Technics SX-WSA1r

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UVI Introduces Synth Anthology 4

video uploads by UVI

Note the above is a playlist featuring 4 videos. You can use the player controls to skip through them or just watch them all in order.

Details on Synth Anthology 4 follow:

The authentic sound of 200 synthesizers, from vintage to modern
4,000+ presets and layers deliver incredible sound with hardware soul
Feature-packed dual-layer engine with fx, arpeggiator and more

Synth Anthology 4 - A Synthesizer Tour de Force
https://www.uvi.net/synth-anthology-4

Rebuilt from the ground-up, Synth Anthology 4 now features the authentic hardware sound of 200 vintage and modern synthesizers, a fully redesigned engine with powerful features, fx, arpeggiator, smart sound suggestion engine, native MPE support, and more.
A dreamlike collection!

Also included in SonicPass ➡️ https://www.uvi.net/sonicpass

Video credits: Anthony Hak
Music Credits: Théo & Thomas

"The Best Keeps Getting Better

What's new in version 4?

Almost everything!
We've rebuilt the engine from the ground-up, added more synths, more presets, more effects, more filters, more modulation, a dedicated browser, a second fully-customizable layer for creating hybrid and blended timbres, an all-new smart suggestion engine that helps you quickly find similar sounds, a more powerful arpeggiator/phraser, bus effects, native MPE support, and more!

Real Hardware Sounds There is something unmistakable about the sound of a real hardware synth, from subtle differences between voice circuits and drift to the varied way filters bite into the sound; there's a distinct character and energy. Synth Anthology 4 delivers the authentic and uncompromising hardware sound with all the conveniences of a modern software instrument.

Every piece of hardware represents a unique creative vision, sonic character, innovations, and strengths. Whatever you're looking for, from analog to digital, vintage classic to future classic, you will find it here. Synth Anthology 4 delivers an incredible collection of hardware, every major manufacturer, every type of synthesis, every era, 200 synthesizers in all.

You won't find a more complete collection anywhere else."

The list:

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Technics WSA1R synthesizer Module

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via this auction

You can find demos in previous posts here.

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Technics SX WSA1R Minus Data Wheel

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via this auction

"As you can see from the second picture there is a little Bend to the left side of the rack. You could bend it back. There are a few scratches on the unit including one on the top and it stands out more due to the silver medal underneath the black paint, a black permanent marker would make it less visible. It is missing one of the knobs. As for the functioning everything seems to turn."

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Technics SX-WSA1R Acoustic Modeling Rackmount Synth

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via this auction

"Unique physical modeling synth with possibilty add samples, competitor of Yamaha VL1 in those days, had pricetag ~3K.
Ideal for ambient, pads, natural, spaces, EFX.
Only near 300pcs rack devices were manufactured.
Two sets of MIDI In/Out/Thru, 4 audio outs.
Manuals in PDF, few files of sound presets.
Overall, device in very good condition, LCD, FDD, buttons working perfectly."

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Technics WSA1: A closer look at the modelling synth engine

Published on Jul 26, 2019 Floyd Steinberg

"How to create a pad sound on a synthesizer (Technics WSA1R). As announced, I'm taking a closer look at the Technics WSA1R's synth engine and it's physical modeling capabilities. If you were wondering how the modelling synthesis on this machine works, this is the video for you. If you just want to hear some sounds, watch this video: [posted here]

Table of Contents:

00:00 Introduction
01:00 User Interface
01:37 Drivers ("oscillators") and resonators
02:15 Showcasing some resonators
02:28 Interactions
04:00 Connection of the driver to the resonator
04:35 Driver movement automation
05:22 Properties of the resonator
07:35 Amp Envelope & LFO
09:56 Pitch Envelope & LFO
10:41 Filter Envelope & LFO
13:34 Insert Effect
14:35 Global Effects
16:24 Controller Setup
17:34 Conclusion
18:31 playing some chords"

Technics SX-WSA1R Rack Synthesizer SN 918880

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Technics WSA1-R Demo (no talking)

Published on Jun 30, 2019 Floyd Steinberg

Previously Interlude#2 (Technics WSA1R).

"Just a short improvisation on the Technics WSA1R. The E-Piano is a preset sound, the other sounds are custom ones. The Technics WSA1 is a physical modelling synth released in 1995."

Playlist of Technics WSA1 Videos

This one is in via Jusuf in the comments of this post. Many have been featured on the site before, some haven't. Enjoy! :)

Playlist at the time of this post:
Technics sx-WSA1R demo - that other acoustic modeling synth from the 90s - Floyd Steinberg
Best Ambient Synth Shootout #26: Technics WSA1- Song 1 - Christian's Sonic Spaces
Best Ambient Synth Shootout #27: Technics WSA1- Song 2 - Christian's Sonic Spaces
MOV 0217 - hien trinh
Technics SX-WSA1 MarkovModels - Tom Noopher
technics wsa synthesizer - some physical modelled sounds - borgmechaniker
puredata-algorithmicsequencer-02.mp4 with Technics WSA - borgmechaniker
Demo technics sx-WSA1 part1 - gravili
Technics WSA 1 Sound Demos mit 4 von mir improvisierten Songs - Musiker Lanze
both units are now sold. bye bye my synths. - myRegression
Korg JP8000 JP-8000 Review (Technics WSA1 WSA-1) - TR0LLreviews
LooPing petit bout de piano - LooPingVideoHome
Stay with me - Andreas Fechner
Improvisation 2 - Andreas Fechner
Koródi Csaba - Improvizáció - Szintimánia
Technics WSA 1 Film Demo - Dave Blackburn
BuddyN-Trance masterclip - BuddyMYT
Technics SX-WSA1 Ambient Demo - Blake Foster
TECHNICS WSA1 - Demo Song - Szintimánia
Tax-5 - The Labyrinth (Dark Ambient) - Technics WSA1 - Stephan S
Technics SX WSA 1R Synthesizer - Chillout Demo, by Clouds Testers - Alexander Bobrov
Demo Technics sx-WSA1 part2 - gravili
WSA1- Technics - Piano Steinway & Sons - Por Rogelson.mpg - Roger Syst Gama
technics wsa1 view sơ qua phần FX chỉnh tiếng. - hien trinh
Short Technics WSA1 Jam with Ryan - "Garbage Truck" :) - CoolColJ
Technics WSA1R Sounds - borututu forte
Technics WSA1 - Changing the display - 01 - roghelson
Cool/Funny ad - Technics WSA - lbulbu
groove - mruebsam
T.W.G music: lost - T . W . G
Magic World - Andreas Fechner
Live Jam #18 (LXR, acid8, DCM8, JP-08, Shruthi-1, V-Machine, System-1m, Atmegatron, SX-WSA1, etc.) - Christian's Sonic Spaces
Best Ambient Synth Shootout #28: Technics WSA1- Song 3 - Christian's Sonic Spaces
RS - Song for C (featuring Technics WSA1) - stratomoto
Technics WSA1 / WSAr - Synt Hudba

Technics sx-WSA1R demo - that other acoustic modeling synth from the 90s

Published on Jun 22, 2019 Floyd Steinberg

"Technics sx-WSA1R - that other acoustic modeling synth from the 90s. (Table of contents below!) In this video, I'm playing a short demo with custom sounds and a number of presets. The Technics WSA1 is a 64 voice polyphony, 32 part multitimbral modeling synth from 1995 with some unique features. According to Wikipedia, only 300 of the rack mounted version shown in this video exist. I will have an in - depth look at the synth engine next week. (Subscribe if you want a notification on that).

00:00 short demo showing of the filters. Each voice can have 4 "oscillators" and each "oscillator" can have it's own filter, LFO and envelopes.
01:50 hello
02:16 Presets: WSA Piano
02:52 Piano
03:35 E-Piano 2
04:29 Modern E.P. 1
05:11 Harp
03:35 Spanish Guitar
06:00 12 String Guitar
06:22 Synth Strings 2
06:55 Stereo Vocal Ah
07:14 Vocal Daa
07:34 Drawbar Organ (with drawbars, you guessed it)
08:13 Synth Brass 1
08:32 Warm Synth Pad
08:58 Sweep Pad
09:46 Goblins
10:35 Windy Sweep
11:29 a very subtle hint that subscribing doesn't hurt you and is good for my motivation to post videos"

Technics WSA1R

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TECHNICS SX-WSA1R RACK SYNTHESIZER

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Note there were three physical modeling synth engines, one from Yamaha, one from Korg, and one from Technics. They were all different. The auction description mentions Yamaha, but Korg of course had the monophonic Prophecy and the polyphonic Z1.

"The super rare TECHNICS SX-WSA1R rack mount digital synthesizer. Unobtainium in rack format. A MASSIVELY POLYPHONIC synth engine that is unique in the world of sound generation and sound design; a unique sound that can only also be found in the legendary polyphonic Yamaha VP1 (of with Yamaha made three (3) for astronomical prices), and the very limited 2-voice Yamaha VL1.

The SX-WSA1R is effectively the only alternative to access the POLYPHONIC sound generating capabilities of the fabled Yamaha VP1.

The technology to POLYPHONICALLY cross a horn section with the envelope properties of a plucked string instrument. From huge swirling pads to otherworldly leads, the sound design capabilities of this instrument simply have not been duplicated. Includes very usable onboard effects, a second set of MIDI IN/OUT/THRUs, and a second set of stereo (or dual mono) outs.

The keyboard version of the SX-WSA1 is fairly rare. But the rack version is, like the Ensoniq Fizmo rack and Wersi EX-20 (rack version of Stage Performer MK I), simply unobtainium. Technics made only about 100 of them, and almost all for the UK market."

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Technics WSA1R Synth Module

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"Rare Technics WSA1 (and rack version WSA1R9 was Technics' first (and only) try at making a pro synth. It featured a unique approach to physical modelling synthesis and managed to do it with 64 voices polyphony.

Technical specifications

# * A new synthese called 'Acoustic Modeling'
# * 12 MB ROM
# * 64 voices polyphonic
# * 256 Preset Sounds + 256 User Sounds
# * 128 Preset Combis + 128 User Combis
# * 16 Preset Drum Kits + 4 User Drum Kits
# * Sequenzer capacity 47,000 Events on 16 Tracks
# * SMF Direct play from built in Disk
# * DSP-processor with 3 units (2x43 algorithms, 1x55 algorithms)
# * Extra Main out equalizer
# * Two stereo outputs
# * Complete mixer page
# * Two complete MIDI ports
# * Big graphic display for comfortable edit
# * comfortable event editor for the sequencer
# * 3 controler wheels and two balls for realtime controling/creating sounds"

Technics SX-WSA1R WSA1 Acoustic Physical Modelling Synthesiser

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"This is a remarkable synthesiser launched by Technics in 1995. Technics did not produce them in large numbers because they were very expensive when launched at nearly £2,200. At the time, and even by today’s standards, it was revolutionary combining samples as the drivers for a physical modelling synthesiser. By using samples as the drivers, Panasonic Technics were able to produce a powerful 32-channel multi-timbre synthesiser with 64 notes polyphony. This means you can use the WSA1R for large productions and layered sounds.
Although deep in its capability, the WSA1R is easy to programme because it has an excellent user interface. The interface comprises of a large display and many function keys. The synth can produce some very powerful sounds with a lot of expression and dynamics. In my experience it produces much more expression than a typical modern sample-based synthesiser. It also has a two-axis joystick “ball” which you can modulate the sounds in real time.

The module has a floppy drive which can take 720kb and 1.44mb disks. The drive can be used to back-up sounds and also play standard midi files directly from disk. This, combined with its GM setting, makes it a great synth for playing back tracks live or in the studio for practice.

There is some interesting information about the WSA1R including a downloadable manual and other resources at http://xy.cx/synth/wsa1/
There is also a Sound On Sound review at... SoundonSound"

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Technics WSA1R Accoustic Modeling Synthesizer

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via this auction

# * 12 MB ROM
# * 64 voices polyphonic
# * 256 Preset Sounds + 256 User Sounds
# * 128 Preset Combis + 128 User Combis
# * 16 Preset Drum Kits + 4 User Drum Kits
# * Sequenzer capacity 47,000 Events on 16 Tracks
# * SMF Direct play from built in Disk
# * DSP-processor with 3 units (2x43 algorithms, 1x55 algorithms)
# * Extra Main out equalizer
# * Two stereo outputs
# * Complete mixer page
# * Two complete MIDI ports
# * Big graphic display for comfortable edit
# * comfortable event editor for the sequencer
# * Ball for realtime controling/creating sounds"

TECHNICS SX-WSA 1R ACOUSTIC MODELING SYNTHESIZER

via this auction

"Technics SX-WSA1R Specifications
64-note polyphonic
32-part multitimbral
32-MIDI Channels
256 Preset ROM Sounds
16 Preset Drum Kits
128 Preset ROM Combinations ( Combis )
256 User Sound Memories
4 User Drum Memories
128 User Combinations
3 MIDI Program Change Remapping
General MIDI Program Change Map
12 Digital Effects, 44 DSP Effects, 12 Reverbs
16-Track Sequencer: 47,000 event capacity, 96 ppqn resolution,
10 songs ( chainable )
Built - in DD / HD 3.5 - inch disk drive
MIDI: IN - OUT - THRU"

TECHNICS SX-WSA1R Acoustic Modelling Synth

via this auction

Curious how these sound compared to the Yamaha and KORG physical modeling synthesis.

Update via spunkytoofers in the comments: "technics had a large number of synth romplers and d-50 style keyboards.

the wsa is way more friendlier to program then any of the yamaha vl synths but probally due to the simpler nature of the wsa. sampled attack, body resonance was modelled by complex filters. the yamaha computed the attack as well which is taxing on processors. the trade off was polyphony. with exception to the vl1m it was monophonic with the yamahas. the vl1 can handle two but what you get is total expressive control and realistic physical reactions from instruments: reeds squeak. trumpets crack. penny whistles will break the octave by overblowing etc.

the vl's have better outputs then the wsa and the wsa always seemed a bit thin sounding to me, but it always could distinguish itself in a mix. the wsa was pretty bad for wind control. you'd think that they'd keep that in mind while designing the synth. the mono legato mode requires a keyboard to activate (slurring between two notes) so it could never sound smooth in realism for me.

i'd hate to program the vl from scratch. the editor is a bunch of text boxes. patchman has a good set of wind controller sounds he's made for professional use but if you want to tap into the exotic possiblities you'll need to edit it yourself. total mayhem.

my vote for the ultimate physical modelling would be the vl1m. still very expensive and even really rare. the vl70 is still available though.

perhaps you've heard a few of the stock demos presets by this guy? there's a few exotic sounds demonstrated: http://www.kbspace.com/vl1m/audio/index.html

patchman also has some vl1m demos on his site too. http://www.patchmanmusic.com/yamahaVL1.html

he also has some patches for the korg z1 and a few other physical modelling synths on his site as well if you were curious to compare the quality: http://www.patchmanmusic.com/korgZ1.html"

See the comments below for more.

Technics SX-WSA1R Legendary acuoustic modeling synthesizer

via this auction

"SX-WSA1R SPECIFICATIONS
• 64-note polyphonic.
• 32-part multitimbral.
• 32 MIDI channels.
• 61-note keyboard, Velocity & Mono Pressure sensitive.
• 2 Modulation Wheels.
• 2 Real-time Controllers
• 256 Preset ROM sounds.
• 16 Preset Drum Kits.
• 128 Preset ROM Combinations (Combis).
• 256 User sound memories.
• 4 User Drum memories.
• 128 User Combinations
• 3 MIDI Program Change remappings.
• General MIDI Program Change map.
• 12 Digital Effects, 44 DSP Effects,12 Reverbs.
• 16-track Sequencer: 47,000 event capacity, 96 ppqn resolution, 10 Songs (chainable).
• Built-in DD/HD 3.5-inch disk drive."

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xy.cx::Synths

http://xy.cx/synth/

A synth site spotted by brian c:
"He has manuals, etc and history for the following
Kawai K5000S (Additive)
Yamaha VL1 (Physical Modeling)
Korg Z1 (Physical Modeling)
Alesis QS8.2 (Sample/Subtractive)
Nord Modular (Modular Analog Synthesis)
Yamaha TG77 (Frequency Modulation)
Yamaha EX5R (Various)
Kurzweil K2500R (Sample/Subtractive "VAST")
Korg Wavestation A/D (Vector)
EMU E-Synth (Sampler)
Korg MS2000BR (Analog Modeling)
Technics SX-WSA1R (Acoustic Modeling)
Korg Oasys PCI (Various)"

Rack #1

flickr by rhodeschroma
(click for more)

"The list of stuff in the pictures is (with a few exceptions I couldn't fit in the frames:)

Rhodes [ARP] Chroma, Chroma Expander, 2 Chroma Polaris' and 1 Chroma Polaris II Sequential Circuits Prophet VS, Dave Smith Prophet-8 Special Edition and Poly Evolver Keyboard, Hartmann Neuron, Oberheim Xpander and OB-8, Anxiously Awaiting John Bowen Synth Design Hardware Solaris

I have a few enjoyable monophonics:
Moog Minimoog and Voyager Signature, and Crumar Spirit.

Other fun goodies
Yamaha Motif ES8, DX100, FS1r, TG33, S80, Alesis Andromeda, Elektron Sidstation, Korg Triton, Triton Extreme 76, 01WFD, 707, 01R/W, Wavestation SR and A/D, Ensoniq ESQm, Technics WSA1r, Roland JV5080, D550, S550, MKS 7; 10; 20; 30; 50; 70; 80 (all with programmers), D20, JD800, Juno 106 Kawai K5000s, SX210, SX240, K3m, K5m, Emu Carnival, Xtreme Lead, Audity 2000, Virtuoso 2000, Waldorf Q, two original Microwaves, Microwave 2, Pulse Plus, and Microwave XT, ARP Omni and Omni II Moog CDX, Akai VX-600 Clavia Nord Lead 3 and Nord Electro 73, Rhodes 54, Casio CZ-101 and various PT series yumyums...
TONS of MOTU MTP-AV's and regulated power supplies. Everything is housed in multiple Omnirax stations with Yamaha 01V's and 01v96V2 using lightpipe."