EMS Synthi 100 on YouTube

"Rare footage of a Synthi 100 in operation - though I am not sure if this guy really knows what he is doing."
YouTube by Sharpblue.

Update via Moogulator of Sequencer.de in the comments:
"this is from the analogue heaven video from martin newcombe.. maybe he is not really amused, same with the moog one, it's from the same video..

matthias is a writer of the german keyboards magazine, he wrote the synthesizer von gestern books and series - (vintage synthesizers or exact words are: yesterdays synthesizers)

it is more a live-video and obviously he really tried to find out where the modulation comes from (turned down all OSCs etc. checked the matrix..) well.. the matrix is cool but even on the VCS3 it takes some time to find the mod-pins on the right place ;)"

Yamaha CS80 on YouTube

"The mother of all the Yamaha synth's - the mighty CS80, as used by Jean Michel Jarre and Vangelis. For more info and DVDs goto www.museumstudio.co.uk"
YouTube by Sharpblue.

Serge Ventolin Acid on YouTube

"Serge Modular system doing a knind of industrial acid sound, it reminds me a bit of Aphex Twins Ventolin"

via Ross.

Elka Synthex on YouTube

"Paul Wiffen demonstrates a 1984 Elka Synthex. Most famously used on Rendezvous as the Laserharp sound by Jean Michel Jarre. Paul also originally programmed the original presets. Also used by Geoff Downes and Stevie Wonder - a beautiful synth sorely missed."
YouTube by Sharpblue.

Pro-One - New Flickr Shot

flickr by totally pixelated.

2003 Korg - New Flickr Shot

flickr by unity.project. Korg Triton with blue glowy mouse.

Update via the comments: "not a "blue glow mouse" but actually a griffin powermate as can be seen here"

Interesting as the Flickr caption reads, "the blue glowy mouse on the korg." Maybe the shot came from somewhere else.

Flickr by Janvanvolt

Via sequencer.de. I was wondering why I missed these; it's because he didn't tag them synth. Oh well, title link takes you there.

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th to everyone in the US! Here's a nice red, white and blue Buchla Music Easel for yah. And... It's for sale. No joke. A measley $20k will get this beauty. Title link takes you to the listing on gearslutz. If you don't have an account and don't wan to register, the details of the sale are below. That's one heck of a list. The seller is Guidotoons. Start drool now.





"BIG ASSED SALE

Vintage keys-

Buchla Music Easel 208/218/power supply & original case
excellent condition $20,000.00

Moog 35 synthesizer w/ Synth.com sequencer, moog filter and much more $20,000.00

1963 Hammond C3 w/ newer Leslie 122
Little old lady condition…literally
$3500 Nashville Pickup only

RMI Keyboard Computer II RARE!!! excellent 100% working $1500 comes w/ two extra KC I’s for parts Nashville Pickup only

Yamaha YC45-D combo organ…excellent condition $750.00 Nashville pickup only

Recording gear-

iZ Radar w/monitor/cabling/all remotes classic cards all dox and boxes excellent condition all current software and upgrades $6500.00

Pendulum Audio MDP-1 stereo tube pre near mint $1750.00 SOLD!!!

2-Neve 31102 mic pre/eq modules in Boutique Audio rack perfect shape w/Fred Hill line amp mod $6500

2-Aphex 622 Expander/gates $350 each

Neve 33609C stereo comp/limiter excellent condition $2750.00 SOLD!!!!

Telefunken/Neumann U-67 excellent all original $4500.00

2-AKG C-60 great condition $2000/pr

Vintage guitars-

1949 Gibson SJ-200 w/70’s Gibson hsc excellent condition $6500

1957 Gibson LP Jr. refin and relic’d by Mike Lennon w/ ossc $4750.00

2003 Alembic Stanley Clarke Brown Bass reissue near mint w/hsc $3400.00

Vintage drums-
1966 3 pc. Ludwig Club Date kit w/ bags $1250.00

Email guido@guidotoons.com for pics, more info. I RARELY check my messages here so use the email please.

I will entertain trade offers for the following:
API 500 series rack (10 space) and related 500 series pres, eq's.
Rickenbacker Capri guitars
1950's Gibson L-5C

Sorry...NO PAYPAL.

Thanks again....

Guido

www.guidotoons.com"

####################################################

Update via Guido on AH:
"Let me bring everyone up to date on my Buchla saga.

I bought a very large Moog from a gentleman in California for $13,500 shipped.

I took a Moog 15's worth of modules out of the system along with a Bode frequency shifter and the 960/962 combo. I already had a fire damaged 960/962 along with a Moog filter bank and a 921 oscillator bank.

I made a Moog 15 and extension cabinet with the "good" 960/962 and the Bode.

I traded Paul a "Moog 55's" worth of modules straight across for a large Buchla 200.

Only three Buchla modules were damaged by the coke or coffee spillage. The 219 keyboard and both Marfs. I sent those to JL in Canada who, after six months, had not gotten them to work. So I sold them...not working...to a gentleman in California for $11,500.

I had aquired 3-259 "kits" from Don and had Julie Yarbrough build them for around $1000 each. I also had her build a 281 "kit". I put those in the 200 along with my 208 and 218 from my Music Easel. She also refurbished the other modules for around $2500 or so. I then aquired two more 259's from David Kean for $5000. I eventually sold the original Buchla built 259's (for what I paid) because the "kit" 259's sounded, worked and looked better.

I had Peter Grenader build a Milton for the Buchla. This was around $2000. I also bought a 221 touch keyboard from Kean for $4000.

I used the system for two years or so and got an offer I could not refuse for it, minus the Easel and Milton, for $46,000. I took it. I then sold that same cat my Milton for $1750. I also sold the Moog 15 for $7500 and the 960 extension cab, MINUS the Bode, for $5500.

I sold the Bode to a very persistant gentleman in California for....$6,000!

So let's do the math:
I bought-
large Moog $13,500
Moog filter bank $1750
Moog 921 bank $2000
2 Moog 15 cabs $500
Buchla restoration/modules $5500
Buchla 221 $4000

Total $27,500

Traded a Moog 55's worth of modules for the 200.

I sold the Moog 15 for $7500. Sold the extension Moog cab for $5500. Sold the two Buchla modules for $11,500. Sold the Bode for $6,000. Sold the big 200 system for $46,000.

Total $76,500

I still have the Easel. I also aquired a mint Moog 35 last year, so I still have a "rig".

I hope this brings everyone up to date on my Buchla 200/Easel and financial gossip.

Guido"

Casio Tried to Weasel Out of Import Tax

Here's a fascinating bit of synthesizer history sent my way via Brian Moore. Apparently Casio claimed their synthesizers fell under "electrical articles which produce sound" taxed at 3.9%, rather than, "electronic musical instruments" taxed at 6.8%. They argued this because they were sold without an amplifier, speakers or headphones and because they went beyond that of "electronic musical instruments." Title link takes you to the case brief for Casio v. U.S. Below are some exerpts. The case was decided against Casio in 1996. Good stuff. Thanks Brian. Makes you wonder what Roland, Korg and Yamaha classified their synths as during the same time...

"Casio imports into the United States electronic musical synthesizers. All of the imported synthesizer models were classified by the Customs Service, upon entry into the United States, as "Electronic musical instruments: Other," TSUS 725.47, with a duty rate of 6.8% ad valorem.

Casio timely challenged the classification by filing suit in the United States Court of International Trade. Casio argued that these synthesizers were improperly classified as electronic musical instruments and should instead have been classified under TSUS 688.34 as "Electrical articles and electrical parts of articles, not specifically provided for: Electrical articles using pre-programmed digital integrated circuits to produce sound," dutiable at the rate of 3.9% ad valorem."

"In addition, Casio argued that five of the imported models, VZ-1, VZ-10M, HZ-600, MG-510 and PG-380, could not be classified as electronic musical instruments because they were imported and sold in commerce without an amplifier and speakers or headphones and thus did not make an audible sound as imported. The ability to make an audible sound, they argued, was a requirement for classification as an electronic musical instrument."

"The trial court's finding that the synthesizers do not possess features substantially in excess of those within the common meaning of the term "electronic musical instruments" is not clearly erroneous. All of the additional features are designed primarily to make it easier for a musician to create music or embellish the sound he or she would normally be able to produce. The auto-rhythm and auto-accompaniment features allow inexperienced users to create chords and accompaniment with the press of a key, and the sequencer features allow a single musician to play, in essence, multiple instruments simultaneously. The only feature which does not appear to enhance a musician's ability to play the instrument is the one that plays prerecorded melodies. However, Casio admitted that this may be a musical instrument feature because it is similar in nature to a music box, which was specifically designated a musical instrument by Congress. TSUS 725.50."


Update via Dave Manley in the comments:
"Apparently Casio tried to do this more than once. In Pinch and Trocco's book "Analog Days" there is a short description of a 1994 case that sounds similar, but I guess is different: Casio Inc. versus the United States", October 7, 1994. The products aren't described but apparently they only played preprogrammed patterns.

"What the court had to decide was whether the Casio devices were machines or musical instruments. It fell to Bob [Moog], testifying for Casio, the plaintiff, to argue that the Casios were machines and to Herb [Deutsch], testifying for the government, to argue that they were musical instruments. Bob pointed out the essence of a musical instrument is that the performer should have "real-time control" and that the Casio takes this away. The judge did not buy this argument, describing it as a "seemingly myopic premise" and contrary to legislative inent. The government won the case and the judge decided that, for tariff purposes anyway, the Casio, as long as it contained an amplifier and loudspeakers, was a musical instrument, and thus subject to the higher rate of tariff."

Interesting that Casio tried this twice once arguing with amplifier and loudspeakers, and once without.

Herb Deutsch played an interesting part in the development of the synthesizer. He met Moog when he sold Theremins and started requesting features that eventually led to the synthesizer. Take a look at Analog Days for more details (read it for the story, not for the authors' editorializing and analysis)."

OSCar Advert

Another from the Technik site.

That's Geoff Downes from Asia, Bill Currie from Ultravox, John Foxx post Ultravox, and Mark Stonway of Grand Slam. Click image for a bigger shot.

via fmasetti.