"Rare WSA1 keyboard. If I'm not mistaken, only 200 made. This one is in good condition with some scratches, everything works surplus to requirements. Please contact me for postage as I would prefer this to be picked up and checked before taken away. Its very heavy...
From the website:
What is Acoustic Modelling Synthesis?
Putting theory into practice is Technics' latest breakthrough in synthesis technology - Acoustic Modelling Synthesis. While retaining the much-coveted qualities of conventional PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) subtractive sound reproduction, Acoustic Modelling Synthesis combines PCM waveform drivers with custom DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Modelling resonators.
By first extensively analyzing the nature of acoustic sound, Acoustic Modelling Synthesis then digitizes the physical process recreating it. This technology ideally simulates the sound-emulating process of acoustic instruments.
Nearly all modelling parameters can be accessed in real-time by using various on-board controllers and key touch. Additionally, by manipulating the Realtime Creator / Controller along the X-Y axis, the user can control up to six parameter sets registered for each sound.
This flexibility allows the control, for example, of where you strike the surface of a drum or of the mouthpiece angle on a flute.
SX-WSA1
Acoustic Modeling Synthesis (PCM waveform driver with DSP Modeling resonator)
64-Note Polyphony
Large graphic display (320 x240 dot)
Drum kit edit by Acoustic Modeling Synthesis
Controllers: Realtime Controller, Realtime Creator, Pitch Bend Wheel, Modulation Wheel 1 and 2 for realtime editing
Preset sounds: 256 sounds, 128 combinations
User sounds: 256 sounds, 128 combinations
Remap function
Digital drawbars
Pitch, filter, amplitude with individual envelope and LFOs
DSP effects: 3 blocks, 43 algorithms (plus 12 algorithms in REV block)16-track, 47,000-note capacity professional standard sequencer (for sx-WSA1 only)
2 sets of MIDI terminals
GM compatibility
SMF direct play"
All sounds you hear in the track were made using the SX-K200; some were run through a Boss DD7 delay pedal. All parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. I also quadruple-tracked the lead synth melody (with two layers of "Cosmic Wah" an octave apart and two layers of "Brass" at the lower octave, which I detuned slightly in the DAW to give it a fatter sound). Individual drum hits were sampled from slowed-down rhythms and processed to allow a fresh kick and snare pattern to be built, although the basis of the groove was the "Disco" rhythm on the keyboard (with a high-pass filter applied so that the hi-hats are mainly all you hear).
The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools. The SX-K200 was an evolution of Technics' electronic organs, which they had been building and developing since the '60s; its sounds are split into 8 "orchestral" polyphonic presets and 6 "solo" monophonic voices, with nods to various staple synth sounds of the era. There is also a great stereo chorus effect that can be applied to the orchestral sounds.
"Technics WSA-1 Physical modeling synthesizer with 64 note polyphony, 16 track sequencer and 32 Channels of MIDI I/O
This truly rare synthesizer is one of 600 made. It was made around the same time as the Yamaha VL-1 but, it is way more fun to play and its feature set knocks it out of the park compared to the competition.
The 2 real-time controllers on the front panel can be programmed to alter practically anything you want, due to this instruments extensive modulation routing choices. (envelopes, filters, resonance, etc.,) 8 voice MULTI mode lets you layer sounds that are absolutely epic.
It has a 16 track sequencer built in, so you can write your own songs complete with all the automation of MIDI and you can also assign those 16 tracks to any of the 32 MIDI channels! (It has MIDI "A" and "B" I/O) It has its own unique sample set and also a General MIDI sample set. Of course high quality drums set samples are there too!
The built-in 3.5" floppy drive works flawlessly and will save and load songs or any kind of MIDI data and even play standard MIDI files straight from the disk. The included floppy disk has all the factory sounds and demos. This synthesizer has the latest operating system and the internal ROM.
The display is flawless and the contrast and brightness are perfect. All the buttons, switches, jacks and controllers work exactly as they should. No scratchy sounds. No buzzing. No hums. It works perfectly.
There is one scratch on the back/top/right corner as shown in the pics and a slight rough edge on the G# key directly under the display."
"How to create a pad sound on a synthesizer (Technics WSA1R). As announced, I'm taking a closer look at the Technics WSA1R's synth engine and it's physical modeling capabilities. If you were wondering how the modelling synthesis on this machine works, this is the video for you. If you just want to hear some sounds, watch this video: [posted here]
Table of Contents:
00:00 Introduction
01:00 User Interface
01:37 Drivers ("oscillators") and resonators
02:15 Showcasing some resonators
02:28 Interactions
04:00 Connection of the driver to the resonator
04:35 Driver movement automation
05:22 Properties of the resonator
07:35 Amp Envelope & LFO
09:56 Pitch Envelope & LFO
10:41 Filter Envelope & LFO
13:34 Insert Effect
14:35 Global Effects
16:24 Controller Setup
17:34 Conclusion
18:31 playing some chords"
"Just a short improvisation on the Technics WSA1R. The E-Piano is a preset sound, the other sounds are custom ones. The Technics WSA1 is a physical modelling synth released in 1995."
This one is in via Jusuf in the comments of this post. Many have been featured on the site before, some haven't. Enjoy! :)
Playlist at the time of this post:
Technics sx-WSA1R demo - that other acoustic modeling synth from the 90s - Floyd Steinberg
Best Ambient Synth Shootout #26: Technics WSA1- Song 1 - Christian's Sonic Spaces
Best Ambient Synth Shootout #27: Technics WSA1- Song 2 - Christian's Sonic Spaces
MOV 0217 - hien trinh
Technics SX-WSA1 MarkovModels - Tom Noopher
technics wsa synthesizer - some physical modelled sounds - borgmechaniker
puredata-algorithmicsequencer-02.mp4 with Technics WSA - borgmechaniker
Demo technics sx-WSA1 part1 - gravili
Technics WSA 1 Sound Demos mit 4 von mir improvisierten Songs - Musiker Lanze
both units are now sold. bye bye my synths. - myRegression
Korg JP8000 JP-8000 Review (Technics WSA1 WSA-1) - TR0LLreviews
LooPing petit bout de piano - LooPingVideoHome
Stay with me - Andreas Fechner
Improvisation 2 - Andreas Fechner
Koródi Csaba - Improvizáció - Szintimánia
Technics WSA 1 Film Demo - Dave Blackburn
BuddyN-Trance masterclip - BuddyMYT
Technics SX-WSA1 Ambient Demo - Blake Foster
TECHNICS WSA1 - Demo Song - Szintimánia
Tax-5 - The Labyrinth (Dark Ambient) - Technics WSA1 - Stephan S
Technics SX WSA 1R Synthesizer - Chillout Demo, by Clouds Testers - Alexander Bobrov
Demo Technics sx-WSA1 part2 - gravili
WSA1- Technics - Piano Steinway & Sons - Por Rogelson.mpg - Roger Syst Gama
technics wsa1 view sơ qua phần FX chỉnh tiếng. - hien trinh
Short Technics WSA1 Jam with Ryan - "Garbage Truck" :) - CoolColJ
Technics WSA1R Sounds - borututu forte
Technics WSA1 - Changing the display - 01 - roghelson
Cool/Funny ad - Technics WSA - lbulbu
groove - mruebsam
T.W.G music: lost - T . W . G
Magic World - Andreas Fechner
Live Jam #18 (LXR, acid8, DCM8, JP-08, Shruthi-1, V-Machine, System-1m, Atmegatron, SX-WSA1, etc.) - Christian's Sonic Spaces
Best Ambient Synth Shootout #28: Technics WSA1- Song 3 - Christian's Sonic Spaces
RS - Song for C (featuring Technics WSA1) - stratomoto
Technics WSA1 / WSAr - Synt Hudba
"Technics sx-WSA1R - that other acoustic modeling synth from the 90s. (Table of contents below!) In this video, I'm playing a short demo with custom sounds and a number of presets. The Technics WSA1 is a 64 voice polyphony, 32 part multitimbral modeling synth from 1995 with some unique features. According to Wikipedia, only 300 of the rack mounted version shown in this video exist. I will have an in - depth look at the synth engine next week. (Subscribe if you want a notification on that).
00:00 short demo showing of the filters. Each voice can have 4 "oscillators" and each "oscillator" can have it's own filter, LFO and envelopes.
01:50 hello
02:16 Presets: WSA Piano
02:52 Piano
03:35 E-Piano 2
04:29 Modern E.P. 1
05:11 Harp
03:35 Spanish Guitar
06:00 12 String Guitar
06:22 Synth Strings 2
06:55 Stereo Vocal Ah
07:14 Vocal Daa
07:34 Drawbar Organ (with drawbars, you guessed it)
08:13 Synth Brass 1
08:32 Warm Synth Pad
08:58 Sweep Pad
09:46 Goblins
10:35 Windy Sweep
11:29 a very subtle hint that subscribing doesn't hurt you and is good for my motivation to post videos"
"Acoustic modelling synthesizer. Ahead of its time, and still a unique tool/instrument. Only 600 made. Includes manuals and reference guides. Check it out here and here"
"This Technics SX-K350 has been languishing in my attic for a couple of years because it was faulty when I first connected it up after purchasing it and hauling it home. It's volume control had malfunctioned so it was playing well over it's maximum volume and making tons of noise. I assumed it would be more difficult that the 30 minutes it took me to remove, disassemble, clean and re-solder the volume slider or I would have done it much sooner. It's still a bit on the wonk, the audio is panned over about 50% and one of the outputs doesn't work so I’m using the headphone socket, but I think that may be more trouble to fix that it's worth. It weighs an absolute tone btw.
It's got a few usable sounds on it, especially if you like making utter cheese! Here I have the String Ensemble sound set up as a left hand split with Brass and Cosmic layered in the right hand. Interestingly it has midi with multi channel support for different layers and sync for it's drums and sequencer so I'll have to have a go at that at some point. This is just the output of the SX-K350 with a pinch of reverb to tie it all together."
Technics SX-350 via Midi - Synthwave Horror Theme
Published on Mar 16, 2019 ChrisLody
"I had a quick go with the Technics SX-350 via midi just to test it functions. I was disappointed to find to that the drums can't be sequenced which is a shame, but then thrilled to discover that all the 'poly' sounds can be played over a seven octave range! Not only that but it sounds pretty damn nice over that seven octaves too. So here is some John Carpenter inspired synthwave horror soundtrack stuff on the Guitar setting with Celeste turned on and plenty of Zoom 1201 reverb."
"These were only made for a short time and from what I can find about them there was only 600 of them made. Here's your chance to own a very nice and clean one.
-everything functions as it should, has been reset to factory settings.
-This keyboard is in very nice shape, very little scuffing and signs of use, very clean!
-For whatever reason the cosmetic portion of the volume slider is missing, no problem using as it is or could be replaced easily.
-The unit was brought in from out of the country and was then professionally modified for use with 120V AC electricity, so to be clear, it is configured currently for 120 volt AC for the United States.
Here's some info from the internet:
The Technics SX-WSA1 puts you at the controls. Nearly all modeling parameters can be accessed in realtime by using various easy-to-operate controllers such as the Pitchbend and Modulation wheels, Realtime Controller, Realtime Creator, Key Touch and more. The Realtime Creator and Realtime Controller each allow you to control 2 parameters at one time (X-Y axes). The Realtime Creator knob maintains the last set position, while the Realtime Controller returns to its neutral position. In addition, up to six sets of parameters can be stored for each sound, allowing rapid assignment to the Realtime Creator or Realtime Controller! This makes it possible to control, for example, where you strike the drum surface, the mouthpiece angle on a flute, or the embouchure of a trumpet. These controllers give you the freedom to fully express yourself in your music. At last, your creativity is limited only by the imagination.
Sounds that are out of this world:
The Technics SX-WSA1 also gives you the power to create a virtually unlimited range of instrument sounds. For the first time, you're no longer restricted by the sound sets in your instrument. Imagine, you now have full control over the parameters for the driver and resonator. This lets you form unique combination sounds like a tom-tom "fusing" into a chopper bass, or a guitar with a flute resonator. Sounds can be "crossfaded" by key or velocity. Even more astonishing, you can construct virtual instruments that cannot be built in reality. Now, that's really out of this world!
With all these creative possibilities offered by the WSA1:
It would be a shame not to have sufficient polyphony. That's why this synthesizer features not one, but 64-note polyphony—the culmination of Technics' outstanding achievements in advanced LSI research. With 64-note polyphony, you have all you need fully orchestrate your music.
More outstanding features:
The Technics WSA1 features a large graphic LCD screen which makes its operation both intuitive and extremely user-friendly. The 16-track, 47,000 note Sequencer includes some graphical editing capability. There are two MIDI ports (IN/OUT/THRU) to allow you to make the most of the 32 MIDI parts available (32-part multi-timbral), and there are four line-level outputs (two stereo pairs) to get it all to tape or the PA. If all that isn't enough, there is an optional Output Expansion Board which provides four additional line-level outputs and an S/PDIF digital coaxial output. An optional Wave Expansion Board will provide you with access to even more driver sources. Acoustic Modeling, Real-time control, and 64-note polyphony, a 16-track Sequencer with enough MIDI parts and outputs to make the most of it. A large, graphical LCD screen to tie it all together in one powerful, easy to use package, Technics is all you need."
Preset synth with limited editing, covered at 2:40.
"Technics keyboards never inspired me all that much, but I decided to make a real effort with this one. Now I think that with a bit of imagination and creative thinking, this is definitely a usable (though not classic) keyboard in this year 2018."
Technics SX-K700 keyboard synth: Sounds only, no talk
Published on Oct 23, 2018 Gearfacts
"As promised, a direct recording of the Technics KS-X700 with some beats, basslines, general sounds and demonstrated use of effects and synth editing."
I remember watching The Pet Shop Boys performing Opportunities back in the 1980s live on the BBC. It was entirely live despite what some people might think. In recent years I always thought it would be great to get those original synths back together again in one room. I never thought it would happen since DX1s are extremely rare, and as it happens so is the PX1. And Fairlights don’t exactly grow on trees. After much hunting I finally completed the set, including the Friendchip SRC synchroniser.
So this video isn’t really intended as a cover, but more of a synth reunion in honour of The Pet Shop Boys and that iconic performance.
The two Fairlights are synced together and playing their sequences live. All sounds are original. One Fairlight is playing the original sequence, the other I had to reprogram myself.
All other synth parts are played live (no MIDI sequencing). All audio was recorded into 3 Zoom R8 digital audio multitracks (you can glimpse one on the floor). The audio files where then dragged into Logic Pro X and mixed. As great as these synths are, in this day and age the whole thing doesn’t sound too great mixed dry.
With only one camera and no film crew the performance had to be done several times to get some different angles. Each time we played live and had a lot of fun. So forgive me if there are any video sync problems.
I made a video wall using 9” CRT monitors with two DVD players providing the video feed.
I will post a ‘behind the scenes’ tech tour also where you will hear some sounds in isolation.
I will not be selling or offering copies of the samples or sequence discs due to the many favours, hard time and cash I had to put in to get hold of them.
Gear:
Yamaha DX1
Yamaha DX7
Emu Emulator II
Technics PX1
Friendchip SRC
Fairlight CMI II
Fairlight CMI I (upgraded)
3x Zoom R8
16 9" CRT monitors
Special thanks to those that helped out. You know who you are! Big thanks."
Update:
Behind The Scenes gear overview for Opportunities 'cover' video
"Up for sale is rare Technics SY-1010 vintage monophonic analog synthesizer that made its debut in Japan in 1978.
The unit appears to be working reasonably well, all the keys and sliders and knobs working as they should. I noticed some of the keys have slight bad contacts when pressed, which could probably do with some servicing/adjustment."
"Unique instrument/tool. Only 600 ever made.
