images via
this auction
Note this is the WASP in
this video.
"The Wasp is a one-of-a-kind synthesizer that may look like a toy, but it is capable of fat, full analog sounds. The unique design of the Wasp features a flat, touch-sensitive keyboard that is built right into the circuit board. It was produced by the British company (hence the prominent Union Jack on the face) Electronic Dream Plant (EDP) and designed by Chris Hugget, who also designed the Oxford Synthesizer Company's OSCar Synthesizer.
The Wasp is actually a very early digital synth that also happens to sound great! It has analog filters, envelopes and controls, and offers flexible and traditional synthesis of cool bass, synth, and other useful monophonic sounds. Although it is monophonic, the 2nd oscillator can be tuned to an interval relative to the first oscillator, providing two tones at once (a constant interval moving in parallel with the triggered note).
This is a single-owner Wasp. I bought it in 1980 and have owned it ever since. It still contains the serial number, 1722, affixed to the back as a piece of blue Dymo label tape (this always gives me a little chuckle). It has always functioned perfectly and has been stored in its case (a nylon zipper bag) for most of its life.
This Wasp has its own claim to fame as well. As you can see in the pictures, I used this Wasp on The John Davidson Show -- John's daytime variety/talk show which aired from 1980-1982. This picture (though faded) is an actual promotional photo taken during the taping of one of the production numbers, showing me playing the Wasp. (A sharp observer may correctly guess that we were merely playing along with our pre-record and that in this case the Wasp was a prop, however our normal function was to back John live).
As if the Wasp isn't unique enough by itself, my Wasp is truly one-of-a-kind because it contains my own custom modifications and I guarantee you will never find another one like it. The pictures show these modifications:
• In the upper left is a slider control (unfortunately not spring-loaded) which provides a more convenient alternative to the clumsy built-in pitch bend knob. This slider provides an upward bend of a minor third.
• Above the Pitch Mod. knob is a switch which widens the range of the modulation -- from a minor third to a minor sixth.
• Above the Envelope Generator Attack rate knob is a hold switch, which provides a constant tone as long as the switch is turned on.
• On the back, I've made three holes which have nuts attached inside. I used these with thumbscrews (provided) and conduit clamps (not provided) to attach the Wasp to a microphone boom stand, allowing you to position it wherever it may be handy in your setup.
Included in this auction are a nylon zipper bag with padding (my own makeshift case), the original user manual, a pad of Wasp worksheets with several of my favorite custom settings, and an original schematic drawing which I obtained from EDP decades ago, allowing me to make the modification listed above.
Specifications:
• Monophonic
• Oscillators - 2 DCOs, switchable between ramp, pulse width (osc 1), square (osc 2), and one white noise generator
• LFO - 1 LFO with sine, ramp, sawtooth, square waveforms + noise to modulate the VCO or VCF; sample-and-hold
• Filter - 24dB/oct Hi-pass, low-pass, band-pass, plus dedicated envelope controls switchable between 12 dB/oct lowpass, highpass, and 6 dB/oct bandpass
• Keyboard - 25 capacitive non-moving touch keys
• Output - Internal speaker, 1/4" line out jack, 1/4" headphone jack
• Proprietary link connectors for linking with other Wasps or EDP gear
• Power: 9 volt DC power from external adapter, or 6 C cells from internal battery compartment
EDP Wasp performers manual (acceptable condition- notes on one page)
