Vintage Synthesizer Museum - LA

video upload by Johnny Morgan

"Some video clips of our time recently at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum - Los Angeles. Thanks to Lance Hill for letting us in on short notice."

Dave Smith: A tribute to his legacy

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We pay tribute to Dave Smith, one of the giants in the development and evolution of synthesizers. He sadly and suddenly passed away this week. We review his history with Sequential Circuits in the 1970s and 1980s, and the revival with new synthesizers under the name Dave Smith Instruments and a revived Sequential. I also relate the way our paths crossed, and how he was always a kind, generous and decent person. Dave Smith will be very missed; we send our thoughts to his family, friends and colleagues.

For more information on Dave's life and legacy, please visit sequential.com

All musical samples based on Sequential Instruments: the Prophet 12 and Evolver at CatSynth HQ, a Prophet V at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum, and a Prophet X (played by Dave himself) at NAMM 2019."

The 80's DIY Synthesizer You Built From A Magazine - The Digisound 80

video upload by LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER

"The Digisound 80 vintage #diy #synthesizer Beginning in february 1980 you could build this DIY analog modular synthesizer month by month with Electronics Today International, it is based on Curtis and SSM chips much like many commercial synthesizers of the time! in this video i go through the digi sound series, repair one, and show you what it sounds like!
Download the wav of the jam and samples to use and much much more :- https://www.patreon.com/lookmumnocomp...
it also makes @THIS MUSEUM IS (NOT) OBSOLETE get bigger and better."

Vintage Synthesizer Museum MIDI Karaoke with Oscar Cash

video upload by Vintage Synthesizer Museum

"The Vintage Synthesizer Museum and Oscar Cash Present: The MIDI Jukebox.
On February 4th, from 1PM-4PM, we will transform VSM into a MIDI Karaoke bar. You pick the song, and we send the melodies to several synths and the drums to the TR-909. While the song plays you can twist knobs, change presets, or perform vocal duties with the assistance of the EMS Vocoder 2000. All this led by your handsome host, Oscar Cash. If you are interested in attending in person, please contact us to join our mailing list, so you can reserve a spot.

As always, you can also book a private appointment to play these classics yourself.
https://www.vintagesynthesizermuseum.com"

Vintage Synthesizer Museum & Lance Hill on Art Vs The World

video upload by Art vs. The World

"Hello and welcome to my favorite place in the world the Vintage Synthesizer Museum and the best man in the world Lance Hill. Please enjoy this video with your best keyboard or human friends.

You too can go here and synthesize.

Book a session at the Synth Museum!

vintagesynthesizermuseum.com

Q: How does this work?
A: We rent out the space by private, hourly appointments. An appointment grants one access to the entire collection. You’re free to look around, take pictures, play the instruments, record the instruments, ask questions, or whatever else you’re interested in doing here.

Q: How much does an appointment cost?
A: Basic appointments start at $50/hr and go up $15/hr per person you add to the reservation. There is a two hour minimum for groups under 4 people. If you need a full-time recording engineer, or would like group instruction, the rate will go up accordingly.

Q: Am I cool enough to book an appointment at VSM?
A: Yes you are. You’re an amazing person who deserves the best.

Q: Will there be people there judging my skills?
A: Nope. Not unless you bring some judgey people with you. We’re just happy to have people of all backgrounds over here to enjoy and explore this magical place."

Sequential Circuits Prelude Synthesizer- Vintage Brass, Organ, Piano, and Strings

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

via this auction

"Everything works and sounds great. As you can see in the pictures there are many scuffs and scratches on the body (although mostly not where you are looking when you are playing the synth) and oxidation on the screws so it is not a museum piece. The face plate is still in very good shape though, as you see. It also has all of the slider caps and all the feet, including the tilt back legs. I've had this for about a decade and never had an issue with it besides the occasional scratchy slider that fader lube always cleared up (no scratchy sliders when I just tested it before listing)."

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Roland SH-1000 Rescue!

video by Jeremy Parker

Great video from new supporting member, Jeremy Parker.

"Here's an in-depth look at my latest restoration project, Roland's first synthesizer from 1973, the SH-1000. There's a little history on the synth and the formative years of the market, plenty of SH-1000 driven background music, a quick demo of the features/sound, the complete restoration and finally a little jam video at the end.

Here are some handy resources that I used for this project:
User manual / service manual: https://www.manualslib.com/products/R...​
Serial number lookup: https://serial-number-decoder.com/rol...​
Roland R&D Center (including Google Maps view of museum): https://www.roland.com/global/company...​
Vintage Synth Advertisements/Info: http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/​
Everything Synth-related: https://www.matrixsynth.com/​

Great history on Roland by Alex Ball: https://youtu.be/JcbpRMZIQ8g​

0:00​ Intro
2:03​ History
4:39​ Features & Demo
7:35​ First Day Trying Synth
9:15​ Taking Apart Synth
10:39​ Cabinet Work
15:08​ Keyboard & Electronics
20:58​ Final Reassembly
22:12​ Outro
22:39​ SH-1000 Jam"

SKERTSO-204 SKERCO-204 RARE VINTAGE USSR SOVIET DIGITAL SYNTHESIZER KEYBOARD 🎹

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

via this auction

"unit powers up, makes some sounds, however please note it will require a technical revision: some knobs are very hissy, some not respondind, several keys need cleaning due to age, so it's being listed in "for parts or not working" category and sold mostly like a museum specimen mostly for collectors / enthusiasts

"SKERTSO-204 - a digital electronic musical instrument has a 4,5-octave keyboard, a built-in loudspeaker, 8 preset sounds, 8 accomp styles with the tempo change and volume control. It has connections for volume and sustain pedal, fine tuning knob, line and phones output.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Global sounds volume level
• Chords: on/off, accompaniment volume
• Rhythms: Waltz, Swing, Foxtrot, Disco, Tango, Bosanova, Rock, Reggae
• Pause, synchrostart, start, rhythm level, tempo
• Plug connections: phones output, line output, pedal input, volume pedal, pitch tuning knob and phones on/off switching
Keyboard: - 49 full size keys, 4.5 octaves
Power: AC 220 V+\- 10%
• Overall dimensions - 610*280*110 mm
• Weight with case: ~ 11 kg (~24 lbs)"

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SOUNDMIT 2020 - LIVE STREAMING - DAY 1

SOUNDMIT

Check this post for updates throughout the day.

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Vintage synthesizer museum Episode Two:A CS80 Mothertrucker

Talesofox Meza

"Kids nowadays..."

Vintage Synth Museum Episode One: Synth Motherfucker

Talesofox Meza

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (and Back) by Oli Freke

New synth book coming from Oli Freke, who brought us the SYNTH EVOLUTION posters.

The book is currently available for pre-order here.

The book features:

• Over 500 hand-drawn illustrations of vintage synthesizers, drum-machines, samplers and pre-modern electric instruments.

• A reference book for every synthesizer, drum-machine and sampler manufactured between 1963 and 1995 with key stats, fascinatingly quirky facts and company profiles.

• Destined to be the new ‘bible’ of synthesizer information, following in the footsteps of the classic ‘KeyFax’ series by Julian Colbeck.

• Tells the story and impact of the synthesizer on all forms of modern music and culture with geek appeal for the music fan and synth fan alike.

From acid-house to prog-rock, there is no form of modern popular music that hasn’t been propelled forwards by the synthesizer. As a result they have long been objects of fascination, desire and reverence for keyboard players, music producers and fans of electronic music alike. Whether looking at an imposing modular system or posing with a DX7 on Top of the Pops, the synth has also always had an undeniable physical presence.

This book celebrates their impact on music and culture by providing a comprehensive and meticulously researched directory of every major synthesizer, drum machine and sampler made between 1963 and 1995. Each instrument is illustrated by hand, and shown alongside its vital statistics and some fascinatingly quirky facts. In tracing the evolution of the analogue synthesizer from its invention in the early 1960s to the digital revolution of the 1980s right up until the point that analogue circuits could be modelled using software in the mid-1990’s, the book tells the story of analogue to digital - and back again.

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YAMAHA CS-80 - Ambient Pads & Soundscapes | Synthesizer Demo

synth4ever

"Yamaha CS-80 analog synthesizer demo, featuring some ambient pads and soundscapes. In this Yamaha CS-80 demo I play an improvisation featuring oscillator, filter, LFO, tremolo and chorus adjustments. Additional delay/reverb effects from Boss DD-7 pedal. Filmed at Vintage Synth Museum in Oakland, CA.

The Yamaha CS-80 is one of the most organic and expressive polyphonic analog synthesizers ever built. It is a dual channel 8-voice synth with polyphonic aftertouch, VCO/VCF/VCA, LFOs, built-in chorus and tremolo effects, ribbon controller, noise, ADSR envelopes and an incredible ring modulator. Used most famously by Vangelis on the Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire soundtracks, the Yamaha CS-80 provides the musician unparalleled creative control over their music and live performances.

This particular Yamaha CS-80 was recently acquired by the Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Oakland, CA and had some unique factory modifications installed that control filtering and other aspects of the synth (for more details, see this video: posted here ). During my visit to the VSM, I was able to try the Yamaha CS-80 and record some ambient pads and soundscapes which are showcased here. Hope you enjoy the demo."

ROLAND JUPITER 4 - Sounds, Patches & Presets | Synth Demo

synth4ever

"Roland Jupiter-4 analog synthesizer demo, featuring some sounds, patches and presets. This Roland Jupiter 4 synth demo showcases some pads, S&H patches, LFO tweaking, filter resonance, and envelopes. Filmed at Vintage Synth Museum in Oakland, CA.

Manufactured from 1978 to 1981, the Roland Jupiter-4 was Roland's first polyphonic synthesizer and supported programmable memories and voice assignment modes. It features 49 keys, 4 voices of polyphony, 1 VCO (triangle, square, square with PWM) + 1 sub per voice, 1 LFO (triangle/square/sawtooth/reverse sawtooth), a resonant lowpass and resonant highpass filter, 2 ADSR envelopes for VCF and VCA, built-in ensemble/chorus effect and arpeggiator.

The Roland Jupiter-4's LFO is routable to oscillator pitch, pulse width, filter cutoff and amplifier and can reach audio frequencies, allowing for crude FM and AM synthesis. The Jupiter 4's arpeggiator provides a choice of up, down, up/down, or random mode, and there is also polyphonic portamento/glide on-board which can be used in conjunction with the arp. Ten presets and 8 user memory slots allow you to create and save your own sounds and patches.

The Roland Jupiter-4 is known for producing rough and raw sounds, big low-end bass, crazy fast LFO metallic timbres, and gritty resonance. In this Roland Jupiter-4 demo I tried to show a few of these types of sounds during my brief time with it. The Roland Jupiter-4 often commands high prices on the second-hand market these days."

Future Retro Mobius MIDI & CV Step Sequencer

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

via this auction

"Please see our other listings. All proceeds from sales here go to keep the Vintage Synthesizer Museum open during this time of social distancing. Thanks. Keep safe and healthy.

The Mobius is a 16 step, 1 track MIDI and CV step sequencer from Future Retro. It is designed for maximum compatibity with MIDI In/Out/Thru, and outputs for CV, Gate with selectable polarity, Hz/V, DIN Sync, Trigger, Accent, Clock, and Reset. It's memory features 16 banks of 16 patterns with up to 16 song programs with max 3580 measures per song.

The Mobius can also function as a MIDI to CV & Din Sync converter and is excellent hub for controlling, syncing, sequencing, and otherwise gluing together studios or live rigs with synths from every era."

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ELKA SYNTHEX - Sounds, Patches & Ambient Soundscapes | Synth Demo

synth4ever

"Elka Synthex analog synthesizer demo, featuring various sounds, patches and ambient soundscapes. This Elka Synthex synth demo showcases various Elka Synthex sounds including pads, leads, resonant sweeps, organs and more. Filmed at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum in Oakland, CA.

Manufactured from 1981-1984 in Italy, the Elka Synthex is a lush sounding classic 8-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer. It was conceived by independent Italian designer Mario Maggi and has 30 knobs, 6 sliders, 80 switches and a joystick, as well as a 4 track sequencer. Later versions implemented basic MIDI functions.

The Elka Synthex utilizes 2 DCOs per voice, each with multiple waveshapes: triangle, saw, square, pulse, PWM and ring mod. It also has a lovely multimode filter with frequency, envelope control, resonance and keyboard tracking, as well as lowpass, two bandpass options, and highpass filter modes.

The Elka Synthex also has 2 LFOs, multiple envelope generators, multiple chorus modes as well as oscillator cross-modulation and oscillator sync capabilities. LFOs can be routed to osc1, osc2, PW1, PW2, filter or amp and waveshapes include triangle, saw, ramp and square. Voices can be split, dual or layered, and it also supports footswitches for advance, glide, hold and release and direct onboard glide/portamento.

The Elka Synthex sequencer offers four different tracks which can have different length and sounds (Upper/Lower can be allocated to different tracks), and supports rests between notes as well as length of notes. In addition, 2 of its tracks can output MIDI data.

Instead of traditional pitchbend/modulation wheels, the Elka Synthex has a joystick which provides real-time control over the two LFOs, oscillator and filter modulation. The 6 sliders beside the joystick assign what (LFO, osc and filter) goes to the joystick.

Overall, the Elka Synthex is an extremely lush sounding synthesizer with many famous artists such as Tangerine Dream, Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran) and Jean Michel Jarre having used it. It is probably most famous for its "laser harp" sound.

The Elka Synthex is a beautiful machine, quite large in size, and can put out some amazing pads and timbres. The chorus and ensemble effects are particularly lovely, as they add an incredible shimmer to the sounds. The Elka Synthex is quite rare these days and commands hefty prices on the second-hand market, but if you have the opportunity to try one, do not hesitate as it is an experience like no other."

Vintage Synthesizer Museum - Synth Studio Tour | Oakland, CA

synth4ever

"A synth studio tour of the Vintage Synthesizer Museum (https://vintagesynthmuseum.squarespac...) in Oakland, California with VSM founder and curator Lance Hill.

I had the opportunity to visit the Vintage Synth Museum in February 2020 after 2.5 years since my last visit. In this updated synth & music studio tour, Lance takes us through some recent synth and music gear additions to the studio, discusses the history of Vintage Synthesizer Museum, showcases various classic vintage synths, and more.

To book an appointment at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum, call (510) 859–3558 from 10am–11pm daily or email vintagesynthmuseum@gmail.com.

Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro

01:10 - Korg Trident
01:17 - Elka Synthex
01:20 - Yamaha CS-80
02:45 - PPG Wave, Oberheim Four Voice
02:48 - Sequential Prophet 5, Sequential T8
02:52 - Yamaha SK-50D
03:25 - Serge Modular
03:55 - Roland SH-5
04:14 - Oberheim OB-Xa
04:23 - Rhodes Chroma, DK Synergy, Korg Mono/Poly
04:38 - Linndrum
04:49 - Pearl Syncussion
05:05 - Electrocomp EML 400
05:52 - Oberheim Xpander
05:56 - Sequential Prophet VS
05:59 - Voyetra Eight
06:04 - Cwejman S1 MK2
06:09 - Outboard Gear
06:30 - EMS Synthi

06:38 - Details on VSM

08:15 - Conclusion"

SWTP Psych Tone vintage synthesizer composing machine 1972

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

"This is a cool box. The Psych-Tone were a featured article in Popular Electronics, and offered as a kit from SouthWest Technical Products. This has tempo, pitch, volume controls. Plus a lot of other knobs and switches to reprogram the system. Attack Decay Sustain sort of work, but it's more oriented toward musical note improvisation than synthesis. There are many switches and knobs for pattern control, etc. I believe the manual/article is still online.

I added reverb to the sound of the box."

Note, it's actually SWTPC. You can see the small c in previous posts here. I thought this might be an auction demo, but I only found the listing below of another one. If this one does go up and I see it, I'll post it.

An intersting side not is there were a ton of other SWTPC products. SWTPC stood for Southwest Technical Products Corporation. You can find some info on them on Wikipedia.

via this auction

"For your consideration is the extremely rare SWTP Psych-Tone Composer-Synthesizer. The unit seems to work fine, though the output on the internal speaker is very low. The external output works fine.

Please see our other listings. All proceeds from sales here go to keep the Vintage Synthesizer Museum open during this time of social distancing.
Thanks. Keep safe and healthy.

The Psych Tone was an early electronic music algorithmic composer and synthesizer presented in the February 1971 issue of Popular Electronics Magazine. It uses a 6-bit , to produce a repeating pseudo-random sequence up to 63 notes long. Three taps are made off the shift register, those are weighted, and summed to drive a Voltage-Controlled Oscillator to produce a pitch. Then an envelope is applied.

The Psych Tone is incredibly rare. It was a complex project, not many people built them, and it is difficult to find a working unit today. And that's a shame, because this was a remarkable device and we can learn much from it. So I recreated the Psych Tone in software, from the schematics, so it can be appreciated."

Pic of the backside inside below.

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ZAelectronic Zebralogic Circular Oscillator VIII

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

via this auction

"For your consideration is the extremely rare and weird ZAelectronic Zebralogic Circular Oscillator VIII modular synthesizer. This is basically a eurorack-type synthesizer housed in a round, clear case. Visually stunning, sonically bonkers, and functionally dense, here's probably your only chance to get your hands on a Zebralogic Circular Oscillator VIII.

Please see our other listings. All proceeds from sales here go to keep the Vintage Synthesizer Museum open during this time of social distancing.
Thanks. Keep safe and healthy.

ZAelectronic Zebralogic Circular Oscillator VIII is a hand-made noise synthesizer that features extensive modulation control with MIDI and CV.

This unit comes with the next implementation:

- midi input include : transpose, range, channel, PWM, midi cv note and midi thru.

- midi input: that only recognizes the on/off note,channel 1.

- 4 distortion controls: Gain,Eq and vol.

- 8 lfo with square and triangular.

- 1 white noise controls:Lfo, Vol, Noise.

- 4 signal extractor controls:Input, Attack, Decay

- 4 vca

- 1 vcf light (low-pass filter BPF, controlled by light or lfo.

- 3 vcf (band pass filters controlled by tension)

- 2 mixer ouput stereo and 8 input

- 2 envelopes filter controls: Range, Decay.

- 4 Vco controls:Input 0-10 volts, Symetry

- Sequencer 9 steps.


Technical Specifications:
Type: Analog
Synthesis: Subtractive

Oscillators: 4
Waveforms: Saw Down, Square, Triangle, White Noise
Osc Modulation: Input, Knob, LFO, Oscillator

Envelopes: 6
Evelope Paramerters: Attack, Decay

Filters: 4
Types: Band Pass, Low Pass
Filter Modulation: Envelope, Input, Knob, LFO, Oscillator

LFO: 8
LFO Parameters: Square, Triangle

Polyphony: 1
Timbrality: 1
Tuning: Atonal
Modes: Mono
Sequencer: + 9 step sequencer

Case: Desktop

Controls: Modulation - Audio Input, Pedal - Filter, Knobs, Modulation 1/8" Jacks, Sequencer, Switches

Display Type: LED

Audio Output Connections: 1/4" Phone Jack, Mono Out
MIDI Ports: IN
CV Ports: CV IN, CV OUT, Gate In, Gate Out"

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Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000

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

via this auction

"For your consideration is the Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 sampler keyboard synthesizer. The unit is in very good condition for it's age. It has the upgraded memory and a newer disc drive purchased from Wine Country.

Please see our other listings. All proceeds from sales here go to keep the Vintage Synthesizer Museum open during this time of social distancing.
Thanks. Keep safe and healthy.

The Prophet 2000 was a sampler keyboard manufactured by Dave Smith's Sequential Circuits (SCI) and released in 1985. It was the company's first sampler, and, despite its low quality and technical limitations by modern standards, marked a shift toward affordable samplers of better quality than its predecessors. It is also considered to be one of the earliest multitimbral samplers.

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Vintage Korg PS3100 PS-3100 Patchable Fully Polyphonic Synthesizer

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

via this auction

Update: I shouldn't have to say this but for high priced items like this do your due diligence. Someone reported this seller attempted to sell a fake Buchla module on Muffs (you can find a thread on it here). That said, I have no way to verify it, and I have no idea it this is just coming from someone that has an issue with this seller, or wants to buy it and is attempting to distract other buyers, or other. As always, do your due diligence.

"This Vintage Korg PS3100 PS-3100 Patchable Fully Polyphonic Synthesizer looks like it just came fresh off of the assembly line in Tokyo.

This is the one that you've been waiting for. Collector/museum curator alert.

This synth came to us in 'closet classic' condition, with hardly any wear from a private collector. We gave it a gentle cleaning, calibration and tuning, and we were off to the races. All original. Fully polyphonic... and patchable. Sounds... stunning."

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