The Foundation Announces the First Publicly-Accessible ARP 2500 in the USA
STONE RIDGE, NY, November 28, 2023: Thanks to a generous donation by former ARP employee Bruce McLendon, the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is welcoming a 2508 Wing Cabinet into its collection of legendary ARP synthesizers.
This 2508 cabinet was assembled as a complete self-contained 2500 synthesizer featuring original oscillator, filter, sequencer, envelope and mix-sequencer modules, all linked by the flexible 2500 patch matrix system. It also contains a new oscillator module designed and built for the Foundation by Phil Cirocco of CMS (Discrete Music Systems).
The ARP Foundation is launching an IndieGogo campaign to raise funds to complete the restoration of what will become the only publicly-accessible ARP 2500 synthesizer in the USA, and to bolster its ARPs For All Program in preparation for the 2500’s arrival.
The ARP Archives & The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Its mission is to celebrate the legacy of inventor, musician, entrepreneur and engineer Alan R. Pearlman, by making his innovative inventions publicly accessible, and by inspiring future generations to imagine and create.
Alan R. Pearlman was a pioneer in the electronic music world, and the founder of ARP Synthesizers, a leading synthesizer manufacturer in the 1970s. The Foundation is dedicated to preserving his legacy, and is committed to creating opportunities for emerging artists, sound designers and electronic music entrepreneurs.
Among their missions is enabling artists and designers to use rare, vintage ARP synthesizers, as well as recording and production equipment - which they’ve successfully accomplished with the ARPs For All Program in cooperation with their partners at The Record Co. in Boston, MA
"Take a look at what we've been doing this past year! From our special Fiftieth anniversary of the ARP Odyssey celebration to acquiring not one, but TWO vintage ARP Odysseys for ARPs for All and a 16-Voice Piano. We've interviewed Odyssey users from Herbie Hancock to Billy Currie, and were hosted from the UK to LA.
We've also created started some new relationships with SynthCube, SynthPlex, The Museum of Making Music, Beats by Girlz and the New England Synthesizer Festival, visited GForce in England and many friends in Los Angeles.
Next year we are finishing the first round of archiving, and focusing on fundraising for our first Artist-in-Residency and acquisitions of instruments for the ARPs for All collection.
Soundtracik used with permission and composed by James Martin
Spiritual Beings by Golden Temples (https://goldentemples.bandcamp.com)
performed, composed, arranged, mixed and mastered by James Martin
Art direction and graphics: James Martin"
"Bill T Miller Synthesizer Performance @ New England Synth Fest @ Museum of Science Boston - 08.11.22. This BTM stereophonic improv performance features a CLASSIC SYNTH array... Buchla Easel Command 208-C, Korg ARP 2600, Moog Mother-32, Make Noise O-Coast and 4MS STS Sampler & Toppobrillo MiniMix.
Video Produced/Directed/Edited by Bill T Miller Cameras: BTM & Sheri Hausey & Beth Moguel
BILL T MILLER, a chameleon of sonic exploration, is a multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, recording engineer, producer, filmmaker, photographer, artist, instrument builder and cat lover. From toy piano at two years old to starting a "band" with tennis racket guitar and trash can drums in the 60s to becoming a professional recording engineer / producer / live sound tech after graduating from College for the Recording Arts in San Francisco in 1976, his paths are always unfolding and looping. At recording college he took synthesizer courses with ARP 2600 and Emu synths and then worked (as live sound and recording engineer) in California until 1980.
Eventually ending up in Boston working as a freelance recording engineer and live sound engineer and then starting his own Headroom Recording Studios. While much of his "professional career" was devoted to recording and photographing OTHER artists, he was always working on his own weirdo music bands in the shadows. Some of these adventures include Out of Band Experience (OBE), Kings Of Feedback, Drum Army, Kings Of Slack, Zonkulator, and Orgy Of Noise with over 25 full album releases on his own DIY labels as an artist.
BTM's quest has looped back around to a nostalgic look forward incorporating ALL of the past adventures while moving sideways in time in to an unknown future think void. Living in Boston for 37 years and giving every moment to this insatiable desire to CREATE and SHARE is focus of his true path.
On the Second Thursday of every month of summer 2022, the Museum of Science teamed up with New England Synth Fest for an incredible fusion of live synthesizer performances that took over the Charles Hayden Planetarium. Experience some of the best synth musicians and visualizers from New England like never before in the immersive full dome environment of the Planetarium.
LOBBY MUSIC 7pm BILL T MILLER = outer space trip out synths 20 minute set - PLEASE LISTEN CAREFULLY.
LOBBY SYNTHFEST VENDORS ARP Foundation (Alan R. Pearman's daughter DINA will be there) & SynthCube & Stompbox Sonic & coolpix and MORE
7:30pm in the DOME three were 20 minute sets back to back for first show...
introduced by the host of MOS SUMMER THURSDAY SERIES... JAMES MONROE ! - Asha Tamirisa - LIMBC with visuals by Solid State Entity - Bob Familiar with visuals by cskonopka
+ following 1st dome show were two 20 minute LOBBY sets... - Vizzie / Oxalis (Ed Guild & Richard Tarantio) - Build (Nick Solarz)
The three lobby sets are hosted by Richard Tarantio in conjunction with Modular On The Spot Boston. Richard provided LIVE SOUND for all three lobby sets and played in a duo for the middle set.
+ 9:30pm in the DOME there was a repeat of the hree 20 minute sets back to back for second show. (see above.)
Boston Museum of Science Polage Art by Austine Wood Comarow !!!!!
Mega Thanx to NEW ENGLAND SYNTH FEST HOST... KENT LUNDBERT ! Super Thanx to MOS SUMMER THURSDAY SERIES HOST... JAMES MONROE !
Ultra Thanx to BUCHLA GURU TODD BARTON for KRELL WISDOM & FLUTE APPEARANCE via morphagene sampler.
Super THANX to BETH MOGUEL for footage. Eternal THANX as always to SHERI HAUSEY & Tippi Cat & Ziggy Cat & Mel the Cat !!!!"
‘These Songs Are Obsolete’ EP
NEW EP + SINGLE OUT NOW
Musician, producer and inventor Sam Battle, aka LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER returns today with his new EP ‘These Songs Are Obsolete’ and accompanying video for single ‘Waiting For The World To End’. He also announces his plans to open a museum before the end of 2020, ‘The Museum of Everything Else’ will be home to many of his creations along with other retro technology and musical inventions.
LMNC’s new EP features previous singles Desperado Vespa, Daydreamer, Stand And Deliver, and his last single Shock Horror alongside this new single and additional tracks Safety, Viva Forever and Stand and Deliver Excerpt.
Lead track Waiting For The World to End is an aptly titled focus track, a confrontational yet wildly catchy anthem for the current climate. It was written in 2019 and is accompanied by an incredible action movie style music video which LMNC co conceived with Johnny Goddard of Youth Hymns who directed it, and was shot during lock down in Ramsgate, England. The video see’s Sam trying to single handily save the world from a catastrophic event.
When asked about the EP, LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER says “These songs are obsolete is just talking about the constant progression in technology, leaving behind
so many bits of tech year by year that is still perfectly useable. I have a fascination with obsolete technology; it’s what I use in my daily life and I wrote and recorded these songs on obsolete tech, sort of trying to show that you don’t’ need the latest gizmo's to make and record music.”
He continues “I love obsolete tech so much I’m working on opening a museum filled with it, it’s going to be called The Museum of Everything Else which should be opening in late 2020, it will showcase many strange pieces of obsolete tech as well as machines I’ve built such as the furby organ and the Gameboy megamachine, it even has the latest machine that I built directly onto the wall of the museum last month called the KILODRONE, which is a 4 metre by 3 metre 1000 oscillator synthesizer, pretty sure it’s a world record!!” See the Kilodrone here.
LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER released his debut EP in 2018 and has been playing sold out live shows across the UK and Europe including a triumphant headline show at London’s XOYO. He’s been building up a massive online following since 2017 with his online inventions and has over 350,000 followers and over one hundred million views on YouTube alone.
These Songs Are Obsolete is available on vinyl from the official LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER online store, the vinyl includes additional tracks not featured on the digital release and comes with a download code for all the songs that feature on the vinyl. The full track listing for the physical release is:
Side A
Desperado Vespa Daydreamer
Stand and Deliver
Stand and Deliver Excerpt Waiting For The World to End Viva Forever
Side B
Shock Horror
Safety (live)
Daydreamer (instrumental) Shock Horror (instrumental) Desperado Vespa (instrumental)
Hi everyone! As you know Barry Schrader will be giving his farewell concert at CalArts on September 26. The following is the beginning of my interview with him. I opted to post the questions and answers as they come in. New QAs will get a new post so you do not miss them and they will be added to this post so we have one central post for the full interview. This should make it easier for all of us to consume in our busy lives, and it will allow you to send in any questions that may come to mind during the interview process. If you have anything you'd like to ask Barry, feel free to send it in to matrixsynth@gmail.com. This is a rare opportunity for us to get insight on a significant bit of synthesizer history, specifically with early Buchla systems, and I'd like to thank Barry for this opportunity. Thank you Barry!
"UP FOR AUCTION IS THE TRULY HISTORIC EMS (Electronic Music Studios) VCS3 MODULAR SYNTHESIZER MADE IN ENGLAND CIRCA 1972/1973. THIS HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR BY MAJOR LABEL RECORDING STUDIO FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS A RARE MUSEUM CALIBER PIECE - IT WAS THE FIRST AFFORDABLE MODULAR SYNTH. THIS WAS ONE OF TWO OF THESE UNITS THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED NEW BY OBERLIN COLLEGE DIRECTLY FROM EMS. PURCHASED BY PRODUCER FROM THE COLLEGE IN 1993. SCARCE TO SAY THE LEAST.
TOTALLY ORIGINAL AND UNRESTORED - MECHANICALLY SOUND..."
"The story behind this is that a chap's parents evicted a tenant who then disappeared leaving this stuff behind. The lucky chap is a teacher who has kept this in his drama classroom for use as props not knowing its collectibility and value. Now he is trying to identify what he has and get it serviced or on to a good home that will fix up, preserve, and appreciate it..."
A friend set us up with another friend at Perfect Circuit Audio.
http://www.perfectcircuitaudio.com/
They collect, restore and resell vintage synths. He came over and we sawed open the crazy custom cabinet. It was secured with lots of bolts, braces, and wood glue, the original creator of this monster never intended to swap out or upgrade anything. The patch bay on top was all custom. However this kept the insides totally clean and nice. We agreed on a good price and he took all the units as-is. They are going to be restored and may end up in the showroom, where lots of folks can enjoy them, so that makes me happy!
I thought this was pretty interesting. The Analog Lab took in this Micromoog for service. When they opened it up they found this service note from the late Dave Hillel Wilson of the New England Synthesizer Museum. Dave passed away in August of 2010.
If you look at the large panel towards the left you'll see what looks like a filter bank. I was curious if this was one of the five only in existence, mentioned at 6:47 in the video below, by the late David Hillel Wilson, former curator of The New England Synthesizer Museum. If you look at the video you will see that it is not the same. It is also not the same as the 914 Filter Bank pictured here, or the 907A here. It looks closest to the 914. [Update 1/6/12 via Brian Kehew: "The old filter module is an original 907 Fixed Filter bank (the 907a is the same thing, but turned vertically; I assume to save panel space. The 914 is 'Extended' meaning more bands and options"]
Update: some additional info from Michelle Moog-Koussa: "Hi All, this modular was the demo unit at R.A. Moog, Co. I believe the modules are dated 1967, but I'll have to double check. In 1970, when Bill Weytana took over the company, Bob sold this synth to David Borden, a good friend and a founding member of Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece. David used the synth for years until sometime about 10 or 15 years ago, Bob called him and asked if he could have it back, at which point David sent it without hesitation. It's the only modular we have in the archives and we're very grateful to have it. The synth still bears the Mother Mallard plaque on the left side. Here's a photo of it, taken at our Pushing the Envelope Exhibit: http://www.facebook.com/l/EAQCbjJb1/on.fb.me/o17LeM. @Matrix, I don't think this is a special filter bank like David was talking about, although it would be amazing to have one of those in the archives. It looks like this system most closely resembles a "Synthesizer Ic' from the 1967 catalog. @Custom synth, it's not used.......yet. When we have the resources to restore it and share it, we will certainly use it!"
"Dave Wilson, of the New England Synthesizer Museum has just passed away.
Dave was our inspiration for starting the Synthmuseum.com web site some 15 years ago.
So many of us in the electronic music field have made a trip up to see him in Nashua and his amazing collection. He is one of us and will be fondly remembered and missed.
"David Hillel Wilson, 49, passed away Friday, August 27th, 2010, in his Nashua home. Dave was born in Bronx, NY, on December 12, 1960, and grew up in Fairfield, CT. He was curator and founder of the New England Synthesizer Museum in Nashua. Dave is survived by his parents, Jay & Vivian Wilson, and his 3 siblings, Rebecca, Ruth and Daniel. A graveside service is planned for August 30th at 1 p.m. at the Agudas Achim cemetery on Reid Street in Fairfield, CT."
I was fortunate enough to visit Dave at the museum and communicated with him off and on via email. You can see all posts featuring Dave and the museum here [update: Blogger search appears to be broken; use the Google search box on the right]. He was extremely kind and gracious. Some might consider him a bit eccentric, but how could he not be. He lived literally surrounded by synths. For what it's worth I consider myself a bit eccentric and most of the people I appreciate in life are as well. The one thing that stood out for me overall though, was that he was just plain nice. It's something I value more than anything else in people I meet. The ability to just be nice to others. He was just one of those guys you liked knowing was out there doing his thing.
He loved synths as much if not more than anyone I've met and he loved ALL synths, not just the rare and the analog. I'll never forget him wailing the Star Wars theme and Emmerson's Lucky Man for me on the Yamaha DX7 with the Rhodes Chroma Polaris by it's side. I remember wondering why he chose those two out of everything else he had in the museum to play for me. I knew many of the pieces needed work, but he genuinely appreciated the DX7 and the Polaris for what they were. He told me a little about the two and the significance of the DX7. Of course he showed me all of the other synths in the museum including the very first ARP 2500 featured here.
He'd often pop up on the AH list with interesting bits of info. He always promptly replied to my inquiries via email. He was just a very kind, giving, and gentle soul. I remember asking him if he ever worried about people stealing from the museum. He told me a story about some kid trying to walk out with an SEM under his jacket. Dave didn't seem angry in telling me the story. It was just something to be aware of. I remember leaving the museum, dropping somewhere for a quick bite to eat and then popping back on the freeway back to Connecticut with my wife. Right as I was heading off a ramp to another freeway, I see a purple PT Cruiser with a SYNTHE license plate driving by. It was Dave! I remember thinking how cool is that! He didn't see me and he continued on while I went on the other freeway. I was hoping to visit him again some day. That unfortunately will never happen. 49 is way too young. Although I did not know him well, I will miss him very, very much. Dave, wherever you are, may the synths be with you. Today's posts are for you.
David Camlin
"The late David Wilson, curator of the New England Synthesizer Museum, discusses his collection of analogue synthesizers."video from October 2007
Note: This post went up at 10:50 AM. I post stamped it at 11:59 PM so it stays on top all day. As this literally was the first thing I woke to, I will put new posts up today below this one.
Update via BexElttil in the comments: "Hi, Dave's sister Beckie here..
I would like to shed some light on how Dave died. He was in and out of the hospital since May 20th, they finally diagnosed him with amyloid AL. Basically, and extra protein attaches and grows to internal organs, there was no cure. We, the family did think he was going to beat it with chemo, God had other plans. He ultimately died of a heart attack on Friday afternoon. I guess they needed a really good synth engineer in heaven, and called for the best.
If not for his friend checking on him daily and more than once a day, he might have been left there for days instead of hours.
The museum does have a board, and my other brother Dan will be contacting them regarding what to do with the machines.
Thank you, everyone for your kind words. I am awed by how many have known, loved, and respected Dave. I too, even as his sister, never had the chance to visit the museum.
Blessings to you all.
Beckie (Wilson) Basehore"
Update via RuthsHere in the comments: "Hi there, (the OTHER sister chimes in.)
I hope you are all well. David was a pack rat(a family trait). It was a bit "sanford and son" over there. He knew what was important to him. Lack of funding kept the place in a little bit of a shambles. It's just how it was. Things could have been different, but that's not important anymore.
I am assisting Dan with organizing his material possessions. I had been in the "trenches" before and cleaned there a few times. I had ideas for his museum, but he really just wanted to do it his way.
Nothing is new to me when it comes to David except how much of an impact he has made on the world. I doubt he can ever be replaced, but I hope someone is able to finish repairs he started on some of the machines.
Thanks for everyone for their support and admiration. It's been a very pleasant surprise for his family.
Update: Via Dave: "The controller in the pic is a stock Buchla Model 112 controller, not custom or DIY in any fashion. I don't know how many were made, but this was the standard controller for the model 100 Electric Music Box."
"Dear Matrix, As you know few people study the old analog synthesizers with more zeal than myself. I have been working on a "Fantasy Synth" that includes an S.E.M. that's been modernized. Attached is a PDF of my design at 1:2 scale.
The New England Synthesizer Museum "We're a Resource - Use Us! (tm)" David Hillel Wilson, Curator www.synthmuseum.com/nesm"
BTW, if you know of other synth license plates, feel free to comment. Dave Wilson of the New England Synthesizer Museum has one with SYNTHE. You can see it in this post sitting on top of the ARP 2500. And then there's Mike Walters' POLYMOOG plates.
"One makes a filter resonate by providing the right kind of feedback. Amplify the output of the VCF and feed it back to the input. If that doesn't work, do it again but invert the signal. Note that only filters with even numbers of poles oscillate [see the comments in this post]. The classic Moog filter is a 4 pole.
There was some discussion of the ARP Ensemble Organ on AH. From Ivan: "I finally found the photo!? Took me a few hours of digging through back copies of Musical Merchandise review.? It is from the August 1974 issue and was shown at the June 1974 NAMM show: link [pictured]
So what David has is the same unit that was called the "Arp Ensemble."? Evidently it was sold with a Pro Soloist to make it a three-manual organ per the letter I got from a dealer ages ago: [link]
While searching for this info I also found a pic of the rare double-keyboard Mellotron: [link]"
Previously from Dave Hillel Wilson of the New England Synthesizer Museum had to say: "It helps to remember that the ARP String Ensemble IV was really the Solina, manufactured by Eminent and rebadged by ARP. I bought a Pro Soloist a few years back from someone who told me it was the top keyboard on an organ. I played this organ and it sounded amazing, so I bought it for the Museum. It is called the Eminent 310, and is similar to the 310 U used by Jean-Michel Jarre."
Update via Milo Johnson in the comments: "That "double keyboard Mellotron" looks to be the Mellotron/Novatron Mark V prototype, and the year would be correct for it. There were 28 or 30 units made before the company finally folded. The Mellotron Mark I, Mark II, and SFX Consoles were all double-keyboard models as well, and there were an approximate total of 500 two-manual Mellotrons made in the early days. Fast forward to nowm when both Mellotron and Mellotronics are offering or developing new two-manual Mellotrons."
"This is a preliminary description of a Rhodes™ Chroma™ voice card test and repair fixture that I have built. It is a hand wired prototype; no circuit boards have been designed, and there are currently no plans for production, although that may change. Meanwhile, if you work on lots of Chromas, you can build your own from these schematics." [link]. Note this device was built by Dave Wilson of the New England Synthesizer Museum.
"The late David Wilson, curator of the New England Synthesizer Museum, discusses his collection of analogue synthesizers."
"In the quiet town of Nashua, New Hampshire lies the New England Synthesizer Museum. Curator Dave Wilson collects and repairs sythesizers and has worked various duties including proofreading and development for some of the world's most renowned synth makers. The museum is open to the public, contact him at www.synthmuseum.com/nesm for appointments. Synth donations are accepted."
Brainwashed.com: The Eye - New England Synth Museum
Note the first ARP 2500 previously posted here.
