Farfisa Slalom

[pricer]

This quote is Will Gregory of Goldfrapp from SOS:

"Last time [on Felt Mountain] I was using more orchestral sounds, and this time we went for naked synths a lot more — and organs. For example, at the start of 'Hairy Trees' there's a little Farfisa organ that I've got. It's got this weird knob that says 'Slalom', with a picture of someone skiing down a hill, and basically it gives you pitch-bend, which is quite unusual for an organ. And also you can think about skiing whilst you do it, which is quite entertaining!"

Have you come across this in your travels, is it simply a case of careful pitch-bend/portomento to get the desired effect?

[kfraser]

I once had a Farfisa Matador organ which had Slalom. If I remember correctly, it was a pitch bend pedal which bent all notes being played over a one octave range.

[Squids]

I had a couple of Farfisa organs. One of them I sold to Tom Petty actually. That was dual manual. The other one had grey and white keys and maybe I ended up selling it or trading it to Roger Manning or Jon Brion. I forget. I also don't recall them having this slolom feature. Sounds like a pitch bender to me. Funny name.

Two things came to mind when mentioning this. One was the "travel" knob on the old Univox MicroKorg (pre-Korg synth). It was basically a pitch bender too if I recall. The other thing was the pedal board for the RMI Keyboard Computer II. It had one for bending pitch which for some reason was a lot of fun!

I am debating whether or not to put in all of the RMI KCII waveforms from the punch cards in Sonik Synth 2. We're starting to get into deep esoterica here! I think it may be the very first digital synth? Close to it anyway. Maybe the first polyphonic one, I don't know. I am also debating whether to put a clavioline in there too. It sounds quirky and cool. I think that may be one of the first synths ever besides the Theremin and the tube Novachord (which I also have samples of). Perhaps we'll put a few of them in just for the history of synths factor, even though the sound is certainly some people's trash is another person's gold. The cool thing though is that Sonik Synth 2 has pictures of the original instrument when you load it. Kind of adds a little point of reference when you hear the sound at least. "Oh, it's that thing!".

[kpr]

The Slalom pedal is a regular Volume pedal type and can be used with several Farfisa organs for pitch up and down or for Glissando effects. Some infos on the Farfisa site here http://www.caffeinatedrecordings.com/web/farfisa/ The idea behind the slalom effect is, according to the old brochures, to create slide guitar and harp effects. Not that easy to make it with a Farfisa sound as source ...

The mentioned Korg Traveler is a HP/LP combination found on some Korgies, very nice thing, actually a bit underrated. Works good when moving the 2 sliders simultaneously in same or different directions.

[dougsyo]

I am debating whether or not to put in all of the RMI KCII waveforms from the punch cards in Sonik Synth 2. We're starting to get into deep esoterica here! I think it may be the very first digital synth? Close to it anyway. Maybe the first polyphonic one, I don't know. I am also debating whether to put a clavioline in there too. It sounds quirky and cool. I think that may be one of the first synths ever besides the Theremin and the tube Novachord (which I also have samples of).

Hey Squids,

Did Novachord and clavioline (which IIRC was the basis of the instrument used in Del Shannon's "Runaway") ever make it into SS2? I don't see it in the synth lists, but then the COMPLETE instrument list is pages and pages long, it appears.

Doug

[Squids]

No, those never made it in there. It was overkill enough as it is. But, we are putting together a collection of very rare keyboard instruments including these as well as an RMI Keyboard Computer, the full 360 Systems sound set, Hohner Cymbelet, Baldwin Electric Harpsichord (Aerosmith's Dream On), Rheem Keebass, Clavioline, Novachord tube synth and some other oddball devices that are bizarre, quirky, beautifully gritty, vintage, warm, distorted or unusual. I've been putting this collection together for 10 years for my own enjoyment and we'll be releasing it as a product hopefully this year. It's the rare of the rare.

[dougsyo]

... I've been putting this collection together for 10 years for my own enjoyment and we'll be releasing it as a product hopefully this year. It's the rare of the rare.

Nice! How about an Ondes Martenot and a Solovox (which, although similar to a Clavioline, has its own sound) ?

And please, something playable by the non-Reason world (ie not a Refill) You'll have me as an early buyer with that laundry list if it's in some form (SampleTank, Dimension, SF2, etc) that I can play...

Doug

[Squids]

I think my favorite player for vintage type sounds has to be SampleTank 2. So, at least expect it there.

[Funkybot]

My Farfisa VIP 255 has a "Slalom" switch, but unfortunately it does nothing as I don't have the foot pedal. Otherwise I'd love to provide a bit more info...

[Bassballjg]

No, those never made it in there. It was overkill enough as it is. But, we are putting together a collection of very rare keyboard instruments including these as well as an RMI Keyboard Computer, the full 360 Systems sound set, Hohner Cymbelet, Baldwin Electric Harpsichord (Aerosmith's Dream On), Rheem Keebass, Clavioline, Novachord tube synth and some other oddball devices that are bizarre, quirky, beautifully gritty, vintage, warm, distorted or unusual. I've been putting this collection together for 10 years for my own enjoyment and we'll be releasing it as a product hopefully this year. It's the rare of the rare.

This wouldn't have anything to do with the other teaser thread, would it? Doesn't matter, whatever either is, it'll will be cool knowing you.

[harmony gardens]

Gosh, this thread is bringing back the memories. You guys are talking about that lever that you pushed with your knee, right? Or is this that little metal switch on the side of the volume pedal? Whew I'm going back to 1974 here,,,

I had a farfisa organ in high school that a friend gave me. It was just a single manual, but I loved it. I used it with a Wurlitzer EP that I ran through a big muff distortion pedal. That gave me a lot of different timbres, and with the fuzz, I could do some pretty convincing power chords. Another of my favorite Farfisa effects that I used to use was hitting the spring reverb under it. It would make this loud thunder type sound. Sometimes I would just swing my hip over and bump it to get that sound. LOL,,, those were the days.

[Squids]

Gosh, this thread is bringing back the memories. You guys are talking about that lever that you pushed with your knee, right? Or is this that little metal switch on the side of the volume pedal? Whew I'm going back to 1974 here,,,

I had a farfisa organ in high school that a friend gave me. It was just a single manual, but I loved it. I used it with a Wurlitzer EP that I ran through a big muff distortion pedal. That gave me a lot of different timbres, and with the fuzz, I could do some pretty convincing power chords. Another of my favorite Farfisa effects that I used to use was hitting the spring reverb under it. It would make this loud thunder type sound. Sometimes I would just swing my hip over and bump it to get that sound. LOL,,, those were the days.

Yeah, those WERE the days. You know, I LOVE my samples but I still love the real instruments and miss them. I need to get a B3 again. I played my Arp Prosoloist on a recording the other day and was so glad I have it. I need a 2600 again as well. An EMS Synthi. Just a few of my favorites. I still have some good Moog and Oberheim stuff though. A beat up Prophet 5. Analog man! The whole thing about digital vs. analog (or virtual vs. real) is more about flexibility, convenience and additional power than emulation. When it comes to "emulation" there is no question that the real thing is just going to be better. I don't care what Minimoog plug-in you make. The real Mini will be better still. It's just nice for those that can't afford a real mini or those that want to take a mini around on their laptop but otherwise if I am doing a recording session I am breaking out my real Minimoog before I use a VST. Sorry.

[dougsyo]

I need to get a B3 again.

If you're budget-shopping, consider a C-3 (church case B-3) or A-100. The latter go for $1500 on EBay, you just need to put a load resistor in place of the main amp speakers and you've still got reverb available, and output for Leslie of your choice.

I'm using an A-105 modified as above (actually a switch under the front rail alternates between main speaker and load resistor). For a Leslie, I have a Motion Sound Pro-3T + LowPro stack (switches to control speed next to the main speaker switch). I'm quite pleased with it.

Doug

[Mr. Tunes]

that's fine and dandy squidsy but what if you get that phone call the next day saying they want to speed up the song a little? you're already on your private jet back to Sunrise at this point so you're screwed! midi rocks!

seriously though i'd love to have a real analog synth for shits and giggles. i got to play on a doepfer for a bit this year but i didnt really find it useful in anyway. it was also annoying that if i ever came up with a great sound it had to be drawn out on a piece of paper how the bitch was patched.

it was cool to attempt trying a wall of noise or something but i can do that stuff with sonik synth 2. i've figured out so many tricks with those sounds it's nuts! the thing is perfect for this sci-fi trailer i'm working on thanks to the elements

[Mr. Tunes]

I need to get a B3 again.

If you're budget-shopping, consider a C-3 (church case B-3) or A-100.

organs are for people who just beg for hernias