Wersi EX 20 MIDI Expander

via this auction
"Imagine having 8 different sounding keyboards all at your fingertips!!! You are bidding on a Wersi EX 20 MIDI Expander. This is a digital synthesizer capable of playing up to 20 polyphonic notes on eack key. Up to four different sounds can be played simultaneously. These sounds are based on a configuration of sound modules. Each voice is entirely independent from other voices and each voice has its own wave, pitch-envelope, amplitude envelope, routing, and volume. The EX 20 also features analog effects to produce fourier, waveform sample, and modular synthesis. The front panel features a set of 16 drawbar sliders for each synthesis mode. You can create your own custom waveform. A 61 note velocity & pressure keyboard can be split and provide up to four different timbres simultaneously per side. The EX 20 is the rack mount version of Wersi's MK1 Keyboard Synthesizer. Both instruments can 'see' up to 16 midi channels for multi-timbral operation, and can transmit on up to 8 channels at one time. The back of the unit features the following connections:

* 1/4" Headphone Jack
* (2) Two programmable footswitches
* Volume control connection
* MIDI in
* MIDI out
* MIDI thru
* Left/Right/Stereo 1/4" output jacks

The EX 20 will expand your synthesizer, organ, or keyboard instrument and it's capabilities into a new dimension of sound and features! With the EX 20 Expander, you have added virtually eight additional keyboards to your present instrument which can be controlled through MIDI from your present instrument, a sequencer, or a computer. This Expander is perfect for not only the keyboard player but also the Hammond, theater organ enthusiast, or the contemporary church organist. Not only does this unit have bank after bank of sounds, you can also create sounds with it using the drawbars. "

Update via Qwave in the comments: "I think the seller does not really know the fact of this unit.

He writes: "This is a digital synthesizer capable of playing up to 20 polyphonic notes on eack key." So 61 keys x 20 notes = 1220 voices? In fact you get 20 voices all together. And up to four parts stacked (then 5 note polyphonic only.

"The EX 20 also features analog effects to produce fourier, waveform sample, and modular synthesis."
There is one ensemble/chorus FX present. Actually it is the same board as the Wersi Voice. And there is one (1) filter for all voices together. So it is paraphonic as the Korg Poly 800 and others.
You create sounds additiv or in an organ register mode (and then use the paraphonic filter for substractive synthesis). Fourier synthesis would create additive spectrums via analysing a given sound. Not possible here. You can create different additive spectrums for 4 keyboard ranges. No sampling.
The synthesis methods available are somehow very often described wrong on internet pages. Maybe people are copying info without owning and knowing the synth.

Without the manual you are totally lost on this synth. And even as experienced synth user, I did not get to work the Midi sysex to work on this synth or the similar Wersi Stage Performer."

Remember, you can do a search for Wersi EX 20 for previous posts with more info including video as well.

Wersi Model EX 20 MIDI Expander - Digital Synthesizer

via this auction
"This is a digital MIDI synthesizer without the keyboards. This unit will expand your keyboard instrument and it's capabilities into a new dimension of sound and features! With the EX 20 Expander, you have added virtually eight additional keyboards to your present instrument which can be controlled through MIDI from your present instrument, a sequencer, or a computer. This Expander is perfect for not only the keyboard player but also the Hammond or theater organ enthusiast. Not only does this unit have bank after bank of sounds, you can also create sounds with it using the drawbars.

I purchased this unit new and have hardly used it. Its capabilities are beyond my skill level. I have used it connected to a church organ that has MIDI and also a computer with MIDI. It has only the normal wear commensurate with its age. The unit comes with its power cord. The cartridge inserted in the lower right-hand portion of the unit does NOT come with the unit. These RAM and ROM cartridges will be auctioned off separately as they work with other Wersi digital instruments. The Wersi EX 20 MIDI Expander has significant capabilities even without these cartridges." You can find the seller's other listings here. Update: You can watch video of another one here.

BERLIN SCHOOL SYNTH JAM BEHRINGER Model D ARP Odyssey KORG MS 20mini GRP R24 Roland Juno 60

Published on Feb 16, 2019 VolcaRock

"BERLIN SCHOOL Live Retro Synth 70ies Jam with Behringer, Korg/ARP, Moog, Roland, Oberheim, GRP, Wersi, Arturia. I explain which synths are playing, you don`t have to guess ;-) Enjoy HYPNOTIC SEQUENCES , WARM STRINGS & MELODIC LEADS.

LEAD: Behringer Model D, Roland Juno 60 with Tubbutec 66 Mod
SEQUENCES: Korg MS 20 mini , Korg ARP Odyssey , Moog Minitaur
STRINGS/ORGAN/SWEEPS: Wersi EX 10R/EX 20, Oberheim Matrix 1000
DRUMS/PERC: Arturia Drumbrute
GRP R24 Sequencer is controlled by Elektron Octatrack (MIDI Master).

I use some Hardware FX for the synths:
DELAY: Pigtronix Echolution2 Deluxe (digital), Rockman Stereo Echo (analog) , 2x Behringer Vintage Time machine in one modded box (analog),
PHASER: Vermona PH 16, EHX Stereo Polyphase, EHX Nano Small stone
AUTO PAN: Behringer TP 300, Elektron Octatrack
REVERB: OTO BAM, 2x Lexicon MPX 100

Finally I added Oberheim Matrix1000, Arturia Microbrute and Wersi EX20 to my setup.

Hope you enjoy my latest Berlin School 70ies style Session :)"

WERSI EX 20 MIDI Expander - Digital Synthesizer

via this auction

Note there is also an EX 10 model. See the Wersi label below for more.

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Wersi EX-20 synthesizer Expander

YouTube via hilltree

"Some patches on the rare multitimbral wersi ex20 .
Notice the build in fx.
More at www.groenewoudnet.nl"

BERLIN SCHOOL JAM *Behringer Model D *KORG ARP Odyssey *MOOG Minitaur *WERSI EX10R *GRP R24

Published on Mar 31, 2018 VolcaRock

"BERLIN SCHOOL JAM - psychedelic stringmachine VS sequencer madness :-) with modern, retro and vintage Synths from BEHRINGER, KORG, MOOG, ROLAND, WERSI sequenced by GRP R24 and SEQ 12 Sequencer. First time I use the 1986's WERSI EX 10R, an obscure Hybrid Synthesizer/String/Organ Expander with 20 CPUs (one for each voice), a triple BBD-Chorus for instant stringmachine sounds and 1 paraphonic SSM Filter.
Enjoy my live Recording with lots of improvisation inspired by Floyd, Krautrock and classic Berlin School.

Used Synths &FX:
Behringer Model D + Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe (Lead),
Korg ARP Odyssey + EHX DMM TT1100 + Neunaber Wet Stereo (Lead & FX),
Moog Minitaur (Bass),
Korg MS-20 mini + Rockman Stereo Echo & Volca Keys (Pluck),
Roland Juno 60 + Krautrock Phaser (Pad &Lead),
Wersi Expander EX10 R + Vermona PH 16 Phaser + Behringer TP300 (Stringmachine, Organ, Hihats)."

TECHNICS SX-WSA1R RACK SYNTHESIZER

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via this auction

Note there were three physical modeling synth engines, one from Yamaha, one from Korg, and one from Technics. They were all different. The auction description mentions Yamaha, but Korg of course had the monophonic Prophecy and the polyphonic Z1.

"The super rare TECHNICS SX-WSA1R rack mount digital synthesizer. Unobtainium in rack format. A MASSIVELY POLYPHONIC synth engine that is unique in the world of sound generation and sound design; a unique sound that can only also be found in the legendary polyphonic Yamaha VP1 (of with Yamaha made three (3) for astronomical prices), and the very limited 2-voice Yamaha VL1.

The SX-WSA1R is effectively the only alternative to access the POLYPHONIC sound generating capabilities of the fabled Yamaha VP1.

The technology to POLYPHONICALLY cross a horn section with the envelope properties of a plucked string instrument. From huge swirling pads to otherworldly leads, the sound design capabilities of this instrument simply have not been duplicated. Includes very usable onboard effects, a second set of MIDI IN/OUT/THRUs, and a second set of stereo (or dual mono) outs.

The keyboard version of the SX-WSA1 is fairly rare. But the rack version is, like the Ensoniq Fizmo rack and Wersi EX-20 (rack version of Stage Performer MK I), simply unobtainium. Technics made only about 100 of them, and almost all for the UK market."

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Final Set of A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers

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via this auction

The listing is from the author Peter Forrest who states this is likely the last set.  These are great books and imo the most comprehensive.  Click on the pics to get an idea of what they are like.  Peter also has other items listed including The Museum of Synthesizer Technology and Synthesizer von Gestern II.

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