Breakaway Vocalizer Demos

video by ikworgek

Published on Jan 4, 2013 ikworgek·49 videos

"Demotrack of the breakaway vocalizer
all sounds from the vocalizer
some reverb and delay

The vocalizer has a pitch to midi converter build inside
It contains 74 sounds wich can be expanded by extra cartridges (mine has the new age cartridge)
The soundchip inside is the same as the Ensoniq ESQ-1 synthesizer.
This machine can be controlled by midi but is also has an external input.
In this demo i fed all kinds of things into the input like a radio, a mic, a drumcomputer and multitracked it.
The results can be somewhat unpredictable wich is good for experimental music."

Breakaway Vocalizer demo 2

video by ikworgek


Breakaway Vocalizer demo 3 here

Vintage Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice-Controlled Personal Music Synthesizer SN 001635

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

via this auction

You can find demos in previous posts here.

"This is a Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice-Controlled Music Synthesizer. It is in excellent condition. It looks like it was never used or only used a couple of times. It comes in the original box with the instruction booklet, "in use/on break" sign, Styrofoam packing material, main synthesizer unit, microphone and cord, power cord plugin, extra mic cover, mouth piece. It does not have any cartridges with this listing...

The Breakaway 1000 is a voice controlled music synthesizer. You hum into a microphone and it comes out as any synth sound you choose. It has 28 voices to choose from. The best thing is that it is also an Analog-to-MIDI converter. You can plug a 1/4" jack into it (guitar, say) and use the MIDI OUT jack to trigger any other MIDI instrument from your guitar, voice, keyboard, or what-have-you! The Breakaway also has 5-track digital recording capabilities with a memory of over 1000 notes, along with built-in drum machine and bass accompaniment. Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 was released in 1988, (licensed to Breakaway by the Eltrex Corp.) and sold thru the Sharper Image Catalog, Montgomery Ward stores, and distributed by Tascam. It's notoriety has climbed in recent years as emerging electronic musicians clamored for a means to generate MIDI sounds using only their voice. It was discovered these Breakaway "toys" were actually quite capable instruments - able to track and playback to the nearest 32nd of a semitone. The on-board tone generator was co-developed by Ensoniq, a leader in music technology back then. The unit could also track the pitch of just about any sound-producing object and generate corresponding MIDI triggers. Even today, it is sought after by harmonica players as one of the best MIDI input devices available.Specifications:Synthesis: Stereo, sampled waveforms. Sound Tracks: 10 notes polyphonic and polytimbral.Octaves: Over 7 octave range. Instruments:- 28 preset lead instruments, built-in: piano, electric piano, piano strings, electric organ, electric guitar, fuzz guitar, electric bass guitar, slap bass guitar, flute, whistle, clarinet, harmonica, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, synthesizer brass, violin, cello, string bass, synthesizer strings, bells, marimba, steel drum, synthesizer drums, and four zany sounds; plus five drums: snare drum, bass drum, high hat, cymbal, tom.Effects : Stereo chorus, stereo harmony, stereo echo, slide (continuous) control. Voice Guide: Voice Guide, and Melody Guide (for song cartridges with known melodies).SmartSongs Styles:- 12 Jam Pattern styles: rock 1, rock 2, rock 3, rock 4, soul 1, soul 2, latin 1, latin 2, jazz, blues, reggae, and country; each with different drum, bass and chord patterns. SmartSongs Options:- Variations : Each background has two "song" variations (verse and chorus), and two "rhythm" variations (bass or drum rhythm variations).- levels of Accompaniment: 4 levels of accompaniment: Drums only / Drums and bass / Bass and chord / Full background SmartSong.- Ending : Special pre-recorded finale to each SmartSong*- Tempo: Tempo up and tempo down.- Key: Transposes up 6 steps and down 6 steps. Multi-track Digital Recorder (MDR):- 5-track digital recording.- Memory capacity over 1000 notes.- Recording modes: Simple Lead Composing, Smart (assisted) Composing, Advanced (unassisted) Composing.- Editing: pitch, tempo, key, instrument, rhythm, note insertion and deletion.- Playback options: same as SmartSong options (tempo, key, etc.).Demonstration Function:- Interactive, "step-through" demonstration using easy-to-follow messages on the LCD display.- Modes demonstrated: Basic instrument vocalization, changing instruments, changing SmartSongs, and simple lead recording. Input Terminals: Handset controller, audio input (microphone)"

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000

via this auction

"Nearly complete Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 unit, consisting of the original box and styrofoam packing material (a bit beat-up but all there), the Vocalizer 1000 itself, original microphone, 2nd mouthpiece for microphone (humming adapter?), two additional windscreens for microphone (still sealed), a SmartSong cartridge, and an 9v DC adapter. The unit calls for a 7.2v DC adapter, but the previous owner included a 9v adapter in the box that seemed to work just fine. If you are unsure, you can track down a 7.2-7.5v DC adapter at a place like Radio Shack. Not included in the box are the original manual (although I link to a PDF of it below), audio-out cable (nothing special, standard 1/4" cable), RCA-to 1/4" adapters (again, standard), and the studio sign (sorry I never got to see that one!)

The unit itself is in excellent condition and works great. The microphone cable has some styrofoam residue on it that should easily clean off. In the box is an old receipt from a previous owner's purchase and he paid a *fortune* for this thing! :-)

The built-in instruments and beats are fun and typical 80's, but the real power is in using the MIDI-out to control external synths, samplers or even softsynths in your computer. Plus, check out that awesome Adidas-clad 80's dude "James" on the box. He said it's hot and he wouldn't lie.

Links of interest:
Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Documentation"

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Breakaway Vocalizer demo 3

Published on Jan 25, 2014 ikworgek·60 videos

"Demotrack of the breakaway vocalizer
all sounds from the vocalizer
some reverb and delay

The vocalizer has a pitch to midi converter build inside
It contains 74 sounds wich can be expanded by extra cartridges (mine has the new age cartridge)
The soundchip inside is the same as the Ensoniq ESQ-1 synthesizer.
This machine can be controlled by midi but is also has an external input."

Demos 1 & 2 here

Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice Controlled Music Synthesizer SN 009131 w/ Original Box

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

via this auction

Check out a few demos here.

"For sale is a very cool late 1980s voice controlled music synthesizer. It's basically an electronic kazoo that emulates different instruments and supports rhythm backgrounds.

I'm the original owner. I bought it new around 1989. It hasn't seen much use and has lived in a drawer most of it's life.

I haven't sold anything on Ebay in the last year, so my positive feedback is currently 0%. But check out my 100% positive feedback on 27 Ebay sales and 100% positive feedback on 88 Ebay buys.

As far as I can tell, all the Vocalizer functions on the main unit work fine. There are two buttons on the handset that are missing and do not work, the "slide" and "octave up" buttons (see the photo of the underside of the handset). However, these same functions are available on the main unit with a "slide" button and octave "+" and "-" buttons. On the handset, the voice mic plastic attachment and red mic windscreen is missing and not included. Its the part with the red mic windscreen the 80s chick is singing in to on the box cover. The kazoo attachment is included and works fine.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The handset is a bit flakey, and stops working sometimes. My guess is the single electrolytic cap on the handset PCB is drying out (see photo of opened handset). I have to screw open the handset and move the electrolytic cap slightly occasionally to get the handset working again. The cap should really be replaced -- so having some electronics repair experience or knowing someone who does is highly recommended. It's possible there are other caps in the main unit that should optimally be replaced too. I've never opened the main unit.

Included with the package:

* Main Unit
* Handset with long cord
* AC to DC Power Supply
* Original Manual
* SmartSongs ROM cartridge
* Misc parts - kazoo windscreen, sound out to left/right RCA

If interested, do a search for "Vocalizer 1000" on YouTube and you will find Captain Kazoo Vocalizer videos and others.

The Vocalizer was a small module designed as a pitch to synth converter and built around the Ensoniq Q chip. While only marginally effective as a pitch to MIDI converter, it does have the same soundset as the Ensoniq ESQ-1 but without the analog filters.
The unit has sixteen note polyphony and responds to all sixteen MIDI channels. It is not possible to restrict MIDI response to only a few channels, making the module inconvenient to use without a MIDI filter. The unit responds to MIDI volume , pan, and program changes, the latter being the only way to select sounds on channels 2 - 16. The Vocalizer features the same waveform set as the Ensoniq ESQ-1, which means you get the same grungy basses, pianos, and synth sounds. The lack of analog filters is a dissappointment, but considering the unit's original sub-$400 price tag, not surprising. A cartridge slot is tucked away inside the battery compartment and appears to have the same form factor as ESQ cartridges, but is not compatible. ROM carts were available from Voice Crystal for a short time, long since discontinued. The Vocalizer pales in comparison to today's synthesizers, but in 1990, was a great expansion to my single Casio keyboard sound palette.

Doing a Google search on "Vocalizer 1000 Midi" will bring up links that describe the MIDI capabilities of the unit."

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice Synthesizer Demo

video by

YouTube via CaptainKazoo | October 02, 2007

"Captain Kazoo demonstrates The VOCALIZER 1000, ELECTRICK KAZOO or VOICE ACTIVATED SYNTHESIZER. ALL INSTRUMENT SOUNDS are created simply by HUMMING !"


via this auction

"This wonderful device was exclusive to the Sharper Image stores and quite costly for the times. It was marketed as a way for someone to make their own music, without learning to play a keyboard, or even knowing how to sing very well. It takes voice input and converts the vocal sounds to Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signals or digital codes. Use it just for fun, or in a more sophisticated manner if you possess musical talent... The operating manual, in pdf format, is available online to print or save to your computer at:

http://www.greywings.com/breakaway/Breakaway%20Main%20Manual.pdf

You can also go to the YouTube link listed below [above] to see Captain Kazoo demonstrate the use of the Breakaway Vocalizer 1000. He has four or five other links, on the same site, where you can listen to several recordings he made using this same synthesizer."

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 SN 006519

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

via this auction


"The Breakaway 1000 is a voice controlled music synthesizer. You hum into a microphone and it comes out as any synth sound you choose. It has 28 voices to choose from.

The best thing is that it is also an Analog-to-MIDI converter. You can plug a 1/4" jack into it (guitar, say) and use the MIDI OUT jack to trigger any other MIDI instrument from your guitar, voice, keyboard, or what-have-you!

The Breakaway also has 5-track digital recording capabilities with a memory of over 1000 notes, along with built-in drum machine and bass accompaniment.

Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 was released in 1988, (licensed to Breakaway by the Eltrex Corp.) and sold thru the Sharper Image Catalog, Montgomery Ward stores, and distributed by Tascam.

It's notoriety has climbed in recent years as emerging electronic musicians clamored for a means to generate MIDI sounds using only their voice. It was discovered these Breakaway "toys" were actually quite capable instruments - able to track and playback to the nearest 32nd of a semitone. The on-board tone generator was co-developed by Ensoniq, a leader in music technology back then. The unit could also track the pitch of just about any sound-producing object and generate corresponding MIDI triggers. Even today, it is sought after by harmonica players as one of the best MIDI input devices available.

Specifications:

Synthesis: Stereo, sampled waveforms.

Sound Tracks: 10 notes polyphonic and polytimbral.

Octaves: Over 7 octave range.

Instruments:

-28 preset lead instruments, built-in: piano, electric piano, piano strings, electric organ, electric guitar, fuzz guitar, electric bass guitar, slap bass guitar, flute, whistle, clarinet, harmonica, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, synthesizer brass, violin, cello, string bass, synthesizer strings, bells, marimba, steel drum, synthesizer drums, and four zany sounds; plus five drums: snare drum, bass drum, high hat, cymbal, tom.

Effects: Stereo chorus, stereo harmony, stereo echo, slide (continuous) control.

Voice Guide: Voice Guide, and Melody Guide (for song cartridges with known melodies).

SmartSongs Styles:

-12 Jam Pattern styles: rock 1, rock 2, rock 3, rock 4, soul 1, soul 2, latin 1, latin 2, jazz, blues, reggae, and country; each with different drum, bass and chord patterns.

SmartSongs Options:

-Variations: Each background has two "song" variations (verse and chorus), and two "rhythm" variations (bass or drum rhythm variations).

-levels of Accompaniment: 4 levels of accompaniment: Drums only / Drums and bass / Bass and chord / Full background SmartSong.

-Ending: Special pre-recorded finale to each SmartSong*

-Tempo: Tempo up and tempo down.

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Hidden Voices on the Breakaway Music Vocalizer 1000 Synthesizer Demo

Published on Aug 30, 2014 oberek92

This track appears to have been made on the Breakaway Music Vocalizer 1000 using some of it's hidden voices. According to LucyTuning:

"The Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 is a MIDI pitch-tracker, and sample player, which I had used for analysing dolphin vocalisations. Unfortunately it seems to have been marketed as a toy for karaoke fans. It is claimed to track and playback to the nearest 32nd of a semitone, and although it is now old technology, I find it fun, so here is what I have discovered about its hidden voices. (certainly not General Midi).

GM (program numbers) and sounds

Check it with your sequencer. These program numbers work with Music-X on Amiga (my old favourite) yet some sequencers may transpose the program numbers by one position: so that Piano is 0 and Rap Drum is 73 etc.

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice Controlled Synthesizer w/ Smart Song Cartridge

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"RARE Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice Controlled Synthesizer, smart song cartridge. Condition is Used. Comes with "Proud Business" smart songs cartridge. Tested and works. Microphone makes a rattling sound but still works properly. Also does not have cord to plug into the wall. I will include batteries."

See the Breakaway label below for additional posts.

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice-Controlled Personal Microphone Music Synthesizer

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

via this auction

You can find demos in previous posts here.

"Breakaway Vocalizer 1000

Voice-controlled synthesizer
28 instrument sounds
Built in speaker
LCD display screen
No cartridges included

Pre-owned
Turns on when plugged in and with batteries.
Pressed some buttons and got rhythms to play but do not know how to use this."

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RARE BREAKAWAY VOCALIZER 1000 (ENSONIQ ESQ-1 voice chip) VOCAL SYNTHESIZER SN 004970

via this auction

"The Breakaway 1000 is a voice controlled music synthesizer. You hum, sing or speak into a microphone and it comes out as any synth sound you choose. It has 28 voices to choose from.

The best thing is that it is also an Analog-to-MIDI converter. You can plug a 1/4" jack into it (guitar, say) and use the MIDI OUT jack to trigger any other MIDI instrument from your guitar, voice, keyboard, or what-have-you!

The Breakaway also has 5-track digital recording capabilities with a memory of over 1000 notes, along with built-in drum machine and bass accompaniment.

It's notoriety has climbed in recent years as emerging electronic musicians clamored for a means to generate MIDI sounds using only their voice. It was discovered these Breakaway "toys" were actually quite capable instruments - able to track and playback to the nearest 32nd of a semitone. The on-board tone generator was co-developed by Ensoniq, a leader in music technology back then. The unit could also track the pitch of just about any sound-producing object and generate corresponding MIDI triggers. Even today, it is sought after by harmonica players as one of the best MIDI input devices available.

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Breakaway VOCALIZER 2000 Voice Controlled Synthesizer

via this auction

"This is a BREAKAWAY Music Systems, Vocalizer 1000 Voice-Controlled music Synthesizer. Uses 6 C size 1.5V batteries. real good condition, on the side it has slots for MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, Opion button, Handset, Audio In, Audio Out/Headphones JAM LINK Tuning button and DC 7.2 Volt for ac adapter. the attachment handset has a button that has Octave up and Slide, the very tip has silver tape on it, it had a small split and they used that to hold from spreading. Works real good, it does need batteries or a AC adapter. It has a digital readout bar, i think this can be looked up online with Breakaway Music for manual and instructions. This has so many buttons and can do alot of things. It has a smartsongs section on face of it too. the very front top has Multitrack, record, stop, play, track, edit notes, edit rhythm, cart, yes, no delete, tap, the it goes to smart songs, then to all every instrument you can think of and the another section on very bottom."

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000

via this auction

"If you don't know what this thing is, it's a crazy synthesizer controlled by the microphone. You can sing into it and it accompanies you with a corresponding synth sound. That is, if you sing a 'C' it will make a 'C' sound with the selected instrument. It does some recording... It also has rhythms and other functionalities."

Update via retrosynth in the comments: "It's an ESQ-1 digital synth engine without the analog filters. Interesting, and supposedly useful for thereminists for doing pitch to MIDI conversion. I personally thought it sucked for pitch to MIDI but I never tried it with an electronic source such as a synth or theremin, just guitar and piano."

Update via larriji in the comments:
"I have one of these. Two of my friends started the Breakaway company and when they dissolved it I inherited one. I wish I had gotten more of them. I have use this extensively back in the days when I was doing dance tracks with Psychic TV. It works great with synths as the sound source. The kazoo aspect I found very limited. The cheese element outshines your musical intent when humming into it. But it actually is a very helpful tool when using it with synths. Since it forces notes to pitch you can come up with some very interesting and usable "accidents". I used this on some tracks on PTV's Trip Reset. Does anyone know what these sell for? I have friends who want one. I have no idea the current value. A note of trivia here. Roman Babiak, cofounder of Breakaway said Stevie Wonder was one of their first customers. He picked one up at a NAMM then after trying it called them up and bought another one. I thought that was kinda trippy. I would be curious what he used them on."

Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice Controlled Music Synthesizer w/ Cartridges

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via this auction

"There are NO cords included with this unit. It does include 1 Rockaway SmartSongs Jam Patterns by David Sparks and 2 brand new sealed Blank Recording Cartridges."

The Vocalizer has built-in, background stereo songs that you can jam along with. These songs, called SmartSongs Jam Patterns, have special, built-in intelligence that automatically activates the Voice Guide, which tells the unit which notes to allow. Voice Guide works exclusively with SmartSongs.

Each SmartSongs Jam Pattern contains drums, bass, and chord patterns. The built-in SmartSongs feature beginnings, middle sections that continually replay, and pre-recorded special finales ("Endings"). Hundreds of SmartSongs Jam Patterns will be available soon on special cartridges.

Pick your favorite instrument (by pressing one of the green buttons) and choose one of the built-in SmartSongs, for example, Rock 1. Now slide your voice's pitch up and down, like a siren. Since Voice Guide is automatically activated, the Vocalizer will turn your vocal sliding into hot instrumental leads."

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice Synthesizer

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"These units are great for bizzare instrumentation, hacking/circuit bending, and kids. If you don't know how it works, basically you sing into the mic and it generates corresponding synthesized sounds- you can pick the sound. It also allows you to accompany a bunch of built in songs and rhythms. A total trip."

Update via Musicwise in the comments: "I have one of these and the real value in the Breakaway is realtime Audio to MIDI. You have to power it up with the yellow button pressed and it will then output anything you sing into it as MIDI. You can bend or even switch octaves as you play. I use it to capture vocals as MIDI or to perform sax solos with Saxlab and for writing intricate bass lines. Fantastic box!"

Breakaway Vocalizer 1000

via this auction

"here's what Retro Synth has to say about it: 'The Vocalizer was a small module designed as a pitch to synth converter and built around the Ensoniq Q chip. While only marginally effective as a pitch to MIDI converter, it does have the same soundset as the Ensoniq ESQ-1 but without the analog filters.'"

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Vintage Breakaway Vocalizer Pitch To Midi Synthesizer

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"Basically, it's a "toy" Pitch To MIDI converter. You can hum or sing into it and it will trigger the closest note of whichever synthesizer voice you have selected. It also has MIDI out, so you can trigger external MIDI synths as well. There are some built in rhythms and backing but I never really messed with that. These were sold at Sharper Image back in the 80's and now have become increasingly rare. It can run off batteries instead of AC adapter."

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 and Pychic TV

Interesting update in this post.

Vintage Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Vocal to Midi Synthesizer

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Don't miss these video demos.

Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 SN 008258

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