MATRIXSYNTH: synth guts


Showing posts with label synth guts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label synth guts. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 02, 2025

Keio/Korg Donca Matic Universal

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

This might be the first Donca Matic Universal to be featured on the site.

Two pics of the inside below.

"At Herscheid & the Headbangers: Super rare Keio Donca Matic Universal Drum Machine in fair condition.

Fair condition because some functionalities are not reliable like the start/stop button. (Unit is always on basically). When using it I would just flip the sound/silence switch.

Sign button responsible for the metronome and cue will engage about 80% of the time. I doubt that many musician today will be using that feature but still prefer to mention it.

There's also a clock / clicking sound when volume is past 60% - 70% so it would benefit further amplifying before next stage or unit

EQ in perfect working order

The magic solo feature is fully working

All potentiometers are turning smoothly without scratchy noises

Both high and low impedance outputs are functional. I couldn't test the (very) old speaker connector

Tempo knob and Tempo Matic / Common functionalities perfectly working

Every program / style is working, same for every instrument + their respective on/off switch

FOX SWING section super fun to use! In good working order. The normal/quick button is working but seems to be reversed. Swing / normal working and properly set.

ADLIB MANUAL: Nice feature but will not necessary replicate the notes shown (It's basically depending on if other settings are engage or no. I don't think it was designed like this, just the old age of some components most likely responsible for this behavior)"

Oberheim DMX Classic Vintage 8-Bit Digital Drum Machine Unique Custom Build

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

Monday, June 30, 2025

ROLAND PROMARS MRS-2 COMPUPHONIC SYNTHESIZER SN 840678

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

Pics of the inside below.

Saturday, June 28, 2025

1983 Sequential Prophet 5 Rev 3.2 61-Key 5-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer w/ MIDI Kit (Serviced) SN 4110

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

Pics of the inside below.

"The Prophet‑5 (Rev 3.2) captures the essence of that classic Sequential tonality—warm, bold, and musical—with the resilience of newer chipset reliability. Whether dialing rich analog basses, lush pads, or punchy leads, this unit delivers that unmistakable vintage vibe. Fully serviced and MIDI-ready, it’s ready for studio or stage. (Serial no. 4110)

Includes ATA flight case as pictured for safe shipping.

Service notes:

-Replaced secondary stage power supply caps
-Removed and cleaned panel board and controls
-Resoldered panel pots
-Cleaned chassis and internally
-Serviced key-bed: cleaned buss bar and key contacts
-Replaced memory battery and loaded preset data
-Checked all calibration and adjusted as necessary"

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

A Look At The Rare Cordovox CDX ( Moog White Elephant)


video upload by synthpro

"Hey Guys,

This is a video I made during the repair and service of the rare Cordovox CDX organ which featured the Moog Satellite. These are sometimes better known as the Moog White Elephant. I take you through a tour of the inside of this beast as well as give you a demo of the type of sound this instrument produces.

Note: weighed the unit after the video and it weighs in at 76lbs or 34.47Kg

Thanks for watching!

Sincerely,
Jareth"

Roland HS-60 *near mint* w/ Original Box

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this eBay listing

"There isn’t another HS-60 out there in better condition than this. All chips working. Both speakers new. Interior board you can eat off of.
Never been in a smoking environment. Comes with the original box and the sheet music holder and pedal.
Here’s what eBay’s AI has to say about it:

'The Roland HS-60 is a keyboard synthesizer with 61 keys, making it ideal for creating a wide range of sounds and music. With its analog design and built-in speakers, this synthesizer offers a classic and versatile sound experience. Made in Japan by the renowned brand Roland, the HS-60 is known for its durability and high-quality construction. Perfect for both beginner and experienced musicians, this keyboard synthesizer is a reliable choice for exploring the world of music creation.'"

Two pics of the inside.

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Oberheim OB-X 8-voice synthesizer w/ Encore MIDI SN 803405

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Richie Vega

"Vintage 1980 Oberheim OB-X 8-voice synth FOR SALE [voice card demo] for Reverb listing"



via this Reverb listing

"Vintage (~1980) Oberheim OB-X [8-voice] with Encore MIDI installed!

This has been my personal holy grail analog synth for many years. The deluxe Encore MIDI kit was professionally installed and gives the unit full MIDI in/out/thru capabilities as well as improved OS system and the ability to store 120 factory patches (i.e. OB-Xa). The synth was serviced by a pro tech and working flawlessly until just recently. Currently, there is no audio being sent from the L/R Mono output jacks. The digital processing section appears to be working normally as the knobs and LED switches are still functional (see video demo link). The eight individual voice cards were all calibrated previously and were each in working order."

Friday, June 20, 2025

20 voice UDO Super 8+ // How to Upgrade Your Super 8


video upload by Starsky Carr

"4 extra voices for your UDO SUPER 8 to bring the total count to 20 voices, or 10 binaural voices to give it the same as the SUPER GEMINI It's a simple procedure if you follow the instructions:

Undo the crews at the back,
Under the front lip and
All but one at the sides (leaving one as a hinge),
Then a couple from the bottom.

Open the lid, and pop in the boards - just like memory boards in a PC. Then screw everything back together.

Upload the latest firmware
Calibrate the new voices

then you're good to go."

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Yamaha CS-80 Repair Part 2


video upload by Really Nice Audio

"Can we bring this Yamaha CS80 back to life? Did the fender Rhodes destroy it? Let's find out!
For some reason the audio goes slightly out of sync at the end not sure why?
As a Cs80 novice I did my best to check all its parameters however I feel I would need more time to realise how it works. So this video is more of a record of what I found after the repair. There is more work to be done with this poor synthesiser so a detailed inspection is needed.

This Yamaha CS80 is housed at the University Of West London.
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

Part 1 here

Monday, June 16, 2025

Siel Orchestra Analog String Synthesizer SN 87/30

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this eBay listing

Pics of the inside below.

"Unfortunately, this unit was damaged in shipping. The power transformer has come unmounted from inside of the chassis, and while it was knocking around inside the synth it managed to damage two PCBs as well as the connector that ties it to the power PCB. We assume that several traces on both damaged PCBs have been broken. This was a great synth, and this could be a good project for anyone willing to dig into it. The synth was working perfectly before being shipped. At this juncture it's in poor working condition."

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Yamaha CS 80 Autopsy


video upload by Really Nice Audio

"As legend has it, when the Fender Rhodes was turned on the CS-80 blew up! Let us investigate what has happened to the Yamaha CS-80.
This CS-80 belongs to Pete Townshend and is housed at the University Of West London.

https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

Part 2 here

Monday, June 09, 2025

EMS Synthi AKS

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

Pic of the boards below.

Friday, June 06, 2025

SYNTHESIZER MAINTENANCE + DISCOLORED KEYS RESTORATION / NOVATION K-STATION DISASSEMBLY


video upload by Robert Vadney

"diving into my 23 years old K-STATION for a thorough cleansing"

Linn 9000 Integrated Digital Drum Machine (FORAT)

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

Pics of the inside below.

The legendary Linn 9000 integrated digital drum machine & sequencer. This one has been serviced and overhauled by Bruce Forat. Upgraded power supply, OS, floppy disk emulator to read SD cards, new battery etc. This one includes a very rare, massive sound library from Bruce that cost a pretty penny. This thing sounds incredible. A truly inspirational piece to work with. These machines are notoriously temperamental. Occasionally you have to re-seat a sound card. Other than that it works perfectly.

Thursday, June 05, 2025

Pete Townshend's Yamaha DX1 Repair


video uploads by Really Nice Audio

"Join me in this passive examination of a faulty SMPS from a Yamaha DX1.
It belongs to Pete Townshend and is housed at The University of West London.
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac...

Disclaimer:
Working with mains voltage is extremely dangerous.

Music from my forthcoming ATMOS single Moon Tides written in collaboration with Dan Abel.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/27hh3..."

Friday, May 30, 2025

Inside Physical Modeling | The VL1 Synth Revolution - Ep.1/4


video upload by Doctor Mix

"Welcome to the first chapter of my deep dive into physical-modeling synthesizers, proudly sponsored by the legends at Audio Modeling ❤️ 👉 https://audiomodeling.com/

🧠 Learn more about TEControl and their awesome synth accessories:
👉 https://www.tecontrol.se/products

🎹 In this episode:
I crack open my new vintage Yamaha VL1
Upgrade it with a USB floppy emulator
Restore my original presets with synth wizard Chris Poacher
Reveal never-before-heard stories from Manny Fernandez — legendary synth developer and VL1 sound designer!

00:00 🔸 Intro & series overview
00:25 🎹 Why the Yamaha VL-1 is legendary
00:56 💾 Installing the USB-floppy emulator
01:55 ⚠️ First power-on → 'Bad Disc' errors
02:21 🆘 Synth guru Chris Poacher to the rescue
02:55 🔧 Cable swap & preset recovery
03:35 ✅ VL-1 lives! First sound test
04:09 🧠 Physical-modeling 101
05:50 🗣️ Manny Fernandes on programming the VL1
06:43 🌪️ Dancing on the edge of chaos or collapse
07:54 ⭐ “Floboe” – my signature patch demo
09:41 🔊 Analoque Synth sounds on the VL1
10:24 🎺 Shakuhachi + other VL-1 favourites
11:06 🎤 TEControl Breath-controller and accessories rundown
11:24 ✈️ Next-episode teaser – trip to Palo Alto

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Yamaha A4000 Professional Sampler SN (21)QO01136

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

Pics of the inside below.

"In good condition,with ide hard drive,and ram expansion,capacity shown in photos. Includes power cable. Back panel is missing expansion cover,and as is common on these models, one or two of the rotary encoders(data knobs) can be finicky."

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Korg MS-04 Modulation Pedal

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Edward Jones



via this eBay listing

Pics of the inside below.

"For sale we have the very rare Korg MS-04!

These don’t come up for sale very often.

This is a modulation expression pedal.

It features an LFO (Triangle or Square), a noise generator, and a "bender" type control voltage output, controlled by this sturdy foot switch.

The pedal controls the magnitude of the CV output of the LFO, not the frequency of the LFO.

There is an upward facing LED on the pedal body that shows you the speed of the LFO.

This is in honest to goodness as new condition. The internal date stamp indicated manufacture to be the 6th week of 1980 (which matches the manufacturing period).

There is some light dust on the pedal after being in storage for 20 years, and I haven't cleaned it off. The only blemish is on the front plate indicating model number, where a price tag was placed in the late 1990s when it was purchased by the current owner. I haven't attempted to de-goo it.

One side appears to still have the original protective plastic on it.

All components are original! The tested capacitors have held their values, and the pots were all clean. It has been stored with no batteries inside, and the battery bay, as you can see, is clean as a whistle."

Friday, May 23, 2025

Rare ! Studio Electronics Midimoog, original RA Moog board, serviced. SN AA-0900

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

"For sale, a very rare exemple of the famous Minimoog racked by Studio Electronics. This is not a clone, this is the real R.A. Moog board mini in a rack ! It will be fully serviced prior to sale."

Pics of the boards below.

Monday, May 19, 2025

Kurzweil K2000 Main Engine Board

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Reverb listing

"This is a K2000 Engine / Main Board, Janis, No RAM but I'll leave the EPROM (OS 3.18J). Pulled from a working K2000."

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