"For sale here is a rare OSCar Oxford Synthesiser Company. Includes a very nice fitting custom hard case (it will still be double boxed for shipping) and original manual. This OSCar has midi and is 100% fully functional. Cosmetically it's in great shape. It sounds AMAZING, with a huge set of features for the time, including programmable harmonic waveforms, patch memory, sequencer, an awesome arpeggiator, duophonic capabilities (yes you can play two notes at once) along with one of the best filters I have ever played, allowing for LP, BP, HP, overdrive capabilities. Huge bass, leads, effects unlike anything else. One of my favorite monophonic synthesizers of all time, & I've played them all, from Minimoogs to Arp Odysseys to Synton Syrinx. If I had to describe the sound I would say it's instant Boards of Canada, smooth, bubbly, analog with an aggressive Aphex Twin side that can get gritty & rough."
"IT IS VIOLET, AND I BELIEVE THE FIRST AND ONLY ONE IN THIS COLOR.
MUSEUM COLLECTORS SYNTHESIZER!
ALL FUNCTIONS WORK PERFECT.
KEYS ARE STICKY (AS THEY ALL ARE FROM THOSE DAYS)
SIDE PANEL ON LEFT HAS A SMALL DENT.
TOP PANEL IMMACULATE!"
Spotted this one over on sequencer.de. No info, just the pic. I've never seen one before. Synton of course made the Syrinx, Fenix semi-modulars, individual modules, the syntovox vocoders and more. See the Synton channel label for everything Synton.
Looking at the panel, we have two VCOs, a VCF, VCA, PRM?, Noise, P2 input/attenutaor modulation section?, P3, P4, P5 input/mixer/attenuators along the right, Envelope, LFO, Sample & Hold, Volume?, built in speaker!?, MIDI in?, P5 attenuator, Inverter, Buffer and Trigger patch points on the left.
If anyone has any additional info on this one, please chime in. Curious when it was released, how many, and what it sounds like of course.
The Curtis CEM3340 VCO has been reissued by Curtis Electromusic. Note the Rev G in the image. That is the new chip. This is pretty big news. If the info below is correct you will be able to order a single chip for $15, or less in bulk.
The CEM3340 was responsible for the main VCO used in quite a few classic synths including the Oberheim OB-Xa, OB-Sx & OB-8, the Voyetra 8, Roland SH-101, MC-202, Jupiter-6, and early model MKS-80, The Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev 3, Prophet-10, Prophet-600, Pro-One, and Prophet T8, Moog Memorymoog, Banana Polysynth, Crumar Spirit, Digisound 80 VCO modules, the Synton Syrinx, Steiner Parker EVI, Doepfer's A-111-1 High End VCO and more.
Image by David Rudolph Smith.
I saw mention that Dave Smith might have been involved with the re-issue. This would make sense as Dave Smith was close to Doug Curtis and DSI uses a later revision of Curtis chips in many DSI synths, however, I checked with DSI and they let me know: “DSI wasn’t involved in the reissue and if anyone would like to find out more about it, they should contact susanonchip@covad.net directly.” More info including price follows.
"Founded in 1979, Curtis Electromusic Specialties created a line of signal processing chips for electronic musical instruments and accessories.
Curtis Electromusic currently offers the sought after CEM3340 VCO, a rework of the original design."
And via johnny83 on the Muff Wiggler Forum including contact info, price, and availability.
"Dear all, I've been speaking with onchip for the last 3 months and they have already produced a new batch of CEM 3340. They are available for $15 each! We have tested them and they are revision G and pass our tests on the original Curtis test boards and also various synths we tried them in.
The person to contact is susanonchip@covad.net, she has been remarkably helpful and can process your order. Please be aware that revision G has meant the following:
"After reviewing the prior specifications I did decide to change the minimum VCC spec. The old VCC min. was +10V and the new VCC min. is +11V. This is based on my own bench experience with several versions of the device. Many devices will work with a VCC of +10V and others won’t. Devices that won’t work at +10V should easily work at +11V or higher. This is the only specification that we’ve changed" John Borg (Onchip Engineer)
Additionally they have no plans to release the 3310, 3320 and 3360 yet but I think if they see the success of the 3340 it may be apparent the market needs them. I am in communication with them and will continue to push for the other chips to be brought back but to be honest the release of the 3340 is great news as that was the most common curtis chip used.
Here are the price breaks for anyone wanting to get more than a handful:
1 - 499 = $ 15.00
500 - 999 = 12.82
1000 - 4999 = 9.64
5000+ = 7.46
Postage is in addition to this.
I hope you enjoy and spread the word!!"
Update: I don't have official confirmation but I heard they are also re-issuing the CEM3320 filter. Do a search on 3320 on wikipedia here to see what synths it was used on.
Update2:
New vs. Old Curtis CEM3340 Rev G Comparison
Published on Jul 4, 2016 Gregory Cox
"This video is a demonstration of the newly manufactured Curtis Electromusic CEM3340 oscillator IC. A comparison is achieved using the Oberheim OB-8 with half of its 3340s replaced and setting the keyboard in dual mode. Voices 1-4 are the original CEM3340s and 5-8 are the Revision Gs. By assigning the same sound to both splits in dual mode, a comparison can be made by fading between both sounds using the program balance knob.
The signal chain is OB-8 / Neutrik patch bay / Apogee Symphony / Headphone Output / Canon 5D mkiii mic input."
Apparently, you are looking at the very first EMS VCS3 aka The Putney and sibling to the EMS SYNTHI. Red Bull Music Academy has an excellent post up on White Noise with the history of this particular synth.
"Perched on top of a speaker in another corner sits the synthesizer used on the early White Noise albums, The EMS VCS3, serial number 001.
'That was the very first one he ever made,' Vorhaus says. 'He turned up with a bottle of Dom Pérignon, which cost probably more than the synthesizer.” The ‘he’ in question is Peter Zinovieff, who created the VCS3 with Tristram Cary and David Cockerell in 1969. If it wasn’t for Zinovieff, Vorhaus might never have met his two principal collaborators on An Electric Storm, Brian Hodgson and Delia Derbyshire, of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. 'Delia Derbyshire was my girlfriend. She showed me everything that was known about electronic music in a couple of weeks,' Vorhaus explains, adding, 'There wasn’t much more to know than that then.'"
On a separate note, one of my biggest regrets was missing the opportunity to purchase Delia Derbyshires' VCS3 several years back. Sonic Boom of Spectrum was selling it along with a Synton Syrinx. Two dream synths I would have loved to own.
via the seller: "Here it is! This is the Oscar you've been waiting for. For sale here is a MINTY OSCar Oxford Synthesiser Company. This is one of the nicest Oxford I have ever seen. Includes midi, fully functional & in near perfect minty shape. It comes from the original owner, kept in climate controlled storage for the past 25 years and before that in a pro studio with very little use. The graphics are crisp and easy to read. No rusty/mold or worn scratchy pots here, everything plays nice and smooth. You won't find another Oscar this nice! Even includes rare original manual. Very rare 117 USA voltage model with standard USA 3 prong cable. Oscars were made in the UK at most run at 220v, No need to use a transformer with this one within the USA, which is super convenient! Will post a demo video when I get a chance.
If you've never played an Oscar, you are missing out. They sound AMAZING, with a huge set of features for the time, including programmable harmonic waveforms, patch memory, sequencer, an awesome arpeggiator, duophonic capabilities (yes you can play two notes at once) along with the best filter I have ever played, allowing for LP, BP, HP, overdrive capabilities. Huge bass, leads, effects unlike anything else. Easily my favorite monophonic synthesizer of all time, & I've played them all, from Minimoogs to Arp Odysseys to Synton Syrinx. If I had to describe the sound I would say it's instant Boards of Canada, smooth, bubbly, analog with an aggressive Aphex Twin side that can get gritty & rough. Check out the detailed pictures below to make sure you like it. These Oscars rarely show up for sale and never show up in such nice condition. I am open to offers but remember, someone may grab this while you are waiting. Don't let this be the one you missed out on!"
"The awesome Pete Kember (Spacemen 3 / E.A.R. / Sonic Boom) was up for a nice interview and demo session with Patchblocks. Special thanks to Peter and Gus for this cool piece of footage ;-)"
Side note: I remember when Sonic Boom was selling his Synton Syrinx and Delia Derbyshire's EMS VSC3. I was so tempted to pick them up at the time, but I couldn't afford either. They've gone up in price considerably since then.
"A VERY Rare Synton Syrinx in great condition. Pro serviced , very clean condition. Protected from dust when not in use. The service include a full check. Underneath the 3 most used potmeters have been installed with an extra steady button so they do not get loose (common on the syrinx). The power supply is 220V with new switch and light.Perfectly working order."
"For sale is a vintage Synton Syrinx tabletop version. One of the final Syrinx ever made, Serial number 1 out of 6 total in existence. Incredibly rare! Built into case with midi installed, makes it especially useful to use in modern studio. This is an amazing monophonic analog synth with legendary Syrinx sound. It's fully functional & in excellent cosmetic shape. Operates at 220v but I can include a transform to use in 110v countries if needed. Check out the pictures below. If you've been looking for one of these, here is your once in lifetime chance you can't pass up!"
"For sale here is a MINTY OSCar Oxford Synthesiser Company. This is the nicest Oxford I have ever seen, it is latest version with midi, fully functional & in near perfect minty shape. It sounds AMAZING, with a huge set of features for the time, including programmable harmonic waveforms, patch memory, sequencer, an awesome arpeggiator, duophonic capabilities (yes you can play two notes at once) along with the best filter I have ever played, allowing for LP, BP, HP, overdrive capabilities. Huge bass, leads, effects unlike anything else. Easily my favorite monophonic synthesizer of all time, & I've played them all, from Minimoogs to Arp Odysseys to Synton Syrinx. If I had to describe the sound I would say it's instant Boards of Canada, smooth, bubbly, analog with an aggressive Aphex Twin side that can get gritty & rough..."
"For sale is this amazing Synton Syrinx keyboard, the first one ever made Serial Number 1 in purple metallic color. I don't believe any other Synton's exist in this color, they are usually black or sometimes blue. This is a very rare keyboard with an interesting range of sounds. Unique for it's filter section & modulation pads among other things. It's in near mint shape & fully functional. Only things worth mentioning are a couple scratchy pots that tend to clean up with use, and the keyboard keys themselves make a bit of noise when played (doesn't effect operation of the synth at all, but maybe with replacing membranes they could be quiet again...normal issues for a 30 year old synth.) Otherwise everything is working as it should. Operates at 115v, was originally owned by the makers of Synton until sold a few years back. Don't pass up a chance to own a collector's piece of synthesizer history!"
Teaser pic via modulusmusic.me where you'll find a couple of audio demos. Just look at it. Reminds me of a John Bowen Solaris, meets Synton Syrinx with a touch of Oberheim OB-12. Modulus is from Paul Maddox who brought us the Monowave. See the Modulus and Monowave channels for previous posts. We knew something was coming. This is the first glimpse. Some things you can clearly see from the pic: 5 octave keyboard, tons of knobs and sliders including two rows of knobs on the lower right that can be indicative of an onboard sequencer, and a display with what looks to be a larger data knob to the lower right. Unless the PWM demo has been multi-tracked, this will be polyphonic.
Update: I forgot to mention, Paul Maddox is also the man behind VacoLoco. It looks like vacoloco.net now redirects to the new modulus website, but you can get in the back door here, and of course a bit of VacoLoco synth history is archived here on MATRIXSYNTH. See the VacoLoco channel below.
"For sale here is a rare OSCar Oxford Synthesiser Company. Includes a very nice fitting custom hard case (it will still be double boxed for shipping) and original manual. This OSCar has midi and is 100% fully functional. Cosmetically it's in great shape. It sounds AMAZING, with a huge set of features for the time, including programmable harmonic waveforms, patch memory, sequencer, an awesome arpeggiator, duophonic capabilities (yes you can play two notes at once) along with one of the best filters I have ever played, allowing for LP, BP, HP, overdrive capabilities. Huge bass, leads, effects unlike anything else. One of my favorite monophonic synthesizers of all time, & I've played them all, from Minimoogs to Arp Odysseys to Synton Syrinx. If I had to describe the sound I would say it's instant Boards of Canada, smooth, bubbly, analog with an aggressive Aphex Twin side that can get gritty & rough."
