MATRIXSYNTH


Wednesday, September 04, 2013

1980s Early Digital Synthesizer Project

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Pics of the inside below. Check out the wires nest!

"Up for sale, a very unique and elaborate early 1980s synthesizer of mysterious origins. Due to the lack of resistors, capacitors and other circuit elements typically found in analog synthesizers, we believe this is very likely a primitive digital synthesizer. This mad scientist's laboratory of knobs, switches and multi-colored "spaghetti" wire is clearly a prototype or Mensa scholar's tinker toy, leaving very few clues as to who made it and for what purpose!

Featuring an array of discontinued and valuable chips, this synthesizer needs to be connected to at least one of the pictured multi-pin cables to produce sound, although we lack the tools to properly plug in or test this keyboard. This keyboard is being sold as-is, with no returns as we can make no claims as to the working condition of the unit and offer no assistance to the buyer on how to properly restore or operate it.

The enclosure features stylish hardwood ends like your favorite Moog or ARP and all of the wiring is extremely meticulous and elaborate. We've dubbed it the Jackson Pollock of wiring jobs!

Several of the main varieties of chips found in this synth sell for $10-20 on their own and this unit has great value in parts alone! Here's a rundown of a few of the more notable chips in the synth.

Toshiba TMM2016ap-10. This chip is SRAM (static RAM). Programmable and non-volatile (won't erase when turned off). More expensive than common DRAM and used in military applications in addition to synths, etc.

AMD EPROM AM2732DC - Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory - Potentially involved with sound shaping and preprogrammed sounds

Intel D273284F2 - another EPROM; same as above

NEC D70116C - This is likely the CPU microprocessor. This may be the brains of the unit.

2732 series chips - based on Texas Instrument designs. Used in speech synthesizers..."

Arp Solina DE-IV String Ensemble SN 0112057

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

YAMAHA CS-20M ANALOG MONOPHONIC SYNTHESIZER

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"Monophonic analog synthesizer released in 1979.
In excellent cosmetic condition, fully working order, few minor scratches on the wood panels.
Recently professionally serviced.

The CS-20M features 2 VCOs with a 6-octave range and 3 waveforms. The VCA contains an extra sine-only oscillator, and a white noise generator is also included.
Like on the other early CS-series synths, a resonant 12dB/octave multimode VCF is available as the filter. It is switchable between high-, low- and band-pass (the last being 6dB/oct). The VCF contains its own ADSR envelope generator plus controls for cut-off and resonance.

The single LFO can be used for PWM. An internal memory is available, holding up to 8 user programmable patches. Other features include brilliance control, portamento, pitch bend, glide and glissando. For external control there is a CV/gate interface."

Original Waldorf Q Nextel Blue/Gray Keyboard Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

Roland P/V Synth Filter PV-355

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

Roland System 100 Model 101 SN 592381

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

tokyowax (RSS)

ROLAND JX-3P & PG-200 with Case SNs 464082 & 280600

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

tokyowax (RSS)

KORG Mono/Poly MP4 Synth 4VCO's PRO SERVICED SN 470665

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here
abertronix (RSS)

SIMMONS SDS-V Modular Analog Drum Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"Comes with 5 modules: Kick, Snare, and 3 Toms
Also comes with standard 3 prong power cable.

It has been tested and it's in good working condition.
All 5 modules output sound when triggered by a drum pad. The drum sounds change with different hit velocities.
All of the knobs on the different modules turn fine and alter the drum sounds when in mode 2.
None of the knobs are missing their original gray caps!

I only found a couple of issues with the unit:
- One push button preset on one of the drum modules doesn't engage.
- Some of the other preset push buttons are not level (they are sitting slightly bent one direction, see photos.. hardly noticeable)

Besides those couple of things, everything else seems to be in great working order..."

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI-99 w/ SPEECH SYNTHESIZER & Original Box & Manuals

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"This circa 1983 Texas Instruments TI-99/4A home computer includes the PHP1500 Speech Synthesizer and manual, original AC power cord and RF television connector, comprehensive "User's Reference Guide" full of TI-BASIC programs, and six game cartridges (excuse me, "command modules"). The system comes in its original box. Module titles include Addition and Subtraction 1 and 2, Learning Fun, Scott Adams' Adventure, and Reading Fun and Speech Editor, which both include their instruction manuals. The unit was fully tested and ran basic programs and all six command modules without any glitches. Coemetically, it shows considerable wear and numerous scuffs and scratches on the aluminum face, but it is clean and has no dents, cracks or structural damage. Its a really fun trip back to 30 years ago. Using it reminded me of the countless times I threw my joystick at it when playing TI Invaders or flipping out when the power went out after typing about 50 lines of BASIC!.."

PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE HOME



Switched On Make Synthesizer Evolution Vintage Synthesizers Creating Sound Fundlementals of Synthesizer Programming Kraftwerk

© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH