RMI Keyboard Computer (KC1) combo organ

909955847736

1973 - The Computer Keyboard (prototype)
1974 - The Keyboard Computer (this one)
1975 - The Keyboard Computer II (until 1982)

"...'morganfisherart' did an excellent job demonstrating the KC2 [posted here], but there weren't any good ones for the KC1 unless you count the 1974 RMI demo record. I recorded my KC1 direct using no effects or EQ. Hopefully this video should clear up some misinformation around the internet. This instrument is not a sample player or a synthesizer, it was never available to the public with illuminated buttons, and channel 3 is not even in the same ballpark as a "white noise effect".

I have to do a shout-out to a couple of scholarly gentlemen who wrote a book in 2019 that I highly recommend called "Classic Keys, Keyboard Sounds That Launched Rock Music". A few years ago I had my Keyboard Computer professionally photographed and a couple of those pictures were used in this book. Anyway this book is filled with a lot of very in-depth research and even recently won an award."

You can find additional RMI Keyboard Computer posts here.

1978 RMI KC-II Keyboard Computer Synth "Digital Is Better!" Ad & Records

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

I often check out the most popular posts on the site lists. Every now and then I'll find an older post on the list like this RMI Keyboard Computer KC1 post from 2010, currently the third most popular post over the last seven days. I updated the expired auction link in the post for a generic search on RMI Keyboard Computer and up came the ad to the left as well as the records further below. You can find them listed here. You can find recordings of one of the albums previously posted here. I also found the video below featuring a few demo tracks. Enjoy. :)


RMI KC-1 Keyboard Computer ... Demo Tracks

video upload by Mike Bracchi

"RMI KC-1 Keyboard Computer ... Demo Tracks
Clarke Ferguson & Carlo Curley
Vintage Organ Group
http://mikebracchi.co.uk"

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RMI Harmonic Synthesizer and Keyboard Computer demo LP part 1

YouTube Uploaded by baward on Jul 23, 2011

"Part One, Side One tracks 1 - 9. Rocky Mount Instruments. From 1974.

Tracks: Strings - Pedal Steel - Bells - Voices - Boogie Bass - Fiddle & Banjo - Funky-Wah - Random Scale - Pipe Organ

If you enlarge the movie on your screen, you might be able to make out the text..."

RMI Harmonic Synthesizer and Keyboard Computer demonstration record, part 2

Uploaded by baward on Jul 24, 2011

"RMI has just released TWO GREAT CONCEPTS on the musical public -- HARMONIC SYNTHESIZER and KEYBOARD COMPUTER. You will soon be hearing our sounds from other sources, since recording studios and touring groups are starting to use the new instruments. It appears we have hit on something -- see what you think.

Everything you hear on this record was recorded LIVE in REAL TIME by ONE PERSON. Any cross--fading or instruments appearing in contrast between the left and right channels was accomplished by the performer's use of the pedal -- not the recording engineer. RMI's concept allows the single performer to create five Independent channels of audio, bringing studio effects to the concert stage. Live concert ensemble will be improved while studio recording time will be greatly reduced.

Mike Mandel, keyboard wizard, was the first "outsider" to try our new instruments. Mike took to them like a fish to water. Cut one on side two is a section of an improvisation that began after only two hours. Although a tape was made at the time, there had been no plans for a record. Mike's inspiration from this first meeting convinced us that this cut was a must.

Clark Ferguson, marketing director at RMI, has composed music to illustrate the potentials of the new instruments in dealership concerts and demonstrations throughout the country.

Carlo Curley, a young and exciting concert organist, feels with the advent of the RMl Harmonlc Synthesizer and Keyboard Computer, a new era of expression has arrived. During the recording of the Daquin "Noel," Curley was inspired to improvise on the theme using the Keyboard Computer strings.

[RECORD SIDE TWO]

MANDEL DOES IT -- Full use is made of Channel Three and the Pitch Bender. A rapid percussive arpeggio is programmed on the sequencer as a background. Filter "sweeps" are used as accents.

NON-PIPE ORGAN -- You know what we mean. Characteristic keying noise and percussion are created by card #F3186. #1184 produces a typical setting. Rotating speaker effects are created by Chorus and the Vibrato Touch Bar.

JAZZ FLUTE -- Card used - Jazz Flute #F2335. Twelfth harmonic is percussed rapidly to create "over--blowing" transients. Fundamental and other harmonics on card #F2335 are delayed by Slow Attack mode.

RECORDER AND HARPSICHORD -- Alto Recorder #F2065 is heard with slight vibrato on channel one. Pulse cards #SPG1001 and #SPG2002 are percussed through channel two (no vibrato). Quick changes are made with the pedals.

MOMENT MUSICALE (Schubert) -- Percusslve accompaniment on Computer. Solo line is played alternately on the Synthesizer Left and Right Voices.

NOEL (Daquin) -- Flutes and harpsichord are the main instruments. Light bells are "sequenced" at random on the Synthesizer.

Produced by Clark Ferguson & Steve Roth, A.O.C.
Recorded at: Helffrich Recording Lab, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Front cover: Sam Smith, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Back cover: Tom Zwicki, A.O.C.

© RMI 1974
Rocky Mount Instruments, Inc., Sales Office: Macungie, Pa. 18062 Phone: 215/965 9801

Subsidiary of Allen Organ Company"

RMI Keyboard Computer super rare vintage synthesizer

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

via this auction

"Clasic and rare
RMI Keyboard Computer
Own a piece of history.
First portable digital synth!

This keyboard dates from 1974/1975. Considering its age, its in very nice cosmetic condition. All three outputs works. The pedals, pitch bend and all other functions of the keyboard work. Comes with original manual and service schematics and a huge pile of punch cards."

Check out the computer punch cards in the pics. You insert them in the slot on the right of the synth to program patches.  See the RMI label for additional posts featuring RMI keyboards.

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Prototype 1974 Vintage 1974 RMI KC-1 Keyboard Computer SN 509 with Punch-Out Card Reader

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

via this auction

"Wow! This is the 1974 RMI Rocky Mount Instruments KC-1 Keyboard Computer! It has just arrived fresh from a Colorado Estate! I am still going through this incredibly rare synthesizer! This is the world's first portable digital synthesizer!! Less than 100 were ever made! That is the best guess as to how many were actually ever produced! The Keyboard Computer II, or KCII, followed this original KC1 version. That KCII model was offered from 1975 to 1982..

First users included Jean Michael Jarre and Garth Hudson, Uses the North American Rockwell MOS chip set that came right out of the NASA Space program from the 1960s!

10-voice polyphonic digital wavetable synthesizer with IBM punch card reader. I have about 50 IBM punch cards included in sale

This keyboard Pre-dates all PPG and Prophet digital synthesizers!

Low serial number- all wood enclosure-not the plastic top KC1 version- the selector buttons light up when selected as only the very first versions did!

61 key polyphonic-3 Audio channel output- 3rd channel was for white noise only

$4,495 in 1974"

Related posts: The PPG 1003 "Sonic Carrier" - World's First Programmable Synth? - The First Synth to.... Also see the RMI channel.

Update via 909955847736 in the comments: "This is actually the prototype which was used on the demo record, ads, and promotional tours. It's very possible that only one of these was ever made. It's the only one with a wood body and illuminated switches. The production model Keyboard Computer (KCI) has a molded plastic body with non-lighted push-in/push-out buttons. And it also had a few differences in the voices and functions compared to this instrument. They are both portable versions of the Allen Theater Organ. The later KCII was not directly associated with any specific Allen organ model. None of the KC models qualify as a synthesizer any more than any other electronic organ did in 1974."

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RMI KEYBOARD COMPUTER II w/ Punch Card Presets

via this auction

"Extremely rare RMI KEYBOARD COMPUTER II, recently serviced by Allen Organ. 100% working condition. Serial # 646 (pot codes date to 1975). This RMI KC II shares the same MOS-Board chip array that was recently purchased by the Smithsonian Institution because it was the first application of digital technology in not only musical instrument design but in all industrial manufacturing (1971), even pre-dating the digital calculator by several months. What is amazing is that these MOS boards are still running strong today and serviced by Allen, probably due to their robust military-spec design...very reliable for a vintage synth. This is a ground-breaking instrument and the model for other wavetable synths like the PPG wave. It may look like a combo organ but it is a 10-voice polyphonic digital wavetable synthesizer with IBM punch card reader. 15 original punch cards (choir, gong, horn, sine waves, flutes) are included as well as the original bound service manual with schematics. The user's manual is a copy. more images"

Pics of the inside below.

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Updates to Olivier Grall's Synth Site

Rhodes pianos
EMS Polysynth
RMI KEYBOARD COMPUTER
Polyfusion modular
Roland 700 modular
Olivier's collection through years
and a new fun page

via Yves Usson

Update: Just in case the girl didn't do it for you, I updated the post with a picture of the polyfusion. The girl is below in case you wonder where she went. Also check out the patch punch cards for the RMI Keyboard Computer.

RMI Harmonic Synthesizer

via this auction

Click here for more pics.

Details: "You are bidding on a keyboard from a estate, this keyboard was played in the 70s and was stored away for the past 20 years. We plugged in the keyboard and all keys work nice including all the lighted buttons and the left and right equalizers, we did try to test most functions however we are not totally familiar with this equipment so we cannot guarantee every function works perfect. The keyboard looks to be well taken care of. It has a case and 4 steel legs that fold up. We would rather this be a local pick up however we can ship this item.

HISTORY

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RMI Harmonic Synthesizer vs. RMI Keyboard Computer

via Wavecomputer360 on the AH list:

"both machines are totally different beasts, and even the two different versions of the KCs differ considerably from each other. I can only speak for the KC-2 (which I hated to see go a couple of years ago but then again, it was worth a couple of months´ rent for my flat...). The KC-1 is a totally different cup of tea. I have never used, let alone owned one (I think I had one out of nine KC-2s ever sold to owners in Germany).

A common trait of both instruments -- the Harmonic as well as the KC -- is that they both tend to sound a little static and not really rich and animated, very digital. Their digital nature (oops, there´s that word again) keeps them a bit too much in tune so you´d need some external effects to make it sound a bit more animated. It´s great as a source of samplefodder and really unusual overtone spectrums. The Harmonic of course allows you to change overtones while playing it which is something you can´t perform on a KC (a trick commonly used by many Harmonic Synthesizer players... insert the wooden wedges into the keyboard in order to keep a set of keys pressed, let the arpeggiator noodle on and on, and change overtones as it goes). Also, the Harmonic has a built-in analogue VCF (here´s that word which makes the whole affair come back on topic again...) plus the arpeggiator which allows for rudimentary realtime sequencing. You can´t do that on a KC.

What the KC can do, though, is to sound a bit like a proto-PPG of sorts -- although a lot more polite and well-behaved than a PPG 360 --, or a Prophet VS, for that matter. Its "Bells" preset was absolutely striking (no pun intended), and so was the "Pipe Organ". It has a very interesting raw sound which is ideal for further processing. One feature of the KC I was particularly fond was holding down a chord while inserting punchcards and hear the sound transform from one into another. That was definitely proto-PPGish. You could also do that when setting up two completely different sounds in each channel and use the pedals to let them fade into each other seamlessly.

Being a bit blatant, I´d recommend listening to the ['ramp] album "ceasing to exist" which was recorded in collaboration with touch guitar player Markus Reuter. I used mainly the RMI KC-2 Keyboard Computer for the electronic sounds and drones, plus a couple of loop devices. You can find the album as legal download on www.musiczeit.com (check for the label "Extended Moment"), there should be some audio to try out. There´s also a download-only album out called "drones and shimmers" by the humble writer of these lines (click here). I used the KC, plus a Jamman, for the tracks "working the soil" and "cultivating the sky". On a different note, I used the Harmonic and its built-in arpeggiator a lot on a track called "Cosmic Caravan" off a limited-edition CDR album called "blasters of the universe". You might be able to find a copy somewhere...

Hope that helps,

Stephen."

RMI KCII Keyboard Computer demonstration

Published on Sep 25, 2016 morganfisherart

"[scroll down for English info]
私の愛蔵ヴィンテージ・キーボード・コレクションから、世界初のデジタル・サンプリング音源を用いた希少なシンセサイザーRMI KC-IIがヤフオクに出品！非常に良い状態で、音源データカードやマニュアルなど付属品も充実しています！

http://page3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/...

Extremely rare RMI KCII to be sold on Yahoo Auctions Japan. See link above. Will consider offers from abroad if sent by October 2nd, 2016. In excellent, fully-working condition!

Most functions explained and demonstrated. A little reverb has been added. Headphones recommended to hear the stereo properly!
1: PRESETS & PEDALS
2: ORGAN STOPS
3: CARD READER"

RMI KCII ambient improvisation

Published on Sep 28, 2016 morganfisherart

"僕のRMI KCIIに新しい即興演奏。
An ambient improvisation, played tonight on my RMI KCII. Reverb added. Images are of the sea in Japan and some of my oil-on-glass paintings.
Sept. 28, 2016 in my home studio."

RMI Keyboard Computer w/ Voice Programmer Cards

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

"Functions are explained and demonstrated. A little reverb has been added. Headphones recommended to hear the stereo properly!

1: PRESETS & PEDALS - 0:00
2: ORGAN STOPS - 6:30
3: CARD READER - 9:56

Please also enjoy this ambient improvisation on the KCII:"

RMI KCII ambient improvisation

video upload by morganfisherart

"An ambient improvisation, played on my RMI KCII. Reverb added. Images are of the sea in Japan and some of my tiny oil-on-glass-slide paintings. Sept. 28, 2016 in my home studio."

Spotted the above via the following listing. You can find additional demos, info, scans, pics and a demo record featured in additional posts here.

via this auction

"TRUE MUSEUM PIECE, extremely rare.

Sound very similar to the RMI harmonic synthesizer (used by J.M.Jarre in Oxygene)

Everything is working, the synth has never been modified or repaired, all the internal components are "as it came from the factory".

With paper memory reader for sounds totally revised!

there are several "memory sheets" for the digital system of memories it used (visible in the photo).

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Joe McGinty's "Tubular Bells" Video Screening & Mellodrama: The Mellotron Documentary

"For those in NYC:

Tubular Bells is an 8 minute video, directed by Amy Hobby, edited by Tony Zajkowski, featuring female keyboardists playing Joe McGinty's arrangement of Tubular Bells, performed on the vintage keyboard instruments at Carousel Studios, Brooklyn, NY.

Featuring (in order of appearance):
Kaia Wong (Mixel Pixel), Kelly Rae Kerwin (Private Income), Natasha Bartolf, Joanna Choy (Spray Paint Star), Amy Merril (Mia Riddle)
Greta Gertler (Universal Thump), Supercute!, Anna Copacabanna, Rolyn Hu (True Primes), Sondra Sun-Odeon (Silver Summit), Michi Turner (Crash Diet Crew, Jacques Detergent), Katia Floreska (The Tall Pines), Natalie Weiss (Unicornicopia), Wendy Ip, Alice Cohen, Kelley Vaughn-Kauffman (Winston Troy), Yvette Perez (H.E.R., Birdbrain, Peter Zummo Group), The Hula Hoop Harlot, Melissa-Anne, Alix Brown (Golden Triangle), Leah Cary (Girl Crisis), Caitlin Jemeson (Queen Of Sibyls).

Instruments (in order of appearance):
Hammond M3 Organ, Fender Rhodes Stage Piano, 1914 Steinway Vertigrand Piano, RMI Keyboard Computer KC-2, Jenco Celeste, Baldwin Solid Body Electric Harpsichord, Mattel Magical Musical Thing, Bebot, Thingamagoop, Hohner Clavinet D6, Casio CZ-101, Wurlitzer Electric Piano Model 700, Conn Electric Band, ARP 2600, ARP Omni, Suzuki Omnichord, Roland Keytar/Yamaha TX802, Yamaha CS01, Vox Continental, Farfisa Combo Compact, Fender Starmaster, Buzzing Bee, Stylophone, 360 Systems Digital Keyboard, Hammond Synthesizer, Gibson Clavioline, Yamaha CP60, Moog Little Phatty, Moog MiniMoog, Mellotron, Maas-Rowe Vibrachime.

Also screening: Mellodrama: The Mellotron Documentary
View the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCabuis6t2w [first posted here]

At IndieScreen
289 Kent Avenue at S 2nd Street, Williamsburg
Advance tickets here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/130664"

Tubular Bells by the Brooklyn Organ Synth Orchestra

YouTube Uploaded by rastro2 on Mar 3, 2011

Originally posted on 3/04/2011 10:09:00 AM but the video was taken down. It's back!
"Filmed and Directed by Amy Hobby.
Edited by Tony Zajkowski.

Over 20 different NYC female keyboardists playing vintage keyboards at Joe McGinty's Carousel Studio in Brooklyn, NY.

Available on iTunes!

Featuring:
Kaia Wong (Mixel Pixel)
Kelly Rae Kerwin (Private Income)
Natasha Bartolf

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RMI Keyboard Computer KC1

YouTube via marukiki | January 07, 2010

via this auction - also see this post.

RMI-KC1 sample #2



via this auction

"The card reader works but no cards are included. Sorry. This is one of the most rare of the RMI keyboards. and a cool example of one of the earliest digitally controlled synthesizers (circa '74-'75). More info here"

Also see synthmuseum.com here.

Quick note: I couldn't use the more link for the rest of the images in this post because it kills the YouTube video for some reason.

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Happy 4th!

Happy 4th to everyone in the US! Here's a nice red, white and blue Buchla Music Easel for yah. And... It's for sale. No joke. A measley $20k will get this beauty. Title link takes you to the listing on gearslutz. If you don't have an account and don't wan to register, the details of the sale are below. That's one heck of a list. The seller is Guidotoons. Start drool now.





"BIG ASSED SALE

Vintage keys-

Buchla Music Easel 208/218/power supply & original case
excellent condition $20,000.00

Moog 35 synthesizer w/ Synth.com sequencer, moog filter and much more $20,000.00

1963 Hammond C3 w/ newer Leslie 122
Little old lady condition…literally
$3500 Nashville Pickup only

RMI Keyboard Computer II RARE!!! excellent 100% working $1500 comes w/ two extra KC I’s for parts Nashville Pickup only

Yamaha YC45-D combo organ…excellent condition $750.00 Nashville pickup only

Recording gear-

iZ Radar w/monitor/cabling/all remotes classic cards all dox and boxes excellent condition all current software and upgrades $6500.00

Pendulum Audio MDP-1 stereo tube pre near mint $1750.00 SOLD!!!

2-Neve 31102 mic pre/eq modules in Boutique Audio rack perfect shape w/Fred Hill line amp mod $6500

2-Aphex 622 Expander/gates $350 each

Neve 33609C stereo comp/limiter excellent condition $2750.00 SOLD!!!!

Telefunken/Neumann U-67 excellent all original $4500.00

2-AKG C-60 great condition $2000/pr

Vintage guitars-

1949 Gibson SJ-200 w/70’s Gibson hsc excellent condition $6500

1957 Gibson LP Jr. refin and relic’d by Mike Lennon w/ ossc $4750.00

2003 Alembic Stanley Clarke Brown Bass reissue near mint w/hsc $3400.00

Vintage drums-
1966 3 pc. Ludwig Club Date kit w/ bags $1250.00

Email guido@guidotoons.com for pics, more info. I RARELY check my messages here so use the email please.

I will entertain trade offers for the following:
API 500 series rack (10 space) and related 500 series pres, eq's.
Rickenbacker Capri guitars
1950's Gibson L-5C

Sorry...NO PAYPAL.

Thanks again....

Guido

www.guidotoons.com"

####################################################

Update via Guido on AH:
"Let me bring everyone up to date on my Buchla saga.

I bought a very large Moog from a gentleman in California for $13,500 shipped.

I took a Moog 15's worth of modules out of the system along with a Bode frequency shifter and the 960/962 combo. I already had a fire damaged 960/962 along with a Moog filter bank and a 921 oscillator bank.

I made a Moog 15 and extension cabinet with the "good" 960/962 and the Bode.

I traded Paul a "Moog 55's" worth of modules straight across for a large Buchla 200.

Only three Buchla modules were damaged by the coke or coffee spillage. The 219 keyboard and both Marfs. I sent those to JL in Canada who, after six months, had not gotten them to work. So I sold them...not working...to a gentleman in California for $11,500.

I had aquired 3-259 "kits" from Don and had Julie Yarbrough build them for around $1000 each. I also had her build a 281 "kit". I put those in the 200 along with my 208 and 218 from my Music Easel. She also refurbished the other modules for around $2500 or so. I then aquired two more 259's from David Kean for $5000. I eventually sold the original Buchla built 259's (for what I paid) because the "kit" 259's sounded, worked and looked better.

I had Peter Grenader build a Milton for the Buchla. This was around $2000. I also bought a 221 touch keyboard from Kean for $4000.

I used the system for two years or so and got an offer I could not refuse for it, minus the Easel and Milton, for $46,000. I took it. I then sold that same cat my Milton for $1750. I also sold the Moog 15 for $7500 and the 960 extension cab, MINUS the Bode, for $5500.

I sold the Bode to a very persistant gentleman in California for....$6,000!

So let's do the math:
I bought-
large Moog $13,500
Moog filter bank $1750
Moog 921 bank $2000
2 Moog 15 cabs $500
Buchla restoration/modules $5500
Buchla 221 $4000

Total $27,500

Traded a Moog 55's worth of modules for the 200.

I sold the Moog 15 for $7500. Sold the extension Moog cab for $5500. Sold the two Buchla modules for $11,500. Sold the Bode for $6,000. Sold the big 200 system for $46,000.

Total $76,500

I still have the Easel. I also aquired a mint Moog 35 last year, so I still have a "rig".

I hope this brings everyone up to date on my Buchla 200/Easel and financial gossip.

Guido"

1988 "Digital is Better!" RMI KC-11 SYNTHESIZER KEYBOARD COMPUTER AD

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

via this auction

1988 RMI KC-11 SYNTHESIZER KEYBOARD COMPUTER PRINT ADVERT
Ad measures approx. 8"X 5.5" inches.

"digital is better!"

RMI Keyboard Computer Synthesizer Brochure

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

via this auction

"RMI Rocky Mount Instruments, Inc. Vintage 1977, 4 pages +, color covers."

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Thelonious Moog

Dave M wrote in to let me know I haven't put up a post on Thelonious Moog. I did a quick search and sure enough, I haven't! Well, here it is. Title link takes you there. You will find a number of small but drool-worthy shots and the story behind the making of Thelonius Moog.

"The vintage analog synths used during this project are the key to these arrangements. Many of the stylings are a direct result or influenced by a particular synth sound or patch or rhythm. There are too many items to cover in depth, so I'll just touch on a few that were crucial to the sound of the disc.

A lot of the leads and most of the synth bass parts were done by the old standby Minimoog. A real no-brainer there. I would have to say the real "stars" were the RMI Keyboard Computer 1 (it gave its life for this recording – RIP, dear, sweet RMI, along with a Prophet Five that can actually be heard dying on Beshma Swing!), an Arp 2600, an EMS Synthi AKS, a pair of newly aquired Moog 900 series modulars, and a modular from a new analog synth company, Synthesizers.com. We also used a couple of extremely rare Buchla synths, the Music Easel, and a Series 100 modular. The goofy rhythms were supplied via an old Acetone beat box and something called a "drummer." I have to say that these pieces were the "stars," and we just played the melodies. The studio has many other traditional keyboards – piano/organs/clavinets and such – so we just threw the damn rulebook out that first night."

Dewanatron at Carousel

YouTube via rastro2
"Leon and Brian Dewan playing their Dewanatron Dual Primate Console at Carousel Recording Studios, Brooklyn, NY"

Dewanatron at Carousel #1

"The Dewans are playing their Dewanatron Dual Primate Console, and McGinty is playing a RMI Keyboard Computer and an Oberheim Xpander (controlled by a Casio keyboard)."

1974 RMI KEYBOARD COMPUTER SN 561

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

via this auction

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