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."

FARFISA SOUNDMAKER Analog Synthesizer 1979 | HD DEMO

Published on Dec 26, 2012 by AnalogAudio1

"I played the Farfisa Soundmaker with a Roland DC-30 analog delay.

The Farfisa Soundmaker is a string synthesizer from 1979. It looks a bit like a Synclavier :-)

It has a string section, a "poli" section and a monophonic synthesizer section. The keyboard has aftertouch. Also it is possible to run the polyphonic section through the filter of the monophonic section - like seen in the last part of the video."

Farfisa Soundmaker w/ Music Stand & Original Case

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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."

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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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Farfisa Soundmaker vintage synthesizer + brochure (serviced)

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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."

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FARFISA SOUNDMAKER

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via this auction

"Up for sale is a very cool Farfisa Soundmaker analog Synthesizer. Fully analog. A very nice and organic sound ..
Sound is somewhere in between the Syntorchestra and the Polychrome. It's a performer synthesizer with mono and poly section. To me it's way more interesting than the Synthorchestra due to all possibilities.
It works let's say for about 60% and needs a fix but it's more than worth it!!
Contacts need a good cleaning. Service manual/schematics are to be found on the Net. It's +30 years old..
Unfortunately also a very heavy machine ..
So shipping will be a bit more expensive..
Collection is always preferred (coffee is ready ;)"

Farfisa Soundmaker SN 204

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via this auction

You can find videos of the Farfisa Soundmaker in previous posts here.

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Farfisa Soundmaker w/ Music Sheet Stand

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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."

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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."

Farfisa Soundmaker

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via this auction

"For sale a Farfisa Soundmaker, ideally to pick up in Berlin (it's 27 kg) but shipping always possible.
Pure 70s analog sound with a nice String machine section.

Working perfectly fine, been serviced last month.
Cosmetically good (see pics)."

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FARFISA SOUNDMAKER

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via this auction

"FOR SALE A BEAUTIFUL, SERVICED ITALIAN 1970'S VINTAGE POLYPHONIC ANALOG SYNTHESIZER WITH STRING AND MONOPHONIC SECTION FARFISA SOUNDMAKER. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES FOR ACHIEVING A HUGE PALETTE OF SOUNDS, TONES AND SOUND EFFECTS, PLUS AN INCREDIBLE STRING SECTION SIMILAR OR BETTER THAN A SOLINA, LOGAN, ELKA AND CRUMAR STRING MACHINES OF THE SAME ERA, PLUS A MONOPHONIC BASS AND LEAD SECTION, YOU CAN MIX EVERY SECTION FOR A MASSIVE WARM ANALOG SOUND, FAT BASS LINES, SQUELCHY RHYTHM LINES, EFFECTS, WOBBLES, LUSH PADS, BRIGHT OR DARK STRING LINES, A VERY PECULIAR LFO SECTION. THERE ARE SOME VIDEOS ON THE TUBE, NOT COVERING ALL THE POSSIBILITIES, BUT THEY DON'T GIVE THE EXACT IDEA OF THE SONIC RANGE AND POSSIBILITIES OF THIS AMAZING PIECE OF VINTAGE GEAR."

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Vintage Farfisa Soundmaker Analog Synthesizer

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Published on Mar 1, 2015 Joseph McGinty

"A demonstration of the Farfisa Soundmaker synthesizer, currently for sale."

via MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS

"Basically it's a combination string synth, poly synth and mono synth. When you blend all three it sounds pretty huge!

Mono presets include: Tube, Trombone, Trumpet, Sax, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Piccolo, Violin, Accordion, El. Bass, El. Guitar and "Free". The filter can be controlled by the LFO and/or the ADSR. There's portamento control for the mono sounds. The LFO can also control pitch or the VCA for tremelo effects.

Poly presets: Piano, Harpsichord, Honkye Tonk, Brass. There's a filter for the poly section that controls brightness.

Strings: 8' and 4', with Brilliance, Sustain and Attack controls.

Cosmetically there are a few gashes where the music stand used to go (see pictures)."

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FARFISA SOUNDMAKER

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via this auction

"Very rare Farfisa Soundmaker, 1979 italian mono-poly synth / string machine. No sounds, so it needs to be repaired."

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1979 FARFISA SOUNDMAKER

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via this auction

"VCF and ADSR doesn't work.
Some key of MONO section needs to be tuned.
In the MONO section TUBA, TROMBONE, TRUMPET and ACCORDION doesn't work.
The hard case needs to be restored in some parts.

It's a great Italian vintage synth, with extraordinary analog sounds."

Do a search for 1979 FARFISA SOUNDMAKER on the top left Blogger search for a video, ad scan and previous auctions.

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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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$220,736.00 / 160,000.00 Euro Synth Auction

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This one spotted by Adrien.

The list:
"1. ARP AXXE
2. ARP PRO DGX
3. ARP QUADRA
4. MOOG Realistic MG 1
5. MOOG Polymoog Keyboard
6. MOOG Polypedal Controller
7. MOOG Taurus II mit Pedal
8. MOOG Keyboard Controller 950
9. MOOG Memorymoog
10. MOOG Satellite
11. MOOG Sonic Six
12. Korg Trident MK II

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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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YAMAHA SK30 String Machine 1979 | HD DEMO

Published on Apr 2, 2018 AnalogAudio1

"(c) 2018 by AnalogAudio1

Synthesizer Demo of the analog synthesizer/string machine YAMAHA SK-30. I played it along with Lexicon MPX500 (reverb) and Korg SDD-3000 (delay).

Yamaha's SK-series are string machines with additional sections (poly-synth, mono-synth, brass, organ, depending on the model). The SK30 was the flagship (the SK50 was just a double manual version of the SK30). It has "ORGAN", "STRING", "POLY-SYNTH" and "MONO-SYNTH" sections, they all are mixable. The Poly-Synth section has a nice analog filter (but only one for all voices - finally it's a string synth, not 100% a synthesizer). In a certain footage/waveform, it even has a highpass filter engaged. The keyboard has aftertouch, which is assignable to LFO intensity or filter cutoff (similar to Yamaha SY-1/2 or Roland SH-2000).

A nice layer-string machine! It's a big beast, it competed with ARP Quadra, Korg Trident, Crumar Multiman, Farfisa Soundmaker and Farfisa Polychrome."

Farfisa Soundmaker

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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).

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1979 Farfisa Soundmaker Digital Synthesizer Ad

via Retro Synth Ads where you'll find the write-up.