Interface Moog Newsletters Featuring The Source, Minimoog, Memorymoog & More

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

Vol. 2, March 1981 with The Source via via this auction

Vol. 2, June 1981 with The Minimoog via via this auction

Vol. 3, Feb. 1982 with the Memorymoog via via this auction

Vol. 1, Dec. 1980 with the Opus III via via this auction

Vol. 4, Dec. 1982 on Listening by Herbert A. Deutsch via via this auction
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MOOG SYSTEM 55 MODULAR for Sale

via this auction

Tons of pics at the auction, including the inside.

Update1 via 3P in the comments: "That's not a stock 55--the FFB should be a 914, not a 907. Some other modules are out of place as well."

Update2 via eben in the comments: "it looks like this has been relisted [link], and is $15000 at the moment. it appears to be kieth emmerson's 'spare' modular system! also i just noticed they have used my picture of ms peel in the auction... "

Update3: Correction via the auction: "This particular 55 was purchased from Will Alexander, the famous (Keith Emerson's) synth tech."

Some details from the new listing: "For your consideration is this 1976 Moog System 55 modular synthesizer. This complete unit (every module and keyboard) recently underwent an extensive $7,000+ service, and has been used less than 2 hours since. This particular 55 was owned by Keith Emerson, and was acquired from his good friend and personal synth tech, who has worked with Emerson both on the road and in the studio for over 30 years.

List of Modules :
1) 921 VCO (12/9/76, 12/10/76, 12/23/76)
2) 907 Fixed Filter Bank (RA Moog, '69)
3) 904-A Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (RA Moog, 08/01/70)
4) 992 Control Voltages (09/14/77, 09/23/77)
5) 911 Envelope Generator (10/13/76, 10/16/76)
6) 902 Voltage Controlled Generator (01/17/77, 01/17/77)
7) 911 Envelope Generator (10/14/76)
8) 902 Voltage Controlled Amplifier (06/13/69)
9) 902 Voltage Controlled Amplifier (01/14/77, 01/17/77)
10) 902 Voltage Controlled Amplifier (11/11/76, 11/22/76)
11) 902 Voltage Controlled Amplifier (11/12/76)
12) 993 Trigger and Envelope Voltages (06/22/77)
13) 911 Envelope Generator (10/09/74, 10/10/74, 12/27/74)
14) 911A Dual Trigger Delay (06/21/77, 06/22/77)
15) 911 Envelope Generator (10/14/76)
16) 911 Envelope Generator (01/07/77, 01/12/77)
17) 921A Oscillator Drive (01/03/77, 01/06/77, 01/06/77)
18) 921B Oscillator (01/14/77, 01/21/77, 02/03/77)
19) 921B Oscillator (12/27/76, 12/28/76, 12/28/76)
20) 921B Oscillator (01/13/77, 01/17/77, 01/18/77)
21) 921A Oscillator (11/16/73, 11/17/73, 12/5/73)
22) 921B Oscillator (11/21/73, 12/06/73, 12/13/73)
23) 921B Oscillator (01/14/77, 01/18/77, 01/19/77)
24) 904A Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (09/10/76)
25) 903A Random Signal Generator (10/04/76)
26) 994 Multiples (Difficult to read test production/test dates)
27) 960 Sequential Controller (03/23/77, 04/30/77, 11/17/77)
28) 962 Sequential Switch (07/22/77, 08/30/77)
29) 930 Power Supply (--/--/76)
30) 995 Attenuators (no tag)
31) CP2
32) CP8A
33) 961CP Interface
34) CP3A
35) CP3A (with locking pot mod)
36) CP3A (with locking pot mod)
37) Blank Moog Panel
38) 950 Keyboard Controller (RA Moog, 07/06/68)

The reason for some modules being RA Moog, some being from '73, and others dating from '76-'77, is because as Emerson would service his monster Moog's modules one at a time, he would swap between units. Although at one point this was an intact '76/'77 System, it has since been serviced and repaired, as Emerson's demanding touring schedule dictated.

The auction includes both original cabinets, (although the smaller top cabinet is in rough shape due to tour abuse), a reissue 22-space top cabinet, a reissue keyboard garage/stand, an original 950 RA Moog controller, and a variety of cables. Everything one needs to fully use this synth will be included.

As explained, this synth works perfectly and sounds amazing. We encourage local interest to come view, inspect, and hear the unit in person."

Update3: It looks like this may not be Keith Emerson's after all. The following is via an email from "Keith Emerson Business Office" forwarded to me by Michelle Moog-Koussa of the Bob Moog Foundation.

"Dear All,

Please post/forward this everywhere. Keith does not wish anyone to fall victim of fraud, especially for $15100 or potentially much more.

This item sold on ebay is claimed to have been owned by Keith Emerson.
It is either
1) constructed with stolen parts, or
2) complete misrepresentation (It was never owned by Keith).

Keith does own a small back-up unit that is supposed to be in a storage unit, but it looks nothing like the photos on this page. He has NEVER sold or given any MOOG units to anyone.

Keith asked the seller to disclose the name of the person who sold it to him, but he refused to disclose the info. (Keith has a very good idea who that is, and I'm sure you do too)

Keith requested the seller to remove the listing, and has reported the fraudulent listing to eBay."

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Inside an E-mu Drumulator

via this auction
"E-mu Drumulator Drum Machine, MIDI, and EPROMS Kits
10 Different EPROM Drum Sets, Digidrums, 808, & MIDI

Up for auction is a rare E-mu Systems Drumulator in very clean condition. This Drumulator includes 10 different EPROM sound sets (kits), 5 ZIF sockets, MIDI, a new memory battery, and is in great cosmetic and perfect operating condition.

The Drumulator is a sample based drum machine from circa 1983. The original Drumulator stock sound set was gritty, lo-fi, 12-bit samples of basic drum sounds, which become a classic in many songs of the 80s. The company now known as Digidesign, or Avid (Pro Tools), created sound sets for the E-Mu Drumulator and other sample-based drum machines, called Digidrums Sound Chips. This auction includes 8 Digidrums Drumulator EPROM kits (5 EPROMs in each kit) in addition to the Drumulator stock drum kit, and a custom 808 sound kit from drummob.

The EPROM sockets inside the Drumulator have been outfitted with 5 removable high-quality EPROM ZIFs that allow for easily removing and installing of drum kits.

Note: That the DigiDrums EPROM kits included in this auction are not the originals, but replacements made from the original Digidrums chips (see link below to hear the kits).

The 10 EPROM Drumulator Drum Kits included with this auction are:
* Drumulator Stock Kit
* drummob TR-808 Kit
* Digidrums Electronic Drums 1
* Digidrums Electronic Drums 2
* Digidrums Rock Drums 1
* Digidrums Jazz Drums 1
* Digidrums Drums/Latin Percussion
* Digidrums Latin Percussion
* Digidrums Alt Drum Kit #3
* Digidrums All Percussion"

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Blue Clavia/Nord Emu E-drum Drum Synth

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

via this auction

"Emu E-drum Drum Synth, Clavia Edrum, with 4 8-bit Drum Cartridges

Up for auction is a vintage 80s Emu E-drum in working condition and includes 4 Emu/Clavia 8-bit E-drum cartridges (names of cartridges below), and original mounting hardware.

The E-drum was actually developed by Clavia DMI in Sweden, and provided drummers with a single, touch-sensitive pad drum module that offered 40dB of volume range with internal sounds generated from a removable cartridge (containing from one to four 8-bit samples on a 16kB EPROM). A variety of different sound cartridges could be purchased and interchanged in the E-drum, and an optional hardware assembly allowed modular construction of entire drum kits.

This Emu E-drum includes a pitch control, which tunes the pitch either up, down, or no effect (middle position). There is also a Decay control for the triggered 8-bit sound as well as a very warm sounding Treble and Bass controls. The E-drum can be triggered by striking the rubber head on the drum or providing a ¼” triggered input. The E-drum can be powered by two 9v batteries (internal), or can be powered by an 18v DC adapter with an 1/8” plug.

The Emu E-drum in this auction is confirmed working; trigger drum pad, knobs, and output are all confirmed working properly. Output is strong and clean and can be heard in the demo mp3 posted in the link below.

4 Emu E-Drum/Clavia Original Cartridges are included with the Emu E-drum in this auction:

· Grand Piano
· Tom 1
· Rototom 2
· Marimba

I have posted some recordings of Emu E-drum in this auction here:
https://app.box.com/s/jpoj080oiifkpo6h9v7n
https://app.box.com/s/7cip8zgnufqjo619113e

I have posted a PDF of the original E-mu E-drum Manual here:
https://www.box.com/s/xd0ufz5exnlnw9n6bnj2"

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The Crazy Ass Auction Contest!

Update: And we have a winner! The Cyclone went for $202.50. Matthew came in closest guessing $175. He'll be receiving a free Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ. Thanks everyone, and thanks again to Native Instruments.

Native Instruments wrote in to let me know they would be interested in giving away a free Audio 2 DJ [previously posted] to one of MATRIXSYNTH's lucky readers. Way cool Native Instruments!

Obviously this means we must have some sort of contest. I was trying to think of some ideas including having people send in their music or vids made with Native Instruments gear, but then I thought this might not be fair to those that like to tinker more than compose. I didn't want to go with a "first person to email me wins" contest as that would obviously not be fair to those of us who have to step away to work now and then.

So... I thought, "what would be easy, fair, and something everyone could participate in?..." Also, what could I make a series of, should other manufacturers want to offer free gear through the site. One of the staples of this site have become auction posts and us sometimes scratching our heads at what gear eventually goes for. It's frequently a guessing game.

With that, I present to you The Crazy Ass Auction Contest #1! Here's how it will work. Guess the final price of this fantastically blue circuit bent modular synth. The auction ends on Aug 23, 2009. On Aug 22, send me an email with your guess on how much you think it will end for. I will only accept entries timestamped on the 23rd or earlier. The closest person to the winning bid wins the Audio 2 DJ! If there is a tie, I will list the tied submitters and we will have a second auction contest for the final winner. [And that auction ended early - new one via brian c guaranteed to stay up follows].

Update: we have a new item! A footless Oberheim Cyclone! This should be interesting. How much is it worth?! How much will it actually go for?! What the hell is it?!!!

"The Cyclone is probably the best standalone arpeggiator around, it has a lot more than the standard up down stuff you find elsewhere. There are 16 presets and 16 user definable patches, 8 transposition stages per recursion each with its own number of repeats, inversions or programmable recursions, 2 independent keyboard ranges , it will do chords as well as single notes, and it will respond to tap tempo as well as midi clock. Unit is in great shape for being 21 years old, minimal normal scuffing, has bright display , the only 'defect' is that the 4 rubber feet underneath are gone.... an easy cheap fix."

This auction ends on 8/21, so entries are due by midnight 8/20! Anything after that will be discarded. Guess away! And yes, you can guess multiple times. I'll be looking at numbers vs. email addresses. The closest number wins.

Big thanks to Native Instruments and brian c for the auction item!

Note they can only ship to the US and no PO Boxes.

EXPERIMENTAL SYNTHESIZER BASED ON AY-3-8910 CHIP

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

via this auction

"This auction is for an experimental synthesizer based on the General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator chip. The AY-3-8910 chip was used extensively in the early to mid 1980's as the main sound generator on a large number of commercial coin-operated video games. This chip has remained elusive to most since the extended data sheet is hard to come by. The chip was first manufactured by General Instruments from the late 1970's until the late 1980's, then a few were made by Microchip Technology. Early in the 1990's a pin-for-pin and functionally identical version was manufactured by Yamaha and sold under the part number YM2149F.

This experimental unit breaks out each and every register used on the AY-3-8910 into switches and controls so the user can manually adjust each of the three tone generators and the envelope control by means of control panel knobs. In addition, the unit is pre-programmed to work via a 61-key keyboard through the Lupine Systems Series 400 Keyboard Interface Board (included but not pictured). This interface board allows the user to connect any single pole un-matrixed keyboard to the unit. The programming is set up to assimilate each keystroke into the appropriate musical note assigned to each key. The user may shift the octave up and down by 1 on each of the three generators. The user may also select from the pre-programmed musical scale tuning or variable off-key tuning or a fixed frequency note.

Full envelope control is provided through the AY-3-8910 envelope generator. Included with the unit and pre-wired is one Lupine Systems Series 400 Filter/Modulator which provides basic LPF function and a LFO for modulation control.

The unit also has full control over the way the keyboard is scanned and processed, including an arpeggiator and key repeat/scan direction control. The speed in which the keys repeat along with the pulse width of the trigger can be adjusted to create a variety of unique sounds.

The unit outputs sound via four RCA jacks, one for each AY-3-8910 audio channel (A, B, C) and one "composite" output, which is an even mix of A+B+C. The unit also outputs a TTL compatable trigger for external triggering functions.

An expansion interface is also included which originally was used for a MIDI interface and to operate a YM2413 based voice unit.

Included with this auction is the entire experimental unit, one Lupine Systems Series 400 Interface Module for Parallel (unmatrixed) Keyboards, one 26-pin ribbon cable (which connects the unit to the Interface board), and a set of schematics. The schematics are for the Lupine Systems Series 400 Mini, which is very very very close to this unit but some of the pin numbers for the connectors may not be the exact same. A copy of the software for the PIC16F73 microcontroller is also included on CD-ROM in MPASM (assembly) format so you can see how the processor does its thing.

Keyboard is NOT included with this auction! Any 61-key keyboard (or fewer keys say 48 key is common on old organs) will work as long as it is NOT matrixed (multiplexed) and has individual switches for each key with a common ground bus."

I created a new General Instruments label for these moving forward. There was one post featuring the AY-3-8910 from Little-Scale back in 2011 here.

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Vicious SID Commodore 64 Keytar

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

Via the seller: "In this auction we have one of the most tricked out, one-of-a-kind, nothing else like it Commodore 64 computers in existence! I hand built this fully functional mod over the course of 5 months +/- years in stress. So much research, development, time, design and money went into this project and I can honestly say I am super proud of what I built. I am currently in a bit of a bind and my priorities are completely shifted. In short, I am selling off the majority of my studio to be with my son.

Here is a list of all the mods, hacks and work I put into this thing. Please read all of this to understand exactly what it is that I am selling. There are links for you to further research and see more pictures of this build in the text below.

-Painted the chassis blue and black inside and out.
- Mounted nice locking guitar strap pegs
-Added a custom Li-Ion battery pouch attached to locking guitar strap
- wired a 12v pass through from battery pack, through body and out the top by the LCD mount (no wires, easy disconnect, clean)
- wired a color selector switch close to the 12V battery pack input. Choose Power LED color to suite you mood, can also turn off LED once colors cycle fully if you have not chosen one
- Added a Stratocaster guitar boat style output plate wired for stereo TRS (for stereo output)
- Added a Telecaster style control plate. 2 knobs control volume of dual sids while the switch selects dual sid or mono sid

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Roland SH-101, TB-303, & TR-909 Original Service Notes

Note you can find scans online.

Some will appreciate originals though.

SH-101 from 1982 via this auction

"Here is your chance to own this vintage original Roland SH-101 Services Notes. It includes all the technical information you need to know about the vintage original Roland SH-101 Synthesizer. This manual contains 8 pages (included some foldout pages).

This is a must-have for any vintage synthesizer/Roland collector as these are getting very hard/impossible to find these days.

This manual has no highlighting,underlining or any stamps in it."

TB-303 from 1984 via this auction

"Here is your chance to own this vintage original Roland TB-303 Services Notes. It includes all the technical information you need to know about the vintage original Roland TB-303 Synthesizer. This manual contains 8 pages (included some foldout pages).

This is a must-have for any vintage synthesizer/Roland collector as these are getting very hard/impossible to find these days.

This manual has no highlighting,underlining or any stamps in it."

TR-909 from 1984 via this auction

"Here is your chance to own this vintage original Roland TR-909 Services Notes. It includes all the technical information you need to know about the vintage original Roland TR-909 Drumcomputer. This manual contains 16 pages (included some foldout pages).

This is a must-have for any vintage synthesizer/Roland collector as these are getting very hard/impossible to find these days.

This manual has no highlighting,underlining or any stamps in it."

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ETI 4600 Synthesiser Auction Video Overview & Demos

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
YouTube Published on Aug 9, 2012 by MikeyJTUK
4 part video series for this auction.

"ETI 4600 synthesiser demonstration. This is being sold on eBay from August 15th 2012 and ending on August 25th. World-wide shipping is available. This is an overview showing the complete 1970s vintage analogue synthesiser with an overview of the modules and layout.

This synth was a state-of-the-art design when it was conceived back in the1970s. Designed by Trevor Marshall in 1973, this synthesiser was offered in kit form by Maplin Electronic Supplies (in the UK). The parts cost was around £500, and was said to match the performance of synthesisers costing £1500 - that equates to a staggering £15,600 in today's money (according to www.thisismoney.co.uk calculator). This is a collector's dream! This actual synthesiser is featured on the home page of www.eti4600synthesiser.org.uk website, is fully working, and is in great condition considering it is some 35 years old. This synthesiser was built by me in 1977 when I was a teenager and has remained in my possession until now.

Not only is this a great asset for lovers of nostalgia and early electronic music history, but also for the modern day sound design engineer who can sample these great 70's sounds and combine the wonderful early synthesiser sounds with the precision, reliability, automation, and flexibility of modern DAW's!

See the other 3 parts for an in-depth demonstration."

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WMD Synchrodyne Expand Eurorack Module

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

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here
Perfect Circuit Audio (RSS)

"This is the WMD Synchrodyne Expand, they went a little crazy with it. But we figured that if you can grasp the original, you're the type that always wants to go deeper. So lets take this plunge together as we attempt to explain what it all means.

Concept

The Synchrodyne by itself is capable of a great deal, containing several modules in one, prepatched internally to create a vibrant range of sounds. It is designed to be powerful and extremely dynamic when minimally patched, but when patch cords start flying around to be open and experimental. You may also use many of the parts of the Synchrodyne and Expand separately in various parts of your patches. The open architecture allows it to do many jobs, even small ones.

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Simmons SDS7 Drum Synthesizer & Face Plate Replacement

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

Two separate listings.

SDS7 Drum Synthesizer via this auction

Face Plate Replacement via this auction

Tone Tweakers eBay | Reverb

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

"This unit has been meticulously refurbished and is working like new again and better than the rest.

In additional to sorting out any problems, we paid our tech to make this unit better than others on the market, a process that took a whopping 30 hours of skilled vintage synth tech time, plus parts costs.

Fully disassembled and cleaned inside and out
Replaced electrolytic capacitors in power supply
Resoldered regulators
Replaced all RAM (6166 x 10)
Installed new battery
Reloaded sounds off cartridge to first 80 kit banks
Cleaned all switch contacts
Replaced many IC sockets
There was a broken XLR connector, so we had to painstakingly remove the original rivets to remove the circuit board, replace the connector, and then Instal new rivets for 13 female XLR connectors - a time consuming PITA
Cleaned and lubed all pots

This unit is intentionally priced at what we believe to be top market value because of the big investment of time, love and money to make it better than others you may find.

7089x"

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circuit bent roland jv-1010 synthesizer w spectrasonics special fx board

via this auction "features: -36 point freely assignable patchbay via color wheel -6 rotary knobs with 12 positions assigned to each -6 color wheel knobs patches a rotary knob to one of three colors: RGB or off between each color -color wheels allow free matrixing of all knobs in up to 3 independant pairs of circuit bends or up to 6 stack of bends

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Signed Depeche Mode / Alan Wilder Samples on ZIP For Auction

via this auction

"This auction is for a ZIP100 disc containing Depeche Mode samples.
This item was purchased from the Alan Wilder Collected auction.
This auction includes the original zip disc, original signed case, invoice, and certificate of authenticity.
If you are bidding on this item I'm sure you know what it is.

Details :

Only 20 of these Zip discs exist and each is personally numbered and signed by Alan. Every disc contains a collection of sound banks designed for the Emax sampler. These are the exact sounds which were programmed and used by Alan during DM’s ‘Devotional’ and ‘Music For The Masses’ tours. Each bank contains an array of sounds allocated across the keyboard for the live performances. In nearly all cases, the samples were sourced from the original multitrack recordings. You will also find sounds for song versions which were only ever performed live, plus songs which never actually made the final tour set list.

Below is a list of all the song banks included :

Music For The Masses Tour :
Bank 00 : People Are People
Bank 01 : A Question Of Time
Bank 02 : A Question Of Lust
Bank 03 : Pleasure, Little Treasure
Bank 04 : Sacred
Bank 05 : Blasphemous Rumours
Bank 06 : It Doesn’t Matter
Bank 07 : The Things You Said
Bank 08 : Strangelove
Bank 09 : Shake The Disease
Bank 10 : Never Let Me Down
Bank 11 : Just Cant Get Enough
Bank 12 : Stripped
Bank 13 : Pipeline
Bank 14 : Nothing
Bank 15 : Behind The Wheel
Bank 16 : Something To Do
Bank 17 : Everything Counts
Bank 18 : Somebody

Devotional Tour :
Bank 34 : Mercy In You (Alan 93)
Bank 35 : Flys On The Windscreen
Bank 36 : Nothing (A 93)
Bank 37 : Something To Do
Bank 38 : Leave In Silence (Alan 93)
Bank 39 : A Question Of Lust
Bank 40 : Clean (percussion trigger sounds)
Bank 41 : Condemnation (Guide)
Bank 42 : Everything Counts (94 version)
Bank 43 : Waiting For The Night To Fall
Bank 44 : I Want You Now (94 version)"

This one in via Brian.

NED Synclavier

Looks like another NED Synclavier and components are on the bay. Title link takes you to the set of images pulled from the auctions below. Each auction is from the same seller, so I'm guessing they are part of the same system. via Failed Muso.


Synclavier II via this auction.


Synclavier II Digital Controller via this auction.


Synclavier II Monitor and Qwerty Keyboard via this auction.


Synclavier II drives, cables, and flightcase via this auction.

ARP Rhodes Chroma for Auction

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Update: Peter originally had this listed as one of the first 50 by Phillip Dodd's ARP team. It turns out it was not.

Updated description:
"NB I've just had an authoritative source tell me that my naive and un-researched belief that 2101 would be the first run (since other runs were 2102, 2103, 2104...) could well be complete bollocks. I am researching this now and will make changes in the listing as soon as I know more.

This particular machine sounds totally gorgeous - rich, powerful, and all of course controlled by one of the best keyboards in the world. Wooden, beautifully weighted, and much nicer than the CS-80. (Of course it doesn't have the rare optional polyphonic aftertouch sensor, and it would be lovely to know if those are possible to find or reproduce.)

It has been fully serviced within the last 8 weeks by Roy Paynter, who is the UK's number one Chroma service guy, and universally recommended. He has a Chroma permanently in his workshop as a test-bed, and knows the machines inside out. His servicing warranty is three months, so there will be ample time for you to check the Chroma out within the warranty period.

This machine is European voltage. It was originally bought by Ken Freeman, famous inventor of the String Machine, who used it extensively in his music. It still has his little 'Ken' sticker on it. He eventually sold it in 1994 at the first VEMIA auction, where it was bought for £2000 by Global Communications (Mark Pritchard and Tom Middleton).

They then used it in their music for years, but Mark has now emigrated to Australia, and the Chroma was one thing that he couldn't fit into his suitcase.

It is in decent cosmetic condition - see the photos. A very reasonable 7/10, with some little knocks to the wood, and a few minor blemishes. The wood could easily be re-finished for certain, as it's solid..... but who knows if that's the right thing to do?

It works beautifully, and has the original factory presets loaded. Some of these are maybe a bit dated, and some definitely need a reasonable velocity to sound at all - unlike a standard plastic synth keyboard, this one has to be played like a piano, and just like a piano if you put your finger on a key and press slowly no sound will come out - but most are brilliant - powerful, full, meaty, smooth... altogether wonderful.

One of the nice things about this machine is that it comes with all the original literature - the Programming Manual, Performance Manual, Interface Manual, fold-out four side parameter map, and, best of all, the original preliminary Service Manual, complete with all schematics with ARP logos.

It has its original flight-case, which is in good condition except for the foam, which has started to deteriorate. We will cover ithe Chroma in plastic and pack it in polystyrene and bubble-wrap inside the flightcase, or pack it perfectly safely in polystyrene inside a carton without the flightcase, at the buyer's choice.

This is an absolute pleasure to play, and it would be a great thing to own.

For more information about Chromas generally, please check out the excellent rhodeschroma.com.

This machine isn't cheap, but it is very very special, and if you value beautiful keyboard feel and great rich analogue sounds you will love it.

I run the VEMIA online auction (Vintage Electric Musical Instrument Auctions). But the owner needs to sell now.... so here this is on eBay. (The next VEMIA auction isn't until November 4-11.) We are expert shippers at decent prices - please look at my feedback.

I also write the A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers books."

NINE INCH NAILS Oberheim OB-8 Synthesizer NIN

via this auction

For those new to the site or find this in the archives, note this is not my auction. Please do not send any inquiries to me. Send them to the seller.

Auction Details:

"You are bidding on an Oberheim OB-8 bought from the Nothing Studios equipment sell off in 2001. This actual synthesizer was owned by NIN and won legitimately by myself from the auctions in late January 2001. It is autographed next to the mod/pitch toggles and includes the studio manual.

I corresponded with a studio employee handling the auctions by phone and asked not to release the phone number, which was designated a New Orleans area code. Here is a link to a Seems Like Salvation web post with an official announcement of the Ebay items up for bids, including the Oberheim OB-8... http://www.nineinchnails.net/news/jan01/012501-02.html. I also recently messaged former NIN band member Danny Lohner on MySpace and he confirmed remembering the 2001 auctions and specifically the Oberheim OB-8 being put up for sale.

ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT FACT TO NOTE ON THIS SYNTH'S AUTHENTICITY... The manual has a phone number jotted down with what appears to be "S/R LA." Sound recording L.A.? Studio recording L.A.? Along with this is a number which has an area code and prefix that I did a background/reverse phone directory lookup on. Two seperate parties were assigned this number, who just so happened to be located within 5-7 miles of Trent's infamous Cielo Dr. studio (where Charles Manson and his followers murdered Sharon Tate). Chances are, this actual synthesizer sat in that house while recording Broken and The Downward Spiral.

I DO NOT REPRESENT NIN.COM AND I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH THEIR STUDIO LIQUIDATION SALE. I am simply taking advantage of their equipment auctions to sell this Oberheim OB-8 originally intended to be kept and passed onto my children. As the economy has taken a nosedive, I am now in dire need of cash to handle bills, so I am using this rare occasion to market the Oberheim for maximum exposure to die hard NIN fans.

About the unit. It is in good condition, but ABOUT THREE OF THE MIDDLE OCTAVE KEYS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PRESSED. In other words, if the Oberheim is triggered by an external MIDI keyboard, every note will work just fine; but somewhere along the line, a majority of the keys in the middle octaves started working partially (only when pressed quickly). Again, all the notes sound perfect if triggered from an external MIDI keyboard, but only work intermittently if triggered from the Oberheim keys. This could be a minor issue involving the contacts underneath, but I am not an analog expert so this item is sold AS-IS. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS. Why would you want one anyhow? This was Trent Reznor's synthesizer.

The sounds on this board are extremely textured and rich. There are superb pads and leads on here. I'm guessing this was used somewhere in Pretty Hate Machine, but it's impossible to confirm. The actual size of the unit is monstruous. It weighs over 50 pounds and measures approximately 2 feet x 4.5 feet. If you're looking for a piece of NIN history that is larger than life, this is it!

Buyer pays $125.00 shipping. Like I said, this thing is huge. I will ship only within the continental U.S. (lower 48 states). Good luck bidding!"

Sold For: US $2,100.00

Modded Wasp Synthesizer Demo

YouTube via eidco | September 17, 2008 - [previously posted - new post for the auction below]

"This is a demonstration of the Wasp Synthesizer I sold on eBay. The auction ran from Sep. 24 to Oct. 4, 2008.

I originally had a link to the auction item here, but it is too old now and the item has been removed.

My Wasp sold for a disappointing $687 dollars. Congratulations to the lucky winner of the auction. The timing of my auction coincided with the tanking of the US economy and I'm afraid that scared off a lot of potential bidders. I've seen other Wasp synths sell on eBay for over $1200 even in a non-operating condition.

Thanks for listening, rating, commenting, and subscribing to my videos."


via this auction

"ORIGINAL 1979 EDP WASP SYNTHESISER"

Note this is not the one in the video above, but is a new listing. I spotted the video in this auction. The seller does note the video is not the one listed.

Vintage Doepfer VMS - Voice Modular System for Auction

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

via eBay Germany

Note this would be the third Doepfer product according to the timeline here. It is from 1982 and it predates the Sound Sampler recently posted here by two years.

Another one spotted by Florian Anwander who had the following to say:

"This is an auction on ebay Germany. The VMS - Voice Modular System' was a Curtis based synth, that provided
* a voice card with two VCOs, VCF, VCA, and two ADSR,
* an addon card with two LFOs and Noise for each card, and may be some other functions
* an interface card to controll the synths parameters from a C64
* a 32 x S&H card, where the voltages from the interface where distributed to the voices.
* a memory card, where presets could be stored
One system could consist of 8 Voices.

In this auction also a Sound Sampler Card,a MIDI-CV-interface, and a card for a polyphonic CV/Gate-Keyboard is included.

Unfortunately the auction the seller does not ship to other countries than germany.

Original text of the auction in Googlish:
'Mid-80s, I have several times different special assemblies by Dipl. Phys. Dieter Doepfer purchased to build me a synthesizer module system. I once 1,032.50 DM for all these parts paid (the old invoices I send with). From the construction project unfortunately did not work out. The various boards, partially equipped with plenty Curtis CEM ICs and other were not built by me, the boards were therefore not connected to power supply voltages. While these are all modules of the early Doepfer devices series, but it would be a shame to dispose of these boards as hazardous waste. Even if only the Curtis ICs into account, then this package is still some value is, therefore, the starting price of the auction of EUR 150, -. Because I can not verify the circuit boards and assemblies, sell everything as defective goods. I'm still on the assumption that the ICs work.

There are the following modules with the corresponding assembled boards:

1 Voice Card
1 expansion card
1 analog output interface based card
2 analog output interface 32 channel S & H Cards
1 analog memory bank
1 half-Europe microcomputer board
1 analog memory bank backplane

The matching of the modules front panels, potentiometers, switches and jacks are not there. A few existing external components (front panels, mounting, etc. s. Photos) I deliver to.

At Curtis CEM ICs are installed on Voice Card and expansion card into the following number:
2x CEM 3340 VCO
1x CEM 3320 VCF
4x CEM 3330 Dual VCA
2x CEM 3360 Dual VCA
2x CEM 3310 ADSR

Full-linked blueprints for different modules with copies of the original CEM IC documentation (in English) are for the following modules in the Appendix:

Voice-Card
Expansion-card
Analog output interface (ASB)
Analog memory bank
Midi-CV interface (v. Peter Fischer)
Polyphonic computer keyboard (v. Peter Fischer)
Sound sampling unit (natural sound memory (SSE)

Furthermore, the scope of the auction include several brochures and price lists from Doepfer from 1983-84 and 1984-85, as well as a multi-page copy of a Elrad article about Curtis CEM CEM ICs and documentaries about other ICs.

This offer is valid only within Germany. This offer is valid for Germany only - no shipping to other countries.'"

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SYNTON FENIX ANALOG MODULAR SYNTHESIZER

via this auction.

The patch cables are listed separately here.

"For auction is the extremely rare Synton Fenix analog modular synthesizer, hand built in 1997 in the Netherlands. This unit is one of 75 ever made! The Fenix is a highly sought after analog modular used by the likes of Aphex Twin and other artists. I've owned this Fenix for nearly a decade, after trading for it with a respected member of the Analogue Heaven mailing list. The sounds the Fenix can produce are like nothing else!

The following items are included in this auction:

- Synton Fenix analog modular synthesizer
- Primary power supply with a converter for U.S. power outlets
- Backup power supply and back panel (rare), should something ever happen to the original power components!

The Pomona banana patch cords shown in one of the pictures are NOT included in this auction. I am creating a separate auction for the patch cables. Check out my other items!"

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