Synclavier and Fairlight DVD plus other synth and artist goodies!
2005-03-11 by Chris Strellis
Fairlighters of the World! I have finally made a DVD available containing ancient gems of synth history from 1984 and 1985. Specifically two half hour programs were transmitted by the BBC at this time that I managed to record at the time on betamax and VHS! The BBC transmitted a weekly computer music program called Micro Live around 1984 and 1985. It featured the BBC Micro, Sinclair Spectrum, C64 and the like. They made a special about synthesisers past and present. Bob Moog demonstrates the last ever made Minimoog. Syco System's Kendal Wrightson demonstrates a Linn 9000 and a DX1. A Kurzweil 250 also features and a rare Fairlight IIL. It also has Francis Monkman (Sky, Curved Air) demonstrating a Prophet 5 and a DX7. The Roland GR707 guitar synth is also put through its paces. One of the main segments is at Martin Rushent's studio (Human League, The Associates, Then Jericho) showing the recording process with Then Jericho on the Synclavier system and Linn Drum. The Tomorrow's World Special: Roll Over Beethoven concentrates on the recording process using samplers and synthesisers. Steve Lipson demonstrates his Synclavier system used to make a track at Sarm West featuring the artists Act (Thomas Leer with Claudia Brucken - from Propaganda). Midge Ure shows how he writes tracks on his Atari, Roland D50 and Stepp DG-1 guitar synth. IIRCAM is featured too. Beethoven's 9th is recreated using samplers and synthesisers. The Micro Live segment is from the weekly programme showing home computer music hardware and software. Here we have the SpecDrum and some C64 SID action. Also Alan Townsend from Roland informs us about MIDI. I have transferred them to DVD but of course there are some limitations due to the age of the sources now and the age of recording technology then. Despite this the picture quality and sound is very good. I have post processed the audio to reduce noise levels and maximise the dynamic range. If that wasn't enough I've added video clips I've found on the internet of unique modular synthesizers, rare interviews with Vangelis, Bob Moog, Alan Wilder and his Emax and Jerry Kovarsky from Korg. Note the language is in English and there aren't any others to select! For more information and a chance to buy this DVD please click the following link: http://www.strellis.com/synthhistory.html I hope you decide to buy it and enjoy it. This is the full version and better quality where I got the Syco IIL clip from. Also there's some Series III action in there too! Many thanks and best regards Chris