Threadslayer Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 E-MU Audity. Think of it as the ultimate 16 voice SSM Prophet on steroids plus digital sequencers. 2 were built, samplers rendered it redundant. Came with a control console and 6' rack which contained the voice cards. $60,000 projected price in the late 70s. Actually only one was built. It resides in Cantos and is currently not functional. 16 voice Prophet? More than that... think fully programmable 16 voice Oberheim poly-SEM with extensive architecture. I was browsing my back issues of Polyphony (predecessor to Electronic Musician) and found the product announcement for the Audity. It wasn't just 16 voice... it was fully multitimbral. Each voice could have its own patch. That's 16 sets of demultiplexed S&H circuits per voicecard. That's a LOT of circuitry and explains why the cabinet was so deep and why they listed for 69,000 moolas. The voice architecture was ahead of its time too... two VCFs highpass in serial with lowpass, extensive voice modulation. I remember when that was announced in Polyphony. It was a pretty glitzy product announcement IIRC. I always assumed that it was actually in full production - albeit completely beyond my resources. Quote Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABECK Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 The original Korg Oasys: Kurzweil 150 - looks like you could maybe call in an air strike, or do simple math with this baby. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FMBJEkaC8Lw/SHXMPB9_LVI/AAAAAAAAWEI/M3kwqsONEtE/s400/K150_front.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Short lived: http://media.soundonsound.com/sos/oct00/images/retrozoneprophet.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 And let's not forget the Mini Ugly: http://www.synthfind.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/oscar.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Kurzweil 150 - looks like you could maybe call in an air strike, or do simple math with this baby. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FMBJEkaC8Lw/SHXMPB9_LVI/AAAAAAAAWEI/M3kwqsONEtE/s400/K150_front.jpg There was a used K150 in a store a couple of years ago. It sounded too sterile and there are no modern apps to manipulate its sound engine. Tweaking additive synthesis from the front panel keypad and no rotational edit control? No thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Short lived: http://media.soundonsound.com/sos/oct00/images/retrozoneprophet.gif Released at a bad time. The 16 bit sampler market was crowded by then and competitors were aggressively undercutting each other's prices. The product that sank SCI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 The original Fairlight: http://johntopley.com/images/posts/2009/12/21/fairlight_hydrofoil.jpg The Fairlight Qasar: http://egrefin.free.fr/images/Fairlight/Qasar/Qasar2-1.jpg The Fairlight CMI: Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burningbusch Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Yamaha VP-1. Possibly two in existence. http://greatsynthesizers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Yamaha-VP1-vorne-cut-900x550.jpg Busch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/7131oajutxL._SY400_.jpg Quote This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 He shoots....he scores... http://www.synthmuseum.com/kin/prism01.jpg http://www.synthmuseum.com/kin/prism01a.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 Another beautiful creation, seldom seen in the wild... the DX1: Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveMcM Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 He shoots....he scores... http://www.synthmuseum.com/kin/prism01.jpg I played that instrument at a NAMM show way back when. What a cool looking beast. Quote Wm. David McMahan I Play, Therefore I Am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 The original Fairlight: http://johntopley.com/images/posts/2009/12/21/fairlight_hydrofoil.jpg Obviously the desired piece because they sound wetter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 He shoots....he scores... http://www.synthmuseum.com/kin/prism01.jpg I played that instrument at a NAMM show way back when. What a cool looking beast. By all means... tell us more about it. Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Cool David - I wonder if they ever made it to market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 Cool David - I wonder if they ever made it to market. Story about the Kenetic Sound Prism here: http://www.synthmuseum.com/kin/kinprism01.html Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 http://www.synthmuseum.com/yamaha/yamgx101.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legatoboy Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Buchla Synthesizer - Digital One . . . http://digone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Clear_Synth_685.jpg Quote CP-50, YC 73, FP-80, PX5-S, NE-5d61, Kurzweil SP6, XK-3, CX-3, Hammond XK-3, Yamaha YUX Upright, '66 B3/Leslie 145/122 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Cool David - I wonder if they ever made it to market. Story about the Kenetic Sound Prism here: http://www.synthmuseum.com/kin/kinprism01.html Ahh...those funny looking characters under the pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadslayer Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Buchla Synthesizer - Digital One . . . http://digone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Clear_Synth_685.jpg I never fully understood why Buchla eschewed the conventional keyboard. It always seemed like a great way to shoot yourself in the foot and limit broader market appeal. Quote Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnchop Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Well if we're going for impressive-looking, I'm all about the Schmidt. http://www.schmidt-synthesizer.com/images/gallery/schmidt_frontal_02.jpg Look at it. NO, REALLY, JUST LOOK AT IT. Quote I make software noises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Buchla Synthesizer - Digital One . . . http://digone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Clear_Synth_685.jpg I never fully understood why Buchla eschewed the conventional keyboard. It always seemed like a great way to shoot yourself in the foot and limit broader market appeal. I disagree. There is no broader market appeal, with or without a conventional keyboard. Buchla synths are the niche of the niche, the boutique of the boutique. (As opposed to Roland's "Nou-tique" ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed A. Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Buchla did create a really nice keyboard synth called the Touché: http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/buchla/touche.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Verelst Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 From over a decade ago: my own design Open Source (part of hardware and software) 3 voice Analog Simulation: http://www.theover.org/Synth/HPIM1389b1.JPG Based on 500MHz Blackfin DSP, Xilinx programmable logic (for MIDI interface and IO), accurate Saw Wave wavetable, 24 bits/48kHz. T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod76 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Ionic Performer http://maltedmedia.com/people/bathory/performer-gunn-astro.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bachus Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 He shoots....he scores... http://www.synthmuseum.com/kin/prism01.jpg http://www.synthmuseum.com/kin/prism01a.jpg Duall keybeds.. Preferably 76 keys... Weighted piano action in the lower, synth/organ action on the top one.. I still think thats what makes a perfect workstation/stagebeast. Quote Korg Kronos 88, Yamaha Tyros5 (76), Integra 7, macbook pro/mainstage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 I never fully understood why Buchla eschewed the conventional keyboard. It always seemed like a great way to shoot yourself in the foot and limit broader market appeal. The first Buchlas were commissioned by avant-garde composers like Morton Subotnik who were looking to free themselves from tonal constraints, and I think it just stuck. [video:youtube] The first synthesizer I ever saw was a Buchla in the mid 1960s. I was a music student at the University of Washington, and a 100 Series was featured in a concert of new music on campus. The same concert premiered a piece for solo trombone and garden hose. The guy had a garden hose attached to the slide of a trombone, and he swung it wildly above his head while moving the slide. It was a time of great experimentation. Synths stuck around. Attaching garden hoses to trombones didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane hugo Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 E-MU Audity. Think of it as the ultimate 16 voice SSM Prophet on steroids plus digital sequencers. 2 were built, samplers rendered it redundant. Came with a control console and 6' rack which contained the voice cards. $60,000 projected price in the late 70s. Actually only one was built. It resides in Cantos and is currently not functional. 16 voice Prophet? More than that... think fully programmable 16 voice Oberheim poly-SEM with extensive architecture. I was browsing my back issues of Polyphony (predecessor to Electronic Musician) and found the product announcement for the Audity. It wasn't just 16 voice... it was fully multitimbral. Each voice could have its own patch. That's 16 sets of demultiplexed S&H circuits per voicecard. That's a LOT of circuitry and explains why the cabinet was so deep and why they listed for 69,000 moolas. The voice architecture was ahead of its time too... two VCFs highpass in serial with lowpass, extensive voice modulation. Could've sworn I saw a pic of Frank Zappa with that synth way back when. Quote http://blip.fm/invite/WorkRelease Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Could've sworn I saw a pic of Frank Zappa with that synth way back when. No. Zappa had a more conventional E-MU modular. It did have the same poly keyboard that the Audity did, but looked more like this: http://www.zappasgear.com/images/emu/Case1.jpg Quote Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwxT8hN7Cy0/Top3ZbJTaSI/AAAAAAADCXU/2UewLpyN7Ig/s1600/%2524%2528KGrHqUOKi0E5iZoP%2529JIBOh8f2%2529bs%2521%257E%257E60_12.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.