The Sounds of the EML Synkey, the punch card synth from 1976

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video upload by 24framemedia

"All sounds from the EML Synkey except the background sequences towards the end which were made with the MFB Dominion 1

The EML Synkey was originally created in 1976 with a punch card reader to save presets, supposedly around 47 were made before they changed it and discontinued the punch card reader. It shares the same Oscillator and Ring Mod as the legendary EML 101. One of the beefiest oscillators I've ever heard and the ring mod is out of this world. the synth uses a divide down circuit to create semitones across the entire octave so one can make chords with a single key press since the synth is monophonic. There's a variable state filter sweepable between low pass, band pass and high pass."

via this auction

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EML Synkey

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via this auction

You can find demos of the Synkey in previous posts here. There's also an orange accent model.

"Rare as all hens teeth! The EML Synkey punch card synth! Supposedly only 47 were made with the punch card reader!"

The portamento pot needs replacing, the aftertouch also needs adjustment at the keybed, this is a fairly easy procedure and hopefully I can get it done before I ship but can also send documentation on how to do it.

This is the same Oscillator, Filter and Ring Mod included on the EML 101, the Ring Mod is amazing, out of this world and hands down the best ring mod I've ever heard!

The SynKey is a classic programmable polyphonic synthesizer with plenty of unique features. Its sounds are thick and analog. It has thirteen oscillators! That is, one for the primary tone and twelve more for higher semi-tones, each of which are easily accessed by a simple on/off button. You can turn on or off any of the oscillators you wish, and no tuning is necessary! The oscillators only generate square waves and though the synth itself is monophonic, the SynKey is still one fat sounding synth. Its new 'Second touch' is like Aftertouch which gives you filter sweeps, vibrato and pitch bends by pressing harder on the key."

EML Synkey 2001 - part 1

YouTube via xgregcompositionx

"A short presentation of EML Synkey 2001 synth - part 1 (glide effect, stepless waveform selector, different modulation, stepless multimode filter, noise, ring tone)"

EML Synkey 2001 - part 2


"A short presentation of EML Synkey 2001 synth - part 2 (semitone chord system)"

EML Synkey 2001 - Close-Up

EML Synkey with CV/GATE Mod Demos

EML Synkey VIDEO 1 with CV/GATE Mod

Published on Sep 13, 2013 Gregory Cox

"A sound character demonstration of this extremely rare and unique synthesizer. All audio direct from interface into camera.

Photos of the mod here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7753328@..."

EML Synkey controlled by x0xb0x

Published on Oct 16, 2013

"Fiddling with knobs while my x0xb0x sequences my EML Synkey. TR606 keeping the 4s. This one has a CV/GATE mod which doesn't come standard."

EML Synkey 2001 w/ CV/Gate mod

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Uploaded on May 18, 2020

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"incredibly rare Synkey. Bought for a project last year and now just want to make some room.

If you aren’t familiar, this was the last synth released by EML and while technically a monosynth has 13 oscillators that can be “stacked” in chromatic intervals to create chords. It could also “save” presets via punch cards and the reader on the left but I have never had or used the feature.

This also has a *very* rare CV/gate mod that can be used via the portamento jack on the back. It works via a standard TRS to TR/TS Y insert cable, where the tip goes to CV ring goes to gate. You can search YouTube for the Synkey and see it in action from a previous owner some time ago.

While I’ve never had it serviced, the Synkey itself is in pretty incredible shape physically—though like any 40 year old synth has the occasional scratchiness. I’ve never looked into who could even work on it, though I know there are technicians around that do work on other EML synths (like the EML-101)

I attached a video I took this morning that shows some of the functionality of the front panel and a lot of the modulation sounds."

Not the tuning knobs on the back.

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EML SYNKEY 2001 demo by Morgan Fisher

morganfisherart

"A short demonstration of the EML Synkey 2001, a unique analog instrument that offers parallel harmonies on all 12 intervals of the octave. Frank Zappa used it, and I was first shown it by Eddie Jobson, his keyboard player, back in about 1976. Recorded in 2013 in Morgan Salon.
EML Synkey 2001の簡単なデモ。ユニークなアナログシンセサイザー。 1〜12半音の並列ハーモニーを提供します。 フランク・ザッパはそれを使用し、気に入りました。 私は1976年頃、ザッパのキーボード奏者であるエディ・ジョブソンに最初に見せられました。
2013年にモーガンサロンで録音。日本語字幕があります。"

You can find additional EML SYNKEY posts here.

EML Synkey OVATION

via this auction. Details below.



"Rar, fancy: vintage EML Synkey vintage analog punch-card programmable synthesizer in recently adjusted; absolute top condition. It's the top rar: OVATION - version. Fully works and sounds incredible: The low-pass filter goes to high-pass filter and the band-pass in between and this is extremely effective. It has ringmodulator and some arpeggioator-like LFO-waveform varies due to the speed. It's unique and you can make some unpredictable polyphonic arpeggiations. Dealing with punch-card makes this machine very exotic! So maybe you bid on technically one of the best Synkey of the world! Pitty, it runs on American standard current 110 V , so there's a 220 V -adapter in need or comit me to do the modification for some extra (ca. 35-50EU depending on trafo)!"

"... these came out as early as in 1976, not 1978/79 as stated on most synth-sites out there. At least, this is what I was told by one of the founders/owners of the EML company - States Mikael. Thank you for the info! "

Update via the comments: "The Synkey service manual I have dates the individual drawings from about April 1974 to March 1975. 1976 therefore seems about right."

EML Synkey

via this auction

"Vintage Electronic Music Lab (eml) SynKey 2001 synthesizer. The eml synkey is a 44 note (f-c) 3 1/2 octave, programmable analog synthesizer has a total of 13 oscillators!"

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Vintage SynKey 1500 by Electronic Music Laboratories EML SN 10775

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via this auction

"Up for auction is a SynKey 1500 by Electronic Music Laboratories (EML). This is a monophonic synthesizer with some very unique features. For starters, while it only has a single oscillator, it is continuously variable between pulse, saw, and square wave. And while it's a monophonic synth, the SynKey allows the player to add overtones in musical intervals using the 12 button array in the VCO section. This makes it easy to play a chord using a single finger! The filter section features low pass, band pass and high pass. The keyboard also features after-touch that can be applied to the filter, LFO, or as a pitch bend..."

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Ca. 1980 EML SynKey 1500

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via this auction

You can find demos in previous posts here.

"The EML Synkey is a wild, rare synth originally from the mid 70s. It just predates the rise of the polyphonic analog synth. This is a mono synth that can stack harmonic intervals on any note played. You can create a bevy of one finger chords with ease. It also features an early version of aftertouch called “Second Touch.” While it was listed as having 13 oscillators, what it had was a single VCO utilizing divide-down technology.

These were used most notably by Herbie Hancock and Frank Zappa! In very good cosmetic condition, with some age appropriate wear and scratching of the wood surfaces. This Synkey just got the full treatment by our in house techs, and is ready for action!"

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1976 SynKey Programmable Synthesizer Print Ad

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via this auction

"Original vintage magazine advertisement. Approx 7 3/4" x 10 3/4"."

The SynKey was by EML. Click here for additional posts including video demos.

EML SynKey

via this auction

"vintage (c. 1976) EML 2001 Syn-Key Programmable Synthesizer... Included with the synth is the orginal owners manual, a synth Primer published by EML, a full set of factory schematics and the original 50 punch cards for the card reader. (A few extra cards made it into my collection over the years, so there are a total of 67 punch cards.)... Original full-page magazine advertisement for the Sny-Key from 1976...

The Syn-Key was the world's first programmable synth."
Remember, you can search on Synkey for prior posts featuring this synth.

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1976 EML SynKey Synthesizer with Program Punchcard Voicings Ad

via this auction

See the seller's other items for more.

"1976 EML SynKey Synthesizer Program Punchcard Voicings Original Vintage Ad"


Ad measures approx. 8 x 11 inches.

Electronic Music Laboratories EML Synkey (Model 2001) SN 10788

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via this auction

"One of EML's final products. Super rare bird, almost impossible to find in the wild. The Synkey was one of the very first synthesizers to offer patch memory over it's unique plastic punch-card system. Released in both programmable and non-programmable versions. This is the programmable model, however it does not include any punch-cards.

Features 13 oscillators along with 13 pushbuttons (semitones) on the front panel which allows one-finger chords to be played by selecting which intervals of the chromatic scale. Super cool feature.

Single multimode voltage controlled filter, capable of continuously variable response from lowpass to bandpass to high pass (a feature of most EML synths). ADSR envelope generators were provided for the voltage controlled amplifier (which was capable of being switched into a ring modulator mode) and the VCF; however, the decay knob controlled both the decay time and the release time. A single low frequency oscillator (referred to by EML as the "modulation oscillator") was provided, with five selections of waveforms.

This synthesizer was just serviced, along with an new AC power cable. Rare, rare, rare!
Serial number 10788"

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Synthesizer Noise Machine

Published on Jul 16, 2019 lehha zzz

Like weird dream synths. The top one is a custom Novation Bass Station II in custom black with yellow reverse keys. The bottom is a Roland SH-201 in black with orange reverse keys.

Speaking of synth dreams, I had one last night. I as walking down some neighborhood with chain link fenced yards and I saw what looked like a Pro-One mixed with a SynKey. It had a small three or four inch oscilloscope display on the top left where the "Programming" section on the SynKey would be. It was the size of a Pro-One with a titled panel and covered in knobs. It was so cool. A lady with paper grocery bags opened the gate to go in and I asked about it and if it was for sale. She said maybe and that if I liked synths she had a bunch of Keyboard Magazines for sale at the pawn shop down the street. I was then in the house with either her husband, friend or relative showing me the oscilloscope while I waited on a price. He said the price would likely be too high, but I told him I was curious none-the-less. He talked to the lady a bit and came back with $132! I then woke up, minus the synth of course. Sucks how that works. :)

EML Synkey

Title link takes you to a post on VSE where I pulled this image and a sample mirrored here.

via JackAstro

Previous EML Synkey post

EML SYNKEY 2001 Programable Synthesizer

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via this auction

You can find demos of one in previous posts here.

"EML SYNKEY 2001 Programable Synthesizer SYN KEY Vintage Rare. Sold for restoration. I do not know anything about these. It had one card. When I plug it in there is one red light -that comes on. It is very faint. You can barely see it. It flashes. The wood body was wobbly so I replaced several screws and nuts (see photo) I know nothing about the electronics part but do know about framing/replacing nuts/bolts."

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1976 EML Synkey Ad

via Retro Synth Ads where you'll find the full write-up.

EML SynKey 2001 Rare Vintage Synthesizer w/ Punch Cards SN 10688

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via this auction

"Here's a rare EML Syn-key Synthesizer. I acquired this from a public school about 4 years ago and it worked back then but time has seemed to have taken it's toll. It was stored inside the house over those years but now it seems to have lost it's tones, it will make quiet rising and falling white noise when the keys are depressed but little else. It sounds like it's trying to make sound without any tones if that makes any sense. Either way it's not working properly and will need to be repaired or rebuilt. The keys functioned last time I used it but again that was 4 years ago. Cosmetically there's quite a few scuffs and scrapes from the years as you can see in the photos.
On the upside there are cards and a manual with it! There are four blank cards, thirteen factory cards and 13 user programmed cards. Sorry, no hole punch for the cards is included. Only the Factory cards are labeled with descriptions, they are as follows...

Sea With Birds
Bell
Orient
Horn
Striker
Funky Bass
Baroque Horns
Electronic Flute
Wow #1
Plucked String Bass
Staircase Stinger
Cello
Clavier"

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5 P. M. SUNBEAM (feat. Michael Geyre, Olivier Grall)

video upload by AbigobaMusic

"This is the return of Abigoba! New EP 'Future Legacy' featuring many greats musicians is now available.

'5 P.M. SUNBEAM guests 2 greats Keyboardists /sound designers/artists : MICHAEL GEYRE & OLIVIER GRALL, for a tribute and the project of playing as possible the same keyboards that the great Herbie Hancock used in 1978 on the album 'Sunlight' (the legendary album backcover picture). Olivier opened his temple of electric keyboards (Synthégrall) to us in order to share is great synthesizers, and record the title.'

Michael Geyre : Fender Rhodes 1975, Clavinet D6, Minimoog D, Synkey and CS80 (and Drums programmation)

Olivier Grall : Oberheim 4 voices, Solina Strings Ensemble, ARP 2600.

Jean-Luc Briançon : ARP Odyssey, Minimoog D, Yamaha CP30, Polymoog.

Additional shaker part by Franck Boutin-Albrand.

Composed by Michael Geyre, Recorded at Synthégrall Studio (Andernos) by Olivier Grall, Mixed at Nuage7 - Domaine de Sourzy by Jean-luc Briançon

Video direction & edition by Quentin Geyre (Groseille video)

Produced by Jean-Luc Briançon for Nuage7

EP available on all plateformes (Spotify, Deezer, ect.) :

https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/trac..."