Performance Music Systems SWAN via VEMIA

"[VEMIA note: If you thought the Syntar was rare, how about this unique instrument?] S.W.A.N Vintage One-of-a-kind very rare monosynth with flight case. The S.W.A.N. is a vintage monosynth built by Syntar inventor George Mattson [of the Mattson Mini Modular]. The S.W.A.N. is literally a Syntar-Without-A-Neck or, a desktop version of the Syntar without the left-hand controller system. This system is owned by George Mattson and it is labeled 'Prototype 1' even though the electronics are stock Syntar circuits. George built it because dealers were inquiring if they made a 'desktop' version. So, he made one. This is the only S.W.A.N. in existence and is a fully functioning system. George has recently replaced all of the caps and tuned up the system. Information and a better picture can be found at Carbon111 The weight is in its flightcase; outside it is 8.2kg. NB Like all of the lots so far in this particular auction, it is being sold as a non-VAT registered item. But if you import anything from outside the EC into the EC, you may be liable to VAT as a form of import tax." You can find it listed on VEMIA - click on Auctions, Search, and then search for 5881.

Update via Stephen Jones in the comments:
"I've played this very synth about a year ago. It has features unlike any mono synth ever made. I really hope this goes to a good home. I'd estimate that its auction value will be about $7400 and even that would be a steal.

It has a Pratt-Reed gold double buss bar keyboard with a good solid feel. (not J-Wire or membrane carbon contacts like everyone else was using)

Its got two oscillators, a ring mod second, noise, an LFO that does audio rates and the same SSM filter that makes the Prophet-5 Rev 2 sound so good.

Good luck and I hope it goes to a good home."

I played this one as well. Amazing synth, amazing piece of synth history. This was a hard one to put up.

Update: someone actually had the gall to list this on Ebay. The auction was quickly pulled.

VEMIA Auction Ends This Coming Saturday

http://www.spheremusic.com/ You can find the auction room here.
Click on the VEMIA label below for 50 items archived here.

via Peter Forest on AH:
"The 26th VEMIA auction ends on Saturday. You can now click directly on links without having to register if you just want to look at pics. (Just go down each details page & click 'image'.)
Big Briar Touchplate
Steiner Masters Touch
PPG 1002 analogue synth
Sherman Quad Modular Filterbank
L.L. Electronics Rozzbox 1
Persephone Ribbon Controller
Korg MS20
Studio Electronics SE1
Roland Jupiter 8
Roland OP-8
Roland MPU-101
More to come.
A footnote: I guess you could say we are a cross between eBay and a dealer. 10% buyer's premium, possibly packing charges on very cheap, large and/or difficult things, but much more security than eBay, and consolidated shipments wherever possible.
Based in England, but sending worldwide. Priced in pounds, so very good for dollar, Euro and yen people right now. Peter Forrest"

Studio Electronics-SE1 - VEMIA

via this VEMIA auction

"From Ed Starink's private studio, bought from new, and now at VEMIA for good packing and shipping. Superb condition, both in working and cosmetic order. Apart from a couple of scratches on the top, not visible once the synth is racked, and a little marking on the top left of the left rack ear (possibly white paint, and totally superficial) this is like new. Sounds fantastic, too. With original instruction manual by Greg St. Regis."

New England Digital (NED) Synclavier II Instruction Manual - VEMIA

via this VEMIA auction

"Fascinating reading: the mammoth original instruction manual for the NED Synclavier II. One owner (Ed Starink - whose sticker is on the front cover). Complete, and in very good condition except for a little kink at the top left of the cover - visible in the photo. Hundreds of pages - you can tell by the weight of 2.6kg just what a monster this is! Packing £2."

Synclavier docs 2.0-2.2,2.8,3.0,3.1 via this VEMIA auction
"Original documentation for the Synclavier release 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.8, 3.0, 3.1. From Ed Starink - duplicates of the documentation for his Synclavier 3200."

Oberheim OB-Mx - VEMIA

"A real bargain: a four-voice OB-Mx, the closest you can get to owning a modern Buchla without spending a lot of money (as it says on the back, 'Custom designed for Oberheim by Don Buchla'). Of course the story is more complicated than that, and there is a lot of controversy about this instrument. Many examples appear to work poorly as well. This one is an exception. It performs faultlessly, has absolutely NO known problems, and sounds great even with its (fairly boring) factory presets. It comes into its own when you use the massive modulation possibilities to create fascinating abstract sounds. Apart from having no rack ears (and one machine screw missing in the top panel), it is also in beautiful cosmetic condition. The front panel really does look like new. Multi-voltage, just uses an IEC socket for mains anywhere (you swap a little switch above the socket to change to 110V). With a good copy user manual. At VEMIA for ease of packing and shipping."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5740.

Roland Jupiter-8 - VEMIA

It's that time again. The VEMIA auctions on Spheremusic are up from now until November 1. I'll be putting up a few posts between now and then, but not everything, so be sure to check the site out. To get to the auction room, click on Auctions followed by Rooms when you get there. Pictured here is a Roland Jupiter-8, item number 6048. Note that you can search for the item by number on site as well.

Jupiter-8 description (btw, be sure to click on the image above for the super sized shot):
"From Ed Starink's private studio, bought from new, and now at VEMIA for ease of shipping. This is possibly the most incredible condition Jupiter-8 you will ever see. There are a few marks on it, but the whole feel is of a two-year-old instrument, not a 28-year-old one. This is actually an early JP-8, which theoretically should have slightly inferior tuning, but sounds wonderful - rich, precise, smooth, huge, glistening - whatever you want. Jupiter 8s in lovely condition are so sought-after that a well-known dealer is prepared to invest 1000GBP in a complete re-spray and re-finish of a slightly tatty example; how much better to have one that has had no need of re-finishing, because it is simply superb as it is? Tested thoroughly by Lucid Sound, and in perfect working order. It has the early OC-8 interface, which will interface with the OP-8 (and thus with any MIDI/CV unit like the MPU-101, or MC-8, MC-4, or any modular system). This means this JP-8 can be integrated powerfully into absolutely any kind of studio. It comes with its original user manual, and a flight-case which is in very good exterior condition but has been re-foamed in a slightly un-professional way. Great care will be taken to ensure the instrument is well-protected within the case."

VEMIA - SMS Analogue Modular Synthesizer

via this VEMIA auction

"Wow, if the previous lot of SMS gear was pretty rare, this set of seven 1U modular synth rackmounts is extraordinarily rare, and quite possibly the only one available in the world. There are supposed to be five sets possibly in existence, but I've never heard of anyone being able to buy one. It's also very beautifully made, with an excellent choice of colour and solid, tough materials. I'll be playing with this during the week - it only arrived at VEMIA 48 hours ago - and so far have enjoyed it a lot - **bubbly backgrounds are one of its strengths, squelchy filter lines, and percussive syncopations**. Huge potential, and a pleasure to mess about with. 2x CV Buffers, HB Morph Lag, 2x DC Level Shifters, 2x Attenuator/Inverters, 2x Oscillators with Wave Modulation, Linear Oscillator, Sample & Hold, Noise, Lag, Ring Mod, 2x Envelopes, 2x Amplifiers, and 2x Filters."

MOOG 907 Filter Bank on VEMIA

listed here
Unfortunately there isn't a new image of the actual item. The history is interesting though: "Brand new original new old stock Moog 907 Fixed Filter Bank from 1973, being sold by a recognized figure in the field who was formerly Vice President, Studio Systems Division, Moog Music, Inc. and worked with Bob Moog for more than 20 years. Here's what he says:- 'The unit offered has never been mounted, there are no screw marks whatsoever. It is brand new as of its date of manufacture, which is 08-28-73 (August 28 1973), and inspected on 08-29-73. The assembly is by J.P. which is undoubtedly Mr. Patronski. The serial number (P) is: 7338, and these data plus the handwritten number 11728 are written on the yellow Moog Music Inc. cardboard/paper attached to this filter. It is clean as a whistle, and has been stored in a humidity controlled environment since the day it left the Moog factory in Cheektowaga, NY, USA. in the 'seventies. I took it from the Moog factory in lieu of salary, as per agreement with management at the time, as the old Moog Electronics, Inc. was going under. Note that this is the relatively rare 4-wide Model 907, not found everywhere.' VEMIA NOTE: Although this has four fewer frequencies than the 914 that we had been hoping for, it is still one of the nicest individual lots we have ever had in the auction. These filterbanks are simply irreplaceable and impossible to copy exactly, and to find a brand new one with such provenance is amazing. This is the only module being sold by this owner at this time - and it's been hard enough persuading him finally to part with this one piece of history! A photo has not been possible, but we will show a photo of a similar (not completely identical) used module, taken by the seller in the 70s. The module is untested (since 1973!), and it is possible it may need minor servicing although it is brand new. It will be packed with great care, and a written provenance provided by the seller."

Note the VEMIA auctions end this Saturday.

Dynacord Three Drum Units - VEMIA

"Three of these chunky Dynacord electronic drum units, not completely tested because there is only one power supply (Dynacord PAC 918, 18V and 9V AC on a 7-pin DIN)) included, but potentially powerful. Percuter eight track Digital Drum Computer with 8 cartridges: Electrified Bass 1, Metal Snare 8inch, Reggae Snare, Natural Tom 10inch, 13inch, 16inch, Timbales 14inch, Rock Ride Cymbal. Missing top to Pitch control; cosmetically 6/10. Big Brain 16 Track Digital Sequencer, cosmetically 8/10. Percuter S - like the Percuter, but with no cartridges, but each channel has an individual pitch control with on/off switch. Packing at VEMIA: £6 - heavy, and always more difficult to pack three heavy things in one package safely."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5866.

Roland JD990 - VEMIA

via this VEMIA auction
"In absolutely superb condition, cosmetically and functionally. One owner (Ed Starink). Expanded with the orchestral card; complete with both original user manuals and patchlist. Supplied with European plug on (non-captive) unearthed lead - or to put it slightly more more clearly, that means that it comes with a lead like an old transistor radio at the synth end (little figure-of-eight-shaped thing) and a euro two-pin plug at the wall end. Adaptors for that two-pin plug are widely available in England, or the whole lead can easily and cheaply be bought with an English or American or Japanese plug."

and via this VEMIA auction
"Sounding great, one owner, but not quite as perfect condition as most of Ed Starink's stuff: a couple of minor dings on the top edge, which might just still be visible in the rack. Still very very good compared with most of the JD-990s in the world!"

ARP Rhodes Chroma for Auction

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Update: Peter originally had this listed as one of the first 50 by Phillip Dodd's ARP team. It turns out it was not.

Updated description:
"NB I've just had an authoritative source tell me that my naive and un-researched belief that 2101 would be the first run (since other runs were 2102, 2103, 2104...) could well be complete bollocks. I am researching this now and will make changes in the listing as soon as I know more.

This particular machine sounds totally gorgeous - rich, powerful, and all of course controlled by one of the best keyboards in the world. Wooden, beautifully weighted, and much nicer than the CS-80. (Of course it doesn't have the rare optional polyphonic aftertouch sensor, and it would be lovely to know if those are possible to find or reproduce.)

It has been fully serviced within the last 8 weeks by Roy Paynter, who is the UK's number one Chroma service guy, and universally recommended. He has a Chroma permanently in his workshop as a test-bed, and knows the machines inside out. His servicing warranty is three months, so there will be ample time for you to check the Chroma out within the warranty period.

This machine is European voltage. It was originally bought by Ken Freeman, famous inventor of the String Machine, who used it extensively in his music. It still has his little 'Ken' sticker on it. He eventually sold it in 1994 at the first VEMIA auction, where it was bought for £2000 by Global Communications (Mark Pritchard and Tom Middleton).

They then used it in their music for years, but Mark has now emigrated to Australia, and the Chroma was one thing that he couldn't fit into his suitcase.

It is in decent cosmetic condition - see the photos. A very reasonable 7/10, with some little knocks to the wood, and a few minor blemishes. The wood could easily be re-finished for certain, as it's solid..... but who knows if that's the right thing to do?

It works beautifully, and has the original factory presets loaded. Some of these are maybe a bit dated, and some definitely need a reasonable velocity to sound at all - unlike a standard plastic synth keyboard, this one has to be played like a piano, and just like a piano if you put your finger on a key and press slowly no sound will come out - but most are brilliant - powerful, full, meaty, smooth... altogether wonderful.

One of the nice things about this machine is that it comes with all the original literature - the Programming Manual, Performance Manual, Interface Manual, fold-out four side parameter map, and, best of all, the original preliminary Service Manual, complete with all schematics with ARP logos.

It has its original flight-case, which is in good condition except for the foam, which has started to deteriorate. We will cover ithe Chroma in plastic and pack it in polystyrene and bubble-wrap inside the flightcase, or pack it perfectly safely in polystyrene inside a carton without the flightcase, at the buyer's choice.

This is an absolute pleasure to play, and it would be a great thing to own.

For more information about Chromas generally, please check out the excellent rhodeschroma.com.

This machine isn't cheap, but it is very very special, and if you value beautiful keyboard feel and great rich analogue sounds you will love it.

I run the VEMIA online auction (Vintage Electric Musical Instrument Auctions). But the owner needs to sell now.... so here this is on eBay. (The next VEMIA auction isn't until November 4-11.) We are expert shippers at decent prices - please look at my feedback.

I also write the A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers books."

ARP Solina String Synthesizer - VEMIA

"Extremely rare expanded version of the famous ARP / Solina String Ensemble, the String Synthesizer. In very good working and cosmetic condition; this has been brought to VEMIA by its Belgian owner to ensure good packing to its eventual destination. Probably 100 or less were made; this seems to be the 35th to leave the factory. Some small scratches on the top; one or two of the light-coloured knob tops are more faded than the others; and there is a small piece of damage to the underside rear edge - but compared with most examples of this notoriously easily damaged synth, it is very good. Classic string ensemble sounds plus a little extra from the ARP Explorer-type monosynth; various methods of interacting between them; and altogether a great chance to buy one of the rarest production musical instruments of all time. With very rare original user manual (scribbled on on pages 1 and 3, but the rest almost unused); extra sound sheet (one side scribbled on); original invoice and guarantee certificate; and copy service documentation for the Solina String Ensemble and the ARP Explorer."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5815.

MOOG CEMS unique original custom modular - VEMIA

"ONE OF THE TWO OR THREE MOST IMPORTANT MOOG CUSTOM MODULAR SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD. This is the system Joel Chadabe dreamt up, in collaboration with Robert Moog, and had him build in the late 60s. It is at VEMIA, undergoing restoration - more details later - but is a unique and hugely powerful system, full of Moog custom modules, some very rare, some very early, and some almost certainly unique. Joel Chadabe's book 'Electric Sound' pp286-287: 'In 1966, I got an idea. I drew up a plan for a completely automated synthesizer system, discussed its feasibility with Robert Moog, described it in an article in 'New Perspectives in Music', and got the funding to have it built. That system, which I called the CEMS (Coordinated Electronic Music Studio) System, was ordered from Moog in 1967.... and installed in December 1969. In addition to an extended array of sound-generating and processing modules, an automated matrix mixer, and a digital clock, the system contained a bank of eight analog sequencers with customised logic hardware for running them synchronously, asynchronously, in succession, or in any combination.' '... the world's largest concentration of Moog sequencers.......' 'In 'Drift'.. (1970), icy electronic sounds swooped automatically through a virtual space without my intervention or control. It was the realtime equivalent of algorithmic composition..' '... a few months later, I was using joysticks to control oscillators, filters, modulators and amplifiers. The sequencers, configured to generate pseudo-random patterns, were also controlling the oscillators, filters, modulators and amplifiers. And I was also controlling the sequencers...... .. I was in effect conversing with a musical instrument that seemed to have its own interesting personality.' The CEMS is housed in four tall vertical cabinets, on casters. 1. 4x 960 (s/n 1094-S, 1096-S, 1103-S etc) 4 x 962 (s/n 1062, 1063 etc) 4 x custom delay mixers, 20 trunk lines. All R.A.Moog, mostly 9/69. 2. 4x 901 VCOs, trunks, Portamento, 2x multiples, CP-3 mixer, 984 mixer, 901, Portamento, 911, 2x 902, multiples, Portamento, 901, 904B, 904C, 904A, 904B, pitch/trigger interface, 912, S-trig>V-trig with portamento, 902, 911, multiples, 911, Attenuators, 911, 903, multiples, 3-pin sockets for joysticks etc, Delays, trunk lines. 3. 'Moogus Operandi' 10 digital numeric switches, 104ms- 4 sec delays, with x1 and x100 switches, digital clock with nixie tubes, trunk section with type B sockets (one line empty), 3x 4U Voltage Controlled Mixers, Portamento (R A Moog, no logo), 905, Triggered Controller, R A Moog banana & 3-pin interfaces, 904B, 902, 902, 911, R A Moog Signal Router, Amplifier, 3x Triggered Controller, PSU, delays and trunk lines. 4. similar to cabinet 1. **It also includes five R A Moog joysticks, serial numbers 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, and... 1008. - and a pre-production model Ribbon Controller, which Mike Bucki at Modusonics can provide a new ribbon for.** Like many other things in this auction, this is from the collection amassed by Felix Visser, former head of Synton. All items were destined for a national technology museum project, many years in the making, but finally cancelled by politicians and planners. They have mostly been stored unused for a number of years. This system has not (as of March 20) been powered up, and is SOLD AS IS unless we have more information in the meantime. (The power supplies are currently at Lucid Sound for testing and servicing where necessary.) Cosmetic state at present: all sequencer lamps present and guaranteed working 100%; all screws, nuts and washers checked, cleaned and replaced where necessary; veneer repaired on the facing edges of cabinets where necessary; casters replaced; module panels cleaned and looking good; many of the silver knob inserts are missing - many are saved ready to stick back on, but some are lost. (We are searching for replacements, or failing that, new knobs are still generally available.) The quality of early Moog modules is remarkable, and we would expect it to be not at all difficult or expensive to restore this to excellent working order - and beautiful cosmetic condition as well. If required, we can source and supervise this work, and would expect it to be very reasonably priced. All photos were taken before cosmetic restoration, and the system now looks a great deal better - superb apart from the missing silver knob inserts. For more of the old pics see: link"
You can find this one on VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5560.

Update via peterwendt in the comments: "I knew I'd seen this before: link... great post with lots of details from Richard Lainhart."

Spectral Audio ProTone - VEMIA

"Synthesiser module Listed in Peter Forrest's Analogue Synthesiser book. Good for metallic percussion sounds, monophonic leads and sound effects. Dual VCO. Snappy envelope. Noise PWM, noise and ring mod. Filter Accent switchable over midi."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5693.

I just like this shot for some reason.

PPG 1002 Analogue Monosynth - VEMIA

"Superb early rare interesting analogue monosynth in excellent condition. I can't imagine there is a much better example of this synth in the world. The CV in is a strange non-linear design, but tuning on its own keyboard is perfect. Thoroughly tested by Lucid Sound, some screws replaced, the whole instrument serviced and calibrated where necessary. It is in excellent cosmetic condition, with the panel almost faultless, and all knobs in original condition. One of the neat (EMS-like) 'magic eye' buttons has lost its iris, so that the orange bit doesn't disappear when it is switched off. The solid wood endcheeks show signs of its age, but look fine, and somehow right. The keyboard is level and in first-class condition. There is a bit of paint scraping on the back panel, visible in the photo. Beautiful."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5743.

VEMIA - ARP Ultra-Odyssey, Saint Eric's max mod

via this VEMIA auction

"All the amazing work on this Odyssey was done by ARP guru, Saint Eric in Holland. Over 1000 euros spent. Front panel very nice and clean. Side cheeks have marks and scratches, back has a couple of marks. Overall I'd say it was in nice condition, but not as nice as the EMS. Heavily modified. Fully recapped. Sliders all pulled apart and relubricated. All key bushings done. Mods: Mono/ Duo 2 way switch for selecting monophonic/ duophonic modes. Extra LFO for PPC, with switch for Square or Sine waveforms. 3 way Switch for LFO for extra slow/ normal / fast speed ranges. 3 way Switch for AR envelope for extra slow/ normal / fast speed ranges. 3 way Switch for ADSR envelope for extra slow/ normal / fast speed ranges. 7 new pots in mixer section: Pot 1 ring mod... Slider 1 above pot 1 is for noise Pot 2 VCO 1 square volume to mixer... Slider 2 above pot 2 is for VCO 1 Saw Pot 3 VCO 2 square volume to mixer... Slider 3 above pot 3 is for VCO 2 Saw Pot 4 S/H mixer or Pedal to VCF.. Slider above pot 4 is for Keyboard CV Pot 5 LFO sine to VCF.. Slider above pot 5 is for S/H Pot 6 AR to VCF.. Slider above pot 6 is for ADSR Pot 7 ADSR to VCA.. Slider above pot 7 is for AR The idea is instead of the switch, you get a pot so access to all functionality at the same time.. so for example you can mix 4 waveforms at the same time, the 2 saw waves on the sliders and the 2 square waves on the pots. In addition Pots 2 and 3 have 3 way switches, so you can switch from Square / Triangle / Sine waveforms. Switch for inverted/ normal ADSR to filter. Also have midi installed on the back, Synhouse midi jack. Its on a switch so can be turned on or off (bypassed). Plus extra cv inputs on the back too: resonance cv, vcf cv, vca and another one which i can't quite remember! No slider caps, was going to get some tic tac tops from RS components, but didnt get round to it!"

Roland CSQ600 - VEMIA

via this VEMIA auction

"From Ed Starink, an excellent condition one-owner CSQ-600 complete with original user manual. Such a great machine to interface with more traditional analogue sequencers and of course synthesisers. A little dusty but should clean up perfectly."

Keyfax Phat-Boy MIDI Controller - VEMIA

via this VEMIA auction

Moog 904C Filter Coupler - VEMIA

"Very early 904-C, R.A. Moog logo, and with veroboard hand-wired circuit, so possibly a prototype. For restoration: three jacks and one potentiometer were missing on this (which probably came direct from Bob Moog to Joel Chadabe, and then to Felix Visser of Synton). Spare parts have been obtained from Kevin Lightner and are included - see the photo. Five new washers will be needed - not supplied."

VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 6114.

Roland JP-8080 - VEMIA

via this VEMIA auction

"Excellent condition JP-8080, one-owner (Ed Starink), with an equally good condition original user manual. A little dusty in places (see the photo) but everything we tested worked perfectly."