YAMAHA CE20 FM Combo Ensemble

via this auction

"EXTREMELY RARE VINTAGE 1982 YAMAHA CE20 "COMBO ENSEMBLE" SYNTHESIZER (SERIAL #3642) WITH IT'S ORIGINAL CARRYING CASE, FULLY TESTED, IN GREAT WORKING CONDITION, AND NEARLY FLAWLESS COSMETICALLY! PURCHASED FROM A REPUTABLE TOKYO, JAPAN VINTAGE SYNTHESIZER DEALER AND HAND-CARRIED BACK TO THE U.S.A. (NOT CHECKED AS BAGGAGE).

ONLY PRODUCED FOR ONE YEAR, THIS KEYBOARD HOLDS A HISTORIC PLACE IN SYNTHESIZER HISTORY, AS IT IS THE PIVOTAL STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FM SYNTHESIS BETWEEN YAMAHA'S GS-1 AND THEIR LEGENDARY DX 7.

ONE PARTICULARLY UNUSUAL FEATURE OF THIS SYNTHESIZER IS THE "SLIDE CONTROL" TO THE LEFT OF THE KEYBOARD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR EVEN READ ABOUT A CONTROLLER LIKE THIS ON ANY OTHER SYNTHESIZER. WHEN PLAYING A MONO SOUND, THE "SLIDE CONTROL" BUTTON FUNCTIONS BOTH AS A "LEGATO" SWITCH (SO ATTACK ENVELOPES DO NOT RE-TRIGGER) AND ALSO ENABLES THE WHEEL, WHICH CONTROLS THE LENGTH OF THE "SLIDE". LIKE A "PORTAMENTO", THE CE20'S "SLIDE CONTROL" FEATURE ALLOWS THE PLAYER TO HOLD DOWN A NOTE AND ADJUST THE RATE OF GLIDE TO SUBSEQUENT NOTES IN "REAL TIME". IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO APPLY A CONSTANTLY CHANGING PORTAMENTO EFFECT, TO ONLY THOSE NOTES YOU CHOOSE, AS YOU PLAY!

ANOTHER GREAT FEATURE OF THIS SYNTHESIZER IS THE "SYMPHONIC" SWITCH WHICH ADDS A BEAUTIFUL EFFECT TO ANY OF THE VOICES THAT IS A CROSS BETWEEN A CHORUS, A PHASE SHIFTER, AND A LESLIE SPEAKER!

THE CE20 HAS TWENTY CLASSIC YAMAHA PRESET VOICES - FOURTEEN OF WHICH ARE MONOPHONIC: PICCOLO, FLUTE, OBOE, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE, TRUMPET 1, TRUMPET 2, TROMBONE, VIOLIN, CONTRABASS 1, CONTRABASS 2, ELECTRIC BASS 1 & ELECTRIC BASS 2. THE SIX POLYPHONIC PRESET ARE: BRASS, HORN, ORGAN, ELECTRIC PIANO, HARPSICHORD & STRINGS. ALTHOUGH NOT PROGRAMMABLE, THE CE20 OFFERS SOUND EDITING OF ANY OF IT'S PRESET VOICES WITH A "BRILLIANCE" SLIDER FOR TONE ADJUSTMENT, VIBRATO DEPTH, SPEED & DELAY SLIDERS, AND THREE "SENSITIVITY" SLIDERS - "TONE INITIAL", "TONE AFTER" & "VIBRATO AFTER" FOR INCREASING VELOCITY SENSITIVITY.

THE ORIGINAL VINYL/TOLEX COVERED CASE FASTENS WITH GOLD "GUITAR-CASE-STYLE" LATCHES AND BEARS A GOLD YAMAHA LOGO. THE CASE'S COPPER-COLORED FELT INTERIOR OFFERS TWO SIDE COMPARTMENTS OF IDENTICAL SIZE - ONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE KEYBOARD COMPARTMENT. ONE OF THESE SIDE COMPARTMENTS WAS PRESUMABLY DESIGNED FOR A SUSTAIN PEDAL (WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION) AND THE OTHER COULD HOLD CABLES, ETC. WHILE THE CASE IS STURDIER THAN A "SOFT CASE" OR "GIG BAG", IT WOULD BE BEST CHARACTERIZED AS A CARRYING CASE."

YAMAHA CE20 ANALOG SYNTH

via this auction
Update via daden in the comments: "this seller got it all wrong each time i see his auctions..way crazy prices..apart from that the ce20 is a early fm preset box;with a sound of its own.and is velocity sensitive." previous posts on the CE20

"AKA the KITARO SILK ROAD LEAD VOICE synthesizer. This Yamaha CE20 keyboard is an unusually expressive instrument, with a rich palette of mono lead voices, as well as 6 Polyphonic voices/presets. Includes the magic "SYMPHONIC" button that adds a richness even beyond the ensemble effect on a Korg PolySix.

Know what a Marshall Time Modulator is? It's a $2600 rare sound processor. What it does is the closest I've heard to what the ANALOG SYMPHONIC MODULATOR of this unit does. I believe the CE-20 was Yamaha's first commercially available FM synthesis tone generators (forerunner to DX-7 et al). Coupled with the exotic ANALOG SYMPHONIC MODULATOR, this rare instrument is a hybrid of FM and analog sound generation/ modification technology of decades ago.

But what really sets this one apart from the pack is its unique after-touch pressure sensitivity, and how it's routed.

Sounds are highly realistic and remarkably natural as they are generated with "advanced FM tone generator technology" and processed with the rare, proprietary ANALOG SYMPHONIC MODULATOR which takes up 40 square inches of real estate on one of the two major PCBs. Also note the "Glide Controls" on the left hand cheekblock. Portamento ("Glide" has never been so instantly and handily available (except perhaps on an ARP 2600 keyboard).

HERE'S THE EXPRESSIVENESS DEPARTMENT - WHAT MAKES THIS AN INSTRUMENT instead of just another synthesizer. Note the depth/rate and delay controls on pressure-sensitive Vibrato....plus the aftertouch control of Tone Initial and AFTER!

INCLUDED: what you need to get the maximum out of this extraordinary instrument- a NEVER USED Yamaha EXPRESSION PEDAL, AND A VINTAGE, AUTHENTIC YAMAHA SUSTAIN SWITCH. A printed copy of the full original USER'S MANUAL is also included.

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Vintage Custom "Yamaha" Rack DIY MIDI Synth?

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
technoempire

"This auction is for a Vintage Custom Rackmount MIDI Synthesizer/Sampler Sound Module. It appears to be a custom rack mount creation from parts of a vintage 80's Yamaha Synthesizer, not sure which one. Photos of internals should help any synth geeks out there. If anyone has any idea, please submit your thoughts and we will post."

Anyone guess what this is? Pics of the inside below and more at the auction. Labels on the circuit board read "Symphonic Modulator", "Filter EXP & Noise Gate", "H.P Amp & Muting". Not seeing Yamaha anywhere.

Update via kid verses chemical in the comments: "the controls are from a CE20, so I am guessing it is one of those." "Also, the symphonic modulator was a ce20 feaature, so that pretty much seals the deal."

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BACK TO THE BEGINNING (TB3, microBRUTE, Volca Keys, Boss CE20 RE20)

Published on Jan 13, 2016 Chocolate Pulp

"Gear:
Roland Aira TB3
Arturia microBRUTE
Korg Volca keys
BOSS CE20 Chorus ensemble
BOSS RE20 Space Echo
TC electronic Hall of Fame
TC electronic Flashback

Thanks for watching"

RIP Michael Jackson

As you've all probably heard by now, the King of Pop has passed away. I wasn't expecting to put a post up as all posts have to be about the synths, however it just didn't seem right to not put something up, and I did find a bit of fascinating synth history, when you think about it, below.

I remember growing up listening to bits of the Jackson Five and later Michael Jackson. My sister was in love with his music, and Elvis Presley. The perfect match. I remember when Elvis was the King of Rock and Roll and Michael announced himself as the King of Pop. I wondered if it would stick. I remember when Off the Wall came out followed by Thriller. I remember staying up to watch the Thriller video with my sister, and her telling me how it was the most expensive video ever made. I thought it was crazy how long it would be. I recently remember watching that odd video of inmates somewhere in Asia performing Thriller, a hundred plus inmates in orange, prison garbs, all in sync. All crazy memories in time, all full of life and energy. That is the one thing Michael Jackson was to me - a man filled with wonder and energy. I will always remember him as that somewhat magical character who never lost that bit of childhood wonder. I'm sure he has influenced me in ways I have yet to realize, some bits I'm coming to realize just typing this. Pretty crazy... pretty amazing... I hope he is well wherever he is. He did bring wonder to life.

As for the interesting bit of synth history and the image from Thriller. The following is a list of the synths used and the players (via micke in this VSE thread). It is an interesting look at what synths were used on THE best selling album of all time. RIP Michael. RIP The King of Pop. It definitely stuck.


"Here's a rundown of the all (?) the synths used in the making of Thriller

Yamaha CS-80
Roland Jupiter 8 (x3)
NED Synclavier II
DK Synergy
Roland Jupiter 4
Roland MC-4 microcomposer/sequencer
Yamaha GS-1 FM synth
Oberheim Four-Voice
SCI Prophet 5 (x2)
Yamaha CE20 FM preset synth
Yamaha portasound keyboard
Roland VP-330 vocoder/strings
Bode Vocoder
E-mu Emulator I
plus a couple of Minimoogs

Linn LM-1 (mostly doubled with a TR-808)
Linndrum (LM-2)

And here's a listing of the keyboardists/synthesists performing on the album:

Greg Phillinganes
Michael Boddicker (Mr. Jackson's main synth-programmer)
Steve Porcaro & David Paich
Bill Wolfer
Brian Banks & Anthony Marinelli
David Foster
Greg Smith
Tom Bahler
James Ingram"

On another non music related note, we also lost Farah Fawcett today. Sad day today.

Update via VICMOD: "And Andy huges of The Orb passed away, thats got to be synth related" Indeed.

"Andy Hughes, (born 11th November 1965 - died 12th June 2009), was an English electronic music producer from Harrow, Middlesex [1]. He is most known for his work with The Orb, where he helped mix and produce Orbus Terrarum, Orblivion, and Cydonia, as well as The Orb's singles from this period. Hughes left The Orb during the production of Cydonia, which was reworked after his departure. He also did some additional original production work and performed remixes for The Cranberries and Tangerine Dream.

Hughes died at the Liver Intensive Care Unit at Kings College Hospital in London after a short illness on June 12, 2009." via Wikipedia. And Ed McMahon. And Sky Saxon of The Seeds.

Update: Michael Jackson and the Electronium

via the Raymond Scott blog:
"In August of 1970, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy read an article in Variety magazine about Raymond Scott and his Electronium. Along with The Beatles and The Beach Boys, Motown virtually controlled the 1960s pop charts with stars like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross & The Supremes. And with THE JACKSON 5 as his latest smash supergroup, Gordy was at the height of his influence. ...

Hoby Cook was a technician at Motown’s MoWest facility who tested Scott’s Electronium extensively. 'I wanted some reactions, so as an experiment, I’d open the door and turn the volume up — loud.' Cook’s technique worked. Motown personnel heard the curious sounds and wandered in. “Cal Harris did a lot of recording with it, and MICHAEL JACKSON was fascinated,' Cook recalled. 'He was just this kid sitting there, staring at the flashing lights. He said he wanted THE JACKSON 5 to use the Electronium somehow.'"

Yamaha CE20 FM Synthesizer

YouTube Published on Jul 22, 2012 by solidstatecollective

"Check out this and other oddities at http://solidstatecollective.blogspot.com/"

YAMAHA CE20 Demo & Review

video upload by musictrackjp

"DEMO by Katsunori UJIIE."

Voyager Overload - Fat Moog sound

Published on Jun 4, 2017 Old Beats

Moog: Voyager - Little Phatty - Mother 32
DSI: Evolver - Prophet 08 w/ Boss CE20
Korg Arp Odyssey Module - Yamaha TX81z
Roland: P-330 - Alpha Juno 2 w/ Boss OS2 & Digidelay
Novation Bass Station 2 - Akai VX 90
Drums: Jomox AirBase 99 - Novation Drum Station
FX TC Electronic M350 - Flashback - Lexicon MX 300
Alesis Ampliton & Philtre
Audio directly from Allen & Heath Zed 428 mixer
Sequenced and Synced with Ableton Live
AKAI LPD 8 triggering the midi patterns on Live

Dark Omens

Published on Apr 9, 2017 Old Beats

Moog: Voyager - Little Phatty - Mother 32
DSI: Evolver - Prophet 08 w/ Boss CE20
Korg Arp Odyssey Module
Roland: Alpha Juno 2 w/ Boss OS2 & Digidelay
Novation Bass Station 2 - Akai VX 90
Drums: Jomox AirBase 99 - Novation Drum Station
FX TC Electronic M350 - Alesis Ampliton & Philtre
Audio directly from Allen & Heath Zed 428 mixer
Sequenced and Synced with Ableton Live
AKAI LPD 8 triggering the midi patterns on Live

Yamaha's First Affordable FM Keyboard

The Piano and Synth blog has a post up on the Yamaha CE-20. The post includes their official 1982 press release. The CE20 was a preset only FM keyboard by Yamaha. It predates the DX7 which came out in 1983 according to this Yamaha timeline. Title link takes you to the post on The Piano and Synth blog.

Yamaha Gear List and Timeline

Via GetLoFi. Kick ass find by Circuit Master. The list also includes key technology introductions like PASS (Pulse Analog Synthesizer System for the CS series). Wow! I never knew they refered it to PASS. Some key points below just in case they delete the list on us (have fun spotting your favorites : ).

1962 Fist product on their list
D-2

1966 Silicon transistor
E-2, A-3

1970 IC (Integrated Circuit)
EX-42, B-6E, B12, B-12R, E-3R, YC-20, YC-30

1975 LSI (Large Scale IC)
VCO, VCF, VCA (Voltage Control Technology)
GX-1, CSY-2, BK-2

1977 PASS(Pulse Analog Synthesizer System)
E-30, E-50, E-70, EX-1, EX-2, A-40, A-60, B-40, B-60, B-45, C-40, C-60, D-80, CS-50, CS-60, CS-80, CP20, CS-10, CS-30, CS-30L, SS30

1981 FM Tone Generator (Frequency Modulation System)
E-75, E-45, 6000, PS-10, PS-20, PS-30, GS1, GS2, CS-70M, CP11, CP25, CP35, SK15

1982 CD
A-505, B-205, B-405, B-605, B-805, C-405, C-605, 7000, HS-200, HS-500, PS-30B, PS-3(I),(S), PC-100, PSS-30, MP-1, HS-400, HS-501, PS-300, CE20, CS01, SY20, CE25, CP11W, CP7

1983 VLSI (Very Large Scale IC) MIDI
FX-1, FX-3, FX-10, FX-20, FS-100, FS-200, FS-300, FS-500, MR-1, PC-50, PS-35, PS-35S, PS-55, PS-55S, PC-1000, MK-100, YP-10, YP-20, YP-30, YP-40 · DX7, DX9, PF12, KX1, DX1, PF10, PF15

1987 AWM Tone Generator (Sampling System)
HS-4, HS-5, HS-6, HS-7, HS-8, HX-1, HX-3, HX-5, CHX-1, CVP-10, CVP-6, CVP-8, CLP-500, CLP-100, CVP-100MA, CVP-100PE, PSS-130, PSS-470, PSS-570, PSR-22, PSR-32, PSR-12, PSS-370, VSS-30, PSR-80, PSR-90, DSR-1, RX17, DX7S, TX802, ARM1, QX3, DX7-2C, WX7, RX7, V2, PF85, TX16W, TX1P

1991 GM MD
EL-30, EL-50, EL-70, EL-90, CVP-55, CVP-65, CVP-35, CVP-45, CVP-75, YPP-15, YPP-35, PSR-31, PSR-100, PSR-200, PSR-400, PSR-500, PSS-102, PSS-104, DD-11, PSR-6700, RY30, SY99, TG100

1993 VA Tone Generator (Physical Modeling System)
EL-20, EL-27, CVP-25, CVP-83, CVP-85, CVP-87, DD-3, PSR-110, PSR-210, PSR-300, PSR-310, PSR-410, PSR-510, PSR-1700, PSR-2700, TG300, VL1, CBX-K3, CBX-S3, CBX-D5, CBX-302

1996 SoftSynthesizer
CLP-311, CLP-411, CLP-511, CLP-611, CLP-811, CLP-911, DD-50, PSR-190, PSR-220, PSR-230, PSR-78, AR-100 · G1D, G50, P50m, QY700, VL70m, CS1x, CBX-PCC10, MU90, MU90B

1998 FS Tone Generator (FM + Formant Shaping System)
EL-900, CLP-810S, CLP-820, CLP-840, CLP-860, CLP-880, CVP-600, PSR-195, PSR-225, PSR-79, PSR-D1, EX5, P-200, EX5R, EX7, WX5, FS1R, CS2x, EX5S, RM1x, SU700, CBX-K2, MU100B, MU128, MU15, SW1000XG

2004 Internet Direct Connection
ELS-01/01C(STAGEA), CVP-309, CVP-307, CVP-305, CVP-303, CVP-301, PSR-3000, PSR-1500, PSR-450, PSR-295, PSR-293, PSR-175, DGX-505, DGX-305, DGX-205, DGX-203, DD-55C

The Great Plains

Published on May 20, 2017 Old Beats

Moog: Voyager, headphones out in rear panel Filter in for distortion
Moog Little Phatty
DSI: Evolver - Prophet 08 w/ Boss CE20
Roland Alpha Juno 2
Pre Recorded tacks: Novation BS II - Akai VX 90 - Yamaha TX 81z
Drums: Toontrack Superior Drummer 2
FX TC Electronic M350 - Flashback - Lexicon MX 300
Audio directly from Allen & Heath Zed 428 mixer
Sequenced and Synced with Cubase