You might recall the EMS Synthi HiFli Clone from Digitana Electronics back in 2010. Since then, they have made a number of EMS modules and accessories. To the left is the KS Expander, below is their SYNTHI Control Console followed by the Dual VCS3 - DK2 CV Interface, VCS3 mk2 External CV and Gate Interface, Synthi VCS3 Poly Midi-CV Interface, and the Synthi VCS3 Quad Midi-CV Interface. You'll find more on their site.
"A picture of the new Microstep 8 step analog sequencer has been added to the gallery - The design has changed a bit from the prototype shown last time, aside from a few cosmetic changes it also now has a much nicer case in heavy duty aluminium. It is a simple analog sequencer very similar to early modular sequencers, designed for modular and CV gate equipment only (No Midi) Here is the spec:
8 Steps (foreward only) each with LED indicator and CV amount 8 Pulse outputs for triggering envelopes etc or setting sequence length when fed to reset input CV output CV width control (controls range of CV output) Trigger output Clock input (no internal clock) Reset input
Priced at £147GBP plus shipping, we think this represents great value and is possibly the most affordable ready built analog sequencer available anywhere, it is a very flexible and very fun device. A video demo will follow at some point this week outlining some examples of its use. These will be prepaid built to order only initially, due to time constraints, expected to start late October, further details to follow later this week.
The Micro Punk Robot stock is running out, I have shipped almost all of the second batch now to happy users all over the world, I have yet to hear back from a few people who pre-ordered so if you have changed your mind please let me know as there is now a waiting list for batch 3 (probably to be available early 2010)
In the meantime check out these great user demos-
Ari from Helsinki did this brilliant performance
Säätö 001 ( Minimal CV Jam )
[YouTube via taskent99 "Old and new stuff: ARP Sequencer`s control voltages into the Micro Punk Robot and MXR Pitch Transposer.AdrenaLinn`s drums processed by the MPR.( gate&audio from the AdrenaLinn ). The AdrenaLinn and MXR effects used for the Board Weevil."]
Dylan from Australia did this great acid jam- [link]
We always love to hear Digitana products being put through their paces by our customers so if you'd like us to hear your music let us know and we will post it on the mailing list for others to check out too :)"
YouTube via DigitanaUK "The Micro Acid Drone is a small handheld synth played with a footswitch, here is a demo of it with a drum machine and some delay and in 1 part of the clip over a 303 loop.
These are handmade in small quantities and are available to buy for £65GBP. For more info or to buy visit the Digitana website. Lots more new products coming in 2009, check out my other videos for some more demos. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy! Zoe"
"EMS Synthi A --- In excellent condition!! Fully working and looks fantastic! Comes with full helping of patch pins, the Digitana Electronics Synthi Matrix Interface, 2 pin to mod jack cables and the power cable.
The 3 mods done(one on each oscillator) are factory mods and allow the user to modulate the "shape" of each oscillator. A tech who specializes in Synthis told me that this Synthi is a "MKIII" and that it has a reverb driver based on 741 + germanium transistors(great sounding), a 5-pole filter and a MC1496 ringmod."
Digitana Micro Acid Drone in Yellow "Just a quick message to notify you that I have decided to offer the Micro Acid Drone in yellow as well as the silver, I am currently trialling a different material for the panels, and I made one up today and it looks really nice, the faceplate is still aluminium but has a yellow polymer overlay, also the knobs are yellow and a different type, everything else remains the same." http://www.digitana.co.uk/
via Digitana "Sneak peak of our first new product - An update on a classic, the Micro Punk Robot is a CV controlled stepped tone generator with a few twists, first up there are 2 range switches to expand on the pallette of this already versatile little monster, then we added CV inputs for integration with modular and CV equipment, the audio output also can be used as a CV out, the reset input can function as a kind of gate or even a rudimentary audio input, finally the power input can also offer some interesting options such as power starve and control from a gate/CV signal, because of all the extra stuff crammed in, the battery no longer fits inside the case so a pp3 lead is supplied. More details and audio clips will follow soon.
The price will be £65GBP plus shipping, so if you are interested act quickly, as usual there will only be limited quantities of these available at any time as they are hand made."
"via Digitana where you'll find additional details.
'I have completed the prototype of a new module project I have been developing for a while, namely an 'Expansion' unit for the Synthi AKS Keyboard Sequencer (KS). It could work equally with an EMS TKS (the version of the KS EMS made as a standalone unit to be used with a VCS3 mk2). Infact the prototype was tested using a KS connected to my VCS3(mk2). The KS is a great feature of the Synthi AKS and while its no shakes compared to modern hardware sequencers its what makes the Synthi AKS arguably the most desirable of all the portable Synthi's. What the KS offers is 3 channels of CV into the Synthi Matrix: two pitch CV channels via Input Ch1 and the Seq Input (the latter recordable via the sequencer the former real time via the touch sensitive keyboard) in addition to a dynamic envelope CV via Input Ch2 whose amplitude varies with how hard the touch keys are played.'"
via Digitana "The user guide for the Micro Punk Robot is now available for download here- micropunkrobot.pdf
A new run of Micro Punk Robots has begun, see the homepage if you missed these last time, the first run sold out in 24hrs, they make a great addition to modular and CV equipment and are still suprising us with their versatility, to pre order email with the subject "MPR reserve" to this email address. Keep an eye on the youtube channel (DigitanaUK) for some more demos of various uses in the next few days.
Some new products added to the shop- Multiples - Same form factor as Micro series, simple multiples currently in two flavours, 3 rows of 4x 3.5mm or 2 rows of 1 6.35mm to 2x 3.5mm, other types such as banana may be made if there is any interest. Priced at £20 plus shipping we think these are very keenly priced. Modular versions may come later.
Premium quality patch leads - A very nice set of 10x 50cm colour coded patch leads, 3.5mm Neutrik plugs, very nice quality Van Damme cable, colour coded strain relief for easy identification (10 colours) Apart from the high quality of these leads, they look very nice and perform flawlessly in all of the 3.5mm sockets we tested. Priced at £35 plus shipping for a set of 10. We chose 50cm as that seems to be the most handy size, but other sizes will follow if these prove popular.
Din Sync leads - Available in 1.5m or 5m lengths, compatible with the Roland Sync24 protocol
"Rare EMS Synthi AKS: A Unique Piece of Synth History
These synths are almost impossible to come by and hold a significant piece of electronic music history within their quirky exterior.
This one's been taken care of, and despite a small crack on the shell (which you can check out in the photos), it's seriously in fine fettle - always ready to add that certain something to your music that only a Synthi can.
And it's not just the Synthi itself - this rarity also comes with a Digitana Synthi Matrix Interface. An impressive device that cranks up the gear's flexibility, letting you delve further into soundscapes unique to the Synthi universe.
Forget mass-produced, vanilla synths. The EMS Synthi AKS is anything but ordinary. So, if you're in the market for a unique, hard-to-come-by piece of synth history, then this could be the one for you. Drop a line if you're interested - I'm sure this won't hang about for long!"
"Includes very rare Synthi Matrix Interface by Digitana Electronics which connects to the Synthi via the Presto Patch connection.
Includes power cable, all patch pins plus a couple extra cables for modulation.
There were 3 mods done (one on each oscillator) which are factory mods and allow the user to modulate the "shape" of each oscillator. Apparently a tech who specializes in Synthis mentioned this Synthi is a "MKIII" with a reverb driver based on 741 + germanium transistors (great sounding), a 5-pole filter and a MC1496 ringmod.
The EMS Synthi A is one of the most classic legendary mono synths, and it really is worth every penny, it has such unique huge analog sound and can get a range of tones like no other synth. A must have for any serious collector or musician's studio. If you have been waiting for just the right Synthi, this is the one! Don't pass this legendary synth up!"
"EMS vcs 3 it comes with lots of mods done professionally at the factory in Cornwall,It is in mint condition and comes with all the associated leads for the mods Fully working in every way it’s like new,Also comes with 18 white pins ,8 Grey pins,4 red pins 30 in all Extra,Plus you get Digitana matrix interface,and Digitana Quad midi-cv, these two pieces add loads more options,The keyboard that goes with this Vcs3 Is on order been three years now Don’t know when it will come whoever buys this as the option of getting the keyboard , I also had a case made specially for it when I shipped it from UK to Malta. Better safe than sorry I will ship in case obviously adds to the Cost to shipping,"
This one in via readers Ross & Luke. An EMS Synthi 100 is being restored at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music by Mr. Leslie Craythorn. According the article on ABC News Australia:
"My count is we're down to maybe three Synthi 100s which are actually working and in original condition, of which this is one"
I'm curious how close that count is. I took a quick look in the archives and there was one in Kohn. The Digitana was featured here (according to the video only about 30 total Synthi 100s were made). There was one fully functional for sale in 2009 and 2006 (the same one?). One was spotted in this Aphex Twin post. Meat Beat Manifest had one featured here. Note the one in the background of this post, and of course the one being lifted by a crane in this post. Click here for all posts featuring the EMS Synthi 100.
"On request of the university, Mr Craythorn has spent some of his last months on the job meticulously restoring a rare Electronic Music Studios (EMS) Synthi 100 modular synthesiser.
With its rows of coloured knobs and primitive displays the large grey cabinet looks like something from an old science fiction TV show and, in a way, it is.
Mr Craythorn said the instrument is identical to the one used by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in the 1970s to create sound effects and incidental music for Doctor Who.
He first encountered the Synthi in 1975 when he was employed as a technician in the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music's electronic music laboratory.
'When I walked in and saw the size and the immensity of the machine... it's overwhelming,' he said."
"A picture of the new Microstep 8 step analog sequencer has been added to the gallery - The design has changed a bit from the prototype shown last time, aside from a few cosmetic changes it also now has a much nicer case in heavy duty aluminium. It is a simple analog sequencer very similar to early modular sequencers, designed for modular and CV gate equipment only (No Midi) Here is the spec:
Digitana Micro Acid Drone in Yellow
via Digitana
via Digitana
There were 3 mods done (one on each oscillator) which are factory mods and allow the user to modulate the "shape" of each oscillator. Apparently a tech who specializes in Synthis mentioned this Synthi is a "MKIII" with a reverb driver based on 741 + germanium transistors (great sounding), a 5-pole filter and a MC1496 ringmod.
With its rows of coloured knobs and primitive displays the large grey cabinet looks like something from an old science fiction TV show and, in a way, it is.
