Dianzi Qin (电子琴) Chinese synth from 1978

video upload by Robotussin Vintage Synths

"Look at these strange synths produced by Cold War-era China. This is a Dianzi Qin (电子琴).

The synth came about following a cultural exchange in the early 1970s when composer Bernie Krause visited China to demonstrate a Moog modular system. It was part of Richard Nixon’s attempt to build up relations with China to counterbalance Soviet influence in the region – a program known as “Ping-pong diplomacy”.

Krause demo’ed his Moog to Communist officials who were apparently very impressed, after which the Party declared that electronic music 'had no cultural bias', meaning it was not intrinsically Western and decadent, and so there was no problem for Chinese people to explore it and incorporate it into their compositions.

This led inventor Tian Jin Qin to develop this instrument, as a modern, electronic synthesizer with Chinese characteristics – it’s loosely based on traditional Chinese string instruments such as the Erhu.

The Dian Zi Qin is controlled with four ribbons, which power an additive synth engine. There seem to have been two versions, one that looks like an upright stringed instrument, the other that looks more like a desktop synth but with a vertical neck sticking out of it with the ribbon controls to finger. The second type has additional touch controls on the main unit that have some ability to bend and accent the note.

I’ve read that very few were made and it didn’t get out of the prototype stage, but in this video I see at least three playing in concert, as well as what looks like a more conventional organs. I’ve uploaded the full film to my YouTube channel as it was not available anywhere on the Western internet."

YAMAHA EOS B2000 MUSIC PRODUCTION SYNTHESIZER SN 0001391w/ Built in Speakers

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YAMAHA EOS B200 DEMO with VoiceCard RCD4000 video upload by s_drastic

This appears to be the first one featured on the site. Note the above is a video I found after seeing the listing below. It features the VoiceCard RCD4000 which does not appear to be included in that listing.

The following covers some factory sounds. I'm guessing the quality is closer to the above in person. The B2000 reminds me of a keyboard version of the QY70.

YAMAHA EOS B2000 DEMO SONG / Factory Set & Demonstration

video upload by Masakazu Yamamoto

via this auction



"Yamaha EOS B2000 is a digital mixing console designed for live sound reinforcement and studio recording. It has been used by many professional sound engineers and producers, including Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Tony Maserati.

The Yamaha EOS B2000 features 24-bit/96kHz digital audio processing, 16-channel analog inputs, 8-channel analog outputs, 8-channel digital inputs, 8-channel digital outputs, and a built-in effects processor. It also has a built-in USB port for connecting to a computer for recording and playback. The console also features a variety of EQ and dynamics processing, as well as a built-in compressor and limiter. Additionally, the console has a built-in metronome and a variety of other features, such as a built-in tuner and a built-in talkback system"

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Bugari Sound Unit

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

via this auction

Note this appears to be the first post to feature Bugari.

Some details from the listing:

"Amazingly rare machine - Most likely this was made by Bugari in Italy in the early 80s or late 70s.

There's no brand logo or serial number number anywhere on the machine so we can't say for sure who made this but it's a professionally, mass produced unit.

It's likely controlled by an external controller such as a foot pedal or accordion.

Lots of sound presets and and what are most likely rhythmic options on the front panel.

The idea would be to build a controller for it but right now there are too many other projects lined up.

It looks almost new inside and out with some light oxidation on the handle on top and metal plate underneath.

It sports 2 hardwired cables : 1 for external controller and 1 for the on board (thank god!) power supply with long cable with regular Italian 3 prong power connector at the end.

220 volt version with EU plug.

Items ship from Italy"

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Z-Tronics Z-Midi Interface

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

via this auction

"The Z-tronics system is a stand-alone system and does not in itself incorporate MIDI signals for output to external MIDI devices such as Synthesizers and Sequencers for generating external electronic sounds or for Recording and Playing actual performances. The Z-MIDI interface was developed to interface at the data level and may be easily added to any Z-tronics system, old or new. Connection requires the two timing signals plus one wire in and out per manual.

There are two models available. Z-MIDI-1 provides one MIDI channel in and out, and is useful for adding a dedicated MIDI sound module for one voice such as a Piano. Z-MIDI directly supports the PianoDisk (c) in a real acoustic piano, or any MIDI Sound Module generated voice.

The Z-MIDI-1 also supports stand-alone uses such as adding a pipe organ chest to ANY keyboard instrument having a MIDI Out. A special version of the Z-MIDI-1 may be installed to operate real Chimes or Carillon, automatically ringing the hour and playing MIDI files (such as Hymns) at programmed times of the day.

Z-MIDI-16 is a full 16 channel OUT, 12 to 16 channel IN module which supports BOTH a Sequencer for Record/Playback AND a separate Sound Module. MIDI Sound Modules may be unified or coupled, or not, as desired. While a factory configuration supports Record/Playback for up to 8 manuals (including pedal and second touch) and Sound Module support for up to four manuals, these defaults may be customized for special installations. An optional Human Interface keypad and display enables preset voices to be selected, and other operating parameters changed. MIDI presets may be operated from the combination action.

The Z-MIDI Interface does not process signals normally used to play the organ, and thus does not affect the reliability of the system."

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The Massive Sound Of An Experimental Soviet Drum Machine

video upload by HAINBACH

This appears to be the first post to feature the RMIF ES-2-5.

"The RMIF ES-2-5 is an experimental drum machine that was made in Riga, Latvia, in the last days of the Soviet Union (1991). It was an attempt at re-creating the Roland TR-808, but was hampered by the lack of microchip technology available. RMIF abandoned the project after only a testing run of 30 units where made. One rare surviving example found its way to my studio in a sorry state. I had it restored to better then new condition, as I feel it is a piece of instrument history. And it sounds so very very heavy and melancholic.

PATRONS get sounds of the ES-2-5: http://patreon.com/hainbach"

00:00 Unboxing
01:08 First Track: With Maestro
02:30 Second Track: Solo ES-2-5
03:27 A Closer Look
05:31 Third Track: FX
06:22 The Sequencer
07:41 History Time
09:16 The Competition At The Time
09:50 Relevance Today

Shamballah (K7) Recording in SANYO KBX-7 WIRELESS SYNTHESIZER KEYBOARD RADIO CASSETTE 80'S

video upload by AMYR VON BATHEL CANTUSIO JR ALPHA III PROJECT

"SANYO KBX-7 WIRELESS SYNTHESIZER KEYBOARD RADIO CASSETTE 80'S VINTAGE (Curiosities)
MUSIC BY AMYR CANTUSIO JR( 1990) Kanx K7(cassete tape)
Music I produced, recorded in K7 on this device. I already had one. The little keyboard separates from the radio but the sound is WIRELESS (ie the keyboard itself has no sound output, but comes out via "remote" through the radio speakers ) bluetooth type.
Radio sound is fantastic and above all, the Keyboard records audio in K7 (cassette tape) with great definition!
With the Audio output of the Headphones vc. you can plug in an amplifier and use the Keyboard signals for a P.A. with great possibilities. The keyboard is not a wave synthesizer, but similar to Casio Portátil with K7 recorder."

Note this is the first post to feature the SANYO KBX-7. I found the following pics of a white one on eBay.

via this auction

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RiHa Orchestra Organ and analog mono synth from 1978

video upload by

RiHa Orchestra Organ Part 2 Harp and ARC Rhythm and Drum machine explained

video upload by

RiHa Orchestra Organ Part 3 bonus clip - Deep Diving in the RiHa!




"Filmed and Edited by Louisa Revolta
Recorded and Mixed by Steve Christie at Vintage Keys Studio

Music by Steve Christie."

https://vintagekeysstudio.com

Note this is the first post to feature the RiHa Orchestra. There have been two previous posts featuring RiHa as a brand.

Super Rare 1973 Caravan Synth | Vintage Analog Synthesiser | Made in Italy | Similar to Vox Jaguar

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by riffers

"(Video) Serviced Super Rare 1973 Caravan Synth | Vintage Analog Synthesiser | Made in Italy | Similar to Vox Jaguar | 49 Keys, 4 Voices, Vibrato, Chorus Bass | Built-in Speakers | Legs included"

via this auction

"'You know that new sound you been looking’ for?… Well listen to this!'

- Chuck’s cousin, Marvin Berry

Check out the video we've done running through some of the sounds produced by the 4 voices, vibrato and bass chorus. We also do a volume pot test, vibrato pot test, chromatic test follwed by a brief demo. We mic'd up the built-in speaker with a Shure SM-57 for the video but there is an external output for use with amplifiers etc.

Condition:

Excellent cosmetic condition and fully functioning. Recently serviced (19/07/23). Legs are included."

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7/16/23 The sound of a Viscount PCM 64S dying :(please send schematics :)

video upload by Cfpp0

This appears to be the first post to feature the Viscount PCM 64S.

"This rare and feature-packed (trigger in, out, individual snare out, footswitch jacks for break, clap, and start, volume knobs for six categories, 2 clap variation buttons, three percussion cancel buttons) preset pattern drum machine worked fine every time. Yet it wasn’t getting used enough and was put in a storage box and listed on Reverb. It sold, so it got pulled out for a final test (as one does) before shipping. What evil invisible specter lived in that box? Not sure, but it flew this Viscount over the cookoo’s nest and now this once glorious machine just ratchets and glitches. I opened it up and saw no bulging or leaking capacitors or obvious issues. We have a tech who is willing to fix it, and the previous buyer is still willing to buy it once it’s fixed, but we have no schematic. Viscount was an Italian company and restoration of antiquity is one of the many things at which Italians excel. So, if you have a schematic, posso avere? Ti prego!"

Update:

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Venta ELE-10 synth plays Photographic (Depeche Mode Cover)

video upload by Carambolage

This is the first post to feature the VENTA ELE-10.

"Cover song of Photographic played on the ultra-rare plastic Lithuanian 90s toy synth VENTA ELE-10 (also known as Norma ELE-10 or Elektronika EM-18).

- -
Instruments used:
Korg KR-55B (drums) + Behringer System 100m (bass) + Venta ELE-10 (everything else). - -

Still images used in the video were taken outside the actual VENTA factory building (now repurposed) in Vilnius. I bought the synth several years ago on the other side of the street of the factory from a guy who worked in the factory through the 80s & 90s. He still lived in the same flat next to the factory at the time when I bought it. The synth was almost like new, very well preserved, in original packaging. However the output sound was a noisy and the keys were not responding properly. After some maintenance I got it working and after several years of owning it I decided to make a demo of it by covering Depeche Mode's Photographic – one of their songs I like the most. Enjoy!"

The Secret Of The Overtone Synthesizer

video upload by HAINBACH

"A unit with no markings and a hearsay history found its way into my studio. It is unique and wonderful, but shrouded in mystery. I show what it can do, but can you help me uncover it's history? Featuring @HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES aka Jamie Lidell

SOUNDPACKS, MUSIC and LOVE: http://patreon.com/hainbach"

Cyclon Ltd. ME Analog Synthesizer

video upload by Chris Chrome

"80er Jahre DIY Synthesizer, Projekt"

Note there are two videos in the playlist above that appear to be the same. Including both in case one is removed. Use the player controls to skip to the next video if the first disappears. I also captured a few screenshots below. Click on them to zoom in. That out of the way, if anyone has any additional info feel free to leave a comment. This is the first post to feature Cyclon Ltd on the site. It appears to be a prototype and/or DIY, but who knows... If you know, leave a comment. Note the center Cyclon appears to be CYCCON, but you can see elsewhere on the synth it is Cyclon.

Check out the New Old label for other rare and older synths making their first featured on the site.
Check out the Exclusive label for posts featuring the rare of the rare. There is of course some overlap.

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Vintage MINI GAN Electronic PET-103 Organ Synth Kit

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by David Hilowitz Music

"I recently purchased a super rare analog synth kit from 1979 (MINI GAN PET-103). In this video, I put the synth together and find out how it sounds.

The sample library I made in this video can be found on the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-...

PCB and schematics for this synth can be found here (thanks to Håvard Kristoffersen): http://capadiy.com"

Found the video after seeing the following listing for one:

via this auction

"New old stock MINI GAN Electronic PET-103 "organ" kit.

Super cool electronics kit from 1979.
It comes with everything that is pictured.
I think it is complete, but please review pics to determine that for sure.
Some components may not be good any longer (like the electrolytic caps).

Nothing has been tested.
It has vintage dust and etc all over it, needs to be cleaned.
This is not returnable for any reason.
Sold as-is, for parts, or restoration."

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Watford Electronics Rhythm Generator

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

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

This appears to be the first post to feature the Rhythm Generator. Watford also made a Mark 1 drum machine mentioend in RHYTHM MACHINES - The Rise And Fall Of the Presets - by Alex Graham.

Details from the listing on the Rhythm Generator:

"Vintage Watford Electronics Rhythm Generator 1970s Drum Beats Machine Rare.

Built as a kit from Watford electronics parts with the UK magazine practical wireless. Basic unit but it's pretty rare. The exterior case is a little marked, the maker appears to have used it as a soldering iron rest 🤦🏻‍♀️ Would probably benefit from power and output leads / plug being rewired replaced, but it's been tested as working as far as using a pair of headphones goes with it. All the beats were heard through them and tempo/ volume change etc."

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WAVE KIT SA13 1980 DIY Analog Synthesizer

video upload by Time Tripper

"This is an analog synthesizer that I made when I was in high school.
At that time, it was a transition period from analog to digital, and soon the era of personal computers began. I think this was the last time I touched analog circuits.

WAVE KIT SA13
・2 VCO
・BPF VCF
・ADSR/AR
・NOISE(W/P)
・LFO
・VCA

#AnalogSynth #Electronics #Synthesizer #Synth #DIY

高校生の時に自作したアナログ・シンセサイザーです。
当時はアナログからデジタルの過渡期で、程なくしてパソコンの時代になりました。
アナログ回路に接したのはこれが最後だったと思います。

#アナログシンセ #電子工作 #シンセサイザー #シンセ #DIY"

Quasimidi Caruso 4-part Sound Module

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Musicnectar

Never seen one of these before - this is the first post to feature the Caruso, spotted in the listing below. I did a quick search for one on Youtube and found the video above from 7 years ago.

via this auction

"Very rare Quasimidi Caruso rack module. This is a 4-part sound module layering exceptional organs, accordions, brass, strings, and keyboard sounds. Very intuitive interface and easy to program.

Specs

20 Voice polyphony with 4-part Multitimbral

M.A.S.S. (Multi Algorithm Sound Synthesis) Quasimidi Sound Engine

512 sounds and 612 performances (512 ROM and 100 RAM), where the 100 sounds in RAM are fully editable.

2 independent integrated multi-effects: 1) reverb, echo 2) chorus, flanger, phaser, rotary, echo, distortion

Digital Rotary Effect

Ensemble Effect (Intelligent Melody Harmonizer)

MIDI IN / OUT / THRU"

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Welson Music Industries Co. Ritmini Rhythm Machine SN 153933

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

via this auction

This appears to be the first post to feature the Ritmini.

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The TITAN Synth Built From A Magazine Subscription In 1973 - Wireless World

video upload by

"The WIRELESS WORLD Electronic Sound Synthesizer Built By John if you'd like to see more videos on this project/livestreams and more
support here :- https://www.patreon.com/Lookmumnocomp..."

You might recognize the TITAN from this previous post: VINTAGE ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER....Wireless World 1973

German Rackmount Yamaha TG77, TG33, CPX, Synthax RACKWare RG 124 & Kawai MAV-8

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

Interesting rig. You'll find a picture of the back below with the TG33. This is the first post to feature the Hybrid Arts CPX computer module. Hybrid Arts also made the ADAP SOUNDTRACK SAMPLER ADAP-1. If anyone has any info on the CPX, feel to leave a comment. Curious if it's simply a computer with an editor for the TG77 and TG33, or it's own synth/sample playback module. Take a look at the back below. The Synthax RACKWare RG 124 appears to be the monitor for the system, and the Kawai MAV-8 is a midi patchbay.

It's interesting to see the TG77 and TG33 in a different enclosure.

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Doobie Rhythmini FR-112 preset rhythm drum machine

video upload by Harry Axten

Note this is the first post to feature Doobie and the Rhythmini. If you know more about either, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

"Thought I'd record a brief demo of what this somewhat rare machine sounds like prior to selling it - not that it's anything particularly special. It's based around the Sanyo LM8972, so will have the same patterns as every other rhythm machine that uses this IC.

Not much known about the company other than it was made in Japan, presumably in the late 1970s. Possibly related to the Newport Rhythm Sound, which looks visually similar."