Rare CRUMAR DS-1 // Less than 200 made in 1978 SN 28

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There was also a Crumar DS-2.

"One of the very few remaining Crumar DS-1 on the planet, serial number 28. Recently serviced and recapped, this impressive monosynth works like a charm and looks great - far better than any other DS-1 / DS-2 available nowaday.

Released in 1978 to compete against the Minimoog, the Crumar DS-1 implemented one of the earliest digitally controlled oscillators (DCO) - if not THE first. In those days this was enough to mark a synth as "Digital Synthesizer" but actually the DS-1 is a fully analog monosynth with analog controlled digital oscillators. A rocksolid synth that can easily genetare fat basses, expressive lead sounds and an unexpected range of percussive/FX sounds.

So Crumar released the DS-1 (their first full-fledged synthesizer) in 1978, more than four years after Korg and Roland began their domination of the low-cost arena. Consequently, and despite its cool sound and features, everybody overlooked the DS-1 and less than 200 units were sold.

The Crumar DS-1 is a dual-oscillator monosynth with a 24dB/octave resonant low-pass filter (inspired by the Minimoog Ladder), one LFO (assignable to oscillators, VCA, VCF and PW), Glide FX, two selectable noise generators and a useful Gate/IN. The front panel has a lot of well organized (and sturdy) knobs and sliders that make the DS-1 a very intuitive machine.

Specifications :

OSC Waveforms : Saw, Tri, Squ, PW (only OSC1)
OSC Parameters : Volume, Pitch, Octave, Manual PW Modulation
Noise : White / Pink + Volume control
LFO Assign : OSC1, OSC2, VCF, VCA, PW (OSC1)
LFO Waveforms : Saw Down, Tri, Squ, Saw Up, S&H, Scaled
LFO Parameters : LFO Delay
VCF : Cutoff, Resonance, ADSR, ADSR Amount
VCA : ADSR, ADSR Amount
Other : Pitch Bend, Glide with Speed Glide / Speed Range
Connections : Out Hi, Out Low, Gate/IN & Gate/OUT (+/-5 Volts)"

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Rare (Working) Crumar DS-2 Analog Synth (Italian 70s Synth) SN 551

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"The Crumar DS-2 (as in “digital synthesizer # 2”) is an Italian analog/digital hybrid synth built in the late 1970s. A few sources and synth blogs give 1977/78 as the starting year of production. Only a few hundred (some sources say around 700) were made; this one has a serial number of 551.

The takeaway = this is a rare, fat-sounding, heavy-ass 1970s synth that features two LFOs with really unique shapes, two digitally controlled oscillators (hence the “D” in DS-2), a poly section, pink and white noise…all of this, packed in a road case. The DS-2 is a classic-sounding beast, and one of the few synths that has a poly section you can play alongside a 2 oscillator mono section. The architecture of this synth draws comparisons to Moogs and Arps, but it's honestly more quirky (and therefore perhaps more limited in its scope, but also more unique)."

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Crumar DS-2 Analog Synthesizer with MIDI Added

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. LEGOWELT's Studiostuff ::Crumar DS-2 Synthesizer::

Published on Jan 2, 2015 Farsetto Nero

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"The Crumar DS-2 is a really big sounding analog synth. Made my Crumar in the late 70's, it was apparently once of the first DCO synths that was still fully analog - the LFOs on this synth are really crazy and you can get some very spacey sounds, as well as aggressive and bass-heavy low end.

Cosmetically, it is in decent shape, the front panel has some slight rusting from age, but it is in very good working order! I had the synth serviced recently, and had MIDI added, which really takes it to a whole new level. Everything functions as it should, including the poly section. It comes with a case enclosure as well (not in picture).

More info:

'This is not a synthesizer for boring italo basslines, funky leadlines and commonplace pop music melodies. This thing is instant cosmic space travel... Its big, unstable, adventerous, bleepy, moist, crackling, cloudy, hoarse, droney' - Legowelt"

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Late '70s Crucianelli / Crumar DS-2 Analogue Synthesizer

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"Dive into the 1970s with the Crumar DS-2 Synthesiser, an instrument that’s more stable than your average Italian sports car but with a sound that can get just as wild. A synth that marries digital precision with analogue warmth, creating a sound as rich and inviting as a Tuscan sunset. The DS-2 is kept in tune thanks to its pioneering digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs); and its unique, simple 'poly' voice, supports the equally unique mono voice you sculpt above it (highest note prioritised). This beautifully weird marriage offers a lushness of sound that could make even a seasoned maestro swoon.

Its dual LFOs, Moog-flavoured filter, and agile ADSRs are your ingredients for culinary sonic excellence, whether you're concocting the bass line of the next disco hit or simmering up some ambient soundscapes. In an era where synths often come with more presets than personality, the DS-2 stands out as a testament to hands-on creativity and the enduring appeal of Italian craftsmanship. The renaissance is now, so put down your chisel, and carve some soundwaves instead!

This is a typically Italian synthesiser, a very playful user experience with all the expected quirks and idiosyncrasies. Lift-off lid not included."

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Vintage 1978 Crumar DS 2 SN 47

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"1978 Crumar DS 2 synthesizer - Number 47 of under 700 made in Italy. Rare. Seems to work fine but I am not familiar with this instrument. Missing one slider knob. As is.
The DS-2 is basically a monosynth with an added 44-voice polyphonic strings section. The DS-2 was one of the first synthesizers to use DCOs (digitally controlled osc.) making it stable in tune but maybe not as fat as VCO synthesizers. That isn't to say it can't sound fat...it can. Especially if you use the polyphonic string section and apply some slow LFO modulation to the pitch. This is a very big and good looking synth with a lot of knobs for instant hands-on control. And you don't need a hardcase, it's built into one. Just lift the cover and there it is (smart!)."

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Crumar DS2 Analog Synthesizer

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"Crumar DS 2 analog synthesizer. This synth was manufactured from 1978 through the early 1980s and has a rich analog sound. The Crumar DS 2 is rare and very unique. The synth has two monophonic oscillators and a separate polyphonic section. All oscillators are routed to a 4-pole lowpass filter and then through the VCA. The VCOs, VCF, and VCA can all be modulated by two LFOs. The LFO routing capabilities of the Crumar DS 2 are very unique. The synthesizer is fully functional with the exception of a non-functioning LFO delay and pitch drift in the polyphonic section."

via PixelData in the comments of this post.

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CRUMAR DS-2 Digital Analog Synth

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Note the label on the DS-2 states "Digital Synthesizer".  The oscillators are digitally controlled (DCOs).  

"1 OWNER / SUPER RARE SYNTH
EXCELLENT WORKING ORDER
FULLY FUNCTIONAL - recently restored
TWO OSC - monophonic
TWO LFO's
POLYPHONIC with two filter sections
Pink and White Noise
Original Manuals Included


This was owned by 1 person and has been stored away for many years. Recently has been brought back to life from a professional tech. This CRUMAR DS-2 is both monophonic and polyphonic.
It has MASSIVE sound. I've owned many analog synths, MS-20, Octave Cat, Prophet 5 and I have to say nothing compares to this Crumar sound.
It has a very unique sound and it can get very dirty and big. It's awesome at creating phsycodelic errie type sounds. Has many routings and interestingly two flo's. Polyphonic section has Lo-pass and Hi-pass filter. Both Monophonic and Polyphonic section can play at the same time..."

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Crumar DS 2 digital Synthesizer

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"Crumar DS 2 Digital synthesizer project made in Italy, Ser# A125, Model DS 2"

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Vintage Crumar DS-2 Digital Synthesizer

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"The Crumar DS-2 is basically a monosynth with an added 44-voice polyphonic strings section. The DS-2 was one of the first synthesizers to use DCOs (Digitally Controlled Oscillator.). "

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Crumar DS-2 Rare Analog Synth in Excellent Condition

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"Crumar DS-2 Rare Analog Synth. Super rare 2 voice analog synth (yes it's full analog) with polyphonic digital synth that can be turned on or off. This synth sounds huge and the poly synth sounds great under the mono or by itself. LFO 2 has a very rare ladder mode not found on any synth plus S&H. This is like a cross between A Pro-1 and and Oberhiem. Has all knobs but the Speed Glind. Powers on and works perfectly but sold as is. Amazing condition for how rare and old this synth is.

Here's a classic video showing what it can do." [Jexus video posted here]

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$220,736.00 / 160,000.00 Euro Synth Auction

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This one spotted by Adrien.

The list:
"1. ARP AXXE
2. ARP PRO DGX
3. ARP QUADRA
4. MOOG Realistic MG 1
5. MOOG Polymoog Keyboard
6. MOOG Polypedal Controller
7. MOOG Taurus II mit Pedal
8. MOOG Keyboard Controller 950
9. MOOG Memorymoog
10. MOOG Satellite
11. MOOG Sonic Six
12. Korg Trident MK II

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Crumar DS-2 Digital Synthesizer

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"Vintage Crumar DS-2 Synthesizer. It powers on and works. The ds2 is a very rare (500 made) Crumar synth which has digital with analogue filters , 2 x lfo , weird lfo shapes and to top it off a 44 key string synth section. The machines string section makes super cheesy and cool 60's and 70's pad sounds and just plain psychedelic wavering timbres."

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Crumar DS-2

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via the seller: "CRUMAR DS-2 synthesizer in super cool army style footlocker style road case with CRUMAR logos on it. (Let me start by saying that I am a guitar player and don't know a ton about synths so feel free to correct my terminology if I get some things wrong.) This is a vintage synthesizer from Italy. It powers up and all the keys produce notes, it seemed in tune with itself when chords were played. There is a pitch control near the pitch slider thingy that change the pitch when moved, I would guess that the pitch wheel could dial it in to a modern tuner, or wherever else you wanted to go. There is a multi position octave selector switch near the bender bar that changes the overall octave of the synth up and down.

I messed around with this thing for about half an hour, and the knobs & sliders seemed to work, with one notable exception* - rates and octaves change, timbres change, the sounds can be modified.* The one thing I couldn't get to work was the little pitch bender bar. It may work, and I didn't have it engaged? This thing has so many controls that I wasn't sure what I was doing. There may have been other things that don't work, but it seemed like most of the controls were functional. The only thing I noticed that was definitely missing was the top slider for OSC. 1 on the left hand side of the keyboard. You can see this section in one of the pictures. The controls seemed pretty clean, not super scratchy.

Cosmetically this thing is in pretty good shape. The case seems to have kept it pretty nice over the years. Some old tape here and there, normal wear from use you'd see on a vintage instrument, but nothing serious. The case has some nicks and scrapes but it is solid as well. Will need a new handle. Pictures should tell the story, condition wise. "

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Crumar DS-2 synthesizer monophonic / polyphonic + manuals (serviced)

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"Completely overhauled Crumar DS-2 synthesizer with its original owner's (in German) and service manual available! All potentiometers are been replaced by new ones, the volumes of the monophonic and polyphonic part are matched, it's recapped and serviced...

The DS2 is a fantastic synth to work with. It can be played polyphonic and/or monophonic, it has two LFOs which can be used at the same time, I like the modulation options where you can choose which LFO you use, it has two glide modes, a great filter, two ENVs and so on."

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Crumar DS 2

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 "Crumar DS 2 Synthesizer Very Rare Vintage Released 1978"

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Crumar DS-2

images via this auction.

"Vintage Crumar DS-2 Synthesizer.One of the first dual DCO analog synths, with a poly section as well."

Anyone confirm these are DCOs and not VCOs?

Vintage Crumar DS-2 Synthesizer SN 346

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via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"The ds2 is a very rare ( 500 made ) crumar synth which has digital ( , fat . raspy saw , pure square and lovely sine thats unlike any analogue i heard ) analogue filters , 2 x lfo , weird lfo shapes and to top it off a 44 key string synth section ( which works at the same time as the main osc's for sublime chord tuned keys.)

Creatively this machine is freaks synth or one for retro heads , the 2 lfo's and mod matrix make this not unlike the sequential pro 1 at times but way more complex ( it has ladder / staircase and s/h random lfos' which take you straight into star trek / bbc radiophonic territory)The machines string section makes super cheesy and cool 60's and 70's pad sounds and just plain psychedelic wavering timbres very similiar to the boards of canada stuff , you know those detuned and weavy psychedelic tones.The machine also excels at leads from thin and tonal to fat and pwm ones and as it has 2 main osc's it can play chord leads that go from classic rave tones to crazy jazz tones , it can emulate a moog lead with ease , really its very moogish.The machine also reminds me alot of the Oxford oscar , it has a very very similiar tone to the oscar at times , a rough and ready filter and a resonance that sqwarks like a banshee , it self resonates and the filter will then act as a osc and track perfectly.I should also mention the lush pink and white noise section ( which again just adds to this machine )The machine i feel outdoes many analogues , its osc's are really mean and fat , they dont sound digital ! but do at times have a slight plastic tone which is what makes the machine sound so cool and psychedelic." Hard shelled case included. I stated earlier just 2 little missing slide covers for the Lfo's. Super easy to replace. Thank you and enjoy G.S.112"

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Huge classic synth collection

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via this Vemia listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

"This collection of vintage synthesizers has grown with me for years. Most all of these instruments have been used on many projects, including VeggieTales, a variety of remixes, and many PlayStation video games and marketing and promotional discs. Most recently they were used on the Mass Effect Andromeda video games soundtrack. They have also been sampled and are part of the SoundVault Collection and the Kurzweil Analog Collection for the K2000 series samplers.
VEMIA note: to forestall many inquiries, The seller’s idea is that he wants to sell it as a whole. That may or may not work out in this auction. If it doesn’t, obviously he’ll be free to do whatever he wants after the auction finishes.

It all works. Everything has been kept in a clean, smoke-free, climate-controlled studio. I have always fixed things myself, so everything is operational and sounding great. I have repair notes on the synths that received attention, though most of them have worked great over the years, without much need for repairs. There are also several MIDI to CV converters so they can all be controlled by computer, plus cables if desired. And a few have cases and manuals.

ARP 2600 with lid but no keyboard. Pictured with broken slider and missing caps, but I believe I have them. ARP Odyssey (White) ARP Odyssey (Black & Gold) ARP Odyssey (Black & Orange) ARP Avatar (Original with pickup) (No original knobs, but early rubber caps if you want) ARP Avatar (CMS modded with patchpoints, filter, and envelope) (No original knobs, but early rubber caps if you want)

Chroma Polaris

Crumar DS-2

EDP Wasp

Electro Harmonix Super Space Drum Electro Harmonix DRM 32 Digital Rhythm Matrix

EML 101

Mini Korg 700S Korg Mono/Poly Korg MS-20 (Original Korg Filter) Korg SQ-10 Sequencer Korg Poly-Six Korg Trident

Moog Liberation with rack power, cable, and case Moog MiniMoog Moog MemoryMoog Plus with MIDI and case Moog MicroMoog Moog MultiMoog Moog Opus 3 Moog Prodigy Moog Sonic Six (The case is poor, but the synth panel looks great) Moog Taurus with case

Oberheim Matrix-6r Oberheim OB-1 Oberheim OB-8 with Page 2 and MIDI Oberheim OB-SX (This one is probably in the worst physical condition of them all) Oberheim Xpander

Rheem Kee Bass

Roland CSQ-600 Digital CV/Gate Sequencer Roland JP-8080 Roland Jupiter-4 Roland Jupiter-6 with Europa and original box Roland Jupiter-8 with Encore MIDI Roland JX-8P Roland MKS-7 Roland MKS-30 with PG-200 Roland MKS-50 with PG-300 Roland MKS-70 with PG-800 Roland MKS-80 with MPG-80 Roland MSQ-100 sequencer in box Roland SH-1 Roland SH-2 with case Roland System-100 Model 101, 102, & 104 Roland System-100m D Block Roland System-100m Phaser and Sequencer Block Roland System-100m 104 Polyphonic Keyboard Roland TB-303 with Sequentix MIDI and Filter CV

SCI Max SCI Pro-One SCI-Prophet-5 SCI Prophet-600 with GliGli

Star Instruments Synare 3 Star Instruments Synare 4 Star Instruments Synare Sequencer

Yamaha CS-30 Yamaha SK-20

Encore Expressionist MIDI to CV/Gate Kenton Pro4 CV/Gate and DCB and Wasp JL Cooper MIDI IO 8 ch MIDI to CV/Gate

Standtastic wall-mount arms plus cables if you want them."

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Crumar Spirit

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"OK, by now, everyone knows the Crumar Spirit was designed by some of the Moog folks, namely Dr Moog, Tom Rhea, and Jim Scott. What's never been explained is how or why. That's where I come in. This is how it might have happened...

Let's first set the stage.

The year is 1982. The monophonic Prodigy and Rogue were still in production. Moog's attempt at a less-knobby synth (the Source) had been released the year before. The powerful but problematic MemoryMoog had finally started to ship and everyone involved really needed a break because of all the problems. New development had temporarily ground to a halt as all hands came on board to salvage the MemoryMoog effort.

During this time, the Rhodes Chroma had also recently been released.

Three Moog folks - Dr Moog, Tom Rhea, and Jim Scott decided to take a short holiday overseas to unwind and reset. They chose Italy as their destination and set off on their trip.


Meanwhile...
In Italy, Crumar had the DS-2 and Performer synths out there. They had also teamed up with a New York based firm to create the GDS and Synergy but they were having as many problems with them as Moog and ARP did with their recent polysynths.

So, the three Moog employees are in Italy, touring around and checking out the local culture. A chance meeting with Mario Crucianelli kickstarts an idea for a new synth. Moog as a company is stretched too thin and is too worn out to take on any new R&D. Dr. Moog and friends discuss features that they'd like to see. Since this isn't going to be branded as a Moog, there is some more freedom to borrow ideas from other synths and to vary from the traditional Moog designs. They have had good luck with the CEM 3340 and 3360 ICs in the MemoryMoog and the Chroma was using the 3350 VCF to create some unusual routings and new sounds. Rather than worry about licensing a Moog filter for this product, the team decided to go off on a new track and try a pair of 3350's and provide separate control over each filter chip.

The idea for a monosynth that could sound traditional or radically modern was born and the Spirit is the result.

Well, that's how it might have happened...

Let's get back around to the auction now.
I have a Crumar Spirit, serial # 62, that's been cleaned and calibrated. In addition to the synth (110 volts) and power cord, I'm including the owner's manual and schematics. In addition, I sketched out the trimpot locations and names for the VCO board to make future calibrations easier. As an added bonus (I'm all about giving you guys bonuses), I'm including 2 CEM 3340 VCO ICs, 1 CEM 3350 filter IC, and 2 CEM 3360 VCA ICs. So you'll never have to worry about CEMs again."

CRUMAR STRATUS Vintage CEM Synthesizer SN 00269

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"Unfairly marked as "slimmed-down version of the Crumar Trilogy", the Stratus is actually a synth with its own character and features, a hybrid keyboard with a set of sounds which belong neither to the world of the conventional organ nor to that of complex polyphonic synth. Released in 1982, it's a 6-voices polyphonic analog synthesizer + organ synth which can be played separately or simultaneously.

SYNTH SECTION

The Synth section implements two 74LS221 oscillators (the same used in the ultra-rare Crumar DS-1) with saw, square and saw+square waveforms. The two oscillators can be synced or tuned separately. The Synth architecture is basically built around CEM chips and in fact it features 6 CEM VCFs, 6 CEM VCAs and 6 CEM EG (one per voice). The CEM filters and envelopes, combined with the various oscillator features, make it possible to create a wide range of electronic pianos, lush strings, quasi-vocal pads and tuned percussive sounds. A very unusual (unique?) feature is the "Alternate" switch: this automatically switches between sawtooth and square on every key depression, or only after all the keys have been released and one is depressed again.

ORGAN SECTION

The Organ section implements two additional detunable (or syncable) master tone generators divided-down to generate the octaves of the 4 horizontal drawbars (2', 4', 8' and 16'). The fact that the two master Organ oscillators can be detuned allows to produce a vast, rich, organy sound. The Organ section is fully polyphonic and can benefit of the Glide effect and the LFO features. The Organ audio output can be taken separately from a ¼inch jack socket on the back panel, or from the socket marked 'Polysynth' which in fact gives a mix of synth and organ if used alone.

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