The EMS Polysynthi In Action

[@mitchboguslawski113]

Wow. I am amazed that keyboard still works after so many years with that bizarre aftertouch feature. I could see wires becoming brittle and losing contact with all that movement. Very neat

[@EMAHGERD]

looks like a kubrick movie prop

[@Doctormix]

Yeah!!! Well observed

[@JohnDoe-bm9wy]

It's always cool to see modern music/recording sessions played on synthesizers that would be lucky to even see a compact disc before going into the closet. They sound... exactly the same as new ones.

[@Jay_Jones71602]

Reminded me of 80s arcade games.

[@tuneboyz5634]

no shit

[@nadavnatan2320]

sounds like the BOSS LEVEL

[@m.o.pmystic9110]

Maybe someone else already noted it, but the Moog matriarch feels like a very similar instrument! Analogue piece with four notes paraphony and a delay unit? I mean come on, even the design matches. Really interesting stuff!

[@lundsweden]

So it ain't just Behringer that copies, eh?!

[@AngeloSantelliMusic]

@@lundswedenha

[@bateimidrashnetwork]

there are some synths like that - such as the Korg Monopoly as well. But the Matriarch has the whole 90 plus patch points, the modularity and complexity, stereo filters with highpass and bandpass etc etc. Not even near

[@m.o.pmystic9110]

@@bateimidrashnetwork I can see it kinda sounds like I'm criticising Moog but that was not the point at all, I just found it very interesting that the paraphonic unit with stereo delay with similar visual aesthetics to the matriarch existed way before the matriarch.

[@thomaswallas3489]

Yep. First thing that came to mind when I saw the EMS.

[@TvMacfly]

This synth is incredible!!!

[@bibicapuccino7477]

I love colors!!! I thought that Roland Jupiter 8/50/80 could be the most colorful synth that I saw in my life. But now, in this vídeo, I know the Polisynthi and its very special sound. Doctor Mix, thank you for bringing more colors and sounds for us!!!

[@MisAnnThorpe]

The ARP Quadra is quite a colourful synth too!

[@bibicapuccino7477]

MisAnnThorpe Thank you for the suggestion!!! :) I never knew this synth before. Is really colorful and I loved the painel of tones and selection of waves, very organized and, I think, more easy to understand :) Thank you!!!

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@bibicapuccino7477 The only problem is that they're extremely rare, very expensive - assuming that you can find one for sale - and they also have a reputation for unreliability. Why does there always have to be a catch?!

[@bibicapuccino7477]

MisAnnThorpe I understand it. I agree with what you said. For me, I'm happy with my keyboard and for add some new one, only with many researching and studying so much for better use ^^

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@bibicapuccino7477 Although not exactly colourful, a friend of mine - who has a synthesizer collection that would make Vince Clarke or John Foxx jealous - tells me that the Waldorf Blofeld is a great synth and excellent value for money. He actually rates it much more highly than many of the so called "classic" analogue synths.

[@vidjenko8349]

Wow it is so unique! You could do some really spacey sounds with that delay.

[@Plato030986]

0:03 - 0:09 the haptic feedback of the keys scares me. I thought ''every moment, he breaks it''. But this instrument again shows, how in the past music was made. Thanks for this excursion again, Doc.

[@tremot7143]

YES! I love EMS synths. I got the chance to play with a Synthi 100 last year and was blown away! This Polysynthi is vastly more playable though.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Design looks like a school text book from the 70s. What a cool instrument. Is it divide down + paraphonic? Looks to have full polyphony from your playing.

[@Doctormix]

4 notes polyphony

[@geoffk777]

But paraphonic. Only one filter for all four voices.

[@ottam]

"It's just a big red knob innit?"

[@Doctormix]

Hahahaha!!! I've been in London for way too long 🤣

[@IAmKye]

Don't talk about Doctor Mix like that!

[@robertkielty5094]

You should get that checked.🤣

[@ghy201]

This video definitely shows why I love this channel and it's that you always show something I didn't know and make it easy to understand

[@EmlynInTheMix]

I love the characteristic of this Synth. It’s style and sound are so retro!! Thanks for the video!

[@InflatablePlane]

Very Minimoog like bass lows and nice Arp.Odyssey/Oberheim highs and pitch bends. And as always love the wonkiness of old synths. Those scratchy pots remind me of tinkering with tape decks. The colors remind me of Moog's latest synth offering, the GRANDmother.

[@nunosoares2329]

This is awesome and quite advanced for the time AND of course the precursor to the modern synthesizers of today

[@dykodesigns]

Sounds very squarewavey, would be a good synth for making chiptunes.

[@arando4359]

your energy is contagious

[@TreyVittetoeMusic]

It's always such fun to watch you play with these old classic instruments. Great sounds at the hands of a master!

[@Wimpie1515]

Sounds like an 80s gamecomputer (Commodore 64 and the likes) to me. Anyhow, thank you for uploading, it certainly is an interesting design and I never heard of it before now!

[@Stargazer-is6ok]

Cool synth, I'll try to find VST version of it

[@spkoftdvl]

Do a Darude - Sandstorm rebuilt please, that will be so cool.

[@Rimpala]

I love the bright disco colors

[@chrishopkins209]

You really Can’t beat having a play with a big red knob

[@PaulioBee]

A few comments earlier were made before they had watched the whole thing. This synth definitely holds some unique sounds for some original tracks. Not sure I want to be paying £30,000 for one, however much I like it.

[@dpchmod]

Wow! Kinda remind me of 80s Arcade Games or Videogames like Mario or Pacman. As well the Design looks like a Game-Machine 👍 VERY NICE SYNTHESIZER👏

[@javiertrevino5535]

nice, I really like how modern it sounds despite its age

[@hetzz]

Made my subwoofer make it self known. Amazing sound.

[@Doctormix]

Yes!!! While I was mixing the audio of the video I realised how much low end there was right there!!

[@stephenlennartz3466]

That 'bass sound' at 4:20 reminds me a bit of Ultravox! LOL! I just Googled the song, 'All Stood Still' ... and there it is! My band used to play that song and that part on a Sequential Circuits Pro-one. It could sure fill a dance floor. I had a kitchy skunk haircut to go with it. Groovy.

[@SirGrogg]

I think the ploysynthi is sick!

[@PutItAway101]

It sounds like a noise generator is being routed to every parameter but you gotta love it

[@cbrue1896]

Freakin' awesome retro synthness!

[@Maxxarcade]

That's pretty cool, though I really wanted to hear more of the Delay/Chorus unit! You could probably do quite a bit of cool stuff with this once you spend enough time with it.

[@KarlHamilton]

You should do a Prodigy tribute for Keith Flint RIP.

[@Doctormix]

hmmm... I should

[@benjamingring621]

Is Keith Flint dead😧 What a fantastic artist😢RIP

[@stevenjames7082]

@@benjamingring621 found dead in his house today apparently it may have been suicide, so sad ..I'll second the original post ,I would like to see some sort of tribute for him (although it mostly Liam's work he still deserves a lot of credit )

[@electronicgrinsch]

@@stevenjames7082 Liam is and was always prodigy. Keith was just a dancer with a huge drug problem. Not really the kind of idol I would show my kids.

[@KarlHamilton]

@@electronicgrinsch He took his own life and was found today. Have some respect.

[@ollieroks]

Love that low part.

[@randomroughneck1030]

It would be awesome if someone made synths like these today!

[@flappymlg3607]

Most of the synths made today are just like this ones. This synths are nice since they are vintage and difficult to get your hands on which i totally agree ;)

[@edgarwestmanprage1716]

Flappymlg360 Could you recommend any newer synths, similar to the retro ones?

[@UltimateMTB]

@@edgarwestmanprage1716 Prophet rev 2; it maintains that classic look of the prophet 5 and can make the same great warm sounds, yet has countless new features built into it as well

[@fortheloveofnoise]

@@edgarwestmanprage1716 Behringer OB-Xa (UB-Xa)

[@lyfeviv4490]

KORG Minilogue is a four voice analog with delay built in. It's a no-brainer for the price. I wish it had full size keys and more, but, what can ya do.

[@RogerioValgode]

So different and sooo cooool! A unique piece, no doubt about it. Thanks for sharing, Claudio!

[@Doctormix]

You're welcome!

[@DirtyHerrie.official]

That's one amazing machine doc😍

[@sam64evo]

That is a really cool I would love to see young artists being challenged to use old equipment and chords they would have used in the 70s to see what they can make

[@chase2360]

Somehow I knew I would love the sound from the thumbnail.

[@AlessandroCarn]

The mother of all aftertouches 😂

[@Doctormix]

Hahahaha!!!

[@KalininK7]

amazing, the last part is just a masterpiece!

[@skaneverdies]

Different from every other synth of its time in almost every way. Gotta give credit to EMS for being so bold here. It's too bad it was produced in such low numbers. One would think with all of the R&D that went into this that they would have produced more. Either way, thanks for doing your part to preserve the instrument's legacy!

[@larsuk9578]

Could you do a little tutorial on the fast 2-hands run you start the video with? I saw you use it in other vids. Would be cool to get more examples, when to use it etc.

[@angel2of7death]

Last thing you played was SICK!

[@promaster22]

That bass is Go(o)d. I would like to use it in my productions. 1. Nobody tells that it's a vintage synth, 2. I could tell that it's a very rare sound in my music. :D

[@dee1380]

I'd love 2 have one of these..

[@ivanivan3162]

Omg,very cool doc, you need to try ,,Поливокс" hi from Russia!

[@AndyDufresne86]

its sound texture is absolutely unique. i could never give mine away...

[@hightower196X]

One artist to rule them all! ❤️ There is a big, red emergency stop in case you will be blown away ... 😂

[@zosxavius]

The last sound was pretty cool.

[@HiEnergyMusic]

That's a really unique and interesting synth. Great video!

[@brerkris]

Thats the coolest! Yesss ❤

[@ArrayzableMusic]

Awesome! I'm from earth, and no, I've never seen anything like this before!

[@bugglebegger143]

Incredibly raw tone. The guy playing it is making me seethe for such a completely vapid, mindless dbag! But actually, then I realized... he was a genius.

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

I recall Vince Clark said it was the worst synth he ever bought and had a horrible sound - he was not wrong.

[@Roikat]

Nicely done ... first time I've seen one of these demonstrated.

[@Nitrus5]

Fantastic! A very cool synth.

[@konradk8592]

like 8bit games sounds :D

[@danceattaxx]

Thanks for introducing this tiny little thingy. Lovely as usual !

[@rexterrocks]

I love old EMS designs, they're very quirky, this looks like something from Space 1999

[@rikardland7423]

Wow! Could be prettiest synth of the universe. ☄️ (Can’t be from this planet... 🌎😉) Thanks for showing/sharing!!👍🏻

[@alexjohnson3129]

The sounds Remind me of old school early 70s Dr Who with The Sea Devils

[@mejsmith1]

A cool and weird synth, that I had no idea existed. The keyboard moving up and down was odd. Had a very late 1970s look to it with the bright colors. The sound was interesting, although the pitch bending knob would have been better situated it was like the moog or other typical keyboards, in my opinion. Great video.

[@mejsmith1]

Oh yeah, it would be really cool if you could get your hands on a Birotron.

[@Doctormix]

@@mejsmith1 Uhhh, nice one!

[@stefanonegrini4675]

With the same color as Doctor's shirt..this can't be bad!

[@Doctormix]

Hahaha!!

[@pixelatedmushroom]

that thing is badass

[@t1merickson]

The aftertouch is not that weird when you think about it. The vast majority of synths only use channel aftertouch, not polyphonic aftertouch. In this case the notion of an individual key having aftertouch is a farce, as it's only sensing the pressure of the hardest-pressed key. So this is just a novel way of representing it more factually by moving the entire keybed up and down. The Polysynthi was released in 1978, when aftertouch technology was only just emerging. One of, if not the, first synthesizers to have aftertouch was the Yamaha CS-80 which arrived two years prior to the Polysynthi. The CS-80 had proper polyphonic aftertouch. Polyphonic aftertouch keybeds have been surprisingly rare despite MIDI providing support for it since the beginning. More recently MPE is heralding polyphonic aftertouch once again, while also adding more dimensions of control.

[@Meteotrance]

Actualy ARP made the pro soloist 1972 and it was already kind of aftertouch device before even Yamaha introduce it on the CS 80 so there's a long way when that kind of stuff emerge from electronic synth lab ...

[@CertainlyCaro]

It looks like an arcade/pinball machine and I love it!

[@CertainlyCaro]

OH MY GOD AND IT SOUNDS THE PART TOO!!!

[@plateoshrimp9685]

There’s one of these for sale in Walla Walla Washington right now for 85 grand. Just in case some viewer would like to trade in their Mercedes or something. That’s only slightly more than 20,000 dollars per note of polyphony.

[@nicovanliempt1179]

Ohhh yeah red yellow and blue synth 😎😍

[@fantasyproduct1042]

I love this channel!!!!!

[@rlg222]

Very Cool! Good to write old school video games.

[@m1ke1981]

That colour scheme is so ”My First Sony” 😁

[@rembrandvandooren8027]

great synth!

[@AndyHill]

6:00 - Must... resist... urge... to play... Starsky & Hutch theme tune... :p

[@seanchristophersynthesizer6999]

"This synth, you cannot find anywhere!" You found it, though- you guys are good! I'll take one in red please! :) I am reminded of the Donkey Kong sounds when I hear it.

[@joshuahelmeke]

LOVE THAT SHIT!!!!!!!!! Yep, everyone used a VCS3 back in the day. The VCS3 is one of those life-long loves for me. That and the Jupiter 6.

[@dacorefeij6657]

Super ! J'adore les son disto' de se synthétiseur! Cool!👏👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@Ishkur23]

Sounds like it uses PSG chips to generate the basic waveforms, like an SN76489 or Texas Instruments AY-3-8910. Both chips were used in early arcade games.

[@treyquattro]

it's all discrete analogue components, pre-digital

[@vinlacey]

The bass sound sounded like Kids in America. What a great thing.

[@aurelionasvw]

Som maravilhoso no começo me lembrei dos sons dos antigos videogames dos anos 80 vlu

[@dougfa3515]

Sounds like you could make some great early 80's video game music out of this...

[@bluelagoon2275]

sounds like the ultimate 8bit music weapon

[@Blocksourcemusic]

@ 1:30 he says you can't find this synth anywhere i just saw it on ebay for 12,000

[@tomacco3k]

It has a treatment section. Perfect for "Doctor" Mix I guess :)

[@joeyoshs]

Is this the same one Alan Parsons used in the beginning sequence to their song “I, Robot”?

[@bimguff]

That thing is rad. It costs as much as a car! And it's the same size as one.

[@N1K5TA]

doc! loved it ...some funky moments ...might sample 3:25 😁👍💩💯

[@ixithixyl9227]

They keybed looked like it was about to fall out, but it sounded great.

[@crolodon8024]

Wow man that's so fun that you were able to get hands-on time with one of these. Surprised the owner was willing to let it out of sight. Will you personally be using it on a recording, or is it just for this demo?

[@DrUrbex]

This is really a great thing !!!!

[@oldschoolm8]

Sounds very cool and retro.....umm, does kinda look like a ‘my first synthesiser’ play-set!

[@computethisinfo]

But for 80K

[@oldschoolm8]

A Brit & Whovian.......for kids with rich parents.

[@micro2cool]

Very cool!

[@defmaster88]

Awesome!

[@kennynyc15153]

Thats so rad

[@davidsimons1377]

I own one of the first AKS synths which I've had extremely modified & also a Digitana modular interface. Wasn't there an EMS Data Synth or Synthi that was also poly? I can't find anything online at the moment.

[@nakata607]

Wow that's a lot of fun, it sounds a bit like one of that toy synthesators. 😊

[@Pan6888]

At no case costing thousands even if 30 where only made but of course way ahead of its time.

[@alainCorcessin]

NEED ONE OF THESE ANYWAY _ COOL STUFF 888

[@tommylee8841]

6-7 is fire

[@TheAbominationprime]

maaaaaan I want that!