The Vintage Analog Synthesizers

Here are the Vintage Analog Synthesizers

These are the instruments I'll be playing mostly for the "Back In Time" segment of the concert. Along with a brief explanation of the controls and features that made these classic synthesizers so unique.

The Arp Odyessy. A classic performance duo-phonic synth. Has a sound all it's own. Can play two notes at once by splitting the two onboard oscillators. A bit thin sounding, the Odyssey is great for reed type leads, and with all of the modulation possibilities, it can make some of the strangest sounds. Introduced in the 70's, this "Black and Orange" MK III version was the last one Arp made.

A magic box.

The Left hand control section has the "PPC" (Proportional Pitch Control) touch pads. These are great for subtle pitch changes and vibrato. Just above is the portamento slider and an octave transpose of +/- 2 octaves, giving the Odyssey keyboard a 7 octave range!

The Oberheim OB-1 (Obi-Wan?). Originally introduced in 1978 as the first programable mono-synth. Has the ability to save 8 pre-set patches. The sound is very horn like, and has a great sample and hold. The filter is selectable 4-pole or 2-pole low pass, that is similar to the original Oberheim SEM.

The OB-1 has a strange pitchbend method that employs a spring loaded "pinball flipper" lever for both pitch and modulations. A small switch selects either octave bends, whole tone bend, or oscillator modulation. Another switch selects both or only oscillator two for wild synch tones. Just above is a master filter cutoff, portamento, and the LFO speed and select. Above that is the touch sensors for selecting either of the 8 presets or the live panel.

The Korg MS-20, a semi modular synthesizer with two oscillators, plus has both high pass and low pass 2 pole filters. These filters are the MS-20's greatest strength. Nothing sounds quite like these filters that seem to scream with the resonance pushed up. The sound is simply amazing!

With a very small left hand controller section of only a wheel and a button? Both must be patched in to perform various functions. I have the wheel patched for about a fifth of pitch bend, while the button is patched to trigger envelope generator 1, that is patched to sweep the high pass filter. Awesome!

The Yamaha CS-15 a dual oscillator, dual filter, dual VCA, dual envelope generators. A suprisingly unique sound, somewhat reminisent of it's big brother, the CS-80. This synthesizer can scream and howl with the best. The filters are HP/LP/BP selectable.

The CS-15 has a great left hand control section, with a spring loaded lever for pitch bends, and a lever for filter cutoff. This is a very expressive setup.

The Moog Opus3, a classic string ensemble, brass, and organ in one synth. Has those classic Moog filters and a Minimoog type pitch bender. Has that 70's sound that is tough to reproduce without the real deal. Introduced around 1979-80.

The Moog Opus3 borrows the pitch wheel of the Minimoog, with a bend range of a fifth. And a modulation section with depth, speed and destination. One of the few vintage string machines with such a controller section.