Repairing LEO's ARP 2600's with Don Lewis - Synthchaser #130

Published on Feb 18, 2020 Synth Chaser

"It was a huge honor and incredibly fun to work on the ARP 2600s from Don Lewis' LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra) with him this weekend. LEO was a groundbreaking historic synthesizer that served as an inspiration for MIDI, having vintage synths from many different manufacturers (ARP, Oberheim, Roland, etc) all connected and working together. In this video, Don talks a bit about LEO, we show the problem with one of the oscillators in the ARP 2600, and then we troubleshoot and repair it.

00:00 Don Lewis Interview
12:03 ARP 2600 Troubleshooting & Repair
19:11 Final test & parting thoughts

There's a new documentary, The Ballad of Don Lewis, which is available for pre-order on Amazon or On Demand from your cable provider that tells Don's amazing story, which goes much deeper than just LEO. LEO will be on display again the the NAMM Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California starting in 2021.

The Ballad Of Don Lewis DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Ballad-Don-Lew...
The Ballad Of Don Lewis Website
Don Lewis repairing LEO videos: [embedded below]

My site: http://www.synthchaser.com

Parts, service and vintage synthesizers are available on my website. I buy broken synthesizers!"

Check out additional posts featuring Don Lewis here.

Repairing LEO's ARP 2600's


"Administrator Comment: Don's not just another handsome musician, this guy is really smart! Follow Don Lewis's journey as he repairs his ARP 2600's that are more than 40 years old."

Also:

Repairing LEO's Roland JP-4

NAMM 2020: Don Lewis on the Korg ARP 2600

Published on Jan 25, 2020 CatSynth TV

"We catch a performance and demo by the legendary Don Lewis on the new ARP 2600 re-release from Korg. He is using is voice + an envelope follower to shape and control the sounds from the instrument.

Don Lewis was an early pioneer of synthesizer music and consulted on the original ARP 2600. He is now a member of the board of the Alan R Pearlman (ARP) foundation.

For more information on the foundation, please visit https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/
____________
"Don Lewis performed at The NAMM Show in 1969 as a Hammond artist. He was using an Acetone Rhythm that he had modified which was the catalyst for his lifelong friendship with Ikutaro Kakehashi. Don consulted and helped introduce ARP to NAMM in 1972. At Roland, he consulted and programmed JP-4, TR-808, VP series Vocoders, D-50 and many others. As a consultant and artist for Yamaha, Don was an original programmer for the DX-7 and . In 1977, Don built LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra) integrating ARP, Oberheim, Hammond, Yamaha and Roland products. He is considered by Kakehashi to be his inspiration for MIDI."
https://www.namm.org/nammu/contributo..."

Commodore 64 plays Huey Lewis (1985-86)

Published on Feb 9, 2020 Jma Mitch

"As a teenager in 1985 and 1986, I used my trusty Commodore 64 and the "Music Construction Set" program to create computer versions of a slew of songs by the greatest musical artist of all time: Huey Lewis and The News. Only Huey songs, that was the only artist I did. I recently (Feb 2020) was able to access my 35 year old C64 disks, many of which survived, including the ones with the songs I'm uploading to this channel. Some of the songs sound better than others, but these are the original unedited files."

via bÖsch @fabmass

Playlist:
Huey Lewis - Hip to be Square - Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis Doing It All For My Baby Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis Jacob's Ladder Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis Stuck With You Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis - Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do - Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis I Want A New Drug Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis I Know What I Like Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis - Bad Is Bad - Music Construction Set - c64 1985
Huey Lewis Simple as That Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis - Forest for the Trees - Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis - Trouble in Paradise - Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis - Giving It All Up for Love - Music Construction Set - c64 1985
Huey Lewis - Change of Heart - Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis Tell Me A Little Lie Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis - Workin' for a Livin' - Music Construction Set - c64 1985
Huey Lewis I Never Walk Alone Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis - Some of My Lies Are True (Sooner or Later) - Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis - Do You Believe In Love - Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis - Whatever Happened To True Love - Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis Whole Lotta Lovin Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis - Don't Make Me Do It - Music Construction Set c64 (1985)
Huey Lewis - Don't Ever Tell Me That You Love Me - Music Construction Set c64 1985
Huey Lewis Naturally Music Construction Set c64 1986
Huey Lewis - Who Cares? - Music Construction Set c64 1985

ARPchivesLIVE!!! Episode III: Don Lewis

Published on May 12, 2020

"Spend an hour with Don Lewis, Dina Pearlman as we explore Don's illustrious career, his home studio including "The Organ Donor" room, his documentary released TODAY and more!"

Previous posts featuring Don Lewis
Previous ARPchivesLIVE posts

Video links:
https://www.theballadofdonlewis.com
https://donlewismusic.com
https://www.augustenborgproductions.com/
https://www.alanrpearlmanfoundation.org

Early DIY Synthesizer

flickr By doryfour

This one is from the Museum of Making Music according to the flickr set this came from. If anyone has more info on it feel free to comment.

Update: some additional info in via Suit & Tie Guy who checked on a Hamtech list. Here's what he got back from a couple of people: "That is Don Lewis' LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra). AFAIK, it still is at the NAMM Museum. Lewis gigged with it regularly in the day. Great organ player. Never heard him play it, but he probably played the snot out of it. Don't know if he recorded with it. Very little of it is X-66. Those are Concord drawbars and other parts, plus lots of stuff from ARP and Roland and more. This is a fairly well known instrument, so I'm disappointed to see that no one could do research."

And:

"It is still there, he had a little gig a couple of years ago to celebrate its 30th and Hammond's 70th (if I remember the occasion correctly). And he most certainly recorded! You can buy it on iTunes or from Don's web site.

http://lewisizerpresents.com/leo.html

Don and my grandma were two peas in a pod, they put on seminars here in Denver for teachers over the years. I was honored to have gotten a nice note from Don after she passed. He's a wonderful guy. And a heckuva engineer!"

The Bob Moog Foundation's Marc Doty Conversing with a Minimoog Couch

I'll have me a pint of what he's having.  Be sure to enter the raffle below!

via The Bob Moog Foundation on Facebook:

"Marc Doty, BMF Archive and Education Specialist, in deep conversation with the MiniWoouf beanbag chair. You, too, can have intimate conversation with the Mini by entering our raffle to win it here: http://bit.ly/17mGEvB. Enter soon -- the raffle ends on July 10th!

Thanks to Paul Lewis Anderson for the great image, and to Wicked Weed Brewing for sharing space and spirits with us."

Update: a little birdy told me there will be a number of these pics promoting the raffle. I'll put up new posts for them as they come in and add them to this master post below.

Walk This Way - Bob Moog Foundation Meets Abbey Road

via The Bob Moog Foundation on Facebook

"Walk This Way. http://bit.ly/17mGEvB

Thanks to BMF Rockstar Volunteer and super photog Paul Lewis Anderson for the image."

Red, White & Moog

via The Bob Moog Foundation on Facebook

"Red, White & Moog.

In the spirit of independence, BMF super Executive Assistant Molly McQuillan takes the Mini Beanbag for a spin tubing in Asheville's French Broad River. Only eight days left to enter the raffle to win the coolest beanbag chair in sonic history: http://bit.ly/17mGEvB

Thanks to BMF Rockstar Volunteer and super photog Paul Lewis Anderson for the great photo! — with Molly McQuillan at The Bywater."

Worthy of a Stately Reception

via The Bob Moog Foundation on Facebook

"Worthy of a stately reception.

You can enter to win the coolest "soft synth" ever here: http://bit.ly/17mGEvB. Don't delay, raffle ends in five days, and is open internationally.

Epic photo, taken at The Biltmore House, by BMF Rockstar Volunteer and super photog Paul Lewis Anderson."

You, Too, Could Hold it High

via The Bob Moog Foundation on Facebook

"You, too, could hold it high. Two days left http://bit.ly/17mGEvB

Continued thanks to BMF Rockstar Volunteer and super photog Paul Lewis Anderson for the photo."

Moogology. Michelle Moog-Kousa Gives the Mini Beanbag an Anatomy Lesson

via The Bob Moog Foundation on Facebook

"Moogology. Michelle gives the Mini beanbag an anatomy lesson.

Raffle for the Mini beanbag chair ends TOMORROW. Don't miss your chance to school your own sonic student: http://bit.ly/17mGEvB. All proceeds benefit the Bob Moog Foundation.

Thanks to BMF Rockstar Volunteer and super photog Paul Lewis Anderson the image."

The Long Farewell - Last Chance to Win the BMF Minimoog Beanbag

via The Bob Moog Foundation on Facebook:

"The long farewell. BMF Archive and Education specialist, Marc Doty (aka Automatic Gainsay), says goodbye to the Minimoog beanbag Wicked Weed Brewing before we send it on its way to a new home.

Who is going to win the coolest "soft synth" ever? RAFFLE ENDS TODAY at midnight. Enter here and support the BMF: http://bit.ly/17mGEvB.

A million thanks to photographer Paul Lewis Anderson for the image."

Update: and the lucky winner has been announced here!

NAMM: Buchla Acquired by Former Industry Veterans?

via DedMousie aka Les Mizzell on Muffs:

"... some industry veterans (including Michael Marans, former Keyboard tech editor) have acquired Buchla & Associates, with Don Buchla now acting as Chief Technology Officer for a new company, Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments. They have some really exciting plans for new products that Don's wanted to do for a long time, and now has the resources to do so."

I checked with a source and this one just might be true. No formal announcement on the Buchla site. Note this is speculation until confirmation.

This one in via Soviet Space Child.

Update 1/20/12: and we have confirmation from Synthopia (note the new keyboard controller):

"At the 2012 NAMM Show, several interesting announcements were made about electronic music legend Don Buchla, above, and the future of his electronic music instruments:

His company, Buchla & Associates, has been acquired by a group of investors, who are creating a new company Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments. Buchla wil be the Chief Technology Officer of the new company. The organizational change will bring design, manufacturing, sales and marketing resources to Buchla. The intent is that, by freeing Buchla from some of these areas, he’ll be able to spend more time to ‘introduce more innovations in music technology’, expand the Buchla product line into new areas and make his instruments available to a wider range of musicians.

Buchla also introduced a new modular synthesizer, the Buchla Skylab. The Buchla Skylab is a compact and slightly more affordable configuration of the Buchla 200e modular line.

Finally, Buchla announced that, after 50 years of not making a keyboard for his synthesizer [Buchlas aren't known for piano style keyboards, but he did have polyphonic keyboards with velocity and aftertouch in 1971 - 237/238 in 1971, touche in 1979 and the 406 in 1983 - see the Buchla 406 here.], that there will finally be a Buchla Keyboard controller. The Buchla Keyboard is currently in early stages, but don’t plan on it being a standard control keyboard. Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments expects to release a keyboard design that is as different from other keyboard controllers as its modular synthesizer is from other modulars."

Update 1/26/2012 via Ross Healy of Vicmod:

"The 3 owners are Aussies all working in the music equipment business and huge synth lovers. Lewis Chiodo, John Fuller, Danny Olesh are the new owners of Buchhla Electronic Instruments. Michael Marans is CEO in the US. Their intention with Buchla Electronic Instruments is to keep the brand as cool as it has been in the past allowing Don to do what he excels at ( creating/ designing). I have no doubt this will be a brilliant future for our beloved Buchla and Don/ Ezra etc. I have known Lewis for 12 years and believe me this guys LOVES synths/ playing synths since he was age 5."

NAMM 2013: Don Lewis LEO system at NAMM

Published on Jan 29, 2013 bdufdiskc·26 videos

"Don Lewis' LEO multiphonic analog synthesizer orchestra at NAMM 2013"

NAMM 2013: Video of Don Lewis & Clear Acrylic Oberheim SEMs

Published on Jan 26, 2013 James Lewin·14 videos

"Don Lewis discusses his Live Electronic Orchestra (LEO) and demonstrates how the custom electronic instrument works."

Follow-up to this post.

NAMM 2013: Don Lewis with Clear Acrylic Oberheim SEMs, Hammond & More

via Suit Et Tie Guy on Facebook

You can find some pics on how to transport the rig on Don Lewis' website here.

Not the Roland Space Echo in acrylic as well.

Don Buchla Files Lawsuit Against BEMI - Buchla Electronic Musical Instrument, LLC et al

via Justia Dockets & Filings

"Buchla v. Buchla Electronic Musical Instrument, LLC et al

Plaintiff: Donald Buchla
Defendant: Buchla Electronic Musical Instrument, LLC, Audio Supermarket Pty. LTD., Danny Olesh, Michael Marans, Lewis Chiodo and John Fuller
Case Number: 3:2015cv00921
Filed: February 27, 2015
Court: California Northern District Court
Office: San Francisco Office
County: Alameda
Presiding Judge: Elizabeth D. Laporte
Nature of Suit: Contract: Other
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Breach of Contract
Jury Demanded By: Plaintiff"


Left is a screenshot of the "ORDER RE CITIZENSHIP OF PARTIES" available at JUSTIA Dockets & Filings. The full filing is not readily available however it was sent to me and I have read it in full. Below are the "GENERAL ALLEGATIONS" followed by the "PRAYER FOR RELIEF", which in legal speak is what the plaintiff, Don Buchla is requesting for the outcome. Note this is Don Buchla's side of the story. We do not have BEMI's. In short, the case pertains to BEMI not making good on agreements with Don Buchla. Buchla is claiming he was not paid what was agreed upon ("a minimum purchase price of $550,000" for the Buchla assets, "payment of $30,000 upon closing", "and to retain Mr. Buchla as Chief Technology Officer for a period of not fewer than two years at an annual salary of $96,000 for the first year and $108,000 for the second year"). Buchla claims the "defendants have paid Mr. Buchla less than $110,000", and he was subject to poor business dealings with BEMI including improper management of the company, its customers, and Buchla as an employee, namely the CTO, including wrongful termination.


"GENERAL ALLEGATIONS

A. The Buchla Story [this was background on Buchla history]
B. Defendants Induce Mr. Buchla to Sign an Unfavorable Agreement
C. Defendants Fail to Satisfy the Express Conditions Precedent of the Asset Purchase Agreement
D. Defendants Breach the Asset Purchase Agreement

1. Defendants Fail to Make Payments for Buchla & Associates
2. Defendants Fail to Account for the Sale of Music Easels
3. Defendants Fail to Make Rent Payments
4. Defendants Fail to Use Reasonable Business Efforts
5. Defendants Fail to Make a Good Faith Determination Regarding Mr. Buchla’s Availability

E. Defendants Breach the Employment Agreement
F. Defendants Attempt to Bind Mr. Buchla to Unconscionable and Internally Inconsistent Non-Compete, Right of First Refusal, and Right of First Offer Clauses"


"PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Donald Buchla prays for the Court to enter a judgment against Defendants Buchla Electronic Musical Instrument, LLC, Audio Supermarket Pty. Ltd., Danny Olesh, Michael Marans, Lewis Chiodo, and John Fuller, individually and in their capacity as corporate employees and shareholders, and jointly and severally, as follows:

A. For all available equitable remedies, including but not limited to:

1. declaratory judgment that there is no valid or enforceable contract;

2. an injunction and/or writ of replevin ordering Defendants to return the assets, intellectual property, confirmed purchase orders, and goodwill of Buchla & Associates to Mr. Buchla;

3. an injunction prohibiting Defendants from future use of the assets, intellectual property, confirmed purchase orders, and goodwill of Buchla & Associates and Mr. Buchla;

4. restitution to compensate Mr. Buchla for damages; and

5. disgorgement of Defendants’ unjust enrichment;

B. For money damages in an amount to be proven at trial, but at least $500,000;

C. For an accounting of payments made and owed to Mr. Buchla under the Asset Purchase Agreement and Employment Agreement;

D. For prejudgment interest from the date of breach as provided by statute;
E. For the costs of suit and attorneys’ fees incurred;
F. For exemplary and/or treble damages; and
G. For such other, further or different relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: February 27, 2015"

Analog Mafia RC-808 “Drum Rap” Contest

The following is in via Analog Mafia. You can find details on the contest here.

"RC-808 is a drum synth that can do the rap all by itself. In another words, we will go back to the days of the talking drums. It would be great if you could have a listen to the files.

Giving articulation ability to drum sequencers was actually a part of the Roland history ever since Don Lewis connected an expression pedal to add volume level accent to give variation to a primitive preset patterned rhythm box. This lead Mr Kakehashi to implement "Accent" as a parameter of rhythm machines.

When Mr Kikumoto designed programmable drum sequencers and MIDI protocols, he wondered why the sequencers onboard drum machines don't have any pitch nor duration parameters. Because they are non-tuned percussion? But then synths can provide frequency and envelope curves to match your needs and tastes. Isn't this lack of these parameters result of prejudices or stereo types that still confines the drum sound expressions to a certain notion only?

This is the reason why the RC-808 Standalone edition has a small piano roll style sequencer. With full fledged general purpose 8 partial synth engines per instruments, you can create both tuned and sustained sounds that can be used for percussive purposes. For instance, this offers "open and close" sound variation to not just hi-hats but to any other instrument you can imagine, like "open and close bass drum" you hear on the demo files here.

Recently, as Kikumoto san was reviewing HipHop and Rap music, he found rappers' rhyme and flow concept somewhat resembling his RC-808 concept of providing further expression to drum sounds.

Inspired with the rhyme and flow concept, he is thinking of expanding this scheme to shed new light to drum sound expression, not just to hiphop and rap, but to all kinds of music genre, with a concept of Drum Rap like MC talking drum so to say."

https://rc-808.com/event-en/

NAMM Museum of Making Music ARP: The Innovator, The Instruments, The Impact. Update

This is a follow-up to this post.

Additonal details on the upcoming two day event via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation follows:

ARP: The Innovator, The Instruments, The Impact Opening August 9

We invite you to step into the world of innovation with our new exhibition "ARP: The Innovator, The Instruments, The Impact." The impact of ARP synthesizers and the legacy of their innovator Alan R. Pearlman (1925-2019) was vast and deeply influential. From progressive rock and jazz to pop, film, and experimental music, ARP instruments helped shape the sound of a generation and inspired countless artists.

Curated by Brian Kehew, the exhibition brings together a stunning array of instruments, vintage media, and behind-the-scenes insights.

Guest Curator: Brian Kehew

Brian Kehew is a Los Angeles-based producer, engineer, and co-author of Recording The Beatles. Kehew’s deep expertise as a synthesizer programmer and performer with artists such as The Who and The Moog Cookbook brings a uniquely informed perspective to this presentation.

Exhibition Events
Day 1: Opening Reception and Concert Celebration
Saturday, August 9 @ 6 pm
Join guest curator Brian Kehew and Dina Pearlman-Ifil, daughter of Alan R. Pearlman, for an in-depth look at the exhibition. Stay for special performances by renowned synth artists Rupert Greenall, Robin Hatch, and Steve McQuarry. This event is free for museum members, and $30 for non-members.

CLICK FOR MORE »

NAMM Museum of Making Music ARP: The Innovator, The Instruments, The Impact

via The Alan R Pearlam Foundation

"ALAN R. PEARLMAN FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES WEST COAST CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY OF ARP SYNTHESIZER FOUNDER, ALAN R. PEARLMAN, AUGUST 9 & 10 AT THE NAMM MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC
Kingston, NY - July 10, 2025 - This year marks the 100th birthday of the late inventor of the ARP synthesizer, Alan R. Pearlman. In honor of his pioneering innovations in electronic music, the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is collaborating with NAMM Museum of Making Music for an exhibit: ARP: The Innovator, The Instruments, The Impact.

CLICK FOR MORE »

NAMM 2013: Noisebug NAMM Pics

Full gallery on Noisebug here.

As you can see the pics cover more than just the Noisebug booth.  I went with the celebrity people pics for this post.

Dave Smith, Tom Oberheim, Don Lewis, Stevie Wonder & Lamar Mitchell.

NAMM 2013: Don Lewis' "LEO" (Live Electronic Orchestra)

Published on Jan 28, 2013 volterockdotcom·220 videos

The DX Zone - Yamaha DX7 DX9 Instructional Cassette Tape & Demo Synth Toto

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

via this auction

Here's an interesting little bit of synth history.

"These are two Rare DX7 / DX 9 programming instructions and demo cassette tapes. One tape contains DX7 instructions on one side and DX9 instructions on the other side. The second tape contains performances by David Paich, Steve Porcaro and James Newton Howard on one side and performances by Gary Leuenberger and Don Lewis on the other side."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage Synth Tape Cassettes

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

Cool bit of synth history.

Oberheim Matrix 12 Xpander Sounds


Oberheim Matrix-6 1,000 Factory Patches "From Around the World"

Angel City Korg DW 8000 "vols. 1a & 1, no Dolby" & "Volume ii"

Deep Magic "Magic 800" 1.0 DW-8000 Presets

1986 Livewire Audio Korg DW-8000 Data Tape "All"

1986 Livewire Audio Korg DW-8000 Data Tape "Sets 1, 2 & 3"

sound approach Korg DW-8000 patches

Korg DW-8000 EX-8000 Preload Programs

1986 Synthesoft Products "Voice Package for the DW-8000"

Fender Rhodes Chroma Polaris Vol 1 Factory Patches

"Patch Program Data for JUNO-60"

Moog Memorymoog Factory Program REV B

Yamaha "The DX Zone" DX7 FM Programming Instructions

Yamaha "DX Performance Demonstration FM Digital Keyboards DX7 and DX9 Performances by Gary Leuenberger and Don Lewis

Sound Source Unlimited Yamaha TX81Z "Designer Series"

Sound Source Unlimited Yamaha TX81Z "R&B DANCE 1.0"

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Yamaha DX 7 & DX9 1983 US Demo Flexidisc

Published on Aug 19, 2016 baward

"A soundsheet attached to 'Keyboard' magazine.

"1: DX7 & DX9 performances, by Gary Leuenberger and Don Lewis.

2: L'Dady (David Paich); The One (Steve Porcaro), performed by David Paich, Steve Porcaro and James Newton Howard.

All sounds except programmed rhythms were performed on the DX7 and DX9 FM Synthesizers."

Interesting to note that key members of the rock band Toto were writers and performers on this recording."

2013 NAMM Show Pics by Mark Dalzell

flickr set by Mark Dalzell
(click for more)

Pictured:

"Don Lewis and his amazing LEO Light Electronic Orchestra" - ARP 2600 in there as well.

Reon modular.

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