Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.

[Clavier]

I'm making a list of organs that have synth-like sound and feature characteristics to post online for synth enthusiasts who have been inquiring about organs with synth features. </p>

Any additions, revisions, or corrections you can make would be greatly appreciated. Here is (word for word) what I have so far:</p>

</p>

</p>

Just so you all know I'm compiling a list of "Synth-organs" for you to
salivate over. Before I do though, a few notes about the list:

-It isn't THE definitive list of applicable instruments

-It's probably not completely accurate

-Some speculation is involved where indicated

-Since
organ companies tend to make a graduating product line, I mostly stuck
with flagship and near top of the line models that have the most
relevance.

-Don't expect a Minimoog. Very few organs have any sort of built in monosynth and the ones that <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span>, rarely have a good one with a great sound and lot's of modulation.

-Don't
expect a Prophet 10. Electronic organs rarely can be described as fat
sounding. Most have more of an airy/ethereal tone. Many organs have
great strings, some have good brass too, occasionally you find ones
with good bass, and sometimes good leads too. A lot of what makes an
organ a great sounding instrument relies on it's ability to layer
sounds well.

-Feel free to add to the list.</p>

</p>

Allen:

-Some 70's era Allen organs use a technology called MOS-1. During this time the Allen organ company owned Rocky Mountain Instruments or RMI, makers of the RMI Harmonic Synth, Keyboard Computer, Electra Piano and others. Some organs share components and features with these synths. Organs with a card reader use the same cards as the Keyboard Computer. Some have ASDR control, spring reverb, alternative synth voicings, etc. Worth a look.

Baldwin:

-Fun Machine
-HT-2

Cordovox/CDX:

-CDX-0652

Elka:

Eminent-Solina:

-310U / 315U

Gem:

Some models are related to the Gem Promega 3, Rick Wakeman's go-to keyboard in the seventies. He still uses it today. he used it mostly for Pipe organ and polysynth sounds, sometimes piano too

Hammond:

-S-100 / S-6
-Piper
-F-100 (extravoice)
-X-66

Kawai:

-T-5
-T-30
-T-50

Digital:
-SR6 / SR7
-DX900
-X7000 /X9000

Lowrey:

-D500 "MX-1"
-H25-3
-Lincolnwood TLO-25 / TSO-25
-TBO-1
-T1 / T2

Thomas:

-Celebrity 871
-Californian model #xxx
-various Lawrence Welk models

Wersi:

German analog electronic organs that can have very synth-like features. The best ones today make a Tyros look like a Casio, feature wise.

Wurlitzer:

-650 / 950TA
-43xx

Yamaha pre-PASS technology:

-EX-42
-YC: 25D /30 / 45D

Yamaha with analog PASS technology:

-GX-1
-EX-1
-EX-2 / E-70 / E-75 / E-70U / 6000 / 7000
-CSY-1 / CSY-2
-D-80 / D-90 / 415
-D-65 / D-600 /C-605 / C-605P
-SK-30 / SK-50D

Yamaha with Digital/FM technology (Think DX):

-FS-500 / FS-70
-FX-10 / FX-20
-FX-1 / FX-3
-HX-1 / CHX-1 / HX-3 / HX-5

Yamaha with AWM technology (Think workstation):

-EL-90
-ELX-1
-AR-100




</p>

[andyg]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.



Hi Clavier,</p>

Nice idea, here are a few corrections and additions for your lists.
</p>

Baldwin HT2 - this organ has no synth features

Eminent-Solina 310U / 315U - I guess you mean the 310 'Symphony', with the built in ARP?

Hammond Piper and X66 have no synth features

Kawai:</p>

Add E500, E550, E520, DX700, DX800, SR3, SR4, SR5


Lowrey:

Lincolnwood TLO-25 / TSO-25, TBO-1 and T1 / T2 have no synth features


Wersi: German analog electronic organs that can have very synth-like features. The best ones today make a Tyros look like a Casio, feature wise. </p>

Er, no! The analogue ones were about as unrealiable as you could get. The next generation of digital ones improved things a lot, but those around today are pretty much sophisticated sample players based on a built in Windows PC. Give me a Tyros 3 anyday!

Wurlitzer:</p>

add 4037, 4373, 4573, most of the 'Funmaker' series


Yamaha pre-PASS technology:

Add DK40</p>

Andy G
</p>

[Clavier]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.





</p>


</p>

Baldwin HT2 - this organ has no synth features Whoops!

Eminent-Solina 310U / 315U - I guess you mean the 310 'Symphony', with the built in ARP?</p>

Used extensively as a string synth by Jean Micheal Jarre and if I'm not mistaken, Mike Oldfield. Usually used in combination with Small Stone phase shifter.
</p>

Hammond Piper and X66 have no synth features Did not the X-66 have an arpeggiator and adjustable sustain? Piper, I thought had a very electronic sound? The ability to split and layer also?

Kawai:</p>

Add E500, E550, E520, DX700, DX800, SR3, SR4, SR5
</p>

Thanks
</p>


Lowrey:

Lincolnwood TLO-25 / TSO-25, TBO-1 and T1 / T2 have no synth features
</p>

Marked for their use by Garth Hudson and Pete Townshend

Wersi: German analog electronic organs that can have very synth-like features. The best ones today make a Tyros look like a Casio, feature wise. </p>

Er, no! The analogue ones were about as unrealiable as you could get. The next generation of digital ones improved things a lot, but those around today are pretty much sophisticated sample players based on a built in Windows PC. Give me a Tyros 3 anyday!</p>

My mistake

Wurlitzer:</p>

add 4037, 4373, 4573, most of the 'Funmaker' series
</p>

Will do

Yamaha pre-PASS technology:

Add DK40 </p>

missed that one
</p>

[andyg]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.



Hi
</p>

Eminent 310 - String synth. Well, yes, I suppose so, but it's not a synth feature as such. Jarre did indeed use one, but I think he also used the single keyboard version. The organ was already phasing its strings through 3 channels, so adding a phase shifter would have messed this up. Unless that's what they wanted to do, of course.
</p>

X66. No variable sustain on that one (and remember that what's called sustain on an organ is totally different to the sustain part of an ADSR envelope - it actually forms the Release part of that). Its arpeggiator wasn't an arpeggiator in the way that you're thinking either, probably. (I guess you're thinking synth type arpeggiator, with preset and programmable patterns). The X66 arpeggiator was a set of silver rollers set between the manuals. If you held a lower manual chord and ran your fingers over the rollers, it would produce an arpeggio using the voices in the percussion section. </p>

Several later Hammonds, X77, Concorde, Elegante, Aurora etc, plus some Thomas organs, Celebrity, Electra, Palace III, Coronado etc, had similar devices.</p>

As for the Lowreys, I'm sure many bands may have used them, but like I said, there isn't a synth feature on any of them. They are very traditional home organs.</p>

If I think of some more, and there are some, no doubt, I'll add them here.</p>

Andy
</p>

</p>

[crossyinoz]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.



G'day,</P>


Here's some more for the list:-</P>
<UL>
<LI>YAMAHA FM DIGITAL: HS4,5,6,7,8.</LI>
<LI>YAMAHA AWM DIGITAL: EL70, EL87, EL900 - EL900M, ELX1M, ELS01S, ELS01X ("Asia Only" models that find their way west)</LI>
<LI>KIMBALL ANALOG: J900</LI>
<LI>CONN ANALOG: 653</LI>
<LI>THOMAS ANALOG: 371</LI>
<LI>LOWREY ANALOG: GAKH, GAK25H, SCT25/C300, H25-4/C500, D575</LI>
<LI>LOWREY DIGITAL: D450, G7000, NT400X</LI>
<LI>WURLITZER DIGITAL: D40,42,72,170,172</LI>
<LI>GULBRANSEN ANALOG: 400's, 528, 600's, 828</LI>[/list]


Cheers,</P>


Ian</P>

[andyg]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.



Good thinking, crossy.</p>

Now, if you're planning on including all organs with a mono synth, poly synth or just a division called a 'synthesizer', then there are heaps more.</p>

Elkas like the 705, 707, then most of the E and EP series</p>

Most Lowreys from the 80's on, all the NT series, NL series, KL series, SU series</p>

A lot of Orlas, like the RX series</p>

And if you want to include additive synthesizers, every drawbar organ out there! Gulbransen even called them Harmonic Synthesizers.</p>

The thing is, in the 70's and 80's, everyone wanted to cash in on that 'synthesizer' label, any way they could. It made the organs sound more up to date, 'computer' was the buzz word after that, I suppose. Looking at specifications alone may be misleading.
</p>

Andy
</p>

</p>

[FlametopFred]

Caveat / Criteria



Wow!</p>

</p>

Thanks for compiling the list. I've been doing something, but not nearly as thorough. Just
to clarify on the Eminent Solina ~ JMJ ran his directly out, through a
Small Stone Phaser. As far as I can tell, JMJ did not use
self-contained organ speakers on Oxygen.

</p>

That is, the speakers were by-passed. Which to me is THE
SOLE IMPORTANT feature of any of these analogue "synth" organs.</p>

</p>

My criteria: "Does the organ sound like a "synthesizer" * when the output is run through a mixer and effects?"</p>

If the organ does not have any aux. output or any way to by-pass the speakers, then some work is involved.</p>

</p>

*
And, it should be noted that in the name of accuracy, what the best of
these types of organs offer is "Pre-Set Synth Sounds but usually
Polyphonic Analogue" or something like that. The Yamaha PAS
models are 7-voice pre-set synths. As compared to something
like a Farfisa or Baldwin, which used the more traditional electronic
organ technology. And there should be some way to "tweak" the
sound while you are playing. That is, as on the Electones where
you have Filter control in the shape of a Brilliance slider. Or
something. There should be some way to change the stock sounds,
either the enevelope or the filter, or through a somewhat more
elaborate version of vibrato.

</p>

</p>

At least, that's what I was after ... or what I stumbled into, rather, with the Electones.</p>

Just my two-bits. Great list to have !

</p>

</p>

</p>

</p>

</p>

[Clavier]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.



Eminent 310 - String synth. Well, yes, I suppose so, but it's not a synth feature as such. Jarre did indeed use one, but I think he also used the single keyboard version. The organ was already phasing its strings through 3 channels, so adding a phase shifter would have messed this up. Unless that's what they wanted to do, of course.</p>

All I know is that that's what he used, and that the Eminent is widely embraced by synth enthusiasts. To clarify, I am including organs with stringers in the list because of this.
</p>

X66. No variable sustain on that one (and remember that what's called sustain on an organ is totally different to the sustain part of an ADSR envelope - it actually forms the Release part of that). Its arpeggiator wasn't an arpeggiator in the way that you're thinking either, probably. (I guess you're thinking synth type arpeggiator, with preset and programmable patterns). The X66 arpeggiator was a set of silver rollers set between the manuals. If you held a lower manual chord and ran your fingers over the rollers, it would produce an arpeggio using the voices in the percussion section. </p>

Thanks for the explanation. I always wondered what the rollers were for.
</p>


As for the Lowreys, I'm sure many bands may have used them, but like I said, there isn't a synth feature on any of them. They are very traditional home organs.</p>

I understand what you are saying. Even so, that use has given them some appeal to the synth crowd so I went ahead and threw them in.
</p>

If I think of some more, and there are some, no doubt, I'll add them here.</p>

Much appreciated.
</p>

[Guest]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.

Add Yamaha-Electone E30 and E50 to the analog PASS technology list

[Clavier]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.

For the most part, I'm sticking with the flagship or fully expanded models. That's why I left those out.

[FlametopFred]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.

[quote user="Clavier"]

I'm making a list of organs that have
synth-like sound and feature characteristics to post online for synth
enthusiasts who have been inquiring about organs with synth features.
</p>

[/quote]</p>

</p>

</p>

I
just wanted to add that I don't see organs in that light of "covering
synth sounds" but more along the lines of "covering electronic keyboard
sounds"</p>

And that would include things like </p>

- Synths</p>

- Polyphonic Synths</p>

- String Machines (Ensembles)</p>

- Electronic Pianos</p>

And
home organs can cover a lot of that territory (any keyboard instrument
that used resistors, etc). What home organs can't cover is:</p>

- Fender Rhodes / Wurly</p>

- Clavinet</p>

or anything that is electro-acoustic in nature.</p>

</p>

</p>

To me it's not just about synth sounds, but about all those great "keyboards" from the 1970s ... analogue.</p>

</p>

[andyg]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.

[quote user="FlametopFred"]

What home organs can't cover is:</p>

- Fender Rhodes / Wurly</p>

- Clavinet</p>

or anything that is electro-acoustic in nature.</p>

[/quote]</p>

Er, that would be a yes they can, Flametop. They've been doing these sounds, with increasing degrees of success as technology progressed, since about 1980. Electric pianos are a cinch. Clavis are a bit trickier, but plenty of Yamahas, Technics, Kawais to name but a few, can do a very good D6.</p>

Andy
</p>

[lparsons21]

Re: Compiling A List Of Synth Organs. Need Input.



Yep, my Technics SX-EA5 does the Wurly just fine, even does Lowrey flutes pretty damn good too.  That means that the EA3 probably, and the GA3, FA1, F100 and G100 would also.</p>

 </p>

[FlametopFred]

well then what in the hell



Hmmm ....so then in the end it's pretty hard to make a list, unless maybe broken down by years and technology?</p>

And then, when does a Home Organ stop being a Home Organ and becomes a Home Keyboard?</p>

What do we mean by Home Organ exactly then ?  Or Synth Organs?</p>

Interesting.</p>

I remain somewhat skeptical on the Wurly / Clavinet debate.  Only because part of the inherent charm (curse/blessing) of the Wurly Piano, Pianet, Rhodes or Clavinet is that whole "Electro-Acoustic" feel and sound.  Only because every Clavinet is different, with different age of strings, different amounts of felt or wool and different age of pickups.  Same for the Rhodes.</p>

 And in some cases great Clavinet sounds come from running it through an Amp.   Just like the way half of the Mellotron sound comes from running it through a cheesy 10" speaker.</p>

We've come to think that "this sound is a clav" or "this sounds is a Rhodes" .... which is fine, but half of what makes a Clavinet or a Rhodes is the touch, the feel.  Which then translates to keyboard feel I guess.   And by Electro-Acoustic, with a clavinet, you are always picking up a little bit of the room, including any sound of the clavinet amp coming back (sometimes to point of feedback) into the pickups.</p>

but I quibble and nobody enjoys a quibbler </p>

 </p>

but I admit I can be stubborn, stupid and hypocritical : )</p>

[andyg]

Re: well then what in the hell



We love a quibble - you've got to be a quibbler to be on this board, it's mandatory (especially over in the pipe organ areas) [:P]!</p>

I'd accept that there is a definite 'something' about an electro acoustic instrument, be it a Rhodes, Wurly, Clavi, Pianet or even a tonewheel Hammond. just like there's something special about playing a real vintage Moog (if it will stay in tune!) Only recently has software evolved far enough to fool most people with the sound (though it still wouldn't feel right).The organs made, and still make, ever better stabs at getting the sounds right.For the home player, who knows the sound they want, but may never have played or even seen, say a Clavinet, that's all they need. You and I might ask for more!
</p>

A home organ is exactly that, one that's been designed for the home player, as opposed to a portable or something that's meant to be gigged. There were at one stage nearly 50 makes and around 400 current models to choose from.</p>

There really isn't such an animal as a 'synth organ', see my previous posts, just organs with inbuilt synths, or organs used as synths (perhaps with outboard FX to make them more synthy).</p>

Andy
</p>