Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 (1980) Mono / Polyfonic String Machine SN 6783 202 w/ Original Gig Bag

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Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 - trial Published on Jun 9, 2014

"Trial of an old Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 poly + mono synthesizer ( you can either select poly, mono, or play both at the same time ), please note that i am not a keyboardist so be gentle :P
The Farfisa is plugged into a line mixer, no ext. effects were added while recording..."

via this auction

Note the video above is from 2014.

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VAI 27. Godwin Drummaker 45 / Farfisa Syntorchestra & Syntorchestra 4

video by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Another go at odd bars with the lovely combo of Italian underdogs: Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 and the Godwin Drummaker 45 - Computer System.
These machines can be tinny and a bit dull on their own but with some help from external effects we think they sound unique, to say the least.

We've previously made a video demo-ing all the functions of the Drummaker 45, you'll find it here". You can find additional demos here.

VAI 26. Godwin Drummaker 45 / Farfisa Syntorchestra 4


"Introducing the Godwin Drummaker 45 Computer System.
A stand-alone auto-accompaniment machine with four instrument groups:
A drum machine, a bass section, a chord section and arpeggiator.
The Vermona DEG 500 is in use in the break for wobble effect, otherwise it's the Space Echo spring reverb and Chorus in action."

Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 Demo

Published on Feb 25, 2017 BeatFlux Music

I believe this is the first post on the site to feature the Farfisa Syntorchestra 4. That's out of over 149,500 posts. This one is rare.

Farfisa SYNTORCHESTRA 4

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via this auction

You can find demos of the Farfisa SYNTORCHESTRA 4 in previous posts here.

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VAI 24 : Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 / EKO Rhythmaker

video by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Another sad space ballad - this time performed on the poly/mono machine Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 (what happened to 2 and 3?!) and analog drum machine Eko Rhythmaker - simple but lovely machines - both extremely Italian :)

Vintage Audio Institute is a studio and vintage gear shop, we make these videos just for fun in between tasks, we're not professional keyboard players so please have patience with the sloppy finger work."

FARFISA syntorchestra 4 demo

video by Vykaar Tones

"Demo of the sounds available from the very rare Farfisa syntorchestra 4.
The output volume is quite low and the gain was turned up on my Mackie mixer, flat EQ and no FX. The output is mono but there is the option to have the mono synth out of one jack and the poly sounds out of another."

Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 1980 Mono / Poly Italian String Machine w/ Original Gig Bag

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via this auction

"Very rare Italian keyboard from 1980 with original soft case made by Farfisa. It has been serviced a couple of months ago, it works great.

It consists of mainly two sections, polyfonic and monofonic, but there are really four.
Rather than it's simple predecessor Syntorchestra 1, the Syntorchestra 4 has a lot in common with the Farfisa Soundmaker.
It shares the same presets and basic specs.

Poly section:
Separate output, volume and tuning
6 polyfonic presets in 3 sections, with vibrato option:
Section 1: Piano, Honky tonk, harpsichord
Section 2: Strings - with separate decay control *
Section 3: Brass and Reed presets, great warm synth tones.

Separate vibrato for the poly section.
The poly section can be routed to the Mono section via the button Poly in Mono. LFO and attack / decay.

Mino section:
Separate output, volume and tuning.
Pitch bend.
8 monofonic synth presets, modifiable LFO: Speed, Vibrato, VCF, brilliance, emphasis (envelope).
Portamento.
Mono preference - when you play chords, you can choose if the mono section triggers the lowest or highest note.

The bag is in less great shape, zipper works but needs love, one shoulder strap had been replaced."

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ARP Odyssey BERLIN SCHOOL 70ies KRAUT PSYCHEDELIC Farfisa Syntorchestra MS-20mini Korg #40

Published on Jun 20, 2015 VolcaRock

"early 70'ies Berlin School multitrack jam spiced with floydish Kraut,
all tracks live played and filmed while recording. Main Synths:
Korg ARP Odyssey 2015 // Farfisa Syntorchestra (1975) // Korg MS 20 mini.

Heavy use of my new Phasers: Vermona PH-16 (MS-20mini) / Schulte Compact Phasing A clone (Syntorchestra)

+ some Guitar
+ midi Sequencer RPE SEQ12 for Volca Beats, Jomox Jazbas 03
& Elektron Octatrack for ARP Odyssey Sequences & Percussion Loops

HOPE YOU ENJOY my latest Ambient Psychedelic SESSION with Video Art. It's a little hommage to early Berlin School artists like Klaus Schulze, Ash Ra & Tangerine Dream :-)

________________________________________­________________________________________­___


SAMPLER SETUP:
Elektron Octatrack

into Main Mixer TL Audio Fat Track

SYNTHESIZER SETUP.
Korg ARP Odyssey 2015 (+ EHX Memory Man TT1100, Ibanez ES2, Neunaber Stereo Wet Reverb)
Farfisa Syntorchestra (1975) (+ Schulte Compact Phasing A clone, 2x Behringer VTM , Lexicon MPX100)
Korg MS 20 mini (Vermona PH 16 Phaser, Lexicon MPX 100)
Korg Volca Beats
Jomox Jazbase 03

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1970s Farfisa Syntorchestra Vintage Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer

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via this auction, also on Reverb

"1970s Farfisa Syntorchestra analog synthesizer in excellent condition and in perfect working order, fully serviced and ready to play. Produced in Italy from 1975 to 1978, the Syntorchestra is an incredibly rare synth that shares sonic similarities to the ARP Pro Soloist and Moog Satellite, but is a completely unique sounding tool in its own right. With a Polyphonic section and a Monophonic section, the Syntorchestra is a combination of two preset synthesizers in one, each with separate parameter controls and outputs.

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Korg ARP Odyssey PSYCHEDELIC SYMPHONY with organs that sound like synths ELKA 707 FARFISA Compact

Published on Aug 1, 2015 VolcaRock

"Hola Amigos, here is my Psychedelic Symphony in 4 1/2 movements with Korg ARP Odyssey 2015 and 4 1/2 vintage organs that can sound like synths.
I was interested in early Pink Floyd & Tangerine Dream, So I bought 4 analog organs for the price of one YAMAHA Reface YC :-) I couldn’t believe what amazing instruments you get for the money.
Most time I tried to let them sound like synths and not as typical organs.

Instruments used:
Korg ARP Odyssey 2015
Elka Artist 707 (1978) with Elka Rhapsody 610 string synth & Elka Soloist 505 on board
Farfisa Compact (1967)
Farfisa VIP 345 (1972)
Farfisa VIP 200 R (1975)
Farfisa Syntorchestra (1976) string machine with solo synth
Elektron Octatrack (for recording audio)
Godin LGX-SA guitar
Jim Dooley on Drums

Hope you enjoy my 70ies inspired psychedelic trip :-)

more Info on the used Organs:

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Farfisa Syntorchestra Vintage Analog Synthesizer SN 6395

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via this auction

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VAI 20 : Elka Wilgamat / Farfisa Syntorchestra 4

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"A quick video we threw together some time ago, the Elka Wilgamat is a Drum machine, bass and chord generator from 1976 or so, originally part of the Elka X705 organ. We got this machine modded with separate outputs, sending the bass to the Maestro Sound System for woodwinds, a great 1960s filter/octave/fuzz effect, that stopped working during the making of this video.
The Syntorchestra 4 is of course the younger sibling of the Syntorchestra - a rather simple mono synth and divide down string / brass keyboard - it shares the controls of the older one, but sounds less characteristic.
We still really like it tho, the presets are great with some external boost."

Korg ARP Odyssey &Friends TRIPPY 70ies vs SPACE Rock w Guitar MS20 mini Farfisa Compact #43

Published on Sep 26, 2015 VolcaRock

"Hola Amigos, here is my latest 70ies inspired Trippy Ambient vs Space Rock with
Korg ARP Odyssey 2015, other great analog synths, Farfisa transistor organs & Guitar.
Hope you enjoy my "PINK KRAUT & BERLIN FLOYD" - Cocktail. Cheers :-)

Instruments used:
Korg ARP Odyssey 2015
Korg MS-20 mini with Vermona PH-16
Korg Volca Bass
Farfisa Compact (1967)
Farfisa VIP 345 (1972) with EHX Small Stone
Farfisa Syntorchestra (1976) with Schulte Compact Phasing A clone
Elektron Octatrack (Vocal samples, Drum Loops, stormy weather)
Godin LGX-SA guitar
Jim Dooley on Drums (looped with Octatrack)

All instruments have been filmed while recording!
additional footage was filmed with quadcopter Phantom 2 at Lake Constance.

________________________________________­_________________
additional recording info:

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70s Synth Strings from Italy - The Crumar Multiman-S

Alex Ball synth vids

0:00 - Opening demo
0:35 - The String Synthesizer
2:44 - Paraphony
4:11 - The Crumar Multiman-S
4:32 - Basic Strings Demo
5:42 - Low Strings Ensemble Demo
6:07 - Phased Strings Demo
6:34 - Brass
7:46 - Piano
8:17 - Clavichord
8:31 - Bass
9:01 - The Multiman
10:11 - Outro Disco Bonanza

"Today we take a look at the Crumar Multiman-S, an Italian string synthesizer from 1977.

We also look at the concept of a string synthesizer in general; an instrument that served as a stop gap, but that forged its own identity due the distinctive sound and the records they were used in.

Originally conceived by Ken Freeman, others saw the impending gold rush and got their instruments out. When I say there was a 'string synth heyday', I'm not exaggerating. Here's a list of just some of them:

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1970's Farfisa Syntorchestra with Built-In Metal Case

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via this auction  Cool fold up metal case cover for the keys and controls included on this one.

"Vintage 1970's Farfisa Syntorchestra Stereo Analog Dual , Polyphonic and Monophonic Synthesizer. this unit has been fully serviced by www.SDMachines.com in Doral, FL. All electrolytic capacitors have been replaced with new ones to spec, including the power supply capacitors. switch light has been replaced with a new neon (same type as original). All but one op-amp was replaced with new ones on the mono section. Power chord is original and is in great shape. Some trimmers were upgraded for coarse and fine tuning of the mono section. Footage and transpose switch notes have also been calibrated. Cosmetically I’d say it’s a 6/10. it has some dings and scratches here and there. All 4 feet are soild and original. I was just happy to have one with a lid as the ones that dont have a lid suffer the most damage..."

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SDIY Assorted random project ideas

See http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~lanterma/ems11/projectideas_sp11.html. I mirrored this below for the archives as it's on an edu site and they have been known to disappear after interest is gone. There are some interesting details on various synth designs including the Rhodes Chroma VCO, Yamaha CS-80 filter, Roland Jupiter-6 filter, Korg MS-20 sytle VCO, Buchla 148, Tau 1005 Utility VCO, Korg Delta, and more.

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FARFISA Syntorchestra 4 Mono/Poly Analog Synthesizer SN 464

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via this auction

Note the listing has already ended, however Jos thought the images and details would be worth archiving. Indeed. BTW, you can find a video of one previously posted here.

Extrem seltener Mono/Poly Synthesizer Made in Italy

Daten:
- Poly Section: 6 Voices
- Mono Section: 8 Voices
- Poly in Mono
- M.A.R.
- Pitch Bend
- Tweakable Filter
- L.F.O. (Low Frequency Oscillator)"

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Farfest 2012 - October 4 - 7 Deleware, USA

A chance to see some vintage gear playing 70's prog rock!

This one in via decaying.sine, also posted on Muff's:

"Hey Everyone,
I wanted to put out a message for a friend who has worked really hard with his colleagues to put a really wonderful event together. It's called FarFest 2012. The website is here: http://www.farfest.com/

Tickets are now on sale.

My friend Gerry has helped organize this event. It is unique because they are having bands coming to play, and his group has offered to locate hard to find instruments for the bands so that when they play at the event they can reproduce the amazing progressive rock sound of the 70's. Gerry and his group went out and FOUND these instruments so that the bands could play them at this event. Basically, the goal of FarFest is to bring these lovely instruments and bands together to produce the sounds that we love, and some bands are reforming just for the performance!

On opening night, the keyboards will be on display in the Ninth Muse - an ample space on the second floor of the Grand Opera House. The exhibit will definitely be interactive, and it's expected that there will be a large variety of instruments on display.

Here is a list of the instruments the bands requested:
Elka Rhapsody 610
Farfisa Syntorchestra
Fender Rhodes Electric Piano
Hammond B3 Organ
Mellotron 400
Mini Moog
Moog Taurus Bass Pedals
Steinway 9' Concert Grand Piano
Yamaha 6' Baby Grand Piano

The last I talked to Gerry they had lined up most of the keyboards they were looking for and were trying to track down an Elka and Farfisa. He offered a free ticket for all 4 days to anyone who provides a needed synth for use by the Farfest performers."

Farfisa Syntochestra Analog Synth 1975

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via this auction

Portamento whammy bar?

"Up for grabs is an ultra-rare Farfisa Syntorchestra analog synth from 1975. Powers up (needs a good 10-15 minutes to warm up), all keys are working. Poli (polyphonic) section works OK and I have used it on several recordings. Very organic sounding. As for the mono section, only 4 of the 8 presets work and it doesn't stay in tune with the poly section, which is rock solid. After doing some research, it appears the scale tracking needs adjustment. Vibrato works well on both sections. I don't think it needs much to get to 100%..."

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Vintage 70s Rare Farfisa Syntorchestra Mono / Poly Analog Synthesizer

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via this auction

"The sound is nlike any synth I've played, the best I could describe it is nostalgic, haunted and alien...


There are two independent layers, Mono & Poli, both of which span the entire keyboard

Poli Section:
The Poli section is pretty straightforward fully polyphonic synth with 4 different sounds, trombone, trumpet, piano, and viola. Vibrato or Delayed Vibrato can be added to them, and there is a simple volume and brightness control. Only one sound can be selected at a time (the furthest right switch that is depressed).

Mono Section:
The Mono section has several different instrument presets, from 32' to 4' voices. The Mono section is high note priority, and portamento can be added continuously or momentarily via the large switch under the keyboard. Portamento time is controlled by a slider on top.

The tuning can also be adjusted, with a fine tune slider and an interval switch that can push the mono section down a 3rd, 5th, or 6th. I have calibrated this syntorchestra so that the fine tune can be used as a pitch bender to push the pitch up 2 half-steps. (but not down)

A "Wah-Wah" Effect (filter sweep) can be added to the mono section, and you can choose between soffiato mode (which is just a slider controlling the attack time) or decay mode, with a slider controlling the decay time.

Vibrato or Delayed Vibrato can also be added to the Mono section, with a slider that controls the vibrato rate."

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