Old Timey Rozzbox

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Still amazed. Thanks Randy. bigcitymusic.com"

Alesis Micron

YouTube via synthartist69

"Here is a quick video of the Micron I have listed on Ebay. Thanks for viewing my auction!" Not sure which one it is, so here's all of them: link

Oberheim OB-12 by syntezatory.prv.pl (2 of 2)

YouTube via Jexus.

Follow up to this post.

"2000 Oberheim OB12. All sounds programmed by WC Olo Garb. Video editing by WC Olo Garb. ||| Syntezatory.prv.pl Videos: showing you not what a synthesizer can do, but what a man can do with a synthesizer."

Clavia Nord Micro Modular

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Image of the packaging and power supply for anyone looking...

ARIES MODULAR ANALOG SYNTHESIZER

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"Aries was an innovative company located in Massachusetts that sold modular synthesizers in either kit form or pre-assembled through the late 1970's. Aries modules sound very much like Moog equipment (the voltage controlled filters are clearly a patent infringement) and use a similar patching system, except that mini jacks are used to make connections rather than the standard 1/4" leads.

As a result, Aries equipment is quite compact (by standards) and a fraction of the price of a second hand Moog or Emu system. With the exception of the Aries III, most of the systems were housed in rather bland plywood cases, and designed to be used for serious academic or studio work. (Aries assumed that its customers were serious bad-ass synthesists who would not care about cosmetics.)

The Aries marketing department appears to have had something of an attitude problem, and its promotional literature shows a clear distain for the pre-set and portable synthesizer market.

The Aries manual is prefaced with comments that "you bought one of our systems, so you're obviously not an idiot and we won't insult your intelligence by explaining basic functions to you". Potential customers were assured in a mildly threatening tone that modular synthesizers were the ONLY choice of a real musician.


Aries modular systems were not cheap, and ranged from about $1,400 for a very basic System I to almost $4,000 for a complete Series IV (in 1978 dollars!). At the same time, they were successful enough to drive Moog out of the kit market, and establish a reputation for well made, if ugly synthesizers. When I have had to bring Aries modules across the border, Customs has had trouble believing that this is musical equipment and not military surplus!

Pictured here are close-ups of four Aries modules: To the left are the (from left to right) AR-331 Pre-Amp/Envelope Follower, the AR-334 Sequencer and the AR-318 Sample and Hold. To the right is the AR-315 Balanced Modulator. Note the slight cosmetic and colour variations from year to year. Many of the modules had dual controls, such as the 8/16 event Sequencer. Pitch was set manually with the rotary pots, not an easy thing to do given the cramped space."

Update via Peter Grenader in the comments:
"Aries was NOT a patent infringement! That's completely inaccurate and I dare say ignorant comment. Electrically they were one of the best-designed synthesizers ever produced. These guys were engineers and smart ones at that. This becomes immediately obvious to anyone who sweeps their schematics and knows what they're looking at. Aries was the real deal.

Let's not forget the ARP 2600 was designed by Aries' co-founder Dennis Colin and would have been twice a good as it was if it wasn't later cheapened up by Pearlman who replaced the active CV mixers with passive summers which introduced bleed and interaction which wouldn't have been there if they had stuck to Colin's initial design.

Think twice before passing the Aries off as just another 'kit'. They're dual core VCOs were probably the best ever in the history of modular analog instruments."

MOOG Minimoog Model 204D with MIDI

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Always read the auction details in full before bidding. This one is in need of repair.

Interesting that the MIDI mod has a switch. In a live performance situation this could be very useful.

Crumar Orchestrator with Pedals

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"CRUMAR Orchestrator String Machine with (3) Foot Pedals, namely: Pedal Board, Swell Pedal, & Filter Pedal. It's a 61 Note Keyboard; No Midi; Sounds : " String ", " Bass ", " Piano ", " Harps ", & " Cord ". These sounds can be used individually or collectively. The Orchestrator String Machine is a bit heavy but a very SOLID piece of musical equipment. Foot Expression Pedal with case; Brass Filter with case; & 13 Note (G-G) Foot Pedal with case.

Crumar is an Italian company which manufactured synthesizer keyboards in the 70s and 80s. Its name is taken from that of its founder, Mario Crucianelli. Crumar synthesizers are comparable and contemporaneous to Moog synthesiers and other analog synthesizers.

The Crumar Orchestrator (pictured above) was unique in its ability to split parts across the keyboard (similar to the ARP Solina). With numerous front panel controls the orchestrator was a flexible solution for keyboardists and sound programmers alike. The Orchestrator offered unique dynamic and filter controls for Violin, Cello, Piano and Clavichord."

YAMAHA PSS-680 with light-theremin mods

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"Yamaha PSS-680 "MusicStation" digital synthesizer, with mods. It comes stock with: MIDI in/out/thru jacks, 99 voices, 99 rhythms, vibrato/ duet/ sustain/ reverb/ portamento & stereo-chorus effects, transpose/tuning/attack rate/decay rate/ frequency/ feedback level/ modulation level & total level synth parameters, a four-bank drumpad array, a "custom drummer" mode that let's you program your own beats, bass/chord/orchestra accompaniments, a programmable pitchbend wheel, plus some memory banks and other cool buttons. I've added a mod to the pitch wheel function. the first toggle switch engages the photocell while the second toggle switch determines if the pitch will go up or down. The photocell then lets you "play" the pitch of the keyboard notes much like a light-sensitive theremin. The manual is online in case you'd like a copy."

MOOG The Rouge with Original Box

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"Moog 'Rogue' analog synthesizer. It was purchased new in 1984 from Goodman Music in Anahiem, Ca. The serial# is 7639. It has not been powered up for 10yrs or so, but all functions worked well the last time it was played. It comes with all of the original documentation; owners manual, technical service info including schematics with some part#'s, service center listings. Lots of info about this unit is on the web.

Some of the white lettering is worn off around the master volume knob and one of the sliders in the area, upper right hand side, see pic.

The original box has water stains on one end but I don't believe the unit itself has gotten wet, it is isolated in the box with styrofoam packing and a cardboard insert, see pics."

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Waldorf XTk

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