EXPLORING THE ELGAM CAROUSEL

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"The mythical Elgam Carousel from 1976 - is it a toy or a songwriting tool?
It's at least safe to say it's an analog drum machine and arpeggiator, with 3 chord sounds and a bass line generator that swings real good - here recorded completely dry without effects.

The Groove box that sparked todays hype of the genre - a stunningly well-designed piece of gear with a great analog vibe that stays relevant. Originally, this was the Crazy Hands section from the Elgam Broadway organ.

The Carousel is comprised of 4 sections :
1. Drum Machine
2. Bass Section - generating a choice of two bass-lines
3. Chord section - three sounds (Harpsichord, Honki tonk and Piano)
4. Arpeggio section - one sound with adjustable decay and 2 stackable harmonies.

The melodic sections change depending on the rhythm engaged and follow the tonality of the keyboard. Sonically the sounds gel really nicely, this machine is the sum of all its parts, the rhythms and bass lines are well-programmed, the bass has great lines and the arpeggiator adds that magic.
The drum section offers 15 fixed rhythms of great analog drum sounds. No individual drum sound mute options, but hey - at least you can add maracas.

You have the option to select the tonality with one finger for simple root chords and selecting minor, 7th or diminished with the foot pedal. Or you can choose to operate it in manual mode and potentially play more complicated chords.

In manual mode the bass and arpeggiator only makes sense of chords of three notes while the chord section reads all the notes at the same time. On the back we usually have a single audio output and a pedal switch connector for stop/start and minor and 7th but this one had some other mods added that were disconnected.

This unit was just serviced and will go up for sale next week so holler if you're interested - it's in good condition"

Everything you wanted to know about the LOGAN VOCAL SYNTH but were afraid to ask

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"We finally found a Logan Vocal synth - and since this incredible unicorn doesn't get captured very often we thought the internet deserved quality photos and a video demonstration of all its functions. Or most of them - we actually missed a few features so stay tuned for a Part II later this summer.

Most of the info is in the video already but a quick introduction and recap would go something like this:

Logan Vocal Synth
weight 50 kilos
61 keys and 61 slider potentiometers

The upper panel is dedicated to :
instrument selection buttons, panning left and right, the monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers and their modulation controls.

The front of the panel is dedicated to the instrument sections Strings, Piano and Voice.

The architecture of this instrument is unique and might have been a bit of a gamble that sometimes worked out great and sometimes less so.
Our service technician had to slightly change the trigger circuitry to render the triggering of the notes more reliable and generally stable.
We also decided to non-invasively modify the split point to continue down to the lowest note on the keyboard instead of starting over two octaves up at the 24th key and below.
You operate this with the foot pedal switch, and it can be disengaged to return to the factory setting.

Some of the engineering wonkiness was decided to be kept though and you can hear the fluctuations, a slight tremble, in a lot of the sounds."

You can find an additional demo posted here.

TWO EKO RHYTHMAKER DRUM MACHINES GO TO BATTLE

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"EKO RHYTHMAKER - BIX BOX MODEL VS REGULAR SIZE - One is big - one is small - which one sounds the best?

1970 - the Rhythmaker is an analog drum machine from Italy's EKO, originally makers of guitars and amps. The Rhythmaker was one of their earlier attempts at drum machines that would later result in the legendary EKO ComputeRhythm, used by all the real synth pros of the 1970s - or at least those who could get their hands on one.

These are two different versions of the same model Eko Rhythmaker analog vintage drum machine - with identical features and preset rhythms - but they sound quite different.

Both front panels has 16 push buttons for rhythms of standard fare : Jazz, Mambo, Rock etc. These could potentially be engaged all at the same time, giving you a cacophony of poly rhythms.

On both units we find 3 potentiometers : Volume, Tempo and Sustain, the last one is a bit of a mystery since it only seems to change the pitch of a few sounds.

Quite a novelty at the time, and the reason we like the Rhythmaker so much, is the individual volume control of each of the 7 drum sounds.
Here the bigger version offers longer sliders, to more precisely dial in the volume desired.

The smaller guy is a bit punchier and warmer sounding maybe?

Light up the comment section and let us hear your thoughts."

Exploring the Roland TR77 / Roland Rhythm 77

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"We thought we'd make a video before shipping out this beautiful drum machine.

It's one of our very favourites: it holds lots under the hood, it's a joy to play around with and the variety of rhythms and poly-rhythms frankly seems kind of endless.

The 2 and 4 beat section, which is a matrix of independent patterns, is a a cool and unique add-on that Roland incorporated in a few of its very early drum machines.

The individual drum-sound volume-controls gives you just enough sound sculpting possibilities to not care that the machines is not programmable.

The drum sounds themselves are wonderful, woody and organic awhile at the same time analog and electronic."

SN 458139 via this Reverb listing

"A favorite : Roland Rhythm 77 or TR 77 or the poor man’s CR78 but in our opinion the TR77 sounds better.

It also has individual volume controls for kick, hi-hats, snare and the guiro, an adjustable Fade out function - plus a separate, independent second rhythm section on a dial - as well as the possibility to play multiple rhythms at the same time.

Please check video of another unit we had available.

The Roland 77 has more features, sounds and rhythms than the similar-looking Acetone-branded drum machine.

This unit is in excellent condition, front panel looks almost new - but it has a small peel damage on the side panel visible in one of the photos.

220 V with Italian 3 prong connector - easily changeable to any connector"

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YAMAHA CS60 - The Organic Synthesizer

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

CRUMAR PERFORMER COMPARISON - BOTH FILTER VERSIONS

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"This is a dry - very dry - comparison video of the two iterations of the first model of the Crumar Performer - a string and brass machine.

There was also a second model Performer, the Performer 2, with a slightly different look, but I've never played that one - it's quite rare.

What makes the biggest difference between the early and late production run of the first model Crumar Performer is the architecture and components of the Brass filter section.

So we'll focus on that in this video, after a quick String Section comparison.

Crumar initially used the Moog Ladder filter for the Performer, and later modified the brass circuitry and switched to a SSM2040 filter.

Not only the components changed - the sound and behaviour of the Brass section itself changed.

There are quite a few opinions out there regarding the two filter sections so let's do some myth busting right away. There's no fool proof indicator of what filter version Crumar Performer you have in your hands just looking at it.

We initially thought the octave switch on the front panel was added together with the SSM filter - incorrect- we've had a Performer without octave switch that still mounted the SSM filter.

Some people say B in the serial number on the back indicates later production run units with SSM filters - also incorrect - these are both marked B but one is equipped with the Moog ladder filter.

Very low serial numbers should generally have the Moog Ladder filter but there's no rule of thumb - you just have to plug in your Performer and listen - or open it up and see which components are on board.

These were just serviced and calibrated according to specs - there's an official procedure for this - the SSM filter model had the SSM2040 switched to a new SSM2140 - without it making any difference on the behaviour or sound of the filter - we tried both."

32 VINTAGE DRUM KITS ON YOUR SOLTON PROGRAMMER 24

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video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"We were asked to beta test a new modification for the Solton Programmer 24 - expanding the drum section from a single kit to 32 vintage drum machines.
It adds the classics like the three Linn Drum machines, the Roland TR-808, TR-909, Roland CR78, Korg Mini Pops 7 as well as lesser known machines like the Elka Drummer One, Elka Drum Star 80, EKO Ritmo 20, Siel MDP40, Wersimatic 24, CRB Computer drums and many more 🤩
The additional 31 drum kits will perform just like the original Solton Programmer 24 drum section.

This is a total game changer for more than the obvious reasons - the Solton Programmer 24 has a sequencer, 8 separate drum volume sliders and 8 audio outputs as well as trigger capabilities for the individual drum sounds. It also sends clock and has Midi in/out/thru so it can be easily incorporated to whatever you got cooking with other machines.

It’s a non-invasive modification and fully reversible - no soldering - no drilling holes anywhere - it's installed by simply removing the four original drums eproms inside and hooking up a small additional board in place of two of them.

The modificationis divided in 4 memory banks of 4 drum kits each - you program the banks to your preference - this way you can quickly switch between the drum kits you use the most - or you can of course toggle through all the 32 drum kits sequentially.
Programming the memory banks is easy and sll the instructions you need are provided on Reverb :

https://reverb.com/item/79089448-spec...

The Solton Programmers drum section can accomodate 13 drum sounds per kit.
Some of the drum machines included featured have considerably less sounds and in those cases Andrea, the inventor and seller of the drum chip, has added more drum sounds in the same realm as the drum machine in question.
Due to the architecture of the Solton Programmer 24 the sample rate is 8 bit PCM 22500 Hz which sounds low but is definitely sufficient to maintain character and punchiness - I think it sounds damn good.
This video was made a few months ago and features a trial version that's now been upgraded - clips and smaller issues sometimes heard in the video have been ironed out and fixed on the version that's available for purchase.

Here's the complete list of featured drum machines

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THE SOLTON DISCO 64

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"On a sunny afternoon a few years ago we hooked up the Solton Disco 64 to make a co-hesive demonstration of its capabilities just to see the machine literally start smoking due to burned transistors.

The attempt was aborted and it's not until now that we've managed to get the machine fixed so we can give it a second try.

Boy this thing is as rare as it is cool - complete with SSM filters it's the predecessor to the more famous and common Solton Programmer 24.

This is not really a disco machine per se - it has 4 Disco rhythm patterns on board indeed but Waltz, Bossa Nova and all the standard rhythm patterns of most drum machines of the era.

Quite a few machines featured Disco in their names for no other reason than the hype and coolness of the genre at the time of production.

The Disco 64 has more features than most auto-accompaniment units: there's the chords section, a string machine, a monophonic bass synth with individual volumes for each section, mute options, 4 bass line variations, cut-off and resonance filter, different chord sounds and of course an analog drum machine with individual sound mute options. You can play the string machine and bass synth like a keyboard, independently from the auto comp section so it's a monophonic and polyphonic synth as well as an auto accompaniment unit.

Apart from separate outputs for the drums and auto comp section, this one came modded with a separate output for the string machine, very useful for running it through effects."

Additonal SOLTON DISCO 64 posts

Solton Disco 64 - SR 161/82

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"A quick demo with the wonderful Solton Disco 64
Strings separate out through a phaser, some light compression on drums and main mix."

Addtional Solton Disco 64 posts

INTRODUCING THE CRUMAR COMPOSER - COMPILATION VIDEO

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Here we go - this is the first of a series of videos I started a few year ago - and I thought I'd add some songs to it throughout - damn this thing sounds nice - the elusive Crumar Composer.

4 section poly/ mono / organ / string machine beast - consider it an Italian Korg Trident of sorts.

Laughably behind the times upon its short production run of 400 back in 1982-83 - instead all the sounds generated by this guy are straight from the 1970’s.

Despite each section being quite limited in modulation possibilities it's still quite versatile instrument with some unique features such as the breath control, the mono and poly section sharing the filter, and the organ section with percussion tabs and sustain.

There's more info in the video - enjoy!"

FIVE SONGS ON THE SOLTON PROGRAMMER 24

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"We compiled all our Solton Programmer 24 and Solton Project 100 songs in one convenient video. Italo Disco Machines?
Not false - but these two hotties offer a bit more than that.
Launched around the same time in the mid-80s, none of them caused much stir but at least the Programmer 24 was exported widely and they pop up on the market even in the US.
Overrun by sleeker Japanese machines, most Solton units probably seemed a bit dated at the moment of their release but re-adjusting the rearview mirror a bit we think they sound pretty great.
The Solton Programmer 24 is the obvious song writing tool:
It's a drum machine, bass line generator, chord generator and arpeggiator with an added string and organ section and a filter for the arpeggiator.
A very simple thing, almost a toy, but it's fun as hell and adding some effects to the sounds it gets interesting. For effects we're using the Schulte Compact Phasing, the low-budget, digital delay unit Vermona DEG-50 and the oddball, even lower-budget, mini-rack, multi-effect LEM FX22.

Vintage Audio Institute is a gear vendor and recording facility in Florence Italy."

Three Songs with the SOLTON DISCO 64

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Auto accompaniment unicorn galore!
Boy this thing is as rare as it is cool - the predecessor of the Solton Programmer 24.

Not really a disco machine per se - quite a few machines featured Disco in their names for no other reason than the hype and coolness of the genre at the time (late 70s / early 80s).
But this is a unique auto-accompaniment beast with a string machine, a monophonic bass synth with individual volumes for each section, mute options, 4 bass line variations, cut-off and resonance filter, different chord sounds and of course an analog drum machine with individual sound mute options.
You can play the string machine and bass synth like a keyboard, independently from the auto comp section so it's a monophonic and polyphonic synth as well as an auto accompaniment unit.
Apart from separate outputs for the drums and auto comp section, this one came modded with a separate output for the string machine, quite useful for running it through effects.

Vintage Audio Institute Italia is a music studio and gear vendor in Florence, Italy."

Additional SOLTON DISCO 64 posts.

UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF THE FARFISA SOUNDMAKER

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"There seems to be some mystery surrounding the Farfisa Soundmaker - how does it sound, is it actually cool, and what does Poly & Strings in Mono actually do?

In this video I go through the presets of all three sections and then move on to the marvellous Poly & Strings in Mono - unlocking your Poly & Strings in Mono is crucial to really getting the best out of your Soundmaker though.

I added some text to further explain its unique architecture - but here's a short info sheet:

Then Soundmaker has three independent sections - each with its own with volume and cut-off filter.

1. Polyphonic section with 3 Piano presets, 1 brass preset with its own fixed vibrato setting.

2. The additional Polyphonic section is the strings section : 2 footages of strings with attack, decay controls on top of volume and cut-off sliders. The strings sound surprisingly good - top tier 1970s string machine.

3. Monophonic preset section with additional Free mode which let you modulate the preset sounds with filter and ADSR and lastly - the Oscillator bank (LFO) with LFO controls, wave forms and vibrato controls.

Engaging the Poly & Strings in Mono internally routes both Polyphonic sections into the filter and oscillator bank of the monophonic section - letting you modulate them freely and really unlocking the uniqueness of this instrument.

The best way to experience the Poly & Strings in Mono is to create a dedicated Monophonic audio output - which the Soundmaker unfortunately doesn't have.

We carved out a Mono only output by cutting the Polyphonic signal to the Phones output in the back.
This is quite easy, you flip open the machine and simply cut the wire from the Poly section inside (it's easily reversible) - please have an experience technician do this for you if you're hesitant.

The second trick to enhance the performance of Poly & Strings in Mono is easier : turn off the mono section preset with its dedicated on/off button (it will still pass audio but no preset will be engaged). Since the mono preset sound is much louder in volume than the signal arriving via Poly & Strings in Mono, turning it off will make you hear the effect better."

A QUICK TEST : SOLTON DISCO 64

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Before the Solton Programmer 24 - the by now fairly well-known Italo Disco machine - there was the Solton Disco 64.

After picking up this beautiful and mega rare species in Perugia not too long ago I filmed the first 10 minutes of trying it out and reacquainting myself with its perks.

I needed to touch up on how these work - which maybe isn’t as straight forward as it should be.

I already have another unit here but haven’t used it in a long time since it started emitting smoke a few years back. The machine has some minor scratchy pots but is otherwise working fairly well - every time something we buy isn't completely dead is kind of a miracle.

The Wah chord sound doesn’t sound right so that will be taken care of - it's in the shop for a check-up and a re-cap of the power supply and a few other minor interventions as we speak.

This is a nice, heavy chunk of a machine (main unit Is 16 kilos) in a brown faux leather suitcase with saloon style wood details, this is not really a disco machine per se - quite a few machines featured Disco in their names for no other reason than the hype and coolness of the genre at the time.

But this is a unique auto-accompaniment beast none the less - with a great sounding analog string machine, an analog, monophonic bass synth with filters, different chord sounds and of course a drum machine with individual sound mute options.

You can play the string machine and bass synth alone and independently from the auto comp section."

UNBOXING THE ELGAM CRAZY BAND 48

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"We were super excited to receive this unicorn, vintage groove box - the machine that was the very last breath of the Elgam in 1982 - it was shipped out as the company folded.
The Elgam Crazy Band 48 was the follow up to the now sought-after Elgam Carousel and it shares some of its functions but not any of it's components, schematics or architecture.
The unit was well packed in a sturdy box but only emit a loud hiss and one single note on arrival.
Yep - this is often the reality of unboxing vintage gear.
This machine is now in the shop for repairs but it's a long journey to get it back up and running - if it ever will. The music in the background is from a similar device we demo:ed in an earlier video : the Godwin Drummaker 45."

GODWIN DRUMMAKER 45 SOUND DEMO - LAST AVAILABLE UNIT

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"A little demo of a the last available Godwin Drummaker 45 for sale - just back from extensive repairs it sounds marvelous!
Some spring reverb and echo from the Solton Cathedral E-2000 unit.
Condition is very good with some oxidation on front panel which tend to happen with these - we put down some anti-oxidation to halt it in its tracks so should not deteriorate further down the line.
The keys of the keyboard have some minor scratches and miss-coloration up close.
We demo the one finger mode towards the end of the video - along with the Orchestral arpeggiator mode - good fun."

via this auction

"Godwin Drummaker 45 for sale - this is our last available unit - just back from extensive repairs it sounds marvelous!

All wooden details have a fresh new veneer.

The keyboard has a new all-black paint job and a new cable.

I cannot stress enough how damn cool these machines are - check the video demo of this very unit for sale here.

Condition is very good with some oxidation on front panel which tend to happen with these - we put down some anti-oxidation to halt it in its tracks so should not deteriorate further down the line.

The keys of the keyboard have some minor scratches and miss-coloration up close.

220 volt version Power cable (standard) is not included.

Item ships from Italy."

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Elka Drummer One - Serviced

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video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

via this auction

"Just back from service - sounding just like it should - please have a look at the video of this very device. Gold metal front frame version.

We’ve had 5 of these now and we’re starting to get a hang of how to get them sounding right.

This one’s has had little use - front panel looks amazing - some smaller, hairpin scratches on metal piece and plastic corners and a few smaller spots on the tolex that might go away with some patience. The feet have been removed - not a bad idea.

These machines are old - 1968-1970 - they don't like other machines or metal surfaces - they start humming immediately - so don't stack them on top of other instruments, amps or any metal / electric current loaded surface."

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WERSIMATIC CX1

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Here’s some more Wersimatic CX1 for you - a hella stylish auto accompaniment unit made in Germany when the going was good - the early 80s.

The machine looks like a obsolete computer terminal and sports 4 sections :

Analog Drum machine
Bass section
Chord section
Arpeggiator section

We modded this one quite a bit - with separate volumes and outputs for the bass, chords, strings and of course the drum section.
We're routing the separate outs to a ton of different effects:
The Compact Phaser effect is an odd one - it could be a Vermona prototype - it sounds like the Vermona Phaser and looks very nice and stylish for a one off.
It's sitting next to the Compact Schulte Phaser and you can see the resemblance in design."

THE WERSIMATIC CX1

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Introducing the Wersimatic CX1 - a stylish auto accompaniment unit made in Germany in the early 80s.

It sports 4 sections :

Analog Drum machine
Bass section
Chord section
Arpeggiator section (it’s maybe more like a second chord generator)

Each section can be muted, individual drum sounds can be muted.
This specific unit was modified with independent volume control for each section - those are the extra knobs on the front panel - as well as separate outputs for each section in the back.
The drum patterns, the chord and arpeggiator sections are all programmable.

The CX1 was followed by the CX2 - which is basically the same machine but with 12bit sample drums instead of the CX1’s analog drums - it seems the bass, chords and arpeggiator sounds and patterns are all the same on the CX1 and CX2. The CX2 sports an additional row of buttons for programming purposes but those are available on the CX1 as well - the row of buttons on the left has a third submenu."

Additional WERSIMATIC CX1 posts

WERSI WERSIMATIC II / CRB OBERON

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"This is an analog auto-accompaniment machine produced by the German organ manufacturer Wersi sometime in the mid-70s. Originally part of a big, dual manual organ called Helios, this auto-comp section was probably removed from the organ and squeezed into a faux Teak cabinet - literally crammed with circuit boards - all beautifully snug inside - a very good job by whoever built it.
We used a ton of effects of this track - most noticeably the Davoli 2K disc echo - insanely rare unit with a Schaller disc unit mounted inside - the very mounted inside the Lombardi mixing desks.
The Digitech Synth Wah is also going strong - an envelope follower pedal on the cheap side.

We're pairing the Wersimatic II with the glorious CRB Oberon - a unicorn of a dual oscillator monophonic synth made in Italy in the late 70s - one of very few still existing.
Lots of fun features it can really sound huge - there's still lots more to explore here

The grey string machine in the video is also marked CRB - a simple, two sounds (violin and cello) string machine, unusually light weight for the oldie it is - the CRB 709.
It's sound is bright and lush - really not at all bad.

Vintage Audio Institute Italia is a gear vendor and recording studio in the hills of Florence."

Additional CRB Oberon posts

Additional WERSIMATIC II posts