Vintage Roland DG Model CMU-800

via this auction

Search for CMU-800 on the right for previous posts. I believe the CMU-800 requires software and a PC to work.

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Roland CMU-800R with MIDI Option Installed

via this auction

"For the quick info visit:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec04/articles/roland.htm

www.cmu800r.deftaudio.ru

http://sites.google.com/site/analogvocoderinfo/interfaces/roland-cmu-800r

The CMU-800 is one of unique and rare module that was produced by Amdek and then by Roland in th past. It's a medium-sized, off-cream metallic wedge, with a barrage of jacks on the back and a bare minimum of knobs on the front. It also sported this ruddy great ribbon cable hanging out the back!

What is it? Essentially, its a computer-controlled CV/gate output system, designed to work with computers - a Japan-market-only NEC Z80 machine and the humble Apple II range. No MIDI, no inputs as such, just a means to let your "brand spanking new 8-bit computing marvel" be the controlling heart of your System 100M. The box was the same for each model, you just bought the interface and software to suit your particular CPU.

This unit is in amazing condition looks and works like new even it's 25+ years old! It has MIDI option installed. This is custom prepared unit, almost not possible to buy anywhere else:

http://cmu800r.deftaudio.ru/midi.html"

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Roland AMDEK COMPU MUSIC CMU-800

via this auction
"Branded as 'Amdek' but is actual fact exactly the same as the Roland branded cmu-800

'Although Roland were based in Hamamatsu by the early '80s, Kakehashi established the AMDEK Corporation in Osaka. Their main product lines were small effects units and computer monitors manufactured for Roland (but not by Roland) in Taiwan. For a couple of years, the company proved to be surprisingly successful but, as competition mounted, Kakehashi decided not to compete with the large computer companies entering the market, and in 1983 he ceased supplying monitors, simultaneously discontinuing the effects units. But this was not the end for the company. Kakehashi renamed it the 'Roland DG Corporation', and then used it as a vehicle to release a range of the company's own computer and music peripherals.'"

Roland Compu Music CMU-800

via this auction

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VINTAGE ROLAND DG COMPU MUSIC CMU-800 SYNTH DRUM GATE

via this auction

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CMU-810 Compu Synth, CMU-800 Compu Music, Roland, C-64

via this auction

"Roland CMU-810 Compu Synth Expander Module with manual for sale. Also, I have a Roland CMU-800 Compu Music with impossible to find software, interface, and Manual for Commodore 64. I don't know much about these but they are tested and working. Everything looks like new. I've had them for about 15 years and only tested them so I really don't need them. For more information about them just google Roland CMU-800 and CMU-810."

via jbrave

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pearl_drxDemo_dance.flv

YouTube via stereoping — May 21, 2010

"A realtime-arrangement-demo of my modded Pearl DRX-1 drumsynth. Normally this excellent drumsynth must be painfully programmed by 4 buttons on the front and had 8 storagememories. i rejected this digital circuitry and added 40 pots, one for each of the 8 parameters of the 5 voices. In contrast to the simmons-things the voices are nearly identical: Pitch, Decay, Attack (adds a short enveloped noise, not just a click), Filter (slightly resonant), Bend (just piuuu) and Overtone (adds a second detuned oscillator) and Level. Sequencing comes from mc-909, the triggersignals come from my modded CMU-800 which holds (besides its modded analog drumvoices) a 16channel- midi to trigger interface. The CMU also runs the Pearl Syncussion in the background. Other synths used: D-550, Fantom and V-Synth. Just Pearl and Roland-Gear :) It is not a perfect song/arrangement but i guess you like it more than just listening to the drx alone."

pearl_drxDemo_soft.flv

stereoping — May 21, 2010

Another much softer demo of my Pearl DRX-1. Normally this excellent drumsynth must be painfully programmed by 4 buttons on the front and had 8 storagememories. i rejected this digital circuitry and added 40 pots, one for each of the 8 parameters of the 5 voices."

Roland CMU-800R XMas CAROL

YouTube via digitalbeatsyndrome.

via this auction

"I take no credit for any of the work in this film. The DIY retrofit of the CMU-800R was done by RJB who is author of the Japanese DIY synth blog Radiojunkbox."

via this auction
"Roland CMU-800R Analog Synth / Drum machine. Very rare to find one of these in this condition, complete with the Apple IIe software and interface card. It has a Bass Channel (mono), Lead Channel (mono), Chord Channel (4 note poly), and Drum Channel (TR-606 drum sounds). It also has 8 Channels of CV(0 5.25v, 1v/octave) out and 8 channels of Gate out (0-12v), which would compliment the CMU-810 sister synthesizer or other analogs using CV-Gate. This particular unit was found in the basement of a music school with another flawless unit, some confused person had marked on the box sound mixer. I had hopes to MIDI retrofit it but never got around to it. I've listed links so you can listen to how the machine sounds, I do not take credit for any of the music or film in the links. The particular unit for auction is NOT in any of the videos and audio clips, I've listed them for audio demonstration only. For those who are interested in MIDI retrofitting this synth, the video by deftaudio demonstrating this machine in action with the MIDI retrofit installed. He offers the retrofit for sale."

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Cagura Sappro City Standar DIY Analog Synth

via RJBlog here

Anyone know more about this one? via philip.

Update: some additional info in the comments. Also see this holiday track featuring a Roland CMU-800 and SH-101. Click on the "CMU-800 de Xmas" link when you get there.

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Roland DG CMU-800 with a MPU-401

via this auction

Roland CMU-800R

Click here shots via this auction.

Details:
"2 VERY RARE ANALOG + CV synth + 2 apple2 computers the kit includes:
- 2 x cmu-800r de roland compu music for apple
- 2 x apple2 with disk drive
- 1 x cart midi interface for apple2 de Passport Designs
- 1 x operation manual for cmu-800 original
- shématics (copy)
- no software"

You *might* be able to track the software down. See this post. via JB

Roland CMU-810

Click here for shots via this auction. Details: "This is the Roland CMU-810 Compusynth, one of the rarest synths ever made by Roland DG Group, an obscure offshoot of the Roland Corporation that remains to this day. In the old dealer price sheets from the 80's it was listed as an expander for the CMU-800 Compu Music, a small mixer/synth/drum machine in a similar housing that you hooked up to a computer. If you look online or read Peter Forrest's A-Z book, a false rumor has perpetuated that this is simply an SH-101 or an MC-202 in a metal box without a sequencer. They reference the schematics but the schematics are nowhere to be found. I've been looking for years for them without any luck. I've compared all three synths side by side, and have triggered the CMU from both an SH-101 and MC-202 sequencer as well as the Roland MC-4. The sound out of this box is entirely different than it's younger cousins, more aggressive, with a faster attack, and much nicer filter. The SH-101 and MC-202 sound very plasticky and thin compared to the CMU. The CMU-810 sounds more like the SH series of synths and soundwise it's probably closer to the SH-09. It excels at bass sounds and percussive effects. It also differs from the MC-202 and SH-101 in that it has a delay slider on the LFO, an input to control the VCA for tremolo effects, and removes the trigger control over the envelope. It also has a built in miniature mixer so you can merge the sound of two additional synths or drum machines (MC_202/TR-606?) with the output of the CMU. It sports sliders from the era of the Jupiter-8 indicating that it probably predated the MC-202 and SH-101 by at least a year or so. One European reviewer on SonicState wrote, "They say it is like the 101/202 but I have not heard any of them (101/202) as aggressive as my new baby (cmu). Very clear, very warm, loads of rumbling and as stated before it can be a very aggressive basspump. If you want to get rid of yours give me a shout cause I would not mind linking a few together." I agree 100%. I would buy one over an MC-202 or SH-101 anyday. But the CMU makes a good partner for either of these synths because it takes up such a small footprint and can act as a second voice when hooked up via CV/GATE. You can watch a video of a CMU-810 on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eof7hVqBsw0"



Previous CMU-810 posts

Roland CMU-800R MIDI Conversion Kit

Remember the CMU-800R? The biggest "problem" with it is that you need an Apple II to use it. Well, not anymore. Title link takes you to a site with info on a MIDI conversion kit for it. The site is in Japanese, however, you can find a Google translated version here .

"MIDI conversion KIT specifications

At the time of MIDI conversion remodelling, concept and the specifications were done as follows.

* At low cost and simple.
* It makes MIDI conversion KIT, the substance build in completely, decreases remodelling the substance as much as possible.
* CV, it makes 1~8ch of MIDI 1~8ch of GATE CORRESPOND.
* Melody of the built-in sound source, the base and the cord/code (4 sounds) it makes 1~6ch of MIDI CORRESPOND.
* The rhythm sound source uses MIDI10ch and the GM map.
* You do not use TEMPO [kontoru] of CMU-800.
* In order to be able to control MC-4 and TR-808 etc, DIN SYNC output is acquired. (In MIDI timing clock same period)"

via altemark.

Udpate via altemark in the comments: "Another japanese resource, seems to be an older version of the mod, not using a PIC? the page also has gif-files of the routing of the digital board among other things [link]"

PNW06: James Demos His Roland CMU-800

Continuation of this previous post. James Gallant demos his Roland CMU-800 at this year's Pacific Northwest Synthesizer Meeting. No title link. Unfortunately I cut the last video short thinking I better keep the video small to upload. The tune ends, James takes a bow, and we all laugh. Hard work James. : )

PNW 06: James Talks About His Roland CMU-800

James Gallant talks about his Roland CMU-800 at this year's Pacific Northwest Synthesizer Meeting. Videos of the CMU-800 playing coming this week. Note the CMU-800 has eight channels of CV and gate.

Vintage Synth Scans

Click here for pdf scans of various synth brochures and articles. I tried to list all models below. Apologies for the long list but if you are searching for this stuff via your favorite search engine, this is the only way it'll come up, and finding that oddball rare scan can be absolute gold.


Roland
JX-8P and PG-800, JX-3P and PG-200, Jupiter-6, Juno-106, Synth Plus-60 (HS-60), SH-101 and MGS-1, EP-50, MPU-101, MPU-103, TR-707. TR-909, TR-606, TB-303, CR-8000, CR-5000, SBX-80, MSQ-100, MSQ-700, JSQ-60, BOSS Dr. Rhythm DR220A and DR-220E, Alpha-DRUM DDR-30/PD-10/PD-20, Alpha Juno-1 and Alpha Juno-2, DEP-5, DG CMU-810 Compu Synth, Juno-106, Juno-6, Super JX JX-10, MKS-100, MKS-50, MKS-7, MKS-70, SBX-80, SDE-3000/1000/2000, TR-505, Octapad PAD-8, TR-727, Jupiter-8, MC-8, System 700, CPE-800, VCA-800, System 100M, System 100, Jupiter-4, Promars, SH-2, SH-09, CSQ-600, CSQ-100, SH-1, SH-5, SH-2000, SH-7, SH-3A, SH-1000, VP-330, RS-09, RS-505, SA-09, SIP-300, SIP-301, SPA-240, SPA-120, SPV-355, SVC-350, SBF-325, SDD-320, SPH-323, SMX-880, SRE-555, RE-502, DC-30, DC-20, CR-78, CR-68, TR-66, MKB-1000, MKS-30, MKB-300, MKS-10, MKS-80, MPG-80, JX-3P, MC-4, MM-4, MC-202, MIDI-DCB, MTR-100, CV Interface, Piano Plus-400 HP-400, Piano Plus-300 HP-300, RE-150, RE-501, RT-1L, MPU-104, MPU-105, Cube-100 (CK-100), Cube-60 (CK-60), Cube-40 (CK-40), KS-2, KS05, KS-6, KS-11, KS-1000, TB Series Carrying cases, PSA AC Adapters, KS-1100, SC series soft cases, AB series resin-molded cases, MR-1, RH-10, DP-2/6, FS-1/2/3, M-16C/64C, BR-2/3, RD-1000, MKS-20, MKB-200

Yamaha (note the documentation adds the - in the descriptions. So you CS70M in the title, but CS-70M in the body). I thought that was interesting.
CP-30, CP-20, GS-1, CP-10, CP-11, CS-70M, CS-40M, CS-20M, MQ802, CP-80, SK-50D, SK-15, CS-15D, CE-20, CS-01, CS-15, CS-5, SK-30, SK-20, SK-15, SK-10, GS-2, CE-20, MA-10, MM-10, MH-10, KS-50, KS-100, E1005, E1010, MQ802, CP-80, CP-70B, CP-35, CP-25.

Korg
PS-3300, PS-3200, PS-3100, PS-3010, PS-3040, PS-3050, PS-3001, VC-10, MS-10, MS-20, MS-50, SQ-10, MS-03, MS-02, MS-01, 800DV, 700S, 900PS, M-500SP, PE-2000, PE-1000, KA-180, FK-3, FK-1, V-C-F, Mr. Multi, SE-500, SE-300, EM-570, SP-2035, SM-20, Mini Pops 120W 120P, Mini Pops 7, Mini Pops 45, Mini Pops 35, Mini Pops Junior, Korg Quartz, WT-10A, GT-6, RT-10,

Vintage Synth Story - magazine scans
Crumar DS2, Sequential Circuits Pro-One, RSF Kobol, Roland TB-303 and TR-606, TR-808, PPG Wave Computer, PPG Wave 2, Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar, EMS Polyvoks, Oberheim OB-X, Octave-Plateau Voyetra Eight, EMS Polysynthi, Moog Minimoog, LinnDrum, Korg PS-3100, Korg MS20, EMS Synthi AKS, ELKA Synthex, ARP Sequencer, ARP Quadra, Korg Polysix, Korg PS-3200, Moog System 3P, Korg Trident mkII, Moog Liberation, Memormoog, Mutron Bi-phase, Oberheim 2 Voix, Oberheim Xpander, PPG Wave 2.3, Roland CR-78, Roland VP-330, RSF PolyKobol, Moog 960 and 961, Sequential Circuits Prophet 10, Vox Super Continental, Yamaha CS-15, ARP, Chroma, Sequential Circuits Drumtraks, EMS Vocoder 5000, E-MU Drumulator, Korg Story, Yamaha CS70M, Korg, Synton Syrinx, Roland MC-4, Oberheim 6 voix, Simmons SDS V, Simmons SDS.3, PolyKobol RSF, Keyboards Synthe Story Part 1 and Part 2.