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.

Yamaha CSY-1 ( SY-1 ) Analog Synth / Organ GX1 Filter

via this auction

"In 1974 Yamaha released their first ever synth, the SY-1 which was also available in the rare form of the CSY-1 which we have here, a funky 2 manual organ with the SY-1 built-in and playable from either the upper keyboard or the 13 note bass pedals.

The sound is amazing, organic, unique and very expressive too thanks to Yamaha's excellent pressure sensitive keyboard (aftertouch) which can be assigned to various parameters. The presets are pants as you'd expect but get tweaking and it really comes to life. It's something a bit different. The sound is in my opinion very similar to the mighty Yamaha GX-1's monosynth section and I have been told that they even share the same filter circuitry, if not more. (The GX-1 was made in 1975). If you can't find a GX-1 for sale or just don't have £100,000 or so to pay for one but simply must have that bubbly warm early Yamaha sound then here's your solution.

From the CSY-1 operation manual, "Do not be alarmed if sound rattling (sympathetic vibration) occurs. All materials have critical resonance frequencies at which they vibrate. Since the CSY-1 produces continuous tones, it is only normal that some will cause windows, shelves etc. to rattle."

The CSY-1 has it's own amplification/speakers built in and even has a real built in Leslie type 2 speed rotary speaker, the synth sounds great through this and the spring reverb is very sweet too.

Have a listen to Royksopp, see if you can spot it, it's one of their favourite synths. You can get an idea of the sounds on Youtube. Search for Yamaha SY1 / SY2, there are a few demos, also search for a Youtube video called Synth Barocco, the soundtrack is exclusively CSY-1. You can also download the whole CSY-1 manual if you go to the Yamaha online manual library."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha SY-2

Click here for shots via this auction.

Check out the details. They claim the SY-2 is the only alternative that has the GX-1 filters. The GX-1 was as you know, the predecessor to the mighty CS80. I was under the impression the CS80 and CS60 had the same filters as the GX-1. The auction details do mention the CS60, so the seller is clearly aware of the CS60. Can anyone out there confirm if the filters on the CS60, CS80, GX1 and SY-2 are different or the same? Note the SY-2 was Yamaha's first synth according to the auction details pulled for this post.

Click the image to see the presets. Anyone know what Hawaiian Guitar sounds like? Considering the Wersi Bass Synth had a Hawaii Effect that you can see in the video in this previous post, I'm guessing Hawaii was in during the 70s. If so it's interesting how the popular culture at the time makes it's way into the design aspects of a given synth. Groovebox anyone? That is over isn't it?

Details:
"This is the only alternative to gets the classic GX-1 filters without paying 50000$. I'm telling you, you'll never heard something like that. The sound is unique, personnal and organic. It looks like a preset synth, but it's definately not! Think of the presets as your waveforms...

Here's some specs :
- 28 'presets'
- 37 keys keyboard with aftertouch (VERY sensible and expressive, exactly like a CS-60, I did the A-B test because I own one...)
- 1 VCO (It seems that one some preset, there's a second sine VCO after the VCF, as you find on a CS-60 and CS-80)
- 2 analog resonant filters, 1 LPF and 1 HPF
- 1 VCA envelope ADSR
- 1 VCF envelope (called 'Tone Bend' on this synth) ADS Written ATTACK TIME, INTENSITY and DECAY TIME, this envelope is inverted on some presets
- Pulse width
- Portamento
- 4 Octave transposition
- Vibrato control(LFO) : Speed and Depth
- Foot controller assignments : VCF (Wahwah) and Volume
- Aftertouch assignements : Vib Depth, VCF (Wah-wah) and Volume.
- Sensitivity knobs for aftertouch and Pedal"

Yamaha GX1

flickr by Loscha

full size

"From the pages of the Organ Blue Book 2002 - Japanese Edition!"

via Loscha. If anyone can translate this one, feel free.

Hot Chocolate - No doubt about it

YouTube via quantumcatboy

"Collection:Greatest Hits of the 80's
CD:1
Track:1"
This one popped on the Analog Heaven mailing list. The intro synth is most likely the Yamaha GX1, precursor to the CS80. According to Peter Forest, author of the A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers, "Hot Chocolate were recorded in Mickie Most's studio, which boasted a very nice GX-1." It definitely has the CS80 sound.

Yamaha Design Masterworks - GX1

flickr set by Knothole eyes
(click for more)

Yamaha E70 In Ivory White

via this auction

"Simply stunning and incredibly rare Yamaha E70 in a high gloss white (original factory finish), in excellent condition and perfect working order, having only had home use from new. Comes complete with it's matching bench and pedalboard, original user manuals and even 2 keys for the fall-board lock! It looks like it recently left the showroom and sounds amazing.

I've no idea how many of these exist but there can't be many, I've certainly never seen another one like it. This is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity to own this beautiful instrument.

If you're not familiar with the Yamaha E70 then just do a Google search, there's lots of information and discussion regarding this instrument. The E70 basically uses the same PASS technology and circuitry as the mighty Yamaha CS80 synth from the same era and consequently sounds very similar. The E70 and CS synths evolved from the earlier legendary GX1 Electone Synth. It seems that a few people have now successfully modified their Yamaha E70's by adding an extra control panel, usually in place of the music stand, making it fully programmable and opening up most of the CS80 functionality and sound capabilities." See this post and this post.

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ABBA Yamaha GX1 Action

2nd video added to this post.

Keith Emerson Has Passed Away

It has come to my attention that Keith Emerson passed away yesterday in Santa Monica, CA. We all know who he is and his influence in the world of synthesizers. Below are just a handful of videos including Bob Moog introducing Keith Emerson and his mighty Moog modular, Keith going over the system back in 1993, the introduction of Keith's 50th Anniversary Moog Modular reissued by Moog Music, Fanfare for the Common Man featuring the mighty Yamaha GX1, and finally the classic Lucky Man.

Few musicians will have the impact Keith Emerson has in our world of synthesizers. He will be sorely missed.

Pictured left: Emerson performing in Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 2008 (via Wikipedia).

Update: tributes from Moog Music and The Bob Moog Foundation:

Moog Music Pays Tribute to Keith Emerson

A Tribute to Keith Emerson from The Bob Moog Foundation


Keith Emerson at Moogfest in NYC Uploaded on Aug 21, 2007 highbiashiphop

Keith Emerson xplains his Moog Modular and synths rig in ELP 1993 tour.

Uploaded on Apr 19, 2010

"Keith Emerson talks about his giant Moog Modular synth and keyboards rig during the Emerson, Lake & Palmer worldwide 1993/94 tour, here in NYC."

50th Anniversary of the Moog Modular Synthesizer

Published on Oct 11, 2014 Moog Music Inc

Fanfare for the Common Man - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Olympic Stadium Montreal)

Uploaded on Jan 29, 2012

"IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The music, video and images remain copyright of their respective owners and are strictly used here on YouTube for educational reasons as well as for the artists' promotional purposes only!"


Uploaded on Dec 18, 2007 ProgRockSongs

"Artist: Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Song: Lucky man
Album: Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970)

Keyboards: Keith Emerson
Bass: Greg Lake
Drums: Carl Palmer"

Polycheesy GX-800 demo.avi

YouTube Uploaded by Marcjeparkje on May 7, 2011

"No normal man can afford to own the synth of all synths: the Yamaha GX-1. So I decided to get creative. This is what I came up with

It's a Yamaha CSY-1, Yamaha's first organ with an integrated analog synth. It actually contains GX1 technology.

I made the synth fully programmable and exchanged the lower keyboard for a Korg Poly 800 . So now this isntrument contains an organ,a fully programmable monosynth with aftertouch and a polyphonic synth!

This is just an improvisation but it gives an impression of what the isntrument can do.

The Polycheesy name comes from the row of yellow modulation wheels on the programmer. Bad joke, I know."

This one in via senjan.

Friday June 13th 2014

Published on Jun 14, 2014 John L Rice·278 videos

"Mood of the day . . .

3 patches:
1) 3 x MOTM-300 to GX1 with 569, MOTM-800 and MOTM-190

2) E355 to 55B to E102 to 552 + 568 to FantomXR

3) E102 to Q127

All to M-120 with 73B on FX buss"

SE Code8 CS80 RichBrass

CoolColJ · SE Code8 CS80 RichBrass

"Using the CS80 filters off course :)
Although I think, technically they're Yamaha GX1 filters....

High pass filter cranked to max resonance to give a nice saturation to the low end, a bit like transformers? :p"

Schematics via Mike Peake

Title link takes you to them. Be sure to click on the "All Sizes" link for each.

GX1 Ring Modulator
CS80 Ring Mod (pictured)
Tau VCA 5
Tau VCA 7
Tau VCA Layout
Tau VCA PCB
Polyfusion Octave Divider
MS20 Ring Modulator

MARK JENKINS "EX1GENE" CD Composed on Yamaha EX1

MARK JENKINS "EX1GENE" (AMP-CD060)

MARK JENKINS has released his latest CD “EX1GENE”, performed entirely on the giant triple keyboard Yamaha EX1 synthesizer, the theatre version of the GX1 played by Keith Emerson (ELP), Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin and Hans Zimmer.

The CD which features nine tracks including a cover of Henry Mancini’s Emmy and Grammy award-winning “Peter Gunn” theme as played by ELP, plus sound samples for musicians to create their own EX1 textures, is available worldwide through Amazon, selected mail order outlets, and direct from Mark’s website.

"After recording the world's first CD created entirely on an Apple iPad, which must be about the smallest synthesiser system available, I thought it would be fun to create an album entirely using one of the largest", Mark explains. The CD features music in the styles of Jean-Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Ashra, Cluster and the other "Berlin School" musicians, as well as ambient/world pieces more comparable to the music of Brian Eno, and of course that storming prog rock cover of Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn" theme which became a favourite in the Emerson, Lake and Palmer live set.

The album also features the voice of poet Walter De La Mare, and one of the tracks was assembled retrospectively from EX1 sound samples which are also included on the CD for other musicians to create their own EX1 textures. "As an all-analog synth the EX1 has some great rich synth sounds, huge pedal basses and classic drum machine patterns, and it's great to be able to make some of these available to other musicians".

"EX1GENE" is now available worldwide. Since the EX1 weighs 485 pounds, Mark promises he will be sticking to iPads for concert performances...

www.markjenkins.co

Korg - New Music Always OKGO contest - Infinity Night Sky

Published on Apr 18, 2016 RonoTron

Cool little video I spotted on discchord.

"Hi everyone, This is my music video submission for the Korg - New Music Always OKGO contest.
If you like my music, follow me on Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/ronotron

It took few weekends to write this song. I tried to combine both digital soft synths and physical hardware from Korg. Playing and creating notes along with real-time projection feedback and visualization, making music in a very immersive way allowed me to see a different perspective.

Used the following Korg instruments in the order of their appearance:

Korg Volca Sample for bells, drones, and clicks
Korg Gadget (Chiang Mai)
Korg Monotron Delay (x2) for delay and feedback effects
Korg Taktile 49 to sequence MIDI notes and arps
Korg KP3+ for chain effects, noises
Korg Gadget (Dublin) for intro lead patterns
Korg Volca Beats for drum parts and patterns
Korg Volca Keys for primary leads
Korg Volca Bass for bass notes and secondary leads
Korg Gadget Helsinki for saw (ending melody)
Other Korg Gadgets for subtle ambient textures (Bilbao, Marseille, Wolfsburg)

Primary camera (top-down): Samsung Note 5
Secondary camera (close): Panasonic GX1
Projection computing system: HP Sprout

Video captured using FRAPS. Graphics rendered in real-time via Space Engine.
http://en.spaceengine.org/"

Programming the Moog Sub37, Part One: Classic sound approach

Published on Dec 1, 2014 KurtzMindfields

"The wonderful new Moog Sub37, in a classical old vintage Minimoog playing approach. Here 3 of my favorite personal sounds for my Project (Abigoba Nu Jazz Band).
The other live sounds coming from the Oberheim OB-MX and Roland A90 sound card ."

http://www.moogmusic.com/products/phattys/sub-37

Programming the Moog Sub37, Part Two: Step Sequencer, Arpeggiator & Duophonic Bass lines

Published on Dec 18, 2014

"A quick view of the possibilities of the great Moog Sub37 options ... Basic step sequencer, great arpeggiator and bass sounds with duo-phonic possibilities.
Rhodes, Jupiter8 Pad & Yamaha GX1 Strings by Blofeld Waldorf emulation ... live demo."

Yamaha SS30

via this auction

Note this is the one in this video.
"Control section running from left to right pitch/ detune - The outer pot adjusts the overall tuning and the inner pot detunes the voices against the pitch which can produce a wonderful thickening effect ( some sources describe this synth as a duphonic/ multiphonic ,others describe it as a 4 voice polyphonic. I have a feeling it is a 4 voice polyphonic but the 4 voices are split between cello (two tones) and violin (2 tones) . It then uses divide down chips enabling all keys to be played at once)
Orchestra -Depth ( Speed 1/2 ,cello ,violin ) A great ensemble effect with 2 different effect types (speed) and the ability to separate the effect between cello and violin ( so you can have ,for example cello effect and violins dry )
Vibrato ,Delay/Depth- Very nice vibrato effect.
Sustain, Cello /Violin - sustain 1 control each for cello and violin giving again the ability to have separate amount of sustain for cello and violin sections . Very short to very long .
Keyboard split 0/1/2/3 .0 setting is no split and just the violin sound over the whole range. 1 gives a split with the lowest octave for cellos the rest strings. 2 setting gives 1 and a half octaves to the cello . 3 gives 2 octaves to the cello. The splits are indicated by a white dot above the note on the control panel
Cello ,Volume, attack/slow ,cello1/cello2 - control section for cellos giving control over attack fast/slow. Choice of 2 cello sounds.
Violin Attack/Slow, Viola/violin1/Violin2 /Volume - Same as cello control section though the volume is at the far right.
Brilliance Cello/Violin Very usable low pass filter for cello and violin. "
Update via stevenorgate in the comments: ""some sources describe this synth as a duphonic/ multiphonic ,others describe it as a 4 voice polyphonic. I have a feeling it is a 4 voice polyphonic but the 4 voices are split between cello (two tones) and violin (2 tones) . It then uses divide down chips enabling all keys to be played at once)"

Nearly. It has two master oscillators which are both dived down to give you the full set of notes, twice.

You need two waveforms to get a stringy effect so the same note outputs of the dividers are mixed.

When you press a key you're switching in a mix of two divided down oscillators.

The detune affects both oscillators but not equally hence you can detune one against the other and get to the good old thick sound but more importantly set the PWM type character you need for strings.

The outputs of these mixed waveforms are sent to either the Violin, Viola, or Cello mixers. In some cases the outputs can be sent to either one or the other mixer as set by the split selector switch.

The cello, viola or violin character is set by filters after each mixer. Violin 1 & 2 just are different (1st order) filters fed from the mixer, so when you switch them in you're just mixing and matching different filtered outputs of the same thing. the same goes for Cello 1 & 2.

So far it's just a paraphonic organ but with two tones per key. However the SS30 rules over other string synths because it has an AR envelope generator per key. When you set a long attack each time you press a key it starts a new attack just for that key. same with Release.

There's no VCF per key but that's what we have Polymoogs and, err, GX1's for."

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Pro Synth Network LIVE! - Episode 171 with Special Guests, Dan & Mitchell from Cherry Audio!

video upload by Pro Synth Network

"Music Technology Discussion with Rob Puricelli, Kent Spong and our very special guests, Dan Goldstein & Mitchell Sigman of Cherry Audio!

This week we're delighted to welcome back Dan & Mitchell of Cherry Audio, a company that in the last few years has grown its reputation for quality, affordable and quite excellent software synths that emulate some amazing synthesizer classics such as the ARP Quadra, Novachord, Jupiter 4 and 6 as well as classics like the Memorymoog, Synthex, GX1/CS80 and Polymoog, plus their own Dreamsynth & Sines!

Join us to hear all about the latest synth to be added to their collection, the Octave Cat!"

ANTOINE BARIL'S ONE MAN ELP: Backstage Pass @ EMEAPP

video upload by EMEAPP

"After over two years in the making, we are proud to be a part of the One Man ELP project; the brainchild of the amazingly talented Antoine Baril of Québec, Canada. As with his previous "One Man" videos that he has released over the last 7 years (Rush, Genesis, Yes), his attention to detail and accuracy is second to none and it was amazing to watch him at work within our walls for an intense week of keyboard craziness in July 2022. Along with his amazing videographer Paul DiGiacomo, they captured some stunning footage and audio to make this epic video project one for the ages. It was a blast to play a supporting role in this, we gave full access of our Keith Emerson keyboard rig (as well as our extensive collection of vintage analog synths) to Antoine and it was like turning a kid loose in a candy store, a cornucopia of awesomeness! Join us for an exclusive backstage peek at some of the recording processes and video shoots during this one week period. The ELP material he performed and recorded runs Then EMEAPP's executive director Drew Raison will take you on an up close and personal tour of all the keyboards and synthesizers that were used in this project.

Complete list below:

Yamaha GX1 (6:55)
Keith Emerson’s Hammond/Goff C3 w/dual Leslie 122s (7:13)
Keith Emerson’s Split Moog Minimoog Model D (7:51)
Keith Emerson's Hammond L100 (8:09)
Moog Minimoog Model D Pair (Bernie Worrell's Minimoog on right) (8:45)
Keith Emerson’s Moog Modular Synthesizer (9:16)
Mellotron M400 (9:39)
Oberheim Eight Voice (9:58)
Oberheim OB-X/OB-Xa (10:20)
ARP Quadra (10:55)
KORG PS-3300 (11:06)
Moog Taurus I (11:22)
Hohner Clavinet L (11:34)
KORG M1 (11:55)
Keith Emerson’s Steinway Model D (12:10)"

Famous Synth Sounds - (19) ABBA Summer Night - Wembley Intro

video upload by SonicProjects

"https://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/...

Famous Synth Sounds 19: ABBA Summer Night City Wembley Intro synth sound vst

Check the presented sound by yourself with the demo version linked above

Click on the BANK - LOAD button in the synth's grey top-bar
Load this bank: PROII_FAMOUS
Preset 33 Abba Polymoog Brass

This is the intro sound played by Benny Andersson at the legendary gig in Wembley Arena, London, November 1979:"

ABBA - Summer Night City - Live 1979 (with alternate audio mix)

video upload by mozpiano2

Yamaha GX1.

Screenshot from the video.
Two pics from Wikipedia:

"The GX-1 served as a test bed for the development of the Yamaha CS-80 polyphonic synthesizer, which turned out much smaller and more portable (although still considered mighty hefty compared to contemporary synthesizers for live performance)."