DK SYNERGY II+ SYNTHESIZER, KAYPRO II & SYNHCS SOFTWARE

synergyII timbres Uploaded on Sep 5, 2010 xenmaster0


s 2 demo 1 441 final 320x240stream Uploaded on Sep 5, 2010 xenmaster0

Warning: this is a long post and can't be paged with the "click for more" link otherwise the videos will not load. Also, no time to parse the entire listing, so everything captured below for the archives.

via this auction

"DIGITAL KEYBOARDS SYNERGY II+

WITH KAYPRO II & SYNHCS 3.182 PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE, 14 FLOPPY DISCS OF SYNERGY TIMBRES, and 3 SYNERGY ROM CARTRIDGES

This is the legendary Synergy synthesizer. It comes with the Kaypro II CP/M computer I bought with the Synergy and the SYNHCS software used to program the Synergy. Three Synergy ROM cartridges are included, WC-1 and WC-2, the Wendy Carlos Voice cartridges 1 and 2, and the VCART 4 cartrdige, along with a null modem cable that you use to connect the Synergy synthesizer with the Kaypro II computer.

Using the Kaypro II computer running the Synergy Host Control System software (SYNHCS), you gain access to the full capabilities of the Synergy synthesizer. With the Kaypro II computer + SYNHCS software, you can program the Synergy synthesizer to generate any kind of sound you can imagine. Then you can save the timbres you create on floppy disk and organize those timbres into banks of sounds, and send them to the Synergy synthesizer. (Originally the Synergy was sold with ROM cartridges but with the Kaypro you don't need 'em because you can send new timbres to the Synergy from the Kaypro. I am, however, also including one original Synergy ROM cartridge.)

You will also get the complete set of 13 Synergy voice library banks on floppy disk, L1 through L13 (on 7 floppy discs) as well as the 6 Synergy VCart voices banks 1 through 6 (6 floppy discs). You also get the WC-1 and WC-2 voice banks on floppy disc. Each synergy ROM cartridge or CRT file holds 24 timbres. So you get the complete set of 20 x 24 voices, or 480 Synergy voice library timbres. This is the complete set of timbres that were offered for the Synergy II+. You also get the Wendy Carlos WC-1 and WC-2 voice cartridges (these are duplicates of the WC-1 and WC-1 voice banks on floppy disc) plus the VCART4 cartridge. The VCART4 cartridge has been disassembled so that you can resolder the socket to use a ZIF (zero insertion force) socket if you prefer, and burn your own ROMs and swap them out in the ZIF socket. I'll include information on how to do that. As a practical matter, the Kaypro II computer can transfer voice files to the Synergy II as fast as swapping out EPROMS, but it's nice to have the ability.

The SYNHCS control program included with this Kaypro is the latest version, from October 11 1985, version 3.182. You can see the version number in one of the photographs of the Kaypro II screen. It's later than the version 3.15 SYNHCS that sold with most Synergy/Kaupro II combos. SYNHCS V 3.182 fromOctober 1985 is the final version of SYNHCS, and includes menu options the earlier SYNHCS didn't have -- the earlier version 3.15 dates from September 1983. This later version October 1985 version 3.182 of SYNHCS has features the earlier SYNHCS didn't have, and it's not generally available. I got it from Stony Stockell. I'm pretty sure that only a handful of other people have this latest final version of SYNHCS from 10/11/85.

There are 18 floppy discs all told: 7 discs containing Synergy voice banks 1 through 13 (2 banks per disc, so 7 discs there total) and Vcarts 1 through 6 (6 discs there) and the Wendy Carlos 1 and 2 Vcarts on a single floppy disc. along with the Kaypro CP/M 2.2 boot disk to boot up the Kaypro II computer and a disc of CP/M utilities, like UNERASE and some other very useful utilities. That makes 16 floppy discs. I've also included a CP/M 2.2G boot disc in case you want to use another model of Kaypro II. The boot discs differed depending on whether your Kaypro II had ROM 81-149C, ROM 81-232, or ROM 81-292. All that is spelled out in detail in one of the information sheets I'm including with this Synergy II+. I'm also including SYNHCS V 3.12, the earliest versionof SYNHCS, in case you pick up another Synergy II with older ROMS.

Some of these Synergy voice banks were designed by Wendy Carlos, and all of 'em sound gorgeous.

The Synergy synthesizer boasts a unique sound, unlike that of any other synthesizer. It can caress your ears with silken delicacy or hammer you with brutal rancor. The Synergy can sound raucous or subtle, and it can change from one to the other as you hit the keyboard harder. There's a reason for this: it has arguably the most complex and sophisticated synthesizer architecture ever created, unparallelled evern today. The Synergy's amplitude envelopes are more complex, its oscillators are arranged in a more sophisticated way, and its advanced features like digital noise source, quasiperiodic vibrato and digital formant filter still have not been fully duplicated by any other digital synthesizer -- even today."

"THE BELL LABS DIGITAL SYNTHESIZER AND THE SYNERGY II+

The Synergy is based on the Bell Labs Digital Synthesizer designed by Hall Alles. The Bell Labs Digital Synthesizer used a remote computer to program the synth, with access by a different kind of port (RS-488 serial port, then common for programming lab equipment over a serial link). The remote computer at Bell Labs had to use software written by the composer (Laurie Spiegel, for example, whowrote programs on a DEC minicomputer in the then-new C programming language to control the Bell Labs Digital Synthesizer) to program the synth. When Digital Keyboards licensed the design of the Bell Labs Digital Synthesizer, they also built an 8-bit microcomputer that could program a version of the Synergy called the GDS.

About 700 Synergy I synths were sold all told, but less than 100 are still working today. A small handful of (I believe no more than 6) GDS systems were built in addition to the originl non-programmable Synergy I synths: GDS stands for "General Development System." These were versions of the Synergy with 16 front-panel digital sliders to control parameters of the synthesizers that hooked up to an associated CP/M computer thta used 8-inch floppy discs. With the GDS, you could program the Synergy and store voices on 8" disk via an S-100 buss CP/M computer based on the Ohio Scientific Challenger. Wendy Carlos bought a Synergy General Development System, Stockell kept one in his basement, Klaus Schulz had one, and someone else reportedly bought one (I don't know who).

When Kaypro started producing the Kaypro II CP/M computer in the early 1980s, Stony Stockell, the lead engineer on the Synergy synthesizer, saw an opportunity to replace the cumbersome General Development System with a cheaper setup for programming timbres on the Synergy, so he hired someone to write the Synergy Host Control Program in Z80 assembly language to program the Synergy using the Kaypro II instead of the S-100 buss IEEE 696 CP/M computer used with the GDS.

The new SYNHCS software was much more straightforward and didn't require any programming on the user's part. The Kaypro II was a standalone computer running CP/M, once again easy to use (unlike the Bell Labs minicomputers, which the user had to program to get anything out of 'em, even to send a note to the synthesizer!) and the Kaypro used a simple null modem cable linked to the RS-232 serial port in the back of the Synergy to program timbres, download and upload voice banks, and control the synthesizer's many subtle functions from the Kaypro.

The general method of programming involves pressing a specific button on the front of the Synergy to access a given function, then typing in a value in the Kaypro II to adjust the synthesizer parameter. Once you get the sound you want, you save it on the Kaypro floppy disk as a single .VCE file. Then you can load the VCE file off the Kaypro floppy disk and send it to the Synergy to recreate that timbre whenever you want. The SYNHCS program lets you arrange timbres defined by VCE files into banks which get saved as a single large files called a .CRT files, so SYNHCS combines the functions of synth programming and a synth librarian (and remember that this was back in 1981-1982!).

There was no such thing as the MIDI protocol when Hal Alles designed the Bell Labs Digital Synthesizer in 1974-1975, and no such thing as a finalized MIDI spec when Stoney Stockell adapted Alles' design into the Synergy in 1978-1980 for Crumar's Digital Keyboards subsidiary.

MIDI became a big deal between 1981 and 1984, so Stockell retrofitted the Synergy synthesizer with an add-on circuit board that added full MIDI in and out capabilities. This was the Serial I/O board, which Crumar sold for owners of the original Synergy I synth to upgrade to a fully programmable Synergy II+ along with the SYNHCS software and the voice library discs and the Kaypro II. These new modified versions of the Synergy were called the Synergy II+. This Synergy II+ of course includes a MIDI IN and OUT port, along with the RS-232 serial port for programming the timbres via the Kaypro computer.

The last and most sophisticated version of the SYNHCS software was version 3.182, which is the version I'm including with this Synergy II+ synthesizer. To quote from the manual PRELIMINARY OPERATION OF THE SYNERGY II WITH COMPUTER, "The SYNHCS version 3.xx significantly extends the capabilities of the Synergy II+ synthesizer even beyond the original General Development System." Yes, this combination of the Kaypro II plus null modem cable plus Synergy II+ plus the final SYNHCS version from 1985 gives you more abilities than Wendy Carlos had when she programmed the Synergy voices for her albums Digital Moonscapes and Beauty In the Beast.

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DK Synergy II+

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

via this auction

"Here's the moment you've been waiting for, a fully restored fully functional Synergy keyboards with lots of extras. This might be one of the most complete packages you'll find for a Synergy these days. An extremely rare synth & impossible to find in these final versions in fully functioning condition with midi. It's in excellent cosmetic shape & even includes a Kaypro, Wendy Carlos cartridge & more. See below for all the info. The sound on this Synergy is really surprising for a digital keyboard - it's rich, lush, organic, warm. An awesome keyboard to say the least, and an incredible piece of synthesizer history. According to VintageSynthExplorer, " it is estimated that less than 100 may still be in operation today....A working Synergy is a great and rare find. A working Synergy with some tone cartridges and a working Kaypro II computer is an even greater (and rarer) find!"

In this auction you'll be receiving
1) Synergy keyboard latest model II+ with WORKING midi
2) Printed bound manuals (owner's manual, operation manual w/ computer,synergy host programmer reference manual)
3) Wendy Carlos WD-02 Cartridge (rare, provides a second set of operating banks)
4) DIY Cartridge - this is the best part, a DIY built fully functional cartridge that has 8 banks burned to an EPROM of original Wendy Carlos programs, allowing for easy switching to new sound sets.
5) Two EPROMs with 8 banks each for the DIY cartridge card, loaded with 16 total banks of the original Wendy Carlos programs (so you now have 32+32 + (32 x 8 x 8) programs = 608 preset patches sounds!
6) Kaypro 10 Computer with keyboard
7) Box full of manuals & discs for the Kaypro
8) EPROM with the old 3.20 software

Recently fully serviced & lovingly restored by a top bay area tech, Chris @ www.thisoldsynth.com
Servicing details:
1) Newly burnt EPROMS with OS 3.21. EPROMS will only last 20 years or so. Since these were newly burnt & installed, now you know these will last you another 20 years
2) New Battery
3) Pots & switches cleaned
4) Entire cleaning of the unit
5) Key contacts & buss-bars cleaned
6) Replaced tantalum and electrolytic caps ont he circuit boards
7) Replace power fan with silent PC type (previous fan sounded like an airplane taking off)

While everything is functional, the only thing to mention is the Kaypro is missing some essential software to properly communicate with the Synergy. We've tried finding the files & loading them on, but have yet to find the correct functioning files. If we find them in time we will definitely upload them & update this listing accordingly. The kaypro is being recognized by the keyboard via the serial port, so serial port & kaypro are both working. The last step is to get the proper software on the kaypro & it will be fully there. Otherwise the remainder of the items listed & the entire system is functioning as it should. You can still easily use the keyboard without the Kaypro & enjoy the huge selection of patch presets."

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Vintage DK Synergy Synthesizer software

via this auction
"**In order to use this software you will need a vintage Kaypro computer (Kaypro 1, 2, II, 2x, 4, 4x, and 10) and a working Synergy II or Synergy II+. You can tell a Synergy II from a first generation Synergy because a Synergy II has a 25 pin serial port on the back of it.** If you own a DK Synergy II or plan on owning a Synergy II then this is an essential purchase.

Up for grabs is 16 5.25" floppy disks for the DK Synergy. This is ALL of the software that you need to have complete control over your Synergy, plus over 500 original voices for your Synergy. With this software you will be able to fully program your own sounds from scratch plus tweak the over 500 sounds that are included in the voice library. Also included in the auction is a hard copy of the Synergy manual and the manual for using your Synergy with a Kaypro. I have also included lots of other goodies like original price lists, cartridge order forms, and letters to prospective customers. There is doodling and underlining in the manual but nothing that obscures the text. The manual is printed on heavy card stock so there is no chance of tearing and it will last a lifetime.

This package includes the following: one hard copy of the original and most up to date Synergy manual, Preliminary Operation of the Synergy II+ with Computer manual, Vcarts 1-6 (on six disks), Synergy Voice Libraries 1-13 (on seven disks), All three versions of Synergy Host Control, and Wendy Carlos libraries 1 & 2. "

SYNERGY SYNTHESIZER VOICE CARTRIDGE MODIFICATION

via this auction

"INSTANT ACCESS TO ALL 500-PLUS VOICES IN THE SYNERGY SYNTHESIZER VOICE LIBRARY... This cartridge modification uses a Zero Insertion Force socket and 23 EPROMS to give you instant access to all of the timbres (voices) in the Synergy voice library, plus the 3 Wendy Carlos cartridges and a rare custom cartridge containing unique voices created by a Synergy synthesizer user with a Synergy II+.

The Synergy voice library cartridges are: L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11, L12, L13 and VCART1, CART2, VCART3, VCART4, VCART5, VCART 6. The 3 Wendy Carlos cartridges are W1, W2 and W3. And the unique custom cartridge is C1. That's a grand total of 552 timbres -- 24 of them unique to this custom cartridge and created by a Synergy II+ user and not available anywhere else. (I used to think there were only 2 Carlos cartridges, but it turns out there are 3, and I was able to track down the third one, as well as a rare custom cartridge. That's why the total mentioned in the YouTube video is 504 voices.)"

Video of the mods posted here.

And another:

DKSynergy.wmv

YouTube Uploaded by drumsoverlondon on Jun 1, 2010

"DK Synergy synth"

"If you own a Synergy synthesizer (either a I or II+) this cartridge modification will bring new life and new depth and new brilliance to your instrument. You'll discover new worlds of timbre, from subtle realistic acoustic-sounding timbres to exotic digital computerlike soundscapes. The Synergy was capable of creating diaphanous sounds as delicate as a butterfly's wing, or raucous digital timbres as intense as a Mack truck. This cartridge mod contains the full sweep of the timbres created for this unique digital synthesizer (one of the first and most powerful digital synthesizers ever designed) to reveal the synth's full capabilities. If all you've ever heard is the internal Synergy timbres or one or two Synergy voice cartridge, this voice cartridge modification with its 23 EPROMS will shock you and amaze you."

Synergy DK

via this auction.

Update via the comments regarding the details that follow: "It was a Crumar GDS that was used on Carlos' TRON soundtrack, not a Synergy. Also, I'm not aware of that Larry Fast ever used a Synergy. That was just his artist name."

Details:
"Here is your chance to own one of the rarest keyboards in existence (there are reportedly only about 100 working models left in the world!) as used by Wendy Carlos (Tron and "Beauty in the Beast") and Larry Fast. This particular model has the MIDI in/out/thru on it, and looking inside, seems to have been done by a skilled technician (or perhaps the factory). This means it is the II+ model. The sounds are very digital in nature, but have a nice warm tone to them. There are plenty of electric pianos and strings, as well as some neat digital drum sounds. The keyboards velocity sensitivity drastically change the sounds, and this is part of the nature of the Synergy's programming.

I also have 14 original sound cartridges with this, 4 of which seem to be blank. The cartridges include: VCART 1-3 "Voices", CARLOS WC-1 "ORCH-PLUS", CARLOS WC-2 "Bells and Whistles", CARLOS WC-3 "Missing Links", DEMO "Demonstration of internal voices" and TCART1 "Processor and Panel Tests" and TCART2 "Oscillator and D/A tests"... These are included in the auction.

From the web: The Synergy is a Phase Modulation/Additive synthesizer and has lots of DX type FM sounds. The Phase Modulation algorithms are user defined with up to 16 oscillators available.
The envelopes have up to 16 stages/per osc, and are loopable. Program/sounds consists of 2 'boundaries' which are 2 separate timbres. The keyboardist can morph between these timbres via velocity and key number. The DK SYNERGY II synthesizer originally retailed for around Six Thousand 6$k (Thanks matrixsynth.com!)

Also from the web:

http://users.ece.gatech.edu/lanterma/synergy/
http://www.synthmuseum.com/synergy/index.html
http://www.synthony.com/vintage/dkigds.html

The rear of the Synergy has 1/4" unbalanced outputs 1 and 2, and balanced XLR outputs 1 and 2. There is also RS-232 output for interfacing to a Kaypro computer for programming. The knobs on the front offer user control of the sounds, but in order to really dive into this synthesizer, you need the Kaypro."

DK Synergy II+ Synthesizer with Kaypro II PC SN 01272

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

via this auction

"The listing is for a Digital Keyboards Synergy II+ synthesizer with Kaypro II PC in great condition! One of the first premium digital synthesizers manufactured in the US , The synth is based on Dr. Hal Alles from Bell Labs synthesizer architecture.This model is the programmable version and has the solid wood casing which only came out with the very early serial numbers. The wood was replaced by tolex to reduce cost in following years. Approx 700 total Synergy units were made of which about 300 were said to be the upgraded programmable version.It is estimated that only 100 or so units are still operational today of which about 20% are the higher end wooden case version. When the Synergy II + hit the market in the early 80s, they were going for upwards of $10K for the wooden programmable version with Kaypro PC. The DX7 came out with their FM synthesis in 83 for $2500 and changed the entire synth industry. After that DK was dumping their units for under $7K with Kaypro and eventually went under in 1985. I payed $5,450 (including shipping) for this unit 8 months ago so for a 30 year old rare synth , it is still holding it's value.

The Synergy II+ 's Kaypro II PC is in great shape as well with two functional drives and the 1980s style green light screen resolution is still very prominent. You can find Kaypro PCs for sale on eBay should you ever need a back up. The sale includes everything you see in the photos- Synergy synth, Kaypro PC and keyboard, null modem cable to RS232 port ,original operational manual for the synth( not a copy), instructions for understanding the Kaypro and the complete Synergy library.The library includes close to 500 patches. It includes the L1-L13 FDs, VCART1-VCART6 FDs and Wendy Carlos Library( WENDY 1-WENDY3 FDs). All library, diagnostic, software systems and boot disks have been backed up with multiple copies, anywhere between 4-6 sets of each. The sale also includes a 2 hour video made by the original owner who purchased this synth as a floor model in 1983. The video on DVD is well thought out as well as his written start up instructions to get a new owner going. You definitely want to review the video and documents to understand the nuances using the synth and PC software . Included are the original documents listing the names and categories of the library disks and patches/voices in alphabetical order and by instrument or sound type. Other documents include synth schematics, pin schematics if you want to make your own null modem cables and addendum released by DK.

This synthesizer is definitely not for the touring musician or quick knob turning gratification player. This synth is typically purchased as a collectors piece or a programmers synth who enjoys sound sculpting for personal pleasure or studio recording. This synth has unique architecture and very sophisticated envelope control . What makes the Synergy II+ unique even to this day is that you voice each oscillator twice for both frequency and amplitude and you have 16 different envelope points for each envelope. So you get to control how each voice changes in response to velocity. For example, you might choose to have a phase modulated envelope that rises very sharply at low velocities and dies off fast, but at high velocity(loud notes) it rises less sharply and dies off much more slowly. Or you could do the opposite with the carrier envelope scheme which means the loudness envelope of the timbre operates normally with a sharper attack the harder you press the key but a shorter decay at louder amplitudes. Since you can define two 16 point frequency envelopes for each oscillator and you are dealing with phase modulation, you can have sound going from strictly harmonic overtones to inharmonic partials and back again over time or set it up to go inharmonic to harmonic and back again. And this effect is with just two oscillators. Typical Synergy II+ patches use 3-6 oscillators so you can also detune them to get chorus effects. Another reason to set up multiple chains of oscillators for a patch is to have different sets of overtones moving in and out of harmony against one another which gives you very complex timbral effects like you would get with real instruments. Another reason to use multiple oscillators is so you can combine additive synthesis with phase modulation to create some very realistic percussive sounds like bells or chimes using subharmonics of the fundamental of a note to create that low hum that is not harmonically related to the timbre ,but present in real percussive instruments.There is a reason that Wendy Carlos still has two Synergy GDS units among her gear of only 5 remaining keyboards.

For those not familiar with the Synergy, there is a good website if you Google DIgital Keyboards Synergy Preservation Page.Also there are several YouTube videos on this unit. However, here are the basics:

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Synergy II and Kaypro II Computer

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction. Note this Synergy is not working.

Details: "The Synergy II+ is famous as the synthesizer that Wendy Carlos used on the legendary recording "TRON" [actually it might have been the GDS according to this] and "Beauty in the Beast", the Synergy took place of Wendys Moog modular system on these recordings. The Synergy is a Phase Modulation/Additive synthesizer. Phase Modulation is similar to FM found on the popular synthesizers like the Synclavier and Yamaha DX instraments synths however the Synergy has FAR more settings and tones when it comes to crafting the ultimate in synthesized music.
The Phase Modulation algorithms are user defined with up to 16 oscillators available.
The envelopes have up to 16 stages/per osc, and are loopable.
Program/sounds consists of 2 'boundaries' which are 2 separate timbres.
The keyboardist can morph between these timbres via velocity and key number.
Voice allocation is highly advanced, allowing for very complex keyboard splits/layers/voice cycling.
There are many advanced features on the DK SYNERGY II that have never been equaled or surpassed in other synthesizers of the era. The DK SYNERGY II synthesizer originally retailed for around Six Thousand 6$K and the adittional kaypro II computer to accompany it around Thirteen hunderd dollars $1.3K."

Sent my way via Matt.

Rare Mulogix Slave 32 - Wendy Carlos DK Synergy Rack Synth SN WC002 ?

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

via this auction, also on Reverb

Update: you can find a link to the schematics and user manual further below.

Only one was previously featured back in 2011 for a MOTM sale posted here. According to the seller: "Supposedly the WC stands for Wendy Carlos but I have never been able to verify it. i even contacted Stoney the creator of the Slave and he thinks I am correct BUT he can not find the records in his attic."

Auction description: "I purchased this Slave in 1998. I was not even aware they existed until reading Mark Vail's book 'Vintage Synthesizers'. I am sure that book is what infected a lot of us with the vintage synth BUG.

This is like a rack mount Synergy with more features. You can control the velocity, pitch, and modulation from any vintage or modern midi controller.

The internal board is marked 002 and the hand written serial number has faded or been accidentally wiped off with a misguided spritz of contact cleaner but it also reads 002. The synth is in overall good, un-abused shape with no bent rack ears etc. It does have some very mild rack rash here and there in the typical places but overall it is very clean.

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DIGITAL KEYBOARDS DK Synergy II+ KAYPRO 10 Computer Synthesizer System

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

via this auction

"This listing is for a very rare DIGITAL KEYBOARDS DK Synergy II+ Synthesizer Keyboard System complete with KAYPRO 10 Computer and lots of valuable accessories!

This listing includes:

DK Synergy II+ Keyboard
Kaypro 10 Computer (With Built in Hard drive for faster storage/retrieval)
Kaypro 4 Computer (Photos of this are shown above but separate from the main system as it was added after the main photos session)
23 Synergy ROM Sound Library Chips (Factory, Custom, Wendy Carlos etc.)
Custom Chip Board
TWO sets of the complete disk library
Librarian software
Original Stand
Complete set of manuals for EVERYTHING"

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DK Synergy vintage synthesizer w/ kaypro

via this auction
"complete fully functioning early 80's DK Synergy system. It includes 5 cartridges, two Kaypro computers (one as a back up), and all the software you will need. It has also had a midi upgrade... It comes with 5 cartridges so hooking up the kaypro is not essential to discover all of the unique sounds this beast has on offer. It can go from the sound of an angel's harp to the sound of dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant. It has a very diverse tone pallet and a great analog digital hybrid feel." Note the Carlos cartridge. Wendy Carlos used the DK Synergy. You can find a little more info in these posts.

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Mega Cartridge for the DK Synergy

via huebner where you'll find a video.

Designed by Fabian Draeger

"Right after inserting, the Mega Cartridge says hello and then immediately switches to the module last used.
In the video the VCART6 and the Wendy Carlos 1 are shown, but the memory inside is big enough to keep all official cartridges ever released. Depending on your interest, the Mega Cartridge will soon be available in quantities as fully built PCB. To compile your individual ROM, I would need proof of your ownership of the original cartridges for copyright reasons..."

via Stefan in the comments of this recent post for a DK Synergy II+ Synthesizer with Kaypro II PC for sale.

Pic of the inside of the Mega Cart for the DK Synergy.

Digital Keyboards "DK" Synergy Polyphonic Synthesizer with Wendy Carlos 'Missing Link' Program Cartridge

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

via this auction

"DK Synergy. Vintage synthesizer. Includes Wendy Carlos 'Missing Link' program cartridge. Has some cosmetic wear and the "9" button doesn't work. Everything else appears to function but could use a tune up overall for best performance."

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Puremagnetik Releases Synbotik for Ableton Live, Kontakt and Logic

"Puremagnetik has released Synbotik - A library of DK Synergy sounds for Ableton Live, Kontakt and Logic.

Synbotik brings the famous old-school, early digital flavor of the DK Synergy into this decade. With only an estimated 100 units still functioning in the world, this is a rare piece of synthesizer history that has now been reprogrammed for Ableton Live, Kontakt and Logic. It even includes the legendary program cartridges inspired by Wendy Carlos.

Synbotik Features

• Raw “cartridge” programs based on the original Synergy sounds.

• Expertly crafted Ableton Live Racks with easy edit Macros.

• A selection of Ableton “Push Ready” Racked presets for sound design inspiration.

• A custom Kontakt KSP GUI that puts the original instrument’s functionality at your fingertips.

• Raw “cartridge” waveforms and “multi” programs for Apple Logic’s EXS sampler.

System Requirements

• Requires Ableton Live 9.1 and higher, Logic 10 and higher, or Kontakt 5 and higher

• 700 Megabytes (MB) of free hard disk space

Synbotik is available for USD $15 at http://tmblr.co/ZChkUy1Cet1Yy

For more information, visit http://www.puremagnetik.com"

Vintage 80's DK Digital Keyboards Synergy Synthesizer DKII+

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

via this auction

Update: the seller wrote in to let us know it has been fixed and is now working great.

Original description prior to the update:

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DK Synergy II

images via this auction
"The Synergy II + was made famous by Wendy Carlos on the legendary recording "Beauty in the Beast", the Synergy essentially replaced her Moog modular system. The Synergy is a Phase Modulation/Additive synthesizer. Phase Modulation is very similar to FM found on the Synclavier and Yamaha DX style synths. The main difference is that the Synergy has FAR more parameters and features when it comes to creating sounds. For example the Phase Modulation algorithms are user defined with up to 16 oscillators available. The envelopes have up to 16 stages/per osc, and are loopable. Each program/sound consists of 2 'boundaries' which are essentially 2 separate timbres. You can morph between these timbres via velocity and key number. Voice allocation is very sophisticated, allowing for very complex 'floating' keyboard splits/layers/voice cycling. One can easily say that there are many amazing features on this instrument which have never been equaled or surpassed in other synthesizers."

DK Synergy

Click here for shots via this auction.

"This auction is for a DK SYNERGY. It's one of the first digital synthesizers, and it implements both additive and FM synthesis. It was created by Digital Keyboards with the consulting help of Wendy Carlos. Its technology is based off of the Crumar GDS Synthesizer."

Wendy Carlos Vintage 80s DK Synergy Synth Cartridge

Two more via this auction and this auction
Follow-up to this post.

"Wendy Carlos Voice cartridge 2:
BALDB STEINY RIKTIK ELPIAN CALIO WRLTZ BGIT GIT1 BJO KOT EGIT2 EGIT3
ZAPA ZAPC H2OBEL GLSBEL REIT1 REIT2 SAXY BRAZA CSEL2 HMNCA TINA CLIK"

Vcart3 cartridge
THUNDER WATER BIRDS3 USEPONE TYPE STUNGUN3 SYNDRUM1 ARPEGI2A ARMGEDN9 DROP3 SSHHUP XXXXS
SURFWIND BUBBLES2 WINDCHIM MABELL MUKE2 STUNGUN4 PITCHRO7 DELAY14 SIREN DISTORT TZAP XXXXT

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Hands On - Energy for UVI Falcon and Workstation

Published on Feb 14, 2016 Synth Anatomy

"Energy is Synthesizer sample library by UVI. Energy can be load in UVI Workstation and Falcon Synthesizer Workstation.

ENERGY is the product of a unique and extremely rare additive synthesizer from the early 80’s, the Digital Keyboards Synergy. Released in 1982, the DK Synergy was based on an extremely sophisticated additive engine for the time, derived from the nearly $30,000 Crumar GDS (General Development System) and famously used by Wendy Carlos on the original TRON soundtrack. In fact many of the Synergy’s presets were crafted by Carlos herself, who is noted to still use the synth to this day."

Digital Keyboards Synergy From 1982

video upload by Bata

"Messing around with some sounds on the DK Synergy. This is the MK1 version so no MIDI and no connectivity to the old Kaypro computers that work with the MK2. I have a couple cartridges for it with extra sounds one programmed by Wendy Carlos called Bells/Whistles and one called VCart2 which has some drum sounds and other things. I play a few of those sounds here along with some of the stock presets. It has a cool but weird 4 track sequencer so it's possible to sequence 4 different sounds and play a 5th over top. No way to sync it with other gear though."