Hohner PK150

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"Early arranger keyboard from Germany in the 80s. 61 keys and features a speaker"

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

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Model 162-8 Mystery Sequencer

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GARLAN ELECTRONICS CO?

From East Lansing Michigan.

Looks DIY from the pics of the inside.

If anyone knows more about this one, feeel free to leave a comment.

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Never Released Korg MU-5000 (Japan, 1985) Vintage Music Synthesizer PC Prototype

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via this auction

SN ES 850111

"In 1985 Korg decided to challenge the personal computer market creating a competitor for the legendary Commodore 64 (which was born three years earlier, in 1982).

Rumors then began to circulate about a new musical personal computer signed by Korg, called KORG MC-4000.

Along with the Korg MC-4000, Korg had designed 2 units which were extra and integral parts of the personal computer: a music synth expander called Korg MU-5000 and a microdisk unit called Korg MF-1000.

The incredible fact is that the personal computer project signed by Korg (the first “musical” personal computer in history) has remained for many years as a fake, since none of these products has ever been marketed in the western world.

The only historical artifact related to this project is a Japanese advertisement, a printed ad by Ishibashi Gakki released in the April 1985 issue of “Keyboard Magazine”.

In this ad (please, see the original photos), there were showed 3 products: KORG MC-4000, KORG MU-5000 and KORG MF-1000. The KORG MC-4000 music computer was then presented as a "compact computer containing its own music system".

Korg MC-4000, Korg MU-5000 and Korg MF-1000, according to historical information, have never been marketed because then Korg decided not to challenge the personal computer market. We don't know why!

Today, after years of research, we at Re Seller are pleased to present you the only survivor in the world of that super cool project: the original KORG MU-5000 expander synth!

This find of ours is of fundamental importance as it demonstrates that the Korg music personal computer project would have been really close to being commercialized!

This impossible to find Korg MU-5000 has been tested and is still in working order! Cosmetically there are minor signs of wear due to age, but nothing serious. The power supply is compatible and is included in the sale (this unit works with any 9V power supply and center negative polarity).

This small desktop synth contains beautiful sounds at its core! It is a 16-channel midi expander capable of generating some mighty impressive sounds courtesy of the same Digital Waveform Generator System used in the DW6000 and in the best Korg sounds of the 80s!

What we were able to test is very easy: we connected a midi keyboard to the Korg MU-5000 and listened to 128 sounds preset via program change (we changed the program change directly on the MIDI keyboard).

There are probably many more features to discover, but we don't have the capabilities to test it 100%!

An incredible piece of history, for the most demanding collectors in the world. Impossible to find another in all of history!"

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Rare birds: Elka Wilgamat 1 / analog drum machine and accompaniment unit

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"Here is another 'one man band' from the 70s I just serviced. Many dead CMOS chipsets, lots of bad connections on the motherboard daughterboards sockets (broken pins, bad solder joint) and a dying voltage regulator, among other things. Custom built keyboard to trigger the accompaniment unit, with jack socket input for pedal that introduce drum breaks. A different flavor than the Welson Ritmo I recently demoed but definitely in the same mood.
Recorded through a Teisco 120 to add some reverb."

This appears to be the first post to feature the Elka Wilgamat 1. Note the "1" on the right. The Elka Wilgamat minus the "1" has been featured on the site before in previous posts here. Which came first? :) You can find additional Elka Wilgamat models here.

Update: according to Ohm Studio: "Electronics are exactly the same. I think this one is later and was an add for some Elka organ, maybe Concorde or something. The black color is I think factory since it’s all over the case even inside. It’s clearly the same fake wood as the original but painted black, probably to better match the organ aesthetics. I definitely remember seeing auctions with Elka organ and this wilgamat unit bundle. Also the complete wilgamat electronics and controls are fitted in some Elka organ, spinet and combo. Don’t remember which model but I did scavenged à spinet one to retrieve all the pcbs."

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Both Sides of the Knife - Elka Concorde 802 song

video upload by R.O.T. Studios

"Since it's working again, I of course had to make a song with it :)
Love my Elka~"

This is the first Elka Concorde 802 to be featured on the site. You can find other models in previous posts here.

The following are some pics of an 802 off of Reverb

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Pulser LIVE BEATS M-35 Rhythm Box

video upload by Rec Gear Demos

aka Telly's Gear Depot On Reverb
The is the first one to be featured on the site.

AMTRON UK 262 Amplified Rhythm Control Drum Machine

via this auction

"Vintage Drum Machine

RARE bird.

Made by Amtron

Selectable input Voltage (Currently set for 110V)"

This appears to be the first one featured on the site. There was a model 263 mentioned in this previous post on RHYTHM MACHINES The Rise and Fall of the Presets book & demos.

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Alesis 6461 QS6 Prototype?

This one is in via Mike who just picked it up. I'll see if I can get some better pics when he has it. Until then, if anyone is familiar with it, leave a comment. I search for Alesis 6461 only brings up this blurry image.

Update: new pics here.

Concord R-3000 Automatic Rhythm Machine

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This one is in via M Me, spotted on Marktplaats.

This is the first one to be featured on the site. It appears to be a preset based rhythm machine. Note "Automatic Rhythm" in the badge on back. Also note the Universal Consilidators Inc.

via the listing:

"Analoge Japanse drummachine uit de jaren 60. Komt niet vaak voor. In zeer goede staat, werkt prima.
Low imp. Out
High imp. Out
Foot Switch In
230V"

Googlish:

"Analog Japanese drum machine from the 1960s. Not common. In very good condition, works fine.
Low imp. Out
High imp. Out
Foot Switch In
230V"

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CBS MASTERWORKS Electronic Percussion 1970

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video upload by fritz5139

Vintage Electronic Drums (Percussion/Congas)

video upload by celtusfergus

via this auction

"This exceptionally rare analogue percussion synthesizer was made in Japan in the very early 1970's. It has been most notably used by Anne Peebles in the rare groove song 'I Can't Stand The Rain' which was sampled and used in the 1997 Hiphop track 'The Rain' by Missy Elliot. I have replaced the disintegrated foam which sits under the pads with brand new longer lasting foam. The pads are "velocity sensitive," using a magnetic pickup inside each pad that runs on a 9V battery which powers all voices. The mute switches all work, which essentially control the decay for each instrument by varying degrees based on the circuit design. There's a circuit diagram pasted to the base of the case beneath the top of the synth.

There are trimmers on the circuit board of the synth which I'm assuming control either overall tuning or deacy. I haven't touched these in order to maintain the originality of this instrument. The synth is in amazing original condition despite its age and the fact that it needs to be hit in order to work. :)"

Note this is the first one to be featured on the site.

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Roland MT-80s Music MIDI Player Boombox SN ZI10963

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video upload by Danimal Cannon

via this auction

Never seen one of these before. Note the video above is not for the listing. I found it searching Youtube for a demo of one. Roland also made the MT-300. The MT300 has MIDI out while the MT80s does not, which means the MT80s is solely a MIDI player and cannot be used to sequence external gear.

Check out additional boombox synths here.

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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

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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

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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 Vintage Keys Studio

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


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

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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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