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Been awhile since I posted about the Wurlitzer… Partly because I’ve been busy with other things! In the last two days, I took the base platform and re-sprayed it using Appliance Epoxy paint. It had been worn down, scratched, etc.It still has an older look to it, but it’s gloss black now, and looks much…
Leif Bloomquist, Chiron Bramberger and I jamming live on Commodore 8 bit – Commodore 64, PET and Vic 20 with back beats courtesy of Leif. Here’s the best part… this was completely impromptu. We did not plan this nor had played together before. Thanks to Ian McIntosh for capturing this.
Part of my studio synth tech includes a Commodore 64 (SX64) running MSSIAH, which is a fairly new suite of music software tools that also include MIDI. Majority of this song is actually done using MSSIAH’s various tools. The electric piano and the strings are my Korg M50. Some of the drum tracks are MSSIAH,…
I recently acquired a second Yamaha SK50D in pretty much the same condition as my first one. The second unit is actually older than mine and has a serial number in the 300’s. Mine is in the 2000’s. The slider knob colours for Upper Organ and Solo Synth are reversed between the two, and mine…
AKAI AX60’s can be connected to S612/900 samplers so that the samples become a waveform or oscillator on the synthesizer. These get routed through the keyboard’s filters. It really expands the capabilities of both machines when used together. A brief demo showing this combination.
Yamaha SK50D synthesizers have Control Voltage (CV) In/Out, and Trigger In/Out on the back. I picked up a Yamaha CS5 from a friend recently and decided to hook them together. Nice result! Made a short video just to demonstrate how this adds to the SK50D’s capabilities.
I finally got to spend some time last night working on the Wurlitzer. This keyboard needs a ‘frame up’ restoration, much like they mention with old cars. Completely dismantling it, seeing what needs restoration, restoring all the parts, reassembly. Considering the conditions this keyboard has lived in during its existence, it’s surprising it still fired…
Yamaha SK50D synthesizers have a Leslie speaker output on the back to work with 2-channel Leslie speakers, like the 815, 715, HL-722, HL-822 and HL-422 and 415 models. They’re the last generation of the older 11-pin connector Leslie speaker company. The SK50D also has controls for both manuals so you can select which keyboards and…
I purchased a original 200A power cord (flat oval at the keyboard, non-standard design) on eBay and brought that to KWARTZLAB tonight to see if we could get the old machine to fire up.Eureka! The power/volume pot seems to be a little dirty, but after a few tweaks of the knob, the power light came…
First day of work, cleaning up the case and the key surfaces. The whole keyboard will need to be pulled apart and put back together, so I thought I’d cover the easy outside stuff first.Tools? Toothbrush, paintbrush, Windex, damp and dry microfibre clothes. Cleaned her up on the outside. So much to do inside. I…