Rare Clef B30 Microsynth

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via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via Florian Anwander

Note the knobs on these are usually colored as you can see in previous posts here.

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clef b30 analog vintage synth w/ extras

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"these were sold through practical electronics magazine in the early 1980s
study the photos
the original wood (paper) body of the synth was very weak so i build a solid
wood body
original wood ? side panels and original knobs provided it would be a easy cheap fix to make the synth look better with thinner more pleasing to the eye wood

the volume on/off pot was changed but was cut off a little to short
it works fine a easy replace job i kept it as is

this synth can make some crazy sounds once time is taken to learn
what all the switches and knobs do

clef b30 is a rare made in the uk synth

the clef b30 can do everything the WASP synth can do and a little more"

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Rare CLEF B30 Vintage British Analog Synthesiser

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"This was a synth advertised in electronics magazines around 1982 either in kit form or for purchase as a complete unit.

It features

2 1/2 octave keyboard
2 oscillators
2 sub octaves
Thumbwheel"

See the CLEF label for previous posts including videos.

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Lalaland Synth Shop Reykjavik Iceland

Published on Feb 7, 2018 Synth Expert

"Icelandic electronic music producer Arnar Adalsteinsson gives us a tour of the rare gear in his synth repair and mod shop, Lalaland, located in the Reykjavik harbor."

Featured: Korg Delta, Jen SX1000, Jen SX2000, Sequential Circuits Pro-One with custom Prophet style knobs, Mini Meanie TTSH Arp 2600 clone, Yamaha CS30, Moog Memorymoog, Arp Axxe, Clef B30 Micro Synth, Roland Jupiter-6, KORG PS-3100, Wurlitzer, Wersi Matic CX2, Korg Mono/Poly with Tubbetec MIDI Kit, EKO Pony, Korg Trident, Roland Jupiter-4, Yamaha SK10, Filther DIY filter by Adalsteinsson,

Interesting look at the inside of the Wersimatic CX2. Lots of samples on it.

Inside a Clef Microsynth B30

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via Andrew K in the comments of this post.

The pics are via this auction for one for parts.

Not the best pics but I thought they were worth capturing for anyone interested, and as you don't see the inside of these often.

via the listing: "Extremely rare and unusual Clef Microsynth B30 in pieces. This is not a project for the faint hearted as they synth is in pieces and does not work, a project for someone skilled in repairing/restoring synths. As far as I know these were built by Clef Electronic music (late 1970s) in conjunction with Practical Electronics magazine to offer a mono synth at an affordable price Kit Form or built. I don't know if this was one of the kit models or ready built."

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CLEF ELECTRONIC MUSIC B30 MICROSYNTH

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1982 CLEF Microsynth B30

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"Super rare vintage analog synthesiser from the 80's.
Originally DIY kit from Clef Electronic Music in 1982.
Military class electronic circuitry.
Original operation manual included.

Like semi-modular synth (MS-20, etc.) expect patch has been replaced by switches.
Works in 1/3rd octave / 1 volt which makes its tuning pretty unique.

Everything in working condition."

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Clef B30 Microsynth

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via this auction

"Very rare vintage monosynth in need of restoration.
I believe it is a kit synthesiser dating from the late 1970s/early 1980s
Sold as seen. I have had sound out of both oscillators and the noise generator but it is beyond my expertise to control it in any useful way. Not convinced all the keys work. Volume pot is crackly and sound can surge in and out. Very fat sound though.. Would suit synth enthusiast looking for restoration/ modification project. Or sound designer looking for unruly, unearthly rumblings...

Also, I just found this website with lots of useful info about this synth"

Rare Clef PDSG (Programmable Digital Sound Generator) up for Auction

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Via the seller: "I was recently clearing out some BBC Micro stuff and came across this Clef PDSG (Programmable Digital Sound Generator). It was the last product made by Clef. They hoped it would be taken up by Acorn computers, but it didn't happen, and I think they went out of business after that. It was supplied pretty much as seen, as a DIY project. I initially couldn't find any mention of it online, so I've put up a page to commemorate it here, with pictures and sound samples:

http://www.lemontiger.co.uk/clef.html

There's some information about it here:

http://audiotools.com/en_mi_dead_b.html

"In 1982 the company introduced the product it is best known for these days in the form of the Clef Microsynth (Later the B30 Microsynth), a budget 2 oscillator analogue subtractive synthesiser that was the only product sold by the company that was not developed by Mr. Boothman but rather a design originally published in P.E. magazine as a construction article and conceived by Allan Bradford, it is similar conceptually to the slightly more complex Jen SX-1000 and EDP Wasp in that it uses digital electronics to keep down costs but with it come some operational oddities such as the use of a 0.35V/Octave control voltages meaning that the only other synth that it interfaced with was the EMS, but it was cheap and thus sold reasonably well.

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An Homage to the Clef CMS - Synthesiser for the BBC Micro

via Ben G in the comments of this post: "I just uploaded my homage to this forgotten masterpiece. :-)"

Find it here

"This was my first synthesiser. It seems now to have all but disappeared from history, so I thought I'd put together some info on it while it still works.

Clef Electronic Music produced various music technology products back in the early 1980s, including the B30 synthesiser and a drum machine.

Another of their products was the Clef CMS, a synthesiser designed for use with the BBC Micro. It was available in two versions, one smartly finished and one in a more basic DIY form."

Rare Vintage Analog Clef B30 Microsynth Audio Demos

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CLEF B30 MICROSYNTH demo 02


CLEF B30 MICROSYNTH demo 03

Published on Mar 30, 2013 orangecoals·26 videos

CLEF B30 MICROSYNTH demo 03 -- recorded straight into soundcard---no processing - no fx - no external sequencer -demo of some of the extraordinary sounds this uber rare synth is capable of.


via this auction

"Designed by Allan Bradford who designed for WEM, Dawmer and Joe Meek. He was a also lecturer at Birmingham University. The general consensus re. the sound is that it falls somewhere soundwise between a VCS3 and a Wasp. It's a very vintage British sound --- reminds me a lot of old modular synths, Radiophonic workshop Dr Who style effects.


Next to the VCS3 it's the fattest craziest sounding synth I've ever experienced. Next to spending £4k I'd say it's the closest you will come, it simply swamps the sound of my moog prodigy and eats my mopho for breakfast. However the Clefs are not without the famous tuning issues that plagued analogue synthesizers from the 1970's (but some reckon it's the tuning issues of the organic oscillators that give the incredible rich sound) ---so these are not really the keyboard tp practice your 'scales ' on ---they are however fabulous at obtaining completely unique unearthly tones.

It's all discreet circuits in this one and sounds and performs like a vintage modular synth ----two VCOs ---extensive modulation possibilities ---noise generator ---24db and bandpass filter ---ring modulation---connections on the rear are for sequencer/DIN sync ---which I've never tried - but I imagine one of the pins are for CV and one for GATE --- you'd need to inspect schematics. (Keyboard output voltage 0.35 volts⁄octave. Trigger output voltage 9 volts positive, input requirements 0.35 volts⁄octave to keyboard, 9 volts positive trigger to envelope)

schematics and lots of info here ---http://www.synbin.com/others/microsynth/spec.html

Much like a modular ---with extensive modulation possibilities offered by the switches and rotary posts ---this synth just starts generating huge amazing basslines--(please view the demos) --

-The bottom C key sometimes doesn't trigger properly on all settings ---pos needs key contacts cleaning --- please note ---like modular synths and the EMS VCS3 for example ---the slightest rotary movement ---or different switch combinations can result in the synth having a different tuning ---and like a real organic instrument (guitar/violin etc) you need to regularly tune up to the part you are playing ---it's not just like plugging in a casio jeyboard and away you go (please see the demos). Think of this more like an electronic music sound generator rather than a piano. 0h! and it's monophonic ---one key at a time ---but with two vcos's.

As outlined previously to get the most of this synth you may need to be a little more than a synth novice --- there are a rather complex array of switches which enable nearly all parts of the synth to modulate and effect all others --- these were designed to replace patch cords on modular synths ---so think of the switches as patch cords ---patching different modules together and you are half way there.

To completely tune the synth to rchestral scale you need to follow this process taken from the manual ....

((((((((((((Setting up of the synthesiser
VCOs

Selecting the square wave output from VC01, take VC01 down to its lowest frequency by pressing the lowest key, setting the Range switch to 16', and then using the Sweep pot routed via the thumbwheel into the Keyboard, so that VCO1 is just oscillating. Adjust VR13 for the fastest buzz. Reduce frequency again using the thumbwheel and readjust VR13 for the fastest ticking. This process has nulled the offset on VC01 integrator IC11, enabling the oscillator to stay in tune for very low input currents. Switch off VC01 using the switch on the "Shape" pot and turn the thumbwheel to zero (towards the front). Repeat the above process for VC02 selecting the square wave output and using the VCO2 frequency control and adjusting VR17. Remember to turn VC02 Level up.

The ramp waveforms from each VCO are now adjusted in turn. Turn VCO2 Level down and switch VC01 on. Selecting the ramp waveform from VCO1, sweep the oscillator over its entire range using the "Range" switch and the Sweep/Thumbwheel combination, and adjust VR15 to ensure that the output does not disappear or become distorted at either end of the range. An oscilloscope is useful here but by no means essential. Repeat the process for VC02 adjusting VR19.

Next, using VC01 at the low end of its range (16'), play a scale; this should be in tune, so bend the frequency down verv low using the thumbwheel and adjust VR8 for an accurate scale. This process nulls out the offset on the keyboard range amplifier, IC7.

OCTAVES

Now the octaves may be set up using the keyboard and the Range switch. Working either side of the 4' range, which requires no adjustment, set the ranges an octave apart by adjusting VR5 and VR6 (8' and 2' respectively), followed by VR4 and VR7 (16' and 1' respectively).

Tuning of the whole instrument relative to another instrument is achieved by turning VR1.))))))))))))))

if this is beyond you - you may need to get someone techy to perfom this task."

Rare Vintage Analog Clef B30 Microsynth

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via this auction

"Here we have a Clef B30 Microsynth a 2 oscillator analog subtractive synthesiser from the late 70s early 80s

Designed by Allan Bradford who designed for WEM, Dawmer and Joe Meek. He was a also lecturer at Birmingham University.

From what i can gather its similar to a Jen SX-1000 and EDP Wasp."

You can find some additional info on the Microsynth here.

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CLEF B30

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CLEF MICROSYNTH B30
"featured as a Kit in Practical Electronics around 1982... the Synth could be bought professionally pre-built for £199 or as a complete kit for £129 - either way it was a small fortune in 1982... Two of the knobs have lost their coloured caps but I have sourced replacements from, surprise surprise, Maplins - the link is here.
Update via Richard in the comments: "I worked for Clef (what a weird outfit it was) between 82 & 85. This synth was the only product not designed in house, we licensed the design from Allan Bradford MSc who went on to design for Drawmer, 3G, WEM, Joe Meek, PMI and many others. The B30 was far more versatile than the Roland SH101 (which outsold us about a million to one) but it used only 1/3rd volt per octave control voltage which made tuning stability an issue if the PBC got damp, so we put silica gel in the demo model to keep it in tune! We sold 30 PCB's & cases to the government spies at GCHQ for their apprentices to build, so I always imagine there are 30 very stable B30's somewhere, due to using military grade components. I now have Allan Bradford's own very nicely constructed demo model, and would be very interested to hear from anyone who has a Clef String machine (working or not) which was also published in Practical Electronics but was only available as a kit. Contact me at hodgheg hotmail.com"

Clef Analog Mono Synth

via this auction

Update via Georg in the comments: "This is the B30 Microsynth from a company called CLEF PRODUCTS LIMITED from Bramhall, UK. It was sold as a kit as well in 1982.
I first thought the design looks like an BME, but I was wrong...

Georg."

Update via Hodgheg in the comments: "I used to sell these! Clef Products was a seriously weird place to work, I was there in the early 80's & left before they went bust. The Microsynth was the only instrument not designed in house; the designer was Allan Bradford MSc, at the time a lecturer in electronics at B'ham Uni. Good synth for the money, (£129 in kit form, £199 built) amazing variety of sounds but 1/3rd volt per octave meant tuning problems so bad that we used to put silica gel in the demo model to keep the humidity stable! I sold 30 bare pcb's to GCHQ (the listening spies) who wanted them for 30 new apprentices, presumably to teach them about soldering and/or interaction of waveforms. So I imagine somewhere there are a few Microsynths that stay in tune due to using military grade components:-)

If anyone wants to sell me one, contact me at hodgheg hotmail.com"