rare birds: Welson Keyboard Orchestra (K.O.)

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video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"I've seen many string synths and this one is still one of my favourite. It's one of the happy few string synths I keep. I have one always plugged in my studio and it's actually the one I use the most (along with the Arp Omni 2). It's not the lushest, not the smoothest, not the fatest one and yet there is something I'm particularly attracted to. I like the combination of the 2 strings sounds with the harpsichord one. And on the other hand I really like the piano sound, played alone. It's my favorite of all the electronic piano sound I could hear, except for the Farfisa Professional Piano that is the best electronic piano there is (and with dynamic !).
Design is very close to the Elka Rhapsody 610 but I definetly favor the sound of the Welson. Like the Rhapsody it only embeds a double chorus, and that explain why the sound is not as lush as other stringer that uses triple chorus (most of them). Still they sound very nice IMO."

via this listing

"Quite rare italian polyphonic keyboard with 4 sounds: cello, violin, piano and harpsichord.

Very simple design and yet very nice sounding. Check the demo I made.

You can mute evey section with its dedicated switch and you have control over individual volumes, as well as "sustain" for the string presets and "decay" for the keyboard presets.

Inside there is of course a BBD based chorus, using classic TCA350Y chipsets, like many famous string synth: Eminent Solina, Logan/Hohner String Melody, Elka Rhapsody etc

Like on the Elka Rhapsody it's only a double chorus, not a triple one, so string sound is not as lush as on the Solina or Logan. But these strings sounds very nice, better IMO then the Elka.

There are also seperate outputs for both sections. And furthermore the instrument is quite compact and leightweight (13.5 kilos) for a string synth, which makes a great live performer."

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Nord Electro 6D Can Do Vintage & Lofi Synth [Sounds Only Demo] |No Talking|

video upload by gstormelectro

"Audio + Video by G-Storm Electro c. 2023

The Nord Electro 6D. It's not just for organ/piano/EP sounds. There's a plethora of sick vintage + esoteric + obscure + lofi synth sounds in the Synthesizer Engine. Yes, it's not actually synthesis but rather samples. But IMHO very very nice samples very well done. A lot of these samples aren't even assigned in the factory presets! It's up to you to load them up and give them a whirl. And there's even more to download into the synth on the Nord website. Today my playing is not really up to par for me, but hopefuly you'll still enjoy auditioning these tasty sounds.

I have an album coming out May 23, 2023. Be sure to follow my bandcamp page https://gstormelectro.bandcamp.com/

0:00 PPG Choir
0:25 Polychrome Choir
0:50 Yamaha CP80 + Ditial Air Pad
1:14 Massive Pad from the Nord Lead 2X
1:49 Polymoog Pad
2:24 Mellotron Guitar
2:39 Chamberlin Solo Violin
3:13 Polychrome Piano
3:42 Mellotron Guitar my favorite
4:09 ELKA Rhapsody
4:40 Hohner/Logan String Melody II
5:07 Optigan Strings
5:35 Chamberlin 3-Violins"

SIEL Orchestra / ARP Quartet Serviced and Fully Working

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via this auction

Demo posted here

"Also sold as the ARP Quartet this keyboard offers 4 parts: Brass / Strings / Reed / Piano
Nice moogish filter on the brass part and the strings sounds are not too bad either. They do use the same TCA350 BBD chipsets as other classic string machines like the Eminent Solina, Logan String Melody or Crumar Performer."

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SIEL Orchestra for sale / a vendre (ARP Quartet)

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"Quick video of a SIEL Orchestra I just serviced, in order to demonstrate the differents sounds you can get out of this instrument.
Also sold as the ARP Quartet this keyboard offers 4 parts: Brass / Strings / Reed / Piano
Nice filter on the brass part and strings sounds are not too bad either. They do use the same TCA350 BBD chipsets as other classic string machines like the Eminent Solina, Logan String Melody or Crumar Performer.
I use a sustain, pedal as some point, mainly on the piano part.
Recorded dry and no treatment."

The Sound of Imagination - Music And Lights with Moog & Oberheim Synthesizer

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-23 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

One of my favorite 80s songs by Imagination
'Music And Lights' released in 1982 by R&B Records

I used the Moog Source analog synthesizer for the bass and for the lead sounds.
Additional sounds: Oberheim OB-X analog synthesizer for the e-piano pad and some fx sounds
analog strings: Logan String Melody II stringmachine
external fx

The Oberheim OB-X Synthesizer is one of the big legendary synths in music history. Different in sound to all later OB synths like OB-Xa, OB-8 or the new OB-X8. Here can you find the full OB-X playlist with a lot single sound demos, synth comparisions and one synth demo tracks. Enjoy.
The OB-X playlist:"

A Visit the Italian Synth Museum

video upload by Alex Ball

You can find additional posts featuring the museum here.

"Whilst taking a holiday in Italy we stopped off at Museo del Synth Marchigiano for a couple of days and this is the account of what I experienced there.

Enormous thanks to everyone at the museum, particularly Riccardo and Paolo.

https://www.museodelsynth.org/

0:00 Intro
1:19 Synket
4:40 EKO Computerhythm
8:01 Chilton Talentmaker
12:07 Crumar Compac Synth
13:41 Crumar DP-50
15:07 Elkatwin 61
16:29 Elka Synthex
19:38 CRB Oberon
21:29 CRB Voco Strings
22:53 CRB Uranus 2.0
24:34 Farfisa Polychrome
25:24 Logan Piano Strings Synthesizer
27:10 Welson Syntex
28:28 Keytek CTS-2000
29:47 Baleani Solista"

A Spotterʼs Guide to HIPs and Strings

Pictured: 1974 Hohner International String Vox (also see one posted here)

via Zen & the Art of Synthesizer Maintenance

"Anyone interested in 1970s-80s Hohner/Logan/ELKA string machines and Hohner/ELEX/Excelsior electronic pianos (some with strings voices), who has been confused by their rebadging relationships and the often dubious information online, might like to consider this new article summarising my research over the last few years:

A Spotter’s Guide to HIPs and Strings

https://zasm.earth/hipstrs

Models covered:

• Hohner International String Vox
• Hohner International String Melody and String Melody II
• Hohner International Electronic Piano K1 (HIP / HIP II / K1)
• Hohner International K2 (Stringvox)
• Hohner International Electronic Piano K3
• Hohner International String Synthesizer K4
• Hohner String Performer
• Hohner International EK61 'Globetrotter'
• Hohner International EK 2
• Hohner C86"

and

• ELKA Rhapsody 610
• Logan String Orchestra"

"Not long after the technology became reasonably affordable, Matth. Hohner AG sold several electronic piano and string machine models under their ‘Hohner International’ brand, apparently aiming at cheapness and portability compared with their acoustic and electromechanical keyboards. Most of these were either rebadged ELEX (Excelsior) products or perhaps Hohner-inspired modifications of them. Some were rebadged ELKA and Logan instruments, and they produced a couple of their own designs. [1] (Hohner did also produce organs, bass keyboards and pedalboards, acoustic and electromechanical piano-like instruments amongst others, but thatʼs not todayʼs topic.)

The plethora of these instruments from different manufacturers, some sold as Hohner, some not, some easily distinguished, some not, some modified either inside or out over their production span, has led to a certain amount of confusion in the years since, and poses a puzzle for people interested in obtaining and/or repairing them. But perhaps itʼs possible to construct a comprehensive overview which will allow them to be identified and distinguished?"

Read more at https://zasm.earth/hipstrs.

Logan BIG BAND SN 533 // Only around 1000 units produced until 1982

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

via this auction

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The sound of The Korgis Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime - Logan String Melody 2

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-22 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: retrosound.creator-spring.com

One of the most fantastic song from the early 80s. The Korgis with Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime featured the Logan/ Hohner String Melody 2 from the year 1979, The SM2 is my favorite stringmachine. And I have/had a lot stringmachines.

Strings: Logan StringMelody 2
Piano: Yamaha Reface CP
Bass: Moog Source
Add sounds: Roland M-VS1 'Vintage Synth'"

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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Rare LOGAN BIG BAND vintage string synthesizer

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

via this auction

You can find a demo of one in the archives here. You will also find a software emulation there.

"One of the few remaining Logan Big Band on the planet, always handled with love and care. Recently serviced, this impressive string synthesizer looks great and works like a charm.

The Big Band is a six-voice polyphonic string synthesizer produced by the Italian manufacturer Logan from 1980 to 1982. Released in the same period of the Vocalist, it's an extremely rare machine, only around 1000 units produced.

The Big Band features a variety of sounds including Brass, Strings, Organ, Reeds (Musette + Accordion) and Piano (Piano + Harpsichord). The sounds are organized into 3 main sections delimited by red lines. Brass + String/Organ/Reeds + Piano/Harpsichord can be played at the same time or individually.

Brass : In the Brass section the controls are: Brass 16", Brass 8", Attack, Brilliance and two controls for Vibrato: Depth and Delay. The red on/off switch activates/deactivates the Brass section. This Brass sound is absolutely one of the most impressive ever.

Strings/Organs/Reeds : Here you can select one of the 3 included sounds at once using the 3 on/off switches. In this section there are String 16" String 8" and String 4" controls that also work for the Organ. Next to String controls there are two more for the Reed section which features Musette and Accordion. String, Organ and Reeds share the same Attack and Sustain controls.

Pianos : The Piano section features Piano 16", Piano 8", Harpsichord and the Sustain control which works for all the 3 Piano sources. The red on/off switch activate/deactivate the Piano section."

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Vintage Analog Strings

Published on Jun 24, 2019 SSM Curtis

Part I:
Solina String Ensemble
Roland RS 505
Logan String Melody II
Korg Polyphonic Ensemble
Farfisa Syntorchestra
Vermona Piano Strings
Yamaha SK 20

Part II:
Logan String Orchestra (~1977)
Elka ElkaTwin (~1979)
Roland VP 330 (1979)
Siel Orchestra 2 (1983)
Crumar Multiman-S (1977)

Part III:
Roland RS 505 (1978)
Farfisa Syntorchestra (1975)
Yamaha SK 20 (1979)
Roland VP 330 (1979)
Siel Orchestra 2 (1983)
Crumar Multiman-S (1977)

Italian Vintage Synth - Analog Strings

Published on Jan 19, 2018 Riccardo Pietroni

This is the first post to feature the CRB Voco Strings, Uranus 2 below, and the Milton Gemichord 961

"Five Italian Vintage Synth Strings recorded live with Flat Eq, reverberation and very little Phaser.

Crb Voco Strings
Logan Piano Strings Sintesizer
Milton Gemichord 961
Welson Symphony Stereo
Farfisa Polychrome"

Italian Vintage Synth Crb Uranus 2

Published on May 11, 2018 Riccardo Pietroni

"A test of the polyphonic synth Crb Uranus 2 after the long restoration carried out by Marco Molendi."

Logan Piano Strings Analog Synth

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

via this auction

"Wonderful rich analogue string synth, very rare.

Unfortunately it has one broken voice card, this means some of the keys don't sound if the card becomes loose, I have managed to hold it temporarily in which is allowing all keys to sound, however it will need to be secured properly if you are going to gig this.

A great retro, thing with a lush, lush sound ...."

LOPTUS ( Live ) Logan Piano Strings Synthesizer,Korg Lambda & Sigma.

Published on Feb 8, 2015 Loptus

"Loptus live: Logan Piano Strings Synthesizer, Korg Sigma, Korg Lambda in my studio."

LOPTUS - Korg Lambda ES50 ( demo )

Published on Feb 7, 2015

"Korg Lambda, demonstrating the different voices and modulations.
Performed by: Lluis Garriga.

Loptus (2015)."

LOPTUS - Korg Sigma ( demo )

Published on Jan 30, 2015

"Korg Sigma, demonstrating the different voices and modulations.
Performed by: Lluis Garriga."

LOPTUS - Logan Piano Strings Synthesizer ( demo )

Published on Jan 23, 2015

"Logan Piano Strings Synthesizer, demonstrating the different voices and modulations.
Performed by: Lluis Garriga."

phon61 Korg Poly 61 & logan Piano String Synthesiser for Kontakt 5

Published on Dec 10, 2014 SPFXsynthesisers

"Kontakt 5.2.1 and higher instrument based on the Korg Poly 61.
Lots of waveforms samples from the real synth and placed in a easy t use custom user interface.
Lots of 80's bass/strings/pads/stabs/keys all with that Poly 61 sound. Available from www.synthmagic.co.uk
User interface graphics by Anders Hedstrom/Kontakt programming Stephen Porter."

logan Piano String Synthesiser for Kontakt 5

Published on Dec 10, 2014

"Logan Piano string synthesiser for Kontakt 5.2.1"

Vermona Piano-Strings "Klingenthal 1980"

Published on Oct 17, 2014 RetroSound

"(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

all sounds: Vermona Piano-Strings analog electric piano and string ensemble, made in GDR (1980)
recording: multi-track
fx: a bit reverb and delay

Piano String presets:
direct, fast (only strings), slow (only percussion), chor1, chor2

real analog piano and strings with octave divider, BBD chorus circuit
the sound character is unique and very different to the Solina, Crumar and Logan strings."

LOGAN PIANO STRINGS SN 10588 FULLY POLYPHONIC SYNTH

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via this auction

"LOGAN PIANO STRINGS SYNTH FULLY POLYPHONIC A 3 SECTION POLYSYNTH WITH OCTAVE DIVIDER TECHNOLOGY, TYPICAL OF THAT 70'S ERA. A FEW UNITS WERE MADE, AND IT SOUNDS AMAZING, SOMETHING BETWEEN A KORG PE 1000 AND AN ARP OMNI WITH THAT LOGAN-HOHNER WARM SOUNDING STRINGS TOUCH. ALL THE SLIDERS ARE MISSING AND A COUPLE OCTAVE DIVIDERS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING OK SO A COUPLE NOTES OVER THE OCTAVE ARE NOT TRIGGERING ON EITHER SECTION. OTHER THAN THAT IS FUNCTIONING VERY GOOD, BUT I WILL SELL AS SPARES OR REPAIR. SOUND IS VERY SWEET AND WARM, WITH SOME NICE EFFECTS ON THE SYNTH SECTION, INTERESTING VIBRATOS AND LFOS. I TRIED IT WITH A MOOG DELAY AND A MUTRON PHASOR AND IT SOUNDS INCREDIBLE."

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Korg Lambda ES50 Vintage Analogue Synthesiser

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

via this auction

"This is a fantastic instrument. The Lambda is a fully-polyphonic (not paraphonic) synth with a rich analogue sound, made lusher still by a bucket-brigade-type chorus. The sounds are preset, but there's a much greater degree of tweakability than you usually find on typical string synths and preset machines: particularly useful is the Attack / Decay envelope control, which makes getting everything from thick stabs to slow atmospheric washes of sound an absolute breeze. The sounds are divided into two blocks – the Percussive sounds are Electric Piano, Piano, Clavichord, and a Harmonic tab for overtones; these can be effected by a very neat, rate-controllable Tremolo. Then there's the Ensemble block, where the real treats lie (or I reckon so, at least!) – Brass (fantastic), Organ (a surprisingly good tranny organ sound – put it through some overdrive for a Vox-y screamer), Chorus (beautiful rich, mellow, ethereal pad sound), and Strings 1 and 2 (same sound, an octave apart – very rich and organic, with a lot of motion when you switch the Vibrato into play).

The two banks can individually be set to run through the Chorus effect, which is a lovely old analogue sound – think lush, warm, full of movement. There's a joystick controller to vary the speed of the Chorus (this also acts as a pitch-bend lever), plus a whole load of little details that make this a real pleasure to use and play: the Electric Piano key-click sound can be trimmed individually; there's individual control over the filter sweep that creates the Brass voice (you can get quite a nice little "wow" going at the front of the sound with this); and there's a basic low-pass filter across each of the groups, so you can adjust the Tone of each. You can adjust levels, too, for each group; and, of course, switch the individual voices in or out. Looking at the pic of the front panel will tell you pretty much everything this machine can do, and it's a nice set of features compared to most late-70s preset machines.

Also... IT'S STEREO! Yes, the Chorus effect outputs on two quarter-inch jacks, and it sounds magical. The Logan, the Godwin... all mono. Not the Lambda :-)

The Lambda is kind of halfway between a preset machine and a more fully-formed synth: the envelope controls alone make it really versatile, and layering say Chorus with Strings gives you an instant vintage pad sound that's pretty much impossible to beat. The machine excels at pads, strings and tonal textures; the Brass is sublime; the Organ is nothing like as cheesy as you'd expect – turn up the Tone to max and it's harsh, aggressive, biting. It needs some effects to really get it going, though, whereas the Strings and Chorus are just perfect on their own..."

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Le Logan Piano Strings Keyboard Synthesizer

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

The auction has this as ca. 1970.