Phil Cirocco at the Buchla 100

Phil Cirocco at the Buchla 100 in high resolution

Published on Apr 25, 2012 Phil Cirocco

"This is the second installment of Phil Cirocco of CMS playing a large Buchla 100 system that he recently restored. This system contains the extremely rare and complex "Harmonic Generator Module". This module along with some other unusual modules, gives it a very beautiful and distinctive sound when coupled with the very effective method of control using the 2 touch keyboards. discretesynthesizers.com"

Phil Cirocco of CMS / Discrete Synthesizers playing a large Buchla 100 system

Published on Apr 25, 2012 Phil Cirocco

"Phil Cirocco of CMS playing a large Buchla 100 system that he recently restored. This system contains the extremely rare and complex 'Harmonic Generator Module'. This module along with some other unusual modules, gives it a very beautiful and distinctive sound when coupled with the very effective method of control using the 2 touch keyboards. A singular instrument considering this is the only Buchla system I have ever seen with a Harmonic Generator module in it. It actually reminds me of certain sound effects (not music) used on the original "Star Trek" series. The time and location of manufacture makes this a definite possibility. Please excuse the excessive noodling!"

Introducing THE CMS 2607 - An ARP 2600 on Steroids

As you know, CMS (Cirocco Music Systems) is Phil Cirocco's synth company. He is not only the world's most renown ARP tech (BTW, see my CMS Lumina upgraded Odyssey here!), but also a manufacturer. THE CMS 2607 is his latest creation. Knowing it comes from him, you know this is going to be one great synth.

The following are some details via CMS:

"THE CMS 2607 6U RACK MOUNT INTEGRATED SYNTHESIZER

CMS is proud to unveil for the first time, our new synthesizer, the CMS 2607. We took all the features of the original ARP 2600, combined them with our world famous upgrades, added more cool stuff and then squeezed it all into a 6 space rack mount heavy duty enclosure. This particular incarnation is the '2500 version' that features a beautiful heavy duty brushed aluminum front panel. We are also currently making standard versions using grey and blue paint similar to the original ARP 2600 factory color schemes.

Initially, a very small quantity of special issue handmade 2607s will be made available to the general public until the factory produced models are available. These will be priced higher than the factory made mass produced units.

Price for one of the hand-made limited edition $8699.00. (9,499.00 for units with early type VCOs) plus packing and shipping charges.

Target price for the standard version 2607 will be 4999.00 USD . The standard version is not available at this time but we will soon be taking orders on the standard version. This price is subject to change. Check back with this page if you are interested in the standard version and can wait.

If you are interested in ordering one of the special issue limited edition 2607s now, send a paypal deposit of $3000.00 USD to filter@discretesynthesizers.com to register your order or mail us a personal check. Delivery guaranteed to be no longer than 4 months from the date of deposit. There is a limit on how many of these special order units that will be available for 2016, so contact us now if you are seriously interested.."

And the front panel (click for a slightly larger shot):



Update: A couple videos spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child:

CMS 2607 DEMO #1- NO PANEL GRAPHICS

Published on Sep 22, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is demo #1 of the new CMS 2607 prototype. This is before we had the front panel graphics finished. For more info go to discretesynthesizers.com"

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CMS 2607 demo - Sync, PFD and high-pass filter

Published on Feb 22, 2020 Phil Cirocco

"Phil Cirocco demonstrating the CMS 2607 just before shipping it out to a customer in San Francisco. The patch breifly highlights the built in sync circuit. Later in the video, the High-pass filter output is fed through the Post Filter Distortion circuit (from the ARP Centaur). The two 1/4 inch cables at top right are plugged directly into the stereo input of the camera. No post production or processing. The reverb you hear is the internal spring unit. discretesynthesizers.com"

Update:

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Legendary Arp Odyssey Lumina with Phil Cirocco / CMS LED Sliders

via this auction

You might recognize this one from this post. ARP Odyssey Lumina modded by Phil Cirocco of CMS

"It may sound hyperbolic, but, I sincerely believe this to be the finest Arp Odyssey on earth.

This Odyssey sat in Phil Cirocco's personal collection, selected by him as the ideal candidate for the nearly obscene LED-slider retrofit, the first ever done, and it is, indeed, beautiful.

A white face Odyssey, it is already among the best. However, Phil took it as far as one can. This is the very same ARP 2800 shown on Phil's site here:

http://www.discretesynthesizers.com/arptronics/arp2800.htm

Upgrades...

The most obvious upgrade to this Odyssey is with the sliders. Every slider has been replaced with a new sort of slider which contains color-coded LEDs appropriate to the Odyssey heritage. These sliders feel incredible, they move beautifully and sit where they're left... it is an entirely different experience using an Odyssey with sliders this clean and precise. It is truly a player's synth, now.

There are some lovely touches with this upgrade: the LFO slider blinks at the LFO rate, as do both envelope slider LED sets, brightening and darkening in time with the envelope. Beautiful.

The CMS audio path and filter upgrades have also been applied. Filter cutoff range is lifted from a mere 11khz to 28khz. The audio path upgrade cleans the entire signal path, the bass clarity is absolutely terrifying, to neighbors, pets and your recording tools.

The power supply has been rebuilt to last another twenty years.

Other upgrades: the turbo switch has been added for incredibly fast envelope response and there are input jacks for CV and gate control of the instrument (shown in the photographs to the right) - wonderful for use with analog sequencers and MIDI to CV converters of all kinds."

Phil Cirocco playing a large Moog Modular

Published on Oct 18, 2012 Phil Cirocco

"Phil Cirocco of CMS Discrete synthesizers testing out a large Moog modular system for a customer just before pickup. The monster was assembled using various body parts and systems collected over the last 2 years."

Rick Powell 1969 RA Moog 1p/2p Modular Up for Auction

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

via the listing: "RA MOOG modular synthesizer system built in 1969. This 1p/2p custom system built especially for Rick Powell in 1969.

Rick was a musician, a producer and a close friend of Robert Moog.

This is one of only a few completely intact RA Moog factory built custom systems specifically built for a customer during the RA Moog period.

Rick Powell used this unit on his “Choir Book” LP (also featured on LP cover) and also the “Switched On Country” LP.

System was built with a RA Moog 950 keyboard (serial 2048) which is in very good condition. The modules are as shown. 4 of the 902 voltage controller amplifiers, 2 of the 911 envelope generators, a 907 fixed filter bank, a 904-A voltage controlled low pass filter, a 904-B voltage controlled high pass filter, a 901-A oscillator controller, a 901-B oscillator, a 903 white sound source, a 901 voltage controlled oscillator and 2 of the mixer units. Both keyboard and cabinet interconnect cables are included. The 901 has a common factory mod to regulate thermal changes which cause drift.

I Bought this unit directly from Rick Powell’s widow and drove cross country from Los Angeles to Florida to pick it up. I wanted to avoid shipping it. Months later I drove it cross country again to Georgia to drop it off with Phil Cirocco of C.M.S. Phil Cirocco at C.M.S. is by far the most knowledgeable, talented, experienced and careful modular synthesizer technician in the world. Though I requested Phil restore the unit meticulously at to factory operating spec, I also insisted the entire system remain as factory stock as possible and all replaced electronic parts be in harmony with the original production parts. A great deal of Phil’s time was used to make this system as perfect as possible and operating to original factory spec. The bill for servicing was a substantial investment. At the time of servicing I had planned to keep this unit and spared no expense. Recently however I was fortunate to have the opportunity to purchase a more desirable system and so I will let this beautiful perfectly restored system go to a new home.

This is a very rare chance to own an original RA Moog factory assembled unit with interesting provenance. It is also a rare chance to own a Moog system so expertly and carefully electronically restored."

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ARP 2600 SYNTHESIZER w/ 3604 KEYBOARD GREY MEANIE

via this auction
"Original owner selling his long time friend...
In 1973 J.B. Shurtleff went to Massachusetts to obtain an ARP 2600 from the factory. At the time ARPs were going for about $2600, that was real money in those days. JB asked the folks in the factory if there were any used ARPs for sale, they said no, but they knew of one they had sold to a music store in East Newton.
JB jumped in his car and sped over to the music store where he verbally used magic on the storeowner, telling him he would have that thing sitting there another two years collecting dust, so why didn't he sell it to him for a more affordable price, which he did. The serial number on the keyboard is 11002, so this might be the second grey meanie built and was probably built in 1971. JB's live ARP performances with his band where they knocked the plates off the wall at Paradise Corners Cafe with much fanfare and spl are retired now, and JB was slightly disappointed that he didn't reach a level of notoriety similar to Ozzie Osbourne. Just the same, this grey meanie ARP needs the doctor Phil Cirocco of CMS systems to go over it and bring it to factory specs. Being a member of the band, I have agreed to try to sell it for JB, we are selling it "AS IS".

After acquiring the machine, JB stayed in Massachusetts for a few months. He lived in a stable under a barn where he played with the ARP and where he found a branding iron with his name on it. As you can see in the pictures, he branded the back side of the hardwood machine handle, and the underside of the keyboard handle.
When JB got the machine back to California, after he played his way across the country, he put "lift and rotate" sticker over the logo, and a "rockola" jukebox sticker over the 3604 keyboard logo. In those days mystery pervaded the air around synthesizers. JB did not want lookers on to know what planet this weird sounding machine came from.

Service history, rebuilt ADSR 1975, replaced sliders with broken stems several times. The grey meanies were easily damaged when moving to different locations. Alan Pearlman evidently had a vision the meanie machines would be sitting in a University environment, safe from damage instead of knocking around in small esoteric nightclubs, sometimes moving from state to state.

Sample and hold module replaced, ocillator three module replaced, all modules acquired from CMS. Power supply rebuilt, (new caps, etc.)

All old parts in bags, including the black potted modules that have been replaced are included.

All sliders are intact, all black buttons are in a bag, most of the little black caps that cover the trim pots are in a bag.

5 patchcords included, the keyboard attaches to the console at both ends unlike later ARPs and two sets of jones-cinch connector cables are provided, new jones-cinch connectors installed (male and female), original owners manual, original technical manual, original 100 patch book with JB's personal patches included. Note finger wear on keyboard faceplate below low D, some finger wear on face panel under upper filter slider.

The magic of the 3604 keyboard is the tunable option. The player can tune the keyboard to any key, making it possible to only play the white keys.

All oscillators work, pre lawsuit ladder filter works perfectly, machine plays but needs alignment and treatment by Phil Cirocco at CMS

JB made a big mistake in taking the machine to a guy in California in 2000. He did something to the keyboard that needs looking at. The keys require more pressure than they should, slowing the action. Phil is the best, don't waste your time elsewhere."

MOOG System 15 Modular Synthesizer System + Model 952 Keyboard

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

via this auction
"MOOG System 15 with MOOG 952 keyboard. 100% original restored and working system. Possibly the cleanest most original MOOG System 15 still alive. Meticulously restored and kept original by Phil Cirocco at CMS. Restoration to absolute factory original operating spec with no expense spared. Phil Cirocco is by far the best technician restoring and repairing modular synthesizers. He's the guy, guys like Steve Masucci send MOOG modules to when they can't fix them. Phil is the best and he was instructed and paid (very well indeed) to get this system perfect. Condition is EX ++++..."

SN 9507

Pic of the insides below.

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ORIGINAL ARP 2600 SN 26597 - Pro-Serviced w/Restoration by Phil Cirocco

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

via this listing

Additional Analog U.S Listings

Also on eBay

"This one is in good cosmetic condition and working 100%. This is for the synth only and not the keyboard. It has been professionally serviced and with a lot of restoration by Phil Cirocco of CMS. As some of you know, Phil is highly respected and is the premiere ARP specialist. This ARP 2600 is a V3.0 made on the 23rd week (June) of 1973. It has some unusual markings for V3. As you can see, it has the G-Clef sticker, but with the Tonus logo Silkscreen. It has the 15.5" panel which is correct for a V3.0, but has the squared speaker grille instead of the oval. All of this is cosmetic, however. It will be properly packaged when sold and will arrive in the condition as stated. Proof of the actual shipping cost will be provided if needed. This unit is listed as a USA sale only, but I am willing to ship to other countries. Not sold as-is!

Cosmetically - Nothing is mint, minty, super mint, etc., in my opinion, and this one is no exception. There are plenty of imperfections on this one as you can see, but the synth itself looks very good in my opinion. Please check out the photos. The handle was replaced with a new one, it has new Switchcraft washers, and all the jack nuts were ultrasonically cleaned.

Internally- Apart from any repairs (there were many), the unit has been disassembled and cleaned, all of the original sliders cleaned and re-lubed, the power supply has been rebuilt, it has a new Accutronics reverb tank, several encapsulated modules replaced, some switches replaced, several connectors cleaned & tightened, and the main out jacks replaced. There was a lot done to this unit so this will likely be updated."

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ARP 2600 GRAY MEANIE

via this auction
"The fact that this synth exists makes it very valuable but the fact that this synth is at CMS after just being fully restored makes it even more valuable.

I sent the synth to Phil Cirocco at CMS because I wanted it to be restored by the master of ARP 2600 restoration before I sold it. It deserves the best. Phil has meticulously gone through this unit and restored it to all of its’ glory. Phil said that it is in perfect working order other than one speaker distorts a bit on low notes at higher volume. Phil has new replacement speakers available, but it is a small thing and I wanted it keep it as original as possible. Phil has agreed to keep the unit at his shop until the end of the auction. I asked Phil to do me this favor for two reasons.

1) This synth is so valuable and rare that I wanted to keep shipping trips to the absolute minimum. Phil agreed.

2) If you want a mod or something changed, it is already at CMS. It will save you the cost of shipping it back and forth and minimize the risk that this valuable part of musical history could be damaged."

Below: Instructions for Unpacking and Setting Up the ARP 2600

CMS 1000 SERIES ARP 2500 Inspired Eurorack System

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

Note CMS fully restored this vintage ARP 2500 posted back in 2007. Phil Cirocco of CMS / Discrete Synthesizers is an ARP specialist. See the CMS label for additional posts. via Discrete Synthesizers aka CMS

Left: "The photo shows a suggested arrangement of modules for a 12 module CMS Euro-Rack system. This is Phil Cirocco's personal machine.

UPDATED - 1/20/2023

1000 SERIES MODULE NEWS"

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CMS 2607 music video, interesting ARP photos

Published on Oct 27, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is a promotional video for the CMS 2607 synthesizer. There are also some interesting and rare photos of some landmark ARP instruments and some significant CMS 2500 restorations. The music is a live stereo mix of the sequence I am presently having fun with. Phil Cirocco"

CMS 2607 live 2 track demo - "Ruination"

Published on Sep 29, 2017 Phil Cirocco

"This is a quick demo I quickly made using:
6 CMS 2607 rack mount synthesizers, 2 Roland MPU-101 MIDI converters and 1 TR-808 analog drum machine (upgraded by CMS).
The 2607 is an updated and miniaturized version of the ARP 2600. I only had approx 1 day to record this and some photos before I disassembled the rack. The customers were waiting for their instruments. Go to discretesynthesizers.com for more info. The synths are mounted in a vintage Emcor rack cabinet similar to those used in vintage sci-fi movies and TV."

See the Phil Cirocco label below for more. See here for more details on the CMS 2607, an ARP 2600 on steroids.

An ARP 2500 in Eurorack Format?

CMS 1004 demo - The Pearlman Oscillator and T-mixer Published on Sep 24, 2018 Phil Cirocco

"This is a quick preliminary demo of the new CMS 1004 Pearlman Oscillator. This VCO is a faithful reproduction of the massive VCO circuit from the ARP 2500, shrunk down to euro rack format. An analog CRT oscilloscope shows some of the unique and interesting waveform combinations available. discretesynthesizers.com"

CMS is going eurorack with the CMS 1004T (ARP 2500) - Pearlman Oscillator and T-mixer

This is huge news. Not only the ARP 2500 1004T oscillator in eurorack format, but CMS entering the eurorack market as well. Phil Cirocco of CMS is known as the ARP specialist in the US. He works on vintage ARPs as well as designing his own synths, most recently the CMS 2607. Be sure to see the CMS label at the bottom of this post for more.

Pearlman, of course refers to ARP's founder Alan R. Pearlman.

Curious if CMS plans a full blown ARP 2500 in eurorack format. Imagine that. :)

ARP 2500 pictured below for reference, via this post.

ARP 2600 Synthesizer w/ CMS Filter and Oscillator + 3604-P Keyboard SN 26734

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

via this auction, also on Reverb.

"THIS ARP 2600 was serviced and modified by Phil Cirocco at discretesynthesizers. The built-in speakers have been replaced with a CMS Oscillator and CMS Filter.

I purchased this 2600 back in 2008 from the original owner in very good condition. In 2012, I had this synth fully cleaned and serviced by Phil Cirocco (look him up if you don't know who he is in the ARP world)

Added / Modded:
CMS 4012 CX Filter
CMS 2621 Dual Slope Filter
CMS 2627 Oscillator
1/4 Inch input jack
1/4 Initial Gain, Left, and Right output jacks"

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Phil Cirocco demonstrating the ARP 2003 synthesizer by Tonus

Published on Oct 12, 2018 Phil Cirocco

"We recently refurbished and also refinished this beautiful 6 foot long ARP 2003. The predecessor to the ARP 2500. I Don't usually end up playing the blues, but this particular patch suggested it."

Demo of the 1017/1018 sequencer using Hans Zimmer's CMS 2500 system.

video upload by Phil Cirocco

Phil Cirocco of CMS: https://www.discretesynthesizers.com

"Just before shipping this system out to Hans Zimmer, I recorded this demo. There are several new modules in this system. The new 1017 sequencer and the 1018 sequencer expander. The 1017/1018 features an internal sequential switch that lets you switch between 2 separate sequences. The updated 1066 bipolar ladder filter with the added 5 input mixer. The 1015 quad resonator module in used on the lead sound. The 1020 dual quantizer prototype module is the odd looking module in the center. Please excuse the noodling."

CMS 2607 demo - "Forbidden Peanut"'

Published on Feb 14, 2020 Phil Cirocco

"Phil Cirocco demonstrating the CMS 2607 just before shipping it out. The 2 1/4 inch cables at top right are plugged directly into the stereo input of the camera. No post production or processing. The reverb you hear is the internal spring unit. discretesynthesizers.com"

1973 ARP 2600 with 3604 Keyboard serviced by Phil Cirocco of CMS

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

via this auction

"ARP 2600 and ARP 3604P Keyboard serviced and restored by Phil Cirocco of CMS. New power and 6 pin interface cable. The tolex shows some wear but is in very good condition for being 50 years old."

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CMS 2607 GATED REVERB DEMOS

CMS 2607 DEMO #3 - GATED REVERB PATCH

Published on Oct 24, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is a demo of the CMS 2607 featuring a gated reverb patch with a basic sequence and a Roland 808."

CMS 2607 DEMO #4 - RESONANT GATED REVERB PATCH

Published on Oct 24, 2016 Phil Cirocco

"This is a demo video of the new CMS 2607 using a tuned resonant gated reverb patch."

You can find all parts including details on the CMS 2607 here.