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Make |
Moog |
Model |
CEMS unique original custom modular |
Description |
ONE OF THE TWO OR THREE MOST IMPORTANT MOOG CUSTOM MODULAR SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD. NOW WITH LOWER START PRICE!
This is the system Joel Chadabe dreamt up, in collaboration with Robert Moog, and had him build in the late 60s. It is at VEMIA, undergoing restoration - more details later - but is a unique and hugely powerful system, full of Moog custom modules, some very rare, some very early, and some almost certainly unique.
Joel Chadabe's book 'Electric Sound' pp286-287:
'In 1966, I got an idea. I drew up a plan for a completely automated synthesizer system, discussed its feasibility with Robert Moog, described it in an article in 'New Perspectives in Music', and got the funding to have it built. That system, which I called the CEMS (Coordinated Electronic Music Studio) System, was ordered from Moog in 1967.... and installed in December 1969. In addition to an extended array of sound-generating and processing modules, an automated matrix mixer, and a digital clock, the system contained a bank of eight analog sequencers with customised logic hardware for running them synchronously, asynchronously, in succession, or in any combination.' '... the world's largest concentration of Moog sequencers.......'
'In 'Drift'.. (1970), icy electronic sounds swooped automatically through a virtual space without my intervention or control. It was the realtime equivalent of algorithmic composition..'
'... a few months later, I was using joysticks to control oscillators, filters, modulators and amplifiers. The sequencers, configured to generate pseudo-random patterns, were also controlling the oscillators, filters, modulators and amplifiers. And I was also controlling the sequencers...... .. I was in effect conversing with a musical instrument that seemed to have its own interesting personality.'
The CEMS is housed in four tall vertical cabinets, on casters.
1. 4x 960 (s/n 1094-S, 1096-S, 1103-S etc) 4 x 962 (s/n 1062, 1063 etc) 4 x custom delay mixers, 20 trunk lines. All R.A.Moog, mostly 9/69.
2. 4x 901 VCOs, trunks, Portamento, 2x multiples, CP-3 mixer, 984 mixer, 901, Portamento, 911, 2x 902, multiples, Portamento, 901, 904B, 904C, 904A, 904B, pitch/trigger interface, 912, S-trig>V-trig with portamento, 902, 911, multiples, 911, Attenuators, 911, 903, multiples, 3-pin sockets for joysticks etc, Delays, trunk lines.
3. 'Moogus Operandi' 10 digital numeric switches, 104ms- 4 sec delays, with x1 and x100 switches, digital clock with nixie tubes, trunk section with type B sockets (one line empty), 3x 4U Voltage Controlled Mixers, Portamento (R A Moog, no logo), 905, Triggered Controller, R A Moog banana & 3-pin interfaces, 904B, 902, 902, 911, R A Moog Signal Router, Amplifier, 3x Triggered Controller, PSU, delays and trunk lines.
4. similar to cabinet 1.
**It also includes five R A Moog joysticks, serial numbers 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, and... 1008. - and a pre-production model Ribbon Controller, which Mike Bucki at Modusonics can provide a new ribbon for.**
Like many other things in this auction, this is from the collection amassed by Felix Visser, former head of Synton. All items were destined for a national technology museum project, many years in the making, but finally cancelled by politicians and planners.
They have mostly been stored unused for a number of years.
This system has not (as of April 5) been powered up, and is SOLD AS IS unless we have more information in the meantime. (The power supplies are currently at Lucid Sound for testing and servicing where necessary before powering the system up.)
**8/4/08: The power supplies aren't in a good state, and Lucid's report suggests it would be better to replace them with modern equivalents (from RS or similar) to avoid having to deal with aging capacitors, potentialy unstable regulators, etc.. We can source and arrange the fitting of these if you choose, at cost; and of course save and ship the original power supplies as well if you want.**
Cosmetic state at present: all sequencer lamps present and guaranteed working 100%; all screws, nuts and washers checked, cleaned and replaced where necessary; veneer repaired on the facing edges of cabinets where necessary; casters replaced; module panels cleaned and looking good; many of the silver knob inserts are missing - many are saved ready to stick back on, but some are lost. (We are searching for replacements, or failing that, new knobs are still generally available.)
The quality of early Moog modules is remarkable, and we would expect it to be not at all difficult or expensive to restore this to excellent working order - and beautiful cosmetic condition as well.
If required, we can source and supervise this work, and would expect it to be very reasonably priced.
All main photos were taken before cosmetic restoration, and the system now looks a great deal better - superb apart from the missing silver knob inserts.
Please check the two inset pics here for an idea of current condition.
For more of the old pics see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8429881@N06/sets/72157602899680757/ |
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Age |
n/a |
Weight |
n/a |
Condition |
Near good |
Location |
Uk (Item is at Vemia Uk) |
Vat |
Not from a VAT-registered business. But VAT / duty may be due if importing from outside your trade bloc. |
Quantity |
1 item is available from the owner |
Options |
User manual : No |
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Service manual : No |
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First owner : No |
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Original boxes : No |
Plug type |
Usa standard plug |
Voltage type |
Internal 110V power supply |
Status |
Item has been sold or not sold in a previous auction |
Sale type |
The item is on the auction rooms |
Ending on |
12/04/2008 |
Category |
Synthesizer (Modular) |
Serial number |
Unknown |
Sphere reference |
# 5560 |
Statistics |
Created on : 29/10/2007 |
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Changed on : 08/04/2008 |
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Published on : 08/04/2008 |
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Displayed : 4566 time(s) by members and guests |
Safety |
All electrical items sold in VEMIA are deemed to be trade sales. No warranty of electrical safety is given or implied. Many items are vintage and would not pass current electrical safety standards. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that items are safe to use in their future environment - if necessary by using the services of a professional. |
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Prices and conditions |
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The following section gives you the prices as well as shipment and payment conditions associated with the item. Payment is always requested in GBP. Converted price is shown for information and converted with Sphere standard currency rate.
Shipment and Payment links gives you access to an extended description of our rating :
Start price |
29950 GBP |
Converted price (1) |
29950 GBP |
Shipment |
International or local shipment to pay |
Packing costs |
n/a |
Payment |
Full pre payment needed |
Auction bid step |
50 GBP |
Auction highest bid |
30100 GBP |
Converted highest bid |
30100 GBP |
Leader or winner |
force35 |
(1) Currency conversion |
Note that conversion rates were last adjusted on 5th October 2022 at 10:56 CET. They are there to give you a rough guide to the bid price in your currency. Please check for a more up-to-date conversion at http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html. The bid price will be the actual price in pounds (GBP) at the moment the auction closes. This will be roughly converted to your currency for your information.
For technical reasons, we are unable to update the conversion from GBP to Euro during the auction, although it has changed by well over 10%. If you are in the euro zone please check the current rate at http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Payments from UK and non-Euro currency regions must always be in GBP. Payments to and from Euro currency regions can be in Euros via our French bank.The applicable Euro amount will be the exact amount specified on your invoice or credit note. For more info please see the FAQ about exchange rates. |
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