Synthesizer Studio Hamburg Website

http://www.synthesizerstudio.com/

According to the website, they rent synthesizers.

via Martin in the comments of this post. Video from that post re-posted below.




YouTube via sunnyvollherbst
a walk through the SYNTHESIZER STUDIO HAMBURG.
38 analoge synthesizer and 20
drum machines are waiting for your recording....
more fotos and infos:
www.myspace.com/synthesizerpark"

PHILIPS PMC100 MUSIC COMPOSER

via this auction
Interesting bit in the details for this one. According to the descriptions, this one is listed by someone that was involved in the development of the PMC100.

"Here's the spec:
2 Octave membrane keyboard with safe-note feature and real-time digital recording
4-octave steptime composer with single step editing
100 FM Voices
2000 event memory
6 music and 5 rhythm tracks
12 accompaniment styles with 4 play modes
Playback music control
Recording personal stereo
Package contains:
PMC100 Composer
Personal Earphones
Shoulder Strap
Stereo Lead for connection to audio system
User Guide
Music Guide
Demo Data Cassette

It can work on either 6 AA batteries, or a 9 volt multi adapter, neither of which are included.

It has a tape recorder built into it, that enables you to save your compositions as data. The tape recorder also allows you to play and record audio.

Connection wise it has a headphone/line out socket, a microphone socket and the external power input socket.

The PMC100 has 100 instrument or "melody" voices, and another 15 "melody and accompaniment" voices.

The keyboard is a membrane similar to the EDP Wasp.

Its based on the Yamaha FM sound chip, was launched in 1986, it had a nine-channel FM synth with a 100 presets, a membrane keyboard, 8k of ram, a built in cassette recorder, and buttons for a strap. It was designed in part by British PC music pioneer Lyndsay Williams, who designed the first ever PC soundcard, for an Olivetti in 1987

I was personally involved in the design and marketing of this product when it was first produced and actually made the mock-up model that was the basis of the layout and design of it. I also co-wrote the user guide at the last minute after the guy who was originally commissioned to do it came up with a load of crap!

Although it may seem pretty basic now, it was extremely innovative at the time and gave rise to similar 'music notebook' type products from Yamaha. The great advantage that the Yamaha products had of course was MIDI which I fought hard to be included on this product but Philips didn't want to pay the extra!"

PHILIPS PCM100 COMPOSER

via this auction

Vintage 80's Philips PMC-100 synthesizer

via this auction
"the keyboard has a built in cassette player/recorder to record your compositions as well as live sounds from the microphone input, it also has a built in sequencer to record notes (although I've never tried using it).
you can hook up this synth to your mixer using it's stereo output.
although the Pmc-100 is very compact and has some interesting features for the time, this 'soft touch' keyboard is far from being a professional gear. it's 100 preset sounds and 15 accompaniments reminds of the 80's portable Casio keyboard, BUT this odd and great looking instrument will be a unique addition to any live setup or a vintage synthesizer collection.it could also be interesting option for circuit bending or for a lo-fi electronics/experimental musician."

Looking for a Philips PMC 100 User Manual in English

Anyone out there know where to find one? See these posts and scroll for what a PMC 100 is. If I get a copy, I'll update this post with a link to it.

pmc 100

YouTube via f...ingharpsichord. Philips PMC-100 video.
"playing a cssette with some 808 vibes and monopoly chords"

White Phlips PMC 100

via Andreas in the comments of this post. Image via this link.

Synthesizer Studio Hamburg

YouTube via sunnyvollherbst
a walk through the SYNTHESIZER STUDIO HAMBURG.
38 analoge synthesizer and 20
drum machines are waiting for your recording....
more fotos and infos:
www.myspace.com/synthesizerpar k"

pmc 100 (lil' crap)

YouTube via f...ingharpsichord. drums come in at 1:24. Second vid below is better.
"Use of walkman with 'washable' samples. 'Enjoy' !"

pmc 100

Philips pmc 100 (simple programming)

YouTube via fuckingharpsichord
"A Dutch microcomposer/walkman made in the year 1988"

Why I post what I post...

You never know what people will find useful or interesting. You may not be interested in the Philips PCM 100, but this person was.

"I recently found one of those philips pcm 100 composers but couldn't find a manual anywhere untill I crossed your blog via google. I was suprised to find out the foreign language is dutch, and since I'm from the Netherlands I speak and read it pretty well. So I wanted to thank you for posting it and letting you know what the actual language of the manual was. Not so suprisingly maybe since Philips is a dutch company.

Keep up the good work and thanks again!"

I love emails like this. It's also an interesting note about the manual. :)

Philips / Brother PCM 100 Composer Digital Sequencer

via this auction

"Philips / Brother PCM 100 Composer Digital Sequencer
Very Rare portable digital sequencer from Philips / Brother
Somewhat of an oddity - tape based sequencer, with FM style digital synth
Playable with membrane keyboard, 100 onboard fm sounds
Fully featured rudimentary sequencer, with step and realtime input, 4 channels
Record results or data to inbuilt cassette! (see photos for details)
This unit also includes connectors for a guitar strap, or similar
uses 6 AA batteries (included), or a 9v power adaptor (not included)
Unfortunately, no english manual is available for the pcm 100, but a foreign language copy is available here"
Update via audiblesmiler (at) audiblesmile dot co dot uk:

"At one point in my career I ended up as the Technical Manager for the group within Philips that supported this gizmo.

(I remember how I found that out too - one day I found a stash of them in a store cupboard, and called the Philips Support main product support line to see if they could put me through to the tech support for it. Every time I tried it was busy, so after 3 or 4 attempts I asked if I could have the name and number, which they wouldn't normally give, but since it was an internal call, they trusted me. They gave me my own name and number...)

I've got a copy of the English user manual, and I'm happy to take requests for individual copies until I can get it scanned in and PDF'd. If there's enough demand I can do that over the coming holidays."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Philips PMC100 Composer Synthesizer Sequencer

images via this auction
" Here we have a weird beasty from the 80's; Philips' one and only attempt at the synthesizer market. It combines preset FM synthesis with a sequencer, a cassette deck that doubles as a data and audio deck to load/save sequences or groove over the top of your favourite tapes plus a cool touch-membrane keyboard (ala EDP WASP, EH MiniSynth etc.)

It comes with a data cassette plus a tape and book of 'Hits of The 80's" for the full nostalgic experience. There isn't a manual included but most functions are figured out easily enough through trial-and-error or common sense."

i bought this today

flickr by BEAN BUTLER

full size

"philips pcm100 digital sequencer. its a very odd synth / sequencer / tape player / boombox thing. was only €70 euros though."

Philips PCM100

images via
this auction.

"For sale an impossible- to- operate- but- very- rare Philips PCM100. I am selling it because I cant find a manual and I do not dare to circuit bend it myself. Pratically it is a FM synth with a bunch of presets, a membrane keyboard, 8k of memory and it boasts a cassette recorder. It works but I can only make her play the 3 demo songs. It uses batteries or a normal 9V adapter (both not supplied)."

Update: I've updated the flickr shots with larger ones.

Philips PCM100

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

No details in the auction. If you know more about this, feel free to comment. One more item to look out for at garage/tag sales...

Googoofish Updates

Yamaha MR10


Dick Smith OSC Box


Philips PMC Samples

Chris sent me some updates worth checking out on his site Googoofish. Each link above takes you to more info and samples for each. Enjoy.