| Notes | The EMS Synthi A is a portable analog synthesizer (electronic musical instrument) made by Electronic Music Studios (London) Ltd (EMS) in 1971. It uses exactly the same electronics as the VCS 3, rehoused in a Spartanite briefcase. Instead of routing signals using patch cables, as a Moog did, it uses a patch matrix with resistive pins. The 2700 ohm resistors soldered inside the pin vary in tolerance 5% variance and later 1%; the pins have different colours: the 'red' pins have 1% tolerance and the 'white' have 5% while the 'green' pins are attenuating pins having a resistance of 68,000 ohms.
The later Synthi AKS incorporated an early digital 256 event KS (Keyboard Sequencer) sequencer in the lid, input provided by a capacitance sensitive Buchla like keyboard .
The Synthi A is still in production but it is an 18-month wait for a new unit with slightly different specifications to those of the original 1970s units. All versions are rare and expensive. Cost for a new unit in 2009 ranged between $7500 and $12,000 US. A KS sequencer alone sold for $3500 in 2006. Update based on various forum posts - the 18-month wait is more like 12 – 15 years and the waiting list is closed for the Synthi A as there are no more Spartanite briefcases to fit them into. |
