EMS Synthi 100
The EMS Synthi 100 was a large analogue synthesizer made by Electronic Music Studios (London) Ltd. It was released in 1971 and cost £6,500. It is estimated that fewer than 40 units were built.[1]
The Synthi 100 was developed from a combination of three VCS-3 systems, ending up with 12 VCOs, two keyboards (each of it duophonic, making it possible to play four voices simultaneously), and a 3-track 256-step monophonic digital sequencer. Two 60 x 60 matrixes were used to connect the different modules by using patch pins. The keyboard spread could/had to be adjusted, making it difficult to play a tuned temperated scale for a longer time, but allow for alternative tunings easily.
The sound of the Synthi-100 was subtly distinct from the VCS-3. Both filters and oscillators were much more stable in the Synthi-100. The instrument, however, was very sensitive to temperature changes, so it required repeated re-tuning.
The Synthi 100 also had an add-on computer interface known as "Computer Synthi" which contained a PDP-8 minicomputer and 4Kb of random access memory. It featured an LED display, twin digital cassettes, Two 24 x 60 matrix patchboards, and a switch button control panel. Three were built.
Also the Vocoder 5000 (Studio Vocoder) was available as a separate module installed into the Synthi 100. It contained a 22 band filter, 22 x 22 matrix patchboard, mic/line inputs, two oscillators and noise sources, frequency shifter, pitch to voltage extractor, and a spectrum display driver.
[edit] Users
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop used one, nicknamed the Delaware after its location at Maida Vale Studios in Delaware Road, London.[citation needed]
The Synthi 100 owned by Jack Dangers can be heard being used extensively on electronica group Meat Beat Manifesto's album R.U.O.K.?.[2] Many photos from that album's CD sleeve are close-up photos of the Synthi 100's control panels and displays. It was claimed that his unit was the only one still in working condition at that time.
A Synthi 100 is on display at the Cantos Music Foundation in Alberta, Canada.[3]
The Synthi 100 was used by Karlheinz Stockhausen in Sirius.[4]
Billy Corgan, longtime frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, is also reported to own one.[5]
The University of Osnabrück, Germany, has a possibly unique Synthi 100 variant labelled "Synthi 200" still in operation.[citation needed]
Eduard Artemiev, Juri Bogdanov and Vladimir Martynov used the Synthi 100 owned by soviet label "Melodia" for their record "Metamorphoses - Electronic interpretations of classic and modern musical works".[6]
[edit] External links
- Synth Museum article
- Inventory of the University of Osnabrück with a Synthi 100 labelled "Synthi 200"
- Article on the restored 'Digitana' model at sonicstate.com
- Specifications booklet (9.20 MB PDF)
- The EMS SYNTHI BLOG
[edit] References
- ^ "EMI Synthi Range 1969-1979". http://www.ems-synthi.demon.co.uk/emsprods.html#synthi100. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
- ^ "Jack Dangers: Master of Dub Electronica". http://www.audiohead.net/interviews/jackdangers/. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ http://cantos.ca/explore/collection-checklist
- ^ Karlheinz Stockhausen, "Sirius, Elektronische Musik und Trompete, Sopran, Baßklarinette, Baß (1975–77)", in his Texte zur Musik 4 (DuMont Dokumente), edited by Christoph von Blumröder, 301–29 (Cologne: DuMont Buchverlag, 1978): 311; Karlheinz Stockhausen, Stockhausen-Kurse Kürten 2000, Kompositions-Kurs über Sirius, elektronische Musik und Trompete, Sopran, Baßklarinette, Baß (1975–77) (Kürten: Stockhausen-Verlag, 2000): 12, 18.
- ^ "synthfool". http://www.synthfool.com/. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
- ^ Artemiev, Eduard; Bogdanov, Juri; Martynov, Vladimir (1980). Metamorphoses - Electronic interpretations of classic and modern musical works. Melodia.
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