KORG Polysix

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> Real VCOs and VCFs
> Fantastic, programmable Chorus, Phaser and Ensemble
> An awesome UNISON Mode
> Advanced built-in ARPEGGIATOR
> Chord Hold function
> 32 Patch Memory

1974-75 ARP Explorer 1 Model 2900 Synthesizer

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"This is a 1974-75 ARP Explorer 1 Model 2900 Synthesizer. Includes original owner's manual, original Service Manual and eight 'Sound Templates'. Unit measures: 33 1/4" long by 11 3/4" deep by 4 3/4" tall. Metal housing with maple ends. 37 keys (some white keys are discolored). Also included is the original detachable music stand/holder. Four oscillator waveforms (sawtooth, square, narrow pulse and modulated-width pulse). 'Pink Noise' Generator, Four Pitch Ranges (16' Bass, 8' Tenor, 4' Alto and 2' Soprano). Voltage Controlled Filter (ADSR, LFO, Freq and Resonance). ADSR Envelope Generator (Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release). Other effects: Volume, Tuning, Repeat Switch (Auto and Keyboard), LFO Speed, Vibrato Depth, Vibrato Delay, Bender, Portamento and Pitch Bend. Outputs for 'Low' 1/4" and 'High' RCA Jack."

ROLAND SYSTEM 100 MODEL 101

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Update: this is also listed here.



YouTube via tardis454. Roland System 100 Techno Trance Patch.

Inside an ARP Odyssey

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"There have been a few mods by the original owners synth tech. He was a harp player and had a pedal built and some mods made to accomodate the pedal."

Oberheim Matrix-6 Paramaters

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click the images for larger shots.

"Serial No. 7633353
* Programmable Analog Synthesizer, with MIDI, velocity sensitive, with after touch.
* Six voices, two part multi-timberal.
* Each voice has two DCOs, a 4 pole resonant voltage controlled filter, a voltage controlled amplifier, Frequency Modulation, two LFOs, 3 envelope generators, two ramp generators, a tracking generator, and a ten slot modulation matrix.
*With original packaging, power supply, foot switch, and owner’s manual [note the Matrix-6 actually came with the foot pedal - it was not a separate item]

Yamaha CS15

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"Serial #4889
*Two VCOs, noise generator and external input, two independent mixers, two multimode resonant VCFs (high pass, band pass, low pass), two VCAs, two four stage envelope generator, and a LFO.
*Performance controls include portamento, brilliance, and pitch bend.
*Rear panel connections include two external trigger inputs, two voltage control inputs and one voltage control output."

The Rhodes Chroma Registry Approaches 500 Registered Chromas

If you have a Rhodes Chroma you owe it to yourself to visit the excellent Rhodes Chroma site. Chris Ryan, the host of the site and the Chroma list announced that the registry is approaching approximately 500 Chromas. Word is that only 1200 were built. If you have one and have not registered already, please do. You can do so anonymously for the most part.

Vintage synths with reliability issues

Sequence 15 has a good post up on synths with known issues including the Roland Juno-106, Ensoniq Fizmo, the Chroma Polaris and the KORG Polysix.

"Everyone who plays or collects vintage synths knows that it's a labor of love. Some are difficult to keep in tune; some contain parts that are hard to find replacements for, and some are just cranky and unpredictable. However, there are a few synths with known failure mechanisms to watch out for. The shame of it is, all of these are well-regarded for their sounds and playability. Still, there are things that owners and potential buyers should be aware of. Here's a guide to these problematic synths."

Click here for the full post.

Blacet Research

flickr by Jimurphy

full size

EMS Vocoder 5000

"Here is a series of MP3 files taken from an original EMS Vocoder Demo tape dated 14 oct 1976. Given this date and some of the sounds produced in the demo (including pitch shifting) I would think this is the EMS Vocoder 5000 in action since the EMS Vocoder 2000 was not produced until 1977."

Click here for the demos and more.