Curetronic Rare Small Modular - VEMIA

"This is as near mint as you could want, but if you look in the right light you can see the odd finger-mark, so according to VEMIA rules it needs to be called near-mint. Unusual and very well-made small modular, which presumably proved too expensive for Curetronic to continue with - they changed their format after this to make modules 5U instead of 6U and therefore a little less spacious. They also seem to have had to stop using the superb knurled metal knobs that are on this one - again presumably to try to cut costs. Two very powerful VCOs, capable of huge and complex sounds; one pretty straightforward VCA; and the interesting 'Tool' module, which has all sorts of timing, inverting and slew-varying possibilities for pitch or control or both. There is a pair of XLRs on the back for connection to another Curetronic (I believe the built-in power supply is capable of running two cases like this); and a standard IEC mains connector, which is fine until you try to remove the mains lead, when it is wobbly and needs holding in while you pull the lead out. (Strange, since everything else is so incredibly solid!) The original owner says this is a design fault from new. I bought the modular from him because I thought it looked very interesting and wanted to check out Curetronic stuff first-hand for the A-Z book. I can't afford to keep it, so here it is in the auction. The six patchleads as shown will be included, and an IEC mains lead for your (220-240V) country if I have one and you want it. Very handsome, and if you have something else to connect it to (since you'll need envelopes and filters from something else), very very powerful too."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5870.

Digisound Mod 80 - VEMIA

"This is my original Digisound 80 synth. I bought all the kits from Charles Blakey's company in the early 80's. It comprises 2 VCOs, VCLFO, 2 x EGs, Dual VCA, Dual Ring Mod, LP VCF, VCM, Lag Processor, S&H/Noise module and a DAC unit. All the modules except the DAC are calibrated and trimmed and in excellent condition. I modified the DAC by adding a simple MIDI/CV circuit (Penfold's design). It works but it is not up to the standard of a Kenton unit! I also have the parts for the Octave/Shift XY controller which is mounted in an ABS case at present. The PSU is the original Digisound unit. The modules are mounted in a wooden case with a black wood grain finish. I have a complete set of documentation including construction notes, user manual, introduction to synthesis and foil patterns if you want to make your own boards. To look at more pictures and listen to audio clips go to www.vcf.talktalk.net and click on Digisound."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5822.

Roland 184 System 100M Superior Keyboard - VEMIA

"The best of the System 100M keyboards, polyphonic / monophonic, with arpeggiator."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5818.

Unknown Keyboard - VEMIA

"37 key Synthesiser keyboard. Not midi. Steel case. Full size keys."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5883.

If anyone knows what this is, feel free to comment.

Update via Strellis in the comments: "It looks like an Echosoft Organ Master keyboard for the ZX Spectrum. I have the keyboard and ZX Spectrum but not the software or interface. link"

ARP Pro Soloist - VEMIA

"If you need any convincing that the Pro-Soloist is one of the great-sounding monosynths of all time, buy this example! Stunning, brilliant presets, which are just mind-boggling - how on earth did they get such quality and realism in such a lightweight synth with the technology of the early-mid 70s? And although the presets are only presets, there are 30 of them, with wide variety, and most of them sound good throughout the five possible octaves. More important, pressure sensitivity gives wonderful expression possibilities. This is simply one of the great solo-ing synths. Manufacture is a bit tacky - the switches are flimsy, the keys are by now a little clacky - but you have to forgive it everything when it produces sounds like this. All presets seem in perfect calibration; all keys function perfectly; sliders are good; switches (for a Pro-Soloist) are nothing short of a miracle. Pressure needs a bit of a push, but not so much as to make an un-natural or difficult playing style. This instrument works beautifully, and looks very good too. Forget any prejudice, this instrument (and especially this example) is absolutely FANTASTIC!"
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5863.

Yamaha CS5 - VEMIA

"Not sure you'd ever find a better example of this classic little analogue monosynth. Condition is genuinely near mint. Absolutely standard, no modifications, all original even down to the screws! Working condition is perfect. Tuning calibrated. One of the great things about this synth is the External Trigger function, which allows you to trigger it from any external audio source. Great for unusual guitar effects. 240V. pdf of user manual available on request."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5844.

ARP Quadra - VEMIA

"Despite some initial appearances, this is a very nice example of a rare and characterful ARP. How can it be called 'good' cosmetically when it has two keys snapped off? Because apart from that, and a little paint damage around the 'polyphonic waveform generators' graphic, it is in practically near-mint condition. It comes with a new-looking case, not heavy-duty enough in our opinion to be a flightcase but excellent for storage without dust, or for taking in a car. When the Quadra arrived at VEMIA it seemed to have major working issues, but once we opened up the lid and re-seated some inter-board connectors, it sprung to life in a very un-Quadra-like way (they're not usually well-looked-after or very reliable in my experience). There are a couple of issues we found: the resonance control on the monosynth section doesn't seem to work (and the LED doesn't come on); the monosynth tuning has to be quite high on its range to be in tune with the rest; and the aftertouch is almost un-noticeable - quite subtle and musical on the detune setting, though. But compared with most Quadras, it is a gem. It is also pretty unique in its concept, and in the sounds that can come out of it once you get your head around the four sections, and how to play them, and decide which ones should go through the superb phaser. The arpeggiator is nice too. Lots of individual outs for further effecting; and loads of inputs and outputs for CV, gate, pedals etc etc. Looking at how bright the socket metalwork is tells you how well this has been looked after. All slider tops have a white colour-coding - not sure if that is original - but are all good. Some sliders are fairly resistant, but very smooth, not jerky or in bad condition. We didn't notice anywhere where any of the legend is worn. This is a very very nice synth, but you may need to do what we did and reseat connectors after transit. (We would also not recommend shipping it in its smart but lightweight case, because it would be safer in well-planned cardboard packaging. Extra packing here would be £10.) We discovered that there is a switch for 115 or 230V, and swapped it to 230V - but it also worked on 115V using our transformer. Uses a standard IEC mains lead. Best to provide your own (I bet that the paint damage mentioned above was caused by a carelessly place mains plug.)"
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5835.

Studio Electronics Rare MIDImoog - VEMIA

"studio electronics midimoog (rare approx 500 made). this one is a 1973 minimoog dated on the filter board. condition 9/10 - has chinagraph marks on it in the picture, will clean off before sending. scaled and ready to play. this also has the high tune mod by studio electronics on the oscillator board,which makes it very stable."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5987.

Spectral Audio ProTone 2 - VEMIA

"Very nice condition, pretty rare, and with a distinctive sound. Seems to work very well, although not tested completely exhaustively. In our test set-up there was slight mains hum, which could probably be eliminated by lifting the ground. One knob is incorrect, but otherwise it is in very pleasing cosmetic condition indeed. Uses IEC socket, so supplying your own mains lead is easy."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5755.

Spectral Audio ProTone - VEMIA

"Synthesiser module Listed in Peter Forrest's Analogue Synthesiser book. Good for metallic percussion sounds, monophonic leads and sound effects. Dual VCO. Snappy envelope. Noise PWM, noise and ring mod. Filter Accent switchable over midi."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5693.

I just like this shot for some reason.