Glistening Crystal Harmonics - Dave Smith PolyEvolver and Sequential Circuits Pro~One

video upload by Reuben Jones

"Listen to crystal harmonics glistening in the sun in a frozen wasteland of ice shards and snow.

The PolyEvolver is so great at these icy cold sounds which, although they decrease the temperature in the room, are strangely hypnotic."

Weird Obscure Lo-Fi Synthesizer Meets Noisy Obsolete FX Rack 🎹 Keytek CTS-2000 and Roland DEP-5

video upload by Reuben Jones

"The 1987 Keytek CTS-2000. A cool, quirky, lo-fi wavetable-style synthesizer from Italian brand Keytek, formerly known as Siel before being bought by Gibson USA....(!) Run through a 1984 Roland DEP-5 digital chorus/reverb.

All sounds made using the Keytek CTS-2000 and Roland DEP-5 Effects Processor.

Low-res voxel models made in MagicaVoxel."

Excuse Me While I Sequence - ARP Sequencer ➤ Sequential Circuits Pro~One

Reuben Jones

"Testing out the features of the ARP Model 1611 Sequencer

ARP Sequencer ➤ Sequential Circuits"

Italian Synth Jam POV - ELKA, Farfisa, Logan

Reuben Jones

"Live jam version of a planned longer track, featuring:

ELKA Synthex
Fafisa Syntorchestra 4
Logan Vocalist
MFB Tanzbär

No MIDI. No overdubs. The Synthex is clocked to the Tanzbär."

The Lost Child - Dave Smith Instruments Poly Evolver (STEREO)

Reuben Jones

"Making the Poly Evolver sing.

PolyEvolver ➤ Molot Compressor ➤ BootEQmk II ➤ Sennheiser AMBEO Orbit ➤ Valhalla Reverb"

Building on the Blockchain - Abstract, Self-Running Patch on DSI Poly Evolver

Reuben Jones

"I find the concept of blockchains pretty abstract, and this is the sound I imagined whilst blockchains are being built.

This is a self-running patch on the PolyEvolver - I didn't touch the synth during recording apart from to stop the sequencer on the last note and increase the delay feedback for a more effective ending.

PolyEvolver ▶ VladG Molot Compressor ▶ slight EQ ▶ Valhalla VintageVerb"

ELKA Synthex - Italy's Answer to the Prophet 5.

Reuben Jones

"Listen to a Synthex and watch it fly across epic scenes of nature.

Synthex ➤ Molov Compressor ➤ Valhalla Vintage Verb

Learn about the Synthex on Mario Maggi's website: http://www.synthex.it/mario-maggi/

All sounds and music by Reuben Jones
Please visit my Instagram for more synth demos, especially Italian synths etc: reuben0jones

All video downloaded from pexels.com and free to use.
Video credits to the following videographers from pexel.com
James Wheeler
invisiblepower
Kelly Lacy
Pixabay
Jonathan Santos
Felix Mittermeier
Sean Johnston
Ruvim Miksanskiy
Michal Marek
Iggy Poptratz
Nomad Nation Video Produktion
James Cheney
Tom Fisk
Pressmaster
Stefano Rinaldo"

Spectral Voyage : E&MM Spectrum // MFB Tanzbär // TC Electronic AlterEgo // Sennheiser AMBEO

Published on May 24, 2020 Reuben Jones

"This was only meant to be a few minutes long so sorry if it drags, but it's a long journey to where we're going."

Logan Vocalist - Analogue Choir Synthesizer from 1979, Italy 🎹

Published on Mar 21, 2020 Reuben Jones

Elka Synthex, DSI/Sequential Tempest, and Octave Kitten featured as well.

"The Logan Vocalist, by Logan Electronics, 1979, Italy.

The Logan Vocalist is an analogue synthesizer designed to mimic the sound of a polyphonic choir and the solo human voice. Evocative vocal-like sounds are made using a mixture of hard-synced oscillators, analogue filtering, and ensemble and vibrato effects.

There isn't a lot of information on this rare and interesting synth, and the schematics are the only documents I can find. If anyone has more information, including the A3 folded manual that Peter Forrest mentions in his A-Z book, please let me know!

Join 'Sintetizzatori Vintage Italiani' and 'VSMIproject Vintage Synthesizers Made in Italy', both on Facebook to see more Italian synthesizers.

Also, visit https://www.museodelsynth.org/ to find out about the Italian synthesizer exhibition in Macerata, Italy.

Thanks to Keith Kniveton at Lucid Sound, and to Dani Wilson at Hideaway Studios.

All music by me, except for
02:29 - 03:17 : Non si Sevizia un Paperino by Riz Ortolani, used in the Italian giallo movie Don't Torture a Duckling, 1972;

and,

03:17 - 03:48 : L'Alba dei Morti Viventi by Goblin, used in the movie Dawn of the Dead, 1978.


Thanks for watching!

Instagram: reuben0jones"

E&MM Spectrum Synthesiser Preview

Published on Oct 20, 2019 Reuben Jones

"The E&MM Spectrum is a British DIY synthesizer designed by Chris jordan and released with Electronics and Music Maker magazine in 1981.....

The magazine provided a painted metal faceplate, keyboard assembly, and printed circuits boards. The rest was sourced by the builder using a supply kit provided by the now defunct Maplin Electronic Ltd, UK (see also the Maplin/ETI 3600, 3800, 4600, and 5600S synthesizers).

The synthesizer uses the famed Curtis integrated circuits: VCOs (CEM 3340), VCF (CEM 3320), VCA (CEM 3330), and envelopes (CEM 3310). These chips were used by many companies at the time, including AKAI, ELKA, Ensoniq, Oberheim, Roland, and Sequential Circuits.

Perhaps the closest synthesizer to the Spectrum is the Sequential Circuits Pro~One, both of which use the same CEM chips for VCOs, filter, and envelope; and use a similar two-VCO architecture. However, whilst the Pro~One is known for an extensive modulation section, the Spectrum is very interesting in its own right.

The design makes the most of the CEM 3340 VCOs, with a total of five waveforms, including a SUB square wave. The LFO, with multiple waveforms including random and regular sample and hold (the latter of which produces more defined sequencer like voltages), can be routed in positive or negative polarity to the VCOs, filter, ringmod/noise, and output. The multimode LP, LBP and BP filter is a self oscillating one and can be modulated by the joystick, envelope generator, and the LFO. There are also two sync options, as well as FM, ring mod, and an envelope shaper. The stereo output can also be modulated for panning and stereo FX; and there are eight jacks for external connectivity including CV/Gate in and out, and pre filter in.

In conclusion, I would describe the Spectrum as a drunk and wonky Pro~One. Mine is temperamental, and sometimes has a mind of its own, but when tamed, the Spectrum becomes a very live and organic synthesizer. The tech who serviced it for me said it reminded him of an ARP 2600, and described it as a 'proper synth'. GreatSynthesizers.com describe it as "...a mixture of EMS Synthi, Sequential Pro-One and Roland SH-5" and "one of the most outstanding monophonic analog synthesizers in history".

This audio was recorded directly from the Spectrum in mono, using a TC Electronic Alter Ego delay pedal for some parts. All parts played from the keyboard, or using the LFO to gate the amplifier."

ARP Model 1611 Sequencer Teardown

Published on Oct 9, 2019 Reuben Jones

"I took apart an ARP Model 1611 Sequencer from 1975, gave it a clean, put it back together again, and it still worked!

Removing the PCB out of the metal casing was very very difficult, but I managed to release it with some man-handling, thankfully not captured on film."

Roland JD800 - Short Demo

Published on Sep 27, 2019 Reuben Jones

"A short demo of the Roland JD800. These clips were used in a documentary about Roland by Alex Ball, titled 'Land of the Rising Sound | A Roland Retrospective'."

Live Synth Jam - MS10, PolyEvolver, Pro~One, Q, Tanzbar

Published on Aug 19, 2019 Reuben Jones

"A live synth jam. Fairly simple because I limited myself to one drum beat and one fill, and a basic chord sequence.

Tanzbar drum machine sends gate signal to Pro~One (CV not connected so I can change bass notes with the Pro~One keyboard) and MIDI clock to the Q+, which in turn sends arp MIDI to PolyEvolver."

Dave Smith Poly Evolver and Waldorf Q+

Published on Jul 30, 2019 Reuben Jones

"The Waldorf Q's arpeggiator sending MIDI out to the PolyEvolver. Nice and sparkly

Dave Smith Instruments Poly Evolver
Waldorf Q+"

Chordal Filmscore Music on the DSI PolyEvolver

Published on Apr 7, 2019 Reuben Jones

"Semi-improvised chordal playing on the PolyEvolver. Maybe for a film.

This patch changes from brass to strings depending on filter envelope settings, velocity and pressure.

Dave Smith PolyEvolver
Tal-Reverb"

Bird of Prey - DSI Poly Evolver, DSI Tempest, SCI Pro-One, Novation Supernova 2, Roland JD800

Published on Dec 13, 2018 Reuben Jones

"A new retro synth track with a space and 80s vibe.

Gear used:
Dave Smith Instruments Poly Evolver
Dave Smith Instruments Tempest
Elka Synthex
Korg MS10
Novation Supernova 2
Roland JD800
Sequential Circuits Pro~One
A solar cell

(+Sample of a screaming hawk)"

Dave Smith Poly Evolver Chords

Published on Aug 31, 2018 Reuben Jones

"Some chordal playing on the Poly Evolver"

TECHNOlogy Techno Dave Smith Poly Evolver & Tempest, Elka Synthex Mk1, Tepatronic Mellotron, OBDX

Published on Aug 22, 2018 Reuben Jones

"Here's a track that celebrates the technology that humans have developed here on Earth. From the industrial revolution to the question of extraterrestrial colonisation.
...that, or it's just a banging techno tune!

Dave Smith Instruments PolyEvolver
Dave Smith Instruments Tempest
Elka Synthex Mk1
Tepatronic Mellotron
OBDX"

Sur La Plage by C. Graziani Walter.

Published on Dec 6, 2017 Reuben Jones

"My mum used to play this on the piano so I recorded this for her birthday, and then decided to do a video.

Dave Smith Instruments PolyEvolver keys and rack
Korg MS10
Elka Synthex Mk1"

Elka Synthex Mk1

Published on Jul 30, 2017 Reuben Jones

"A demo of some sounds and textures from the Elka Synthex Mk1.

This thing is massive in terms of size, weight and sound!

All sounds and music by Reuben Jones, except for excerpts of 'Touch and Go' by Emerson Lake & Powell, and of the 4th movement of Saint Saens' Organ Symphony."