Photo 9206203587:

Yeah, so this is the anonymous monster analogue modular synthesizer I adopted from a colleague a few years ago into the neglectful care of my rest home for broken and confused old gear. Thanks Neil! It’s pretty strange and non-conformist, just how I like ‘em: dual manual keyboard with oh-so-many unlabelled performance control switches, built-in spring reverb tank, spade terminals for direct connection to a speaker instead of a normal line output, many switches and knobs hanging unconnected to balance out the spate of unpopulated fascia holes, uncommon markings, 5 pin DIN for the microphone input amplifier (that dates it somewhat), and on and on. It’s non-functional of course, at least for now. It’s desired power input, on a rare form of bespoke socket, appears to be direct AC (likely to juice up the aforementioned power amplifier for the speaker connection) and although the wiring inside isn’t too batshit it is definitely way beyond my level of electronics comprehension and confidence. (I’m just two electric shocks away from being a lame Spiderman villain and I don’t have the legs for spandex.) The wiring beneath the keys: The poor machine’s origin is completely unknown, so if anyone has any clues as to just what it is we’d be all ears! zoom

Yeah, so this is the anonymous monster analogue modular synthesizer I adopted from a colleague a few years ago into the neglectful care of my rest home for broken and confused old gear. Thanks Neil!

It’s pretty strange and non-conformist, just how I like ‘em: dual manual keyboard with oh-so-many unlabelled performance control switches, built-in spring reverb tank, spade terminals for direct connection to a speaker instead of a normal line output, many switches and knobs hanging unconnected to balance out the spate of unpopulated fascia holes, uncommon markings, 5 pin DIN for the microphone input amplifier (that dates it somewhat), and on and on.

It’s non-functional of course, at least for now. It’s desired power input, on a rare form of bespoke socket, appears to be direct AC (likely to juice up the aforementioned power amplifier for the speaker connection) and although the wiring inside isn’t too batshit it is definitely way beyond my level of electronics comprehension and confidence. (I’m just two electric shocks away from being a lame Spiderman villain and I don’t have the legs for spandex.)

The wiring beneath the keys:

Wires!

The poor machine’s origin is completely unknown, so if anyone has any clues as to just what it is we’d be all ears!

Video 3006376388:

Richard Atkinson goes gives a really in-depth, 34 minute overview of the Yamaha CSY-1 organ with integrated solo synthesizer (a sibling implementation of the SY-1 analogue synth).

It’s quite a monster machine, containing Hammond-esque organ tones, a synth voice, rotating speaker tremolo, bass pedals, preset analogue drum machine, and auto-bass rhythmic chord features. No wonder it takes 34 minutes to demonstrate!

I’m a huge fan of rotating speaker tremolo sound at slow speeds on the organ, and the bass “guitar” sound for the auto-chord sound is gorgeously groovy. The lack of control over some of the synth’s envelope options would annoy me massively, though - tweaking filter decay is a must - and I simply don’t have the space for one (or the strength to move it!).

What would be the modern, portable equivalent of something like this whilst still retaining that classic, large, analogue timbre?

Photo 1613431877:

Ah, the extremely rare Con Brio ADS 200. Looks awesome in all its retro-futuristic analogue vs digital design, but I wouldn’t want to have to carry it to a gig - an unlikely situation given that only 3 (!) were ever made, though.  zoom

Ah, the extremely rare Con Brio ADS 200.

Looks awesome in all its retro-futuristic analogue vs digital design, but I wouldn’t want to have to carry it to a gig - an unlikely situation given that only 3 (!) were ever made, though.