Saturday, April 12, 2025
Nuremberg Wunderzeichen, 1561 C.E. EMS VCS3
video upload by Rhythmicons
"Upon learning that my new EMS VCS3 (Cornwall) was SN#1561, I looked up that year and learned that in Nuremberg, on Apr 14th, 1561, there was a report of a celestial phenomenon that was supposedly experienced by the townsfolk. This is an interpretive soundpainting performed entirely on the VCS3.
The primary source document is known as the Nuremberg Broadsheet. It was written and illustrated by Hans Glaser and translated by Isle Von Jacobi. The text describes an arial battle which ufologists have claimed is evidence of visitation by aliens. The primary source reads as follows:
'In the morning of April 14, 1561, at daybreak, between 4 and 5 a.m., a dreadful apparition occurred on the sun, and then this was seen in Nuremberg in the city, before the gates and in the country – by many men and women. At first there appeared in the middle of the sun two blood-red semi-circular arcs, just like the moon in its last quarter. And in the sun, above and below and on both sides, the color was blood, there stood a round ball of partly dull, partly black ferrous color. Likewise there stood on both sides and as a torus about the sun such blood-red ones and other balls in large number, about three in a line and four in a square, also some alone. In between these globes there were visible a few blood-red crosses, between which there were blood-red strips, becoming thicker to the rear and in the front malleable like the rods of reed-grass, which were intermingled, among them two big rods, one on the right, the other to the left, and within the small and big rods there were three, also four and more globes. These all started to fight among themselves, so that the globes, which were first in the sun, flew out to the ones standing on both sides, thereafter, the globes standing outside the sun, in the small and large rods, flew into the sun. Besides the globes flew back and forth among themselves and fought vehemently with each other for over an hour. And when the conflict in and again out of the sun was most intense, they became fatigued to such an extent that they all, as said above, fell from the sun down upon the earth 'as if they all burned' and they then wasted away on the earth with immense smoke. After all this there was something like a black spear, very long and thick, sighted; the shaft pointed to the east, the point pointed west. Whatever such signs mean, God alone knows. Although we have seen, shortly one after another, many kinds of signs on the heaven, which are sent to us by the almighty God, to bring us to repentance, we still are, unfortunately, so ungrateful that we despise such high signs and miracles of God. Or we speak of them with ridicule and discard them to the wind, in order that God may send us a frightening punishment on account of our ungratefulness. After all, the God-fearing will by no means discard these signs, but will take it to heart as a warning of their merciful Father in heaven, will mend their lives and faithfully beg God, that He may avert His wrath, including the well-deserved punishment, on us, so that we may temporarily here and perpetually there, live as his children. For it, may God grant us his help, Amen. By Hanns Glaser, letter-painter of Nurnberg.'"
F9000 Forat-modded Linn 9000
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via this VEMIA listing
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VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"Forat 9000 / Linn 9000 with many upgrades - Sampling on all 18 pads - Last Forat OS v7.09 - SMPTE card - trigger inputs card - Sampling input card - Refurbished PSU - CF card with complete Sound library from Forat. (Unit still have original floppy drive) - Sequencer memory expanded to the max. - Big display for F9000 programing and small to access CF card libraries. - filter mods on Toms and Percussion cards. - comes witb USB stick with user and service manuals. As all Forat machines... this one sometimes have 'standard F9000' issue ... need Ram card to be re-sited. But beside that ... no issues."
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"Forat 9000 / Linn 9000 with many upgrades - Sampling on all 18 pads - Last Forat OS v7.09 - SMPTE card - trigger inputs card - Sampling input card - Refurbished PSU - CF card with complete Sound library from Forat. (Unit still have original floppy drive) - Sequencer memory expanded to the max. - Big display for F9000 programing and small to access CF card libraries. - filter mods on Toms and Percussion cards. - comes witb USB stick with user and service manuals. As all Forat machines... this one sometimes have 'standard F9000' issue ... need Ram card to be re-sited. But beside that ... no issues."
Roland CR-8000 CompuRhythm Time Capsule w/ Original Dust Cover & Box
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via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"CR-8000s are seriously lovely drum machines, but they have tended to last less well over the years than some of the other classic Roland drum machines. This one is an exception. It looks like it could have been made yesterday. Why have we not called it mint? Well, if you study the close-up pic of the left front corner, you might see some tiny marks. But this still exudes an amazing quality of newness.
In full working order (obviously scarcely played at all in its life) with its original user manual and service manual, and with its original carton and internal polystyrene bits. It also has its original dust cover, which possibly helps explain how incredibly new it looks. We'll cover the carton in card to keep it free of address labels etc..: 6GBP."
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"CR-8000s are seriously lovely drum machines, but they have tended to last less well over the years than some of the other classic Roland drum machines. This one is an exception. It looks like it could have been made yesterday. Why have we not called it mint? Well, if you study the close-up pic of the left front corner, you might see some tiny marks. But this still exudes an amazing quality of newness.
In full working order (obviously scarcely played at all in its life) with its original user manual and service manual, and with its original carton and internal polystyrene bits. It also has its original dust cover, which possibly helps explain how incredibly new it looks. We'll cover the carton in card to keep it free of address labels etc..: 6GBP."
Pro-built Formant Pro (MIDI-CV)
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via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"This is a professionally built Formant Pro latest version. It has a Midi CV keyboard that plays really well. It is in superb visual condition. There may be the odd crackle or contact problem in a knob or jack but it is in principle fully working. the reverb need to be attached to a reverb tank. its a massive system with a sound to match. I had a few homemade models as well. this is miles apart in terms of quality."
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"This is a professionally built Formant Pro latest version. It has a Midi CV keyboard that plays really well. It is in superb visual condition. There may be the odd crackle or contact problem in a knob or jack but it is in principle fully working. the reverb need to be attached to a reverb tank. its a massive system with a sound to match. I had a few homemade models as well. this is miles apart in terms of quality."
Cwejman S1 Mk2 semi-modular SN 134
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via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"One of the classic analogue modular (OK semi-modular) synths. It's actually not perfect condition on cosmetics, as you can see in the photos. There are some scratches on the sides and back - though the important bit (the front panel) is in very good condition indeed.
But the sound is excellent as expected, beefy and powerful, and really such a good semi-modular with complete Eurorack and MIDI compatibility. Switchable voltage - supply your own IEC lead for price, ease and safety of shipping."
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"One of the classic analogue modular (OK semi-modular) synths. It's actually not perfect condition on cosmetics, as you can see in the photos. There are some scratches on the sides and back - though the important bit (the front panel) is in very good condition indeed.
But the sound is excellent as expected, beefy and powerful, and really such a good semi-modular with complete Eurorack and MIDI compatibility. Switchable voltage - supply your own IEC lead for price, ease and safety of shipping."
Synton Series 3000 Modular, Three Cases
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via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"Very very rare and in very nice visual condition. By one of the greatest manufacturers of synthesisers. Can be played via an interface cable ending in 3,5 jacks for CV/Gate etc. (included). I used my Roland 184 (not included) because the 3000 wants to see a healthy voltage. I went through the main functions (oscs, filters, adsrs) made a few patches and everything seems to work well. However a good number of the potentiometers need cleaning and/or more usage. Expect to put in some standard maintenance work to make it perfect. The filters can easily be overdriven resulting in an aggressive sound."
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"Very very rare and in very nice visual condition. By one of the greatest manufacturers of synthesisers. Can be played via an interface cable ending in 3,5 jacks for CV/Gate etc. (included). I used my Roland 184 (not included) because the 3000 wants to see a healthy voltage. I went through the main functions (oscs, filters, adsrs) made a few patches and everything seems to work well. However a good number of the potentiometers need cleaning and/or more usage. Expect to put in some standard maintenance work to make it perfect. The filters can easily be overdriven resulting in an aggressive sound."
Original R.A. Moog 904-A Low Pass Filter
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
Pics of the inside below.
"One of the classic modules of all time, and in its original R.A. Moog incarnation, dating from January (or possibly November) 1969. This example has a 'Bypass' switch mod. This looks very much like a factory modification requested by the original buyer - the style of switch and the black Dymo label seem exactly what Moog would have used at the time. Bought by the current owner in 1999, with light use in a smoke-free home studio. Working well. At some time in the past this actual module was sent to Paul Schreiber to help him design the MOTM 940, and Paul calibrated it to self-oscillate correctly. Situated in the USA but light enough to send economically worldwide."
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
Pics of the inside below.
"One of the classic modules of all time, and in its original R.A. Moog incarnation, dating from January (or possibly November) 1969. This example has a 'Bypass' switch mod. This looks very much like a factory modification requested by the original buyer - the style of switch and the black Dymo label seem exactly what Moog would have used at the time. Bought by the current owner in 1999, with light use in a smoke-free home studio. Working well. At some time in the past this actual module was sent to Paul Schreiber to help him design the MOTM 940, and Paul calibrated it to self-oscillate correctly. Situated in the USA but light enough to send economically worldwide."
Vintage Moog 921A driver, 3x 921B VCOs with PSU
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"Four classic mid-seventies modules: one 921A Oscillator Driver, and three 921B Oscillators. Complete with an International Power switchable power supply (now more commonly badged Power One) and a wiring harness / loom wired for five modules - the four 921s here, and a fifth module - until now, the 904 in the previous lot. ***This will need encasing***, and of course the modules will need to go in a simple case or an existing cabinet. In very nice cosmetic condition, and working well. Bought by the current owner in 2003, and since lightly used in a non-smoking home studio. The power supply has a standard IEC mains socket and fused switch with power light. The fuse will need to be changed if the voltage is switched from USA, where it is currently located."
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"Four classic mid-seventies modules: one 921A Oscillator Driver, and three 921B Oscillators. Complete with an International Power switchable power supply (now more commonly badged Power One) and a wiring harness / loom wired for five modules - the four 921s here, and a fifth module - until now, the 904 in the previous lot. ***This will need encasing***, and of course the modules will need to go in a simple case or an existing cabinet. In very nice cosmetic condition, and working well. Bought by the current owner in 2003, and since lightly used in a non-smoking home studio. The power supply has a standard IEC mains socket and fused switch with power light. The fuse will need to be changed if the voltage is switched from USA, where it is currently located."
Ultra-rare Waldeck 70s US Synth
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
Pics of the inside below.
"One of the rarest synths ever - this one is serial number 7 out of about 10 that were built. They were designed in the late 70s by Steven Waldeck, professor at the Art Institute of Chicago. Although there are so few of them there is a good deal of information gathered at the excellent matrixsynth site: https://www.matrixsynth.com/2016/05/more-info-on-vintage-waldeck.html?m=1
We had this example imported from the USA with the aim of having Dani at Hideaway do her magic - but sadly she has too many other projects on the go, and could give no idea of how many hours it would take - and how economically viable it would be. She did check it for electrical safety: 'If it was a 240V piece I'd say it would need some serious attention to detail and most definitely grounded - at 120V, I would say at the very least it should be checked over properly and some addition of sleeving/insulating sheet of the mains wiring on the transformer, fuse and switch terminals.'
Bear that in mind along with Mark Verbos' honest appraisal of another example from the matrixsynth page, and consider it a fascinating project, inspired by the VCS3 but definitely not a VCS3. Good for sound effects and weirdness, but not accurately pitched notes.
Dani's general verdict as it stands: 'This was clearly intended to be aimed more at making sound effects than to be used as a well calibrated and stable musical instrument - the whole thing is extremely drifty with very narrow usable control ranges on the oscillators - there is a fair amount that doesn't work but I still had some fun making some sort of recording with it to mark the occasion.' https://soundcloud.com/hideaway-studio/1978-waldeck-on-the-waldeck/s-2j3HAUd60BE (corrected URL!)"
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
Pics of the inside below.
"One of the rarest synths ever - this one is serial number 7 out of about 10 that were built. They were designed in the late 70s by Steven Waldeck, professor at the Art Institute of Chicago. Although there are so few of them there is a good deal of information gathered at the excellent matrixsynth site: https://www.matrixsynth.com/2016/05/more-info-on-vintage-waldeck.html?m=1
We had this example imported from the USA with the aim of having Dani at Hideaway do her magic - but sadly she has too many other projects on the go, and could give no idea of how many hours it would take - and how economically viable it would be. She did check it for electrical safety: 'If it was a 240V piece I'd say it would need some serious attention to detail and most definitely grounded - at 120V, I would say at the very least it should be checked over properly and some addition of sleeving/insulating sheet of the mains wiring on the transformer, fuse and switch terminals.'
Bear that in mind along with Mark Verbos' honest appraisal of another example from the matrixsynth page, and consider it a fascinating project, inspired by the VCS3 but definitely not a VCS3. Good for sound effects and weirdness, but not accurately pitched notes.
Dani's general verdict as it stands: 'This was clearly intended to be aimed more at making sound effects than to be used as a well calibrated and stable musical instrument - the whole thing is extremely drifty with very narrow usable control ranges on the oscillators - there is a fair amount that doesn't work but I still had some fun making some sort of recording with it to mark the occasion.' https://soundcloud.com/hideaway-studio/1978-waldeck-on-the-waldeck/s-2j3HAUd60BE (corrected URL!)"
Sequential Circuits Prophet-T8 SN 000263 w/ Wine Country Certificate of Warranty
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
via this VEMIA listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© 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
