E&MM Spectrum Synthesiser Preview

Published on Oct 20, 2019 Reuben Jones

"The E&MM Spectrum is a British DIY synthesizer designed by Chris jordan and released with Electronics and Music Maker magazine in 1981.....

The magazine provided a painted metal faceplate, keyboard assembly, and printed circuits boards. The rest was sourced by the builder using a supply kit provided by the now defunct Maplin Electronic Ltd, UK (see also the Maplin/ETI 3600, 3800, 4600, and 5600S synthesizers).

The synthesizer uses the famed Curtis integrated circuits: VCOs (CEM 3340), VCF (CEM 3320), VCA (CEM 3330), and envelopes (CEM 3310). These chips were used by many companies at the time, including AKAI, ELKA, Ensoniq, Oberheim, Roland, and Sequential Circuits.

Perhaps the closest synthesizer to the Spectrum is the Sequential Circuits Pro~One, both of which use the same CEM chips for VCOs, filter, and envelope; and use a similar two-VCO architecture. However, whilst the Pro~One is known for an extensive modulation section, the Spectrum is very interesting in its own right.

The design makes the most of the CEM 3340 VCOs, with a total of five waveforms, including a SUB square wave. The LFO, with multiple waveforms including random and regular sample and hold (the latter of which produces more defined sequencer like voltages), can be routed in positive or negative polarity to the VCOs, filter, ringmod/noise, and output. The multimode LP, LBP and BP filter is a self oscillating one and can be modulated by the joystick, envelope generator, and the LFO. There are also two sync options, as well as FM, ring mod, and an envelope shaper. The stereo output can also be modulated for panning and stereo FX; and there are eight jacks for external connectivity including CV/Gate in and out, and pre filter in.

In conclusion, I would describe the Spectrum as a drunk and wonky Pro~One. Mine is temperamental, and sometimes has a mind of its own, but when tamed, the Spectrum becomes a very live and organic synthesizer. The tech who serviced it for me said it reminded him of an ARP 2600, and described it as a 'proper synth'. GreatSynthesizers.com describe it as "...a mixture of EMS Synthi, Sequential Pro-One and Roland SH-5" and "one of the most outstanding monophonic analog synthesizers in history".

This audio was recorded directly from the Spectrum in mono, using a TC Electronic Alter Ego delay pedal for some parts. All parts played from the keyboard, or using the LFO to gate the amplifier."

E&MM Spectrum Synthesiser Video Demo

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
YouTube Published on May 7, 2012 by messerschmitttwin

"This demo was put together using just the sounds of the E&MM Spectrum Synthesiser, it was controlled by a pc and midi converter and my analogue sequencer."


via this auction

"The voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) each have six switched octave ranges and five waveforms. The sub octave output is a pulse wave with a square wave added an octave below, making the sound fuller and richer. The tuning LED detects the beats between the oscillators, and indicates when the pitches are in simple musical intervals, useful for tuning without sounding a note (e.g. on stage). The pulse width of VCO 1 is variable, and VCO 2 has a tune control with a tune fifth range. The VCOs can be used together to provide a vast range of sounds not possible with basic synthesisers having only waveform, shape, VCF cutoff and VCF resonance as the controls affecting basic timbre. This is done by frequency modulation and synchronisation - special features of this design. FM uses the triangle output of VCO 1 to modulate the frequency of VCO 2 up to + /- 100%, giving a whole range of non-harmonic tones for bell, gong and chime sounds etc. Synchronisation gives various waveforms from VCO 2 (see Figure 2) which have particular bands of harmonics emphasised for strong, voice box-like sounds. This is achieved by resetting the output of VCO 2 upon each cycle of VCO 1, so the tones generated are always harmonic. Two modes of sync. are provided: Sync. I is that normally found on rampwave oscillators, the VCO 2 waveform beginning in the same way after each reset; Sync. II is something totally new - the triangle output is set to mid way each time but then carries on in the same direction in the new cycle. VCO 2 locks on to VCO 1 harmonics with the change from one harmonic to the next emphasised by a sharp change in tone. This enables automatic arpeggiation and incredible tone sweeps to be obtained since VCO 2 now is effectively a voltage controlled waveform generator/frequency multiplier. The sync. control attenuates the pulses fed to VCO 2 so that it only resets if the wave form is above a certain threshold, resulting in the oscillators being locked together in musical intervals (3rds, 5ths etc). Simultaneous Sync. I and FM produces harmonic tones with the shape of FM-ed waveforms within each cycle.The ring modulator uses triangle and square VCO waveforms to provide further complex tones. Its output is mixed with the noise signal and fed into a special voltage controlled amplifier (VCA). This can be controlled by the LFO or EG, and gives the signals their own loudness contours. Hence noise 'chiffs' can be added to notes, or ring modulation set to swell in as a note decays.

The VCA output is fed to the voltage controlled filter (VCF) mixed with the VCO outputs. The VCF offers the two most useful responses, low pass and band pass, plus an intermediate response for bright sounds that remain strong in lower harmonics. Cutoff frequency and resonance controls per form their normal functions and a keyboard follow control determines how the cutoff frequency varies over the keyboard range.

After envelope shaping, the signal is fed to the voltage controlled pan circuit which can modulate the location of the sound in the stereo field by the LFO or EG signals. The stereo outputs can also be used for voltage control of the depth of external effects such as reverb, phase, and echo, by routing one signal via the effects unit and one direct to the amplifier. A mono output is also provided, and the VCA can also be used for additional amplitude modulation with the LFO as source (for tremolo and other effects).

The interface jacks allow connection to external devices such as sequencers, additional VCO banks, waveform processors etc. The Spectrum Synthesiser uses the 1V/octave CV standard, and can be interfaced to any other exponential CV synthesiser."

E&MM Spectrum Synthesizer Demo

Published on Jan 29, 2018 scratchanitch

"Resurrecting my old E&MM Spectrum synthesizer I built as a teenager back in the early 80's. The VCOs, VCF and VCAs are CEM-based chips and, with that sub osc on VCO1, have a pretty nice amount of grit - perhaps not surprising given the Pro-One pedigree. Did a little mod inside to bypass the not-really-worth-servicing keyboard - so now I no longer have to worry about it drifting sharp when controlling it purely through its CV/GATE in. In addition to pitch, the second CV channel from the nifty little SQ-1 feeds into the controller input which can be routed to VCF, PW, and even VCO-2 for some paraphonic fun."

E&MM Spectrum Synthesizer

via Colin Fraser's E&MM Spectrum page where you'll find larger images and info on the synth.

I'm digging the green wires.

Very Rare E&MM Spectrum Synthersizer

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

"A Very rare opportunity to get a fully working Electronics and Music Maker Spectrum Synthersizer. These are like hens teeth. I built this in the seventies from a kit. All still in perfect working order with the original manual. A collectors item not to be missed. Please see my other listings as I am selling a Powertran Transedant 2000 in perfect condition..."

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E&MM Spectrum Synth

YouTube via wetdragoon.

Home Built DIY 3 OSC CEM Based Analog Keyboard Synthesizer

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

"Very interesting synth this one, no way of naming it for you but based entirely on the build quality this feels extremely high end, a really nice home build project. All the rotary dials and switches have a lovely resistence to them and I've been told uses CEM chips.  No MIDI only the CV gate - would recommend that it is collected to avoid obvious issues in shipping."

Update via elgauchoandres in the comments: "It looks like the E&MM Spectrum w/o logo and some mods"

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E&MM Spectrum Synth

Title link takes you to more info on the synth on sequencer.de.

808 State - Tokyo Tokyo (Official Video)

Uploaded on Jul 15, 2019 808 State

Synth spotting with 808 State.

"'Tokyo Tokyo' taken from the brand new EP 'Initial Granada Report' - out now.

Add the track to your music library and listen to the full EP here: https://808state.ffm.to/initialgr.oyd"

Rare E&MM Spectrum to the left above the Minimoog. Comes in at 1:08 in the video.

Farfisa VIP 200-R at 2:17.

https://www.808state.com

Spectral Voyage : E&MM Spectrum // MFB Tanzbär // TC Electronic AlterEgo // Sennheiser AMBEO

Published on May 24, 2020 Reuben Jones

"This was only meant to be a few minutes long so sorry if it drags, but it's a long journey to where we're going."

E&MM SPECTRUM SYNTHESISER

YouTube via jonsey1976

MF#36 E&MM Spectrum Vintage analog 1981 Synthesizer Repair

Published on Oct 30, 2014 markusfuller

Jump to 21:40 and listen closely.

"A repair of a rare vintage 1981 synthesizer suffering from sample & hold drift and badly corroded key switch gear. these were Home made synths that was a project from a 1981 magazine. very few were ever completed."

Dr. Who?

Unique Custom Vintage Analog Drum Synth

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

via this auction

via the seller: "this is a one-off special, constructed in North London around 1983. I acquired it from the dude that built it. By coincidence, he lived at the end of my street at the time, 20 years earlier! I believe it's made from E&MM modules (Maplin), e.g. Syntom, Synbal, Synchime etc? not sure which exactly. it has 2 'toms' (pitch/sweep/decay/volume) and 2 'noise' (pitch, resonance, decay, volume), so 4 modules total. I know these modules are super rare now and sought after if you are inclined to raid it for parts (>sniff<) to 'evolve' it. it works pretty well, tho it can be temperamental, one channel is quiet and it may crackle a bit when you turn the pots, or not.. getting it warmed up and running is part of the fun. you can play on it but it needs some tlc or a service let's say. you buy it 'as is' and it will be sent fully insured at cost price (unknown at present, your choice) for full bid value, for your own reassurance. no returns accepted under any circumstances. pro production is not the point of this machine. i have been time travelling with it. it's rare and special and tons of fun live, with a polymoog for example. it doesn’t sync to anything; that's just a 5 pin din audio out (untested) and 1/4" jack out (working), you can see on the side. it runs from 240v mains and i cannot vouch for the safety of that. I've been using it 12 years without problem but I do not accept responsibility in any way, to any extent from any consequences of its use. the sequencer has one channel per sound, 16 steps switched on or off by switches... like a proto simmons sds 6. It has 2 tempo controls, which you can switch between. you can make bars 8, 12 or 16 steps long instantly. you can switch a channel permanently on, or off, or just to respond to steps that are switched on, on the fly. it has a stop/go button. that's it. there are tons of new things out now that do loads more than this but in some indescribably ways this remains a perfect piece of history, encapsulating the first synth DIY era. It's very odd, from the people that brought you 5600s & spectrum... and worth it just for the classic E&MM modules, which I'm basing the start price on."

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I hope 2012 treated you well and I wish you the best in 2013!

As I do each year, I thought I'd reflect a little on the past year.  These posts are always difficult to write, and I always wing them, so bear with me.  It's impossible to justify a whole year's worth of synth coverage in a single post.  The following is just a small bit of what comes to mind when looking back.  You'll find a top ten list of posts with the most page views followed by my picks for the year further below.  Apologies if I miss anything, and of course, if you have anything to add, feel free to leave a comment below.  I'm curious what you, the readers of the site, felt stood out in the world of synths this past year.

First, I want to begin this post with a HUGE THANK YOU!!!  If you are reading this it obviously means you have come to this site and some of you have been coming here for years! Thank you for sticking with me. This site is a journey I hope to continue for years to come. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to showcase their synths, and thank you to those that share what they find! Thank you to those that link to the site and help spread the word on MATRIXSYNTH via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and your own websites! And of course, THANK YOU to all the sponsors on the right who believe in the site enough to support it!

A nod to previous New Years posts, pictured to the left is the MATRIXSYNTH world domination map. :)  I always think it's worth taking a look at who's watching the site.  Synths are global and you are looking at a map of the readers of MATRIXSYNTH.  Everything you see in green represents a visit from that country.  The darker the green, the higher the number of visits.  This is just for the year, but for the life of the site, we still haven't gotten a single hit from North Korea!   I don't know what they have against synths!  ;)   You'll find the top 10 visits by country further below.

This is the eighth New Year the site has gone through!  The focus for the site this year has been the same as previous years, and I plan to keep it that way.  This site is about showcasing specific synths, not just synths in general, and not just news and press releases.  The focus is on the individual synths that have existed throughout history, the technology behind them, and the lives they lead with their odd owners, myself included.  :)  Yes it is about the gear, their makers, and their players.  It has always been my opinion that synths in general have a tendency to be undervalued. Compared to say collectible guitars, they are often discarded and devalued in favor of next year's model, next year's technology.  It has always been my opinion that every synth has something of value to offer,  something specific and something unique that gives it its character. I built this site to showcase that.  This site is about the history of synths as their history unfolds - videos and images of synths being played and used, by both those that make them and those that play them.  Vintage synths being offered in the second hand market, being exchanged from one sonic explorer to the next. It really is a wondrous thing. Think of the magic synthesizers bring into your world. That is what this site is ultimately about.  Some posts may not seem to make sense now, but they will in time, because they will be a look back in time. A day in the life of a particular synthesizer.  I love analog and I love digital. I love all synths and this site celebrates that.

And now for a little reflection on the year. This year we had a total of 16678 posts including this one.  That comes out to roughly 45.69 posts a day.  Not a single day of the year went without a post.  So what dominated the synth year?  Mobile, modulars and a few dedicated hardware synths.

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