Freeman String Symphonizer-Fully Serviced on MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS

Remember, listings on the classifieds site are only $1!

"I've had this beautiful monster of a synthesizer for several years now, but it's time for it to go along to a new home. It was completely non-functional, but my local tech is a force to be reckoned with and he brought it up to studio perfect condition. The ensemble effect on this synth cannot be replicated-it's gorgeous beyond your wildest dreams. Dont even get me started on the genuine spring reverb hiding inside this monstrous beast. Ken Freeman may have wanted to create an electronic Mellotron because he couldn't afford a tape one, but he managed to create something else entirely that stands on its own as an incredible piece of technology.

Comes with power cable and reproductions of a couple of the manuals. Has some small cosmetic knicks, but is functionally perfect. Two of the lamps on the selector buttons are slightly weak compared to the other two, but still work perfectly.

REGARDING SHIPPING: This thing is heavy and huge, like all the great keyboards of it's time. Shipping cost is built into the price, within reason. If it turns out the shipping is outrageously more than I planned for, I will let you know.

LOCAL PICKUP: I'm located in Detroit, Michigan, but I am totally willing to work something out with respect to a pickup. I'll be attending Knobcon this year, so if you or someone you know is going to Knobcon and can pick it up, I'll bring it there. If you'd like to meet in or around Cleveland, Akron, or Toledo Ohio or anywhere in Michigan (Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, etc), I'm definitely willing to make that work."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage MOOG SIGNAL PROCESSORS

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

See the original advert for the set in this post.

via the seller: "THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE TO OWN ALL THESE UNITS WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT YEARS & YEARS TO FIND THEM ALL... IT TOOK ME MANY YEARS TO FIND THEM ALL AND SPENT LOTS OF MONEY ON THEM PLUS ALL THE ELECTRONIC MAINTENANCE I HAVE GIVEN TO EACH ONE OF THEM TO HAVE THEM WORK ALL 100%.

I have 5 units in a robust ATA Molded PE Shock w/ Rubber Shock Suspension (12U Space) Model: G-Shock-12L almost new with both front and back lid covers with it's own locking key as well... (REFER TO PHOTOS...) And the Moog Parametric Equalizer as a single unit because it didn't fit in the case unfortunately... But you get all 6 units shipped together as a complete set... NOTE: On the last picture the Bode Frequency Shifter, Bode Vocoder, and the second Moog Parametric EQ ARE NOT included in the bundle they are there just because that's where I had mounted both Parametric EQs but you only get one of the Parametric EQs and not 2 that are pictured there along with the other Bode stuff... Although the Bode Units are going for sale as well but are being sold separately so please refer to info description or ask questions if you're not sure. Thanks...

Here's what's included in the bundle:

- Moog 16 Channel Vocoder 327A - Model: MBVO - X 1 Unit
- Moog Custom Engineering String Filter - ( Fully Calibrated...) - X 1 Unit
- Moog Custom Engineering Dual VCO - ( Fully Calibrated As Well...) - X 1 Unit
- Moog 12 Stage Phaser - Model: MPKH - X 1 Unit
- Moog Three Band Parametric Equalizer 304A - Model: MKPE - X 1 Unit
- Moog Ten Band Graphic Equalizer - Model: MKGE - X 1 Unit

Here's some info you may want to know about each unit:

* Moog Dual VCO - The Moog Dual Voltage Controlled Oscillator was built in very limited quantities by the Moog Custom Engineering Department A.K.A. Modusonic which has 2 Ultra-Stable VCOs based on the 3rd Revision of the Minimoog 921A VCO With Temp Comp UA 726 Matched Differential Pair Transistors. SUPER FREAKING PHAT..!!! Personally I think it beats any Minimoog I've own... The waveforms are just "EARGASMIC"... =) You've got to hear it for yourself... The Moog Dual VCO was designed to add that extra two oscillator fatness to other Moog Synthesizers as the Multimoog, Micromoog and the Minimoog at the time; although the Minimoog required the addition of the Keyboard CV Output Modification so it could control the Moog Dual VCO's pitch and route it's output back into the Minimoog's External Audio Input... The Micromoog & Multimoog did not require this mod because they have already a Keyboard CV Output Jack as well as their respective audio input. So basically you can use the Moog Dual VCO with any Analog Synthesizer with a Keyboard CV Output (1 Volt/Oct.) and an External Audio Input to pass the Dual VCO's output signal back in it and voila two extra fat Moog Oscillators in your set up.

* Functions, Features & Input/Output Option:

- Master Tune - Controls overall tuning of both oscillators or one when only used as single...
- Pulse Width - Controls width of both oscillator's pulse waveforms when used either as single or dual.
- Octave Select Multi-Switch Knob with: LO, 32', 16', 8', 4', 2'. (Both Oscillator 1 & 2 have their own Multi-Switch Knob)
- Waveform Select Switch with: Up Ramp/Sawtooth, Triangle, Pulse, Sine.
- Oscillator On/Off Switch - Each Oscillator has it's own on/off switch to quickly add or subtract one oscillator while performing.
- Oscillator 2 Sync Switch - Automatically syncs both oscillators together by the flick of a switch.
- Oscillator 2 Tune Knob - To tune or detune oscillator 2 from 1 either while synced or un-synced.
- Output Level Knob - Controls overall output volume.
- Power Switch - Turns on/off unit.
- Oscillator 1 CV Input Jack 1/4" (1 Volt/Oct.) - Controls oscillator 1 only.
- Both In 1 CV Input Jack 1/4" (1 Volt/Oct.) - Controls pitch of both oscillators while oscillator 1 being the master controller.
- Oscillator 1 Output Jack 1/4" - Outputs signal of oscillator 1 only.
- Oscillator 2 CV Input Jack 1/4" (1 Volt/Oct.) - Controls oscillator 2 only.
- Both In 2 CV Input Jack 1/4" (1 Volt/Oct.) - Controls pitch of both oscillators.
- Oscillator 2 Output Jack 1/4" - Outputs signal of oscillator 2 only.
- X 4 Multiple Output Jacks 1/4" - Note: These are not connected whatsoever to any circuit inside the unit, they only serve to split any input or output signal you wish to multiply.
- Runs on 120 VAC Only.

* Moog 16 Channel Vocoder - The Moog 16 Channel Vocoder was designed by Genius Engineer and Pioneer In Electronic Music Instruments Harald Bode in the mid 70's about and first released in about 1977 under the "Bode Sound Company" Brand which was manufactured by Polyfusion under the name of Bode Vocoder 16 Channel Model 7702, and was then licensed to the Moog Synthesizer Brand in about 1978 which was then released as The Moog 16-Channel Vocoder 327A Model MBVO. Both Vocoders are almost identical in circuit design except for a few slight variations in the type of components that were used in each but functions and features are basically the same...

* Functions, Features & Input/Output Option:

CLICK FOR MORE »

A few of my favorite strings

Published on Oct 30, 2012 by sounddoctorin

"Bob Weigel of http://www.sounddoctorin.com assisted by Mr. Baxter who asks annoying questions to help confuse me, demonstrates basic 8'/4' mix on some of the classic string machines of the 70's. The Freeman String Symphonizer, Crumar Multiman, ARP Omni, Roland RS-202, Korg PE-2000, Hohner Stringer, and the late 70's and early 1980 ARP Quartet (Siel Orchestra) and the Moog Opus 3."

Freeman Symphonizer Vintage Analog String Synthesizer

YouTube Uploaded by Sjobeck7 on Oct 8, 2011

"Vintage Freeman String Synth From 1973... Oh, and to be perfectly clear I'd just as soon as sell my own kids as I would to list my friend here up on Feebay... In case you didn't catch the unwitty/witty sarcalisms... :/ Let me know though if anyone else has one, I'd be curious... I could also open her up and hopefullty do a better demo down that there a road..."

Freeman Strings on eBay

1970's Freeman String Symphonizer

via this auction

"This is a genuine and rare "Ken" Freeman String Symphonizer. There is an abundance of information on this interesting unit and its design. It was used by many famous acts including The Who, Jan Hammer, Elton John and Chick Corea."

SN 40294

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage 70's Freeman String Symphonizer

via this auction

"In my opinion the sound of the Freeman Symphonizer has a richness and complexity unlike any other string synth. It is as rare as it is unique. It was the first string machine ever produced! (Mr. Freeman actually invented the concept of a "string machine.") It is also the largest string machine I have ever owned and features a full 61 key keyboard and on board spring reverb. The reason to own this Freeman is the sound. It has a very unique and BIG sound. Cosmetically this Freeman is rough from being toured in the 70's BUT no expense was spared in fully restoring every inch of this machine mechanically so it plays and sounds as good as if you went back in time to the 70's and bought your own.


Everything that needed to be done was done including a complete keyboard rebushing. This machine was professionally owned/toured and then put into storage so it did not need that much work to get it perfect. The Freeman weighs 75 pounds and measures 38x33x9 so shipping will be a little expensive, please contact me for an exact shipping quote if you live outside of the USA I may be able to get it to you cheaper than the ebay shipping calculator depending on your location. I do NOT have an original pedal for this one but I have tested it with an original Freeman pedal from my near mint Freeman and it works great. (I would be charging way more for my near mint Freeman with pedal) It would be pretty easy to build your own or modify an existing pedal to work with the Freeman. In conclusion, the Freeman is not in great cosmetic shape (but still looks cool), It works perfectly, has been fully restored, and recently serviced."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Calvary - A-12 over Telluride

"The lead line is a Roland Jupiter 4. The pad sound is a Yamaha CS-60 ran through a chorus pedal. The bassline/noise is my modular (It's 5U, the majority being Synthesizer.com but I also have portions of Modcan B, MOTM, and Oakley) ran through a Kenwood reverb box. The string sound is my ancient Freeman String Symphonizer. A Lexicon is covering the master reverb, Linn samples doing the drums."

Rare 70s Freeman String Symphonizer

via this auction

"An original Freeman String Symphonizer Synthesizer from about 1973. One of the lushest most unique analog string synths ever made."

inside a Freeman String Symphonizer

CLICK FOR MORE »

Ken Freeman and the History Of String Synthesis

"Ken Freeman couldn't afford a Mellotron to play his string parts, so he invented a new kind of electronic instrument. But though the world would eventually embrace string synthesizers with a passion, he never got the credit he deserved."

You can find the full article on Sound on Sound.

This one in via Synthwood who is currently working on a Freeman String Symphonizer Cordovox CSS like the one pictured in this post.

Left: "Ken Freeman in 2005 with Prototype #4, the last and greatest of the string synthesizers he designed."

Bottom: "Ken Freeman's ideas eventually reached the market in the Freeman String Symphonizer."

Freeman Symphonizer FRMS-810 String Synth

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

FREEMAN STRING SYMPHONIZER SYNTHESIZER

via this auction

"'70'S ERA STRING SYNTHESIZER WITH 2 OSILLATORS PER VOICE, FULL POLYPHONY, A REAL ONBOARD SPRING REVERB UNIT, MONOPHONIC AFTERTOUCH, ENSEMBLE AND CHORUS GENERATORS, AND THE BEST SOUNDING STRINGS OF THE ERA, SO DAMN GOOD THAT A MAJOR SAMPLE DISC WITH THE SOUNDS OF THIS RARE BIRD HAS RECENTLY BEEN RELEASED, SO THAT YOU CAN PLAY THOSE LUSH SOUNDS ON YOUR LITTLE GENERIC- EVERY BODY HAS ONE -CORPORATE MUSIC STORE KEYBOARD!!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

NUSofting Strings Dream

You might remember NUSofting from the Broken Drum Machine, daHornet, Groove Analogizer, Harp Time, Peti and more.

"Strings Dream is able to reproduce the infinite array of rich, analogue pads from the most famous strings machines in synthesizer history. Emulate the classic Eminent Solina as well as its sister keyboards from Elka, Crumar and even their Japanese cousins.

"Strings Dream Synthesizer" will be released in May 2009 first as VST plugin and later as AU. Extimated price 89 USD

Nice intro to strings machines features and history Check it out! [excerpt below]
SDS GUI screenshot Check it out!
First beta recording Check it out!"

"'Strings Dream Synthesizer' writings for docs,
2009 Luigi Felici nusofting.com
Edited by Scot Solida and Cj

About Strings Machines.
A remarkable number of musicians recognize the desirable sonic character of “string machines”. String machines were unique to the Seventies and nearly every major manufacturer offered some variation on the theme. ARP’s biggest selling instrument was in fact their Omni, an instrument that combined a string machine with a simple synthesizer. Even Moog got in on the act with their Opus 3.

Just as the Rhodes piano and Hammond organs were intended as portable solutions to musicians who desired the sound of more cumbersome (and expensive) instruments, string machines were seen as the gigging musician’s alternative to the orchestra. Or, at the very least, it was easier to carry around than a Mellotron! Of course, the string machines didn’t sound like an orchestra, but had a character that today’s musicians find quite appealing on its own merits.

CLICK FOR MORE »

ElectroHarmonix Mini-Synthesizer Sample Track

You can find the track on David Kronemyer's blog. Be sure to see the rest of the site for other synth related posts including some words and another image of the ARP String Ensemble, Logan String Melody, and Freeman String Symphonizer below.

Virtual String Machine Review and Samples on Cafe 80

See the full review with samples on khoral's Cafe 80.
snip:
"The VSM is a sample-based software synthesizer from Gforce Software, recreating those beloved old-fashioned string machines from the 70’s and early 80’s (pictured below, the Eminent 310, which famously provided the atmospheric strings of Oxygène and Equinoxe).

It is sample-based, in that the VSM don’t emulate these instruments from scratch, but starts with recordings, which you can then retune, pan and modify with filters (lowpass, highpass and bandpass) and LFO."

Also be sure to check out the demos section on the official Gforce site.


List of users from the Gforce site for the archives:
"Essential String Machine
* Jean Michel Jarre: Oxygene (Eminent 310 [pictured]), Equinoxe (Elka Rhapsody)
* Duran Duran: Rio (Crumar Multiman)
* John Foxx: Metamatic (Elka Rhapsody)
* Beck: Midnight Vultures (Opus 3)
* Morrisey: You are the Quarry (Opus 3)
* Jeff Wayne: War Of The Worlds (Freeman String Symphonizer)
* David Bowie: Sound & Vision (ARP Omni)
* Roy Ayres: My Life in the Sunshine (Solina)
* Herbie Hancock: Chameleon (Solina)
* Steve Hackett: Spectral Mornings (Logan String Melody), Voyage of the Acolyte (Elka Rhapsody)
* Genesis: Lamb Lies Down on Broadway album (Elka Rhapsody layered with Mellotron®)
* Air: Moon Safari album (Solina)
* Ultravox: Vienna (Elka Rhapsody & Yamaha SS-30), Artificial Life - (Elka Rhapsody)
* Lonnie Liston Smith: Expansions (Solina)
* Gary Wright: Dreamweaver (Solina)
* Goldfrapp: Number One (Roland RS505)
* Vangelis: Heaven & Hell (Elka Rhapsody)
* Joy Division: Love Will Tear Us Apart (ARP Omni)
* New Order: Blue Monday (ARP Omni)
* The Cure: In Between Days (Solina)
* Pink Floyd: Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Solina)
* Kraftwerk: Trans Europe Express (ARP Omni)"

VEMIA Update

Via Peter Forrest:

"Interesting analogue items in the VEMIA auction at www.spheremusic.com ending on this coming Saturday, (April 12) include ARP 2500, Quadra, Solina String Synthesizer, Cavagnolo Exagone XM64, CRB Computer Band 2000, Crumar Spirit s/n 15, Digisound, Doepfer, Elka Synthex, EML 200, EMS Logik, Dequencer, Hi Fli, Vocoder 2000, ETI 4600, Fender Rhodes Mk I, Freeman String Symphonizer, unopened Hohner Clavinet, Drumfire DF500, Kenton Mono/Poly kit, Korg MS02, 03, 50, SQ-10, Trident II, VC-10; two Mellotrons (one in Canada), MasterRoom reverbs, R A Moog CEMS (the biggest custom design he ever did?), Minimoogs, Minitmoog, Sonic Six, three touchplates; Matrix 12 with Xpander front panel, OB8, OBMx, OSCar, Syntars, PPG 1002, 350, 360, 390; Rhodes Chroma, Prophet T8, Simmons SDSVs, Spectral Audio ProTones, Steiner Masters Touch, SE MIDIMini and MIDIMoog, Stramp Synchanger II, dotcom stuff, early Curetronic, Adrian Utley's theremin, Estradin 230, GTC Telefonfilter, Rozzbox, Persephone Deluxe, Springer 1950s time-stretcher, Vox Jaguar (Canada), Yamaha SS30, and plenty more besides. Some prices are high, some very high; some are surprisingly low. You can always just look at any pictures that interest you."

Pictured here is the MOOG Touchplate prototype #1.
"A fantastic and rare example of Bob Moog's own handiwork, serial number TP010. When he started back into music manufacture in the early eighties, the model 300 touch-plate was one of his first products. This is the prototype Synton received from Bob for demonstration purposes. It is extremely Moog-like in its characteristics. It has its own inbuilt power transformer, and the outputs are available on six 1/4in jack sockets, with good ol' Moog knobs for controlling sensitivity. It has a Synton sticker on the back, saying 'TOUCH PLATE USA'. Synton and Moog had a close relationship in the 80s, with reciprocal import/export. It is untested. This is from the collection amassed by Felix Visser, former head of Synton. All items were destined for a national technology museum project, many years in the planning, but finally cancelled by politicians and planners. They have mostly been stored unused for a number of years. Any items marked untested are untested, are sold as is, and could be fine or could need work. Wherever we have more information (good or bad news) it is mentioned in the item description."

GForce String Machine

GForce's String Machine previously announced here is now available.

"Instrument Overview
The modern, polyphonic string synthesizer was invented in 1970 by Ken Freeman, a British keyboard player and engineer who discovered that if you layered a note with another detuned and slightly modulated version of itself, a pleasant ‘chorused’ sound resulted.

Even though Ken's invention wasn't the first instrument of this genre to be commercially released (That honor fell to the Eminent organ company with their 310 Unique organ) there's little doubt that Ken's vision contributed immeasurably to electronic music over the next few decades in the guise of over 100+ different models that followed from a huge variety of manufacturers.

The VSM is an intuitive but highly powerful Virtual String Machine which captures many of the sounds from this genre of instrument, containing a wealth of sounds from a small mountain of classic and rare string machines. These range from the first commercial string ensembles (Eminent 310 & Freeman String Symphonizer) through to the highly lauded Solina, Elka Rhapsody, Logan String Melody, Korg PE2000 and many more.

With the sheer amount of instruments captured within the VSM, it's simplicity itself to recreate all those golden string machine tones from yesteryear. However, with the VSM's comprehensive, yet intuitive feature-set, plus a two-layer option it's now possible to create your own hybrid instruments taking these sublime vintage tones into hitherto unchartered territory."

GForce Software

Update: Looks like the Yamaha GX1 will be added as well. Macaixa in the comments noticed this image and the following blurb after clicking through.

"?
A teaser of something that should appear in a VSM add-on pack. This instrument is a true rarity and something that we were truly privileged to play, let alone record."

If you look at this post you will see it's the programmer for the GX1.

Freeman String Symphonizer - Cordovox CSS

Click here for shots via this auction.

Anyone know more about these?

CLICK FOR MORE »

M-AUDIO GForce Virtual String Machine

"The Virtual String Machine from GForce brings the evocative tones of over a dozen of the finest vintage string synthesizers to your personal studio—Freeman String Symphonizer, Eminent 310, ARP Omni II, ARP Quartet, Crumar Multiman, Polymoog, Elka Rhapsody, Korg PE2000, Logan String Melody, Eminent Solina, Roland RS202, Yamaha SS30 and more. Far more than a preset device, the Virtual String Machine lets you layer any two of the 60 Sample Sets and apply an intuitive synthesis engine to each—as well as add master vintage phaser/ensemble effects. The result is a truly authentic and highly versatile range of textures, perfect for just about every musical genre. Mac/PC stand-alone or host operation (RTAS, VST, AU)."

Note this is from GForce/Gmedia, the group behind the Oddity, Minimonsta, M-Tron and impOSCar. If it's from then, it's sure to sound good.

Title link takes you to more info including samples.