EMS Synth room walk through

video upload by Goldsmiths Music

"The studios house a vast collection of vintage and state of the art electronic music instruments, equipment and facilities to suit to musicians, researchers, and artists with diverse creative practices and requirements.

In the studio’s 60 year history we have acquired a substantial assemblage of rare and unique electronic music-making, instruments, tools and technologies which have been at the centre of research projects across the department for many years.

Synthesisers & Drum Machines include:

CLICK FOR MORE »

In Memoriam of Kevin Kelley of The Audio Playground

Amy Kelly, wife of Kevin Kelley, wrote in to let me know of her husband Kevin Kelley's passing in 2024. You might remember Kevin Kelley mentioned directly in numerous posts here on MATRIXSYNTH going all the way back to 2007. Kevin ran the Audio Playground aka keyboardmuseum.org which was created back in 2000. (Note keyboardmuseum.org is no longer active, the link takes you to posts referencing the site).

The Audio Playground was a synth museum in Winter Park, Florida. One of the great things I loved about the site was that Kevin hosted samples of the synths featured, including virtual sound sheets, so you could get an idea of what they sounded like. Back then that was actually quite rare.

Kevin was also an owner of the uber rare Technos Acxel synthesizer. You can see it pictured below as well as in previous posts featuring Kevin.

Included below are some pics of Kevin with his daughters and his cats sent in by his wife Amy.


"He was a wonderful and brilliant man as well as a great dad and husband. His three daughters and I miss him tremendously." - Amy

Amy still has his Technos Acxel and is working on bringing it back to life. I've sent her a few leads, but if anyone out there can help with the following, please feel free to reach out (matrixsynth@gmail.com).

"The system successfully powers on and initializes the Grapher console, but it is currently hanging at the initial splash screen ('Forget Technology, think music'). I suspect the data sectors on the original 3.5" boot floppy have degraded over time. I am looking to write a fresh sector-by-sector image to a healthy 720KB DD disk to isolate the issue.

My hope is that someone out there might have a raw disk image (.img or .hfe format) compatible with this era of the hardware."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Memorymoog vs Arturia Memory V: How Close Is the Emulation? – Luke Million at Synth Temple

video upload by Noisegate, SynthTemple, Luke Million, Arturia

"The Moog Memorymoog is one of the rarest polysynths ever made — finding a working original today is next to impossible. So what happens when you sit Arturia's brand-new Memory V emulation right next to the real thing?

Producer and synth enthusiast Luke Million visits Synth Temple in Melbourne, home to one of the world's most expansive synth collections, to put the two side by side. The original 1982 Memorymoog packed six voices of polyphony, three oscillators per voice and the classic 24 dB ladder filter — but it was notoriously unreliable and eye-wateringly expensive, both then and now.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:12 Welcome to Synth Temple, Melbourne
0:55 The Memorymoog: a rare and unreliable legend
1:54 Lead sounds, unison detune & stereo spread
2:39 Sound demo
4:22 Mixer drive & analog grit
4:55 Built-in effects & advanced features
7:35 Playing the original and the plugin together
9:10 Final thoughts & thanks to Synth Temple"

Vintage Synthesizer Museum synths: Elka Synthex, Yamaha CS-80, Yamaha CS70m & more!

video upload by Joseph Salazar

"These are just some clips from my first time at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum in LA. Thank you Daniela Dawson for filming some of these videos. It was my first time seeing or playing most of these rare synths, so I wasn't too familiar with how to program sounds with them, but it was still so much fun to see what sounds I got from them. Unfortunately most of the audio here is straight from an iPhone or camera mic.

If you want to know more, check out their website:
https://vintagesynthesizermuseum.com/"

Tour of Downtown Pomona w/ NOISEBUG

video upload by NOISEBUG

https://www.noisebug.net/

"Brief video highlighting just a fraction of the many things there are to do in Downtown Pomona, ending with a peek into the newly remodeled Noisebug Modular Museum and Synthesizer Playground.

Music: 'Disintegration' by Djam Karet

Filmed and edited by Matt Sturgis"

EMS 256 Sequencer Repair Part 1

video upload by Really Nice Audio

Really Nice Audio EMS 256 Sequencer posts

"Join me in a quest to get this incredible sequencer back up and running.

It is part of the Pete Townshend Synth Collection at the University of West London
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

SN 6014

Museo del Synth Marchigiano

video upload by Reuben Jones

"A walk around the Museo del Synth Marchigiano - the biggest and most complete collection of Italian synthesizers, keyboards, and rhythm machines in the world!"

ARP Gallery Announcement

video upload by EMEAPP and Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"On June 7th, 2026 we celebrate the 101st birthday of Alan R. Pearlman, the founder of ARP Synthesizers. And we wrap up our year-long ARP@100 celebration with the announcement of our new gallery dedicated solely to ARP.
We're thrilled to display these wonderful instruments and to help preserve the history of ARP and would like to thank the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation for all their support.
Happy Birthday Al!
#arpsynthesizer #alanrpearlmanfoundation #synthesizer #electronics #museum"

Bob Moog's First Keyboard Instrument Ever Built Added to BMF Archives

via The Bob Moog Foundation

Meet The RENSITRON!

"Bob Moog's First Keyboard Instrument Added to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives

Bob Moog’s earliest known keyboard instrument, the Rensitron, now resides in the Bob Moog Foundation Archives! Bob built this small electronic organ in 1951, at only 16 years of age. His Bronx High School of Science teacher, Hymen Rensin, bought the instrument from Bob for $10 ($120 when adjusted for inflation)!

The Rensitron is a two-octave electronic organ, featuring vacuum tubes, hand-carved wooden mini-keys, and a built-in 5-inch speaker with a hand-made, stylized 'R' speaker grille, all encased in a slanted wooden cabinet. If you're wondering how someone so young could have designed this, Bob had already been dabbling in electronics since age ten! The 'chicken head' knobs on the front panel for volume, tone, and pitch are the same as those used on classic R.A. Moog synth modules, whispering hints about the world-changing instruments yet to come. Similarly portentous are two top panel labels, which read 'Rensitron' and 'Electronic Organ Made For Mr. Rensin By Robert Moog May 1951,' both of which use the same black Dymo Labeler tape as the early R.A. Moog modular systems.

Most notable up top are hand-crafted wooden keys with spring action, most likely made by Bob's father, George Conrad Moog, an engineer and woodworker. Some of the keys have less 'spring in their step' than others, but most still retain a very playable feel!

To learn more about the Rensitron and see more pictures, check out our blog post on moogfoundation.org!"

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Gary Numan Visits the Moogseum

via The Bob Moog Foundation

"Are 'Friends' Electric"?
In our case, they certainly are!

The Bob Moog Foundation was thrilled to host legendary synthwave pioneer Gary Numan at the Moogseum for a recent private tour. Gary was in town for an incredible show at the Orange Peel in downtown Asheville, NC, and was inspired to check out our interactive museum filled with one-of-a-kind exhibits.

Gary Numan, famous for 1980s synth-pop hits like "Cars," "Are 'Friends' Electric," "We Are Glass," and "Metal," has a long history with synthesizers, including the Minimoog and, perhaps especially, the Polymoog. Chances are, if you're familiar with the model 280a Polymoog's "Vox Humana" preset, you heard it on a Gary Numan track!

Gary's visit included a perusal of our re-creation of Bob Moog's workbench and our historical timeline interactivities. You, too, can immerse yourself in synthesizer history and the professional and personal sides of Bob Moog at the Moogseum. You certainly don't have to be a rock star to get yourself advance entry to one of the world's coolest museums...

Click here to purchase advance tickets to the Moogseum!

The Genius Behind Look Mum No Computer - Eurovision 2026

video upload by Britclip

"Electronic artist & YouTuber: Sam posts videos about building unique audio gear and synthesizers, alongside original music and performances. He launched his channel in 2016 after previously fronting the indie band ZIBRA.

⚙️ DIY synth wizard: He’s known for creating unusual and inventive electronic musical devices using vintage technology — including a Furby-based organ, synthesizer bicycles, Game Boy oscillators, and more — that have gained millions of views online.

🏛️ Museum founder: Sam also runs This Museum Is Not Obsolete, a space in Ramsgate, Kent (England) that showcases quirky analog tech repurposed in playful and musical ways.

🎤 Eurovision entrant: In 2026, he was selected to represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest under his Look Mum No Computer name — a high-profile recognition of his creativity and performance style.

In short, Sam Battle is a creative, experimental electronic musician whose blend of DIY tech, performance, and humour has built a strong global following.

#eurovision #music #synthpop #eurovisionsongcontest"

LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER - Eins, Zwei, Drei | United Kingdom 🇬🇧 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2026

video upload by Eurovision Song Contest

LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER will represent United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Eins, Zwei, Drei 🇬🇧

Credits:

Look Mum No Computer: Sam Battle
Director: Johnny Goddard (Youth Hymns)
Production Company: A Running Commentary

CLICK FOR MORE »

Perfect Circuit post-NAMM 2026

video upload by SynthAddict

https://www.perfectcircuit.com

Roland System-8 & Novation Circuit - "Velvet Trip" (Live)

video upload by LFOstore

"Nick Klimenko is here to play cosmic/berlin synthesizer composition started with classic ambient moving to Berlin music school fade into rhythmic & cosmic pulses, right from NK Synth Museum - https://nksynthmuseum.com/en/

This composition is a part of upcoming album played live on synthesizers, will be released on 19th of December.

Roland System-8 - main solo + string
Roland System-1 - bass
Novation Circuit - main groove
Novation UltraNova - arp
Recorded into Zoom L6

Enjoy the trip!

LFOstor"

Kottbusser Tor - Silver Galaxy Live at Synthesizer Museum Berlin

video upload by SILVER GALAXY

"Silver Galaxy live at Synthesizer Museum Berlin, 6th of May 2025.

0:00:00 Intro, Nocturnal
0:34:26 Soliton

Dennis Slypen: electric guitar
Anna-Maria Van Reusel: synthesizers

Listen to the music on Bandcamp:



Huge thanks to the camera team and all the people involved at the Museum:
Ushi, Michael, Chiara, Stephan, Max, Endai

Instruments used:

Moon Modular
Roland System 700
Eurorack modular synthesizer
Moog Minitaur
Jomox MBase
-
Jazzmaster electric guitar
EHX Pog
Moog Ringmodulator
TC Electronics Triple Delay

#rolandsystem700 #system700 #moonmodular #5umodular #mumodular #moog #modularsynth #eurorackmodular #synthesizer #electronicmusic #krautrock #psychadelic #silvergalaxy #liveelectronicmusic #vintagesynthesizer #analogsynthesizer #analoggear #berlinschool #berlinerschule #sequencer #sequencing #sequencing #stepsequencer #electricguitar #progrock #progressiverock"

The ARP Centennial Celebration continues...

via the Alan R Pearlman Foundation

"June through October were busy months for us here at the Foundation. We celebrated Alan's 100th Birthday with a whole slew of events, including a new exhibit at EMEAPP/Museum of Music Technology, and the NAMM Museum of Making Music. Arriving in the UK on September 26, we exhibited at Machina Bristronica in Bristol... we had a special raffle of a meticulously restored vintage ARP Pro Soloist, personally signed by Tony Banks, legendary keyboardist of Genesis, to benefit the Foundation... we were part of the London Synthesizer show at The Musical Museum in London, and we capped it off with visits to both The Townshend Studio and Peter Gabriel's Real World Studio. WHEW!

Check out the full list of past events, and visit the Centennial Gallery."

Arturia MicroFreak & Behringer MS-5 - Gamma Tauri (live)

video upload by LFOstore

"Gamma Tauri is either a solitary, binary or double star that marks the tip of the "V" in the constellation of Taurus.

Nick Klimenko is here to play cosmic/berlin synthesizer composition started with classic ambient moving to Berlin music school fade into rhythmic & cosmic pulses, right from NK Synth Museum - https://nksynthmuseum.com/en/

This composition is a part of upcoming album played live on synthesizers, will be released on 19th of December.

Sonicware LIVEN Texture Lab - main granular string
Sonicware LIVEN Ambient Ø - main harmony an layers
Behringer MS-5 - beautiful solo & rhythmic bass + noise
Arturia Microfreak - sequencer for MS-5 & s&h sequence Recorded into Zoom L6

Enjoy the trip!"

Synth Library Portland

video upload by KATU Lifestyle

"It’s a local organization that provides low-cost access to electronic music gear and education. Max Jersak, program director at Synth Library Portland, joined us to share more."

Sampling Vintage Synths at SynthTemple with the Elektron Tonverk

video upload by Group Technologies Australasia

"Armed with the Elektron Tonverk, GT Lab visits SynthTemple- one of the largest working collections of vintage synthesizers in the world- to sample a host of different sources."

Elektron Tonverk - Routing & FX

video upload by Group Technologies Australasia

"Check out our GT Lab tutorial exploring some of the Tonverk's new effects and routing possibilities."

The Vintage Synthesizer Museum Doc - A "Living Museum" where otherworldly sounds come to life!

video upload by Helium Vision

"In this episode of Helium Vision, we invite you into a world that hums with the strange and the beautiful—the Vintage Synthesizer Museum (VSM). Founded in 2013 by the avid synthesizer historian Lance Hill, this “living museum” exists in a space where the past and present come together to offer an immersive experience into the magical world of sound. It’s not just a museum—it’s a place where visitors and artists can disappear into their work, perform in a unique atmosphere, or learn the art of synthesis.

Initially opening its doors in Oakland the VSM is now nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, this space has since witnessed the presence of many modern visionaries—Damon Albarn, Egyptian Lover and Neurosis, to name a few—each leaving behind their own distinctive imprints.

Come with us, as we step into the otherworldly corners of the Vintage Synthesizer Museum and uncover the tales of the instruments that dwell within.

patreon.com/heliumvision
instagram.com/heliumvision
heliumvision.com

///Credits///

Featuring:
Lance Hill @vintagesynthmuseum
Kareem Karam @k.joseph.karam

Directed & Edited by Vice Cooler @vicecooler
Producer: Sapi Chhabra @sapisonic
Director of Photography: Dalton Blanco @daltoncamera
Camera Op: Adam Franklin @adamscottfranklin
Camera Op: Vice Cooler @vicecooler
Audio Engineer: Scott Cornish @actuallyadog
Story by Vice Cooler & Sapi Chhabra
Music by: Lance Hill, Kareem Karam
Original Score by Vice Cooler

Find out more on the VSM here:
https://vintagesynthesizermuseum.com/"

Inside Pete Townshends Legendary EMS VCS 3

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"Is it possible a fatigued fuse could bring this legendary synth to its knees? Let's find out and also see how easy it will be to convert the VCS-3 from 115V to 240V.

This synth is part of Pete Townshends synth collection housed at the University of West London https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac...

#synth #analogsynthesizer #petetownshend #vcs3
#ems #maintenance #vintage"

The museum was unveiled on October 10, 2024.