Talking Synths, Episode 63: Jered Flickinger Of Future Retro

video upload by Syntaur

"Talking Synths is a weekly podcast where Syntaur's crew chats about all manner of synthology. In this special episode of Talking Synths, Syntaur's Carlos Morales sits down with Jered Flickinger of Future Retro and takes a sneak peek at the soon-to-be-released Vectra synthesizer. Future Retro was founded by Jered in 1997, and has released a host of unique products like the 777, Revolution, XS, Mobius, 512, and now the Vectra."

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 8

video upload by Syntaur

"Cris is Back! After months of trial and error, the next chapter in building a Fairlight CMI is here!

Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, Cris goes through the process of making a VGA plate, getting software to work on the MFX keyboard and troubleshooting RAM problems. Does he figure it all out?"

Building a Fairlight CMI episodes

Unboxing The Novation Summit (First Impressions + Demo)

video upload by Syntaur

"Syntaur's head tech Carlos Morales unboxes and shares his first impressions of the new Novation Summit synthesizer. Then Syntaur's Kenneth Frost gives the Summit a test drive, trying out a few of it's factory presets. The Summit is a 16-voice, digital/analog hybrid synthesizer. With three Oxford oscillators per voice, dual analog filters, and the ability to route external audio through it's stunning stereo effects (Analog Distortion, Chorus, Delay, and Reverb), the Summit is one of the best synths of 2021.

Intro - 00:00
Unboxing - 01:00
First Impressions - 02:00
Overview - 03:20
Demo - 07:53"

Crumar Orchestrator

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"Fully serviced by Syntaur. 100% operational.

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Synth Wizards Episode 11: String Machine Madness!

video upload by Syntaur

"The Synth Wizards chase down and compare a crazy number of string machines, including the groundbreaking Freeman String Symphonizer and an extremely rare Elkatwin 61, and take a look at the fascinating history of these instruments. But, the Freeman needs some restoration work before it can be delivered to an interesting buyer in Los Angeles.

00:00 - Introduction
03:03 - Atlanta String Machine trip
06:35 - The Chamberlin
08:25 - The History of the Mellotron
13:00 - Mellotron M400 demo
13:58 - The Freeman String Symphonizer
15:28 - Differences between Synths and String Machines
19:24 - Freeman String Symphonizer demo
20:05 - The History of the Arp Solina
21:50 - Dennis DeYoung (Styx) Interview
23:38 - Crumar Orchestrator
24:30 - Crumar Performer
27:24 - Arp Omni
28:04 - Elka Rhapsody
28:42 - Elkatwin 61
29:55 - Roland RS-101 & 202
30:15 - Multivox MX-202
30:32 - Roland RS-505
33:03 - Roland RS-09
33:12 - Roland VP-330 Vocoder
33:36 - Korg Poly Ensemble S
34:28 - Korg Delta
34:56 - Yamaha SK20
35:49 - Korg EPS-1
37:01 - Refurbishing the Freeman
41:55 - Delivering String Machines to Jason Schwartzman"

Synthesizer Test Drive: Solina String Ensemble
video upload by Syntaur

"Syntaur's Sam Mims takes the iconic Solina String Ensemble out for a test drive. (This is a revised version of our original Solina video, where several sharp-eared listeners pointed out that the chorus effect wasn't quite right. They were correct! The LFO circuit in the original version was not working correctly. Now, here it is in its full glory.)"

Additional Synth Wizards Episodes

Synthesizer Test Drive: Firstman FS-4V Polyphonic

video upload by Syntaur

"Syntaur's Sam Mims takes the super-rare Firstman FS-4V for a test drive! The FS-4V is an analog 4-voice synthesizer with SSM filters, and was manufactured in 1981 and 1982.

Syntaur Firstman FS-4V Picture Gallery: https://syntaur.com/usedkeyboard.php?..."

Firstman FS-4V posts

Knobcon Number Nine 2021 Report

video upload by TJontheRoad

"Here's my Knobcon Number Nine 2021 report video. Jams and gear to hear and check out.

Thanks for watching.

Note, there is no paid promotion in this video.

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Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 7

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, Cris fights to the finish with the digital cage, discovers that he shouldn't have removed those blue tabs, and has some success - and some defeat - hooking up the keyboard."

Building a Fairlight CMI episodes

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 6

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, Cris works on ribbon cables and powers up the CMI."

Building a Fairlight CMI episodes

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 5 (Part 2)

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, Cris breaks a CMI that he has borrowed, gets out of trouble using a 3D printer, then drills and files his way to getting lots of things hooked up."

Building a Fairlight CMI Episodes

Synthesizer Test Drive: Korg Delta DL-50

video by Syntaur

"The Korg Delta DL-50 is a 49-note paraphonic string machine/synthesizer from 1979, and strings can be layered with a synth section for a really nice sound. Ride along as Syntaur's Nick Moon takes it out for a quick test drive."

Syntaur on Reverb

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 5 (Part 1)

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, Cris has Fairlight pieces scattered everywhere, connected by crazy wiring, and somehow, those pieces start talking to each other."

Building a Fairlight CMI Episodes

Synthesizer Test Drive: Jen SX1000

video by Syntaur

"Syntaur's Sam Mims takes the Jen SX1000 synthesizer out for a spin. Here are his first impressions of this rare Italian monosynth built back in 1978."

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 4

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, Cris gets booted, sort of - but only after he calls in The Terminator, and experiences The Bad Thing."

Building a Fairlight CMI Episodes

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 3

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, Chris wins the blue ribbon for ribbon cable mayhem, and he powers up the box. Sort of."

Building a Fairlight CMI Episodes

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 2: For the Fans

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, he has great success - in getting the fans spinning. And he demonstrates his basic tools of synthesizer repair: power drills, hacksaws, and files. Should we worry?"

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episodes

Building a Fairlight: Episode 1: The Arrival

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, a case arrives, and Cris prepares for the guts to be transplanted."

Building a Fairlight: Episodes

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 0

video by Syntaur

"Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. He's not worried that these machines are tremendously complex, quite rare, have not been made since the 1980s, and cost huge amounts of money back then. He's not worried that the few existing experts on Fairlights strongly recommended that he not attempt this. Will he make mistakes? Absolutely. Will he succeed? We're not sure. But either way, it will be a fun journey."

Building a Fairlight CMI: Episodes

Access Virus KC 61 Key Synthesizer

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via this auction

"All works as it should and the synth is in good working order apart from two central keys are a bit temperamental due to the rubber contact strip underneath. This is definitely the problem as I have checked myself. I did clean the contacts and they did work briefly but will need replacing. Available from 'Syntaur' in the US for £4.99. I did also replace 3 keys in the past and they are slightly discoloured. This can be fixed with a UV light and Hydrogen Peroxide. Keys are easily removable to do this."

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Oberheim Xpander - Legendary Analog Mega Synth SN G50454

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

via this auction

"You know what this is... This is the most advanced, most elegant sounding Oberheim of them all.. besides the Matrix 12. She purrs... she growls and so much more. Once you play it, you'll instantly recognize all those instant classic 80s sounds. Not many synth freaks have one.. most have never played one. This synth is not for the faint of heart. It delivers in every way.

This is the Made in USA version not the inferior made overseas version. It was fully overhauled by a veteran analog synth tech. The main encoders were replaced with new stock certified pots purchased by Syntaur Synth Parts. It was also calibrated and tested over and over again to ensure years of usage to come. It sounds amazing, and it works as it should.. NO operational errors here. Plus as you can see from the pics.. it looks fantastic as well.

As you can see from the many pics.. ALL tests PASS fast and without issue.

This synth blows away all the other mammoth synth like MemoryMoog, Jupiter 8 etc.. It just sounds bigger, wider, sweeter and ballsier. Period."

No it doesn't, but it still is nice. :) The MATRIX-12 and Xpander's forte is the modulation matrix and thus flexibility. It has two oscillators while the MemoryMoog had three. The MemoryMoog sounds bolder, the Jupiter-8 fuller? Depends on how you define it. The Jupiter-8 and MemoryMoog are more straight forward. All legendary synths.

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