The Rarest Guitar Effect Ever: EMS Synthi Hi-Fli

video upload by foleytronics fx repair

"Here we have one of 350 EMS Synthi Hi-Fli multi-effects boxes; this one showed up with a very loud buzz and, after figuring that out, no audible suboctave. It is now working perfectly and oh so much fun to play with, as you can tell by the look on Dan's face in this video and thumbnail.

We also made use of Brandt's TC Electronic 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay, which are amazing for adding depth and width to any signal."

EMS SYNTHI "Think of a Sound" Brochure

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via this listing

"Rare A3 double page EMS Synthi synthesizers range
In colour glossy paper
Synthi 100
Synthi AKS
Synthi VCS3
Synthi Sequencer
Synthi Hi-fli
Modules..."

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PINK FLOYD The Dark Side Of The Moon Miniature Project 50 Years - Handmade Miniatures 1/6 scale

video upload by Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira ROLT

The synths, keyboards, and effects used in Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon.


Hammond RT-3 Organ + Leslie 122 Speaker
EMS SYNTHI AKS
EMS VCS3 Putney
Fender Rhodes 73 Stage Electric Piano
Farfisa Combo-Duo Organ
Steinway Baby Grand Piano
Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Moog Minimoog
Binson Echorec 2
EMS SYNTHI HI-FLI Guitar Synthesizer
Hiwatt 100 AMP

EMS SYNTHI HI-FLI GUITAR SYNTHESIZER - Handmade Miniature 1/6 scale

video upload by Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira ROLT

Custom Racked EMS Synthi Hi-Fli Guitar Synth

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This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

You can find additional posts featuring the EMS Synthi Hi-Fli here.

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New DIGITANA E.M.S Synthi 100 Dual High Pass Filter Rack

video upload by Steven Thomas

"Testing the new Dual High Pass Filter rack FX built under license from E.M.S (Cornwall) by Digitana Electronics and Portabellabz. This filter was originally found in the E.M.S Synthi 100 synthesizer. The unit has the exact same form factor as classic E.M.S rack effects modules from the 1970s.

https://www.synthi.co.uk/synthi-100-m..."

"This is a new 19” rack module built under license from EMS (Cornwall) by Digitana Electronics (UK/Italy) and PORTABELLABZ (Belgium). It is a 100% faithful reproduction of the Dual High Pass Filter (DHPF) section found on early versions of the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesiser. An original spare ‘Mk1’ DHPF PCB from a Synthi 100 was kindly loaned by Robin at EMS and then faithfully reconstructed using the same trace artwork/layouts, via modern PCB design software. The PCBs are very high quality with ENS gold plated card edge contacts and traces. The same components as found in the original circuit are used throughout.

The DHPF rack case was deliberately chosen to be the same design as those found in the classic EMS rack instruments from the 1970s such as the Random Voltage Generator, Pitch to Voltage Converter, Octave Filter Bank etc. These were created in CAD from original engineering drawings kindly made available by Robin at EMS. The 1U high chassis is formed from 3mm silver anodised front/rear panels which are connected by solid aluminium side blocks and then 2mm anodised aluminium top/bottom covers. This allows the rack to be safely mounted in standard 19” rack enclosures. The panel graphics use anodic digital printing technology which is far more resistant to wear than silk screened graphics. Original control knobs/coloured inserts/jack sockets made by Cliff Plastics are also used to meticulously maintain authentic EMS design.

An optional beautiful wood rack sleeve is available with the exact same design as found in vintage units. These are made from Afrormosia hardwood (now on the protected species list) just like the original. The wood is ethically sourced from existing historical stock.

Inside the DHPF, the only change compared to 1970s rack modules has been to use a modern (and safer) switch mode PSU. This also has the advantage of allowing a wider range of operating mains voltages (from 98v–220v AC).

The Synthi 100 was designed by David Cockerell and the high pass filter design itself is rather unusual compared to other high high pass filters found in synthesisers. It has CV control of frequency cutoff but also has a response control which can control feedback of the output, creating a resonant peak that at extremes pushes the filter into self-oscillation. The use of diode ‘strings’ in the CV control section of frequency is quite unusual and is reminiscent of the same principle he used in his (later) Synthi Hi-Fli design, although there the filters sections are used to phase shift the input signal.

The high pass filter is capable of easily removing the fundamental in any audio passed through and then the first harmonic as the cutoff frequency is increased. By increasing also the response, the higher frequencies are boosted in a mix and eventually the filter will self-oscillate.

The two filters in the module are identical and a central three-way toggle switch has positions series, off and parallel."

Richard H Kirk: A tribute to his music and legacy

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We pay tribute to the pioneering electronic musician Richard H Kirk, passed away on September 21, 2021. He was a member of the group Cabaret Voltaire, whose mix of experimental electronics and dada sensibilities was very influential in the 1970s, and work in the 1980s combining electronics and pop elements influenced industrial music. Kirk continued to record and perform as a solo artist from the 1990s onward. He reformed Cabaret Voltaire as a solo project in 2009.

We send our thoughts to his family, friends, and collaborators."

Cabaret Voltaire ‎– The Dada Man

video upload by svspls

"Cabaret Voltaire ‎– 1974-76 (1980 / 1992)"

Cabaret Voltaire - Voice Of America (Celebration)

video upload by jmj321

"From the Granada arts program 'Celebration', broadcast in 1980. Unfortunately the Cabs were at the end of the program and cut short somewhat."

Featuring the EMS SYNTHI Hi-Fli

CABARET VOLTAIRE - SENSORIA

video upload by vicoland

"Classic song from the pioners of the industrial rock."

Sweet Exorcist - Testone

video upload by Galgo23

"1990 promo directed by Jarvis Cocker"

"Sweet Exorcist Testone. 1990 single charting at #85 in the UK in February 1990. Official music video 90s 90's if everything's ready here on the dark side of the moon play the five tones house techno test one. ohnoitisnathan" w/ DJ Parrot

Featuring the EMS SYNTHI VCS 3 / The Putney

Richard H. Kirk - November X-Ray Mexico

video upload by Warp Records

"'November X-Ray Mexico' appears on 'Virtual State' (WARP19) by Richard H. Kirk, his first solo album for Warp released 31st January 1994."

Human Spirit

video upload by Sandoz - Topic

Guitar Synth And Midi Book

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via this auction

EMS SYNTHI HI FLI pictured in chapter 2, Historical Perspectives.

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EMS Founder Peter Zinovieff Has Passed Away

Update: Image of Peter Zinovieff (previously in via Brian Kehew).

"Circa 1975: A photo from the Frankfurt Music Fair

Peter Zinovieff in the EMS synthesizer booth.

They are featuring the rare SYNTHI P model, just announced on the left side and stand. Underneath the board listing EMS musical artists is a SYNTHI HI-FLI effects unit is barely seen. Another unusual/prototype model is next to the Hi-Fli."


Peter Zinovieff and Electronic Music Studios video upload by JeffreyPlaide


Peter Zinovieff: Synth Pioneer video upload by Sound On Sound magazine Jul 21, 2016


Peter Zinovieff talks about modern musical interfaces video upload by Expressive E Jan 6, 2016


Peter Zinovieff feature uploaded by Erica Synths on Nov 23, 2020. This was the latest video to feature Peter Zinovieff that I am aware of.


Peter Zinovieff interview 2015 video upload by 香港電子音樂社 Hong Kong Electronic Music Society Jun 30, 2015


Dr Peter Zinovieff intro & performance excerpt - Deliaphonic 2017 video upload by Deliaphonic Aug 29, 2018

And a few perspectives from others:

Bright Sparks Behind The Scenes - The Brits video by GForce Software published Feb 16, 2021

Cosmic Tape Music Club Podcast hosted by The Galaxy Electric - E1 Peter Zinovieff

video by The Galaxy Electric published Jan 27, 2021

Peter Zinovieff Electronic Calendar

video by Mark Jenkins published Dec 9, 2019 - Electronic Calendar available through this post.

You can find a history of posts mentioning Peter Zinovieff here.

via The Guardian

"Peter Zinovieff, a hugely influential figure in British music whose early synthesisers helped to change the sound of pop, has died aged 88. He had suffered a fall at home earlier this month.

With its marketing slogan 'think of a sound – now make it', his company Electronic Music Studios (EMS) was one of the first to bring synthesisers out of studios and to the public. With products such as the portable VCS3 and Synthi A, EMS customers – including David Bowie, Kraftwerk, the Who, Tangerine Dream and Pink Floyd – were often taught to use the instruments by Zinovieff.

In 1967 he collaborated with Paul McCartney on Carnival of Light, a performance of a 14-minute avant garde composition created between Beatles sessions for Penny Lane that has never been released.

He was also a respected composer of his own work, including early experiments with AI composition and sampling – he claimed to have invented the latter technique." You can read the full post here.

via Wikipedia:

"Peter Zinovieff (26 January 1933 – 23 June 2021) was a British engineer and composer, whose EMS company made the VCS3 synthesizer in the late 1960s. The synthesizer was used by many early progressive rock bands such as Pink Floyd[3] and White Noise, and Krautrock groups[4] as well as more pop-oriented artists, including Todd Rundgren and David Bowie. In later life he worked primarily as a composer of electronic music.

Zinovieff was born on 26 January 1933;[5] his parents, Leo Zinovieff and Sofka, née Princess Sophia Dolgorouky, were both Russian aristocrats, who met in London after their families had emigrated to escape the Russian Revolution and soon divorced.[6] During World War II he and his brother Ian lived with their grandparents in Guildford and then with their father in Sussex. He attended Guildford Royal Grammar School, Gordonstoun School and Oxford University, where he earned a doctorate in geology.[7][8]

Zinovieff's work followed research at Bell Labs by Max Mathews and Jean-Claude Risset, and an MIT thesis (1963) by David Alan Luce.[9] In 1966–67, Zinovieff, Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson ran Unit Delta Plus, an organisation to create and promote electronic music. It was based in the studio Zinovieff had built, in a shed at his house in Putney. (The house is near the Thames, and the studio was later partially destroyed by a flood).[10][11] EMS grew out of MUSYS, which was a performance controller operating as an analogue-digital hybrid.[12] It was a synthesiser system which Zinovieff developed with the help of David Cockerell and Peter Grogono, and used two DEC PDP-8 minicomputers and a piano keyboard.[13] Unit Delta Plus ran a concert of electronic music at the Watermill Theatre in 1966, with a light show. In early 1967 they performed in concerts at The Roundhouse, at which the Carnival of Light was also played; they split up later in 1967.[11] Paul McCartney had visited the studio, but Zinovieff had little interest in popular music.[14]

In 1968, part of the studio was recreated at Connaught Hall, for a performance of pieces by Justin Connolly and David Lumsdaine.[15] At the IFIP congress that year, the composition ZASP by Zinovieff with Alan Sutcliffe took second prize in a contest, behind a piece by Iannis Xenakis.[16]

In 1969, Zinovieff sought financing through an ad in The Times but received only one response, £50 on the mistaken premise it was the price of a synthesiser. Instead he formed EMS with Cockerell and Tristram Cary.[17] At the end of the 1960s, EMS Ltd. was one of four companies offering commercial synthesizers, the others being ARP, Buchla, and Moog.[18] In the 1970s Zinovieff became interested in the video synthesizer developed by Robert Monkhouse, and EMS produced it as the Spectron.[19]

Jon Lord of Deep Purple described Zinovieff as "a mad professor type": "I was ushered into his workshop and he was in there talking to a computer, trying to get it to answer back".[20] Trevor Pinch and Frank Trocco, in their history of the synthesizer revolution, see him rather as aristocratically averse to "trade".[21]

Zinovieff wrote the libretto for Harrison Birtwistle's opera The Mask of Orpheus,[22] and also the words for Nenia: The Death of Orpheus (1970).[23] The section Tristan's Folly in Tristan (1975) by Hans Werner Henze included a tape by Zinovieff."

Update:

Peter Zinovieff: A Tribute by CatSynth TV

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We look back at the life and work of Peter Zinovieff, who passed away last week at the age of 88. His work at Electronic Music Studios (EMS) was a major influence on musicians of the 1970s and beyond. At EMS, he co-created the well-known and coveted VCS3 and Synthi series. But he was also a composer in his own right, working on pioneering electronic music in the 1960s and returning to active composition in the 2010s with several collaborations with artists in other media and exploring massive sound spatialization.

Additional background music provided via the Arturia Synthi V as a tribute."

You can find additional posts featuring Peter Zinovieff here.

EMS Synthi Hi Fli - like new in original box 1973 (HiFli Hi-Fli)

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via this auction

"I know, big whoop.. you see these pop up.. so what?.. maybe there are even a few for sale....however, how many do you see that are completely stock, functional and even include the original shipping box?..

exactly... This is an EMS or effects collectors dream!

Later model Hi-Fli with the matching pedals (rare) has the growl feature.. sounds incredible.."

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EMS Synthi Hi-Fli SN 9206

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via this auction

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EMS SYNTHI HI-FLI PROTOTYPE 1 of 10 *Serviced* David Gilmour Guitar Synth

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via this auction

"A very rare prototype Synthi Hi-Fli, dating from 1972, in excellent condition following a full overhaul by EMS earlier this year.
One of only ten pre-production units made in 1972. David Gilmour reputedly still owns two of them…

Ultra-rare prototype EMS Synthi Hi-Fli – this is a knob-twiddler’s dream of an effect and the ultimate in hens’ teeth: your guitar will never sound the same again.

Different sound and spec to a standard Hi-Fli – this is the second such unit we’ve had and it broke my heart to sell the last one (I’ve been a committed HiFli nut since I bought my first one many years ago and have always had at least one in the studio ever since).

The prototypes don’t have the growl function, which was introduced about 18 months later. Production Hi-Flis all have the Buzz switch, but only the first ten prototypes had the Fuzz switch, which adds some interesting colouration to the up and down-octave sounds.

Ten production prototype Hi-Flis were made in 1972 but a redesign quickly followed the launch at the Frankfurt Fair to try to reduce the factory cost (the prototype design is not especially ergonomic for a guitar player to use – you have to lean back somewhat to access the pedals underneath the main unit). This original design features a removable aluminium pole which plugs into the underside of the main console and the top of the base unit, acting both as a stand and a conduit for power and signal connections (pole not included with this unit). The heavy-duty nylon-dipped base houses the power supply and sturdy twin pedals.

Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd is reputed to still have two of these original units, which, according to Phil Taylor were first used for the Dark Side of The Moon tour that started in May 1973 at Earls Court. Opinion is divided as to whether a Hi-Fli featured on the DSOTM recordings: I can only say that it certainly sounds like it did.
Number one in Analogman Tom’s list of rare guitar effects from his excellent book.
Used by David Gilmour – see this Gilmourish blog for further details – he bought a prototype in 1972 and from what he recalls it was “very, very expensive”; Gilmourish also suggest it was used during the recording of Dark Side Of The Moon

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SX-1 Stand Alone EMS SYNTHI AKS KS Expander From Digitana

Update: a disclaimer via the Digitana website worth noting:

"IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

All products on this website use Digitana Electronic's original designs, with the exception of the EMS Synthi Hi-FLi re-release, which is built under license from EMS. No use is made of EMS circuits or other intellectual property belonging to EMS. Digitana Electronics is not affiliated to EMS, which is run by Robin Wood.

If you want the real Synthi sound, you still have to go with Analogue Systems which are the only ones making modules under license."

Original post:

via synth.co.uk

"This product is still in development and the final list of features on production units may change.

The SX-1 is a 'stand alone expander' based around the Synthi AKS KS Expander (described elsewhere on this website). It is the result of ongoing collaborations between Digitana Electronics and the legendary UK band The Future Sound of London. It shares all the features of the Synthi AKS KS Expander but requires no Synthi to use it (though one can of course be used with it) and in addition has a host of new features described below.

SX-1 FEATURES

DUAL ANALOGUE VCO
Each VCO features sine/triangle and square waves and 'wave-folding' (voltage controlled) that adds higher harmonics/distortion to each waveform for amazingly rich and varied timbres, even unfiltered! Each VCO is frequency controllable via CV1 or CV2 which can either be external or MIDI generated from the built in MIDI-CV converter or 'free running'. The frequency range of the VCOs is very wide, from LFO to high frequency audio. Two modulating waveforms are available (speed controlled by the Sample & Hold clock or LFO) via toggle switches to modulate the wave-folding of VCO1 and VCO2. These same waveforms are also available to modulate CV1 and CV2. All VCO1 and VCO2 waveforms are individually available either 'pre' or 'post' the filter/envelope/delay/distortion sections via 3.5 mm jacks.

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Rare EMS Musonic Hi-Fli Synthi SN 9241

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

via this auction

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Original EMS Synthi Hi Fli Analog Guitar Synth / Effects Ultra Rare

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

via this auction

Pic of the inside below.

"Truly an amazing piece of gear, that is actually more like a real instrument, with all of it's subtleties. There are literally endless possibilities for what can be done with it. There are 2 pedals, 2 sides, each parameter with it's own slider and a separate switch to reverse or disengage the pedal affect. Take a look at the rotary switch. Each click of this switch opens a different world of sound sculpting..."

Note it was manufactured by EMS in England for Musonics in the US. You can see it noted under the Bypass Mix towards the bottom center of the front panel.

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Electric Dream: Twelve Instruments ⚡︎ One Girl

Published on Oct 26, 2015 Clara Venice

"'Electric Dream' now available on iTunes ⚡︎ http://apple.co/1Mfidy5

⚡︎

Go behind the scenes with me at the National Music Centre as I record my newest EP, "Electric Dream" using some rare electronic instruments from their collection (and one not-so-rare instrument from mine!)

⚡︎

Instruments used:

1. Chime-a-tron
2. Linn LM-1
3. Oberheim Four Voice
4. Buchla Lighting
5. EMS Synthi Hi-Fli
6. Stylophone
7. RCA Theremin
8. Ableton Live
9. Oberheim OB-Xa
10. T.O.N.T.O.
11. Hammond Novachord
12. Neumann U-87 "

CLARA ♡ VENICE | "ELECTRIC DREAM" EP TRAILER - Featuring TONTO, Theremini & More

Published on Sep 3, 2015 Clara Venice

Synth spotting: Moog Theremini, Waldorf XT & Pulse racks, TONTO, RCA Theremin, Roland XP-30, Oberheim TVS, EMS SYNTHI Hi-Fli?, Moog Theremin, Stylophone & More. Quite a bit for a 1:51 promo reel!

"THE NEW EP IS COMING THIS FALL!! ★

I'm so excited to announce that my second EP, "Electric Dream" is coming October 2015! For Canadian/European tour dates, as well as more release info, videos and music, I'll be posting more details here and on my social sites so come connect with me (links below) and I will keep you posted!"

Tangerine Dream - Live at Conventry Cathedral 1975

Published on Mar 18, 2012

"Tangerine Dream at Coventry Cathedral. 1975. U.K. Ricochet.: Edgar Froese, Chris Franke, Peter Baumann. For more information about TD's music visit the Official Website: http://www.tangerinedream-music.com/i..."

Thought I posted this one before but couldn't find it, so here it is. Enjoy!

See if you can spot all the synths. Let me know if I missed any below!

Moog modular (any other brand modules?), EMS SYNTHI, VC3S & SYNTHI Hi-Fli, ELKA Rhapsody 610, PPG 1020, & ARP 2600. Anyone remember what that is at 2:20? I know I've seen it before but forget.

EMS SYNTHI HI-FLI SN 0031

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

via this auction

"For sale is this vintage 1973 EMS Synthi Hi-Fli synthesizer. This example, serial number 0311, is in very good all original condition. It includes a pair of reissue expression pedals, as well as, 8 of 9 original EMS slider caps. This 220v unit has been completely tested and it works perfectly."

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Peter Zinovieff in the EMS Synthesizer Musikmesse Booth Circa 1975

This one in via Brian Kehew

"Circa 1975: A photo from the Frankfurt Music Fair

Peter Zinovieff in the EMS synthesizer booth!

They are featuring the rare SYNTHI P model, just announced on the left side and stand. Underneath the board listing EMS musical artists is a SYNTHI HI-FLI effects unit is barely seen. Another unusual/prototype model is next to the Hi-Fli."