Multivox Model MX202 String & Bass Keyboard Synthesizer SN 834036

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via this auction

"Made in Japan sometime in the 1970s, it is a Multivox String & Brass keyboard synthesizer. Model MX-202. 61 keys. All kinds of various little functions. We tested it out today. It seems like everything works EXCEPT for the G#2 key, which does not work in any setting. The settings are brass, strings 1 & 2, along with the ability to blend them together. There is also the ability to select which of these sounds are played over the lower and upper sections of the keyboard. There is vibrato, sustain, and slow attack. The ensemble (chorus effect) has 2 modes. The voices sound very cool. It has a very retro sound, and when you put the sustain combined with the pitch modulator together and do some simple arpeggios, it sounds like is straight out of the "Stranger Things" TV show. Stand not included. The case is functional. The handle, latches, and hinges all work."

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1978 Multivox MX-440

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"Very rare Japan made clone of the Roland RS202. IMO a better and brighter version of the RS202. To me it has a much cleaner and livelier sound than the 202.
The tone controls are more like a low pass filter rather than a standard tone control. The ensemble effect is incredible and has 2 different intensities. This synth also has a dedicated bass output aside from the main output which allows for more discrete/parallel mixing or dynamic control options in a studio environment.
In excellent condition for its age and comes complete with the lid and original sheet music stand. Very clean and in full working condition."

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The string machine ensemble effect: Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor VS Wersi Wersivoice WV7

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video upload by Ohm. Studio



"The Wersi in the video is for sale. [listed on eBay here]

Here is a comparison between two very similar BBD triple choruses, AKA ensemble effect: The Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor 79 (which I demoed extensively in a previous video with a Multivox MX-202, a Crumar Stringman and a Roland Jupiter 4) and the Wersivoice WV7. The Böhm has some more variations but the chorus sound (ie ensemble effect) is very similar. Circuit are almost 100% identical. I also own a Wersi Wersivoice FM76 which is the updated and standalone version of the Wersi WV7 and sound even closer to the Böhm.

I used a Welson Keyboard Orchestra to demo the two units. I made another video with the Wersivoice alone with a Sequential prophet 6 in order to show how easily you can turn any synthesizer into a string machine with these units."

via this auction

"Vintage analog triple chorus effect unit, based on 3x Philips TDA1022 Bucket Brigade Device chipset and of classic ARP Eminent Solina design. Turns anything into a great sounding string machine.

It offers Vibrato (slow and fast) and Chorus (the ensemble effect) with 3 variations of depth (« weak » and « strong » switch and both together).

It is almost the same circuit as the Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor I also built, with less variations. But the ensemble effect does sound identical."

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The string machine ensemble effect: Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor 79

video upload by Ohm. Studio

"Quite extensive demonstration of the Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor effect, a great triple chorus effect from the 70s. Turns anything into a great string machine.
On the video I test it with a Multivox MX-202 (a Roland RS-202 clone), a Crumar Stringman and an cheap old cheazy analog synth.
I built several of these as strandalone units and I currently have 2 to sell if you are interested."

Synth Wizards Episode 11: String Machine Madness!

video upload by Syntaur

"The Synth Wizards chase down and compare a crazy number of string machines, including the groundbreaking Freeman String Symphonizer and an extremely rare Elkatwin 61, and take a look at the fascinating history of these instruments. But, the Freeman needs some restoration work before it can be delivered to an interesting buyer in Los Angeles.

00:00 - Introduction
03:03 - Atlanta String Machine trip
06:35 - The Chamberlin
08:25 - The History of the Mellotron
13:00 - Mellotron M400 demo
13:58 - The Freeman String Symphonizer
15:28 - Differences between Synths and String Machines
19:24 - Freeman String Symphonizer demo
20:05 - The History of the Arp Solina
21:50 - Dennis DeYoung (Styx) Interview
23:38 - Crumar Orchestrator
24:30 - Crumar Performer
27:24 - Arp Omni
28:04 - Elka Rhapsody
28:42 - Elkatwin 61
29:55 - Roland RS-101 & 202
30:15 - Multivox MX-202
30:32 - Roland RS-505
33:03 - Roland RS-09
33:12 - Roland VP-330 Vocoder
33:36 - Korg Poly Ensemble S
34:28 - Korg Delta
34:56 - Yamaha SK20
35:49 - Korg EPS-1
37:01 - Refurbishing the Freeman
41:55 - Delivering String Machines to Jason Schwartzman"

Synthesizer Test Drive: Solina String Ensemble
video upload by Syntaur

"Syntaur's Sam Mims takes the iconic Solina String Ensemble out for a test drive. (This is a revised version of our original Solina video, where several sharp-eared listeners pointed out that the chorus effect wasn't quite right. They were correct! The LFO circuit in the original version was not working correctly. Now, here it is in its full glory.)"

Additional Synth Wizards Episodes

Multivox MX-202 String and Brass Synth SN 230161

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via this auction

"Great Multivox string and brass machine. Basically a spec for spec copy of the Roland RS-202 string and brass instrument only that it goes C to C instead of F to F. This is a simple but unique instrument - there are brass, strings 1 and 2, with the ability to blend them. There's vibrato, a little bit of envelope control and the most epic feature of them all... the ensemble (Chorus) effect, which has 2 modes. There's something really magical about these effects - they turn a relatively simple synth sound into a beautiful warm swirling analog string / brass patch. I mostly used this with a stereo reverb pedal which gave me really awesome Solina-type sounds."

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Multivox MX-202 SN 834097

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"Multivox MX-202 String & Brass synthesizer Made in japan total copy of Roland RS-202
there's a cool article in Sound on Sound about the 2 : '' Opening up my RS202 produced a second surprise. The boards in the Roland may be laid out differently from those in the MX202, but apart from a bit of point-to-point cabling in the Multivox where the Roland uses connectors, you could pull a board out of one of these synths, and stick it in the other. I'm not talking just about geometry here. Other than the keyboard mechanism and the details of which screw goes where, these boards are the same, right down to component level.
In other words, the MX202 and the RS202 are the same instrument. ''
Everything works, got that great analog sound, and you turn on those chorus options and bam ahhhh here it is, that Classic Roland vintage sound."

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MULTIVOX MX-202 STRING & BRASS SYNTH

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via this auction, also on Reverb

"there's a cool article in Sound on sound about the 2 :
Opening up my RS202 produced a second surprise. The boards in the Roland may be laid out differently from those in the MX202, but apart from a bit of point-to-point cabling in the Multivox where the Roland uses connectors, you could pull a board out of one of these synths, and stick it in the other. I'm not talking just about geometry here. Other than the keyboard mechanism and the details of which screw goes where, these boards are the same, right down to component level. In other words, the MX202 and the RS202 are the same instrument

Everything works, got that great analog sound, and you turn on those chorus options and bam ahhhh here it is, that Classic Roland vintage sound.

These are getting rare and will go up in value with the price of good analog vintage Roland synths going up by the week.
*Vintagesynth website gives the RS-202 a 4 stars/excellent"

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Multivox MX-202 SN 230273

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"String and Brass synth. Dead copy of the Roland RS-202 only real difference being C to C instead of F to F. Sounds wonderful and lush. Completely recapped and everything works. Best example I’ve ever seen."

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MULTIVOX MODEL MX-202 VINTAGE SYNTHESIZER (COPY OF ROLAND RS202)

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Multivox MX-440

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via this auction

"This is the Multivox MX-440, which is essentially a rebranded MX-202, which is essentially a Roland RS202. It has seen a good bit of use, but it functions properly and sounds great. Two chorus keycaps are missing, but the switches still work.

A little history on the MX440/MX202:

The Multivox MX202 seems to be a component-for-component copy of the RS202. If you compare the two panels, the physical similarities will be obvious. Like the Roland, the MX202/MX440 uses divide-down organ technology to generate a polyphonic sawtooth wave which is passed through a stereo chorus unit.

The MX202 also has a similar sound set - two string footages and a 'brass' sound (i.e. the sawtooth through a simple filter) and the two chorus settings added various degrees of lushness to both. Like the RS202, it has simple control of amplitude envelope with two switched attack rates and a variable release control. Further comparisons with the RS202 can be found in the MX202's keyboard split options that allowed different sounds to be played simultaneously in the low and upper halves of the keyboard."

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Multivox MX-202 String & Brass

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via this auction

Also branded as the MX-440.

Multivox MX-202 MX-440 "String & Brass" Vintage Analog String Synthesizer SN 838377

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via this auction

"Rare Multivox "String & Brass" MX-202 String Synthesizer. I purchased this about 6 years ago and have used only a few times in the safety of my home studio. It's basically a copy of a Roland RS-202, but with it's own distinct sound. This particular model has been re-branded as "MX-440," though the card on the back still says "MX-202." Keys have yellowed a bit over the years. Still has original cover/lid and music stand attachment. It's a very cool synthesizer and is in great shape, all functions work - but due to it's age and the nature of these old synthesizers I have to say it's sold as/is and all sales are final."

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Multivox MX-202 Demo

Published on Dec 22, 2017 Syntaur

"Syntaur's Sam Mims does a very quick demo of the Multivox MX-202 brass/string machine."

Roland RS-202 Strings with Flightcase

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via this auction

"A sort of trivia regarding the RS-202: It was virtually cloned by an small American company called Multivox. they released the MX-202 which not only looked almost totally identical to the RS-202, but also featured copied hardware - component for component! Despite only a few minor differences between the two, the MX-202 still didn't sound as nice as the Roland."

See here for previous posts on the MX-202 including video.

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RARE! Hillwood ST303 (MULTIVOX MX 202) Japanese Analog String / Brass Synth SN 201101

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"Hillwood ST303 Symphonic Ensemble - Analog String / Brass Synthesizer

Rare Japanese version of the Multivox MX202, which in turn was 'inspired' by the Roland RS202

In good working condition, all functions / keyboard / sliders working well.

In good cosmetic condition but does have some marks and scratches here and there."

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Super Rare Multivox MX-202 String/brass Synthesizer SN 838379

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"Here is an incredibly rare Multivox MX-202. Many people say it is a copy of the ROland RS-202 and others say it sounds somewhere in between that and the arp solo a string ensemble. Either way it is this synth is super rare and sounds incredible. You simply cannot reproduce these lush sounds on modern synths. This one is in good condition but is missing one push button (which you could probably find easily if you wanted as they are standard) I never felt a need since the blue button underneath is just as easy to push. The synth is in good working condition and all functions work perfectly including the amazing ensemble chorus and vibrato. There is a bit of static when moving some of the sliders as the unit has not been used in many years. Otherwise it sounds great."

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Rare Multivox MX-202 String And Brass Synthesizer

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via this auction

Not the best pics, but you don't see these often.

"This is one of the most desirable string and brass synths out there. When you hear how lush it sounds you will know why. The ensemble buttons really give the keyboard extra depth that others in the same field do not have.

Everything works great on this particular model. All sliders and buttons function as they should. As you can see the keys have yellowed nicely, which is very common with the 202's. The tolex on the case is a bit scraped up, but overall in excellent condition considering the age."

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MULTIVOX MX-440 STRING & BRASS ANALOG KEYBOARD SYNTHESIZER

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"Vintage Multivox MX-440 analog string and brass synthesizer. This is the less-than-reputible clone of the Roland RS-202 although it's debatable which came first. Works 100% and sound great. The MX-440 keyboard is splittable and the bass and treble have identical independent controls. Also includes an adjustable vibrato with adjustable delay, bass and treble "tone" sliders, separate sustain adjustments for the bass and treble sections and two very nice sounding ensemble settings. Overall in very good cosmetic condition with some nicks and wear from being about 35 years old. Includes the lid and the original music stand! Bonus feature: the keys have uniformly yellowed with age!

More pictures can be seen here (there are two MX-440's in this set, one is this one and the other belongs to a customer)"

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MULTIVOX MX-202 STRING & BRASS Synth SN 834013

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via this auction

Note the serial number is in two different spots on the back.  One on the badge and one under MULTIVOX.

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