Synths in TV and Film

Note: some of the videos below have been pulled from YouTube, but I'm keeping mention of them up as a reference that they are out there.

Let the page load before scrolling - it's a long one.
Be sure to see the Synth Movies list and see the Synth Movies and Synth TV and Film labels for more.

1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Synths: ARP 2500 played by Phillip Dodds, head of ARP Engineering, Yamaha CS-?.


2. Fame Synths: ARP 2600, MOOG Minimoog

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Sequential Circuits TOM SN 03064 w/ TAUNEK Expansion & Cartridge Collection

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

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

"Sequential Circuits TOM Vintage Drumcomputer MINT Serviced Expanded + Sounds w/ "TAUNEK" Expansion

- Serial #03064
- Made in USA
- fully serviced
- 100% working
- manuals (original) included
- includes 20 cartridges !!!

- Techno Drums
- Hippefex 1
- Atomic Drums
- Brazilian
- Brushes
- Power Drums
- Rock Drums
- Ethnic
- Analog Drums
- Orchestral
- Percussion 1
- Percussion 2
- Percussion 3
- Percussion 4
- Percussion 5
- Percussion 6
- Special Effects
- Contemporary
- Latin Percussion
- Basic Percussion


This wonderful machine has been serviced by our tech and all contact were cleaned or replaced.

Expanding the Sequential TOM to hold 16 "cartridges"

I bought my TOM a few years ago, and had always intended to make some sort of switch-able cartridge for it. I decided recently that it would be nicer to have everything inside the TOM, if possible, and control it using the TOM user interface. There are two advantages to doing it this way:

1) Cartridges can be selected without unplugging and replacing EPROMs, which can get damaged by ESD or bent pins.

2) Both the internal sounds and the cartridge can be swapped out, so all 15 sounds can be changed, not just the top 7. There are two "slots" - internal and cartridge. Any of the 16 "cartridges" can be placed in either slot. If a cartridge has seven sounds in it, and is placed in the internal slot, button 8 will not make a sound. All of the cartridges I have made have 8 sounds. If they are placed in the internal slot, all 8 are available. If they are placed in the cartridge slot, only the first 7 sounds are available.

The board plugs into one of the internal sound ROM IC sockets, after both chips have been removed. It also needs A15b and A16b which are not available in either socket, so two short wires are used. I use A15b and A16b instead of A15 and A16 to avoid connecting to the Wonder chip signals. Luckily there are eyelets on the TOM board right where I needed them to be for these two signals.

Here is a photo showing the newer version of the pcb, which has a third wire. The original two wires are connected exactly as before, while the third wire attaches to the lower end of the 10K resistor near the battery. I have added a small circuit which should allow inserting a cartridge (for testing) into the TOM while the TOM16 is installed. In this case, the only sounds available would be the ones on the cartridge, as the TOM16 EPROM is disabled.

How does it work? I added code to the TOM V1.6 OS firmware (the final SCI version) to allow selecting cartridges using the std user interface. Once the selection is made, these values are sent using the Wonder chip in a special way to a PIC micro-controller on my board. That chip presents the two cartridge select 4-bit codes to a dual 4:1 mux that feeds the correct one to an 8 Mbit EPROM. I do not plan to release the PIC code, or provide the source for my version of the TOM OS at this time. The only changes that I made to the TOM OS firmware were for TOM16 support. No other changes were made.

I am currently offering fully assembled pcb's for $105 including Priority Mail shipping to USA addresses. If you are outside of the USA, please contact me for the additional shipping cost. In order to install the board in your TOM, you will need to upgrade the (socketed) firmware EPROM with one that I supply. You will also need to remove the two (socketed) sound ROM chips I610 and I611. And finally you will need to carefully solder three wires, (which I will supply) into small holes in the TOM pc board and in my board."

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Big Synth News Coming From Behringer (& KORG's Hiroaki Nishijima)?

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

Per the description: "I am in beutiful Japan together with Luigi Scarano, our Synthesizer Innovation leader.

Stay tune from some big news - and i mean BIG news.

Uli"


Note who looks like KORG's Hiroaki Nishijima in the back left. I thought that might be Korg's Fumio Mieda on the right, but I'm not sure. You can find a pic and interview with Hiroaki Nishijima and Fumio Mieda here. Some of the other faces look familiar as well, especially the gentleman on the front left. If you can ID them, please comment.

Could this be the Behringer DS80 / CS80, a partnership with KORG, or other?

Behringer meeting with any representatives of another large scale synth company is a big deal. It will be interesting to find out what this is all about.

You can find an interview with Luigi Scarno here.

Update: Announcement below with a new pic, also in via Soviet Space Child. It looks like Hiroaki Nishijima is indeed joining Behringer.

“Synthesizer Icon Hiroaki Nishijima to Lead Behringer’s New Synthesizer Innovation Center in Japan

Behringer announced today that Hiroaki Nishijima, synthesizer icon and inventor of the famous Korg MS-20 Synthesizer, will lead Behringer’s new high-tech innovation center in its Tokyo headquarter.

Behringer’s vision is to build a large research and development center and invite many talented Japanese engineers to focus on flagship synthesizers, samplers and other innovative product designs.

About Hiroaki Nishijima

“Ever since I was a child, I was always excited to disassemble toys and explore how they work. My father and grandfather helped nurture that side of me by teaching me electronics and how to solder while attending third year of elementary school.

During that time, I got into music. I started playing with my brother’s classical guitar and eventually got lessons from an actual classical guitar teacher. I continued to play and improve until I noticed I was becoming better at it than my brother.

As my skills grew more diverse, so did my taste in music. Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis, ELP and I Pooh became my inspirations. In junior high school, I bought an electric guitar and formed a band. That’s when I saw a synthesizer for the first time. It was amazing and I wanted one for myself, but it was just too expensive for a student like me.

When I entered university, I studied electronic engineering and played in a band. While that was going on, I’d also repair my friends’ amps and would design effects on the side. After graduation, I joined Korg to develop synthesizers like the MS-20 series, Sigma, KES and PME-40X series, Z3 and even Korg’s component modeling technology.

Over the past few years I have watched Behringer deliver high-quality synthesizers and pursue a very strong mission to deliver impressive instruments to musicians around the world. I reached out to Uli Behringer because I wanted to be part of his mission and help Behringer design world-class musical instruments. This is my dream, too.

These days, it’s difficult for current Japanese companies to create the types of synths that I used to develop. This is why I joined Behringer because my ambition to create professional analog synthesizers coincides with Uli Behringer’s love of musical instruments and with that I’m very excited to see what we can dream up.

I am currently looking for experienced embedded software leaders and engineers for our new Innovation center in Tokyo. Please can contact us at yuka.ishigami@musictribe.com.”

About Music Tribe

Uli Behringer, Founder of Behringer and Music Tribe commented: “I am extremely proud to have Nishijima San on our team. This man is a legendary synth icon with decades of experience.
Ever since I designed my own synthesizer in 1977, I have always been obsessed with synthesizers and today, Behringer is on a mission to bring back classic synthesizers as well as design completely new instruments and make them available at prices everyone can afford. We at Behringer believe that everyone should have access to the amazing synthesizers and sounds of the 70’s and 80’s.”

Uli continues: “We are currently recruiting experienced synthesizer engineers from all over the world to join us in our synthesizer mission. People interested can directly contact me at uli.behringer@musictribe.com.”

EEHs Natural Sound Store Unit Zaunkönig Brochure - The FIRST Sampler w/ Realtime Time Stretching

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

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me. I beleive this to be the first post to feature the Zaunkönig/Zaunkoenig. EEH also made the Banana and the DS 500. I just like saying they made the banana. See the EEH label for more. Why it wasn't yellow or even yellowish green, we will never know...

via this auction

"Original brochure, allegedly only 2 devices were built. FIRST sampler with realtime time stretching. Was bought by Akai and in a stripped down version, without realtime, for the S 1000. So the wren is the father of the Akai S 1000"

Update: you can find an article in German on the Zaunkonig here.

Update2: scan of the brochure added below along with a close-up pic of the front of the Zaunkönig, in via an anonymous reader. Also some interesting background added.

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Synthetic Soundlabs Pays a Rare Visit to Bell Lab's VODER Speech Synthesizer From 1939

Update: via Doug: "The console I’m playing is a recreation that was commissioned to me by current Bell Labs President Marcus Weldon. I’m seen here playing it prior to a BL event. Photo by Larry Fast. Also in attendance was Wally DeBacker (Gotye). you can see and hear me play it live on the PBS series 'Breakthrough: History of the Smart Phone' episode [might not be available in your area though]. Narrated by Patrick Stewart, and hosted by former editor of Popular Mechanics, Jim Meigs."

via Synthetic Sound Labs, click through for additional pics.

"For the first time in nearly 80 years, the VODER has been found – well at least some of it. Unfortunately, none of the operator consoles are known to have survived the various archive moves over the years.

On December 15, 2015, SSL’s President Doug Slocum was treated to unprecedented access to the AT&T Archives & History Center in Warren New Jersey to view and record the uncovering of two of the original equipment racks used to train VODER operators in preparation for the Bell System’s 1939 Worlds Fair exhibit."

Check out this post for an old black and white video demo of the VODER when working. You can find a handful of additional posts mentioning the VODER here.

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

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Vintage Rare 1980’s Dr. Böhm Digital Drums M. Drum Machine Drum Computer

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

via this auction

This might be the first one to be featured on the site. It was spotted and sent in via M Me.

"This is the original drum machine 'Digital Drums Music' from Dr. Böhm. The machine was built in the early 80s and is in very good condition.

There are 39 instruments stored as samples in 2 ROMs. The device plays 6 voices polyphon and includes the following 20 presets: Pop I, Disco, March, Jive (R & R), Waltz, Jazz Waltz, Twist, Mambo, Samba, Bequine, Pop II, Polka (March B.), Fox Trot, Swing, Slow Waltz, Slow Rock, Shuffle Fox, Bossa Nova, Cha Cha, Tango

There are 3 variations of each rhythm (except for those in the bracket standing rhythms, since these are already a variation), a break, a solo and a fill in. So that makes a total of 60 rhythms, 60 breaks 60 fill ins and 20 solos.

An Auto Fill feature adds after the 4th, 8th or one random beat a fill in one.

The tempo is set with a "+" and a "-" button and changes back to an optimized pace when a new rhythm is selected. Do you want this avoided, you have to press the 'Hold' Button before changing the Rhythm

For adjusting the volume, there is the silver colored pot button.

The output jack is designed as a stereo jack, that means, that some instruments are on right and some are on the left. In order to connect the drum computer with a monophone amp I will deliver a stereo-mono adapter.

The sound is punchy and reminiscent of a Linn drum from the 80s.

The Böhm Digital Drums is in a good condition and works 100%. The machine is clean, but has due to age some cracks on the user panel, which were glued (see photos for reference)"

RSF KOBOL EXPANDER I+II Clones

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

via this auction

Note MOS-LAB also made KOBOL Clones.

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

"You canmodulate a lot using control voltages:
The VCO’s waveform, LFO rate, resonance, attack time, decay time, sustainlevel, release time (Exp. II)!


The RSF Kobol was the French synth company's firstcompact keyboard synthesizer, certainly inspired by the Minimoog. It is a muchmore compact instrument than the Modular Model 11 series of synthesizers theyhad been making thus far. It is a monophonic analog synthesizer withtraditional controls, knobs, switches and two oscillators for a good solidanalog synth sound. Initally released as a keyboard in 1978, a 3-unitrack-mount system was later released in 1979.

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ROLAND SYSTEM 1OO - COMPLETE

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

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

Google translated from the listing:

"Sell ​​my complete Roland System 100 in almost excellent condition!

It is hardly possible to find this system in complete condition!
It was Roland's starting signal in the Era Modular Analog Synthesizer and the cornerstone of their legacy!
Synths like the Jupiter series, the 100M and the System 700 would hardly have been possible without it.

If you sit in front of it, you feel like you're in a cockpit and have all the possibilities of analog synthesis in front of you! When people came to my studio they left Minimoog, Jupiter 8 and co behind when they saw the SYSTEM 100! It takes over and looks in every studio as if it were a complete studio (which it is!)

With all the fun you can have with this system, you must not forget what value you have in front of you! Just the thing in times of low interest rate policy!

The two effects RE-201 and RE 301 are not part of the auction. They fit perfectly into the setup and can be looped in through the mixer. If you are interested in them, please feel free to contact us. A package price would also be possible."

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Some info on the Upcoming Buchla Modules (100, 200, and Easel)

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child, on muffs.

Post by Eric Fox of Buchla U.S.A. You can find a recent interview with Eric Fox here.

"Hey everyone!

I appreciate the interest in what it is we’re working on. Although I don’t spend too much time on the forum, with all of the announcements and imminent release of Easel Commands into the wild it is probably a good idea for me to poke my head up once in awhile :)
Let’s see if I can quickly shed some light on a few things:

Easel vs Easel Command- When I refer to a “full” Easel, I am indeed referring to the classic configuration of some form of 208+218+Case. Just like what we did with the 208C, the 218 and case needs to be updated in order to make them better, more consistent, and have the ability to scale production based on demand. We’re actively working on these and hopefully I can make an official announcement with details this summer.

Easel Preset Manager- Joel, Darren, and Charles are now working on this one. Those guys are the masters at this stuff, so I’m gonna hopefully have the official rundown of what all it can do soon. While it will be different physically than iProgram Card, it’s my understanding that the the new UX from a software angle might be able to be an update for the iProgram card. I’ll stop talking now about it since those guys will yell at me for not knowing what I’m talking about. We’ll make a clear announcement about this soon :)

200 and 100 reissues- These full-size recreations are being headed up by Jon Nenson (The Human Comparator) and our own in-house designer, Charles Seeholzer. We were planning on having (5) 200 models to show off at SB. These certainly won’t be the only 200’s we offer... but it’s a little difficult to launch 20+ models all at the same time! We insist on making them as good as they can be. Otherwise, what’s the point? Releasing a handful at a time just makes the most sense so that each model can get the proper attention they deserve. If you don’t see your favorite one in this first run, just know that it will probably not be that far behind. Patience young grasshoppers.

Clones vs Official- To clarify, the point I’m trying to make is in regards to not wanting someone to think poorly of any brand based on the possibility that they are playing with a shitty, poorly built, corner-cutting diy project from god knows where. Please don’t confuse that statement with the fact that I know there absolutely are quality builds out there that do a great job of really capturing the true spirit of the original design. I’m friends with a lot of those who are considered some of the best at doing this and that’s why I choose to partner with them when possible. I know that I have the best resources out of anyone to do this right including involving actual people who were there alongside Don when these were being developed. If Buchla can offer a consistently high-quality official version that comes with full warranty/support and it helps support some of the “Associates” who were there with Don... seems like that’s the right way to do it. No shade being thrown at those using quality built products intended.

Who is “Dave”?- All I’ll say is that it is being renamed to “Don’s Barber Shop” as per the request of some of those who were closest with Don.

I hope I didn’t create more questions than answers! If there is a real pressing question you need answered, just hit me up directly and I’ll do my best to answer with the best available info I have and feel free to share my responses with the rest of the class :)

Thanks for your passion. Stay safe+sanitary+sane
-Eric Fox"

Custom White Roland JX-8P w/ PG-800

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

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

Description in Googlish:

"CustomRoland JX-8P + Roland PG-800 + Roland M-16C Cartridge + Printed / Bound Owner's Manual.

Eprom OS 3.1

This JX-8P was in terrible condition when I got it (see last 4 photos), held together with wood screws, large scratches all around and a lot of rust on the front panel. Had 6 broken keys and the pitch bender was hanging loose.

The wood screws destroyed the inner bracket mounting holes that held the side panels together, so I had to drill these out and replace them with 5mm Allen screws, which looks pretty cool and gives the synthesizer back its stiffness.

Sanded the entire synth to bare metal / plastic to remove any remaining rust and scratches. On the bender panel, I filled in the holes drilled by a previous owner to hold the pitch bender.

Gave it a professional paint job in a contemporary light industrial gray that matches the buttons of the PG-800 and the industrial look of the JX-8P.

The PG-800 is built by myself with the original firmware / eprom. Potentiometers are from Alps and the knobs are from Sifam.

I made the graphics myself and are screen printed aka screen printing.

I bought an extensive screen printing kit so I can now print any design on any surface. I am satisfied with the result.

All keys have been cleaned and polished and the keyboard plays perfectly and the aftertouch works fine.

Also the light scratches on the display removed with a plastic polisher and that now looks like new.

All tacticle switches have of course been replaced with new ones :)

Getting this JX-8P back to its former glory was a lot of work, but I have to say it looks better than the original imho."

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Akai MPC 2000XL Custom “Black Modular” Phenolic & Walnut Bezel

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

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.


via this auction

"Custom Akai MPC 2000XL | Caramel Phenolic & Walnut Bezel, MC-2000XL Card Reader
Black Vinyl Wrap, 32MB RAM, 8 Output / Digital I/O Board, v.2 LCD Screen, Fat Pads
Just released October 2019, the 1st unit sold in 4 days. We are now making these units per individual order. Place your order for this custom MPC-2000XL unit by Big Noise MPC. Built to order; we can build your unit to your specifications, colors and desired extras. Price may very depending upon options and part/s availability. Custom builds are delivered within 30 business days.

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Evenfall Mini Modular Designed by Grant Richter of Wiard

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

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

via this auction

"I guess 50 (60?) of these were produced, either as kits or assembled products. I bought this to complete my own rack full of Grant Richter modules. It was a largely an impulse buy fueled by the tingly feelings my Wiard 300 modules give me. Make no mistake--this is NOT a Wiard module nor does it sound like one. It is not nearly as awe-inspiring overall, though it does have a few tricks that make it worth exploring. Definitely a cool piece of synthesizer history.

I found this to be, overall, one of those "sweet spot" machines, where nuanced wiggling can give you some really unique and impressive sounds. This is particularly true with the bandpass filter, which really sounds like Satan yelling about the weather while contending with a head cold. Very cool.

There are a few peculiar aspects to this, such as the weird gain staging. Any setting after 12 o'clock in the VCA will saturate/distort. Maybe you like this. I don't care for it personally. That's just the way these things work, as confirmed by several other owners, as well as Cary Grace, who currently builds all modules under the Wiard name, and who tours with an Evenfall Mini Modular (largely because it's small and light, I guess). This is a very lightweight synthesizer.

The pots are all mini pots, like attenuator pots on lots of modern Eurorack modules. I'm a bit of an oaf for these, but they're not difficult to work with.

I have not opened it to check internals or perform any mods. I'm not sure whether there are schematics floating around, but if you choose to go that route I'm sure you're an intrepid enough lad or lass to chase them down.

Cosmetically, there is some damage on the lower right edge of the panel; I have straightened this to the best of my ability.

Their words (copy/pasted info from around the web):
The Evenfall Mini Modular Synthesizer is a rack mountable semi-modular analog synthesizer featuring the warm, organic sound of real analog circuitry and the flexibility of individual control knobs and a patch cord interface.
The Mini Modular also features internally "pre patched" or "normalized" connections among the modules. These connections make the Mini Modular a capable synthesizer even without inserting patch cords. These internal connections can be overridden by inserting 3.5mm patch cables as desired.
The Mini Modular can be patched to make sound by itself or in conjunction with another voltage-controlled synthesizer. It can also be controlled from a MIDI controller via the built-in MIDI to CV interface which provides pitch, velocity, gate, pitch bend, portamento on/off, and modulation output voltages.

-
This synth was designed by Grant Richter of Wiard synthesizers and there were roughly 60 sold, 30 in kit form and 30 assembled. The previous owner told me this is a factory-assembled unit.

Grant wrote this on the old Wiard Yahoo list:

"That is a great little instrument.

It was originally slated to be the Wiard Model 3600, but I decided to pass on it because we could not find knobs to fit the little nubby pot shafts. They are just like TR-808 tuning pots. I feared the lack of knobs would limits sales too much.

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Rare Dynacord ADS-K Keyboard Sampler

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

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

This appears to be the first one to be featured on the site. Also see the Dynacord ADD-two.

From the listing:

"Here comes the rare keyboard version of the ADS, namely the ADS-K, under the hammer!

The ADS/ADS-K dates back to 1989 and raised the 16-bit bar a little higher with 20-bit converters. On the one hand, the ADS ties in with Dynacord's drum sampler history and, on the other hand, with their PA products (the well-known DRP-20 dates from the same time).

Extremely slick 80s design. Is - for my taste - only topped by the white version. But I've never seen them for sale. But the black version is also impressive. Who owns a Dynacord keyboard!?

Can also be used as a master keyboard due to the good synth keyboard and the large contact surface for computer keyboards or similar.

The features:
- 16bit with 20bit D/A converter
- Stereo sampling
- 16 votes
- 2MB, expandable to 8MB
- reads S-900 floppy disks (but I was never able to try it due to the lack of the sampler mentioned)
- Re-sampling (can sample itself)
- Additive synthesis with 64 harmonics
- Modulation matrix (see pictures; That's right, we also know it from another device, especially from the ramp generators. The software was said to have been programmed by the same gentlemen.)
- Internal mixer with loop-in path
- Individual outputs
- SCSI connection (I haven't been able to try that before, but it should still work)
- Good synth keyboard with effective dynamic conversion
- more features: see Internet

Unfortunately, the 33 years have left the following traces:

- The top two buttons are broken and beyond repair. I took them out of service and temporarily glued them on for cosmetic reasons. Didn't turn out that well - you can see a slight difference in height in the pictures. I hope the construction survives the transport.

- The upper right segment of the right 7-segment display is defective. You can see that in the pictures. "00" should be displayed. But that doesn't matter when playing, because you primarily look at the display and the button labels.

- The lower octave keys are slightly yellowed.

Scope of delivery:
- Dynacord ADS-K
- Original box
- Power cord
- Disks with sounds (unfortunately some of them are no longer readable)
- Leftovers/components of the two defective keys"

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Moog's First New Poly Synth Coming in August/September?

Update: some pis of the PCB and patent here.

First a quick note on leaks: I don't enjoy posting them as I admit they make me feel a bit shady. Manufacturers work hard to make sure a product release goes smoothly. Leaks throw a wrench in that. On the other hand I feel obligated to you my readers. If the news is out there, I feel like it is my job to post it and let you all know. My policy on the site has always been not to leak unless the info is already out there and already leaked. Once it is, it's just a matter of time before all sites pick it up. That said, manufacturers need to do a better job at not leaking info out there. All info ultimately comes from the source. I sometimes wonder if manufacturers actually allow carefully placed leaks to get out. Who knows...

Second: This is still in the rumor stage. Read below and decide for yourself.

So... remember that rumor about a new poly Moog coming to Moogfest?

It might actually be real. Not the render, but a new poly from Moog. Rumor is it will be the "Moog One", currently trademarked by Moog. Note August/September would correspond with a Knobcon release. Update: Soviet Space Child mentioned, "Summer NAMM starts this week, maybe the reveal was scheduled for later in the week? That would make more sense for a potential August release." That is a good point. You rarely see major synth product announcements during Summer NAMM, but that would make for a surprise with little competition to steal the limelight. It would also be a little closer to Moogfest, which would explain the previous rumor. Often product announcements get pushed out, as you know.

The synth could be based on the tech presented here: Geert Bevin, Amos Gaynes - Designing and Implementing Embedded Synthesizer UIs.

Details follow, spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child. I will admit I sat on it for a bit as the original source post was pulled, however, it went up elsewhere, so here it goes:

[Disclaimer: the following seems a bit shady to me. Why would this guy post it w/o mentioning the dealer? How could any dealer think it's OK to announce it w/o Moog announcing it first?]

"Ok this is copied directly from my personal email from my rep who is a senior rep, and personal friend of mine:

Oh, it's cooler than that! So glad I can actually spill some details for you now.

It's polyphonic, and comes in 8- and 16-voice versions. (Moog has not only set us up as the earliest dealer with stock (around mid-August), but we'll have an exclusive until they launch with other retailers in September. And they've also promised us a number of low-serial-number units (2-10) on each unit, though this does run an extra $500 (and also gets you a letter from Mike Adams, and a signed photo by the techs who built it). Sounds incredible, and check this out!

• 3 VCOs per voice
• 3 part multitimbral - 3 synths in 1
• Knob per function
• 4 LFOs per synth with easily assignable modulation
• Arp and sequencer (per synth)
• Clock sync
• Assignable CV ins and outs
• Lots of i/o for routing synths and effects
• Eventide reverbs built in
• Unrestricted number of presets

Oscillators
create complex waveforms

Noise
• Dedicated envelope for transient shaping

Filter
• Stave variable filter AND Moog Ladder Filter
• HP, LP, BP or notch
• link filters together for ganged sweeps
• assign sources to SVF ladder or both in the mixer

Envelope
• 3 envelopes (amp, filter, and assignable)
• easily assignable mod matrix

Sequencer and Arp

Effects
• True bypass effects
• effects per synth and a master effects bus
• 2 assignable macro controls - customizable per patch
• Vocoder
Modulation
• Easily repeatable mod mattrix routings
• 4 LFOs - 1 button destination routing
• Fine tune and ccreate complex modulation via transforms
• Easy assign performance controllers
• XY pad for expressive control

Not too shabby, eh? Admittedly, I'm always pretty impressed when Moog comes by, but this was probably the biggest shock I've ever had at seeing their products early under an NDA…and the toughest to keep private until we could talk about them! I figured you'd appreciate knowing about it as much as anyone, since you've been involved in MI retail for so long, and have probably seen most things under the sun to date.

Still not sure when we'll have it up on the website, but we are taking orders, if you're interested. 8-voice version is $5999.00, and the 16-voice version is $7999.00. I've got a little wiggle room for you, but a bit less than usual…they really don't want us deep-discounting these due to anticipated demand, obviously.

Whew…glad I could finally talk about this!"

Roger Nichols WENDEL JR Drum Sampler

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
EPIC!!! '80s Drums 'n' Echo: Roger Nichols WENDEL/WENDELjr Sequential Drumtraks Lexicon 224XL/LARC video upload by Synclav com

via this auction

Note auction links are affiliate links. See the site's privacy policy for more info.

This one was spotted and sent in via
M Me.

Note this is the first one to be featured on the site. There's mention of a Wendel Sampling Computer here. Roger Nichols, the creator, passed away in 2011.

"Note that there is only one (1) unit (s.n. 140) shown in the photos and seven (7) sound boards, and that is what you get for one money.
Serial number 140 is seen in the video "EPIC!!! '80s Drums 'n' Echo: Roger Nichols WENDEL/WENDELjr Sequential Drumtraks Lexicon 224XL/LARC", it is the unit that is not rack mounted but over on the right side, sitting on top of the two stacked Lexicon 224XLs with the two LARC remotes sitting on top of it, and it is heard to play the Tom-2, Crash cymbal (Crash Cym-1), Ride cymbal (Ride Cym-1), Heart snare, and Heart kick.

If you select quantity two (2), you will get the second identical unit (s.n. 230) and a second set of the same (7) sound boards. I promise you the second one not shown is in equal or better condition. This would be very powerful and convenient setup for a producer to have, then able to do kick and snare at the same time, for example, and also for live sound drum replacement applications.
Serial number 230 is seen in the video "EPIC!!! '80s Drums 'n' Echo: Roger Nichols WENDEL/WENDELjr Sequential Drumtraks Lexicon 224XL/LARC", it is the unit that is in the bottom of the rack, and it is heard to play the two alternating clap sounds (the clap sound is not included in this listing, but always available), which again shows what the WENDELjr can do but none of these drum machines can (alternate claps, they just go clap-clap, same sound, machine-like).

Also if someone wants me to list just the sound kit for some other WENDELjr they bought from a chump and have no sounds for it, it's $799.00 for the seven sounds on seven boards."

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Akai MPC 3000 "SP Custom" by GhostInMPC

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via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

"This unit has been refurbished and upgraded to work properly and look good. It is not mint and that´s been acknowledged in the selling price.

One of the four SP Custom units GhostInMPC has made was sold in Japan recently for approximately 3162 US Dollars (about 2800 Euros).

You won´t see these for sale often! EUROPE ONLY! ASK FOR SHIPPING!

- Custom Vailixi 3.50 operating system chips for this specific serial number and "SP Custom" unit. (see pictures)
- Brand new ultra bright LED screen.
- Black wood sides and armrest by Audiocustom pl. The wood side panels are a few millimetres shorter than originals so I am including the plastic sides as well.
- Brand new 32mb maximum ram installed for maximum sampling time
- Installed Jazzcat custom internal SCSI cable for internal zip/SCSI device. Allows you to have the external back port SCSI interface function simultaneously with internal SCSI device.
- Installed 3.5 disk power cable extension cord for easy installation and powering of internal SCSI devices.
- Mpcstuff.com button decals (see pictures)
- Installed internal iomega Zip 100 drive. (Will include zip disk)
- Step down power transformer for European power specifications.
- Fixed a typical Akai MPC 3000 fault: Noise in headphone outputs fixed and removed by qualified technician.
- All tact switches replaced by a qualified technician. Works like new.
- Power supply updated by a qualified technician.
- New pad sensor installed
- New SCSI fuse installed.
- A/D converter board fixed and inspected by a qualified technician.

Happy bidding!

PS. This machine looks beautiful next to a E MU SP 1200 black reissue! ;)"

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€39.900,00 / $44,000 Yamaha DX1

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via this auction

Another one spotted and sent in via M Me.

"This DX-1 is one of only 140 built: they were the flagship of the all-conquering Yamaha DX series of FM digital synths. A veritable behemoth weighing around 50 kilos, with 73 full-length weighted wooden keys and a wooden case. It offers 32 note polyphony and superb sonic performance thanks to the carefully-selected components. Uniquely for a vintage synth, it features polyphonic aftertouch. Yamaha built these to impress, not to a price point (they originally retailed at around £10,000 in 1984 – around £35,000 in today’s money).

Among Yamaha's DX line of synthesizers, the DX1 is definitely the biggest and most expensive. With a dual 6-operator digital FM engine, it's like two DX7's wrapped up in a wood-paneled case and comes with a truly professional weighted 73 note keyboard sensitive to both velocity and aftertouch. The DX7 style membrane buttons have been replaced by actual push-buttons, display screens and the overall layout of buttons and diagrams is nicer and better organized."

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Quasimidi GIGA-Card

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This one was spotted here and sent in via M Me.

Never seen one of these before. The following is the description in Dutch followed by Googlish:

"Voordat Quasimidi legendarische synthesizers uitbracht, maakten ze sound expansions voor een aantal duur segment keyboards van onder andere Roland.

Deze expansion is daar een toppunt van. 512 styles en begeleiding patches voor de E-serie keyboards van Roland. Roland heeft zelf een reeks kaartjes uitgebracht onder de types TN-SCx-xx waar maximaal 8 styles op zijn opgeslagen. Dit kastje heeft er dus 512. Deze 512 zijn opgeslagen in blokken van 8, waar via het menu telkens een andere 'kaart' kan worden ingeladen.

Ik heb zelf de E-70 gehad en er best lol van gehad. Vooral de Peter Gunn style waar dat bekende intro van Emerson, Lake and Palmer perfect wordt nagebootst en je heerlijk op kan varieren.

Dus als je nog een Roland Intelligent Synthesizer E-nogwat hebt die TN kaartjes slikt, ik raad 'm 100% aan!

De Giga-card is bij voorkeur op te halen in Zaandam, daar het een wat ouder stukje techniek is. Testen kan helaas niet want ik heb geen E keyboard meer. Verzenden is uiteraard mogelijk, maar zijn alle risico's voor de koper."

Googlish:

"Before Quasimidi released legendary synthesizers, they made sound expansions for a number of expensive segment keyboards from Roland, among others.

This expansion is the pinnacle of that. 512 styles and accompaniment patches for Roland's E-series keyboards. Roland has released a series of cards under the types TN-SCx-xx where a maximum of 8 styles are stored. This box therefore has 512. These 512 are stored in blocks of 8, where a different 'card' can be loaded each time via the menu.

I have had the E-70 myself and had quite a bit of fun. Especially the Peter Gunn style where that famous intro of Emerson, Lake and Palmer is perfectly simulated and you can vary wonderfully.

So if you have another Roland Intelligent Synthesizer E-something that swallows TN cards, I recommend it 100%!

The Giga-card can preferably be picked up in Zaandam, as it is a somewhat older piece of technology. Unfortunately, testing is not possible because I no longer have an E keyboard. Shipping is of course possible, but all risks are for the buyer."

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Lyre Inc. FDSS Studio Additive Synthesizer + Resynthesis

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via this auction

This is the first post to feature both Lyre inc. and the FDSS Studio Additive Synthesizer. It was spotted and sent in via M Me. The listing, images, and info is from Synthmaster.de, posted here with permission.

Details from the listing:

"I am offering my ultra mega rare Lyre FDSS Studio.

The FDSS is an additive synthesizer with analysis and resynthesis function from 1987

The technical data is on the last picture in the web, you can find almost nothing about it

Ultra rare , as far as I know less than 50 devices have been built , only three have been delivered to Europe .

This synthesizer was available as an 8 or 16 voice version,
The 8-voice version was always the basic version, which could be expanded to include a further 8 voices out of 16.

Like the famous Technos Acxel synthesizer, the Lyre
FDSS synthesizer also designed and built in Quebec / Canada.

You had to operate it via a terminal, similar to the

Synclavier, Synergy or Kurzweil K150FS.

Software was and is included for PC and Apple Mac

Mac could be connected directly and with the PC you needed a card (ISA is included)

price, no idea.....

with such rare things "whatever someone is willing to pay" applies :-))

or exchange for vintage synthesizer?"

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TTSH (ARP2600 clone) and ARP sequencer clone 1601

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This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

via this auction

"This is the TTSH v1 and includes fixes from the v1 recommendations, also have Gate input with Gatebooster to ensure compatibility with most synths that uses positive gate norm. (By default the ARP2600 or TTSH doesnt work with most part of gate signals, so need this adapter circuit to accept all positive gates signals) Also includes a top quality linear power supply with toroidal transformer. You can connect direct to AC using standard cable. This linear power supply ensure better performance than other standard switching regulators and DC DC converters... With this power supply the sounds improves a lot and is better to save from external laptop bricks used in the default configurations. The TTSH being a clone of a classic analog synth like the ARP 2600 improves a lot using a classic linear power supply!
The power supply can work in 100/110 or 220/240v. At this moment is set for 220/240v but can be changed via internal switch easily so can be set for your AC voltage spec before shipping.

Also for sale with it, the ARP Sequencer clone. Replica from the classic ARP Sequencer 1601. Is a pleasure to work with it, very musical and intuitive. The power Supply can run from 100 to 240v with no problem.

Instruments build by hand using classic thru-hole components. Not SMT parts are used.

The instruments were built 3 years ago. Instruments are used in studio only. Excellent/perfect working condition. Instruments can have some minor marks of use, but shape is very good."

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