SkyMaul

YouTube via peahix. "rockin it brooklyn korg style"
Anyone know the KORG? The title reference is to Sky Mall. Every time I fly on a plane I flip through Sky Mall and tell myself I'm going to check out their online site when I get back, but never do. It took this post to finally look it up.

Elevation Theodore Dubois

YouTube via jopachelbel. "from Dix Pieces de Orgue"

Atari Punk Robot

YouTube via larsby
"Atari Punk Console with a few modifications. The LEDs are connected to the sound, and the switches controls a replacement components for the original one's.

Hello Matrix"

Hello! Yeah, that pretty much guaranteed a post. :)

KORG 770

via this auction

"The Korg 770 has a place in synthesizer history. Released in 1976 this vintage analogue synth looks like a baby Minimoog, sports the famous Korg traveler filter sliders, twin oscillators, two flavours of ring modulation, and produces the classic analogue sounds beloved by Simple Minds and The Human League. The sound is warm, rounded, and very controllable.

The thing about this particular specimen is its condition - take a look at the photos - I doubt you'd find a finer original anywhere! The only thing that gives away her age is the surface rust on the nameplate screws - but then as a collector of vintage gear you wouldn't want it any other way!

Others testify to the 770's rarity and value: Before describing the Korg 770, Richard's 'not-so-usual synth page' states: "But then there are a number of machines that are just a bit more uncommon..." (link)

Aliens-Project 2005/12 Toy of the Month describes the unique character of the 770 and provides sample sounds in MP3. (link)

Dance Tech states the 770 is an "old and quite rare unit" and 10 years ago put the second-hand price at £500 (link)

Gordon Reid regretted selling his original and bemoans the fact that it took him "eighteen years to find another 770" (link). Hey, you don't have to wait that long :)

Some Background:
Two weeks ago I was enjoying a glass of wine with some friends when a familar sound drifted from an adjoining room - echoes of synthpop from 30 years ago. On investigation I discovered the source - an immaculate Korg 770 being pumped through a poor guitar amp that never deserved such treatment. At the controls was my mate James who'd managed to regulate the oscillators to produce some classic tones. He'd been gifted the synth by his uncle after rediscovering it in his loft, apparently ununsed for decades. On learning what he'd got - and visualizing the new gear he could buy in its place - James asked me to sell it for him on ebay. I told him it might be a tad short sighted, but that was like trying to convince Pooh Bear to save a pot of honey for winter. Anyway, that's why the 770 is for sale. I'd buy it myself if I had somewhere to show it off!"

YAMAHA CS-15 w/ SOLARIS MODS

images via this auction

Not the best shots, but there you have it.

Mod 1 - Extended LFO precision
Mod 2 - Filters in series
Mod 3 - White Noise routed into VCF2

You can find full details on the Don Solaris Mods for the Yamaha CS15 here.

Roland MC-202

images via this auction

- MC-202
- original box and foam
- original data cassette w/case and artwork
- original Synthesizer manual only
- original vintage Boss PSA-120 (MINT, NOS)

ARP Avatar

via this auction

inside an ARP Avatar

MOOG Rogue

images via this auction

Drumfire DF-2000

images via this auction
"DrumFire Oscillator DF-2000 Adjustable pre set/ Dual Channel? Percussions Synthesizer The Ultimate in Analogue drum synths as well as a serious low end bass machine!
This thing smokes the Synares, Syndrums and just about all others as far as sound, functionality, adjust ability and can create many many more variations via its adjustments Basically a MOOG for drummers! Each Channel has 2 adjustments which include
Manual trigger button
Sensitivity control
Oscillate decay1
Oscillator decay 2
Noise decay
Sweep
Pitch
Wave form shape
click on/off control
Noise filter
osc/noise balance
master volume
Audio On Off
Pre-set or manual switch
Each channel also has adjustable presets for these same controls
there are 4 inputs for various footswitch functions allowing for on off
control and shift between preset and manual settings for quick sound
changes and 2 1/4" ins for triggers
Includes 2 standard 1/4" Acoustic triggers or use with any drum
triggering device, Outputs are standard 1/4" (2)
Each channel also has fully programable presets for these same controls "
Click the Drumfire label below for previous posts and be sure to check out the comments for what people think of it. Of course if you have experience with one, feel free to comment here.

VEMIA Update

Via Peter Forrest:

"Interesting analogue items in the VEMIA auction at www.spheremusic.com ending on this coming Saturday, (April 12) include ARP 2500, Quadra, Solina String Synthesizer, Cavagnolo Exagone XM64, CRB Computer Band 2000, Crumar Spirit s/n 15, Digisound, Doepfer, Elka Synthex, EML 200, EMS Logik, Dequencer, Hi Fli, Vocoder 2000, ETI 4600, Fender Rhodes Mk I, Freeman String Symphonizer, unopened Hohner Clavinet, Drumfire DF500, Kenton Mono/Poly kit, Korg MS02, 03, 50, SQ-10, Trident II, VC-10; two Mellotrons (one in Canada), MasterRoom reverbs, R A Moog CEMS (the biggest custom design he ever did?), Minimoogs, Minitmoog, Sonic Six, three touchplates; Matrix 12 with Xpander front panel, OB8, OBMx, OSCar, Syntars, PPG 1002, 350, 360, 390; Rhodes Chroma, Prophet T8, Simmons SDSVs, Spectral Audio ProTones, Steiner Masters Touch, SE MIDIMini and MIDIMoog, Stramp Synchanger II, dotcom stuff, early Curetronic, Adrian Utley's theremin, Estradin 230, GTC Telefonfilter, Rozzbox, Persephone Deluxe, Springer 1950s time-stretcher, Vox Jaguar (Canada), Yamaha SS30, and plenty more besides. Some prices are high, some very high; some are surprisingly low. You can always just look at any pictures that interest you."

Pictured here is the MOOG Touchplate prototype #1.
"A fantastic and rare example of Bob Moog's own handiwork, serial number TP010. When he started back into music manufacture in the early eighties, the model 300 touch-plate was one of his first products. This is the prototype Synton received from Bob for demonstration purposes. It is extremely Moog-like in its characteristics. It has its own inbuilt power transformer, and the outputs are available on six 1/4in jack sockets, with good ol' Moog knobs for controlling sensitivity. It has a Synton sticker on the back, saying 'TOUCH PLATE USA'. Synton and Moog had a close relationship in the 80s, with reciprocal import/export. It is untested. This is from the collection amassed by Felix Visser, former head of Synton. All items were destined for a national technology museum project, many years in the planning, but finally cancelled by politicians and planners. They have mostly been stored unused for a number of years. Any items marked untested are untested, are sold as is, and could be fine or could need work. Wherever we have more information (good or bad news) it is mentioned in the item description."