The Synthesizer - a brief history
Although the first electric musical synthesizer was invented as early as 1876 by Elisha Gray, it was only when, in 1971, Bob Moog introduced one of the first widely available and relatively affordable portable synths - the legendary Minimoog Model D - that the analog synthesizer finally came into it's own.
Other notable synthesizer manufacturers like Arp, EMS, Roland, Korg, Yamaha appeared on the scene and in 1978 EDP (The Electronic Dream Plant) produced the first true budget synth, The Wasp, which along with their Spider sequencer, opened up the power and potential of electronic music to the masses.
In the 80's, the availability of cheaper analog synths, sequencers and drum machines, coupled with the introduction of polyphonic synthesizers, led to an explosion of electronic based music. It was a golden age for the synth and the "must have" instruments of the time were Sequential Circuits' Prophet 5, Roland's Jupiter 8, Yamaha's CS80 and DX7, and the formidable Polymoog. Music would never sound quite the same again.
In the 80's, the availability of cheaper analog synths, sequencers and drum machines, coupled with the introduction of polyphonic synthesizers, led to an explosion of electronic based music. It was a golden age for the synth and the "must have" instruments of the time were Sequential Circuits' Prophet 5, Roland's Jupiter 8, Yamaha's CS80 and DX7, and the formidable Polymoog. Music would never sound quite the same again.
These instruments are hard to find now, but keep an eye on Slexa's up to the minute worldwide vintage synthesizer and classic electronic keyboard search listings, and you may just be able to grab one of these dream machines at a bargain price.
