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"FAEMI-1M is a compact polyphonic analog synthesizer produced by Katchkanar radio equipment factory "Formanta", which is the manufacturer of such well-known makes of synthesizers as Polivoks, Formanta, Manual, Maestro etc. Faemi-1M is a "young brother" of a very popular synthesizer Polivoks. It bears the same logo on the package and retains some of its most impressive capabilities, for example the powerful resonance filter, which, by expert estimation, outperforms the famous Minimoog! The handy keyboard of the synthesizer has also remained unchanged. But unlike Polivoks, this synthesizer is entirely polyphonic (a so called "organ-synthesizer"), which makes it possible to merge several timbres with the addition of a timbre passed through the filter.
Faemi–1M is housed in a compact metal body with plastic sides. It has a 4-octave keyboard (from F to E; or from "Fa" to "Mi" in Russian; their combination gives "FaeMi"). Parameter control is performed with handy knob regulators graduated from 1 to 10. The synthesizer consists of four main sections: OSCILLATOR, TIMBRE, FILTER and AMPLIFIER. The units involved in the process of synthesis are 1 VCO, 1 LFO, the lowpass filter with ADSR and VCA.
The OSCILLATOR section provides the following functions: RELEASE, FINE TUNING, GLISSANDO. The TIMBRE section (waveshape select) has four timbre volume controls – PIANO, STRING, CLAVECIN, and BRASS.
The VIBRATO(LFO) group includes the controls of vibrato RATE, vibrato DEPTH and time of vibrato DELAY. The vibrato RATE parameter is controlled by red-light indicator.
The FILTER section includes the envelope group: ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN, RELEASE. The parameters of the filter are CUTOFF, RESONANCE, and FILTER MODULATION. The device has a red button which passes the BRASS timbre immediately through the filter (for the other timbres it is impossible).
Section AMPLIFIER include only a one control regulators - for global VOLUME.
On the front connection panel, the following connectors are situated: PEDAL input for filter control, PHONE, main OUTPUT and input for SUSTAIN pedal. All connectors are constructed in standard 5-din plugs. Next the POWER connector, power ON/OFF, the FUSE are situated.
The synthesizer bears a factory serial number, the year of manufacture, and the price in Soviet roubles (in 1982, 450 roubles were equal to 600 USD). An important feature of the device is to be noted: it bears the Soviet "Quality Mark", which means that the device falls under the highest quality category.
Specifications:
— Polyphonic hybrid synthesizer with four independent channels of sound - piano, string, clave, brass.
— 1 dual mode "Polyvox-like" VCF (brass/filter) , freq/res/mod controls, with screaming resonance.
— Pitch modulator (Vibrato) with freq/depth/delay control.
— 1 ADSR envelope generator.
— Oscillator's release control.
— Glissando.
— Audio and phone outputs.
— Dumper and pedal inputs.
— 220 Volt main.
— Dimensions: 72/33/14 cm, weight: about 21 lbs (10 kg)."
