via this auction
Showing posts sorted by date for query Farfisa Soundmaker. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Farfisa Soundmaker. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Friday, February 09, 2024
Monday, January 08, 2024
Farfisa Soundmaker vintage synthesizer + brochure (serviced)
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"Farfisa Soundmaker analog synthesizer with its original brochure (in German) available for sale. It's just serviced by a pro tech and in perfect working condition. The service report is part of the sale.
When you layer the strings, polyphonic and monophonic parts you create a unique sound. It's simply beautiful, like no other synth can produce. One of the underrated synths around.
Cosmetically it's in very nice condition, considering its age of 45 years old. There are some minor signs of use on the veneer, the buttons on the front panel are discolored, and one of the original rubber foot has been repaired. Other than that it's in top condition.
The synth is working on 220v and doesn't have a serial number on the case."
via this auction
"Farfisa Soundmaker analog synthesizer with its original brochure (in German) available for sale. It's just serviced by a pro tech and in perfect working condition. The service report is part of the sale.
When you layer the strings, polyphonic and monophonic parts you create a unique sound. It's simply beautiful, like no other synth can produce. One of the underrated synths around.
Cosmetically it's in very nice condition, considering its age of 45 years old. There are some minor signs of use on the veneer, the buttons on the front panel are discolored, and one of the original rubber foot has been repaired. Other than that it's in top condition.
The synth is working on 220v and doesn't have a serial number on the case."
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF THE FARFISA SOUNDMAKER
video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia
"There seems to be some mystery surrounding the Farfisa Soundmaker - how does it sound, is it actually cool, and what does Poly & Strings in Mono actually do?
In this video I go through the presets of all three sections and then move on to the marvellous Poly & Strings in Mono - unlocking your Poly & Strings in Mono is crucial to really getting the best out of your Soundmaker though.
I added some text to further explain its unique architecture - but here's a short info sheet:
Then Soundmaker has three independent sections - each with its own with volume and cut-off filter.
1. Polyphonic section with 3 Piano presets, 1 brass preset with its own fixed vibrato setting.
2. The additional Polyphonic section is the strings section : 2 footages of strings with attack, decay controls on top of volume and cut-off sliders. The strings sound surprisingly good - top tier 1970s string machine.
3. Monophonic preset section with additional Free mode which let you modulate the preset sounds with filter and ADSR and lastly - the Oscillator bank (LFO) with LFO controls, wave forms and vibrato controls.
Engaging the Poly & Strings in Mono internally routes both Polyphonic sections into the filter and oscillator bank of the monophonic section - letting you modulate them freely and really unlocking the uniqueness of this instrument.
The best way to experience the Poly & Strings in Mono is to create a dedicated Monophonic audio output - which the Soundmaker unfortunately doesn't have.
We carved out a Mono only output by cutting the Polyphonic signal to the Phones output in the back.
This is quite easy, you flip open the machine and simply cut the wire from the Poly section inside (it's easily reversible) - please have an experience technician do this for you if you're hesitant.
The second trick to enhance the performance of Poly & Strings in Mono is easier : turn off the mono section preset with its dedicated on/off button (it will still pass audio but no preset will be engaged). Since the mono preset sound is much louder in volume than the signal arriving via Poly & Strings in Mono, turning it off will make you hear the effect better."
Friday, October 13, 2023
Farfisa Soundmaker 61-Key String Synthesizer
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Farfisa Soundmaker - Serviced SN 6739 / 204
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"Very fun monophonic and polyphonic string machine combo from Italy up for sale - only selling since we have two.
Great preset sounds on both mono and poly section, love the monophonic filter, lush independent string machine acts as an independent third section, you can route the poly section and string section to the mono section and route an external audio source to the filter section - lots on board ;)
Just back from an extensive service and sounding truly amazing.
It has some scratches and dings, the colours of the preset buttons are a bit faded, the music stand plastic strip that's on top has been broken off at the middle, a small piece of plastic is missing on the front panel and one wooden side has a piece that's been re-done, but overall condition is definitely a strong good - please take a look at the photos.
The after-touch modulation is controlled by a lightbulb inside that worked up until just now but now seems to go out after some time after it’s turned on - we can get that fixed but will cost a bit extra so up to buyer - current price is as-is.
The after touch does not affect the mono filter - could be a calibration or factory issue - we have two units here and none of them lets after touch modulate the filter."
via this auction
"Very fun monophonic and polyphonic string machine combo from Italy up for sale - only selling since we have two.
Great preset sounds on both mono and poly section, love the monophonic filter, lush independent string machine acts as an independent third section, you can route the poly section and string section to the mono section and route an external audio source to the filter section - lots on board ;)
Just back from an extensive service and sounding truly amazing.
It has some scratches and dings, the colours of the preset buttons are a bit faded, the music stand plastic strip that's on top has been broken off at the middle, a small piece of plastic is missing on the front panel and one wooden side has a piece that's been re-done, but overall condition is definitely a strong good - please take a look at the photos.
The after-touch modulation is controlled by a lightbulb inside that worked up until just now but now seems to go out after some time after it’s turned on - we can get that fixed but will cost a bit extra so up to buyer - current price is as-is.
The after touch does not affect the mono filter - could be a calibration or factory issue - we have two units here and none of them lets after touch modulate the filter."
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Farfisa Soundmaker SN 204
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
You can find videos of the Farfisa Soundmaker in previous posts here.
via this auction
You can find videos of the Farfisa Soundmaker in previous posts here.
Friday, January 27, 2023
Farfisa Soundmaker
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"Really near mint aesthetic condition. Fully functional, revised in our lab. Only one knob it has been replaced."
hey have another Soundmaker listed here (pics captured here).
via this auction
"Really near mint aesthetic condition. Fully functional, revised in our lab. Only one knob it has been replaced."
hey have another Soundmaker listed here (pics captured here).
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Farfisa Soundmaker w/ Music Stand & Original Case
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
You can find demos of the Farfisa Soundmaker in previous posts here.
"Very nice aestetichal conditions.
Farfisa Soundmaker with music stand and original case lid
Fully serviced
Perfect working conditions."
via this auction
You can find demos of the Farfisa Soundmaker in previous posts here.
"Very nice aestetichal conditions.
Farfisa Soundmaker with music stand and original case lid
Fully serviced
Perfect working conditions."
Monday, October 03, 2022
Farfisa Soundmaker SN 6844 / 178
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Farfisa Soundmaker w/ Music Sheet Stand
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"Here are some facts about the synth:
The Soundmaker has 61 keys on its keyboard and therefore covers five complete octaves including C of the sixth octave. You can choose between polyphonic and monophonic registers. A combination of these is also possible - the keyboard can be "split" in the middle.
Polyphonic chords can be played with the right hand and the melody with the left hand. The Soundmaker has five poly registers (piano, harpsichord, honky-tonk piano, brass and brass with vibrato), an external one for Time-typical string ensemble, which is also polyphonic, and a total of twelve monophonic sounds (tuba, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, flute, piccolo, accordion, electric bass and electric guitar).
All registers can be easily changed and adjusted with the synthesizer elements on the front of the instrument. In addition, the instrument has a mode in which no preset is activated and the musician can create, save and retrieve his own sound. The synthesizer has two 6.35mm jacks, one each for the polyphonic and monophonic section, as well as a headphone output and an input socket. External noise sources could be integrated into the soundmaker's technology."
Unfortunately this one needs work. Also from the listing: "The synthesizer can be switched on and the various buttons also react, but unfortunately I can't get any sound out."
via this auction
"Here are some facts about the synth:The Soundmaker has 61 keys on its keyboard and therefore covers five complete octaves including C of the sixth octave. You can choose between polyphonic and monophonic registers. A combination of these is also possible - the keyboard can be "split" in the middle.
Polyphonic chords can be played with the right hand and the melody with the left hand. The Soundmaker has five poly registers (piano, harpsichord, honky-tonk piano, brass and brass with vibrato), an external one for Time-typical string ensemble, which is also polyphonic, and a total of twelve monophonic sounds (tuba, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, flute, piccolo, accordion, electric bass and electric guitar).
All registers can be easily changed and adjusted with the synthesizer elements on the front of the instrument. In addition, the instrument has a mode in which no preset is activated and the musician can create, save and retrieve his own sound. The synthesizer has two 6.35mm jacks, one each for the polyphonic and monophonic section, as well as a headphone output and an input socket. External noise sources could be integrated into the soundmaker's technology."
Unfortunately this one needs work. Also from the listing: "The synthesizer can be switched on and the various buttons also react, but unfortunately I can't get any sound out."
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
V.A.I. 55 Elka Wilgamat / Multivox MX-3000
video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia
"Another spin with these twooddbalss: The Elka Wilgamat and Multivox MX-3000.
The Elka Wilgamat is probably a bit familiar to our viewers by now - an Italian auto-accompaniment machine with three sections:
1. Analog drum machine section
2. Bass section with 2 sounds and variations
3. Chord section with 3 sounds
Harmonically controlled by a two-octave keyboard with a fill-in bar on top, it has a great warm sound that's unmistakably mid-1970s to our ears, the drum machine alone sounds great.
The Multivox MX-3000 is a pretty rare Japanese string machine and monophonic synth combo.
A bit similar to the Farfisa Soundmaker or maybe Solina String Synthesizer (the BIG one - not the regular String Ensemble) or the Crumar Composer but with a more complex polyphonic - or rather Divide Down - section.
Lots bells and whistles here.
It basically has three separate sections:
1. A bass synth section with multiple preset sounds and attack, decay and tone controls.
2. A polyphonic section with preset sounds that are modifiable in quite a few ways with a very nice and aggressive filter section, attack/decay, two different choruses, two glide modes and more.
3. Single Oscillator monophonic section. No presets but a few different wave forms, a very nice filter, portamento and the usual mono stuff for great leads, basses and even some space effects.
The Polyphonic filter and choruses are very cool on these, maybe that's what we got it for initially but it's turning in to our desert island machine, there's really a lot going on here, it's a versatile instrument with quite a unique and somewhat rustic sound.
They're famously hard to service due to lack of a good set of schematics.
The build-quality is strangely bad for late 1970s Japanese keyboards so they somehow always break down.
Vintage Audio Institute is a studio and gear vendor in the hills of Florence, Italy."
Thursday, June 16, 2022
V.A.I. 54 Elka Wilgamat / Multivox MX-3000
video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia
"These two machines match up quite well to our ears so we made a bunch of videos - more coming soon.
The Elka Wilgamat is probably a bit familiar to our viewers by now - an Italian auto-accompaniment machine with three sections:
1. Analog drum machine section
2. Bass section with 2 sounds and variations
3. Chord section with 3 sounds
Harmonically controlled by a two-octave keyboard with a fill-in bar on top, it has a great warm sound that's unmistakably mid-1970s to our ears, the drum machine alone sounds great.
The Multivox MX-3000 is a pretty rare Japanese string machine and monophonic synth combo.
A bit similar to the Farfisa Soundmaker or maybe Solina String Synthesizer (the BIG one - not the regular String Ensemble) or the Crumar Composer but with a more complex polyphonic - or rather Divide Down - section.
Lots bells and whistles here.
It basically has three separate sections:
1. A bass synth section with multiple preset sounds and attack, decay and tone controls.
2. A polyphonic section with preset sounds that are modifiable in quite a few ways with a very nice and aggressive filter section, attack/decay, two different choruses, two glide modes and more.
3. Single Oscillator monophonic section. No presets but a few different wave forms, a very nice filter, portamento and the usual mono stuff for great leads, basses and even some space effects.
The Polyphonic filter and choruses are very cool on these, maybe that's what we got it for initially but it's turning in to our desert island machine, there's really a lot going on here, it's a versatile instrument with quite a unique and somewhat rustic sound.
They're famously hard to service due to lack of a good set of schematics.
The build-quality is strangely bad for late 1970s Japanese keyboards so they somehow always break down.
Enjoy, more coming."
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Rare Jen DT 73 Analog Electric Piano
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"This is a the rarest keyboard I ever found. I didn't find any information or picture of it (yes even on Matrixsynth :-). [Funny!]
I estimate it was produced in the early 80s along with the also quite rare Jen SYNX 508 synthetizer and thus is probably one of the very last instrument ever released by JEN. To those wondering it is not a rebadged or revised JEN PIANO 73. I owned one and the circuits are totally different. (pictures available if interested).
Noticeably this one has a splitable velocity sensitive keyboard. You can chose between 3 pianos sound that you can assign and layer on the left and right part of the keyboard.
Piano 1 is a very squarish piano sound, kind of EP sound. Piano 2 is the one closest to an accoustic piano sound and Piano 3 is the mandatory harspichord kind of sound. You get a nice built in phaser with depth and speed controls, along with a left/right balance mix, master volume (that controls both the builtin speakers and headphone out but not the external amp out. Engaging a jack in the headphone socket mutes the speakers) and the touch sensitivity control.
This is the real nice feature of the keyboard. I thought the velocity response would be a joke but I was surprised how well it behaves. Not as good as a decent midi keyboard of course but better than most of the mini midi keyboard (like Korg Nano etc) and way way better than the Siel Opera 6 for instance if you know what I mean. Pre midi keyboard with velocity response are usually almost useless IMO. This is the first I found that is playable (far from perfect though).
Soundwise it's not the best electric (well electronic) piano in its genre. Sounds thinner than the ones from the 70s (crumar compac piano, multiman S, Farfisa Soundmaker etc). But with layering, splitting, velocity and phaser you can get some original sounds. I will try to make an audio demo, if not a video one. Condition is quite good considering its age and the overall build quality of italian keyboards from that area. There is a bump on the back of the case where the jack sits but it's barely noticeable. Underneath the keyboard the fake wood covering has started to pull off on both side but it doesn't seem to extend (it's where the original stand is normally screwed in)."
via this auction
"This is a the rarest keyboard I ever found. I didn't find any information or picture of it (yes even on Matrixsynth :-). [Funny!]
I estimate it was produced in the early 80s along with the also quite rare Jen SYNX 508 synthetizer and thus is probably one of the very last instrument ever released by JEN. To those wondering it is not a rebadged or revised JEN PIANO 73. I owned one and the circuits are totally different. (pictures available if interested).
Noticeably this one has a splitable velocity sensitive keyboard. You can chose between 3 pianos sound that you can assign and layer on the left and right part of the keyboard.
Piano 1 is a very squarish piano sound, kind of EP sound. Piano 2 is the one closest to an accoustic piano sound and Piano 3 is the mandatory harspichord kind of sound. You get a nice built in phaser with depth and speed controls, along with a left/right balance mix, master volume (that controls both the builtin speakers and headphone out but not the external amp out. Engaging a jack in the headphone socket mutes the speakers) and the touch sensitivity control.
This is the real nice feature of the keyboard. I thought the velocity response would be a joke but I was surprised how well it behaves. Not as good as a decent midi keyboard of course but better than most of the mini midi keyboard (like Korg Nano etc) and way way better than the Siel Opera 6 for instance if you know what I mean. Pre midi keyboard with velocity response are usually almost useless IMO. This is the first I found that is playable (far from perfect though).
Soundwise it's not the best electric (well electronic) piano in its genre. Sounds thinner than the ones from the 70s (crumar compac piano, multiman S, Farfisa Soundmaker etc). But with layering, splitting, velocity and phaser you can get some original sounds. I will try to make an audio demo, if not a video one. Condition is quite good considering its age and the overall build quality of italian keyboards from that area. There is a bump on the back of the case where the jack sits but it's barely noticeable. Underneath the keyboard the fake wood covering has started to pull off on both side but it doesn't seem to extend (it's where the original stand is normally screwed in)."
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Farfisa Syntorchestra 4 1980 Mono / Poly Italian String Machine w/ Original Gig Bag
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
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."
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."
Monday, July 05, 2021
Farfisa Soundmaker Vintage Analog Synth
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"VERY rare vintage analog synth. Sounds awesome but also has a couple of issues! There are a few cracks and cosmetic things and also the Polyphonic synth section doesn't work, although the polyphonic strings section DOES work. The monophonic section also works fine. I've uploaded a video to YouTube (link below) showing what I mean and some of its other functions that do work fully. These very rarely come up and when they do they're expensive. Check the video out and you'll hear some of the great sounds it makes. It weighs nearly 30kg..."
via this auction
"VERY rare vintage analog synth. Sounds awesome but also has a couple of issues! There are a few cracks and cosmetic things and also the Polyphonic synth section doesn't work, although the polyphonic strings section DOES work. The monophonic section also works fine. I've uploaded a video to YouTube (link below) showing what I mean and some of its other functions that do work fully. These very rarely come up and when they do they're expensive. Check the video out and you'll hear some of the great sounds it makes. It weighs nearly 30kg..."
Saturday, October 24, 2020
V.A.I. 2 : Farfisa Soundmaker - Steelphon S900 - Elka Drummer One - Binson Echorec 2
Vintage Audio Institute Italia
"Not too much too explain here, the big Elka Drummer in the video is an odd piece of gear, it's the classic drum machine but built in to a huge speaker.
Fun fact: Drummer-one means Big Drum in Italian slang.
The Farfisa Soundmaker is a polyphonic string machine and mono-synth with a lot of fun modulation options on board.
The Steelphon S900 is a dual oscillator monophonic synth from 1972 with tons of modulation capabilities, programmable presets (!) and use the famous Moog ladder filter.
With White and Pink noise that you can route to control the filter and tone this thing can really sound huge and is one of the very best italian Monophonic synths ever made.
If you'd like to know more - check out our video of Steelphon S900 here: [posted here, also see this one]
We make these videos as a showcase for our studio and for curious vintage heads - and for fun.
We don't dilly-dally too much with production and mixing but it can sound pretty good with headphones on."
Thursday, August 27, 2020
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:
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Vintage Audio Institute - Italia 1.
Published on Mar 14, 2020 Vintage Audio Institute Italia
Farfisa Soundmaker
Eko Rhythm Maker
Steelphon S900
Binson Echorec 2
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Crumar Composer - Mono Synth -Poly Synth - Organ - String Machine SN 00092
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"Amazingingly fat and versatile, up for sale is the Crumar Composer.
Mono synth, Poly synth, Organ and the lovely String machine.
Individual outputs and volumes.
This machine is the king of the Mono - Poly String Machines such as Farfisa Soundmaker and Syntorchestra, but richer and more versatile.
Four sections: Mono synth, Poly synth, Organ and the lovely Crumar Strings.
Individual outputs and volumes, all playable simultaneously."
Demo in the listing previously posted here, with one additional video.
via this auction
"Amazingingly fat and versatile, up for sale is the Crumar Composer.
Mono synth, Poly synth, Organ and the lovely String machine.
Individual outputs and volumes.
This machine is the king of the Mono - Poly String Machines such as Farfisa Soundmaker and Syntorchestra, but richer and more versatile.
Four sections: Mono synth, Poly synth, Organ and the lovely Crumar Strings.
Individual outputs and volumes, all playable simultaneously."
Demo in the listing previously posted here, with one additional video.
Monday, June 17, 2019
Farfisa Soundmaker
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
