the back it has:

· 1 x removable fuse

· 1 x large jack out

· 1 x pedal out (pedal not included)

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KAWAI GB-1 Session Trainer Drum Machine

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via this auction

This appears to be the first one featured on the site. You can find a demo of the GB-2 model here.

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Elex K2 1970’s Rare Italian Vintage String machine (Farfisa/Hohner) - SN 27157

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

via this auction

This appears to be the first K2 on the site. You can find demos of another modle, the K4, in previous posts here.

"Very very rare Italian string machine made in the 70’s. Branded also as Farfisa or Hohner , this is the original one, made by Elex, a very obscure Italian brand from Recanati. It works great, cosmetically has some signs of age.

Sounds similar to the Elka Rhapsody 610, but with a few differences - the 'Ensemble' button does not turn the chorus on/off (as you mighty expect) the chorus is permanently on - instead, this enables the lower part of the keyboard from the split point down to play all 4 octaves simultaneously (eg for the C2 key, C2, C3, C4 and C5 all play simultaneously) - it is fully polyphonic and sounds massive. It also has a 'Bass' (presumably guitar) preset which plays bass below the split point. Unlike the 610, each of the Piano/ Harpsichord/Cello/Strings can be enabled/cancelled for each half of the keyboard (although, like the 610, there are separate level controls for each half of the keyboard with the addition of a level control for the 'Bass'). The only omission compared to the 610 is the lack of decay controls for the Piano/Harpsichord. There are separate outs for the 'Piano', 'Piano-Harp' and 'Bass' as well as a mix output ('General')."

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Moog Equalizer Keytar Controller?

Retro Synth Ads shared this one on Twitter.

"Can someone please explain to me what a @moogmusicinc Equalizer is, where it came from, and why no one has told me this existed. A Liberation without synth guts?"

Anyone seen one before? This appears to be the first one featured on the site.

Update: according to Brian Kehew of roundandwound.com and more, this was the prototype of the Liberation. "The EMEAPP collection in Philadelphia has two of them. Stevie Wonder's old ones."

The Allman Bros had one on the road as well as you can see at 30:39 in the following video (it should start right when in comes in):


The Allman Brothers Band - Full Concert - 01/16/82 - University Of Florida Bandshell (OFFICIAL)
video by Allman Brothers on MV

Wersi KF1 Rack Fox

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

via this auction

This appears to be the first one featured on the site.

"CONDITIONS: The unit is fully working in very excellent cosmetical conditions. The only electronic minor “flaw” is that it can’t be turned off with its on/off button. But the turn on/off button works perfectly for turning it on, so it does not interfere in the use. For this reason we include in the sale a special white adapter with ON/OFF switch, through which it is possible to turn off the instrument without problems (please check all photos).

DESCRIPTION: This rare Wersi Rack Fox KF1 turns every electronic keyboard (synthesizer, piano etc.) into an instrument with a professional sound. It includes countless rhythms, and many different instruments! See the pictures for the available options and sounds.

Sounds can be combined in some of the modes. Within the rhythms, you can build your sound with drums, bass, chords etc. Of course, volume, tempo and other variables are adjustable.

This is a great machine for a trip in the 80s productions! We tested it with a midi pedal board that allowed us to change the midi channels and listen to the sounds and other functions. MIDI IN/THRU/OUT available. The information on the midi mapping is shown on the surface.

This is your chance to get your hands on a truly legendary expander synth. Very hard to let this one go, but it's not getting enough use and it's just time to move on."

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