EMS Product Sheets

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via this listing

"Binder of 12 original EMS product sheets

AKS - VCS3 - Synthi 100 - Synthi Sequencer 256 - Keybord DK2 & KS - Hifli - Synthi E -Vocoder - vocoder 2000 - UIniversal Sequencer - Pitch to voltage converter - 8 octave filter bank"

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EMS Synthi Hi Fli - like new in original box 1973 (HiFli Hi-Fli)

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via this auction

"I know, big whoop.. you see these pop up.. so what?.. maybe there are even a few for sale....however, how many do you see that are completely stock, functional and even include the original shipping box?..

exactly... This is an EMS or effects collectors dream!

Later model Hi-Fli with the matching pedals (rare) has the growl feature.. sounds incredible.."

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EMS SYNTHI HI-FLI PROTOTYPE 1 of 10 *Serviced* David Gilmour Guitar Synth

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

via this auction

"A very rare prototype Synthi Hi-Fli, dating from 1972, in excellent condition following a full overhaul by EMS earlier this year.
One of only ten pre-production units made in 1972. David Gilmour reputedly still owns two of them…

Ultra-rare prototype EMS Synthi Hi-Fli – this is a knob-twiddler’s dream of an effect and the ultimate in hens’ teeth: your guitar will never sound the same again.

Different sound and spec to a standard Hi-Fli – this is the second such unit we’ve had and it broke my heart to sell the last one (I’ve been a committed HiFli nut since I bought my first one many years ago and have always had at least one in the studio ever since).

The prototypes don’t have the growl function, which was introduced about 18 months later. Production Hi-Flis all have the Buzz switch, but only the first ten prototypes had the Fuzz switch, which adds some interesting colouration to the up and down-octave sounds.

Ten production prototype Hi-Flis were made in 1972 but a redesign quickly followed the launch at the Frankfurt Fair to try to reduce the factory cost (the prototype design is not especially ergonomic for a guitar player to use – you have to lean back somewhat to access the pedals underneath the main unit). This original design features a removable aluminium pole which plugs into the underside of the main console and the top of the base unit, acting both as a stand and a conduit for power and signal connections (pole not included with this unit). The heavy-duty nylon-dipped base houses the power supply and sturdy twin pedals.

Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd is reputed to still have two of these original units, which, according to Phil Taylor were first used for the Dark Side of The Moon tour that started in May 1973 at Earls Court. Opinion is divided as to whether a Hi-Fli featured on the DSOTM recordings: I can only say that it certainly sounds like it did.
Number one in Analogman Tom’s list of rare guitar effects from his excellent book.
Used by David Gilmour – see this Gilmourish blog for further details – he bought a prototype in 1972 and from what he recalls it was “very, very expensive”; Gilmourish also suggest it was used during the recording of Dark Side Of The Moon

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SYNTHI HIFLI DEMO CHARLIE BURCHILL SIMPLE MINDS

Published on Mar 8, 2019 Steven Thomas

"Legendary guitarist Charlie Burchill/Simple Minds runs through some of the signature effects of the iconic E.M.S. Synthi HiFLi FX unit, re-released under license to E.M.S. by Digitana Electronics. Huge thanks Charlie!"

Digitana Electronics EMS Expansion Modules

You might recall the EMS Synthi HiFli Clone from Digitana Electronics back in 2010. Since then, they have made a number of EMS modules and accessories. To the left is the KS Expander, below is their SYNTHI Control Console followed by the Dual VCS3 - DK2 CV Interface, VCS3 mk2 External CV and Gate Interface, Synthi VCS3 Poly Midi-CV Interface, and the Synthi VCS3 Quad Midi-CV Interface. You'll find more on their site.

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EMS Synthi Hi Fli

via Vemia

"A rare early Synthi Hifli with original stand and early series chunky nylon-dipped pedals in beautiful condition. Serial number 9064, so the sixty-fourth Hifli made out of a total production of 450. This unit has been recently refurbished by EMS and Steve Thomas. Only a small number of these virtually indestructible diecast pedals were supplied before a change was made to the cheaper Solasound pedal shells. The original three-part chromed stands are also much sought-after. The previous owner added a useful modification switch that allows the permanent envelope system to be bypassed. David Cockerell's original design prevented the Hifli from being used with a continuous non-percussive audio signal. A mains on-off switch has also been added on the front panel. Evidence of two other modifications (now removed) can be seen. A jack socket was connected in the middle of the front face, now replaced with a blanking plug. This will be painted white for delivery. Also another switch to the right of the mains on-off switch has been removed. Note that this Hifli does not include the Growl modification added to the later Hiflis, although this can still be retrofitted by EMS if desired. VEMIA will pack and deliver or ship this instrument to the winning bidder. If you want the growl modification done, that could be done by EMS before we receive the Hi-Fli - at a cost of 90GBP total."

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MARK JENKINS "Berlin" Unicorn Studio, London 1993

YouTube via MarkJenkinsMusic | February 04, 2011

In the studio; MOOG Polymoog & MiniMoog, KORG DSS1, EX800 & VC10 Vocoder, ROLAND SH101, TB303, MSQ700, Sequencer & VP330, AKAI S950, GREENGATE DS3, EMS Synthi HiFli, OBERHEIM SEM & Sequencer, SEQUENTIAL Drumtrax, YAMAHA CS80 & KX5, electric guitar
Also Recorded; SEQUENTIAL Prophet T8, EMS Synthi Aks, E-MU Emulator
Track available on the CD "Thunder At Midnight" worldwide through www.groove.nl
www.markjenkins.co"

DIGITANA Electronics EMS Synthi HiFLi Re-Release Update

Plans for the HiFli re-release was announced in January. The following is an update via Steven Thomas of DIGITANA Electronics England:

"Hi all..just to advertise that I have made an agreement with Robin Wood at EMS to built 15 re-release Synthi HIFLi's under license. The agreement is that I build 15 to sell directly. After that I may build more and also build for EMS to sell rebadged as an EMS product, depending on how sales go.

So far I have 9 people down on my build list.

For pricing, estimated build times and how to get on the waiting list see :-

http://www.synthi.co.uk/hifli.html

where further information and several sound demos may be found.

No deposit is required. Each person on the build list will be offered the chance to purchase or not when their unit is ready.

So far 2 units have been completed.

I plan to update the webpage with serial numbers as each unit is built so people can keep track.

cheers

steve thomas
(digitana)"

NOT NAMM: EMS Synthi HiFLi Clone by DIGITANA Electronics

via http://www.synthi.co.uk

Overview of features (be sure to check out the link above for full details)

"HiFLi Main Features

The HiFLI consist of several sections. Those on the left half are Top Boost, Octave Shift (containing Sub-Octave and Ring Modulation features) and Sustain Fuzz. Then a Bypass Mixer (mixing wet/dry signals) divides the left and right parts and the right half consists of probably the most important part as regards sound shaping, a wonderful multi-feature Phase Filter.

I also added 2 features that appeared on the original HiFLI mk2 units: a bypass front panel slide switch to bypass the left hand side effects completely and send the audio signal directly into the Phase Filter (very useful!) and an additional ‘Growl’ switch that drops down the fundamental note extracted from the audio in by 2 octaves (The Sub-Octave drops it by 1 octave) thus allowing further new sounds (particularly gritty/growly basses) to be created."

DIGITANA not to be confused with this Digitana?

via The SYNTHI

David Walter Mohr - EMS Synthi Hi Fli

YouTube via davidwaltermohr.

spotted on THE SYNTHI

"THE RAREST PEDAL EVER MADE:
- EMS Synthi HiFli (Hi Fli - Pink Floyd 70s)
- Two Rock Custom Reverb Signature Amp
- Marshall 2x12" original greenbacks (1969)
- Suhr Custom Guitar (FL neck/middle SSV bridge)
- www.myspace.com/ davidwaltermohr"

Violette & François (France 1977) ELKA Rhapsody and EMS Synthi HiFli

YouTube via cosmocorps2000
"Short scene from the french movie Violette & François (France 1977) which stars Jacques Dutronc and Isabelle Adjani as a young couple.

Plot:
François (french musician and actor Jacques Dutronc) hasn't a regular job and just work when he need some money.
Now he works in an music shop.
Bored by the his job, he prefer to play with an electric guitar an immediate damages an guitar amp.

Violette & François (France 1977)
Directed by Jacques Rouffio
Isabelle Adjani as Violette Clot
Jacques Dutronc as François Leuwen

Seen Instruments:
ELKA Rhapsody, EMS Synthi HiFli and at the end of the clip an MiniMoog and a lot of guitars etc.

The movie tells the story of the young couple Violette (Isabelle Adjani) and François.
Irritated by his former jobs, François becomes a thief. But after a few thefts he get's nabbed."

I added this one to the Synths in TV and Film post. Be sure to see the Synth Movies label below for more as well.

Zorch at Sussex University 1976

flickr by basilb

"Basil and Gwyo at the end of a Zorch concert at Sussex University in 1976. The show was promoted by Hamish Macdonald who also took this photo.

Equipment consisted of 3 EMS Synthi A synthesizers, 2 EMS KS Sequencer keyboards, an EMS DK2 keyboard, an EMS Synthi HiFli effects unit, an EMS Frequency Shifter and a Sony reel to reel tape recorder for echo.

There was also a full lightshow provided by John Andrews and Mac Moody, sadly not visible in this photo due to the use of flash.

PA system was by Tony Andrews who went on to found Turbosound and now runs Funktion-One."

EMS SYNTHI HIFLI GUITAR SYNTHESIZER EFFECTS PROCESSOR

images via this auction

"The Hi Fli (aka The Sound Freak) was designed by David Cockerell in 1971 for EMS. He later went on to design many of the classic Electro Harmonix effects (both the Micro Synth and Small Stone phaser are inspired by the Hi Fli). Only 350 were made making it a collector’s gem. David bought a prototype in 1972 and from what he recalls it was “very, very expensive”.

The Hi Fli was actually referred to as a synthesizer in the original ad, but it’s basically an analog multi effect processor, which can be used on vocals, guitars and organs. It has two footpedals, which could be routed as control voltages/expression pedal to any of the slider functions. It’s got no memory to bank up settings, - everything is in real time, so one had to manually tweak the sliders for each tone change.

Features; top boost (30dB treble booster), octave shifter (1 drop), buzz (treble booster to octave effect), ring modulator, sustain fuzz, solo/strum sensitivity control, bypass, modulation selector (rotary, phaser, vibrato and different types of auto-wah).

David is seen using the Hi Fli at Earl’s Court in May 1973. It was also used on the Dark Side of the Moon recording sessions. It’s not reported which songs he used it on, but it might have been for creating auto wah effects on Any Colour You Like and fuzz on live versions of Time.

The Hi Fli is still in David’s possession and last seen at the Interstellar Exhibition in Paris in 2004."

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EMS SYNTHI HIFLI

via Stefan. spotted on Marktplaats.nl

Google translated description:
"Learn offered a very rare EMS 70 years `effect. The HIFLI. Want something special in terms of its appearance and sounds, then this is the ideal machine! Not cheap or megavet and super-apart (art)! Incusief the manual, and of course the pedals retrostandaard well as suitcases holding them zitten."

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Synths in TV and Film

Note: some of the videos below have been pulled from YouTube, but I'm keeping mention of them up as a reference that they are out there.

Let the page load before scrolling - it's a long one.
Be sure to see the Synth Movies list and see the Synth Movies and Synth TV and Film labels for more.

1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Synths: ARP 2500 played by Phillip Dodds, head of ARP Engineering, Yamaha CS-?.


2. Fame Synths: ARP 2600, MOOG Minimoog

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