Wendy Carlos

David Kristian posted the following in the comments section of my post on Raymond Scott below. I thought it would be worth posting separately. Thanks David! : )



"Notice the 7 or 8 Eico Model 377 tube oscillators (sine and square)about three rows down from the cart with the scope. That same make of oscillator also appears in some photos of Wendy (then Walter) Carlos' setup circa Switched-on-Bach.

http://130.58.92.218/webstuff/Phys22/wendycarlosstudio60s70s.jpg

I picked one up at a garage sale a few years ago and used it on a few tracks. It's nothing special in terms of precision, but it sounds very nice and warm.

There is a manual available on this site:

http://bama.sbc.edu/eico.htm"

SYNERGY SYNTHESIZER VOICE CARTRIDGE MODIFICATION

via this auction

"INSTANT ACCESS TO ALL 500-PLUS VOICES IN THE SYNERGY SYNTHESIZER VOICE LIBRARY... This cartridge modification uses a Zero Insertion Force socket and 23 EPROMS to give you instant access to all of the timbres (voices) in the Synergy voice library, plus the 3 Wendy Carlos cartridges and a rare custom cartridge containing unique voices created by a Synergy synthesizer user with a Synergy II+.

The Synergy voice library cartridges are: L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11, L12, L13 and VCART1, CART2, VCART3, VCART4, VCART5, VCART 6. The 3 Wendy Carlos cartridges are W1, W2 and W3. And the unique custom cartridge is C1. That's a grand total of 552 timbres -- 24 of them unique to this custom cartridge and created by a Synergy II+ user and not available anywhere else. (I used to think there were only 2 Carlos cartridges, but it turns out there are 3, and I was able to track down the third one, as well as a rare custom cartridge. That's why the total mentioned in the YouTube video is 504 voices.)"

Video of the mods posted here.

And another:

DKSynergy.wmv

YouTube Uploaded by drumsoverlondon on Jun 1, 2010

"DK Synergy synth"

"If you own a Synergy synthesizer (either a I or II+) this cartridge modification will bring new life and new depth and new brilliance to your instrument. You'll discover new worlds of timbre, from subtle realistic acoustic-sounding timbres to exotic digital computerlike soundscapes. The Synergy was capable of creating diaphanous sounds as delicate as a butterfly's wing, or raucous digital timbres as intense as a Mack truck. This cartridge mod contains the full sweep of the timbres created for this unique digital synthesizer (one of the first and most powerful digital synthesizers ever designed) to reveal the synth's full capabilities. If all you've ever heard is the internal Synergy timbres or one or two Synergy voice cartridge, this voice cartridge modification with its 23 EPROMS will shock you and amaze you."

Tron - Light cycle sequence (1982)

YouTube via allertonoff.
"Among the all time great science fiction classics. The first feature film to make extensive dramatic use of CGI. It still looks fresh today, with a wonderfully retro score by Wendy Carlos. Sheer industrial delight and magic. Highly reccomended."

via Wikipedia:
"The background music for Tron was written by pioneer electronic musician Wendy Carlos, who is best-known for her album Switched-On Bach and for the soundtracks to many films, including A Clockwork Orange and The Shining. The music featured a mix of an analog Moog synthesizer and GDS digital synthesizer (complex additive and phase modulation synthesis), along with non-electronic pieces performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra (hired at the insistence of Disney, which was concerned that Carlos might not be able to complete her score on time). Two additional musical tracks were provided by the band Journey. They were originally going to be recorded by British band Supertramp. The soundtrack album was released on record and tape by CBS Records. It has been recently re-released by Walt Disney Records."

DK Synergy II+ Synthesizer with Kaypro II PC SN 01272

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

via this auction

"The listing is for a Digital Keyboards Synergy II+ synthesizer with Kaypro II PC in great condition! One of the first premium digital synthesizers manufactured in the US , The synth is based on Dr. Hal Alles from Bell Labs synthesizer architecture.This model is the programmable version and has the solid wood casing which only came out with the very early serial numbers. The wood was replaced by tolex to reduce cost in following years. Approx 700 total Synergy units were made of which about 300 were said to be the upgraded programmable version.It is estimated that only 100 or so units are still operational today of which about 20% are the higher end wooden case version. When the Synergy II + hit the market in the early 80s, they were going for upwards of $10K for the wooden programmable version with Kaypro PC. The DX7 came out with their FM synthesis in 83 for $2500 and changed the entire synth industry. After that DK was dumping their units for under $7K with Kaypro and eventually went under in 1985. I payed $5,450 (including shipping) for this unit 8 months ago so for a 30 year old rare synth , it is still holding it's value.

The Synergy II+ 's Kaypro II PC is in great shape as well with two functional drives and the 1980s style green light screen resolution is still very prominent. You can find Kaypro PCs for sale on eBay should you ever need a back up. The sale includes everything you see in the photos- Synergy synth, Kaypro PC and keyboard, null modem cable to RS232 port ,original operational manual for the synth( not a copy), instructions for understanding the Kaypro and the complete Synergy library.The library includes close to 500 patches. It includes the L1-L13 FDs, VCART1-VCART6 FDs and Wendy Carlos Library( WENDY 1-WENDY3 FDs). All library, diagnostic, software systems and boot disks have been backed up with multiple copies, anywhere between 4-6 sets of each. The sale also includes a 2 hour video made by the original owner who purchased this synth as a floor model in 1983. The video on DVD is well thought out as well as his written start up instructions to get a new owner going. You definitely want to review the video and documents to understand the nuances using the synth and PC software . Included are the original documents listing the names and categories of the library disks and patches/voices in alphabetical order and by instrument or sound type. Other documents include synth schematics, pin schematics if you want to make your own null modem cables and addendum released by DK.

This synthesizer is definitely not for the touring musician or quick knob turning gratification player. This synth is typically purchased as a collectors piece or a programmers synth who enjoys sound sculpting for personal pleasure or studio recording. This synth has unique architecture and very sophisticated envelope control . What makes the Synergy II+ unique even to this day is that you voice each oscillator twice for both frequency and amplitude and you have 16 different envelope points for each envelope. So you get to control how each voice changes in response to velocity. For example, you might choose to have a phase modulated envelope that rises very sharply at low velocities and dies off fast, but at high velocity(loud notes) it rises less sharply and dies off much more slowly. Or you could do the opposite with the carrier envelope scheme which means the loudness envelope of the timbre operates normally with a sharper attack the harder you press the key but a shorter decay at louder amplitudes. Since you can define two 16 point frequency envelopes for each oscillator and you are dealing with phase modulation, you can have sound going from strictly harmonic overtones to inharmonic partials and back again over time or set it up to go inharmonic to harmonic and back again. And this effect is with just two oscillators. Typical Synergy II+ patches use 3-6 oscillators so you can also detune them to get chorus effects. Another reason to set up multiple chains of oscillators for a patch is to have different sets of overtones moving in and out of harmony against one another which gives you very complex timbral effects like you would get with real instruments. Another reason to use multiple oscillators is so you can combine additive synthesis with phase modulation to create some very realistic percussive sounds like bells or chimes using subharmonics of the fundamental of a note to create that low hum that is not harmonically related to the timbre ,but present in real percussive instruments.There is a reason that Wendy Carlos still has two Synergy GDS units among her gear of only 5 remaining keyboards.

For those not familiar with the Synergy, there is a good website if you Google DIgital Keyboards Synergy Preservation Page.Also there are several YouTube videos on this unit. However, here are the basics:

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Synergy DK

via this auction.

Update via the comments regarding the details that follow: "It was a Crumar GDS that was used on Carlos' TRON soundtrack, not a Synergy. Also, I'm not aware of that Larry Fast ever used a Synergy. That was just his artist name."

Details:
"Here is your chance to own one of the rarest keyboards in existence (there are reportedly only about 100 working models left in the world!) as used by Wendy Carlos (Tron and "Beauty in the Beast") and Larry Fast. This particular model has the MIDI in/out/thru on it, and looking inside, seems to have been done by a skilled technician (or perhaps the factory). This means it is the II+ model. The sounds are very digital in nature, but have a nice warm tone to them. There are plenty of electric pianos and strings, as well as some neat digital drum sounds. The keyboards velocity sensitivity drastically change the sounds, and this is part of the nature of the Synergy's programming.

I also have 14 original sound cartridges with this, 4 of which seem to be blank. The cartridges include: VCART 1-3 "Voices", CARLOS WC-1 "ORCH-PLUS", CARLOS WC-2 "Bells and Whistles", CARLOS WC-3 "Missing Links", DEMO "Demonstration of internal voices" and TCART1 "Processor and Panel Tests" and TCART2 "Oscillator and D/A tests"... These are included in the auction.

From the web: The Synergy is a Phase Modulation/Additive synthesizer and has lots of DX type FM sounds. The Phase Modulation algorithms are user defined with up to 16 oscillators available.
The envelopes have up to 16 stages/per osc, and are loopable. Program/sounds consists of 2 'boundaries' which are 2 separate timbres. The keyboardist can morph between these timbres via velocity and key number. The DK SYNERGY II synthesizer originally retailed for around Six Thousand 6$k (Thanks matrixsynth.com!)

Also from the web:

http://users.ece.gatech.edu/lanterma/synergy/
http://www.synthmuseum.com/synergy/index.html
http://www.synthony.com/vintage/dkigds.html

The rear of the Synergy has 1/4" unbalanced outputs 1 and 2, and balanced XLR outputs 1 and 2. There is also RS-232 output for interfacing to a Kaypro computer for programming. The knobs on the front offer user control of the sounds, but in order to really dive into this synthesizer, you need the Kaypro."

Synths of Sci-Fi Episode 3: Wendy Carlos, Moog Modular Synthesizer & TRON (1982)

Koboto Music

"In this episode, we look at the life and works of Wendy Carlos from “Switched-On Bach” to her score for Tron in 1982 and the original Moog Modular Synthesizer. Thanks For Watching! Please help to support the channel by leaving a comment and hitting those Like and SUBSCRIBE buttons!!

Wendy’s Modular System Details: http://www.wendycarlos.com/photos.html"

Synths of Sci-Fi Episodes

Wendy Carlos on Bob Moog

Portrait by none other than the woman who possibly started it all, Wendy Carlos. Note, I put up this image back on Bob's birthday. At the time I either completely missed Wendy's notes on Bob or it wasn't up at the time. If I missed it, I sincerely apologize for that. Title link takes you there.

"Bob and I were friends for about 41 years. That sounds incomprehensible now, but there you are. We met when I accidentally woke him up. He was taking a much needed nap on a banquette on the Mezzanine of the Barbizon-Plaza Hotel, in NYC. The Moog Company had setup an exhibit at one of the yearly AES conferences (the Audio Engineering Society was a LOT smaller back then, and more informal -- even the tech papers were free and handy, open to anyone attending the exhibits)."

via CDM. Bob Moog portrait.

Bob Moog Portrait by Wendy Carlos - Happy Birthday Bob

Today would have been Bob Moog's 72nd birthday. I've been waiting to put this shot up. A portrait by none other than the woman who possibly started it all, Wendy Carlos.

Happy Birthday Bob. Thanks for everything.

Caring Bridge
Moog on Wikipedia
Big Briar
Moog Music
Wendy on Wikipedia

Switched-On Bach - Wendy Carlos

My previous two posts have me reflecting on the use of analog synths in more traditional, musical instrument roles. The quintessential example of this would of course be Wendy Carlos' Switched-On Bach. It is credited for propelling synthesis into rock and roll and the main stream. It's fascinating to wonder how things might be different had it not been released. Title link will take you to more, including this image and comments from Bob Moog:



"Switched-on Bach was released at the end of 1968 and became an immediate success. It was acclaimed as real music by musicians and the listening public alike. As a result, the Moog Synthesizer was suddenly accepted with open arms by the music business community. We witnessed the birth of a new genre of music--classical music, realized with impeccable musicianship on synthesizer and tape recorder.

Now, some three decades later, the electronic music medium has evolved into a mainstream musical tool. Sixteen-track and twenty-four-track recorders came to be widely used after the release of Switched on Bach, and then digital synthesizers, hard disk recorders, and computer-based music production systems. Wendy's contributions to this evolution cannot be overstated.

She has realized a wide range of high quality music, set ever-increasing standards for sound synthesis, developed a significant body of alternate tunings, and generously provided her usual perceptive advice to equipment manufacturers. Her four Bach/Baroque albums, specially remastered for this release, are major milestones in the evolution of electronic music. At the same time, each album stands by itself as an important contribution to our classical music tradition. I'm delighted to witness the re-release of these works, as are countless numbers of music lovers throughout the world.

--Robert A. Moog"

An Audio Interview with Robert Moog Circa 1980

Back on May 23, 2012 WNYC posted the above interview with Bob Moog from 1980 on NPR member station, WQXR's This is My Music (WQXR featured Clara Rockmore on theremin only a year earlier).  The interview was shared in memory and celebration of Bob Moog's birthday, May 23.

"The Archives Department celebrates Robert Moog's 78th birthday with this 1980s episode of WQXR's This is My Music. Host Lloyd Moss talks with the inventor and musical pioneer and plays selections from Moog's library of compositions and influences. The program includes a virtuosic performance of Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No. 2 adapted for theremin and piano.

[Please note: The featured audio is a transfer from a cassette tape. Quality varies throughout the recording]

Dr. Robert 'Bob' Arthur Moog (May 23, 1934 – August 21, 2005) may be best known as the inventor of the Moog Synthesizer, one of the most widely used and popular instruments of its kind. In this episode of This is My Music, Moog discusses the origins of his musical education, his inventions, and the recordings he enjoys most, which include the following:

Sinfonia, from Cantata No. 29, by Johann Sebastian Bach
Excerpt from Violin Concerto No. 2, by Henryk Wieniawski (adapted for the theremin), performed by Clara Rockmore with Nadia Reisenberg on piano
Excerpt from Requiem, by Gabriel Fauré, performed by Lucia Popp and Simon Estes
Fantasie Impromptu, by Fréderic Chopin, performed by Murray Perahia
'Incantation,' from Beauty in the Beast, by Wendy Carlos performed by Wendy Carlos"

Rare Crumar Brassman

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

via this auction

Incredibly rare 1970's analogue synthesizer - the Crumar Brassman as used on legendary synth album 'Time Wind" by KLAUS SCHULZE.
klaus mentions some of his equipment in this interview.
http://www.klaus-schulze.com/interv/in7606.htm

It has a very spooky/strange sound - very old and mellotron like and also strangely medieval - really recalls sounds on Walter/Wendy Carlos 'switched on Bach' albums. It also reminds me a lot when you play long chords of the synths on Eno's album 'Before and After Science'".

CRUMAR BRASSMAN ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER no fx.m4v


CRUMAR BRASSMAN ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER with fx.m4v

Published on Nov 4, 2012 by orangecoals
Rare Vintage analogue synthesizer Crumar Brassman KLAUS SCHULZE

"Incredibly rare 1970's analogue synthesizer - the Crumar Brassman as used on legendary synth album 'Time Wind" by KLAUS SCHULZE.

First of two ebay demonstrations for the sale of this synth.

This is an incredibly fat sounding synthesizer ---with an enormous bottom end. Reminds me a lot of the Moog opus --- but just bigger!

It has a very spooky/strange sound - very old and mellotron like and also strangely medieval - really recalls sounds on Walter/Wendy Carlos 'switched on Bach' albums.

First demo I have plated into logic and added a little onboard phaser and delay.

Second demo - straight into logic with no fx.

Put this through a SmallStone Electro Harmnix phaser and you have all the classic solina/logan string synth type sounds ---but you also have that crazy huge bottom end - maybe because the designers have tuned it to create those brass like bass sounds .

Unusually for string synthesizer type keyboards this has a VCF votage controlled filter - with control of low pass filter and high pass filter and envelope of that filter. Labelled as ....attack/decay/emphasis/contour ... you can go very fat or very squelchy.

2 oscillators - labelled 16' and 8' ---which you can mix to differnet levels - or use seperately.

Has a very nice vibrato also with delay.

There are also quite a few other butons labelled
sax
glide
rag
delay attack
trombone muted 1 & 2
trumpet muted 1 & 2
horn muted 1 & 2

---these activate different elements of the filter and envelope.

klaus mentions some of his equipment in this interview.
http://www.klaus-schulze.com/interv/in7606.htm"

Tribute to Robert Moog and Wendy Carlos on Composers Datebook 3rd May 2009

YouTube via iloveanalogue
"This is a musical tribute with commentary by John Zeck about Robert Moog and his invention of the modern synthesizer, as well as one of the synthesizer's first major recordings, Switched on Bach by Wendy Carlos. There is also information about Don Voegli's theme for the NPR show "All Things Considered." More information is available at http://composersdatebook.org, http://moogfoundation.org, http://npr.org This video
was prepared by Robbie Ryan from http://iloveanalogue.blogspot.com"

The Shining and Wendy Carlos Commentary

via John, via The Digital Bits

Included in the disc:

"a set of documentaries and featurettes: View from the Overlook: Crafting The Shining, The Visions of Stanley Kubrick, The Making of The Shining (with an optional commentary by Stanley's daughter, Vivian, who directed the piece) and Wendy Carlos, Composer. They are all incredibly insightful and interesting,.."

Anyone know what synths she used for the soundtrack?

On Amazon

Rare Mulogix Slave 32 - Wendy Carlos DK Synergy Rack Synth SN WC002 ?

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

via this auction, also on Reverb

Update: you can find a link to the schematics and user manual further below.

Only one was previously featured back in 2011 for a MOTM sale posted here. According to the seller: "Supposedly the WC stands for Wendy Carlos but I have never been able to verify it. i even contacted Stoney the creator of the Slave and he thinks I am correct BUT he can not find the records in his attic."

Auction description: "I purchased this Slave in 1998. I was not even aware they existed until reading Mark Vail's book 'Vintage Synthesizers'. I am sure that book is what infected a lot of us with the vintage synth BUG.

This is like a rack mount Synergy with more features. You can control the velocity, pitch, and modulation from any vintage or modern midi controller.

The internal board is marked 002 and the hand written serial number has faded or been accidentally wiped off with a misguided spritz of contact cleaner but it also reads 002. The synth is in overall good, un-abused shape with no bent rack ears etc. It does have some very mild rack rash here and there in the typical places but overall it is very clean.

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Wendy Carlos Vintage 80s DK Synergy Synth Cartridge

Two more via this auction and this auction
Follow-up to this post.

"Wendy Carlos Voice cartridge 2:
BALDB STEINY RIKTIK ELPIAN CALIO WRLTZ BGIT GIT1 BJO KOT EGIT2 EGIT3
ZAPA ZAPC H2OBEL GLSBEL REIT1 REIT2 SAXY BRAZA CSEL2 HMNCA TINA CLIK"

Vcart3 cartridge
THUNDER WATER BIRDS3 USEPONE TYPE STUNGUN3 SYNDRUM1 ARPEGI2A ARMGEDN9 DROP3 SSHHUP XXXXS
SURFWIND BUBBLES2 WINDCHIM MABELL MUKE2 STUNGUN4 PITCHRO7 DELAY14 SIREN DISTORT TZAP XXXXT

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1969 short Moog Synthesizer demonstration by Wendy Carlos

video by soup

"Filmed by a French crew."

Super short clip of Wendy Carlos with Moog Modular system back in the day.

When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music Event at Cornell

via @Cornell_Library

"Mar 5-7, the hills of Ithaca, NY, will come alive with the sound of #Moog music. Guests at @Cornell include Gary Numan, Suzanne Ciani, ADULT, and Suzi Analogue. Learn more: rmc.library.cornell.edu/moog/ @numanofficial @sevwave @suziAnalog @MoogFoundation @moogmusicinc"

Additional details:

"Electrifying Music: The Life and Legacy of Robert Moog

March 6 to October 16, 2020

Hirshland Exhibition Gallery, Level 2B, Carl A. Kroch Library

Drawing from Cornell’s rich archive of materials that traces Moog’s lifelong fascination with electricity and its musical possibilities, this exhibition features instrument prototypes, design schematics, photographs, correspondence, and audio recordings. It also provides viewers with an opportunity to play a theremin and Minimoog supplied by Moog Music Inc.

[left: Wendy Carlos's studio, ca. 1968.]

Highlights include documents from Moog’s years studying at Cornell University, running his first synthesizer factory in Trumansburg, New York, and collaborating with composers and recording artists for whom he created personalized systems, including Wendy Carlos, who popularized the Moog synthesizer with the album Switched-On Bach; Keith Emerson of the progressive rock band Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; and jazz musician Eddie Harris.

Electrifying Music is a collaboration among Cornell University’s Department of Music, Department of Science and Technology Studies, and Cornell University Library’s Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections.

Exhibition curators: Judith Peraino (Music), Trevor Pinch (Science and Technology Studies), Roger Moseley (Music).

This exhibition is funded through the generous support of the Stephen E. ’58, MBA ’59 and Evalyn Edwards ’60 Milman Exhibition Fund, with additional contributions from Moog Music Inc.

Online exhibition coming in March.

PERFORMANCES AND TALKS
When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music
March 5 to 7, 2020
Various locations on and off campus
Join us for a three-day celebration of Robert Moog PhD ’65 and his pioneering invention of the Moog synthesizer, which electrified music and sparked a revolution in sound. When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music features panels and performances by a wide array of electronic music artists, including renowned synthpop and electro-industrial artist Gary Numan; singer-songwriter, beat-maker, and producer Suzi Analogue; and electronic music composers David Borden, Herb Deutsch, and Suzanne Ciani.

Other events include an opening reception for the Cornell University Library exhibition Electrifying Music: The Life and Legacy of Robert Moog, a DIY synth-building workshop, a concert by Cornell’s Electroacoustic Music Center, and shows at the Haunt by the punk-inspired electronic group ADULT and Suzi Analogue."

1967 Moog 900 Series Demo Record featuring Wendy Carlos

YouTube via jafafah0ts. flexi disc
Re-Uploaded on Jan 3, 2011 oboeman123

"A rare vintage demo record for the Moog 900 series synths, released by Moog when they were in Trumansburg, NY. Music by Wendy Carlos of Switched On Bach fame, narration by Ed Stokes.

There are apparently two versions of this demo record in existence. This one, presumably the first version, with duplicate content on both sides, and a second with excerpts from Switched on Bach on the reverse,"

Update:

Re-Upload video description:

"This is a very cool find. This is a copy of the 1967 Moog 900 Series modular synthesizer demo record. This was given to people interested in the new Moog synthesizer. This is uploaded for educational purposes only, and also to show the historical significance of early electronic music. Hope you enjoy."

Bach Well Tempered Clavier book 1 - Prelude and Fugue in C Minor - Synth

video upload by Dor Heled

"A 'switched on' version of Bach's The Well Tempered Clavier book 1 - Prelude and Fugue in C minor, inspired by Wendy Carlos
Played on Dave Smith Prophet Rev2

Read the full blog post about Wendy Carlos - Switched On Bach : http://www.dorheled.com/ablog"

Digital Keyboards "DK" Synergy Polyphonic Synthesizer with Wendy Carlos 'Missing Link' Program Cartridge

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

via this auction

"DK Synergy. Vintage synthesizer. Includes Wendy Carlos 'Missing Link' program cartridge. Has some cosmetic wear and the "9" button doesn't work. Everything else appears to function but could use a tune up overall for best performance."

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