This one is in via swissdoc who spotted on listed here. It's essentially a preset accordion style synthesizer with limited controls. You can find a handful of posts featuring the Elka Solist 505 here.
There's a Synth Magic software emulation of one you can find here.
"MUSE (Minimoog's Ultimate System Expansion) is a new, extremely powerful installation interface for the Minimoog Reissue. MUSE solves the conceptual weaknesses of the synthesizer (imprecise pitch bend, no MIDI connection of mod wheel and the decay and glide switches, pitch wheel bug in the software, etc.) and offers new functions . MUSE is the invisible workhorse for the live and studio everyday life - the Minimoog Reissue is definitely the best synthesizer ever."
"SMEM (swiss museum for electronic music instruments) aims to establish as the worlds first platform for electronic music instruments. The first base of this project was laid by the incredible collection of Klemens Niklaus Trenkle who for the last 35 years collected numerous and valuable synthesizers, organs, keyboards, effects- and studiogear. SMEM is located in the innovation center of the “BlueFactory” in Freiburg-Fribourg (Switzerland). It will gradually build up its different activities on an international level while increasing its current collection."
Click here for the site. When you get there, click on the three bars to the left of the "smem" logo on the top left to get to the site menu.
Bigger and more classy in design. Env3 can now act as mod source. ARP instead of modulation sequencer. 3x CV-In. Can host a second SID.
Price is EUR 499,- incl. SID 6581 and worldwide postage.
The following is translated from Google Translate: "Here is a somewhat unconventional cult synthesizer from Korg, the Sigma KP-30. We got it as gift as the photos show it is not in the original state! The original control panel with an aftertouch keyboard and some control elements (for example two joysticks) is no longer available, but a hobbyist obviously has a spare keyboard installed. This is missing the aftertouch function, but otherwise the instrument can easily play with it. All existing keys, switches and buttons perform their function properly. All instruments / effects of the main module are playable and variable. You can also create quite unusual and sometimes very nice slanting sounds. Either it can be used as a stand-alone device, with the stated restrictions, or as an extensive spare parts store for existing models. A printed service manual (from a scanned PDF file) is included."
Another fascinating bit of synth history. Don't miss the UVI demos below. This is the first time the WaveFrame AudioFrame has been featured on the site. There was a controller for one featured here, and it was used by Barry Schrader and mentioned in my interview with him here and one previous post here.
This one was sent my way via swissdoc: "I just scanned my mega-sized German flyer from 1988/1989 of the WaveFrame Corporation AudioFrame. It is 600x600 dpi an weights in as about 32 megs. You can find it here [or check out the images of the complete pdf in this post - click each to zoom in].
It is similar to Fairlight or Synclavier and was kind of the first DAW. The system is still supported by http://www.waveframe.com
"Back in the 80's the WaveFrame Audioframe was the second generation of mega samplers, in line with the NED Synclavier and Fairlight CMI. A complete 48-voice system would sell for over $100,000, and at the time the feature set was worth it! The Audioframe was used by renowned artists like Peter Gabriel and Stevie Wonder and by leading sound designers and foley artists.
The UVI WaveFrame Sound Collection isn't a massive library dredged with tens of gigabytes of super high resolution wave files - conversely, it's a lean and mean library expertly crafted after the original, weighing in at just over 350 MB.
As you can hear in the demos, size isn't a factor for this library. The collection contains a multitude of very useful and organic sounds such as keyboards, guitars, basses, solo strings, string sections, upper brass, lower brass, brass sections, woodwinds, synths, pacific rim, percussion, drums, effects and test tones.
WaveFrame Sound Collection brings you an excellent library of bread and butter sounds that preserve the character and history of this milestone in music tech history."
Wersi EX10R is a programmable synthesizer module / accompaniment from Germany.
It has digital and analog circuits. It has digital waveforms and sampled waveforms. Resonant VCF (lowpass filter). The modulation effects are fully analog: chorus and ensemble. It has great 8-bit drum samples! It also produces great string ensemble strings, thanks to its "ensemble" effect. Great organs (hey, it's a Wersi!) It also has a programmable accompaniment section. MIDI. Little fluorescent display. The programming is quite complicated.
Do you like the crispy, analog drums of the Wersi EX10R? You can buy them as 'SAMPLE PACK' for 4,99 Euros. All drum sounds of the machine are included (16 bit / 44,1 kHz wav samples).
Recording was made in high quality using RME studio equipment. All original pure sound directly from the machine's output, without any treatments.
After payment through PayPal you will get the sample pack via email.
If you want to buy the sample pack, send a message to ceramic-man@gmx.de (and check your spam folder, I answer quickly)."
Update via swissdoc in the comments:
"The Wersi EX10 is the rack version of their Omega DX10 organ. They use the DMS tone generation, which is featured in devices like Condor DX100, Alpha DX300/350, Beta DX400, Gamma DX500S, Delta DX500T, Prisma DX5, Omega DX10, Stage Performer MK1, EX10R and EX20.
Only the Stage Performer MK1 and the rack version of it, the EX20 are programmable.
The EX10R can not be programmed, as in creation of a sound from scratch, it can be used to layer presets and to modify filter settings (switched cap filter or SSM 2044 in later models) or settings of the Wersivoice String-Ensemble. The drum part allows for user pattern creation.
DMS stands for Digital Multi-Sound and is in fact based on a Z8 CPU driven voice card for 2 voices, which is based on fading between additive created waveshapes. There is no sampling involved, even so the sounds are pretty "realistic".
Some presets utilize a special programming of the voicecards, one for instance cycles through the vovels A-E-I-O-U per keypress, another one play a little arpeggio. Those cannot be programmed on the Performer MK1 or the EX20, only a special computer system at Wersi could do this.
The EX10R could be equipped with reverb (DH10, DH11 or DH100) all similar, using different bit depths, sample rate and number of algorithms. Sound quality of the DH10 is quite low-fi and calculation is based on 6809 processor.
The Spectra from the CD Series later had an enhaced version of the DMS system, where much more harmonics have been available.
Wersi later developed advanced concepts for digital pianos by using transputers and data compression, called WERSI-Digitalpiano CT 1 or CG 1 based on D-Art-Klangerzeugungs-System mit ASIC-Transputer-DSP Technologie."
"Video of the Swiss Synthesizer Meeting/Jamsession in April 2016 at Schalunen/Bern." That's a genoQs Octopus sequencer in the beginning.
This one in via swissdoc:
"Last weekend there was the Synthesizertreffen Schweiz 2016 organized by Adriano Capizzi/Metunar. Links feature the best bits of the Jamsession on Saturday. In the video you see a bit of the Synthesizertreffen on Sunday as well. That´s me with the Modal 002, plus later the demo by Raffael Segmüller from https://seismic.industries/. A beatiful and well crafted system with a very slim form factor."
After Hammond and Steicherkeyboard simulations based on a Parallax Propeller step to build a synthesizer was the logical consequence.
This new development is a classic polyphonic 6 voice synthesizer to the universally known model: known oscilator filter VCA, geimein as subtractive sound generation.
This time it was not about to emulate a specific synthesizer, but to develop a "normal" tone generator can not be more than many other synths in me - but with a standard processor - which was not designed for this purpose.
features:
2 Ozillatoren per voice / 6 voice polyphony
10 wavetables for Ozillatoren
Filter, (4-pole lowpass, 2-pole lowpass / highpass / bandpass) with resonance
ADSR generator Filterhülkurve
ADSR generator envelope amplifier (VCA)
LFO to filter modulation
LFO for vibrato
Noise generator
diverse chorus effects
Hall device
3-band EQ
"Half-Analog" operation with potentiometers in a parameter matrix
Preset memory, 32 Programs
LED display
Control via Midi Controller
stereo outputs
Controlled by MIDI propeller than enough for a 6 voice polyphony. The motherboard is only 200 * 100mm in size and contains all components inc. The operating element. The single-sided board and is very selbstbau friendly because only components were used which are easy to obtain, SMD components (which we unfortunately can not do without) are installed via adapter, and leave with 1.27mm pin spacing easily solder by hand."
See the links at the top of this post for additional pics and details.
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
This one in via swissdoc. It was listed on eBay Switzerland.
swissdoc created an mp3 from his copy on CD (link below):
"I have this music on CD and ripped it for information and educational pupose about how the Wersi Instruments sound. It is a demo CD for Wersi Instruments like Stage Performer MK 1 SIII, Spectra DX 700 CD, Midi-Expender EX10/EX20 and Drum Composer CX 5, music is composed and recorded by a certain Dirk Schmalenbach. On German Wikipedia you find some details.
This one was spotted and sent in via swissdoc. It appears to be a one off SSM based DIY synth built sometime between 1981 and 1986. You'll find some info and demos on Technology Trendline here. I believe this is the first time it has been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH.
"This keyboard was the manual from a Conn electric organ recovered from a fire and found in the rafters of a pipe and reed organ manufacturer in Hicksville, NY. The keyboard scanner is built from discreet logic producing a monophonic last-note-played algorithm. The circuits were all hand-wired on prototype boards. The sound-producing technology is primarily based on a suite of chips manufactured by Solid State Micro Technology (SSMT)."
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Update via swissdoc in the comments: "This is by no means a 'Totally unique one off hand built Analog Synthesizer'. It is a dutch organ in a custom housing. The organ is an Eminent T280:"
Update2 via Anonymous in the comments: "Organ was actually a T255"
"Totally unique one off hand built Analog Synthesizer.
Huge and heavy instrument, lovely thick walnut end panels, carbon fibre effect switch panels.
Two 44 key keyboards upper and lower.
In excellent condition.
Lovely string sounds, organ sounds and synth sounds.
Sounds can be layered together to produce some really rich sounds.
Built in bass keyboard on the top panel, also rhythm machine on top panel.
Has built in amplifier.
Comes with large monitor speaker (3 drivers) that connects to the keyboard via speakon cable attached to monitor.
Back panel has IEC mains socket (cable included) also has main output , headphone socket and aux input (all tested working). Could connect ipod and play it through monitor as backing."
"There are a few scenes in a night club named VROMAN'S in LA. The band is playing 'Boys are Back in Town' credited Brian O'Neal in the closing credits, the keyboards used are a Hohner Clavinet D6 on top of a Rhodes and a Prophet 5 is on stage for the whole song, it can be seen only on two small spots 0:24 in the snippet or 1:08:38 in the full movie and 1:48 or 1:09:55. They have 2 keyboard players. In the scene Murphy calls Nolte who drives then like crazy from the police station to the club in his sky blue 1964 Cadillac DeVille convertible Cadillac"
Update video added above and via Trey in the comments: "The band is The Bus Boys. They were Eddie Murphy's opening act on his comedy tours. Check out the movie Delirious."
Some Synths in TV and Film spotting, including in the credits, for the 2006 film Step Up, in via swissdoc: "I found these pictures in the Step Up movie from 2006, in the end credits Moog Music is listed, but I did not spot a single Moog in the movie. Clear hits are Korg Karma and Akai MPC 1000."
See the Synths in TV and Film post and channel label below for more. This was a site meme that started back in 2007.
Some of you might remember the rare Pollux MiMi-a Polyphonic Synthesizer from the demo video posted here and the Synth Gathering Sweden post here. The MiMi-a was a six voice analog polyphonic hardware synthesizer from Ricard Wanderlöf in 1987.
Swissdoc wrote in to let us know he found the resource page for the MiMi-a. According to that page: "The MiMi-a is a microprocessor controlled six-voice multitimbral analog MIDI synthesizer that I built (mostly) during the spring of 1987. That makes it ... wow ... over 20 years ago ...
Each voice is mostly analog; all signal processing is analog, with the envelope generators and LFO's being partly digital, as well as the oscillator front-ends. This makes for a warm analog sound while at the same time retaining digital precision for the envelope and LFO timing, and oscillator frequencies.
Each voice consists of:
Two oscillators, A and B, each with an adjustable range of six octaves, with sawtooth, pulse and square waveforms, as well as combinations of these, as well as two ring-modulator-type waveforms. Oscillator A can be hard-synced to oscillator B.
A combined sub-oscillator/noise generator (oscillator C).
A Moog-type -24dB/octave voltage controlled lowpass filter with voltage controlled resonance.
A linear/exponential VCA.
Three ADSSR envelope generators, one for the filter, one for the VCA and one assignable.
One syncable LFO."
See the resource page for additional details including pics of the inside and demos.
This one is in via swissdoc and indirectly via Florian Anwander on the AH email list. This is not the new analog Elka Synthex clone from the new Finnish Generalmusic. This is however from the creator of the original Elka Synthex, Mario Maggi, and it is all digital. An interesting side note mentioned below is that Mario Maggi owns the Synthex name. Not sure what impact if any this might have on the upcoming Generalmusic Elka Synthex remake.
An Update: via swissdoc. It appears a filing for the name SYNTHEX was made on April 29, just three days ago. The filing is under category 15 which covers: "Electronic musical instruments; Electronic synthesizers; Electronic musical apparatus and instruments; Electric and electronic musical instruments; Mechanical, electric and electronic musical instruments; Electronic apparatus for synthesising music [musical instrument]."
"Hello to everyone,
my name is Enrico Cosimi, I'm the author of the text on ACM concerning the Synthex 2. I have been in touch, here in Rome/Italy, with Mario from the late Eigthies and, from the mid Nineties, I'm working with Mario on his "version two"; as you can imagine, Mario is a very very very busy kind of genius, who conceived and realized a lot of third party non-musical items (especially for telecommunications and health). I am not allowed to reveal all the data concerning the new Synthex 2 (b.t.w., it will be a digital equipment: would you dare to conceive an analog instrument with 128 LFOs and 64 EGs in the same box?), but - trust me - when it will be done, it will be a GREAT machine.
The following is translated from Google Translate: "Here is a somewhat unconventional cult synthesizer from Korg, the Sigma KP-30. We got it as gift as the photos show it is not in the original state! The original control panel with an aftertouch keyboard and some control elements (for example two joysticks) is no longer available, but a hobbyist obviously has a spare keyboard installed. This is missing the aftertouch function, but otherwise the instrument can easily play with it. All existing keys, switches and buttons perform their function properly. All instruments / effects of the main module are playable and variable. You can also create quite unusual and sometimes very nice slanting sounds. Either it can be used as a stand-alone device, with the stated restrictions, or as an extensive spare parts store for existing models. A printed service manual (from a scanned PDF file) is included."
This one was sent my way via swissdoc: "I just scanned my mega-sized German flyer from 1988/1989 of the WaveFrame Corporation AudioFrame. It is 600x600 dpi an weights in as about 32 megs. You can find it here [or check out the images of the complete pdf in this post - click each to zoom in].
Huge and heavy instrument, lovely thick walnut end panels, carbon fibre effect switch panels.
"There are a few scenes in a night club named VROMAN'S in LA. The band is playing 'Boys are Back in Town' credited Brian O'Neal in the closing credits, the keyboards used are a Hohner Clavinet D6 on top of a Rhodes and a Prophet 5 is on stage for the whole song, it can be seen only on two small spots 0:24 in the snippet or 1:08:38 in the full movie and 1:48 or 1:09:55. They have 2 keyboard players. In the scene Murphy calls Nolte who drives then like crazy from the police station to the club in his sky blue 1964 Cadillac DeVille convertible Cadillac"
