Gem PK4900 - 1980 Mono-Poly Synth Live Jam

Gem PK4900 - 1980 Mono-Poly Synth Live Jam + Enso Looper/AudioReverb/FacAlteza/NA Analog Delay/AUM
video by VSMI

Starts with low bass. Strings come in at :52

"Gem PK4900 - 1980 Mono & Poly Synthesizer Made in Italy - Live Jam Improvisation on AUM + Enso Looper / AudioReverb / Fac Alteza / Nembrini Audio Analog Rack Delay on IPad.
Instastrings/Polytron - Monotron polyphonic and monophonic sections
thx to Marco Molendi for the DDR schematic diagram pic at last."

Additional Gem PK4900 posts. You don't see these often.

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:

CLICK FOR MORE »

1970'S GEM PK4900 SN 5781124

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

via this auction

You can find a couple of demos of the GEM PK4900 here and here (this one with the top off so you can see the voice boards inside).

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Gem PK4900 direct sound as is! Echopad and CRB Diamond 725 Drum Machine samples on DM1

Published on Sep 2, 2019 VSMI

"Gem PK4900 is a poly/monoponic synthesizer Made in Italy by Gem/Galanti. Early '80.
last night a need some noise... ;) "

The PK4900 has only been mentioned on the site once before in a post on General Music declaring bankruptcy back in 2009. This is the first demo and video of one in action.

Be sure to check out the New Old label for more vintage gear discovered over the year/s.

General Music No More

http://www.generalmusic.com

via AH: GeneralMusic declared bankruptcy laying off 75 workers

Their official website appears to just have you see here on the left. It's sad to see any synth company go under. Condolences to all at General Music.

Update via antonio on the AH list: "I received a couple of requests about Generalmusic history and in the meantime I received an email from Roberto of VIEI yahoo group (italian synth and organs) that I'm translating (kind of :D )here:
Generalmusic moved first steps thanks to an accordion built in 1890 in the Antonio Galanti artisan laboratory with the help of 3 sons a company was created: the award-winning factory Galanti accordions. After accordions they started crafting classical and electric guitars (much
later). In 1959 the 3 brothers founded in Mondaino the General Electro Music (GEM) company. At the start they worked for other companies like Baldwin, Thomas, Vox with no internal brand.
In 1966 they created the first branded GEM instrument: the "Minigem", a portable electronic organ. It was a big success and they decided to expand creating other 2 companies the "Intercontinetal Electronics" and in San Marino, "Titanic Music". In Marignano, where is the current (closed) factory, they created the "Laboratorio Elettroacustico Musicale" (LEM) specialized in amplifiers. In 1987 GEM acuires the ELKA brand and 1994 changes the name in GeneralMusic (GEM, LEM and ELKA). Other brands acquired during those years are pianos Schulze Pollmann, (plant Fermigliano) and church organs Ahlborn in 1992. During the 80s and 90s the company had about 450 workers. Many analog keyboards were created under the GEM brand: Pk4900 a Gem synth, the Instapiano, Instastring and many others (I guess Peter Forrest would be more precise than me!).

now seems really the end of the story...

thanks (to Roberto)

antonio"