MATRIXSYNTH


Friday, February 18, 2022

Fender Rhodes Chroma Polaris SN 301269

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


via this auction

"Only 3600 ever made (1984), here we have a super-rare Fender Rhodes Chroma Polaris <> model 2123 s/n 101269. dims:- 100 x 37 x 11cms weight:- a chunky 19Kgs!..sure is robust! It has just been professionally serviced ~ fresh internal battery fitted, all reset to factory settings, switched to 220V operation, and some interesting patches loaded in.

Here are the specs:-
~ 6-voice polyphony
~ 61 dynamic keys
~ 132 memory slots (11 banks A > K x 12 progs each)
~ split/dual mode
~ 2 VCO (saw & pw)
~ 4-pole analogue filter
~ midi fitted ~ twin levers
~ sequencer
~ live control of filter/resonance/modulation ~ ring modulation ~ unique mod "sweep"
~ noise

Condition:- sourced from an avid UK collector, this Polaris has mostly been looked at/treasured. Its obvious that all the faders and membrane switches have many years of usage left - a nightmare common issue on such synths, as they do wear out..... keys are excellent; lowest "G" has some lateral "play" (aka wobbly side-to-side)...not a big deal. Casing is "good", no damaged veneer, just a few dinks of little note. All LEDS, levers, switches work perfectly. At the moment, the glide function is not working; we are printing off the manual; maybe that can be sorted....

Sounds like? Some reviews say "tinny"...we disagree. This synth is powerful. It excels at polysynth sounds, bass sounds, lead lines, silly percussive stuff/noise etc....but you will not find piano-type sounds.....leave that to the Korg M1 (well, they started all the sampled waveform stuff, didnt they?).This is subtractive synthesis. Find a progamme you like, live-tweak it, as most of the controls are waiting for you to do this, then pop YOUR creation into one of the 132 slots...simple as that!"

Teisco 60F

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video upload by Lackan

"A demo of the Teisco Synthesizer 60f. No extra FX used. Some pots are a bit crackly and the Youtube sound compression is a bit hard at times. Sorry for this."

Note the video is from 2013.



via this auction

1979 Oberheim OB-X 8-voice Vintage Synthesizer w/Midi

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video upload by Rod Abernethy



via this auction

Pic of the inside below.

"Vintage Oberheim OB-X 8-Voice Synthesizer from 1979 with Encore Midi Retrofit - in excellent original condition.

This Oberheim OB-X is a 61 key, polyphonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync and FM), noise generator, resonant 12dB low pass filter, dual ADSR envelopes, an LFO, 32 presets, tape interface, and CV IO.

I’m a composer for TV, film and video games and I’ve used this OB-X extensively since I bought it the '90s…sadly I don’t use it like I use to and it’s time to pass it along to someone that will love it as much as I have over the years. I remember searching long and hard before I found this particular OB-X, I believe I’m the second owner…the first owner took exception care of it before I got it.


This OB-X is most likely a Rev1 built in 1979. Over the years I've seen folks replacing caps, resisters, mini trim pots, etc. on their vintage synths but this OB-X still has all the original electronic parts and components, works great and sounds incredible! The only mod that is the Encore Midi Retrofit that I had done back in the '90s…I’ve not replaced anything else since I bought it. The only thing not working is the led on the Noise "Half" Button selector that doesn’t light up when turned on, it was like that when I bought it.


The Autotune works great, especially after the synth has warmed up for about 30 minutes. The original eight voice cards are in tune all across the keyboard and sound big and fat - but if you want them all in pitch perfect tuning you could have a true synth technician/specialist to do a calibration-tuning on the all eight cards/voices. To me, a slight variance in pitch on the collective eight voices is how I remember these synths sounding from the 80s:)


I’ve kept it in my smoke free studio ever since I bought it in the '90s with a cover when not being used. The keyboard is really clean and great looking. The letters and screening are exceptionally bright and sharp. There are marks on the bottom, that's the way I got it (see photos) and a few small scratches on the external metal casing. The side panels are in great condition (not real wood but they look fantastic). Some of the screws look like they might have been replaced but they all look like what I think the original screws look like. The keyboard is in excellent shape, and all keys feel in top shape and work well with no glitching.

It comes with copies of the owner and service manuals."

Oberheim DX Drum Machine

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via this auction

Pic of the inside below.

Firstman/Multivox SQ-01

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


via this auction

You can find demos of the SQ-01 in previous posts here.

"Operation is very straight forward, but there is one incredibly unique feature: you can alter the waveform (and associated envelope shape) per step. Yes, it's essentially a "p-lock" 20 years before Elektron got there!

This unit has been completely serviced and calibrated (waveform volumes now match), and a diode put in across PSU input to prevent frying (PSU not included). PLUS it now had a custom non-volatile memory RAM board installed (no more batteries for pattern retention!)

It works a treat and sounds huge. Also has CV/GATE/CLOCK inputs, and CV/GATE/CLOCK/Sychro outputs, so easily able to be integrated into a modern modular setup."

REON Driftbox S III Eu - Eurorack Analog Synth Module

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via this auction

"The basic specifications of the driftbox S MK III have been retained, but now it is a Eurorack model.

The gain has been adjusted to about 3x for easy-to-use volume in combination with other modular synths.

The VCO1 CV IN, VCO2 CV IN, GATE IN, VCF CV IN, VCA IN, and AUDIO OUT terminals are located at the bottom of the front surface."

GTR ORGATRON 1 w/ Original Display Carton Box

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


via this auction

You can find a demo of one posted here.

Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (1984) Instrumental Cover


video upload by KOSmusic

"This is my version of an unforgettable great classic from the mid 80s: Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat (of 1984).

I've always loved how this song starts with those pads and the DX7's signature harp... it always gave me goosebumps!! Furthermore, Sommerville's voice is truly fantastic with his unmistakable timbre.

I recreated the track by making some changes to the sounds and in particular to the management of the instruments, creating more stereo effect. I used the CS1x for brass, strings and synthesized trumpet. For the harp, I used the VST Dexed and the VST Jupiter-8 for the bass.

For the graphics of the video, I was inspired by the artwork of their first album 'The Age Of Consent'.

I hope you like the work I did on this track :)"

Icehouse - Electric Blue - Synthesizer Cover


video upload by Luke Million

"Here's a tribute to one of Australia's best rock / synth pop bands - Icehouse. One of my favourite songs of theirs is "Electric Blue" and it was written by Iva Davies and John Oats. 🎹🔌💙

Synths - Moog Multimoog, Roland SH2, Roland Jupiter 4, SCI Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 Rev 3, Roland Juno 6 Vocoder - Roland VP330 Vocoder Plus
Drums - Linndrum (programmed in Ableton)"

Korg Polysix: Inner workings


video upload by MIDERA

"Pulled out the Polysix - Always wonder whether I like it more than the Prophet 10. I'm strange. Something so simple about the Polysix that's just lots of fun. Relax - I probably don't like it more than the P10...

I guess the synth I like most is the synth that's sitting in front of me. Except the synths I don't have fun sitting in front of. I'm looking at you Roland D50."
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