Building the ReZyklus - Vangelis' Zyklus MPS1 Clone

This one is in via Jeroen of https://zyklus-mps.com/

"A while ago a group of enthausiasts set out to create a clone of the Zyklus MPS-1 that was made famous by Vangelis for its use on Direct (this was also the inspiration for the actual 'Direct' system he used until ca 1994). The original creators of this machine, Pete Kellock and Bill Marshall graciously allowed us to use the schematics and software to create this clone and have given us their permission to set it free for everyone who wants to make their own. So here goes:

In this GIT repo is everything you need to create your own machine. You will have to source your own parts, but there is a list for that. The parts are basic components, nothing custom, but some items may become slightly rare (like small EPROMs).

Its basically just a Z80 based computer.
There are also files to have the circuit boards and panels created (we used jlcpcb for that), and some 3d printing files for various panel work. A lot of the buttons etc you can get cheaply from Aliexpress and the like. Bin files for the EPROMs are also avialable. I've been also given permission to open source the actual source code, and I will do that too, at some point, but I'm still working on a few small issues before I can do that.

https://github.com/jeroenhn/zykl

There is a discord server you can join where you can chat with other builders.

The clone as we made it, is a dedicated to the memory of Vangelis and it's noted as such on the main circuit board."

See this previous post for a Demo tape on the original Zyklus. See the Zyklus label at the bottom of this post for additional posts including a documentary with Vangelis.

Pictured: Paul's white ReZyklus in the making.

Original grey Zyklus below from this post. Only 40 were made.

Zyklus Improvisor Jam (Max, Octatrack, A4, System 8 & 1, vPed, Deluge)

Published on Oct 25, 2017 Rephazer

"A quick jam fooling around with Zyklus Improvisor (Max) Software which is a clone (+ more) of the hardware Zyklus MPS-1.

Basically it's a midi-looper/sequencer which can transpose your loops/sequences in various scales/chords on the fly. I've used the System 8 to play and record all the sequences (A minor) into Zyklus and I use the red keyboard (UMA25s) for playing the chords/scales I want the sequences to play in on the fly.. Fun stuff folks!!

Octatrack is used for the beats
A4, S8, S1, vPed is used for playing the sequences of Zyklus
S8 is used for playing solo
Deluge is used for recording the jam."

Rare Vangelis Zyklus MPS (Midi Performance System) with OLED Display Upgrade

via Syn-Fi

"Zyklus MPS (Midi Performance System) with OLED display upgrade (modification). There are only 40 of these in existence and I found this one on eBay, with a dim display but otherwise is very good condition. Back in 1988 this retailed for £1995 and wasn’t well understood and did not therefore enter a big production run. Its basically a ‘midi’ scratchpad in the studio and performance tool for live use. It’s famous because Vangelis hired the inventors of Zyklus, Bill Marshall and and Pete Kellock to develop a system exclusively for him - “Direct” which gave rise to the album 'Direct'.

The Manual is available [original link at Syn-Fi, mirrored here]"

Videos should be coming.

'Vangelis And The Journey To Ithaka' Documentary

video upload by Best Documentary

The boxes are his Zyklus preset managers.

"Vangelis was arguably the most prolific film composer of all time. His music for Blade Runner is among the most influential scores ever written. His Oscar-winning theme for Chariots of Fire is used for sporting events around the world. This all-encompassing film details his influences and inspiration with many of the most influential stars.

Director: Tony Palmer Cast: OLIVER STONE, HENRY MANCINI, SEAN CONNERY, RIDLEY SCOTT, MONTSERRAT CABALLÉ, DAVID PUTTNAM, MARISS JANSONS, JULIAN RACHLIN, JON ANDERSON, HUGH HUDSON, GÉRARD DEPARDIEU, ROMAN POLANSKI."

Update via the world of next tuesday in the comments: "Correct that those manage presets on synths and midi modules. They are custom. Pretty sure he no longer uses the Zyklus sequencer. They are definitely not for the Zyklus though perhaps someone building those had ties with it's development"

"The two-hour documentary includes interviews with Vangelis and many of his friends and colleagues, including Sean Connery, Hugh Hudson, Jessye Norman, Oliver Stone, Akiko Ebi, Julian Rachlin and many others. It also includes rare, historical footage, most of which has never been seen before. Another highlight includes recent footage of Vangelis improvising new music!.."

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15580

Yamaha QR-10 Auto-Accompaniment test (Funny tribute to Bronswerk!)

Published on May 16, 2013 AnalogyGuy·10 videos

"Here's something quickly sequenced stuff into QR-10. Please don't take this too seriously ;)

Yamaha QR-10 is basically arranger tabletop module from 90's but it's quite more dedicated to DJ, jamming bands or whatever. You can fully edit it, make your own sequences and fill-ins and so on. It's incredibly difficult to record drum loops because you can record sequences only in realtime mode but fortunately there's quantize function making it a lot easier. It's got very nice and large selection of all kind chords, rubbery buttons for "keyboard" and small but nice and punchy build-in speaker for enough loud street performance so you won't need anything else to play it =D

Each pattern is made of rhythm track, bass track and two chord tracks. Even thought it's quite limited, but you can still create them all in polyphonic. All patterns can have 1 variation and 2 fill-ins (one for the variation) plus intro and ending. Here I created variation pattern which I can change in realtime or pressing the second fill-in which changes into variation. I know the sounds are, if not a bit dated but lower quality than the QY sequencers. Overall this is one little fun scratch pad but also quick way to check and listen suitable chords for your new composing projects.

The only serious "let down" is the omission of midi note output so you can't overcome the low quality samples. There's midi out connector but it's only for bulk dumps to save your presets and sequence data so there's no way to sequence external midi instruments, but you can use midi keyboard for chord transposions. Also there's only 2 jacks of 3.5mm stereo outputs, "Output" and "Phones". Also, the phones connection is the only one to mute the build-in speaker. There's also input to feed external audio so you can jam along with electric guitar or whatever. There's also some sampler functions and even build-in microphone.

About this performance, I created sort of tribute to my friend Bronswerk who created perhaps the best live sequencer ever! (Zyklus improvisor)"

Vangelis at Qatar

Moreore pics here.

This one in via Simon.

"Vangelis played a show in Qatar recently, here's a pic of his setup (note all the pedals!)"

Also note the duplicate boxes. According to this previous video post they are preset managers. Unfortunately that video is gone but I do remember it. Vangelis used the boxes to bring up various sounds. It was a really interesting system.

Zyklus MPS 1 MIDI Performance System

This one spotted on ricardo.ch by swissdoc.

"The Zyklus was/is used by Vangelis."

Note the DC-1 Cartridge in the back.

See the Zyklus label below for more posts.

Zyklus MPS-1 Midi Performance System - Demo tape

YouTube Uploaded by AnalogyGuy on Aug 18, 2011
via esaruoho in the comments of this post.
"Here's a recording from the promo tape which was made to demonstrate the features of the Midi performance System from 1988.

I own one of them (only one batch, 40 units, was ever produced because it was flop product for the very wrong reasons) and meanwhile I haven't yet done any video demonstrations, I decided to upload at least this demo tape. You can expect me to do them sooner or later because the Zyklus really is the center of my own studio and serves extremely well my purposes of improvisations... it was made for non-stop spontaneous music production with huge amount of experimental elements.

MPS is really even today totally unique. Instead of normal sequencer that uses tape machine approach, it uses individual sequences (phrases, loops, riffs, whatever) and handles them like "notes" so that you can "play" them with keyboard and transpose them polyphonically... and the transpose is not the only function there!

I am going to make tribute site for the Zyklus, but before that, for more info, see my friend's site here: http://www.scene.org/~esa/zyklus/

Maybe the only known Zyklus user was (suprise!) Vangelis (in the album "Direct") but another famous composer that was one of the original pioneers of electronic music in Britain, David Vorhaus, also used Zyklus and maybe still uses it.

About the songs in this tape, bear in mind that they were mainly made to demonstrate the features so they are not maybe that great as a songs but interesting nontheless... and remember, each song was made in live, without overdubbing.

Composers of the tracks:

[Part 1]
1. Alex White (The main demo)
2. Peter Kellock - 05:10
3. Jezz Woodroffe - 07:35

[Part 2]
1. Peter Kellock
2. Jezz Woodroffe - 01:45
3. AW WM PK - 03:50
4. Jezz Woodroffe - 08:23
5. John L Walters - 10:35

[Part 3]
1. Peter Buick
2. Bill Marshall - 02:08
3. Jezz Woodroffe - 05:37"

Vangelis - Chariots Of Fire [Live] stereo

YouTube via NorskTorsk. Anyone know what the units are on top of the piano?

Update via Siebe in the comments: "The boxes on top of the piano are probably Zyklus sequencers. There's almost no info on the internet." See the Zyklus label below. The ones previously posted do look a bit different. Maybe a different model or custom made for Vangelis?

Update: riddle solved

ZYKLUS MIDI PERFORMANCE SYSTEM

flickr by Neil Vance
(super size shot here)

"Quite a rare & unique digital sequencer."

Update: click on the Zyklus label below for more including a pic of one in the flesh and video.

Zyklus MPS Midi Performance System

via eBay

"very rare Zyklus MPS Midi Performance System for sale, midisequencer with totally unique functions. printed manual and powercable included (choose between EU, AUS, US, UK). backlight in display does not work but the display is readable. memoryexpansion DC1 included. serialnumber 41."

Zyklus Mps MIDI Performance System (Sequencer) Manual

This is a follow up to this post where you can watch a video of the Zyklus MIDI Performance System.

dlmorley posted a link to a pdf of the manual on the Matrixsynth Forum. Click here to download it.