Hawkwind BBC4 Documentary 1-9 9 videos Hawkwind BBC4 Documentary 1-9

YouTube via HawklordPXR5
http://www.hawkwind.com/
via wikipedia:
"Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes.

Formed in 1969 by singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Brock, Hawkwind have gone through many incarnations and styles of music. Critic Jim Green[1] describes their trademark sound as characterised by "that gargantuan and impenetrable pre-metal/hardcore drone, those great riffs, that inexorable drive to destinations unknown". Dozens of musicians have worked with the group; notable fantasy and science fiction writer Michael Moorcock was an occasional collaborator....

In 1981 Baker and Hale left after their insistence that Bainbridge should be sacked was declined,[15] and Brock and Bainbridge elected to handle synthesizers and sequencers themselves with drummer Griffin from the Hawklords rejoining. Three albums, which again saw Michael Moorcock contributing lyrics and vocals, were recorded for RCA/Active: Sonic Attack, the electronic Church of Hawkwind and Choose Your Masques. This band headlined the 1981 Glastonbury Festival and made an appearance at the 1982 Donington Monsters of Rock Festival, as well as continuing to play the summer solstice at Stonehenge Free Festival."

Witchsphere: Hawkwind cover (Korg EA1 ER1 EM1 Electribe + KP3 + Kaossilator)

YouTube Uploaded by witchsphere on Mar 6, 2011

"Electro cover of a Hawkwind classic. Korg EA1, Korg EM1, Korg ER1 Electribe, KP3 & Kaossilator. File under Hawkwind covers.
Hardware only. Vocals & samples overdubbed afterwards. Synths just as they are.. no overdubs.. quite some noise from just the 3 Electribes eh?
The EA1 provides the main synth sounds, the ER1 the space sweeps & bleeps, and the EM1 the drum and bass.
The Korg Kaossilator is used for deep ambient tones you can just about make out filling the mid-range.

Hawkwind's 'You Shouldn't Do That' written by Nick Turner / Dave Brock and originally recorded by Hawkwind. This cover version is recorded by Witchsphere.
Video: Witchsphere and Public Domain sources.
This published content copyright Witchsphere 2011.
All rights reserved.

Twitter
http://twitter.com/witchsphere

My Space
http://www.myspace.com/witchsphere/

'We're the ones who should be afraid..'"

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Hawkwind Guitar Pedal Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Hawkwind - Silver Machine - 1972.mpg video by yeyuwill

via this auction

"hawkwind Guitar pedal synthesizer WHITE NOISE synthesizer foot controlled...plugs into a seperat amp..your guitar does not run through this..this unit produces a shhhhhhhh whooshing sound as you raise and lower your foot...listen to hawkwind silver machine 1972 live on youtube..thats the effect this peddle produces. Transistors white noise synth..runs on a 9v battery. Works with other effects pedals also..sound great ran through a phaser....Condition is "New". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Guitar pedal synthesizer is extremely rare"

You can find addional posts featuring Hawkwind here.

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Tristram Cary - UK Electronic Composer "Dr. Who"

YouTube via molotov324. via rustyanalog. What the Future Sounded Like. I haven't watched this through yet but a clip in episode three was not work safe - not sure of there are more.
"Tristram Cary - Pioneering UK Electronic Composer Electronic Music Studios avant-garde Peter Zinovieff Dr Who VCS3 Brian Eno Hawkwind Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon Emperor Machine Roxy Music BBC Radiophonic Workshop Tangerine Dream Hawkwind Tim Blake Jean Michel Jarre Kraftwerk David Cockerell"

Hawkind's Putney?

via this Craigslist post:

"The original portable synthesizer introduced in 1969. A solid Aformosia cabinet housed the following modules interconnected by means of a matrix patchboard that uses resistor pins. Comparable to a Moog System 1P or 12, Arp 2600, EML 101, Roland 100.



Module complement:
3 x Voltage Controlled Oscillators.
Noise Generator.
2 x Input Amplifiers.
Ring Modulator.
Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter.
Trapezoid Envelope Generator.
Voltage Controlled Reverberation.
Meter.
2 x Stereo Output Amplifiers.
Joystick.

This is a pre- Prestopatch unit. It is an earlier model that has had the power supply upgraded. It is autographed by Dave Brock of Hawkwind. VCO3 works,veneer, needs adjusting (if you want, I like this flaw). This is one of the most musical sounding VCS3 I have ever seen. Many sound like lab gear. The same is true with Minimoogs. That's why Alien Planetscapes and Hawkwind used this synth and kept it in the family.

It has a DIN pin input for an external keyboard or you can run a guitar, keyboard or mic through it. right now we are just moving the joystick around and getting great Doctor Who sounds. This style unit was also used by Brian Eno, Pink Floyd, and The Who ('Don't Get Fooled Again').

Those things next to the pin matrix is an oscilloscope output, which on later ones is derived from one of the other ports. This machine is very rare. It is a Mk 1 and the pins are original handmade probably by Zinovieff."

For the archives, this one is listed at $5300.

Update: This is the same one from this post. Looks like the price went down. Consensus then was that this was not actually owned by Hawkind, but rather only signed by Dave B. Via ps in the comments.

Hawkind EMS Putney

If you have $6250 to spare, this one can be yours. : ) Title link takes you there. Shots saved here for posterity.

"This is a pre- Prestopatch unit. It is an earlier model that has had the power supply upgraded. It is autographed by Dave Brock of Hawkwind. VCO3 works,veneer, needs adjusting (if you want, I like this flaw). This is one of the most musical sounding VCS3 I have ever seen. Many sound like lab gear. The same is true with Minimoogs. That's why Alien Planetscapes and Hawkwind used this synth and kept it in the family."

Hawkwind's Jupiter-8 Up for Auction

"Dave Brock's Roland Jupiter 8 Keyboard Used on stage throughout the 80s and 90s Used on numerous studio and live albums"

Check out the rainbow sides.

Title link takes you to the auction with more images and info.
Images mirrored here.

Check out an EMS VCS4 at VCS4 Day Event on March 19

Looks like two EMS VCS3s in a custom keyboard controller case. There was a smaller VCS4 and XILS made a software emulation that looked just like this one. You can find both in the archives here.

Details on the event via Eventbrite:

"VCS4 day is a one day event (10–5pm) that pays tribute to the unique early music synthesiser, the EMS VCS4, which has recently been acquired for the Department of Music at Goldsmiths from the musician Simon Desorgher, with the support of the Goldsmiths Alumni and Friends Fund.

VCS4 day is a free event, but due to a limited capacity you must register through Eventbrite to attend.

The VCS4 was produced by the world-renowned Electronic Music Studios Ltd (EMS) company in London in the late 1960s, run by pioneering composer Dr Peter Zinovieff. It was one of a number of early EMS synthesisers used by pioneers of electronic music in Britain, and was created initially for the composer Harrison Birtwhistle for use in his piece Chronometer (1971–72). The instrument, which is the only one in existence in the world, combines two VCS3 synthesisers to create a custom and highly versatile performance instrument. VCS3 synthesisers have been used by such luminaries as Delia Derbyshire, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Aphex Twin, Brian Eno, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and Robert Fripp. For many years the VCS4 had been thought lost, until the advent of the Hugh Davies Collection arriving at Goldsmiths in 2019, when Desorgher approached the music department with a proposal for the VCS4 to be maintained and made available to students and researchers at Goldsmiths Electronic Music studios.

Shortly after Goldsmiths Electronic Music Studios opened in 1968 (one of the first electronic music studios at a university in the UK), the studio obtained two other EMS VCS3 synthesisers. It is fitting therefore that the VCS4 is now housed in Goldsmiths Electronic Music Studios, affording opportunities for it to be used by undergraduate and postgraduate students in both their compositions and performances.

VCS4 day represents an opportunity to gain detailed insight into this extraordinary instrument, through a series of talks from its inventors, protagonists and leading experts on the history of analog synthesisers and their cultural impact. A programme of performances on the VCS4 will take place throughout the day."

Cybotron - Colossus (1977)

YouTube via shazzatpm. spot the synths

"Cybotron, not to be confused with the American group, was an electronic/experimental music band from Australia formed in 1975 by Steve Maxwell Von Braund and Geoff Green. The band was formed after the release of Braund's 1975 album, 'Monster Planet' which Green contributed to; along with Gil Matthews (Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs), Henry Vyhnal and Jim Keays (The Masters Apprentices).

Cybotron released a self-titled album in 1976 containing mainly synthesizers and saxophone. Stylistically, Cybotron were similar to their contemporaries; innovative bands such as Ash Ra Tempel, Hawkwind and Tangerine Dream. They were creating minimalist, repetitive electronica at the same time that Kraftwerk released Autobahn. Today their music is still played around the world and is positively received, albeit not commercially recognised.

For any inquiries regarding Cybotron, please leave a comment, contact Geoff at jeeves247@aapt.net.au or visit the official MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/cybotronaustralia"

Original EMS AKS SYNTHI for Auction

via this auction
"100% operational EMS Synthi AKS synthesizer, a true vintage original from the early 1970s. It was bought about 5 years ago from a couple who had stored it in a closet for around 30 years. Literally like finding a low-mileage T-Bird in a little old lady from Pasadena's garage! Everything works: no scratchy pots (except for a slightly scratchy reverb level knob) and no iffy sequencer problems. Just plug it in, make a patch and you're ready to travel the spaceways. Comes with an instruction book, all the original patch pins, connector cable for the keyboard, and of course the power cord. This synthesizer has so much history, I almost feel foolish trying to explain it. Created in England by Peter Zinovieff, Tristram Cary and David Cockrell, this unit (of which only about 750 were ever made), or its counter top brother, the VCS3, has been featured on albums by Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Brian Eno, Alvin Curran, Thomas Lehn, White Noise, Tim Blake, King Crimson, and Jean Michel Jarre. The list goes on and on. This has been described by many as being LSD in a box. It's really all that and more. As mentioned, I have had zero issues with it in the entire time I've owned it, but because of its age I'm selling it as is. The photos don't do it justice, it's a beautiful machine that I think you'll be proud to own as I have for these past 5 years."

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EMS VCS3 Mk1 - The Putney

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

via this auction

"EMS VCS3 “The Putney” - 1970 - Ser#30X

EMS VCS3 “The Putney”, an early Mk1 example build around 1970 and imported into the USA by Ionic Industries. This particular instrument has undergone a complete restoration by a top EMS restoration technician with over 18 years experience with EMS equipment and other high end analog synthesizers.

work includes:

- Complete cleaning inside and out
- New flawless hardwood cabinet made to exact specifications as the original
- New trimpots for cards A and C (VCO / Power Supply Cards)
- New electrolytic capacitors throughout
- New frequency verniers
- New power cable
- New pins (complete set)
- New wood back and bottom covers purchased from EMS
- Front panels returned to EMS in cornwall for re-screening (at great expense!)
- Full power supply refurbish
- Full calibration, burn in and test

Buy with confidence, I’ve restored over 20 EMS Synthis/Punteys including 2 Synthi100s and know them very well.

Some famous Putney users: Hawkwind, Brian Eno/Roxy Music, John Carpenter, Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, Todd Rundgren"

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GENESIS P-ORRIDGE's Ensoniq EPS 16?

via Craigslist New York

"This keyboard is in perfect working order. It comes with 50plus unique discs. This keyboard has been played by GENESIS BREYER P-ORRIDGE live with HAWKWIND, PIGFACE, PSYCHIC TV and THEE MAJESTY. It has been used in the studio on countless recordings involving Genesis P-Orridge. Lady Jaye also played it live several times before switching to percussion driven samplers. The library of discs that come with it include sounds recorded and sample by Genesis P-Orridge and Psychic TV that will be recognized by the purchaser as classic signature PTV3 samples. This is a rare opportunity. It comes in a robust flight case that has survived rock and roll tours and airline baggage handlers since 1993! Not only do you get an amazing sampler, sequencer and keyboard but you get sounds and noises that nobody else will ever have. The keyboard itself is signed by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and still has PTV stickers from touring on it for ease of identification. The manual is available online for downloading. This keyboard is quite literally a piece of Alternative Rock and Roll history!" via Romsay

XILS-lab Updates XILS 4 Matrix Modular Soft Synth to v1.5

The press release:

XILS-lab updates ultimate matrix modular soft synth with welcomed fanciful features added to XILS 4 v1.5

“My favourite analogue synth is probably the VCS3, so when I heard that a company was releasing a software version I was quite cautious; today, XILS 4 is one of my favourite plug-ins! Working with it gives me the same excitement as the original hardware, plus there are lots of extra features, since it is basically two VCS3s with an interconnected sequencer. The sound is great, and it is one of the best soft synths on the market for experimenting with new ways of creating sounds!”

- Jean-Michel Jarre (award-winning composer, performer, and record producer), April 2015


GRENOBLE, FRANCE: audio software company XILS-lab is proud to announce availability of XILS 4 v1.5 — a major update to its self-styled ultimate matrix modular soft synth, effectively emulating a conceptual ‘blend’ of the legendary VCS4, a ‘dual VCS3’ analogue matrix modular synthesizer prototyped by British trailblazing entity EMS (Electronic Music Studios) back in 1969 but never commercially released, with pioneering British synthesist Tim Blake’s so-called ‘Crystal Machine’ (comprising two EMS Synthi AKS analogue matrix modular synthesizers with hard sync between their oscillators, one connected to the keyboard and the other connected to the sequencer) — with welcomed additional fanciful features including a powerful preset manager in a single window and new effects with semi-modular routing, as of November 30…

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Jupiter 6 acid trip

video by zack dagoba

"Keith had warned me about the presets on the Jupiter 6 he lent me whilst fixing my one. This was pimped by legendary UK space-rock band Hawkwind. These presets were programmed by bassist/keyboardist Alan Davey, presumably after dropping a few tabs. They show off what a totally amazing and weird synth the JP6 actually is"

Vintage KORG Polyphonic Ensemble PE 2000 Synthesizer Keyboard

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

via this auction

A little history on the synth via the seller: "I have owned this since 2009 when I bought it from a collector in Kingston upon Thames. I used it for several years in a band until we all went our separate ways due to geographical reasons (also, we weren't very good). It has been sitting in my spare room unused for the last few years so I have decided to sell it on to someone who will make use of the amazing sound it has to offer.

Even though it has a few scratches and marks here and there, it is fully working. All keys, effects and knobs are work perfectly and are fully functional. It has a lovely warm tone to the preset sounds (these can be seen in one of the photographs), as well as a phase shifter, attack and sustain, and tone effects. I bought this without the lid, I imagine it would be hard to source one, but not impossible - I haven't looked as I didn't have a need for it.

This Korg was introduced in 1976 and used by the genius that is, Jean-Michell Jarre, as well as Tangerine Dream and Hawkwind. Also, I used it in a band - not worth mentioning."

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EMS VCS3a Putney & DK2 Cricklewood *Serviced & Modified* SN 2620 & 3320

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

via this auction

Looks like they fixed the joystick since this listing.

"Freshly serviced and discretely modified by an EMS specialist, in full working order with warranty.

Stunning example serviced and ready to ship.

EMS The Putney VCS3a Mk1 and The Cricklewood DK1 keyboard (modified to DK2 spec) for sale in excellent condition.

Broker sale on behalf of the owner: it has been extensively overhauled and discretely (and reversibly) modified by our favourite EMS specialist and is ready for action.

This is a rare chance to secure an original VCS3a in excellent condition. This is one of the most iconic and revered synths of all and is truly versatile: from Radiophonic Workshop (and Hawkwind) type bloops and bleeps, through Eno and Roxy Music and beyond. Paired with the DK-2, this is also a superbly expressive keyboard synthesizer. Tony uses his VCS-3 as much as an effects processor as synthesizer.

This has been freshly serviced and is in full working order with warranty. The face plate of the VCS3 was quite worn so it has had a factory refinish performed by EMS Cornwall and looks superb.

The DK-1 keyboard has been upgraded to factory DK-2 duophonic spec.

Modifications on EMS VCS3 #2620:

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EMS Synths and POP Music

YouTube via telesynth. Note there are some Not Safe for Work clips in this one.
"EMS synthesizers used by Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and Roxy Music. From the documentary 'What the Future Sounded Like'."
Prior posts featuring "What the Future Sounded Like" here.

1976 Korg PE-2000 K-5 Poly Ensemble S Vintage Analog Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"If you’re looking for a fully functional Korg Poly-ensemble S, this is it!
This Korg Poly ensemble S has been lovingly restored electronically/functionally and sounds great with plenty of character in it’s appearance.
This particular PE2000 once belonged to a member of the band Dr. Hook.
This PE2000 is a secret weapon of some of your favorite musicians such as Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Jean-Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream, Legowelt, Hawkwind and more.

This one comes with the Original lid in worn condition (not pictured) which doubles as a travel/gig case for the synth.

This synth has been serviced and restored In functionality.
Service notes include (04/20/22):
- Rebuilding PSU ✅
- Replacing faulty divider chips ✅
- Cleaning and flushing potentiometers ✅
- Cleaning key contacts ✅
- Cleaning all I/O jacks ✅
- Testing synth for a burn-in period of several hours to ensure flawless performance ✅"

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EMS VCS3 The Putney SN 1024

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

via this auction

"This is a rare chance to secure an original VCS3 in excellent condition. This is one of the most iconic and revered synths of all and is truly versatile: from Radiophonic Workshop (and Hawkwind) type bloops and bleeps, through Eno and Roxy Music and beyond. Tony uses his VCS-3 as much as an effects processor as synthesizer and has said it’s his favourite studio piece.

We are often asked whether mods adversely affects the value of a VCS3. Some collector types may view it as sacrilege, but most who buy a VCS-3 to use often value mods highly – many of our customers ask for more, rather than less, modifications. So, in short, in our view the answer is mods often add value/appeal rather than detract. These wonderful synths should be used rather than placed in glass cases."

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Dive into the World of EMS VCS3: Unraveling the Power of Modulation & Filters

video upload by Andy Whitmore

"Revolutionize Your Sound: Exploring EMS VCS3's Modulation & Filter Capabilities

Demo of a wide range of sounds & special FX of the VCS3 - & how to program them - explained by Andy Whitmore at Greystoke Studio.

The audio is DIRECT, 100% DRY, & IN STEREO - You are hearing the raw audio as it comes directly from the synthesizer. NO post processing (Effects, EQ, or Dynamics) whatsoever.

The VCS 3 (or VCS3; an initialism for Voltage Controlled Studio, version) is a portable analog synthesiser with a flexible semi-modular voice architecture, by Electronic Music Studios (London) Limited (EMS) in 1969.
This product was called various names by EMS. For example, the printed logo written to the front left of products are: 'V.C.S. 3' or 'The Putney (VCS 3)' on the earlier version, then 'The Synthi (VCS 3) II' on the later version (Synthi VCS 3 II).

The VCS 3's basic design was reused by EMS in many other of their own products, most notably in the EMS Synthi 100 (1971), and the Synthi A (1971) and AKS (1972) (essentially a VCS 3 housed in a plastic briefcase). The AKS also has a sequencer built into the keyboard in the lid.

VCS3 - as used by
BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Brian Eno
Chemical Brothers
Hawkwind
David Bowie
Flood
Ice-T
Jean-Michel Jarre
John Paul Jones - Led Zeppelin
King Crimson
Kraftwerk
Pete Townshend - The Who
Rick Wright, David Gilmour & Roger Waters - Pink Floyd
Tangerine Dream

Watch me bring that sound back to life!🎹🕺

🧢 More about Andy on https://www.andywhitmore.com/"