Vintage Synthesizers Groundbreaking Instruments and Pioneering Designers of Electronic Music Synthesizers

by Vail, Mark,

• ISBN13: 9780879306038
• ISBN10: 0879306033
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-01
• Publisher: Backbeat

Summary

This new edition is the ultimate exploration of the upstart instruments - and their unique analog growls and screams - that paved the way over the last four decades for today's fast-paced electronic music world. Explores the development of the modern synthesizer from 1962 on, with in-depth interviews with pioneering designers Bob Moog and Alan R. Pearlman of Moog Music and ARP Instruments fame. These and other designers reveal their initial ideas, reflect on their hits and misses, and discuss how star performers have used their creations. Histories of groundbreaking instruments examine modular, analog and digital synths and samplers, plus more unusual instruments like the Mellotron. Noted synthesist Keith Emerson and composer Wendy Carlos ("Switched-On Bach") offer musical insights and performance techniques. Includes fully updated pricing and production info, and more than 200 photos and a stunning color section.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Dominic Milano
Introduction	viii
Prologue A Photo Gallery of Vintage Synths	1	(22)
SECTION 1 Hearts of the Modern Synth Industry	23	(80)
American Synthesizer Builders	25	(12)
Dominic Milano
The Rise & Fall of Moog Music	37	(11)
Connor Freff Cochran
Bob Moog
The Rise & Fall of ARP Instruments	48	(11)
Craig R. Waters
Jim Aikin
The Euro-Synth Industry	59	(23)
Paul Wiffen
Mark Vail
It Came from the Music Industry	82	(21)
Ted Greenwald
Jeff Burger
SECTION 2 Modular Synthesizers	103	(54)
Buchla's First Modular System	105	(5)
EMS VCS3 & Synthi A/AKS	110	(5)
Keith Emerson's Moog	115	(9)
ARP 2600	124	(11)
Bob Moog
Timothy Smith
EML Synthesizers	135	(7)
E-mu Modular Synths	142	(5)
Bob Moog
Serge Modular Systems	147	(6)
Perchance A Polyfusion	153	(4)
SECTION 3 Famous Analog Synths	157	(42)
Minimoog	159	(8)
Bob Moog
Oberheim SEM Module	167	(6)
Bob Moog
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5	173	(5)
Yamaha CS-80	178	(6)
Chroma	184	(7)
Valley of the Korgs	191	(8)
SECTION 4 Digital Synths & Samplers	199	(28)
PPG Wave	201	(5)
Digital Keyboards Synergy & Crumar GDS	206	(8)
Fairlight CMI	214	(6)
E-mu Emulator	220	(7)
SECTION 5 Miscellaneous	227	(70)
Mellotron	229	(7)
Paia Electronics	236	(10)
Rhodes Piano Bass & Vox Continental	246	(4)
Combo Organs of the '60s	250	(13)
Barry Carson
Electric Pianos, Harpsichords, & Clavichords of the '50s & '60s	263	(17)
Barry Carson
Roland CR-78, TR-808, & TR-909	280	(9)
Linn LM-1 Drum Computer	289	(5)
The Optigan Music Maker	294	(3)
SECTION 6 The Patchbay	297	(23)
In Search of... Vintage Synthesizers	299	(21)
What They're Worth	299	(5)
Buying a Vintage Synth	304	(8)
Vintage Synth Support, Service, Rental & Sales	312	(5)
You Gotta Hear This	317	(2)
A Few Good Books	319	(1)
Websites of Interest	319	(1)
Glossary	320	(12)
About the Authors	332	(2)
Index	334