Computone Lyricon "The Driver" Vintage Wind Controller

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Update via Steve Greene in the comments:

"I own two of these...
In the 1970's my good friend (now deceased) Jay Lee was a consultant to Computone. Jay was way ahead of his time respect to analog synthesis composition and recording. If you google the album One Step More, an all-analog synthesis album I engineered and co-produced, you will quickly understand the breadth and depth of Jay's talents on the Emu modular synthesizer system.

Jay created some nice demo music for Computone with the Wind Driver, and was paid with inventory instead of money (I assume that the former was in much greater supply than the latter.)

In exchange for the many hundreds of hours I spent on his album, Jay paid me with 2 copies of The Driver. I shutter to think of the per-hour pay that figured out to be (like maybe $2) After receiving these, we used 1 of them to create (for it's day) some very realistic horn fanfares which became the signature music for BBC/Lionheart, a distribution deal done between BBC films and King World Entertainment. That little 15 second ditty was put on the end of every film the BBC exported for about 5 years.

Fast forward to today. I have revived one of the wind drivers. One of the reasons I believe the instrument ultimately failed was due to the tremendous back pressure created by lead hoses that were too small in inner diameter. I have replaced the hoses on 1 of The Drivers with a much thinner gauge cross section hose, resulting in a much more satisfying playing experience. Really too bad the Computone engineers couldn't figure that one out themselves. I am currently using it with a four-voice modular synthesizer made from 4 of the original EMU voice evaluation boards featuring the line of Curtiss Electromusic VCO VCA VCF and EG chips. SOUNDS GREAT!

If any of you are interested in the other wind driver, please contact me.

Cheers,
Steve Greene"

Computone Wind Synthesizer - Driver (Lyricon)

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"This is a vintage Computone Wind Synthesizer - Driver. This is also commonly called a Lyricon, although the Computone branded model just outputs CV (control voltage), and does not contain a built in analog synth which was part of the Lyricon branded units. Mouthpiece and reed are in excellent condition. 120Vac mains input..."

EXTREMELY RARE LYRICON I ANALOG ELECTRONIC WIND SYNTHESIZER

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Working Computone Lyricon MIDI Driver, Control Voltage EWI

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"This is a working vintage Computone Lyricon Wind Driver with a built-in JL Cooper MIDI Wind Driver and a separate Eurorack Lyricon Interface module. The wind transducer was replaced by the incredible David O’Brien in 2019, and he also designed and created the Lyricon Eurorack module. This Driver is in excellent condition. I have been using Lyricons since 1981 and this is my backup Driver which has not been played often.

The Lyricon Wind Driver was the second model produced by Computone in the late ’70s/early ‘80s and is the only Lyricon that exclusively outputs control voltages (CV) to operate analog synthesizers, or even MIDI synthesizers if the CV is converted to MIDI using the rare JL Cooper MIDI Wind Driver or the Kenton Pro CV to MIDI Converter. It is incredibly flexible for controlling modular synthesizers and CV synthesizers and effects and the depth and feel of the breath transducer is unmatched by any modern wind controller.

Control Voltage outputs (9) for:

Pitch 1 (~+83 mVDC to ~+3.5 VDC)
Wind 1 (~+0.5 mVDC to ~+3.5 VDC)
Lip 1 (~0 VDC open reed to ~+10 VDC closed reed)
Pitch 2 (adjustable with Tuning and Scale sliders)
Wind 2 (adjustable with Wind 2 slider and threshold knob)
Bend Down (no bend to ~one octave down, 0 to 10 on slider)
Bend Up (no bend to ~one octave up, 0 to 10 on slider)
Windgate 1 (with slider)
Windgate 2 (with slider)
Footswitch/Remote for Octave Selection
Accessory Patch Output contains most of the above CV outputs
Additionally, the installed JL Cooper Wind Driver supplies a MIDI output on the case side next to the AC cord input, 1/4-inch input jacks for the MIDI CHORD and HOLD functions, and a series of trim pots on the back of the case.
Includes the Lyricon Wind Driver with built-in JL Cooper MIDI Wind Driver electronics, Lyricon Eurorack interface module, a printout of the Lyricon Driver manual, a printout of the JL Cooper Wind Driver manual, and AC cord.

Unit size, weight: 27” x 12” x 6”, 13.5 lbs. (68.6 cm x 30.48 cm x 13.3 cm, 6.123497 kg)"

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Computone Lyricon Wind Synthesizer

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"Rare Computone Lyricon wind synthesizer-Driver fully restored!
Also included in this auction is a JL Cooper Electronics Midi Wind Driver!

I am the first and olny owner of this beautiful instrument, which is now 100% functional and was fully professionally restored and upgraded in April of this year 2018 to factory spec by David O’Brien. whom the instrument’s inventor, Bill Bernardi, passed on his knowledge and stock of parts to when he passed."

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Fully Restored Lyricon Wind Synthesizer

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"'The Lyricon is the first electronic instrument to combine a synthesizer with a wind instrument that plays with the same feel and sensitivity as an acoustical woodwind. The Lyricon responds instantly to changes in reed and wind action, giving the player extensive control over loudness, pitch, attack, timbre, decay and other expressive elements of phrasing over a full six-octave range. With the Lyricon, a player's own expression is as important as the synthesizer settings in controlling sound output. And using both, the Lyricon player can produce sounds unobtainable on other synthesizers -- from the imitative tones of conventional woodwinds, brasses and strings, to any number of electronic effects.' -from the original brochure.

This instrument is a fully restored Computone Lyricon Wind Synthesizer from the inventor Bill Bernardi's personal collection. It is in 100% playing condition. The instrument body is in beautiful condition, with only a few tiny flaws in the plating (see pictures). The console panel shows no wear, with the protective clear plastic on the knob skirts still intact. There is a small tear in the tolex on the top upper edge of the console cover (see pictures.) The handle has been replaced. Included with the instrument is the original owner's manual, power cord, advertising flyer, reed, mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover.

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Oberheim OB-1 with Integrated Computone Lyricon Wind Synthesizer

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"Oberheim OB-1 with Computone Lyricon Wind Synthesizer Driver .

The Oberheim , is full working over CV/Gate , but the Lyricon is not working , i dont have the schematics from the Lyricon , so i internal disconected the Lyricon .

The Bend Section is only partly working , because there is no keyboard in the OB1 and the CV voltage input is connected after the bend section"

Computone Wind Driver Lyricon-type controller

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"Rare and special wind controller, owned from new by Bruno Spoerri, one of the pioneers of wind-controlled synthesis. Here's Bruno's comments from today:- 'I tried the Wind driver and it worked perfectly, as far as I can analyze it. It's 220 Volt (if I remember well, it can easily be converted to 110), and it comes with the original handbook and the original service handbook.' Cosmetically it looks nice. Even if you aren't a wind player, it's a great way to get wind-instrument-like expression into analogue synths. There's a manual online for more info during the auction at:" [link - mirrored here]

LYRICON II WIND SYNTHESIZER

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"This is a one owner 1970's Computone Lyricon II synthesizer. This is the full synth as opposed to the hand controller. the early model with black knobs and nickel keys. Dual oscillators, and in extremely good condition. Tested with both amp and headphones and everything works properly. It has never had a major repair and all maintenance over the years was done by Jeff Blankensop in Brooklyn. I bought it directly from Computone by mail in 1976 or '77. They only made a couple of hundred of these..."

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LYRICON I - Super Rare - WIND SYNTHESIZER - COMPUTONE

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"This is the Original the one and only best Wind Synth ever made!! The "LYRICON I". As stated on many websites dedicated to the Lyricon, the Lyricon I is the first one and the most wanted by collectors and players. It is known as the Holy Grail of Wind Synthesizers. It was the very first Wind Synth ever made by anyone. They are extremely hard to find, almost impossible..."

As always, be sure to read the full description at the auction if you are interested in bidding.

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1977 Computone Lyricon 1 Vintage Electronic Woodwind Saxophone Analog Synthesizer for Selmer

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Pics of the inside below.

"For your consideration is this vintage 1977 Computone Lyricon 1 woodwind synthesizer. This example, 1 of approximately 200 ever made, (serial number 784101) is in very excellent unmodified all original condition. It includes; the instrument, the synth, the original power cable, (3) original synth sound booklets, and the original red & white vinyl cover. While it has been tested and is currently working great, a service is recommended."

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Computone Lyricon Wind Synthesizer-Driver w/ Extras

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"Computone Wind Synthesizer-Driver, also known as a Lyricon. Made in the 70's in Norwell, Massachusetts. This unit is in great cosmetic condition as you can see. It turns on, and all the lights light up. I have no way of fully testing it, as it outputs control voltage and you must have a device that receives that (analog synthesizer, synth module, etc.). But it appears to be functional. The innards look super clean as well, with no leakage from any of the components.

It has many knobs and sliders for tailoring the sound before it reaches it's destination and is said to be one of the most expressive wind controllers ever made. There is a useful website dedicated to the Lyricon family of instruments, www.lyricon.com including info on how to contact David O'Brien, who has all the original schematics and parts to maintain these instruments.

It was owned by Hubert Waldner, an Austrian jazz and pop musician."

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Computone LYRICON 2 II Wind Synthesizer with Manuals

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"Vintage 2 VCO Computone LYRICON II Wind Synthesizer!
Extremely rare!
Made in Newton Massachusetts in the 1970's!

I have no clue how to play this! I am a keyboard player not a woodwind player lol!
It comes with literally everything it had when brand new, manual, warranty card, wooden reed, and also a modern plastic reed.
Also included is the factory original power cord!
There is nothing missing from what I have been able to research online.
The synth makes great and cool sounds when you turn the knobs to the point where its always producing
tones / notes so it is working. The notes change when I press the various buttons on the wind part
which looks like a really expensive clarinet, it changes the notes however since I don't know how to play woodwind
instruments, that is as far as I can play / test it.
The wind part of the synth is beautiful and very well made! It looks very expensive, it is a very nice metal construction and the buttons have pearl inlays!
I love my vintage synths and gear but this super rare wind synthesizer needs a better home with someone that better understands
it than I do and as such I am selling it.
I have owned it for several years now and it does no good sitting here not being played and loved. Give it a good home!
I will also include an original Lyricon advertisement which is framed to hang on your studio wall!"

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Computone Analog Wind Synthesizer Driver Lyricon II

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"Rare and vintage Computone Analog Wind Synthesizer Driver Lyricon II. Has some light wear as pictured. Works well but could use a good cleaning to be fully functional. Comes with synthesizer, wind instrument and all cables as pictured."

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LYRICON 1 WIND SYNTHESIZER FROM COMPUTONE INC

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"NICE VINTAGE LYRICON 1 WIND SYNTHESIZER DRIVER MADE BY COMPUTONE INC OUT OF NORWELL MASS PRODUCED IN THE 1970' S STILL USED TODAY BY DIEHARD FANS OF THIS AWSOME SYNTH"

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RARE Vintage Computone Incorporated Analog Wind Synthesizer Driver w/ manual

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You can find close-up pics of the interface in previous posts here.

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LYRICON II WIND SYNTH

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"The Lyricon was invented by Bill Bernardi and Roger Noble of Computone Inc. in Massachusetts in the early 1970's. Three models were built: the original Lyricon I (additive synthesis, one oscillator split into different overtones), the Lyricon Driver (to be connected to an external analog synthesizer through Control Voltages), and the Lyricon II (with two oscillators, filter and LFO). No MIDI functionality was added because MIDI didn't exist yet. Later MIDIfication modules were developed by JL Cooper & STEIM, but never worked very well. Of the Lyricon I, about 200 units were hand made, and about 250 units of the Driver and the Lyricon II were manufactured by Selmer.

The Lyricon reacts to wind pressure (the harder you blow, the louder the sound), lip pressure (for pitch bend and vibrato) and of course changes in pitch by fingering. Some people call it the synthesizer that is closest to the human body, because of these three control parameters, and because of the fact that it works with (continuous) control voltages, rather than MIDI."

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Computone Wind Synthesizer-Driver (Lyricon)

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"Powers up but needs some TLC and essential parts like the wind controller and power cable. See photo for plug type.

Tested with a borrowed power cable and a Moog prodigy. Some voltages affected the oscillator pitch. I can't comment on the full functionality as there's no wind controller to complete the unit.

Outer case has a crack in one corner.

Item comes as seen. See photos.

No power cable or wind controller is included. Just the synthesizer driver portion as pictured."

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Computone Lyricon 1

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"very rare, only around 200 ever built. fully restored and upgraded by David O’Brien to original factory specifications in 2017.

everything has been tested and works, 100%

it looks great, there are a couple worn areas (see photos), and the case has natural wear and tear, due to age, but overall very nice!

this is a rare opportunity to own a perfectly functioning, extremely rare Lyricon 1 analog wind synthesizer."

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Computone Lyricon Wind Driver Controller

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