Vintage Synth Explorer News Feed

Syntauri alphaSyntauri

Mon, 30 Jan 12 23:39:11 -0800

Twenty years before soft synths became commonplace, the Syntauri Corporation had the idea of using a personal computer to handle its processing and functionality. Billed as the first affordable digital synth (around $1,500, Apple IIe not included).

Davoli Davolisint

Mon, 30 Jan 12 23:35:14 -0800

This was Italy's first analog synthesizer. And while it may be a historic instrument in terms of Italy's contribution to synthesizers, the Davolisint is actually kind of awkward and may leave some people scratching their heads.

Wersi Bass Synthesizer

Sat, 28 Jan 12 23:55:18 -0800

Billed as two instruments in one: an Electric Bass Guitar and Synthesizer, this compact light-weight instrument from German organ builders WERSI is a monophonic analog synth with funky controls, decent sounds and a unique character.

Percussa AudioCubes

Sat, 28 Jan 12 23:52:18 -0800

The AudioCubes are an electronic musical instrument for professional musicians that are smart light-emitting blocks able to detect each other's position, location, and sense distance.

BOSS HC-2 Hand Clapper

Sat, 28 Jan 12 23:50:07 -0800

The Boss HC-2 is a single-function hand clap synthesizer. It sounds similar to the TR-808/909 clap and is a useful addition to drum machines such as the DR-55 and TR-606, both of which have suitable trigger outputs and lack clap sounds themselves. It is also good fun to play manually.

Control Synthesis Deep Bass Nine

Sat, 28 Jan 12 23:40:07 -0800

The Deep Bass Nine was commissioned (circa 1994) by a UK-based second-hand retailer as an alternative analog mono-bass-synth to satiate the demand for the Roland TB-303. Yes, this is another TB-303 clone.

Steiner-Parker Minicon

Wed, 25 Jan 12 19:23:57 -0800

A very rare mono-synth with a single analog oscillator that actually sounded thicker and was incredibly stable too, a very important feature compared with some of its more popular competition.

Yamaha ED10 Drum Synthesizer

Wed, 25 Jan 12 19:02:08 -0800

A very affordable and accessible way to add some analog flavor to your recordings and live performances. The ED10 consists of a sizable, velocity sensitive rubber pad and a small built-in synthesizer.

BOSS DR-110 Dr. Rhythm Graphic

Wed, 18 Jan 12 21:05:13 -0800

In 1980, Roland introduced their first simple and affordable drum machine to bear the BOSS Dr. Rhythm brand (the DR-55). It was followed by the Dr. Rhythm Graphic (DR-110) in 1983, which offers a wider selection of sounds, preset patterns and more.

SoundMaster Memory Rhythm SR-88

Wed, 18 Jan 12 21:03:36 -0800

The SoundMaster Memory Rhythm SR-88 is a programmable drum machine with four analog sounds. It has much in common not only with the BOSS DR-55 Dr. Rhythm but also with a number of other simple drum machines that proliferated around this time.

EKO EKOsynth P15

Thu, 12 Jan 12 11:39:11 -0800

A very rare Italian made preset-based synthesizer, circa 1979. An analog mono-synth that offers 15 preset sounds with basic synthesizing capabilities housed in a rugged road-worthy case.

Casio HT-3000

Tue, 27 Sep 11 14:59:38 -0700

A very interesting group of Analog/Digital hybrid synthesizers produced from 1987-1991. They use a very specific form of sound generation called "SD Synthesis".

Waldorf Microwave - Revisited

Thu, 01 Sep 11 23:22:12 -0700

We take another look at the Microwave mkI and mkII, clearing up any confusion and dedicating completely new reviews to each model. Read all about the original Microwave here. Then move on to read about the good and the bad of the Microwave II here.

Alesis Fusion

Mon, 11 July 2011 12:00:00 GMT

The Alesis Fusion is a somewhat underrated synthesizer workstation packed with features for the modern keyboardist. Four synthesis engines, multitrack hard disk recording and more!

EMS Synthi Sequencer 256

Sat, 14 May 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Forty year old vintage technology, the Synthi Sequencer 256 was an all-digital stand-alone three-track, 256-event sequencer using control voltage and gate signals, able to interface with any analog synth!

Casio CT-401

Sat, 14 May 2011 22:00:00 GMT

The Casiotone 401 is a preset synthesizer that was the first from Casio to offer an auto-accompaniment section that continued to feature on later models.

MAM ADX1

Sat, 14 May 2011 21:00:00 GMT

The ADX1 is a compact, inexpensive, all-analog drum synthesizer from German synth manufacturer Music And More (MAM) covered with 50 on-board knobs to tweak its five analog drum sounds.

Powertran Transcendent 2000

Sat, 07 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT

An English D.I.Y. kit synthesizer designed by Tim Orr from the late 1970s. The Transcendent 2000 is a really cool, single-oscillator, all-analog instrument that was affordable then, and still is today! Even though this may be a D.I.Y. kit, and build quality can vary, Orr did not skimp on the Transcendent 2000’s features.