Functional and Audio Demos of the Ultra Rare Con Brio ADS 200R Synthesizer

Those of you who have been coming to the site over the years should be familiar with the ultra rare Con Brio ADS. There was a keyboard version and a remote, or rather desktop, version. They are identical in function and sound. There is only one known ADS 200R in existance and that is it in the videos above (and farther below). Note the placeholder image is the ADS 200 keyboard version but you will see the videos feature the 200R. Brian Kehew wrote in to let us know he is working on a website that will cover the history of this rare synth. He also made the set of functional and audio demos. Above are the functional demos and farther below are the audio demos. You will find video titles and descriptions for each video in the playlistbelow, but before that, here's what Brian had to say:

"I've been making a website for the Con Brio synth history. Will be ready in a few more months. But meanwhile I've uploaded some video of how the thing worked. Primitive now, especially to younger musicians. But for anyone who lived through the days of floppy discs and early digital synthesis will see how advanced the Con Brio's design was.

We still don't know much about the workings, as all known manuals are gone, and the designers can't recall everything of how it did work. Here are some simple explanations and demonstrations of the main functions.

It's also a true 16-bit synthesizer, which was rare and expensive at the time. It also used an iron output transformer (like good studio consoles) which somehow also helps it sound (in my opinion) better than the Fairlight, DKS and Synclavier designs.

The two instruments I had are now at the EMEAPP Archive Project in PA, they may be able to make better headway figuring out more of the system and it's operations..."

Be sure to see the Con Brio label for various bits of info that have come in over the years. Also see the exclusive label for the rare of the rare in the synth world.

Playlist: 1. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #1: Loading the O.S. and Light Show

This is the basic beginning, to load an Operating System for the Con Brio synthesizer from an 8" floppy disc. First, the Light Show disc is used, then the standard OS disc that allows for music synthesis.

2. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #2; Panel lights show relevance.

One of the most-brilliant and unique aspects of the Con Brio design is the implementation of panel lights; they guide you to work much faster and more accurately.

3. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #3: Loading Sounds onto the keyboard zones.

Finding sounds on the 8" floppy disc directories, and then assigning them to the two keyboards in various combinations.

4. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #4 - Speed of Disc Access

One of the notable aspects of the Con Brio systems is a custom-written code to make disc access practically instantaneous. This demonstration shows the rapid access speed when loading from the floppy drive.

5.

Further demonstration of loading sounds from disc and sequences to play them.

Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #5 - Basic Loading 6. Con Brio Synthesizer Instruction #6 - Ensemble

Loading and using the Ensemble feature; the Con Brio could store a combination of sounds, layers, outputs, and sequences - and then save the whole set as an "Ensemble" preset - which loads nearly instantaneously.

7. Con Brio Synthesizer Instruction #7 - Loading and Stacking

Bringing in two sounds and layering them together.

8. Con Brio Synthesizers #8 - String Sequence with Tempo change

Basic Tempo control of a string sequence with the panel Tempo knob.

9. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #9 - Tuning and Synthesis modes experiment

As none of the Con Brio Owner's Manuals survived, it's very difficult to understand how they were supposed to operate. With a little guidance and help from the inventors, some methods produce results. This video is an experiment with saved alternate Tuning Tables and the Synthesis modes.

1 Con Brio Audio Demo One

A really nice wide-ranging set of sounds, changing across time, yet just a beginning demonstration of what the instrument could have done with more time and exploration.

2 Con Brio - String Section

Some string section sounds, very detailed and shimmering timbres.

3 Con Brio - Pipe Organ

Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition using a basic pipe organ program.

4 Con Brio - Wine Glasses

Digital synthesizers excel at this kind of crystalline ringing sound.

5 Con Brio - Sound 67

Playback of a sound with glitching, jittery elements; a fairly complex layered tone with some noise components, too.

6 Custom Con Brio Sounds

These tones are quite ahead of their time for 1980, and still sound quite modern. Easy enough to do them today, but back then, these were exceptional tones.

7 Random Number demo

Very similar to the randomness of a Sample/Hold on an analog synthesizer, but quickly becomes more layered and deep, a complexity that would take many analog synths to generate.

Con Brio Synthesizers #8 - String Sequence with Tempo change

Basic Tempo control of a string sequence with the panel Tempo knob.

9 Con Brio - Clear and Bright sequence

Demonstrates the sharp and detailed sound of these instruments.

10 Con Brio - Short Latin sequence

Just as the title suggests...

11 Con Brio - Dramatic

Dramatix, suspenseful set of sounds.

The Con Brio Rises!

via Brian Kehew of The MOOG Cookbook. Only two Conbrio ADS 200s were ever made. See the links in Brian's message below for more info on this rare digital synth from the past.

"Hi guys - this is a quickie announcement - we're rushing to prepare an exhibit for this year's annual (and final) "VINTAGE COMPUTER FAIR"!

Why? This Con Brio synthesizer I've had for a decade is finally going to make noise in public again. Just this week we heard it for the first time - maybe the first one of these has been used in 20+ years...

http://www.synthmuseum.com/conbrio/conads20001.html

http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/10/my-favorite-retro-synth-conbrio-ads.html

It's been a legendary beast - mostly because of how it looks (of course). But until this week, we didn't know it was really GOOD. As a slightly outside observer, it was truly amazing - the design and interface are superb - you can fly on this thing and work very quickly. They implemented the synthesis with some REALLY tricky methods, as well as writing their own disc drive code, things like that. It sounds like other digital synths of the era - but with much better fidelity, its basic tone is pretty great. I am now gonna try and reunite the designers (one of them is coming along for the show and may give a talk). I will probably soon do a detailed web page showing some of the clever ideas and history. ANd my goal is to lend it out to some people, who can take it for a month and do ONE piece on it - so I can make some kind of "ALL Con Brio" CD so people can finally hear it. I don't think it's ever been on a commercial record release...

The FAIR and the MUSEUM: Sat/Sun 10-6 pm!! Exhibits from 2-6pm!

http://www.vintage.org/2007/main/

So - if you're interested in coming by (Mountain View, CA) I'll be there with it. PLEASE pass on the info to your techie-geek friends who may also appreciate this or a roomfull (museum nearby) of vintage computers; Altair, Digital Equipment Corp., Timex, Commodore, early Apple, etc."

Update via Brian in the comments:
"Well, I would think so too, but that's not true exactly. The three guys who did the Con Brio are serious computer experts; the one seen at the show makes his living manufacturing THE fastest RAM you can buy today. He says the way the Con Brio works (which is not a microprocessor counting to create "oscillators") would still be hard on a typical modern computer. If it were done by a microprocessor running numbers, yes, a modern computer would have it beat, but the speed of the Com Brio lies in the "dumb logic" way the waveforms are done, which allows it to be driven a light-speed type rates - "doing the math" with a microprocessor is harder and takes more power. They were far ahead of their time and finding unique solutions to the problems they had.

You mention the comparison between the 16 oscillators and Bill's 136 - actually the Con Brio does run 16 oscillators on each voice/key; TIMES its sixteen voices, so this is actually 256 simultaneous "oscillators" running.

On the 6 different configurations on a DX7 being adequate for what sounds are needed; to do the simple Hammond organ patch with "all drawbars out" is impossible with that limited set - and that's just 8 sine waves, no overtones per harmonic: the 6-operator setup won't do it. There is capability there with so many configurations - and how it's used is up to the user. Same for the Minimoog - Moog engineers felt that more than 3 oscillators made very little difference in the sound. Serious modular synthesists would disagree.

Not to mention - analog hardware. ALL digi synths have it for output - and the choices made there by designers can drastically affect the tone of the output - otherwise all CD players would sound the same playing the same Pink Floyd record, and we know they don't! Yet another reason a Nord Modular doesn't sound like a Doepfer or Buchla... You "can do it" in software, but it will not sound the same."

Con Brio ADS 200R Vintage Synthesizer

YouTube via therealretrosynth.

"Brian Kehew demoing the only Con Brio ADS 200R in existence at the Vintage Computer Festival at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View California."

Update: if you remember in this prior post I noted that someone mentioned the Con Brio was not producing sounds on its own. Devo just left the following comment:
"Just wanted to clarify... The sound that was heard of the Con Brio at the VCFX this weekend WAS indeed coming from the synth itself. It is true that the synth isn't 100% functional (yet), but the parts that need to be made "whole" still, are the connection from the keyboards to the "brain" (mostly), which will be sorted out soon, hopefully. The sounds that were heard consisted of existing sequences on the original 8" floppys, coupled with existing sound-patches from the same orig. disks (of which, the OS is derived). BTW: the Con Brio sounds as good (or, dare I say, BETTER) than it looks. Awesome! I hope this info helps. Much kudos to all (past and present) involved! "

FUTURESPACE ORCHESTRA

flickr by Kiel Bryant

full size

"VintageTech electric organ/synthesizer looks to be on loan from a Tatooine Cantina -- or Captain Kirk's garage band."

That would be the Con Brio ADS200. Click on the Con Brio label below for more.

Update via Kiel in the comments: "Here's what Sellam (VintageTech president) gave me about it: 'That's the famous Con Brio ADS-200, a way-ahead-of-its-time synthesizer produced in the late 1970s/early 1980s. It was a project by 4 gard students at CalTech. They turned it into a company but since they were all engineers it failed pretty quickly, and only a couple of these were made. This is one of only two known to exist.

It was exhibited at the last VCF, along with the ADS-200R (the portable version). We got the ADS-200R working again recently, thanks in part to one of the original designers who lives in San Jose.

Both belong to Brian Kehew, and this one has been in my warehouse for a while as I'm trying to restore it for him (needs a new disk drive and a few electronic connectors fixed).' "

Update via Sellam in the comments: "I'm not sure what Brian has done to document our restoration progress online, but I'm sure at some point there will be ample web space devoted to these synths.

This is what I currently know (some details might be a little off):

1) Details about the ADS-200 in Kiel's photo can be found on the Con Brio Wikipedia page1b) According to the above link, it was THREE CalTech grad students, not four ;)

2) The 200R model is a portable version of the 200 pictured above. Brian Kehew scored it from Don Lieberman a couple years back. Don (one of the original of the three CalTech grads) had it in his workshop and was just about to throw it out when Brian made contact. Brian brought it up from San Jose to my warehouse, we plugged it in, and it came right up. It was actually in nearly flawless condition. We were able to get it mostly functional using the system disks from the 200 model above.

2b) We finally got it totally functional (well, 98%...) earlier this year. Don and Brian came up and we worked on it for half an afternoon and got the last problem solved (the keyboards). We played old samples stored on dusty old 8" floppy disks. The 2% that still needs to get functional is the video. The system disks we're using were coded for the 200, which uses a different video driver chip or something. We can boot the 200R using the same disks but the video is horizontally shifted and rolling. We can alleviate it by manipulating the video controls, but we don't get to see the whole screen. We get to see enough to load/edit/play samples, etc. Fixing this will be a matter of software, and that will take lots more work and hacking. Unless we can find an original system disk for the 200R.

3) The 200 model needs a new 8" floppy drive. Oddly, the one that it used is some rare CDC (Control Data Corporation) model for which I cannot find documentation. If anyone knows where to get documentation and a schematic for a CDC BR8A8 8" floppy disk then that would be fab. I tried substituting different 8" drives but none will work. Hmm...I just had a thought: maybe it's NOT the disk drive but rather the controller, or a cable. But anyway, can't say for sure until I know what the BR8A8 is equivalent to, or what's special about it, if anything.

4) As soon as the 200 is restored it will go back to Brian and he will do some magick with it. We (or at least I) hope to reprise the demo at the next VCF.

5) I video'd our restoration session as I thought it might be historically significant. It includes audio from the 200R. I'll get that digitized and up on YouTube as soon as someone invents a time machine so I can get more hours in the day. If someone wants to volunteer to do this then I'll be happy to get you a copy of the tape (Kiel?)

http://www.vintage.org
http://www.vintagetech.com"

Con Brio

via Dave

"Beautiful shots of old computers in a Wired gallery today... Brain was
there with one of his two Con Brio systems"

"Behold, the Con Brio Digital Synthesizer! Only four of these babies were ever made, explained Brian Kehew, who is now the proud owner of two of them. Despite their unique design and formidable musical abilities, the units never attained commercial success.

Con Brio synthesizers were originally designed during the late 1970s and housed five 6502 microprocessors. The innovate interface provide a CRT display with both graphics and text to allow composing and editing down to the waveform."

CON BRIO ADS DIGITAL SYNTHESIZER BROCHURE

via this auction

"vintage CON BRIO 'ADVANCED DIGITAL SYNTHESIZER' brochure from 1980 AES show 2 page foldout on the ADS 100 and an insert of the 2nd generation ADS200"

If you aren't familiar with the Con Brio ADS, see the Con Brio label below.

Con Brio ADS200... in a van... down by the river...

A little humor in the title for any fans of Chris Farley and his classic Van Down by The River skit on SNL (Saturday Night Live).

Humor aside, Brian Kehew of The Moog Cookbook sent me some exclusive shots of his Con Brio ADS200. You can check them out here. More will follow after the show mentioned below. If you remember from this previous post, only two of these were made and this one has just been resuscitated. If you are in the area you can see and hear it at "The FAIR and the MUSEUM: Sat/Sun 10-6 pm!! Exhibits from 2-6pm!"

More info on this shots from Brian:
You will see -
1) Con Brio ADS200 - the one I've had for over almost 15 years. This was me driving it up to a "vintage computer warehouse" in Silicon Valley - hoping we could get it running again.
2) Con Brio ADS200-R, which was picked up on the way, where it had been stored in a garage! Or the main part of it - minus the keyboards, which are already taken out. It hadn't worked when it was put away either - and no discs or manual, alas...
3) One of the main boards inside (forget which one), there are about 10 inside, various functions.
4) The wiring BEHIND that very board - now you can see why this stuff was so expensive to make - this is called "wire wrap" construction, and VERY time intensive - and you can't make a mistake!"

Brian Kehew's Studio and The Con Brio ADS

Brian Kehew of The Moog Cookbook sent me this shot. Note the Con Brio ADS 200. Only two of these were ever made. Brian has the first of two that was made from parts of the first Con Brio, the ADS 100. You are looking at the first ADS 200 in that shot. Simply amazing.

Synths:
(close) Con Brio
(middle) Alesis Fusion, Andromeda, CONN Electric Band, ARP String Ensemble, 360 Systems Keyboard, Chroma
(next) OB-Mx, Akai 612 sampler, Chamberlin 200
(last) Moog Voyager, Chamberlin M1

Thanks Brian!

More Con Brio Pics

more pics here via synthwood. Be sure to check these out full size.
Others here.

follow up to this post where you'll find samples.

Top: Con Brio ADS100
Bottom: Con Brio ADS200

Vintage CON BRIO ADS100 Brochure

via this auction

"Very rare, circa 1980 original brochure for the legendary CON BRIO synthesizer. This is for the first model, the ADS100, and this is the 4 page brochure plus spec sheet. In fairly good condition for its age. An amazing synthesizer design, legendary for its appeal and space age look. Only one was ever made!"

See the Con Brio channel below for more.

11 Con Brio - Bizarre Sequence

video upload by Con Brio Synthesizers

"These sounds play atonally with this sequence, seemingly ideal for a weird film scene."

See the Con Brio label below for more.

Vintage CON BRIO Vintage digital synthesizer brochure

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

via this auction

Here's something you don't see every day.

"One of the more rare and interesting synthesizers is the CON BRIO ADS-100 and attempted to steal some of the market from Synclavier, Fairlight and Con Brio. This is the brochure and spec sheet for the single prototype which never sold. This in in great shape. I have more vintage synthesizer stuff going up on auction, so check out my other listings, including more Moog panels. Thanks!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

SYNTH EVOLUTION - Illustrations of Classic Synthesizers

"SYNTH EVOLUTION is a new business specialising in illustrations of classic synthesizers, from the earliest Moog and Buchla systems of the early 1960s, right up to the introduction of the first analogue modelling synths of the early 1990s.

Every synth manufactured during that time has been covered - from the big names of Moog, Roland and Yamaha to the more esoteric products from RMI, Wersi and Powertran. Between them, all these synthesizers - and more importantly, the musicians who use them, have transformed music of the last 50 years bringing previously undreamt of sounds and styles to musical culture.

The first range of products from SYNTH EVOLUTION are stylish white ceramic mugs emblazoned with illustrations of these mighty instruments. There is a selection to browse from on the website, but any synth from a list of over 270 can be requested!

Note that currently only synthesizers are available - drum machines, samplers and more recent instruments are in the pipeline, as are other products.

Delivery worldwide.

www.synthevolution.net

Pictured:

Moog Modular 3C (1967)

Buy now

The Moog Modular Synthesizer 3C (1967) was one of Robert Moog's earliest instruments and formed the basis of what was to become the world's largest modular synthesizer 'TONTO'. Created by Malcolm Cecil, 'The Original New Timbral Orchestra’ eventually comprised two Moog Modular 3C's as well as many other modules from other manufacturers.




Arp 2600 (1971)

Buy now

The Arp 2600 was created in 1971 by Alan R. Pearlman and has been a classic ever since. Notable users are too numerous to list in full, but include Stevie Wonder, Jean-Michel Jarre, Orbital, Rick Wakeman and Nine Inch Nails. It was also used to create R2D2's bleeps and bloops in Star Wars.


Yamaha CS-80 (1977)

Buy now

The polyphonic Yamaha CS-80 is synonymous with the lush chord sound of Vangelos - such as the opening sequence of Bladerunner.

Released in 1977, it's eight note polyphony was a revelation, but it's 90kg weight meant some serious weight training was required to own one.


Con Brio ADS 200 (1980)

Buy now

The Con Brio Advanced Digital Synthesizer (ADS) 200 was an extraordinary synthesizer released in 1980 costing over $20,000. Based on additive synthesis, FM, phase modulation and some other esoteric sound generation methods it had 64 note polyphony and 16 oscillators per note.

Quite a beast, and a splendid looking one too - perfect for a retro-futuristic mug of tea!

—————
SYNTH EVOLUTION is the brainchild of Oli Freke, a composer and musician who’s had a lifelong passion for the synthesizer. He has previously supported the Human League on tour, run a dance music label, performed live house and techno in clubs and festivals, performed Brazilian drumming at the world famous Glastonbury festival and composed music for television. Find out more at www.olifreke.co.uk"

ConBrio ADS200 lightshow

ConBrio ADS200 lightshow II

YouTubes via bdufdiskc. via Brandon Daniel in the comments of this post.

"Control panel lightshow on a ConBrio ADS200 digital FM/Additive synthesizer, taken at the 10th Vintage Computer Festival" Listen closely and you will hear that it has 64 notes of polyphony with 16 oscillators per note. This means you could have up to 1024 oscillators at once back in 1978 or shortly after. :)

For those that want real audio, word from an anonymous reader is that it is not 100% yet, so there was no audio actually coming from the synth - just recordings playing in the background.

Update via Devo in the comments:
"Just wanted to clarify... The sound that was heard of the Con Brio at the VCFX this weekend WAS indeed coming from the synth itself. It is true that the synth isn't 100% functional (yet), but the parts that need to be made "whole" still, are the connection from the keyboards to the "brain" (mostly), which will be sorted out soon, hopefully. The sounds that were heard consisted of existing sequences on the original 8" floppys, coupled with existing sound-patches from the same orig. disks (of which, the OS is derived). BTW: the Con Brio sounds as good (or, dare I say, BETTER) than it looks. Awesome! I hope this info helps. Much kudos to all (past and present) involved! "

Tara Busch and the Con Brio 200

analogsuicide.com

via https://twitter.com/TaraBusch

click on the Con Brio link below for more posts on this super rare synth.

Vintage STRIDER Vintage digital synthesizer brochure

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

via this auction

Possibly even more rare the the Con Brio brochure that just went up.

"One of the more rare and interesting synthesizers is the STRIDER DCS-1. It was from Norman Oklahoma, and attempted to steal some of the market from Synclavier, Fairlight and Con Brio. This in in great shape. I have more vintage synthesizer stuff going up on auction, so check out my other listings, including more Moog panels. Thanks!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Complete Guide to Synthesizer by Devarahi Including the Con Brio ADS 200, Buchla Touche, Emu Audity, Aries and SMS Modular Systems & More

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

via this auction

"The Complete Guide to Synthesizers by Devarahi. Covers many legendary, vintage, analog and digital synthesizers. Arp 2600 sections. Many pics and diagrams."

Some synths featured inside:

Aries Keyboard System III
SMS Modular Synthesizer
Polyfusion
Moog System 55
Fairlight C.M.I.
Con Brio ADS 200 Digital Command Console
Crumar / DKI GD ?
Emu Audity
Buchla Touche

CLICK FOR MORE »

A Con Brio Happy Holidaze

video upload by Con Brio Synthesizers

"Happy Holidaze everyone, I'm ready for my set at the mall, Santa!!"

The Moog Cookbook

J-chot is on a mission to spread The Moog Cookbook goodness. He sent me a few good links below. If you haven't heard of them, and you are a synth fan, they are definitely worth checking out. They did a number of covers including modern and classic rock all with classic analogs and a couple of classic digitals including the DKS Synergy and... The Con Brio ADS200! To give perspective on this, according to the New England Synthesizer Museum there were only three Con Brio ADS200s manufactured and only one sold. Think about that... Move over GX1.

According to the last news (2000) posted on Moog Cookbook site (title link), the duo have been keeping busy doing some remixes for others, working with Beck and playing with AIR. Apparently they are in bits of a documentary titled, "Eating Sleeping Waiting Playing" featuring AIR. Pay attention folks, lots of nuggets worth checking out in this post and these sites.

J-chot's favorite shot of them (yep, that is one cool shot).


J-chot:
"can't BELIEVE you guys haven't done a piece on my favorite electronic band the moog cookbook! They were a two piece keyboard group band that did covers of songs in the late 90's with nothing but an array of beautiful vintage synthesizers. They made two AMAZING albums and then disappeared without a trace. Inside the cover booklet of each album was a list of all the synths they used on each song! I SUPER reccomend that you buy these albums. their live shows were supposed to be amazing as each of them were supposedly keyboard wizards. and guess what else? they were big in japan! I'm not surprised at all... It's sad that they disapeared though... they do an AMAZING cover/remix of Air's "Kelly watch the stars" if you can find it.. (oh trust me it's worth the search)

My fav pic of them: http://members.aol.com/mellot/pic2.jpg

Home page: http://hometown.aol.com/mellot/mcb.html

ALbums: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/artist/glance/-/82307/102-5163645-7448110

some of their GEAR: http://hometown.aol.com/mellot/brikeys.html

more gearand band pics: http://hometown.aol.com/mellot/photos.html

here's a little piece by the synth museum: http://www.synthmuseum.com/mc/

here's a music video: http://www.musicvideocodes.com/?artist=6559

there's other little bits and pieces floating around.... but you NEED to educate the world about The Moog Cookbook! [consider it done!] : )


J-chot"

Brian Kehew of The MOOG Cookbook Looking for a Website Designer

Via Brian Kehew of The MOOG Cookbook.

"I have some good info collected on old Minimoog, lots of details of the variations/changes over the years. It was intended for a website that never happened. Also have good info on the 360 Systems keyboard - which is a constant mystery to people who own one. I have spent some years doing research on it. Finally, the Con Brio restoration/documentation is going on - and also need a good website. I want simple stuff, nothing tricky, but would like it to look good. This is nothing "for pay" as these sites would be just to disseminate good information to people who need it. I want help from someone who is quick at website work. Just text and photos, maybe hosting and playing a few soundfiles?"

You can reach Brian at briankehew at gmail.com