Hohner String Performer

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"The Hohner String Performer was one of the very last effort to release a string synth, in the early 80s I think. This was the only one genuinely manufactured by Hohner. The early ones like the String Melody, StringVox or String Orchestra were italian rebadged ones.
The Performer features 3 strings presets, 1 piano, 1 harpsichord, 1 bass (only on the left part of the keyboard) and a monophonic 'solo' section on the right part of the keyboard only. Just like other 'orchestral' synths like the Crumar Orchestrator/Multiman or the Elka Rhapsody 610 you have individual volume faders for each sound on each side as well as a mute switch per section.
The 'bass' preset overides everything on the left part of the keyboard when selected.
Overall this is one of the most refined string sound you can get, very polished, maybe too polished for some. I like it a lot, I find it very cinematographic.
The solo section is not very interesting in its own but when layered with the strings it adds a very nice lead touch.
The instrument features 3x seperate outputs in top of the general output, and jack input for piano/harpsichord sustain pedal and a volume pedal.
There were 2 revisions made to this instrument, and the only difference is the power supply. The most common you will find is this one and it uses an external power supply (18v DC but you can use anything between 15 and 24 since this supply gets regulated inside the synth). The second one has a built in 230v power supply and you can easily recognized it because it has a red translucent on/off switch.
The builtin power supply probably lowers the tendency to hum and magnetic interference you get with the first one, which can be quite picky on the power adapter you use. But I never had a second version at hand to compare to the first one so i can't be sure.

TECH TIPS:
This is the 5th String Performer I serviced and though they had all different issues one common issue it that they ALL had cracks on one or more PCB, leadind in cut traces.
The design of the instrument is clever but not sturdy enough. The case is very well built and solid and it's very hard to seriously damage it.
But all the 12 oscillators and filter PCBs are socketed to the motherboard which is underneath the keys, and are screwed to a hinge that tends to get bent when the instrument is subject to violent transport, so the pcbs bend too and crack.
This result usually in some mute notes on all poly section (just like if a divider has died) or on some section only, and very often the solo is also dead because of a cracked pcb.
This is one of the synth I would advice not to have shipped, the chances to receive a 100% working instrument is closed to null."

Oberheim OB-8 61-Key 8-Voice Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Borish Electronics

via this auction

"Everything has been looked over on this synth and there are no issues with it at all. The ribbon cable connecting the voice boards to the motherboard has been replaced. The potentiometers have been lubricated, a substantial amount of ICs have been replaced to prevent failures in the future, the power supply has been upgraded, and a few CEM ICs have been replaced that were somewhat problematic. The synth passes auto tune and has been fully calibrated. All features are demonstrated in the video I uploaded to YouTube."

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Ghost in Translation 16 Inputs 16 Ouputs Teensy Eurorack

video upload by Ghost In Translation

"Using multiplexers for the inputs, the 2 ADCs of Teensy 4.0, shift registers for the outputs, I am able to sample 16 analog inputs at 44.1kHz each, and output 16 sigma-delta digital signals that can be filtered to produce analog signals up to 50Hz.

I am confident I can improve frequency and resolution of the outputs just with software, and will work on that later. For now this is enough for gates, triggers, CVs and LEDs.

This board is my platform for Eurorack modules, Motherboard 2. Everything will be available and documented on GitHub when I finalize a few more things.

Follow my work: https://www.instagram.com/ghostintran...
https://www.patreon.com/ghostintransl...
https://github.com/ghostintranslation
https://ghostintranslation.bandcamp.com"

Abstrakt Instruments VS-1 Parts Kit - Detailed Contents & Build Videos

video uploads by Abstrakt Instruments

The playlist above features videos covering the detailed contents of the Full Parts Kit, the Basic Kit, and build videos for Abstrak Instruments VS-1, rackmount OB-X. These were made for those that purchased kits, but I thought they might be of interest to others as well. You can find full details on the VS-1 on Abstrakt Instruments' website: https://abstraktinstruments.com.

Playlist:
VS-1 w/ Full Parts Kit - Detailed Contents
VS-1 Basic Kit - Detailed Contents

There are two minor omissions in the video...
1) The mainboard includes the MCU Module pre-installed. It is not installed in the video.
2) The kit also contains two 3M GPT-020F double-sided tape strips for OLED screen mounting.

VS-1 Final Assembly - Step 2: - Voice Motherboard Installation
VS-1 Week 178 Update #2
VS-1 PSU Modification
VS-1 Final Assembly - Step 3: Install Fan & Power Entry Module to Rear Panel
VS-1 Final Assembly - Step 4: Attach Bottom, Rear & Right Side Panel & Install Chassis Ground Wire
VS-1 Final Assembly - Step 5: Assemble Power Switch Cable
VS-1 Final Assembly - Step 6: PSU Installation
VS-1 DIY Voice Card Modification
VS-1 Final Assembly - Step 11: Front Panel Fit & PCB Stack
VS-1 Final Assembly - Step 12: Front Panel & OLED Bezel Install

Circuit Bent Videonics MX- Pro Video Mixer by LoFi Future

video upload by LoFiFuture

"Available to order here: https://lofifuturestore.square.site/p...

This Videonics MX-PRO has been modified and circuit bent turning it into a powerful glitch tool kit with rock solid Time Base Correction that can be used anywhere in the world [PAL & NTSC]

PAL/NTSC MOD
One of the most functional modifications is the addition of a PAL/NTSC switch located on the back. See when Videonics produced these for different domestic markets they would use the same motherboard and chipset for all international units. They would simply include or omit one jumper on the motherboard that tells the MX-PRO what mode to boot into. I have wired this jumper up to a toggle switch on the rear of the console so you can select weather you boot into PAL or NTSC mode when you switch the unit on.

Analog Colorizer
I have integrated a 3 knob LoFi colorizer circuit that is hardwired to composite input one. It features a true bypass switch so the effect can be quickly enabled or disabled.

Arcade Buttons
There are six arcade buttons fitted to the palm rest of the unit for momentarily triggering effects. 3 control glitches for bus A and 3 control glitches for bus B. They are tied into the framebuffer RAM and the video decoders for each bus.

Toggle Switches for Bus A/B
In addition to the arcade buttons there are 4 toggle switches for each bus. These switches are all connected to a common buss allowing you to mix unsynchronised data between bus A and B resulting in scrolling artefacts.

Toggle switches for shape and edge corruption
There are 5 toggle switches located near the T-bar, these corrupt the shape and edge style transitions resulting in interesting patterns and variations of shapes.

The unit comes included with the original switching power supply (can be used anywhere in the world) and the original printed manual."

Rare birds: Elka Wilgamat 1 / analog drum machine and accompaniment unit

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"Here is another "one man band" from the 70s I just serviced. Many dead CMOS chipsets, lots of bad connections on the motherboard daughterboards sockets (broken pins, bad solder joint) and a dying voltage regulator, among other things. Custom built keyboard to trigger the accompaniment unit, with jack socket input for pedal that introduce drum breaks. A different flavor than the Welson Ritmo I recently demoed but definitely in the same mood.
Recorded through a Teisco 120 to add some reverb."

This appears to be the first post to feature the Elka Wilgamat 1. Note the "1" on the right. The Elka Wilgamat minus the "1" has been featured on the site before in previous posts here. Which came first? :) You can find additional Elka Wilgamat models here.

Update: according to Ohm Studio: "Electronics are exactly the same. I think this one is later and was an add for some Elka organ, maybe Concorde or something. The black color is I think factory since it’s all over the case even inside. It’s clearly the same fake wood as the original but painted black, probably to better match the organ aesthetics. I definitely remember seeing auctions with Elka organ and this wilgamat unit bundle. Also the complete wilgamat electronics and controls are fitted in some Elka organ, spinet and combo. Don’t remember which model but I did scavenged à spinet one to retrieve all the pcbs."

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Roland Juno-106 61-Key Programmable Polyphonic Synthesizer SN 406619

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

via this auction

Pics of the inside below.

"Due for original voice chip cleaning or replacement which is normal for these classics and also reflected in the price and condition of “fair.” Two of its voices are out: VCAs 2 and 4. Meaning the synth works in all ways but skips those voices when playing in poly mode. Unison mode sounds great, of course. But anyway you probably know the drill with these 106 voice chips. You can give the chips a bath in acetone and hope for the best or replace at ~$50 each. Replacement of all the chips at once seems to be the more convenient option, you usually get a discount for buying all six, and it is a permanent solution. I like doubleheart audio because they'll do the work for you and calibrate as well when you send them the motherboard. Estimated cost of chip replacement is $250 DIY to 300+ for full service."

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Superbooth 2023: Sucofunk Beatmaker Sketchbook

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Marc Berendes from Sucofunk about the Beatmaker Sketchbook. This device is a sampler, sequencer, and groovebox that is completely portable and is available in two different versions. The Beatmaker Sketchbook is 100 % open source and can be found on GitHub.

It has a workflow of sample, sketch, arrange, and play, which means users can sample, arrange parts of the sequence, and perform live. The sampler has 24 keys and three banks, which means 72 buttons and keys in total, and each key can be assigned to a sample.

The device can record something or sample from the internal microphone and the line-in connector, or resample something like sequences played back. Sucofunk offers workshops for the device, which takes two days to build and offers pre-order for the devices.

More info: https://sucofunk.com/"

Beatmaker’s sketchbook houses a microphone, a fader, four rotary encoders, 24 keys for two octaves, 12 functional buttons, a display and a via USB rechargeable battery. It can sample through a line-in or the built in microphone, playback via headphones or the line-out connector and communicates with external devices via MIDI.

Beatmaker’s sketchbook comes in different flavors:

Beatmaker’s sketchbook mini
Beatmaker’s sketchbook custom and unique handmade devices
PCB “mainboard” to use it as the base for your own project

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family meeting: Roland MRS-2 Promars and Roland Jupiter 4

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"Since I just serviced a Promars for a friend of mine I decided to compare it to my JP4.
Both units are fully working, recapped and calibrated. And both are from latter revision with IR3109 filters. Basically they have same motherboard, module board and module control board.

First a quick impro taking advantages of what makes them different: Promars has a second VCO with 2 tuning settings so it can sounds thicker than the JP4, whereas the latter is of course polyphonic and has a builtin arpeggiator and stereo chorus effect.
They share the same CPU and 'compuphonic' technology and have (almost) the same presets.
You can hear when I compare both synths that the presets don't sound exactly the same but this is more a question of calibration and preset values then synth character.
Calibration method are different for the 2 synths and there are slight different adjutements, especially on the filter frequency, width, resonance and hi pass filter setting.
Also i'm quite sure the presets value are a bit different in the JP4 and Promars. Most obvious is the "voice" preset with is one octave higher on the JP4 ! And listening to other presets some a bit brighter on the Promars while other are brighter on the JP4.
But you can observe when I edit the JP4 presets that it's very easy to get the same sound from both unit.

They do get along quite well and their respective particular features make owning the two of them even more desirable."

And some pics via ohm_studi_ohm:

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Waldorf Microwave XT - Revision 3 SN 010727958

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

via this auction

Interesting note on silicon oil based shampoo for dealing with the Nextel coating.

"Latest Firmware.

Revision 3 motherboard - compatible with 30 voice expansion board.

---

EPROM's (direct from Waldorf) have just been replaced - XT's are known to develop issues as the EPROM chips begin to fail, often leaving users with a bricked unit - This is good to run for another 30 years. Happy to supply the old EPROM's to buyer if they want them.

---

The dreaded crumbling/degrading original knobs have been replaced with a new full set, again direct from Waldorf. Surviving original knobs (in blue box in the pictures) will be sent with the unit.

---

Degrading Nextel coating on the front panel has been dealt with, using Waldorfs recommended method. A silicon oil based shampoo was used to remove the degrading coating without damaging graphics - I have before, during and after photo's for any buyers interested. The results were far better than anticipated!

---

Marking on the front panel evident from different users over the years - I've kept this one racked with washers but all markings are clearly shown in photos - Very happy to take more photos for interested parties, please just reach out."

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ELKA SYNTHEX MK I w/ Extras

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Fever X Synth ®

via this auction

Pics of the inside below.

"Info for collectors: this is the first version of the synth. meaning there's NO LEGS and NO MIDI. Even internally differs because the motherboard circuits has a total of 4 EPROM instead of 3 that you will find in the next generations.

If you are looking for the best way to enter the analog world and you want a collector's item (prices go up faster than a Jupiter 8...) the ELKA SYNTHEX must be yours.

PHYSICAL CONDITION: VERY GOOD ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 4/5

This keyboard is in very good condition, with some expected signs of ageing, including some scratches and nicks. There is no rust on the chassis. The main panel is almost scratchless except for a scratch visibile in the upper center of the synth well shown in the pictures n. 21 attached to this listing. The letter "H" of SYNTHEX on the back has a little scratch (picture n.5). The ELKA plate on the right is slightly scratched (picture n. 19). The wood side panel on the right has some scuffs (photo n. 21 + 7). The wood side panel on the left has some nicks on the upper back and in the middle (photo n. 20 + 6). Few scratches/nicks on the bottom of both wood side panels. The wood bottom of the synth presents various scratched (pictures from 14 to 18). Keys are brilliant white (no yellowing on them), none are loose or wobbly. The "tuning" (picture n. 25) and sequencer "frequency" (picture 22) pot caps are slightly scratched. The first numbers in the master volume pot area are fading away due to a discoloration (picture 23). No battery leakage damage. Always stored in its flight case in a temperature controlled room.

WORKING CONDITION: EXCELLENT ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 5/5

This unit has been thoroughly tested. It is 100% fully functional. All faders do their job without noise, and all LEDs work perfectly. All keys play accurately. All voices, buttons, keys, sliders, switches, inputs and outputs work 100%. The original factory presets are still there. The original sustain pedal work as it should. Please see the demo-video attached to this listing to check everything in the description.

SERVICED: NO

ACCESSORIES INCLUDED:

Original Bundle Sustain Pedal
Original Bundle Paper "User Manual"
2 x Service invoice dated 1992 coming from the official ELKA Service (Generalmusic)
Flight Case"

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CIRCUIT BENT PS2 - LSD: Dream Emulator / B.L.U.E. / GTA VC - Soft Modded, Internal SSD (FMCB)

video upload by LoFiFuture

"Taking on a limited number of these circuit bent PS2s for 2022! https://www.lofifuture.com/storefac96...

And for all the DIYers out there, I'm currently editing the tutorial one how to circuit bend your own PlayStation 2!

This modification starts with a full disassembly and deep clean of the PS2, the optical drive is removed in favour of an internal HDD and a memory card running Free McBoot. (Free McBoot is a custom firmware that runs on a memory card that resides in memory card slot two of the console. It introduces various features to the PS2, the main one being the ability to run game backup ISOs from an internal HDD, via ethernet or from a USB pen drive)

Once the optical drive is removed 23 toggle switches are mounted on the top of the console to control the circuit bends a long with a RCA video out and 3.5mm stereo audio out omitting the need for the original Sony AV cable. 14 of the toggle switches are wired into the traces between the Emotion Engine (EE) and Graphics Synthesizer (GS) chips on the PlayStation motherboard. These corrupt the 3D data running into the GS before they are sent to the video output encoder.

9 of the toggle switches are wired into the Sound Processing Unit (SPU) RAM for some circuit bent audio effects. all 23 of these switches are wired to the same "bend bus" meaning that when two or more switches are in the "on" position they are connected together. Connecting the audio data bends to video data bends results in chaotic and mesmerising cross modulation.

Every game is effected differently by the toggle switches. Some are easy to crash with certain switches. Some games will take everything you throw at it and then some! It all depends on how the game you are trying to glitch out was programmed and how it utilises the hardware we are mercilessly forcing into a corrupted state. It helps to make a "switch map" for any game that like to crash when things get to glitchy, this was you can easily rule out what does and does not work for a particular game.

For example, running the PS1 copy of LSD: Dream Emulator produces some incredible effects but likes to crash when I flick one particular section of switches into action. On the other hand, GTA: Vice city will run with every single toggle switch on and revert back to completely normal visuals.

Includes:

-Circuit Bent PS2 Console (PAL or NTSC, select from the dropdown)

- Aftermarket PS2 controller

-Internal 120GB HDD + Network/HDD card"

Darkenings | DSI Prophet 12 ambient improvisation

video upload by MIDERA

"Hardly have time to do anything these days.My PC ended up messed up for weeks - some DRAM_LED lit up, couldn’t get into BIOS. Thought it was bad RAM. But then eventually concluded my motherboard was the problem. About to spend $2000 on rebuilding my PC with the best stuff out there. Turns out, some USB device was the problem. Unplugged it and everything was smooth.That’s good, cuz my car is in the shop and I just learned it’ll cost $2000 to fix it. Isn’t there a song by Live, about an old mother dying and a woman gives birth? I feel like that’s a bit like what happened here. Ok, maybe not.Anyway, I also decided to get “nice” cinematic shots of my P12. That was fun.Used Eventide Blackhole VST"

MOTHERBOARD v2 rev7

video upload by Ghost In Translation

"This is revision 7 of Motherboard v2. I added an op amp in buffer mode in this one to solve an issue I found in previous prototype, a resistor divider ratio was being altered in some situations... The op amp is the tiny SMD chip at the beginning.

Follow me
https://www.instagram.com/ghostintran...
https://ghostintranslation.bandcamp.com"

KEYS prototype

video upload by Ghost In Translation

"This is the very first time I create a working prototype using multiple of my tactile keys.

Those who follow me on Instagram know by now that I've been working on making an entire tactile keyboard for quite some time. I tested many different designs for the keys, had a few failures, and recently it finally started to work.

The keys feature:
- very discreet
- 1 wire only per key
- pressure sensitive

The circuit to which the keys are connected is my current prototype of the MOTHERBOARD v2.0. It is based on Teensy 4.0.

My goal is to create a 32 keys keyboard...

All my code is open-source:
https://github.com/ghostintranslation

Follow me
https://www.instagram.com/ghostintran...
https://ghostintranslation.bandcamp.com"

Ghost In Translation SYNTH x FX PEDALS

video upload by Ghost In Translation

"How does SYNTH sound like through a distortion and an echo-delay guitar pedals...

Code on https://github.com/ghostintranslation...
PCB and panel on https://ghostintranslation.bandcamp.c...

--

SYNTH is a modular FM polyphonic synthesizer, based on Eurorack physical format it has however no patch cables in the front but has rather MIDI and audio jacks in the back.

It is based on my homemade platform Motherboard, everything is open-source.

--

Follow me
https://www.instagram.com/ghostintran...
https://ghostintranslation.bandcamp.com"

via Ghost In Translation

"SYNTH is a modular FM synthesizer, based on eurorack physical format it has however no patch cables on the front but has rather midi and audio jacks in the back.

This product includes 1 front panel and the 2 necessary back pcb.

Colour option:
You have the choice of simple black (1 side) or bicolour (2 sides, just flip it) black/white or black/aluminum.

Note that the white is done with the silkscreen layer and the 'aluminum' is done with the copper layer so it is not perfectly flat as shown on pictures compare to the black that is the base board colour.

I took the photos on an angle on purpose to increase the imperfections, however they are not as strong when looking the panel straight."

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AMBIKA analog / hybrid synthesizer 6x SVF

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

via this auction

Overiew videos in the listing previously posted here.

"Ambika is a monster hybrid polysynth. Its design consists of a motherboard and 6 voicecards, each of them carrying a turbocharged version of the Shruthi hybrid synthesizer (digital waveform synthesis through analog VCF/VCAs). Whether you want to use this as six monosynths, a six-voice polysynth, or anything in-between is up to you: MIDI channels/keyboard range/patches/voices are distinct concepts, allowing complex layered, split, multitimbral setups. In addition, each voice has a switched individual output.Improved sound generation engine

Ambika offers all the delicious digital waveform synthesis algorithms (FM, vowel synthesis, wavetables?) that made the Shruthi famous, and some newcomers too: CZ-style emulation of digital filters and wave sequencing. The oscillators signal is now processed through a fuzz/distortion and a bitcrusher before being sent to the analog filters..."

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Ghost In Translation SYNTH - v1.2.1 Update

video by Ghost In Translation

"SYNTH v1.2.1 is now available, it improves the polyphonic portamento, and fixes the arpeggiator mode which is now polyphonic.

Code on https://github.com/ghostintranslation...​
PCB and panel on https://ghostintranslation.bandcamp.c...​

--

SYNTH is a modular FM polyphonic synthesizer, based on eurorack physical format it has however no patch cables in the front but has rather midi and audio jacks in the back.

It is based on my homemade platform Motherboard.

E-MU Systems Emax I HD Plus SE Rack SCSI2SD OLED Display

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

via this auction

"Rare E-MU Systems EMAX I HD Plus SE Rack Sampler. Model 2121 Factory HD Plus SE version. Internally mounted SCSI2SD board with SD card capable of holding nearly 160 banks in the floppy drive slot. Comes loaded with many custom and factory library sounds I will include download links for entire Emax library as well. Also includes factory installed external SCSI port on rear.

System boots up in seconds from SD card. Banks save and load nearly instantaneously. The HD advantage is huge over standard floppy or Gotek systems as every function of the unit is faster and more responsive.

Display has been updated to a beautiful white OLED display. Sadly pictures can't do justice to the quality of the OLED. Recently recapped motherboard. New high quality universal input power supply Sliders cleaned and lubed. Switches and key contacts cleaned. Everything works as it should. Incredible sounding sampler with analog processing. SE features provide deep synthesis."

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Hartmann Neuron Synthesizer w/ Spare Parts

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

via this auction

"Sound designer's dream... The best digital synthesizer ever made. Fully functional less Control 3 pot (read below).

The good:
It has a new motherboard and new hard drive which has the latest OS, sourced from a gentleman in France (I believe they are not available anymore); spare pot caps, spare mushroom joysticks, spare sticks and original user manual and box (AC cord included).
All keys, pots, joysticks, wheels, sticks, switches, LED, displays work as they should (less Control 3 pot).

The bad:
1/ Control 3 pot does not work anymore (it can be controlled over MIDI)
2/ It has 3 dents / scratches (see pictures):
- Control 3 is pushed 1/4" down
- Programmer has a paint scratch (about 1/2") and pushed 1/8" down
- Paint scratch below Shaper 2 (about 1/4" wide)
3/ Frame is warped (it does not sit evenly on its 4 legs (1/4" play))
4/ Master volume pot cap is grey (not red).

If you are looking for a rare and fantastic synth and can live with the 'not museum condition', this synth is for you."

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