What hardware are you missing in software?

[olikana]

Yamaha CS-01 mkII. gritty digital tone generators with analog filter

[walker1]

Virus

[Kayster82]

Dynacord ADD ONE

[NorthStarMusic]

While the Synergy seemed to be an additive synth with 32 partials and additional phase modulation based on what i found at Vintage Synth Explorer it seemed to be a preset synth without programming your own patches.

That's 20%-33% correct, Ingonator, depending on how you look at it

Back in the digital dark ages: sometimes a keyboard (read: microcomputer) such as the original Synergy required additional pieces to be programmed - things were often not nearly as integrated as they are now (as an example: the first commercial CD recorders were *not* single-piece stand-alone units)

You *could* program sounds for the original Synergy *If* you had Crumar's GDS system, and a 'chip burner' - like Wendy Carlos:

The Synergy was among the first synthesizers to have a memory cartridge slot. You could get a device that would let you burn your own ROM chips and you could save your own cartridges of voices. I even built DK a library of voices that they later sold when the machine was in its latter stage of being commercially available.

Source: http://www.synthmuseum.com/synergy/synergy01.html

The 'phase modulation' part of VSE's statement may also be incorrect - some fun facts: The Yamaha DX-7's engine is actually PM, even though it's licensed from Stanford and is based on Chowning's FM work; while the Synergy engine is true FM, and came directly from Bell Lab's Hal Alles.

Here's an interesting article for the quasi-acedemic(s):

https://moinsound.wordpress.com/2011/03 ... hnologies/

Your own source cites (3) different versions of the Synergy, although it doesn't distinguish that there was both a II model, as well as a II+ model (which may simply be an upgraded II):

Later models of the Synergy, known as the Synergy II+, feature MIDI implementation, 24 user voice RAM, and an RS-232 computer port. This allowed support for Kaypro II portable computer systems running Synergy voicing software to open up the possibility to finally edit the sounds of the Synergy as well as to save patch and sequence data on to floppy disk.

Both DK Synergy pieces that were available to me years ago were at least II's and possibly II+'s - therefore both programmable - one (I believe) was a full-blown system; with keyboard, computer, and software.

Edit: It is likely that the Synergy was marketed as an additive synth almost exclusively by DK, and it's FM capabilities not pushed too hard publicly - this is because DK was trying not to 'poke the bear' - anger Yamaha, in other words -

interesting infos...

I am long time Synergy owner. I upgraded my original Synergy to the II+ and used a Kaypro II for many years to program it. I thought some here might like to know that its legacy may continue on a bit longer thanks to a Synergy emulator called Synergia. Being a digital synthesizer its reproduction in Synergia sounds just like a new Synergy ( new power supply, capacitors, etc., the usual culprits in aging synths).

Even better, there is a Kaypro SYNCHS Emulator (Synchs was the Synergy Control Host Software that allowed the programming and saving of voices, cartridge images to disc and the machines state). Its called Synergize. It can be run on iOS as well and essentially gives you the GDS type of interface. If interested, here's a video of both being used together:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mhFNOb ... drive_link

[NorthStarMusic]

While the Synergy seemed to be an additive synth with 32 partials and additional phase modulation based on what i found at Vintage Synth Explorer it seemed to be a preset synth without programming your own patches.

That's 20%-33% correct, Ingonator, depending on how you look at it

Back in the digital dark ages: sometimes a keyboard (read: microcomputer) such as the original Synergy required additional pieces to be programmed - things were often not nearly as integrated as they are now (as an example: the first commercial CD recorders were *not* single-piece stand-alone units)

You *could* program sounds for the original Synergy *If* you had Crumar's GDS system, and a 'chip burner' - like Wendy Carlos:

The Synergy was among the first synthesizers to have a memory cartridge slot. You could get a device that would let you burn your own ROM chips and you could save your own cartridges of voices. I even built DK a library of voices that they later sold when the machine was in its latter stage of being commercially available.

Source: http://www.synthmuseum.com/synergy/synergy01.html

The 'phase modulation' part of VSE's statement may also be incorrect - some fun facts: The Yamaha DX-7's engine is actually PM, even though it's licensed from Stanford and is based on Chowning's FM work; while the Synergy engine is true FM, and came directly from Bell Lab's Hal Alles.

Here's an interesting article for the quasi-acedemic(s):

https://moinsound.wordpress.com/2011/03 ... hnologies/

Your own source cites (3) different versions of the Synergy, although it doesn't distinguish that there was both a II model, as well as a II+ model (which may simply be an upgraded II):

Later models of the Synergy, known as the Synergy II+, feature MIDI implementation, 24 user voice RAM, and an RS-232 computer port. This allowed support for Kaypro II portable computer systems running Synergy voicing software to open up the possibility to finally edit the sounds of the Synergy as well as to save patch and sequence data on to floppy disk.

Both DK Synergy pieces that were available to me years ago were at least II's and possibly II+'s - therefore both programmable - one (I believe) was a full-blown system; with keyboard, computer, and software.

Edit: It is likely that the Synergy was marketed as an additive synth almost exclusively by DK, and it's FM capabilities not pushed too hard publicly - this is because DK was trying not to 'poke the bear' - anger Yamaha, in other words -

interesting infos...

I am long time Synergy owner. I upgraded my original Synergy to the II+ and used a Kaypro II for many years to program it. I thought some here might like to know that its legacy may continue on a bit longer thanks to a Synergy emulator called Synergia. Being a digital synthesizer its reproduction in Synergia sounds just like a new Synergy ( new power supply, capacitors, etc., the usual culprits in aging synths).

Even better, there is a Kaypro SYNCHS Emulator (Synchs was the Synergy Control Host Software that allowed the programming and saving of voices, cartridge images to disc and the machines state). Its called Synergize. It can be run on iOS as well and essentially gives you the GDS type of interface. If interested, here's a video of both being used together:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mhFNOb ... drive_link

[DCrown]

lots of Yamaha

[felis]

Andromeda

[wagtunes]

Korg Kronos, Yamaha Motif, Yamaha Genos

[wagtunes]

Looking at this old thread. it's amazing how many of these ARE vsts now.

[sunthief01]

Since we are adding, let me just echo the folks who've mentioned Fizmo and Ensoniq VFX

[dexrow]

If I ever get the rust programming language to work, I have some code for drum tabs that I was trying to add commands to like lfos and such for drum triggers... my thoughts are that an interface that writes code generators to create midi synths that are designed for particular drum machine vst's might be an interesting idea. the best hardware of all is replacing paper drum tabs is my thing..

[planetearth]

Looking at this old thread. it's amazing how many of these ARE vsts now.

...and how many people that used to make KVR interesting who aren't here now.

Steve

[dexrow]

Looking at this old thread. it's amazing how many of these ARE vsts now.

...and how many people that used to make KVR interesting who aren't here now.

Steve

I had no idea this thread was so old

[Nug Wrangler]

I'd like a Roland D-50 (or D-10), and my trusty, old Korg Poly-800!

Steve

https://www.fullbucket.de/music/fury800.html

[sacer]

moog voyager, alesis andromeda, roland sh-7, korg radias, roland jupiter 6 (no cherry audio), oberheim matrix 12