Launched in 1978, the Roland SH-7 is one of the rarest models in the Roland SH series. While the instrument is unusually flexible in terms of modulation possibilities, its 24dB… Read More
KORG PS-3300 FS: Relaunch of the fully polyphonic Goliath
Now the time has come! KORG dares to relaunch one of the biggest polyphonic analog synthesizers ever. The PS-3300 FS is a replica of the original synth from 1977, this… Read More
Analogue Solutions MAXIMUS AS300 “true” POLYSYNTH
Admittedly, we admire Tom Carpenter. At what seems like monthly intervals, he delights the fan community with outstanding new devices. As a vintage connoisseur, he can draw on a wealth… Read More
Roland VP-330 – figurehead of the Vocoder Hype
When it comes to iconic instruments in music electronics, Roland’s VP-330 has to be at the forefront. Its design is aesthetically pleasing, its sound memorable and timeless. Although only in… Read More
Swiss Synthesizer Meeting 2023 (Gran Rex / Locarno)
A grandiose synthesiser meeting took place in Autumn 2023. Location: Locarno, southern Switzerland, directly on Lake Maggiore and close to Italy. Strictly speaking, the Synthesiser Meeting Switzerland (STS) already has… Read More
OB-X8: BEST Oberheim ever? (Part 2)
Text: Matt Vrazo, Music: Stephane Garganigo (Barb) Quick summary of Part 1: The OB-X8 sounds like a vintage Oberheim. And it’s got all the filters (multimode SEM and CEM 3320).… Read More
Roland GAIA 2 – dynamic sounds and solid hardware
The GAIA 2 hit us unprepared. Recent Roland synthesizers were boringly stuck to their never-ending Jupiter and Juno heritage, the New Sound Engine hymns of praise made us rather smile… Read More
OB-X8: BEST Oberheim ever? (Part 1)
Text: Matt Vrazo, Music: Stephane Garganigo (Barb) I’m a big Oberheim fan! At some point I’ve owned everything put out by the original incarnation of that brand (or at least… Read More
Crumar SPIRIT Reissue (Soundfiles & SoundSheet)
It’s been 40 years since a latecomer entered the stage of the mono synthesizer world. Of course 1983 was not the very best year to launch a “monophonic analog”! And… Read More
Crumar BIT ONE, BIT 99, BIT 01: Little gems of expressivity
These Crumars are not among the poly-analog synthesizers that have found a permanent place in the Valhalla of vintage instruments. They are unspectacular in appearance, their characteristic acoustic is rarely… Read More