EMS Vocoder-System 2000B MkII and Roland SVC-350 Vocoder

YouTube via VoiceEncoder. no video, just audio.
"EMS Vocoder-System 2000B MkII and Roland SVC 350 Vocoder."

The New Sound Of Music 1979 - BBC Documentary Featuring EMS & More

YouTube via JeffreyPlaide | October 17, 2010 |

"The New Sound of Music is a fascinating BBC historical documentary from the year 1979. It charts the development of recorded music from the first barrel organs, pianolas, the phonograph, the magnetic tape recorder and onto the concepts of musique concrete and electronic music development with voltage-controlled oscillators making up the analogue synthesizers of the day. EMS Synthesizers and equipment are a heavily featured technology resource in this film, with the show's host, Michael Rodd, demonstrating the EMS VCS3 synthesizer and it's waveform output. Other EMS products include the incredible Synthi 100 modular console system, the EMS AKS, the Poly Synthi and the EMS Vocoder. Most of the location shots are filmed within the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop studios as they were in 1979. Malcolm Clarke demonstrates the Synthi 100, also known as the "Delaware", Michael Rodd demonstrates musique concrete by tape splicing and manipulation and Paddy Kingsland demonstrates tape recorder delay techniques (also known as "Frippertronics"). The Yamaha CS-80 analogue synthesizer is demonstrated by both Peter Howell and Roger Limb. The EMS Vocoder is also expertly put to use by Peter Howell on his classic "Greenwich Chorus" for the television series "The Body in Question". Dick Mills works on sound effects for Doctor Who using a VCS3 unit, and Elizabeth Parker uses bubble sounds to create music for an academic film on particle physics. Peter Zinovieff is featured using his computer music studio and DEC PDP8 computer to produce electronic variations on classic vintage scores. David Vorhaus is featured using his invention, the MANIAC (Multiphasic ANalog Inter-Active Chromataphonic (sequencer)), and playing his other invention, the Kaleidophon -- which uses lengths of magnetic tape as velocity-sensitive ribbon controllers. The New Sound of Music is a fascinating insight into the birth of the world of recorded and electronic music and features some very classic British analogue synthesizers creating the electronic sounds in this film. The prime location for these demonstrations is the BBC Radiophonic Workshop where much creativity and invention took place during the period the workshop was in operation in the latter part of the twentieth century. Electronic music today is used everywhere, and many musicians gain inspiration from the past, as well as delving into the realms of sonic structures and theories made possible by the widespread use of computers to manipulate sounds for the creation of all kinds of musical forms."

The New Sound Of Music 1979 (part 2)

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EMS VOCODER 4000

via this VEMIA auction

"EMS VOCODER 4000 ! I CALLED IT 4000 BECAUSE IT HAD MORE FEATURES THEN THE 3000 AND LESS FEATURES THEN THE 5000. Each of the 16 Filters has Level, Offset, CV out, CV-in. Very good condition. Fully working. The Vocoder 2000 was built by EMS. The 2HE Filter Section was built by a Pro Shop in Leibzig(Germany) in 2007. Very good Condition. Fully working."

EMS Vocoder System 2000

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Details: "British synth maker EMS are known not only for their classic VCS3, but also for their unique retro vocoders. Designed by Tim Orr, the EMS Vocoder 2000 is an excellent voice synthesizer comparable to the Roland SVC-350. It has been around since the late seventies, and is still available to this day. The Vocoder 2000 offered 16-channels of vocoding with filters, mic/line inputs, oscillator and noise sources, voiced/unvoiced detector, and slew/freeze control."

Peter Zinovieff Electronic Music Dairy Summer 1976

This one in via First Last.

http://members.tripod.com/werdav/vocpzino.htm

Peter Zinovieff was the founder of EMS.

"Electronic Music Studios Ltd (EMS) London, England. Beginning in a backyard bomb shelter, Peter Zinovieff has created the EMS Company devoted solely to the production of electronic music instruments." Quote pulled from this page.

Some excerpts from the diary:

"Today is another grey day ... I wish I was in Raasay. There was a storm last night and the studio roof started to leak. It has leaked every year since it was built and every year it is repaired. Water is dripping onto the computer section. Part of the ceiling looks as if it is going to collapse."

"What an idiosyncratic place they must have found EMS. Chickens in the garden. Computers in the basement. Children rushing around the kitchen. I wisk Sofka to school on the Honda. I meet Robin half way down Putney Hill. 400 yards zoom. "

"We discuss, rather drunkenly, the future of synthesizers and how organs are becoming more like synthesizers and synthesizers more like organs I explain that I have decided that EMS should not try and compete in this market but that we should continue to stick to educational and sophisticated machines."

"I tell Ludwig about the terrible week that has just passed and the exciting constructive week that lies ahead. Ludwig tells me of the bad financial state we are in and how the studio is too expensive for EMS to support and how I'm too extravagant. I can tell he is tired. I suggest that we discuss it at the EMS meeting tomorrow. Already then the meeting is diluted from microprocessors and Bessel functions into one of financial fussing. Another decision.
Later Ludwig quietens down. Nothing better than tea and cake, wine and a peat fire. We really get on very well. It must be a nightmare running EMS' financial affairs. We get to bed at about 1. I am glad Ludwig is back."

"We discuss the Glasgow Hospital project. This is an application that has been submitted to the Wolfson Foundation for a large amount of money to be spent on the computer interrogation of patients and the computer diagnosis of their illnesses. Apparently the right 12 questions could diagnose any known disease. The idea is that the patients will be asked questions in regional accents by the computer. They would then respond by pressing a set of simple keys. Yes, no, sometimes etc. EMS will provide all the hardware and the hospital would provide the doctors. It would be very interesting if it works. Alan will be in charge of the project."

"I must stop the EMS people drinking too much at these lunches. Peter Eastty will be slurred and cantakerous this afternoon if he has any more.
All the EMS team are very high powered. Even though some - like David Cockerell, Richard Monkhouse and Alan Sutcliffe are friends and consultants, they still play an enormously important role in the company. We are extremely lucky. "

"Two pop stars arrive with a roadie at 7. They meet everyone going off from the meeting to play pool at the pub. David and Tim are experts at billiards. In Raasay we found an old bagatelle set. I hope it pulls them back there. David walked in snow for the first time in his life at the new year in Raasay.
It soon turns out that the roadie is the greatest pop-star. He's from Tangerine Dream. One of the others wears a long furry earring. Call me Indie Robin recognises him from Chicago. He says he's travelling incognito. It's a good earring he wears for that.
German pop-stars always seem more workmanlike than Americans. English ones fall into one or other camp but usually are dressed up. The Germans wear scruffy jeans and shave. They have come to look at the Vocoder. We also show them the latest modules that Tim is making.
Robin soon takes them off for who knows what with some friends. Rose, Leo and I go to a newly-opened Russian restaurant in Putney. I become maudlin for the gypsies and the islands of Petersboorg that I never knew."

"I had a terrible dream last night about my neck being cut away leaving my head stuck rigid on my body. I woke rather sick. It must have been too much wine at dinner. Suddenly I realise that it is pouring with rain and that I had removed the polythene sheeting from the roof for Hans' lunch the day before yesterday. That is why I had nightmares and why I feel sick.
My worst fears are justified. Water is once again pouring into the studio. Two panels have fallen off the ceiling Onto the computer racks."

"We open a bottle of Champagne. Ludwig thinks I am extravagant. After lunch Richard comes with the video camera interface. It works as soon as he plugs in the board. My programs have been adapted and we are able to test it straight away.
With this invention I am able to derive patterns from a video image. At the sirnplest these images might be a waveform drawn on a piece of graph paper but at a more complex level I think I will be able to derive very useful musical patterns from more random video images. For instance say I point the camera at a flower and say I apportion density of image to harmonic content and I scan from left to right across the stern of the flower. Then imagine that these sounds are pretty mediocre. Dull. Say then that I turn the camera slightly to the left or choose another flower. Will the sounds be more or less interesting? They certainly won't be the same. What images will give the best sounds. In a way it is getting a video picture to provide a pattern for improvisation.
We try it out. I point the camera into the garden. I run VOCAB and I assign the Video parameters to control DOB.
Suddenly the most marvellously rich, varied and amazing sounds come pouring out of the speakers. They ripple and change. They are the first alssolutely fantastic sounds that the oscillator bank has made. Everyone is moved. At first no-one believes that they are not pr~omposed but as I turn the camera the sounds change. They are convinced. In some ways we are frightened. It's like in the story of tuning in to the death cries of roses as they are cut.
We call over Ludwig. He rings up Germany. I ring David in Paris we hold the telephone to the loudspeakers but there is probably little chance that they can hear what is going on. The children come down. I dare not alter anything. Perhaps the program has got into a random loop. I save it and restart it. Wherever I point the camera there is another set of sounds. Each more rich and varied than the last.
I must keep this a secret. I shall give it to Harry for Orpheus. We must not allow these marvellous things to be heard for a year or two. Apollo's gift to Orpheus was music. I wonder where these sounds come from. Perhaps it's not fluke that we have been working on Orpheus for 3 years. This is our reward.
What a day ! Perhaps all days will now be magical again!
I shall use the last seven days of this journal for my Glasgow Musica Nova talk.
Peter Zinovieff
Summer 1976
source: Bulletin of the Computer Arts Society May 1977 "

EMS Vocoder 2000

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via this auction

"I have owned at one point or another almost every vintage vocoder ever made, including all the popular classics like the Roland SVC350, Roland VP330, EMS 1000, 2000, Sennheiser VSM201, Moog Vocoder, etc. To me the EMS 2000 is one of the best out of them all for creating pronounced and intelligible vocals while giving you the vocoding effect, though it can get quite creativity and warped on other settings as well. For a small box with only a few switches there's still loads of sounds to be had. There's nothing quite as classic as a good vintage vocoder, every collector or home studio needs to have at least one. Don't miss out!"

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EMS 2000 Vocoder for Sale

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via this auction
yousenditworks (RSS)

"For sale is an insanely rare EMS Vocoder 2000, from the same company that brought you the Synthi AKS and VCS3. If you've seen Battlestar Galactica you've heard this vocoder as the voice of the Cylons. An amazing sounding analog vocoder, perhaps the most intelligible ones out there of the Moog / Bode / Sennheiser VSM201 / Roland VP330 SVC-350 / Korg VC10. It just has a very nice tone to it, and most important you can really hear what you're saying without working too hard at it. In mint shape and fully functional. Looks fantastic. I've tried almost all of the ones out there, and if there was one go-to vocoder to use, this one would be it. See pictures below for more details. Don't miss out on this awesome classic!.."

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EMS 1000 Vocoder

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via this auction
See the seller's other items for more.

"For sale is an insanely rare EMS Vocoder 1000, from the same company that brought you the Synthi AKS and VCS3. If you've seen Battlestar Galactica you've heard this vocoder as the voice of the Cyclons. An amazing sounding analog vocoder, perhaps the most intelligible ones out there of the Moog / Bode / Sennheiser VSM201 / Roland VP330 SVC-350 / Korg VC10. It just has a very nice tone to it, and most important you can really hear what you're saying without working too hard at it. The 1000 is very similar design as the 2000. In excellent shape and fully functional. I've tried almost all of the ones out there, and if there was one go-to vocoder to use, this one would be it. See pictures below for more details. Don't miss out on this awesome classic!"

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SYNTOVOX 221 VOCODER

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via this auction

"Vocoder built by the dutch high end synthesizer company Synton. Distributed in the USA by [Bob] Moog's Big Brair company.

This is the flagship vocoder from Synton, and is among the best vocoders of all time. It shares company with the EMS 5000 and the Sennheiser VSM-201 vocoder.

It's really rare, only 20 pieces was made.

One of the ultimate best vocoders in the universe, if not THE best. This is what Wendy Carlos said (on the web )- 'Question #4 -- What kind of vocoder do/did you prefer? Felix Visser made the best ones, for his long-gone (alas!) Synton company, all during the 80's. Some other fine devices exist, as the EMI/Synthi big one, and Sennheiser's expensive one, those and dear Harald Bode's design that Moog's good 16-band one was similar to. The ultra-basic analog units were generally mushy-sounding. Synton's had the best intelligibility on spoken words for their original 32-band device, .......' This is Felix's own machine, serial number 010, and was actually used extensively by Wendy Carlos - there's a typed note to her on the power supply saying it had been changed to 115V for her. It has now been changed back to 220V by Felix Visser. Unlike some models, it has a complete case. It will be sold fully working, and with a signed cerificate of provenance.

Synthovox 221 is a 20-channel vocoder system which has made its way to numerous recording studios, radio stations, composers and scientific institutions for its outstanding quality and its unexcelled intelligibility.

It includes 54 dB/octave filter, a feature not found in any other vocoder on the market. It also offers the versatility of a build-in pulse generator for direct speech sythesis and several control units for pitch modulation.

It features matrix patching for format shifting and a highly precise voiced/unvoiced detector system. And it offers extreme flexibility by the multiway connector which gives access to the analyzer and synthesizer sections and the control terminals of the voiced/unvoiced detector.

The Intelligible Machine has set standards in vocoder techniques.

High end model, attenuator per channel.

Only about 20 of these were made. Users include Wendy Carlos (who owns a 221 & SPX 216), various electronic studio's in Europe. Best suited for studio use due to complex control.

The 221 has a 50-pin connector on the back which provides CV in and out for each channel, and other functions as described above."

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(When I Was A) Kid - EMS Vocoder Track

via synchro1 on AH:
"If you are curious, I have a sample of the large EMS Vocoder. The track (When I Was A) Kid uses the EMS that was imported by EMSA and sold to Stevie Wonder; early 1979, I think. I had about 24 hours access to it before flying it from Boston to LA for delivery. I stayed up around the clock and ran anything I could think of through it."
Title link takes you to the track

Update: There are reports of an annoying ad-ware pop-up for this link. Be careful not to click any of the buttons in the pop-up. Always close these things out by click the close button outside of the ad, you know the one you use to close your browser.

WKGB perform U-235 (studio) with EMS Vocoder in 1978

"1978. Guitar, bass, drums, MiniMoog, EMS Synthi AKS, EMS Vocoder. David Goessling, Dennis Kelley, & me. Mixolydian Studios in Boonton, NJ, 8 tracks & Don Sternecker engineer.

Satellites are falling from Outer Space, gonna destroy the human race.
U-ranium 2-3-5 gonna stop you from stayin' alive.
Sky is on fire, things getting dire, kids are getting higher,
I'm gonna expire.
100 pounds U-2-3-5"

WKGB perform Kids Today (studio) - EMS Vocoder

"Winter 1977/78. Guitar, bass, drums, MiniMoog, EMS Synthi AKS, EMS Vocoder, RMI 300B. David Goessling, Dennis Kelley, & me. Mixolydian Studios in Boonton, NJ, 8 tracks & Don Sternecker engineer. Sometime in 1978 or 79 these tapes were used as pre-show tunes for DEVO. The band WKGB (duo of Dave & Dennis) opened for DEVO at Wollman Rink in Central Park that summer.

Dark skies are overhead,
"Not far". God said.
Black smoke and a dead cat,
Kids today know where it's at.

The air is getting hot,
stoned bliss it's not.*
If I could read your mind
I wonder what I'd find.

(kids today know where it's at)

Dark skies are overhead,
"Not far". God said.
Smoke Rise and a dead cat,
Kids today know where it's at.

*or "stoned kids eat snot" depending on my mood that night."

EMS Vocoder 2000 (Syntovox, Sennheiser, RARE)

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via this auction

"Here for sale is the EMS Vocoder 2000. Easily one of the best and easiest to use analog vocoders ever made. This was of course designed and built my the now legendary EMS, creators of the VCS3 and Synthi synthesizers."

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Roland VOCODER SCV-350 // I LOVE this thing

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A look at Roland's Vocoder SVC-350. It's probably the best your money can buy - The Moog is hugely expensive and the EMS Vocoder 2000 and 3000 are incredibly rare (and equally expensive). This isn't bad value in comparison, they seem to sell for around £1500. BUT.. .sounds. a lot better than any other hardware I've used... but then most of them are digital - nothing wrong with that but they don't have the clarity for some reason. I'm not sure if the Digitech Talker has analog circuitry but that sounds very clear too. check out my vocoder roundup for more." [posted here]

EMS System 2000 Vintage Vocoder

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via this auction

"Very Rare Vintage EMS Vocoder System 2000 !
It is the first silver original version.

Not very easy to find one these days.
This item has been serviced and works perfectly.
Pure analog Classic Vocoder tone."

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EMS Vocoder 2000 SN 12037

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via this auction

"This listing is for an EMS Vocoder 2000 MK1 speech synthesizer. A rare and classic unit, capable of producing very interesting vocal and tonal effects. Recently serviced by Rosen Sound, and in excellent working order."

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TR-909 Into Korg Stage Echo Into EMS Vocoder

"Roland TR-909 into Korg Stage Echo into EMS Vocoder into your ears."

A video posted by Vintage Synthesizer Museum (@vintagesynthmuseum) on Jun 29, 2016 at 1:47pm PDT

EMS Vocoder 2000 SN 12066

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via this auction, also on Reverb

"EMS Vocoder 2000 MK1 speech synthesizer. A rare and classic unit, capable of producing very interesting vocal and tonal effects. Recently serviced and in excellent working order."

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Rare EMS Vocoder 2000

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via this auction

"Beautiful Black version EMS vocoder 2000
Release in the early 80s.
It will be fully serviced prior to sale."

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By The Edge Of A Pool

"1977 at EMSA in Florence, MA using the large EMS Vocoder sold to Stevie Wonder, some words I wrote (February 24, 1975), three MiniMoogs, a Beyer microphone, 2 Revox half-track machines, and a toilet.

By the edge of a pool,
Deep in a woods
I watch myself watching
Eyes that see back.

A nose framed by skin
Wrapped round bones
That shatter a cleavage
Shaped by waves

I touch my own fingers
Wet, warm, and dry
They pass through each other
And then return

I follow my thinking
Always behind,
Thoughts follow all circles
Folding under

Fling prayers for my soul
Upward beyond
I long for the reward
that will be mine

A pike bursts the liquid
Smooth, sleek, and cold,
swallows a water bug
Then sinks below."

Update: the story behind the track:

"By The Edge of a Pool recorded by me in 1977 at EMSA in Florence, MA using the large EMS Vocoder 5000 sold to Stevie Wonder. Words were written on 2/24/1975 shortly before I graduated NYU. Sound source was 3 tracks of MiniMoog and some running water. Prof. Everett Hafner, who owned EMSA, had no idea who Stevie was but insisted he speak with him on the phone prior to ordering from London & personally delivering to LA. During the call Everett kept calling him "Mr. Wonder" and finally asked which of the two available colour schemes he preferred: off-white or chocolate-brown. Dennis and I could hear Stevie erupt in laughter over the phone and loudly proclaim, "chocolate-brown, Man; chocolate-brown!". I can't recall anyone else ever calling Everett 'man'."