Felix Visser, the Man Behind Synton Has Passed Away

Some sad news in. Felix Visser, the man behind Synton and such synth clasics as the Syrinx, Fenix, 3000 series modular, and more, has passed away. He recently worked with This Is Not Rocket Science on their Fenix synthesizer as well as the inspiration behind the AnalogFX SER-2020. We lost one of the greats, a synth pioneer.

via Wikipedia:

"Synton was a manufacturer and distributor of high-end electronic music equipment in the Netherlands. They were one of the principal importers of music equipment from E-Mu, Ensoniq, and Fairlight in Europe. Felix Visser, the founder of Synton began the company in 1973 after purchasing an EMS Synthi AKS and setting out to produce similar equipment with more of the functionality that he was looking for in an analog synth. Eventually, the company developed Synton Syntovox vocoders as well as the System 2000 and System 3000 modular synthesizers that were sold to Karlheinz Stockhausen and distributed in the United States by Bob Moog's Big Briar Inc. In 1983, Felix Visser, product specialist Marc Paping, and designer Bert Vermeulen created the Synton Syrinx, a monophonic analog synthesizer that contained unique features such as a metal touchplate for manipulating sound as well as a formant filter."

The image on the left is a screenshot from an interview with him at the 2018 Soundmit synth event (embedded below and previously featured here).

See the Synton label for numerous posts featuring his creations.


video upload by Soundmit

The Florian Schneider Collection to Be Auctioned at JULIEN*S November 19

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

via JULIEN*S

"THE FLORIAN SCHNEIDER COLLECTION

Auction to be held at Musician's Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville, on November 19

An incredible collection of more than 450 artifacts from the life and career of Florian Schneider, co-founder of the pioneer electronic band Kraftwerk."

Pics and videos featuring some of the gear below, and his Lederhosen for good measure (thanks greg!).

Update: the post has been fully updated with all the synth related gear. This may just well be the longest post to be featured on the site. I wanted to capture all the pics for all of the details including notes, scuffs, and of course serial numbers. It's an interesting look into what he used, the condition he keped his gear, in some cases, how he actually used his gear. Note the phonetics on the keys of the Casio CZ-101 and DX-100. Note the Midi Switch Box with a built-in speaker? What's that about? Note the camouflage key strap on the Korg RK-100 Remote Keyboard. Did he pick it out himself or did the keytar just come with it? Note the repeat midi controllers and the MIDI saxaphones. Wind was his primary instrument. You'll find a ton of the acoustic gear he used in the other listings. This is a fascinating insight into both what and how he used his gear.

Side note: there is no affiliate compensation for this post. The note at the top automatically shows for all posts with the Auction label.


Rack Mount Sennheiser VSM-201 Vocoder

Starting Bid $5,000

Estimate $20,000 - $40,000 USD

A late 1970s Sennheiser VSM 201 Vocoder with no serial number from the personal studio and collection of Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk (see images). While it’s said that only a few dozen of these Vocoders were produced, a few examples made it into the hands of forward-thinking musical artists including Herbie Hancock, Daft Punk, and of course, Kraftwerk, who used a VSM-201 like this on their albums Man Machine (1978) and Computerworld (1981). The VSM-201 has an intelligible sound that has not yet been bested by modern gear. Includes power cable. This VSM-201 has been removed from its wooden enclosure (which bears the serial number plate) and modified with a metal rack mount casing, presumably for live use. Requires 240v, IEC power cable not included.

Dimensions: 19 x 9 x 9 inches

Category: Kraftwerk, Equipment

Provenance: PROVENANCE From the Estate of Florian Schneider

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EMS -Synthi E 1975 Vintage Modular Synthesiser demonstration

video upload by Richard Scott

"Just renovated by the excellent Constantin at Portabellabz. It recently came into my position after sitting in a cupboard unheard for decades. It is weird cranky, and the controllers are uh, unpredictable but it certainly has some charm. This is just recorded on my phone using the Synthi's internal speaker. It even runs on batteries,though I haven't tried it yet"

EMS Synthi E

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

via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"This special Synthi-E was in prior use by a music school for the blind and the panel was damaged by the sign language stickers hence we decide to be serviced. It just came back from service from EMS experts Portabellabz (Invoice included) - It was modified for 3,5mm jacks instead of the non-standard jacks. - A new power supply is also supplied. - As the Slider Keyboard was unable to restore, it was decided to put in just a 'panel' instead of the actual slider keyboard. Parts are included in the purchase if you want to convert it. - Due to the age, pots are still scratchy despite being cleaned, but this gets substancially better when used more often. Panel has been reworked by Audiocustom.pl - Service alone is around 1400 EUR worth."

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ALPHALAB AUDIO: 🎛️ EMS AKS SYNTHI (1975) - Restauro completo 🎛️

video upload by SOUNDMIT

"Nel nostro laboratorio Alphalab Audio di Torino, specializzato nella riparazione e restauro di strumenti musicali elettronici, abbiamo avuto il piacere di lavorare su un EMS SYNTI AKS che proprio in questi mesi ha compiuto 50 anni!

Lo strumento presentava diverse modifiche eseguite nel tempo e non perfettamente funzionanti, il proprietario ci ha quindi commissionato un ripristino totale della macchina.

E' stata rivista la matrice, sono stati cambiati i pot con gli originali multi-giro, sono stati sostituiti alcuni componenti non più performanti ed è stata eseguita la taratura completa.

Anche la tastiera è stata restaurata e tarata.

Se hai un synth o uno strumento musicale elettronico da restaurare, affidati ai nostri tecnici!"

Googlish:

"In our Alphalab Audio laboratory in Turin, specialized in the repair and restoration of electronic musical instruments, we had the pleasure of working on an EMS SYNTI AKS that just recently turned 50!

The instrument had several modifications made over time and not working perfectly, so the owner commissioned us to completely restore the machine.

The matrix was revised, the pots were changed with the original multi-turn ones, some components that were no longer performing were replaced and the complete calibration was performed.

The keyboard was also restored and calibrated.

If you have a synth or an electronic musical instrument to restore, trust our technicians!"

EMS Brochures

via this listing

"AKS - VCS3 - Synthi 100 - Synthi Sequencer 256 - Keybord DK2 & KS - Hifli - Synthi E -Vocoder - Vocoder 2000 - UIniversal Sequencer - Pitch to voltage converter - 8 octave filter bank"

Update: accidental repeat post. You can find the original with additional pics here.

Hans Zimmer 'RadioPhonic' Synth @ Superbooth 24 w/ AJH Synth

video upload by AJH Synth Official

"Hans Zimmer's 'RadioPhonic' Synth from AJH Synth @ Superbooth 24 - This monster MiniMod Eurorack modular system was commissioned by Hans himself, and he was kind enough to allow us to build a limited number of exact replicas which will be individually built to order by AJHSynth. Full details of the system, along with an interview with Hans Zimmer about his use of the MiniMod system, can be found at https://ajhsynth.com.
We will have one such RadioPhonic system on display in our bungalow at Superbooth 24, along with a MinMod Keyz, a 9U full system, and a huge monster case full of AJH modules.
Richard Quirk, and Wayne Taylor (DreamsOfWires/Tomorrow the cure) will also be there representing AJH with Allan J Hall himself. We'd be glad to chat about the modules and demonstrate some in action, so feel free to pop by.

The AJH SYNTH Eurorack range consists of high-end modules, all hand-made in the UK, most of which are based on classic, vintage designs, authentically recreating the circuitry of much sought-after analogue instruments and technologies of the past, whilst greatly expanding them, and bringing them to modern Eurorack levels of convenience, limitless flexibility, and reliability.
Official website page: https://ajhsynth.com"

Update: press release and pics follow:

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EMS Brochures / Product Sheets

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

via this listing

"Binder of 12 original EMS product sheets

AKS - VCS3 - Synthi 100 - Synthi Sequencer 256 - Keybord DK2 & KS - Hifli - Synthi E -Vocoder - vocoder 2000 - UIniversal Sequencer - Pitch to voltage converter - 8 octave filter bank"

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"My Planet, Arrakis, Is So Beautiful When The Sun Is Low" (EMS Synthi A, Cocoquantus 2, Osmose)

video upload by PanicGirlVids

"'My planet, Arrakis, is so beautiful when the sun is low.
Rolling over the sands, you can see spice in the air.'

This is a Dune inspired track that I made with my EMS Synthi A, Ciat-Lonbarde Cocoquantus 2, Expressive E Osmose, Emergence Audio Cello & Viola Textures & Felt Instruments.

Even though I haven’t seen the new Dune movie yet I keep on reading, watching and listening to every little bit I can get my hands on. Who else is excited to see the new DUNE movie? 🥰

Thanks so much for watching!"

LudoWic - Creating dark textures

video upload by ludoWic music

More LudoWic:
https://www.ludowic.com
https://wicrecordings.lnk.to/ludowic

Trautonium, Minimoog, & EMS SYNTHI & SYNTHI E. Note the SYNTHI E is a white model also seen here, not the standard orange yellow as seen in other posts. You can find additional LudoWic SYNTHI posts here. See this post on EMS founder Peter Zinovieff's passing for some history on EMS.

You can find additional posts featuring the Trautonium here. So much synth history can be found deep in the archives of the site.

This one is in via Soviet Space Child.

A Smile in Space May Cause an Avalanche Part 2

video upload by zack dagoba

"A Smile In Space May Cause An avalanche - part 2

Released on the compilation celebrating 3 Years of Modulisme

Composed by Philippe Petit using Buchla 200 & EMS Synthi A Synthesizers + e-bowed Piano Soundboard into a Moogerfooger Ring Modulator & Peavey 5150 + Ampeg SVT-2 Pro bass Amplifiers

« Electronic Tonalities » by Benge, made with the Emu Emulator II
and a wine glass

Video by Benge, made on 2 x Panasonic WJ-MX50 video mixers, Grass Valley Indigo video switcher, Emu Modular for video modulations

/ @zackdagoba

https://modulisme.info/

www.philippepetit.info"

EMS Synthi E Vintage Analog Synth Synthesizer

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

via this auction

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School-bus-Synthi-E : The Vintage Educational Modular Synthesizer

video upload by Perfect Circuit

https://www.perfectcircuit.com/

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."

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EMS Synthi-E vintage Synthesizer SN 136

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

via this auction

"Condition is excellent and "Seller refurbished" - pro-serviced by Steve Jones (now in Melbourne), one of our best synth technicians and collectors (he's added a modern power supply, bless him). Service invoice available on request.

Note: the "strip keyboard" is sold "as is" and has not been checked or serviced as synth is normally controlled by another keyboard or computer."

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EMS Synthi E - Pro Serviced

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

via this auction

"EMS synthi E in excellent condition, maintained very well.

In Pro Service by EMS Expert Constantin (Portabellabz).
Fully functional. Plug & Play.

You will receive:

EMS Synthi E
Manual (Copy pdf)
Power adapter
Patch cables
Ocsidance Invoice including 1 year warranty
Service Report"

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Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) - Book Review + Flip Through

synth4ever

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) is also available on Amazon here.

"Ciat-Lonbarde

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) book review & book flip through. Synthesizer Evolution is a recently published book covering every major synth, drum machine and sampler from 1963-1995. Each instrument is hand drawn and includes vital statistics and quirky facts.

Synth Evolution is published by Velocity Press (https://velocitypress.uk) and written & illustrated by Oli Freke (https://www.synthevolution.net), a London-based musician, artist and author with a life-long passion for analogue synthesizers and electronic music.

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) provides us with an in-depth look at synthesizer history over the decades and covers a variety of vintage synthesizers including analog synths, digital synths, modular synths, wavetable synths, FM synths, additive synths and more.

Join me for a narrated book flip through highlighting various synths and concluding with a brief book review at the end. Hope you enjoy and feel free to grab a copy of Synth Evolution if you like it.

--------------------
TIMECODES
--------------------
00:00 - Intro

► SYNTHESIZERS
01:01 - 360 Systems, Access Music (Virus), Ace Tone
01:46 - Akai (AX80, AX60)
02:43 - Arp Instruments (2500, 2600)
03:44 - Behringer
04:07 - Buchla modulars
04:22 - Casio (Casiotone, CZ series, HT series)

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EMS Synthi E

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

via this auction

"EMS synthi E with DK keyboard in beautiful near mint condition, owned by collector.
Spartanite case in mint shape.

Just back from Pro Service by EMS Expert Constantin (Portabellabz).
Fully functional. Plug & Play. Sold with invoice including 1 year warranty.



You will receive:

Ems Synthi E
EMS Synthi DK E Keyboard
Original Synthi E Sheet
Manual (Copy)
Power adapter
Patch cables
Ocsidance Invoice including 1 year warranty
Service Report"

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Aliens Project Close-Up of the Week: EMS SYNTHI E

via Aliens Project

close up der Woche #29/20 -EMS SynthiE

LudoWic - 70's JAM

ludoWic music

Recorder: Philips N2510 - 1973
Mixer: Pioneer MA-62 - 1974
Synth 1: EMS Synthi A - 1971
Synth 2: EMS Synthi E - 1974
Video Cam: Movexoom 3000 - 1972
Projector: Eumig Mark 607D - 1973