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String Synthesizer
A string synthesizer or string machine is a synthesizer designed to make sounds similar to those of a string section. Dedicated string synthesizers occupied a specific musical instrument niche between electronic organs and general-purpose synthesizers in the 1970s and early 1980s, until advances in digital signal processing technology allowed the production of inexpensive general-purpose polyphonic synthesizers and sampler (musical instrument), samplers, which made the existence of a separate type of instrument unnecessary. The development of the string synthesizer was originally motivated by the need for a cheaper and more portable alternative to the Mellotron, which was itself a cheaper alternative to human string ensembles. The availability of string synthesizers was influential in adding string orchestration to popular music that would not otherwise be able to afford the use of a human string ensemble, and their characteristic sound, which was almost, but not quite, like that ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Freeman String Symphonizer
The Freeman String Symphonizer was a 5-octave synthesizer of the 1970s. (The first prototype being shown prior to 1970, but the most well known shown in 1970, the second according to the Sound on Sound article) It was finally manufactured by the Chicago Musical Instrument Co. and was also known as the Cordovox CSS. Its sound was related to that of the ARP String Ensemble – cool, glassy-sounding strings. Eventually, its inventor Ken Freeman tried to strike a deal with the company Ling but they abandoned their interest in it. Lowrey, a division of CMI, finally struck a deal after some deliberation. The delay in getting the Freeman to market limited its sales. Some users were fairly famous, but its release was overshadowed by both the Eminent Solina and Crumar Stringman, both of which had only one oscillator and were cheaper to make. The Freeman has 25 oscillators. One controls a digital 'top octave synthesizer' (TOS) IC (the common MK50240 in later versions; M087 or SAA1004 in ea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Roland VP-330
The Roland VP-330 is a paraphonic ten-band vocoder and string machine manufactured by Roland Corporation from 1979 to 1980. While there are several string machines and vocoders, a single device combining the two is rare, despite the advantage of paraphonic vocoding, and the VP-330's synthetic choir sounds are unique. Despite the VP-330's electronic string and choir sounds being less realistic than those of the tape-based Mellotron, touring musicians used it as a lighter and more robust alternative. The Roland SVC-350 is a similar vocoder in rack-mount form designed to accept external inputs. Architecture In addition to vocoding and generating string sounds, the VP-330 can also play four different choir sounds, each of which uses four bandpass filters, shared from the same pool of seven total. Like Roland's other string machines of the era, such as the RS-202, it features a BBD-based ensemble effect that thickens the strings, and optionally the choirs and vocoder. Not ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Moog Opus 3
The Opus 3 is an analog 49-key synthesizer, and designed by Herbert A. Deutsch from Hofstra University. He also wrote the manual for the synthesizer. It was released in 1980 by Moog. The sounds are in three categories, strings, brass and organ sounds, all having their own filter apart from the organ section. Outputs The Opus 3 features stereo outputs and can be programmed to use the panning effect. Notable sounds The Opus 3 is mainly known for its electronic organ sounds; it also produces strings and brass sounds. Notable users * Stereolab * Kraftwerk * 808 State * The Rentals * Charly García * Ministry (band) - Same Old Madness (1982) See also * List of Moog synthesizer players * Moog Music Moog Music Inc. ( ) is an American synthesizer company based in Asheville, North Carolina. It was founded in 1953 as R. A. Moog Co. by Robert Moog and his father and was renamed Moog Music in 1972. Its early instruments included the Moog sy ... * Moog synthesizer * Robe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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ARP String Ensemble
The Solina String Ensemble, also marketed as the ARP String Ensemble, is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral string synthesizer with a 49-key keyboard, produced by Eminent BV (known for their ''Solina'' brand). It was distributed in the United States by ARP Instruments from 1974 to 1981. The sounds it incorporates are violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello, and contrabass. The keyboard uses 'organ style' divide-down technology to make it polyphonic. The built-in chorus effect gives the instrument its distinctive sound. Technology The core technology is based on the string ensemble section of the Eminent 310 Unique electronic organ in 1972, manufactured by the Dutch company Eminent BV. The main oscillator consists of twelve discrete tone generators with octave divide-down to provide full polyphony; and the built-in triple chorus effect utilizes bucket-brigade devices (BBDs) controlled by two LFOs to create the characteristic vibrato. Four versions have been released: * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Elka Rhapsody
The Elka Rhapsody is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer with either a 49-key or 61-key keyboard, depending on the model. It was particularly popular with Berlin School electronic musicians during the 1970s. Revisions Elka Rhapsody 490 This was the earlier, smaller version with 49-key keyboard. It had two sounds, violoncello and strings which could also be combined to produce a fuller sound. There were two other controls; volume and sustain. It also had a master tuning control on the rear panel of the instrument. It is a monotimbral instrument with a single ¼" jack on the rear for output, and a single 5-pin DIN socket for a pedal. Elka Rhapsody 610 This is the larger instrument with a 61-key keyboard. It had four sounds, violoncello, strings, piano and clavichord which could also be switched in and out, similar to the 490. Each voice had separate volume and decay time sliders mounted on the top of the instrument. The 610 had a split function, which ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Korg
, founded as Keio Electronic Laboratories, is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instrument An electronic musical instrument or electrophone is a musical instrument that produces sound using electronics, electronic circuitry. Such an instrument sounds by outputting an electrical, electronic or digital audio signal that ultimately is ...s, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners. Under the Vox brand name, they also manufacture guitar amplifiers and electric guitars. History KORG was founded in 1962 in Tokyo by Tsutomu Kato and Tadashi Osanai as ''Keio Gijutsu Kenkyujo Ltd.''. It later became because its offices were located near the Keio train line in Tokyo and Keio can be formed by combining the first letters of Kato and Osanai. Before founding the company, Kato ran a nightclub. Osanai, a Tokyo University graduate and noted accordionist, regularly performed at Kato's club accompanie ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Roland RS-202
The Roland RS-202 was a polyphonic string synthesizer, introduced by Roland in 1976. It was the successor to the Roland RS-101, released in 1975. The synthesizer operated using sawtooth wave oscillators, which used a frequency divider in a similar manner to an electronic organ to provide full polyphony across a five-octave keyboard. The signal was then fed through a single envelope shaper, making the instrument paraphonic. The front panel had two separate controls for the top and bottom of the keyboard, which could have independent sounds. Each note could be assigned a separate envelope articulation, which was necessary to avoid re-triggering the attack if an extra note was added to an existing chord being played. To achieve a more realistic sound of an ensemble of string players, the output was fed through a chorus effect using a number of delay lines triggered by low frequency oscillators. An American company called Multivox manufactured a clone of the RS-202, called t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Logan String Melody
The Logan String Melody designed by Ing. Giuliano Costantini for Logan was a portable keyboard produced in two versions from 1973 to 1982. Manufactured in Italy, it was sold under both the Logan brand name and re-badged as both a Hohner and Vox (musical equipment), Vox product. The Vox version was called ''The String Thing'' but still featured the Logan brand name on the back of the case. The keyboard consists of four octaves split into two nearly equal sized ranges. In each of these ranges a combination of three string sounds can be mixed using faders labelled ''Cello'', ''Viola'' and ''Violin''. Each string sound is pitched one octave apart. In addition to the separate sets of faders for the string sounds, each range has a sustain and release fader. The lower range also features a simple Monophony, monophonic synthesiser that is controlled from using faders labelled ''Bass'' and ''Perc''. On the first version, there is a button labelled ''Orchestra'' that has hard wired settings ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Eminent 310 Unique
The Eminent 310 Unique is a home electronic organ that was built and introduced in 1972 by the Dutch organ manufacturer Eminent, at the time based in Bodegraven, the Netherlands. It was the first organ to include a string section, making it the first commercial polyphonic string synthesizer on the market. It is prominently featured on Jean Michel Jarre's albums '' Oxygène'' (1977) and ''Équinoxe'' (1978). The technology for the string section was later released as a standalone instrument, the Solina String Ensemble (rebadged by ARP as the ARP String Ensemble The Solina String Ensemble, also marketed as the ARP String Ensemble, is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral string synthesizer with a 49-key keyboard, produced by Eminent BV (known for their ''Solina'' brand). It was distributed in the United ... for the US market), which saw wide use in popular music. References External links Eminent 310 Salvation Project {{electronic-musical-instrument-stub Electronic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Chorus Effect
Chorus is an audio effect that occurs when individual sounds with approximately the same time, and very similar pitches, converge. While similar sounds coming from multiple sources can occur naturally, as in the case of a choir or string orchestra, it can also be simulated using an electronic effects unit or signal processing device. When the effect is produced successfully, none of the constituent sounds are perceived as being out of tune. It is characteristic of sounds with a rich, shimmering quality that would be absent if the sound came from a single source. The shimmer occurs because of beating. The effect is more apparent when listening to sounds that sustain for longer periods of time. The chorus effect is especially easy to hear when listening to a choir or string ensemble. A choir has multiple people singing each part (alto, tenor, etc.). A string ensemble has multiple violinists and possibly multiples of other stringed instruments. Acoustically created Although ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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Synthesizer
A synthesizer (also synthesiser or synth) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis and frequency modulation synthesis. These sounds may be altered by components such as filters, which cut or boost frequencies; envelopes, which control articulation, or how notes begin and end; and low-frequency oscillators, which modulate parameters such as pitch, volume, or filter characteristics affecting timbre. Synthesizers are typically played with keyboards or controlled by sequencers, software or other instruments, and may be synchronized to other equipment via MIDI. Synthesizer-like instruments emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century with instruments such as the RCA Mark II, which was controlled with punch cards and used hundreds of vacuum tubes. The Moog synthesizer, developed by Robert Moog and first so ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |