Roland D-50 vs D-110: Can You Hear the Difference?

video upload by Ian Dixon

"The Roland D-50 and Roland D-110 both come from Roland's late-80s Linear Arithmetic synthesis era, but do they actually sound the same? In this blind comparison I play similar D-50 and D-110 sounds side by side, including warm pads, Soundtrack, synth bells, electric pianos, synth brass, Fantasia/Fantasy style patches, and dual-layer sounds, then reveal which synth was which.

The D-50 is the classic performance synth behind so many iconic digital sounds, while the D-110 is the rackmount, multi-timbral workhorse built for MIDI studios. This test is about the real character of each instrument: the modulation, the shimmer, the effects, the PCM attack, and how close the D-110 can get to the D-50 in practice.

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GODWIN CD2 - 1980s - The First Ever Demo Of Rare Apparatus

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

Note this appears to be the first post to feature the GODWIN CD2.

00:00 Setting Up
00:41 Introduction
01:28 UPPER MANUAL : organ tabs and polyphonic presets
04:13 Solo Synth
05:07 Debunking the Mystery
06:19 Drum Machine
08:26 Three Quick Improvisations
09:47 Lower Manual : organ tabs, solo synth routing and arpeggiator
11:18 Musical Interlude
12:42 Bonus Musical Interlude

"A fresh video entry in the category 'Rare as a unicorn on stilts' - this mystifying auto-accompaniment machine organ and synth from Italys' Godwin is the only one we've ever encountered.

These type of sound generators were controlled by foot pedals and electronic accordions, generally in the hands of one-man-bands providing light entertainment in places where people congregated, imbibed alcoholic liquids and sometimes even got up and danced.
Remember those?
Ski resorts, beach clubs, dance halls, restaurants and hotels, for drinks or dinner.

The CD2 (we're not sure what the abbreviation actually stands for but we're guessing Computer Drums) is actually more than sequenced bass lines and chords though.
It's equipped with 2 separate preset- and organ sections and even a monophonic preset synth and the whole Shebang, unlike on many keyboards at the time, can be engaged simultaneously for massively wide and deep soundscapes.
All those sounds need lots of circuitry safely housed in a military grade flight case.
The GODWIN CD2 is well chunky, clocking in at a whopping 24 kilos.

The video explains most its specifications and includes a bit of history too but a summarisation would go something like this :

1. Sample Based Drum Machine with 16 Rhythms and 16 Drum Fills
2. Auto-Comp section with bass, chords and arpeggiator with 2 sounds
3. 2 x Organ Sections with 15 tabs total
4. 7 Polyphonic Preset Sounds
5. 7 Monophonic Synth Sounds
6. Various Chorus and Reverb Effects

If you're into rare Italian synths and drum machines you can subscribe to our channel and please check out our other videos of rare gems, but you might also enjoy the V.A.I. website, a photo book and encyclopedia Italian Vintage Synths and Drum Machines:

https://www.vintageaudioinstitute.com/"

Viscount Legend '70s MKII Acoustic Piano 2GB Module - All Playing, No Talking featuring Dan Trudell

video upload by Kraft Music

"Find exclusive Viscount Legend '70s MKII BUNDLES at Kraft Music: https://kraftmusic.com/collections/vi...

Pianist Dan Trudell plays the Legend '70s MKII with A. Piano 2GB module at Kraft Music.

/ dan.trudell.7
https://dantrudell.bandcamp.com/

Viscount Legend '70s MKII modular stage pianos take a genuinely original approach to the instrument category, allowing players to build and expand their sound engine over time by installing modules directly into the front panel. At its core is a dual-DSP main circuit, giving each installed module ample headroom for rich, detailed sound generation. The Artist-W is aimed at pianists who want an 88-key acoustic grand piano-style action; it ships with the A. Piano 2G module installed and four empty slots ready for expansion. The 73-key Compact is built for keyboardists whose focus is electric pianos, synths, and vintage keyboards, with the E. Piano module installed and three expansion slots available. Designed and built in Italy, Legend '70s MKII is for players who want a professional-grade foundation with room to grow.

Get more for your money with an exclusive Viscount Legend '70s MKII stage piano bundle from Kraft Music. These package deals include the accessories you'll need to get the most out of your new stage piano, all for one low price. If you have any questions, please contact us. Our knowledgeable sales advisors will be happy to assist in choosing the bundle that's right for you!"

Kawai K5000R Demo Part 2

video upload by Panu M Savolainen

Part 1 here

"Multitracked demo part 2 of Kawai K5000R. Additional reverb Eventide Space and delay has been used. These are factory patches tweaked with Macro controller. Controller looks pretty bad, but is fully working. Synth is missing power button cap, screen is worn and diskdrive won't work (should have usb-reader somewhere). Previously I have owned K5000R without controller but also K5000S and K5000W. Later ones has pretty good keyboards in my opinions...

Whole demo at Bandcamp:"

Roland JD-800 Sound Demo | 90s Synth Magic – Favorite Sounds

video upload by RetroSound

"legendary Roland JD-800! 🎹✨

In this sound demo, I’m playing several of my favorite sounds on this beautiful early-90s synthesizer, showcasing the unmistakable character and atmosphere of the Roland JD-800.

Released in 1991, the Roland JD-800 quickly became one of the most iconic digital synthesizers of its era. With its hands-on controls, powerful PCM sounds and unmistakable 90s character, it remains a favorite among synth enthusiasts, musicians and producers today.

In this video, you’ll hear the JD-800 in action through a selection of classic sounds that I personally love. No complicated technical breakdown — just the beautiful sound of this legendary synthesizer.

If you love vintage synthesizers, Roland keyboards, 90s electronic music and classic synth sounds, I hope you enjoy this little journey back in time."

Journey's Jonathan Cain Roland Jupiter 8 & Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 Rev3.3 Listing for Charity

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Retro Gear Shop

This one is in via Vince Ascoli.

via this eBay listing

"Jonathan Cain & Retro Gear Shop present the ultimate Journey fan package:

- Receive two historic synthesizers: Roland Jupiter 8 & Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 Rev 3.3

- Receive two Multi-Platinum Journey records signed by Jonathan Cain: Escape & Frontiers

- Meet Jonathan Cain for lunch!

- A portion of proceeds go to St. Jude’s Charity

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sonicware Introduces ELZ_1 core

video upload by SONICWARE

CLICK FOR MORE »

Technics SX-WSA1 Acoustic Modeling Synthesizer

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"Used Technics SX-WSA1 in very good condition, this one comes with it manual, plus the sound/combination/demo disk as well. Although their turntables are a lot more well known than their keyboards and workstations, Technics never ceases to amaze! With acoustic modeling technology and built in effects, this guy is the peak of 90's keyboards!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Viscount Legend 70s Clavi Module - All Playing, No Talking featuring Dan Trudell

video upload by Kraft Music

"Find exclusive Viscount Legend '70s MKII BUNDLES at Kraft Music:
https://kraftmusic.com/collections/vi...

Pianist Dan Trudell plays the Legend '70s MKII with Clavi module at Kraft Music.

/ dan.trudell.7
https://dantrudell.bandcamp.com/

Viscount Legend '70s MKII modular stage pianos take a genuinely original approach to the instrument category, allowing players to build and expand their sound engine over time by installing modules directly into the front panel. At its core is a dual-DSP main circuit, giving each installed module ample headroom for rich, detailed sound generation. The Artist-W is aimed at pianists who want an 88-key acoustic grand piano-style action; it ships with the A. Piano 2G module installed and four empty slots ready for expansion. The 73-key Compact is built for keyboardists whose focus is electric pianos, synths, and vintage keyboards, with the E. Piano module installed and three expansion slots available. Designed and built in Italy, Legend '70s MKII is for players who want a professional-grade foundation with room to grow.

Get more for your money with an exclusive Viscount Legend '70s MKII stage piano bundle from Kraft Music. These package deals include the accessories you'll need to get the most out of your new stage piano, all for one low price. If you have any questions, please contact us. Our knowledgeable sales advisors will be happy to assist in choosing the bundle that's right for you!"

just look at the past (Yamaha YM2151 + Yamaha YMZ280B)

video upload by Vivi The Pumpkin King

Fun video featuring the Yamaha YM2151 + Yamaha YMZ280B voice chips. Interstingly, you'll find previous posts mentioning the YM2151, but not the YMZ280B. This simply implies the YM2151 is more comonly used in DIY projects.

"The Yamaha YM2151, also known as OPM (FM Operator Type-M), is an 8-channel, 4-operator sound chip used for frequency modulation (FM) synthesis in 1980s arcade games, home computers, and synthesizers."

Key Features

Voices:

Plays up to 8 simultaneous sounds or channels.

Data Formats: Supports 4-bit ADPCM, 8-bit PCM, and 16-bit PCM waveform data.

Memory: Connects to up to 16 MB of external ROM or SRAM for storing sound data.

Output: Delivers stereo output with 4-bit/16-level panning for each individual voice.P

rocessors: Links with an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and can connect to a Yamaha YSS225 effects processor for extra channel processing."

"The Yamaha YMZ280B, also called PCMD8, is an 8-channel PCM and ADPCM sample-based sound chip made by Yamaha Corporation in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Key FeaturesChannels and Operators:

It supports 8 simultaneous channels of 8-note polyphony with 4 operators per channel.

Sound Generation: It includes built-in noise generators, LFOs for vibrato and amplitude modulation, and timer circuits.

Companion IC: It requires an external digital-to-analog converter (typically the Yamaha YM3012) to output stereo audio.

Common Uses

Arcade Machines: Atari's Marble Madness (1984) was the first arcade game to use the YM2151 for FM synthesis, leading to widespread adoption in arcade hardware.

Home Computers: It powered the sound boards in sharp computers like the Sharp X68000 and the Yamaha CX5M music computer.

Synthesizers: Yamaha utilized the chip in early budget keyboards and sound modules like the DX21, DX27, and DX100."

Incoming from SynTesla & Hans Zimmer's Massive System

via SynTesla

"Since it's back-to-school time, here's a glimpse of what's in store for us at work... We're not letting up!"

SynTesla 2026/2027 Lineup

5U PRODUCT LINE

1. Fourth quarter of 2026: Delivery of "MegaHertz" 5U systems

2. Production of the new Hz series 5U modules:
• Sequencer
• DCO
• Drone Engine
• Noise generator
• Exotic filter
• Wave Animator
• MSE (Multi-Segment Envelope)
• Barber Pole FX
• Stereo Reverb (cloud reverb type)
• Quad Reverb
• CV multiband resonator
• Hz Series master keyboards (61 keys, 4- or 8-channels CVs)

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Roland SR-JV80-08 Keyboards Of The 60s and 70s Expansion Board

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

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

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The Best String Synthesizer You Never Heard Of: Milton Gemichord 961

video upload by HAINBACH

"The Milton Gemichord 961 has kept me spellbound ever since I first played it at Museo Del Synth Marchigiano in 2021. It's a string/piano/brass/bass synth like many Italian keyboards of the time. But it sounds elegant and dramatic, also thanks to its "liturgic" section. It is utter unobtanium, with only three known to still exist. In this video, I want to see if its spell over me was induced more by its newness back then, or if its actually the paradise lost I remember it as.
Check out the sampled instrument and music here:
/ decent-sampler-2-166896316"

Additional Milton Gemichord 961 posts with demos

Janko Isomorphic keyboards Interview Superbooth 2026

video upload by Take the Fear out the Gear

"Hi everybody this time we bring you the Janko Isomorphic keyboards Interview Superbooth 2026"

ARP Quadra Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

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

via this Reverb listing

"ARP Quadra in great working condition. Serviced regularly by Custom Vintage Keyboards in Los Angeles, this synth has been upgraded with wooden end cheeks to replace the original leather ones, a brand new aftertouch system, as well as fully recapped, and calibrated. There are a few areas with paint chips pictured, but for its age, it is in remarkable shape. Power cord included.

Due to its size/shape and fragile nature, local pickup in Brooklyn only, or can arrange hand delivery within a few hours drive for an additional cost."

CLICK FOR MORE »

STRYDE AUDIO SWAYED (Yamaha SY77 and TG77 Emulator) - 64 Contemporary Presets - The AFM Sessions

video upload by RM Studios

"It’s always great to hear that a software company has released an emulator of one of our most beloved vintage synthesizers, the Yamaha SY77 (and, of course, the TG77).
It means that the legacy of these incredible instruments will live on, allowing more people to discover and enjoy the unique sound and character of these machines. And, even better, it means our sound banks are becoming increasingly compatible with contemporary studio setups, keeping these classic sounds alive and accessible to a new generation of musicians.

This soundset is made up of 64 custom voices, spanning from classic keyboards sounds, synths (both vintage and contemporary), useful combinations and even a small number of templates aimed at speeding up your own programming work.

It's available in two separate versions, one for the SY99 and one for the SY&TG77, with different Effects and AWM/RCM programming. Swayed reads the SY&TG77 format.

There's a handful of patches sounding a little different, so those are demoed separately in the video.

The soundset can be purchased through the following link:

https://robertomacri.wixsite.com/home..."

Ranger FX Snare Trap Rhythm Device

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Noise Generator

Note the video above is from 5 years ago. This appears to be the first post to feature the Snare Trap.

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

via Ranger FX:

"The Snare Trap is a drum machine you play guitar or synth/keyboards through! It’s designed to be used either on the desktop – by hand – or on the floor – by foot. The drum sounds are bass drum, snare, and hi-hat, and these can be individually triggered externally by a CV – so it’s very useful for modular synthesists.

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A. G. Cook presents SuperStarSaw | Native Instruments

video upload by Native Instruments

"Presented by A. G. Cook, SuperStarSaw pushes stacked saw synthesis to its extremes. Create huge supersaws, impossible glides, blissed-out harmonies, and controlled chaos from a single playable instrument – without the need for endless layering and automation."

Playlist:

1. A. G. Cook presents SuperStarSaw | Native Instruments
2. Discover SuperStarSaw with A. G. Cook | Native Instruments
3. SuperStarSaw synth walkthrough | Native Instruments



Native Instruments and A. G. Cook turn his signature supersaw into a custom instrument you can play

The PC Music founder and 2025 BRIT Producer of the Year brings the stacked saw sound known for Charli xcx, and Caroline Polachek to a single synthesizer — built from his own patches

Berlin, July 16, 2026: Native Instruments has today launched SuperStarSaw, a synthesizer co-created with GRAMMY-winning A. G. Cook, British producer, PC Music founder, and one of the key architects of contemporary pop's defining sonic palette.

Supersaws, multiple sawtooth waves layered and slightly detuned against each other, are responsible for some of modern pop's most immediately recognisable textures: the wide, lush, harmonically dense quality running through Cook's work with Charli xcx, Beyoncé, Caroline Polachek, and Oklou. Building them has always meant painstaking multi-instance layering, a process Cook had refined over years of his own production work, and which became the starting point for what followed. The instrument grew out of a two-year collaboration with Native Instruments' design team, who worked directly from Cook's patches and production sessions to turn one of modern pop's most coveted sounds into something you can actually play.

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Introducing the Synido TempoKEY K32 Play!

video upload by Musical Miscellany & More

"The folks at @synidotech asked me to help launch their latest MIDI controller, the TempoKey K32. It's unique in that it's not just a MIDI controller but also includes a synth engine. In this video, I take a look at a pre-release model."

DISCOUNT CODE (Europe): SYNIDOK32 | Expires:August 30, 2026
Purchase link (Europe): https://www.synido.com/s/k32

Intro - 0:00
Unboxing & Overview - 1:26
Internal Synth Engine - 3:31
Using the Editor - 5:24
Direct Audio - 6:47
Using with Soft Synth - 8:15
Using the Arpeggiator - 10:08
Additional Features - 11:30
Using with Hardware Synth - 12:45
Final Thoughts - 14:24

And one from 2-Minute Warning:

The Key - 4-Minute Jam (TempoKEY K32 Play + Taiga + DFAM)

video upload by 2-Minute Warning

"This video is a little different for two reasons!

First, it's the first time I'm featuring an instrument kindly provided by a manufacturer. Synido sent me the TempoKEY K32 Play to explore in my own workflow and share my honest impressions.

They didn't ask for a scripted review, so I simply approached it the same way I approach every other instrument on this channel: by making music with it.

Secondly... this is exceptionally a 4-minute jam!

Think of it as two consecutive 2-minute performances before I take a short summer break. 😊

Rather than trying to showcase every feature of the K32 as a MIDI controller (Bluetooth MIDI, battery power, USB/MIDI connectivity, pads, knobs, etc.), I wanted to focus on what intrigued me the most: its built-in General MIDI sound engine.

For this performance, the Hapax sequences the entire setup. The Taiga handles the bass, the DFAM takes care of the analog drums (synchronized by the Hapax), while the K32 Play provides everything else: guitars, strings, bells, plucks, additional drum sounds… and occasionally runs through the Eventide H90 for a bit of extra space and texture.

As always, the musical performance itself was recorded in a single take. Mixing/mastering was done afterwards in Ableton Live, but the performance you hear is exactly as it happened.

A sincere thank you to Synido. Without their message, this musical experiment probably wouldn't have happened."

✅ PLAY THE MOMENT INSPIRATION HITS

Most MIDI keyboards need a computer and software to make a sound. K32 doesn't. Built-in sounds and speakers let you play instantly--couch,classroom, anywhere.

✅ 32 KEYS, MORE ROOM

25 keys feel cramped for chords and melody together. The K32's 32-key layout gives your hands space to play naturally.

✅ WIRELESS, GO ANYWHERE

BLE MIDI + Battery. Create from the couch, backstage, in class, or on a plane.

✅ GROWS WITH YOU

Connect another MIDI controller and use the K32 as a standalone sound module. Compact setup, maximum flexibility.

✅ INSTANT SOUND SWITCHING

Save favorite instruments to the KEY Sound buttons. Jump from piano to synth to bass with one press. No menu-diving.

✅ HANDS-ON CONTROL

8 assignable knobs, 8 drum pads, and a clear OLED display. Adjust, beat, and perform in real time—no mouse needed.

✅ FOR EVERY STAGE OF YOUR JOURNEY

From first beat to live performance, K32 adapts to your workflow. Start simple. Grow into it. Create without limits.

✅ FAST WIRELESS PAIRING

CLICK FOR MORE »

MiniMoog Program for Akai MPC4000, Z4, Z8 Samplers

video upload by TONELAB

"Listen with Headphones if possible.

Quite possibly, the closest thing to having a 'Moog Plugin' inside your MPC4000, Z4 or Z8. Rather than settle for a traditional 'multi-sampled' Instrument, having only a few or a dozen (at most) Samples onboard, and declaring it a 'MiniMoog'. I wondered, 'why not capture EVERY KEY from the original Model D MiniMoog?' ..and give one of the most celebrated Synthesizers of all time the closest possible incarnation on Akai's most revered Samplers of all time?!

Furthermore, the MPC4000 is quite a beast, in that, it can Sample at 24-bit / 48kHz, which is perfect to capture such a prized vintage Synth that's revered for it's thick, rich tonality. From that point, I wanted it for myself.

And so, with the labor done, we now have, what I consider, the most ambitious MPC of all-time loaded with arguably, the most celebrated Synth of all time.. and well, here's the result.

A first look at this labor of love, and I can't tell you how good it felt to finally play chords with sounds from a vintage Model D! ..evidently, I overloaded the MPCs internal Mixer, but, knowing full well I did overload the MPCs output, I didn't think it was necessary to sugar-coat the 'first look', and thought, this 'overloading' was just as important to include as the rest of it. As one could expect, if you played 5 MiniMoogs side-by-side.. you too, would probably overload what ever Mixer they're running into, too.

A simple reduction in resonance and/or Program volume, and there's more headroom to reach with those 'wider' chords.

Anyway, warts n' all, here it is, just as I was discovering in real-time. The nature of all of 88 individually cut and looped Samples playing alongside each other. Something the original MiniMoog simply can not do.

Here's hoping you enjoy this fascinating discovery of how the MPC4000 'sounds' when faithfully loaded up with 88 Samples from an original 1976 MiniMoog Model D's Ramp Oscillator! (Actually the MiniMoog offered 96, but as most MIDI Keyboards offer up to 88 keys, I stuck with 88.

PS. 5 more MiniMoog-shapes coming soon!

https://store.tonelab.au/collections/mpc4000"

John Bowen Solaris for keyboard.