Rare Polyfusion Modular in Moog Format

via this auction

"This is truly a one-of-a-kind item! These are Polyfusion modular synthesizer modules in a Moog format. When Polyfusion started, they made these modules to fit into a Moog modular system before they had developed their own format. These are likely the only modules of this type known to exist!

The modules include:
- Two Variable Formant Filters - each with 3 bands of variable width, frequency, and level for sculpting sounds.
- Dual Ring Modulator for wonderful clangorous sounds.
- Dual Sample & Hold module for wonderful modulations.

These modules were originally housed in a wooden box with a simple power supply. I put them into a Synthesizers.com rack and filled the open space with a Synthesizers.com Q134 multiples module. All of these are included in the auction. I also had MOTM power connectors added but these can easily be switched for any +/-15V supply.

These modules were part of Martin Newcomb's Museum of Synthesizer Technology in the 1990s. They are shown on page 78 of his wonderful book on the museum and can be seen in the following You-Tube video at around 2:00. This is an opportunity to own a truly unique part of synthesizer history!"

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The End of The Museum of Synthesizer Technology

Here's another find I'm left wondering how the heck I never ran into until now. Title link takes you to a fascinating Sound on Sound article on Martin Newcomb and The Museum of Synthezier Technology. The craziest thing? No one came to it over time! He eventually ended it due to lack of interest and repair costs. He sold off most of the gear to Turnkey; the gear is now part of their vintage collection. Amazing story.

"The Museum of Synthesizer Technology succeeded in putting together what was, at the time, the world's largest collection of analogue synths, but Martin was dismayed to find that this did not guarantee public interest. So was it a failure? "Yes," he told me, "it failed. In retrospect, I liken it to St Paul's Cathedral. Everyone thinks it's great that St Paul's is there, but they assume that it's always going to be there and never bother to go and see it. The Museum was like that. All the people came along in the first couple of years and, after that, the only support came from America, Germany and, to a lesser degree, Japan. I tried to organise things like tours from college music departments, but the response was always, 'You're too far away,' or 'I'll make an effort at some point but not at the moment.'"

"Go to Turnkey and have a look at their collection — almost all of that came from the Museum."

Update via Tom in the comments: "And Turnkey got rid of their collection a while ago... " That's right. I forgot about that.

Elektor Formant Modular Synthesizer

via this auction
"Elektor Formant Modular Synthesizer System very rare
Unique Opportunity
Early German 1970s

great condition custom/built Formant Modular System with keyboard it apparently came also from the very respected "martin Newcomb Synth collection " and is pictured in the Peter Forrest A to Z books

there is a fair amount of historical information on the Formant Modular on the internet a useful link is...

It has been fully restored by the synth guru at KSR ( kent spong ) each and every function configuration is

4 x VCO
2 x VCF 12db
1 X VCF 24db
1 x RFM (Resonance Filter)
2 x COM (Control and Output)
2 x LFO (Triple/Multi LFO Module) 6 LFOs in total
4 x ADSR
1 x ADSR Controller
2 x Dual VCA
1 x Noise
1 x Anlogue controller Keyboard and inter-connect cable

The specification is high and powerfull

This particular example has been very well constructed and as you can see from the pictures is in very good condition and being pure"old" analouge sounds extraordinary

Following the standard form-factor of most 1V/Oct analogue systems this Formant system would fit nicely into any existing analogues setup and being of 1970s German design offers the purist something really very special and different from the more contemporary modulars on offer these days

the recently full service by KSR is still under warranty aswell

Runs on EU voltage 220V"

Rare Polyfusion Modular - Moog Format

via this auction

via http://alt-mode.com/



Formant Filter

"The serial number on this module is 7505.

The Variable Formant Filter has 3 bands of variable width, frequency, and level for sculpting sounds. The module works great and has seen light use over the past 6 years in a smoke-free home studio.

This module was originally housed in a wooden box with a simple power supply. I had Synthesis Technology MOTM power connectors added for use in my system but it can easily be switched for any +/-15V supply.

These modules were part of Martin Newcomb's Museum of Synthesizer Technology in the 1990s. They are shown on page 78 of his wonderful book on the museum and can be seen in the following You-Tube video at around 2:00. This is an opportunity to own a truly unique part of synthesizer history!" [see this post for the video. see Part 1]



Dual Ring Modulator

"This is an extremely rare Polyfusion Modular Dual Ring Modulator module from 1975. When Polyfusion started, they made these modules to fit into a Moog modular system before they had developed their own format. This module, along with the other ones I'm auctioning off, are likely the only modules of this type known to exist! The serial number on this module is 7503.

The Ring Modulator consists of two circuits that multiply the X and Y inputs together, producing a tone that is the sum and difference of the two inputs. The module works great and has seen light use over the past 6 years in a smoke-free home studio.

This module was originally housed in a wooden box with a simple power supply. I had Synthesis Technology MOTM power connectors added for use in my system but it can easily be switched for any +/-15V supply."



Dual Sample-Hold

"The serial number on this module is 7506.

The Dual Sample-Hold consists of two sample & hold circuits that will retain the incoming voltage whenever the manual trigger button is pushed or the clock input goes high. Along with the sampled output voltage, the module outputs a Moog S-Trigger signal making it a quick V-trig to S-trig converter. The scale knob sets the range of the output with respect to the signal input. The module works great and has seen light use over the past 6 years in a smoke-free home studio."

Museum Of Synthesizer Technology DVD B-Roll footage

Published on Feb 27, 2018

"Taken from the limited edition DVD of Mr. Martin Newcomb's Museum of Synthesizer Technology mid-1990's. The DVD's were hand-made."

Note the plaque in the opening reads: "This Museum Was Opened By DR R.A. Moog On 29th July 1994"

Museum Of Synthesizer Technology , Analog Heaven Featuring Bob Moog

video uploads by wutierson

Also see Museum Of Synthesizer Technology DVD B-Roll footage

Mr. Martin Newcomb's Museum of Synthesizer Technology mid-1990's.

Note the plaque in the opening reads: "This Museum Was Opened By DR R.A. Moog On 29th July 1994" [4th video in the playlist above]

There was also a book dedicated to the museum you can find in previous posts here.

The Museum Of Synthesizer Technology

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

"The Museum Of Synthesizer Technology book. NEW. Large size format 11.75 inches X 8.25 inches with full color photos of some of the most legendary analog synthesizers ever made (or heard). Moog modular, Arp 2500 modular, Buchla, Polyfusion, Roland System 700, Synthi 100 modular, Oberheim 8 Voice, you name it, it's here and all in full color. You want to see a stack of 5 Arp 2500 cabinets, who doesn't? This is a top 10 book and one of my favorites. No, it is not as technical as some of the other legendary synth books, but the thing I like about it is that it was put together and published by a fellow synthesizer afficianado, Martin Newcomb in 1994. It shows the great interest and passion in electronic music instruments/synthesizers that the rest of us have as well. It is a book that is full of synthesizer eye candy that is sure to make the most hard to please drool with with envy. I am sure that after flipping through this book, you will likely go out and start looking for your next synth. Definitely a book for the synthesizer library for the serious electronic musician..."

Vintage Moog IIIc Modular System

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA auction

"The Moog IIIc has been with the current Owner since 1999 having been purchased from Martin Newcomb's Synthesiser Museum outside London. This IIIc contains the early 901B Oscillators and not the later 920 range. The IIIC is in pretty good condition for its age as can be seen in the photographs. The corners of the bottom of the Lower cabinet have been scuffed but otherwise the cabinets are in good condition (and very heavy). The modules in the Cabinets are: Top Cabinet: 2 x 690 Sequential Controllers 2 x 962 Sequential Switches 1 multiple 1 961 Interface Middle Cabinet: 1 x 914 Fixed Filter Bank 1 x 905 Reverb Unit 1 x Control Voltage Switches (all switches illuminate) 1 x 904B Voltage controlled High Pass Filter 1 x 904C Filter Coupler 1 x 904A Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter 3x 902 Voltage Controlled Amplifiers 1 x Trigger and Envelope Voltages (all switches illuminate) 3 x 911 Envelope Generators 1x 911A Dual Trigger Delay 1 x 912 Envelope Follower Lower Cabinet: 3 repeated groups of: 1 x Input control sector switches (all switches illuminate) 1 x 901A Oscillator Controller 3 x 901B Oscillators 1 x Submixer 1 group: 1 x 901 Voltage Controlled Oscillator 1 x submixer 1x 903 White Noise Source 1 x Pitch and Trigger Multiple 1 x 984 Four Channel Mixer 1 x Power and fuse Panel Additionally there is: 1 x 951 Keyboard Controller 1 x Copy of an original Moog Modular Owners Manual (seller does not own the original manual) Additional Information: All Modules are labelled RA MOOG with the exception of 1 of the 960 Sequential Controllers and the 904A Low Pass Filter which are labelled Moog. The Moog was serviced about 2 years ago by James Walker at Synth Repair. Moog (in the USA) updated some control components in the 901A Oscillator Controllers (not the Oscillators themselves) so that the 901A Oscillators can now tune to scale across the full 5 Octaves. This modification does not of course alter the Oscillator tone. James Walker then replicated this modification to the other 2 x 901A Oscillator Controllers. Prior to this update the Synthesiser only accurately scaled across a single Octave. It is 110V but I will include the two 240V to 110V step down transformer power supplies that I have for it for in in the description (one for the top cabinet with the 960 sequences and the other that drives cabinets one and two which are interlinked so only need one supply source). VEMIA should be able to arrange collection and delivery by hand to large areas of North-Western Europe."

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Iron Maiden Synth Bass

another shot via John.
"screen-shot from an Iron Maiden DVD, where Steve
Harris, the bassist of the band can be viewed with the Roland GR77B bass synth (it's essentially an JX8P synth) and the accompanied PG800 programmer. Well, that's how the story goes:
Iron Maiden used the Roland guitar/bass synths for their 1986 album 'Somewhere In Time'. Also, Adrian Smith, gitarist of the band used the Roland GR700 on stage with a modified Jackson guitar as the controller.
At the time, many people where suspicious of this move, as they were afraid that the band was "watering down" but in the album, the synths were used for background "washes", and many silky and soft pads were used, as an added colour to the twin-guitar sound of the band. For the subsequent tours, roadie of the band Michael Kenny, handled the keyboard duties (off-stage!) and also, being himself a keyboard freak, he was present at Martin Newcomb's "Synthesizer Technology" museum opening, at 1994! "

On a side note: Iron Maiden recently played at the Lost Angeles Forum. You can find an excellent review of the show on Amateur Chemist.

A Visit to Thighpaulsandra's Aeriel Studios Pt 7

YouTube via matrixsynth.

Thighpaulsandra talking about his old Serge modular, possibly Martin Newcomb's Serge, and some Synton filters at Aeriel Studios with Peter Forrest. Be sure to click on the Ariel Studios label below for all posts in this set.
http://thighpaulsandra.com/

http://www.myspace.com/thighpaulsandra

MOOG System 3 on YouTube

Update:
"Introduced by Bob Moog himself... Bob talks briefly about his work developing these beautiful machines. Rare footage of Bob playing some of his own kit (1967 Modular). May the memory of this pioneer of electronic music live on. Bob Moog RIP August 21 2005. For more info and DVDs www.museumstudio.co.uk"

YouTube by Sharpblue

via BW in the comments: "It's another clip from Martin Newcomb's Museum Studio DVD."

Han Zimmer's Polyfusion Modular

First Brian Eno's gear on Vemia, now Han Zimmer's Polyfusion Modular is up on the *bay. Well a little different in that this was formerly owned by Hans Zimmer, but... Who cares?! It's a Polyfusion Modular! Title link takes you to two large shots saved for posterity.



Details from the auction:
Amazing analog system, formerly owned by Hans Zimmer . This is the main part of the monster synth that I received from Media Ventures Studios, the 2 wings having been sold recently . This particular system had been quoted in many books: Mark Vail / Vintage synths., Keyboard marg april 99, Martin Newcomb / Museum of synth. technology, and the A-Z of analog synths.

The sound is very close to the Moog modulars, Polyfusion having been founded by 2 ex-Moog employees. The modulation possibilities are endless.

MODULES LIST : includes a large number of standard modules produced by Polyfusion, and some very rare factory custom ones. All modules are fitted in a trail, and are easily moved and removed.

>3 VCO. 1 factory custom with waveform select ,from a single output

>1 VCF. Freq AND resonnance are volt. controlled.

>1 HPF with resonnance. Freq AND resonnance are volt. controlled.

>4 VCA ( 2 dual)

>4 DADSR (2 dual) : 1 standard dual, 1 dual factory custom :the upper with 2 gate selector , the lower with 2 outputs selector and attenuator.

>5 mixers .each with 4 ins and + - outputs.

>1 LFO. 5 waveforms, control over PW and freq.

>1 rare quadrature oscillator. 4 outs, for surround panning or other complex modulations.

>1 octave divider. for waveforms or impulses.

>1 dual Sample and Hold.

>1 dual ring modulation.

>1 (spring) reverb.

>1 enveloppe folower.

>1 phase shifter.

>1 voltage quantizer

>3 multiples .

>1 5 bands Parametric EQ. 5 X frequency / Q /Level.+cut / boost.

>1 bipolar attenuators. X 3.

>1 variableDC source. X 3.

>1 keyboard output controller, with pressure, dynamics, X/Y controls >corresponding to the polyfusion keyboards wide possibilities,or to be connected to a Kenton

>2 power supplies.

This system is located in Paris. Sold as is due to his age. Buyer is responsible for shipping and insurance fees. NO "0" feedbacks ebayers please. Good luck bidding !

Martin J. Newcomb: The Museum of Synthesizer Technology

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

"The Museum of Synthesizer Technology by Martin J. Newcombe (Privately Printed July 1994, First Printing; softcovers)

Scarce 118-page publication illustrating the collection of the short-lived (1994-1997) Museum of Synthesizer Technology in Berkshire.

Contents:

Foreword by Bob Moog
Aims and Services of the Museum
The Exhibits
A Voyage of Discovery
History of the Synthesizer
Moog - History of the Company
Moog - The Range of Instruments
Oberheim
E-mu
Buchla
Sequential
Arp
Polyfusion
EML
EMS
EDP
Roland
Miscellaneous

Including the synthesizers:

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Synthesizer books! Keyfax, Vintage Synthesizers, Synth Basics, Museum of S. Tech

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

KEYFAX, Julian Colbeck, Amsco Publications, 1986.

THE MUSEUM OF SYNTHSIZER TECHNOLOGY, Martin J. Newcomb, no year listed.

SYNTHESIZER BASICS, the Editors of Keyboard Magazine, GPI Publications, 1984.

VINTAGE SYNTHESIZERS, Mark Vail, Miller Freeman, 1993.

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