MATRIXSYNTH

Bug Synthesizer

flickr by zeni666
(click for more including mouse overs)

EDP Wasp

via this auction

"ORIGINAL 1979 EDP WASP SYNTHESISER"

The Clavitar, The Moog Liberation, and the first Keytars

via this auction

Anyone know when the Clavitar was released? Here's a pic of George Duke in 1980 with one.

BTW, on the last page of the current September issue of Keyboard magazine (with Devo on the cover) is a one page feature on "Keytars Past and Pressent." I was under the impression that George Mattson's Performance Music Systems Syntar (1980) was the first keytar, before the Moog Liberation (1981). It looks like Roger Powell's Probe may have preceded it in 1977. Anyone know if it was just a controller or if it had a built in synth like the Syntar? Jan Hammer apparently also had a newer Probe, which you can see in this video and this video. Before everything was the Orphica from 1795.

Roger Powell image via audioholics

Orphica image via realsamples where you'll find a sample set of it. This might be a newer model though. The image or the Orphica in Keyboard looks much older and more like a mini harpsichord with neck attached.

Update via plaztec in the comments: "The Probe, as invented by Powell (& Jeremy Hill) and refined by Jan Hammer in the area of the pitch & mod wheels (note the left-hand sides of their respective keyboards are quite different, Hammer preferring the Minimoog-style wheels), was a controller and not a self-contained synthesizer. Both had custom rigs; Powell had a bank of Oberheim SEMs, IIRC - and Hammer the same, blending the SEM sound with the Minimoog in order to get his signature lead tone. Jan also experimented with a cruder, squarish remote in order to get the placement and angle of the wheels exactly right for him, prior to the building of his custom Probe. IMHO, those two guys in their heyday were, and remain, the single most credible-looking and compelling rock keyboardists to use remote keyboards on stage, especially considering the musicians they shared the stage with..."

Update via Jimmersound in the comments: "There's also info on the Probe in this Synapse issue."

myVST Demo : Bassline

myVST Demo : Bassline from myVST on Vimeo.

"Hundreds demos on myvst.com/"

VERMONA DRM 1 MKII Vids by H4NDCRAFTED

YouTube via H4NDCRAFTED

Playlist:
Vermona drm 1 mk 3

VERMONA DRM 1 MKIII Kick
"Programming Kick Drum Parameters = Decay/Pitch/Bend/Time/Wave... Programming Kick Drum Parameters = Decay/Pitch/Bend/Time/Wave/Noise/Attack Note that Youtubes compression has introduced ringing artifacts and the attack time has been ruined, the attack is much much sharper and really punches hard."

VERMONA DRM 1 MKIII CLAP
"Programming Claps Parameters = Decay Rev/Reverb/Clap/Noise/Res... Programming Claps Parameters = Decay Rev/Reverb/Clap/Noise/Reso/Filter/Highpass"

VERMONA DRM 1 MKIII Drum 1 & 2
"Programming Drum1 which is the same as drum 2 Parameters = Dec... Programming Drum1 which is the same as drum 2 Parameters = Decay/Pitch/Bend/Attack/Fm int/FM Freq/Wave"

VERMONA DRM 1 MKIII HI HAT
"Programming Hi Hat 1 which is the same as 2 Parameters = Decay... Programming Hi Hat 1 which is the same as 2 Parameters = Decay/Filter/Bend/Attack/Reso/Mix/Pitch"

VERMONA DRM 1 MKIII SNARE
"Programming Snare Drum Parameters = Decay Rev/Reverb/Decay In/... Programming Snare Drum Parameters = Decay Rev/Reverb/Decay In/Noise/Attack/Reso/Filter"

VERMONA DRM 1 MKIII Multi
"Programming Multi Drum Parameters = Decay/Pitch/Bend/Attack/Pi... Programming Multi Drum Parameters = Decay/Pitch/Bend/Attack/Pitch2/Pitch3/Highpass"

Vermona DRM1 MK3 vs. OTO Machines Biscuit

YouTube via duncanperson | August 26, 2010

"Just got a vermona drm1 today!! It is amazing!! It is awesome to have every parameter in front of you ready for tweaking! I thought It play nicely with my Biscuit.... I was right(?)... This is a filthy, filthy combo, but soooooo much fun!!"