NED Synclavier® PSMT Flagship Digital Workstation/Synthesizer Owned by Jam & Lewis

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This flagship studio system was originally custom built for Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for installation at the infamous Flyte Tyme recording studios in Minneapolis. It has a rich history of making hits including including being featured extensively on recordings by Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Boys II Men, Human League and many other hit makers from that era. When Flyte Tyme closed, the current owner purchased the system and relocated to Nashville. Expert Synclavier technician Steve Hills was flown in from Synclavier Europe to completely go through and refurbish the system including updating software and expanding the already massive sound library.

The system has been an operation in Nashville ever since with tech support being provided by Synclavier Europe/500 Sound. This is one of the most powerful Synclaviers ever built by NED. Only two in this category were produced. The other was for world renowned producer Trevor Horn.

This is a very deep and complex system. Like many synths from the 1980s, this is still a very powerful and viable tool for music production, post and sound design. This is the undisputed CHAMP of FM synthesizers, and a sound designer's dream. The surface has yet to be scratched with this monster synthesizer/workstation. The massive sound library included is worth the price of admission alone. Please don't hesitate to ask us questions.

Original price tag when new was over $500,000. We strongly encourage pickup here in Nashville, otherwise buyerwill be responsible for freight. We will help facilitate freight service via a reputable music industry courier like Rock-It, etc.

SYSTEM INCLUDES:

Synclavier PSMT
Fully loaded memory
Fully loaded 32 sample voices
Fully loaded 16 FM voices with composite FM out
Full 32 channels of Direct to Disk (16 panable)
16 Winchester barracuda drives for DTD in custom separate NED blue flight cases
Midi option 8x8
Lock to SMPTE (frame accurate to 100,000/sec
Lock to pulse
CV in
32 XLR out output matrix for PSMT tower
32 channel custom ELCO to Male XLR output breakout snake for Direct To Disk System
Sample to memory option
Original NED Drives
Additional Winchester with huge custom library
New mains power supplies NOS
Full original NED blue flight cases for entire system
Original Pericom Terminal with op manual
Additional Apple 2 with NED start up NED custom start up for easy one key boot
Editview
VPK control software
Original refurbished VPK near mint condition
New VPK ribbon cable by Synclavier Europe
Additional ultra rare VPK remote with new ribbon extension cable by Synclavier Europe
Additional ultra rare DTD digital meter bridge
Original “R2-D2” custom 9600 style NED roll around dolly/terminal stand for Apple computer w computer rack and custom keyboard/trackball
All Original NED operation manuals"

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Michael Whalen "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" on Synclavier 9600

video upload by Michael Whalen

"Michael Whalen creates a virtual "orchestra" with his Synclavier 9600 system. Drawing on the orginal score by Tchaikovsky, MW played all the parts while adapting samples and doing sound design for each part."

You can find additonal posts mentioning the 9600 here.

Synclavier II 2 ORK FM Synth Keyboard Controller

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via this auction

"Synclavier 2 ORK. This is the original keyboard for Synclavier 2 FM synth from the late 70s and early 80s. It will work with a PSMT or 9600 tower via Synclavier 3 software. The ork has been fully restored with brand new keyboard bushings, a complete overhaul of the wood, and has been throughly cleaned."

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Synclavier HOP Hand Operated Processor + D0I interface card

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via this auction

One of the pics looks very close to this listing from 2015. Similar description as well, but updated.

"Note: Perfect condition, tested today and working perfectly, no broken switches. I've checked this over 10/2/2020 and tested it with a Synclavier II mini-system, all the switches are working properly and everything has tested good. There are absolutely NO scratches or scuffs on this one. It is absolutely as new.

Absolute mint condition, see the photos, it is stunning.

This listing includes the HOP control panel box with built-in cable, interface card to plug into the computer bin of the Synclavier, and an anti-static protective bag to hold the card when not installed in a slot.

The rarest and most sought after piece of Synclavier hardware is the HOP hand-operated processor. Originally designed for internal company use debugging new software and designing new interface cards, it later proved to be indispensable for anyone trying to maintain Synclaviers and troubleshoot Synclavier problems. Any Synclavier technician must have one of these at all times. TRY2FIND1.

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W ands (CSR285CD) by Western, Creed, Spybey

via Jesse Creed aka The Passenger:

"This one is from recordings with the late Phil Western and myself. Made into a proper album by Mark Spybe after Phil's passing. Made with VCS 3, Sh101, oberheim 2 voice, Yamaha cs30, Korg dv 800, arp solus, synclavier 9600, prophet 5, eventide h3000."

Album info and pre order here.


Phil Western helped found Subconscious Records with Skinny Puppy's Dwayne Goettel in Vancouver, BC, 1993. He was also a founding member of the bands Download, PlatEAU, Frozen Rabbit, and Off and Gone [via Wikipedia]. He passed away in February 4, 2019 at the age of 47.

Synth Spotting with Pete Townshend of The Who

via Pete Townshend's Instagram @yaggerdang

Cameron Jones, mentioned below, is the co-creator of the Synclavier. Curious about that new mac-based program. Cameron recently worked on the Synclavier iOS app and the Synclavier KNOB.

"Between tours I spend a lot of my free time trying to improve my various studios. I have a number of spaces (only one large studio big enough for bands) and each one has a different focus. Recently, after getting inspired by the Eurorack world, and by being able to carry small devices on the road - like Akai MPC Mini, Volcas and Digitakts etc - I realised I’d neglected my larger modular synths that I am damned lucky to have and even luckier to know how to operate. So here’s where I left things with my ARP2500 (restored by the wonderful Phil Cirocco of CMS) and MOOG 35 before I sadly packed my leaving trunk to go on the road. Two months!!! Spiders will move in. The sharp eyed among you might spot the controller and keyboard for my Synclavier 9600 and Direct to Disk system. This has also recently been revived because Cameron Jones created a new Mac-based computer program to run the old towers. Steve Hill’s installed it for me. Cameron also worked with Arturia to create the Synclavier V. This is a fine development of the old FM system. The three stringed things on the wall are all by Collings. Love their boxes. .

This one was sent my way via bÖsch @fabmass

Update: you can find a video of it here. Embedding is disabled otherwise I'd embed it in this post.  Thanks to @Precarsious_333 for the link!

Pirate Drones by Only Wolf

This one in via Jesse Creed, aka The Passenger.

"I thought I'd pass on a guy who has been recording at CanMARC.CA who I think you will like, full of synthery and heavy use of the synclavier 9600!"



The following are the details from Only Wolf on SoundCloud:

"From my upcoming release TRUST.
Recorded at Only Wolf's home studio in Guardamar, Spain.
Produced in Berlin, Vancouver and Guardamar.
Mixed and mastered by Jesse Creed at CanMARC Studio.
Featuring The Passenger*
Gear used:
DSI Prophet 6, DSI Tempest, Moog Voyager w/ CP 251+VX 351, Synclavier 9600*, Korg 3M, MPC 1000, Xone 4D, Ableton live*, OTARI MTR-10*.
Moogerfoogers: MF 101, MF 102, MF 103, MF 104, MF 105, MF 107.
Eventides: Spacefactor, Modfactor, Pitchfactor X2, Timefactor X2.
Warm Audio WA 76*, LEXION Digital Delay System model 96 + PSM 80*.

Album art by Dinao MacCormick.

Lyrics:
Black madness forms the clones
Preserve the beast with robot drones
Transhuman desires will get us there
Filter the waste to breath the air
You can take what you want
So you take what you want
I don't know why you don't know this at all?
And you don't know why I don't want it at all

released September 4, 2016
Album art by Dinao MacCormick"

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NED Synclavier 9600 System on MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS - Cal State Long Beach Auction

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via MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS

"California State University, Long Beach is auctioning off their Synclavier 9600 System [SN 001170V/PK]. This includes the Keyboard, 2 Towers, Computer, Lazer Dics, MIDI Interface & Accessories. This system was working 10 years ago when it was taken apart but is being auctioned 'As is'.
Also the buyer must pick it up.
The minimum bid is set at $1.000.00 with a reserve of $3.000.00. Here's the link"

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Synclavier 9600 Refurbished by Synclavier

via this auction

 "Described as 'The Rolls Royce of all musical instruments.' Built to the highest quality using military and aviation spec components (the red buttons in the keyboard are the ones designed and used in the B52 military aircraft!)... It comes complete with all the famous Synclavier user sounds... t also comes with the recent MegaMusic library for Synclavier included at no extra cost. (It cost £2,400 to buy new.) This contains almost 17,000 musical instruments and unique sounds created on the Synclavier for the Synclavier. You will be joining the most exclusive instrumental club in the world. The world's most expensive musical instrument coupled with the world's most exclusive sounds. When it was new the system cost 200,000 dollars. Yes, you did read that right. Two hundred big ones..." "Voices 16 x 100khz stereo voices - 16 left and 16 right making a total of 32 x 100khz DACs! (voices). These are the later DDV voices. Sampling: Full 9600 spec stereo sampling input module, with soft clip. (none of that digital harshness) Control Module Reduced size wheeled Synclavier 'Road Case' with original end covers. Keyboard: VPK keyboard fully overhauled and realigned and converted to 220V. Processor Model D processor. Capacity Full 5 minutes of dedicated sample RAM - this RAM stays intact even if the machine crashes. No lost edits! Output 8 x fully dynamically assignable balanced line XLR outputs, plus 2 x stereo composite balanced line outputs. External control: MIDI, SMPTE, Analogue Clock, click track (Tracks SMPTE in slow motion, and slews with tape variations - nothing else can do that!) -- Memory: 200 track sequencer, 2 million event recorder, microsecond accuracy. -- Including: Internal Superfloppy drive, Internal new SCSI drive, External MegaMusic library optical drive, MIDI interface, professional music printing software..."

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Synclavier 9600 Complete Original

via this auction

"Synclavier 9600 workstation in excellent condition, originally owned by Mick Jones of Foreigner fame . Currently non-operational. It powers up, just needs to be hooked up properly."

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New England Digital Archive

"This page is devoted to information and projects about one of the most sophisticated synthesizers ever made, the New England Digital Synclavier, and its offspring, such as the rare Synclavier I, and its sucessors, such as the big 9600."

You will find sections on history, documentation, audio and video. Pictured here is the Synclavier I which consisted of the monitor and three cabinets in the background.

via DVDBorn

Indigo Blue - Synclavier 9600 Recording

Title link takes you the tracks on Indigo Blue, all comprised of a Synclavier 9600. You can find more info and a few more links on this DVDBorn post.