Best Ambient Synth Shootout #124: Wersi MK1 - Song 3

video upload by Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the third song with the Wersi MK1. It's a 12 voice synthesizer from 1986 using a kind of additiv synthesis based on complex volume and pitch envelopes for up to 32 digitally generated harmonic's. In addition it has a single analog filter (in my version it's an SSM2045 filter chip) for all voices (paraphonic use).

I used for the recording the following FX chain: MK1 - Pigtronix Envelop Phaser - Zoom MS-70CDR - 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.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)

Check out my Best Ambient Synth Shootout Playlist:"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #123: Wersi MK1 - Song 2

video upload by Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the second song with the Wersi MK1. It's a 12 voice synthesizer from 1986 using a kind of additiv synthesis based on complex volume and pitch envelopes for up to 32 digitally generated harmonic's. In addition it has a single analog filter (in my version it's an SSM2045 filter chip) for all voices (paraphonic use).

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
MK1 - 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.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)

Check out my Best Ambient Synth Shootout Playlist:"

Wersi EX20 - rare 20 voice additive synthesizer with analog SSM filters

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via this auction

Pics of the inside below. You can find videos of the EX20 in previous posts.

"This is the rare 20 voice rack version of the Wersi MK1. The EX20/MK1 is a VERY unique additive, digital/analog hybrid synthesizer. It's an oddly complex, weird alien machine in every manner. It's notoriously one of the most difficult synths to master due to its cryptic language, design, programming methods and function. So if you enjoy taming the more deep and daunting synthesizers: you'll be in bliss with this. Fortunately I have the programmer overlays attached to the top for (much needed and convenient) reference. Adding to its outsider nature; it is also paraphonic, as the 20 additive voices feed into a single but glorious sounding analog SSM filter. The EX20 has been internally cleaned and well cared for. It is functioning as properly as a EX20/MK1 can be, with all the original quirks and charms it was born with. Definitely one of the most unique synthesizers made. The most stable and current OS proms have been installed."

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1977 Vintage Analog Wersi AP 6 Bass Synth

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Wersi - VEX 60 Live Expander, rare Vintage Synthesizer Module. Sound-Demo

video upload by M. Schmied

"Some Sounds from the very rare WERSI Vex 60 Live Expander Module.
Warm and bright Sound, wonderfull Pianos, Choir, Pads, Organs and Brass Sounds!! Some nice Drums at the End of the Video!!
Have FUN!!"

PAIA Electronics & Wersi Vintage Pedal Synthesizer Catalog Brochures

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via this auction

Note the Synchronous Technologies SMPL System featuring SMPL Lock and MIDI instrument sync on back. Also the PAIA Programmable Drum Set.

"The two Paia catalogs are 22 pages total, the Wersi NOTES is twelve pages. All are from the 1980s. The Paia ones are in rough shape, but are totally complete w no marks anywhere. Much loved and pored over."

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Wersi AP6 Bass Synth Mono Synthesizer

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WERSI BASS SYNTHESIZER AP-6 (1977)

video upload by Synthesizer Home

Vintage Rare 1980’s Wersi Hobbymaker Analog Organ Melody + Gong Synthesizer

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via this auction

"This is the rare and original “Hobbymaker” from WERSI electronic. It is an “organ” with 13 melodies and 1 gong sound.

The Hobbymaker was built in the early 80s and is in excellent and clean condition.

The hobbymaker has two controls (trimpots) for tempo and volume. The unit has its own amplifier and speaker. The original manual with music samples is also included

The device is works with a 9V block battery (not included). The WERSI Hobbymaker is in excellent condition"

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WERSI Max 1 . Digital space music

video upload by KPProd Music

"This small vintage sound module from Germany has got amazingly warm and thick timbres"

The string machine ensemble effect: Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor VS Wersi Wersivoice WV7

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video upload by Ohm. Studio



"The Wersi in the video is for sale. [listed on eBay here]

Here is a comparison between two very similar BBD triple choruses, AKA ensemble effect: The Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor 79 (which I demoed extensively in a previous video with a Multivox MX-202, a Crumar Stringman and a Roland Jupiter 4) and the Wersivoice WV7. The Böhm has some more variations but the chorus sound (ie ensemble effect) is very similar. Circuit are almost 100% identical. I also own a Wersi Wersivoice FM76 which is the updated and standalone version of the Wersi WV7 and sound even closer to the Böhm.

I used a Welson Keyboard Orchestra to demo the two units. I made another video with the Wersivoice alone with a Sequential prophet 6 in order to show how easily you can turn any synthesizer into a string machine with these units."

via this auction

"Vintage analog triple chorus effect unit, based on 3x Philips TDA1022 Bucket Brigade Device chipset and of classic ARP Eminent Solina design. Turns anything into a great sounding string machine.

It offers Vibrato (slow and fast) and Chorus (the ensemble effect) with 3 variations of depth (« weak » and « strong » switch and both together).

It is almost the same circuit as the Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor I also built, with less variations. But the ensemble effect does sound identical."

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Wersi Wersimatic II 1973 - Analog Drum / Bass / Chord / Arpeggiator Machine

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Demo video posted here.

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Wersi AP-6 Bass Synthesizer

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via this auction

"The bass guitar voice sounds brilliant. A very organic, characterful synthesizer.

All keys, buttons, switches, and sliders work perfectly, except for sine foot position 2 - There the button does not engage.

All electrolytic capacitors have been replaced !"

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WERSI BASS SYNTHESIZER AP-6 (1977)

video upload by Synthesizer Home

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.

Exploring the Wersimatic II

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Another take with the Wersimatic II, the older sister / brother of the Wersimatic 24 auto-accompaniment machine and distant cousin to the Elgam Carousel, Böhm Solist 78, Elka Wilgamat and Godwin Drummaker 45.

The sounds and controls are across the board identical to the Wersimatic 24 unit as far as we can tell.
The Wersimatic II was never made as a stand-alone unit but was part of a large, double manual organ called Wersi Helios in the mid 70s.
This particular one has been transplanted from an organ into a smaller box with a twelve buttons acting as chord control instead of the bottom keys of the organ.

Special thanks to Organfairy for the rare schematics : dude you f-ing rock

The Wersimatic II has sections on board:
Bass
Drum machine
Various chord sounds"

Additional Wersimatic II posts

Exploring the Wersimatic WM 24

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"We thought there wasn't really anything decent info out there on this rarity so here's a video that sheds some light on the Wersi Wersimatic 24 A & B units.

Wersimatic 24 is an analog drum machine, bass / chord arpeggiator generator similar to the Elgam Carousel, Elka Wilgamat, Godwin Drummaker 45 and Böhm Solist units, The Wersimatic 24 was manufactured in Germany in the early 1970s.
These were also part of various model Wersi organs of the era, such as the Helios that featured the "Wersimatic II" auto-comp section and they seem to be identical in controls and sounds.
The Wersimatic 24 is a bit different than your regular auto-accompaniment machine since the keyboard is a separate instrument: it holds the circuit boards and sound generators for the melodic section and sports its own volume slider and audio jack output.
The keyboard is powered by the drum machine unit via a DIN cable though, and the tempo is regulated on the drum machine as well.

24 drum patterns with 8 mutable sounds
12 rhythmic chord/bass/arpeggiator patterns
Bass section with one sound
3 chord sounds
2 arpeggiator sounds (the second arpeggiator sound is not functioning at the moment)

The bass covers two octaves, which is rare for this type of machine (the Elgam Carousel, Elka Wilgamat has a one octave bass section only) and can generate almost synth like arpeggiator patterns.

We like this machine a lot, especially the bass section and the drum sounds are really raw and industrial sounding.

Sorry for dirty fingernails, it's black paint residue - not dirt - promise.

Vintage Audio Institute is a gear vendor and studio in the hills of Florence."

Wersimatic posts

VAI 35 : Wersimatic II / Farfisa Syntorchestra

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Another take with the Wersimatic II, the younger sister / brother of the Wersimatic 24 auto accompaniment machine. The sounds and controls are across the board identical as far as we can tell.

It was never made as a standalone unit but part of a large, double manual organ called Wersi Helios in the mid 70s.

This particular one has been transplanted from an organ into a smaller box with a twelve buttons acting as chord control instead of the bottom keys of the organ.

Special thanks to Organfairy for the rare schematics : dude you f-ing rock

The Wersimatic II has sections on board:
Bass
Drum machine
Various chord sounds

Melody played on the Farfisa Syntorchestra String machine and Mono synth."

VAI 36 : Wersimatic II / Farfisa Syntorchestra

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Another take with the Wersimatic II, the younger sister / brother of the Wersimatic 24 auto accompaniment machine.
It was never made as a standalone unit but part of a large, double manual organ manufactured in Germany by Wersi in the mid 70s.
This particular one has been transplanted from an organ into a smaller box with a twelve buttons acting as chord control instead of the bottom keys of the organ.
The sounds are across the board identical to the Wersimatic 24 machines as far as we can tell."

VAI 34 Wersimatic II / Farfisa Syntorchestra

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Analog auto-accompaniment machine produced by the German organ manufacturer Wersi sometime in the mid-70s. Originally part of a big, dual manual organ called Helios, this auto-comp section was probably removed from the organ and squeezed into a Teak cabinet, crammed with circuit boards, all beautifully snug inside - a very good job by whoever built it.

You control the harmony and key with the black 12 buttons on the front replacing the one octave that was probably at the bottom 12 keys of the organ.

The Wersimatic II has sections on board: Bass
Drum machine
Various chord sounds

Melody played on the Farfisa Syntorchestra String machine and Mono synth.

Big thanks to Organfairy who helped us find the right schematics to repair it.

Vintage Audio Institute Italia is a gear vendor and recording studio in the hills of Florence."

You can find additional posts featuring the Wersimatic II here, and additional Vintage Audio Institute Italia posts here.