A mini-doc on two companies that changed the way synthesizers were designed in the 80s. Both had a incredible impact on the electronic music industry and the sound of music created during that time.
I got a Waldorf M recently and it’s one of those synths that sounds like a era, like many records, like you’ve played it before. And while part of that is the 8 bit PPG and MW wavetables, the other side is without doubt the filter being Dave Rossum’s revised take on the SSM2044 in the original Wave and MW. It sounds fantastic, vintage and modern at the same time.
Nice - the SSM2044 in the P5 Rev. 4 sounds so good as well. Really great to see these new synths designed knowing there was something special with these classic filters
I look forward to every video you post! This one was particularly great - I have a fascination with the chips that it seemed everyone was using to make some of my favorite vintage synthesizers!
Thanks! i know - it's always fascinated me as well - I still have a small synth I breadboarded in the early 90s from Curtis chips. I've always found the intersection of the electronic engineering and synthesizers of great interest to me.
Interesting. I’ve found Interdesign IC’s in a Prophet 5 Rev1. When I talked to Dave Smith about it he didn’t remember any details. I assumed they were early SSm parts. But this video seems to show w/ facts that they were more likely early CEM parts. Anyone else have Interdesign IC’s in in their prophet 5?
Hey bro!, you really can tell a story. Its a beautiful thing to me, that you make these docos on the most amazing topics. This is a major story for synth lovers. Kudos to you, sir. 👍🎯
Wonderful documentary into these influential products... I have never own a synth with SSM oscillators but I have owned an SH101 and still own a SCI Pro-One. Oh my, it still sounds amazing!
Both are amazing synths - SH 101 is such killer synth for leads and bass and the Pro-One is legendary for arpeggios and sequences. Love the both so much and both Curtis Chips.
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams Ha! Funny you should say that... that's exactly how I used them! THe bass from the 101 was so much punchier through a PA system then the Pro0one abut the P1 was great for modulated blippy bits (still is!).
This is a great video. I’m old enough to have played with a lot of the instruments mentioned here. We’ve lost so many of the stars who gave us these great instruments. I just wish the large corporations who now own these brands would charge realistic prices, and not gouge people.
I was always interested in Doug Curtis and his CEM chip history but couldn't find much about him. Your video filled in more detail on him and his amazing products. I was so disappointed when he passed but his legacy is truly remarkable as you mention in this video. Well done!
No way - that is amazing. I think he passed on years ago, but I'd image that synth had a lot to do with his interesting music electronics. Do you have any back-story to how you purchased it?
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams thanks! I do - I found the synth at auction, but I did not know the history, I was interested in a U.S. voltage version that still had the Moog ladder filter and found this. While communicating with the seller, she mentioned it had recently been serviced by John’s wife and the paperwork was included in the sale. That’s when she mentioned she was selling this on behalf of John’s Burgoon’s wife / the SSM guy 😄
Thats a great story. Thanks for all that info! I've always said we are just custodians of these instruments and it's great to know they history of them if possible. @@sawsquaresinetube
Great video and insights into this period of synth history, which influenced and enabled so many great synths to be created! Awesome work as always! :)
Debateable is that the prophet 5 was the worlds first programmable Poly synth , there was the Korg ps3200 , 24 oscillator 48 voice polyphonic programmable from 1977 ,more than a year before p5 ,or the duophonic Ppg Sonic carrier from 1977, prophet 5 was the first microprocessor programmable Poly
Great video. There is no mention of Sequential Circuits Sixtrak synth, I have one but unfortunately it only makes weird non-musical sounds, but it also has 6 CEM oscillator chips.
Great job! I hadn't realised it kind of went SSM to CEM, I'd assumed they coexisted for longer. I guess not all the manufacturers switched to CEM at the same time though. One wee bit of (hopefully constructive) criticism: where the script said "sonic sound" I think "sonic character" might be more appropriate!
Good vid. Thoroughly enjoyed it Question, starts @ about 3:44. That tune, what is it? I can't help but think I've heard it before but I can't place it. Or maybe it's just my imagination.
Hey - it's a song I wrote recently on my Prophet 5 rev 4. I had it one a few of my other videos, but as far as I know it's not a copy of anything although I like 80s music so maybe subliminally? I'm going to release all the songs on Bandcamp shortly for download. Cheers!
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams Appreciate the reply. Maybe I heard it in another video then, not sure. in any case, it's a cool sound and melody. Guess I'll be looking out for your Bandcamp to check it out further.
I just dusted off my OBERHEIM DPX-1 i wonder if it has these chips inside it… it still has the old 1/4” SOFT FLOPPY DISC ((remember those?? From the early 80’s ??))
