Members Karma1 Posted September 27, 2007 Members Share Posted September 27, 2007 Last night I saw a program on VH1 about the making of Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life" album. They talked a bit about a synth they were using at the time and called it The Dream Machine. Stevie demonstrated it and played some of his music on it during the show. I noticed at one point the name GX-1. It's a triple decker polyphonic analog synth that is huge - like a cathedral organ! I'm pretty familiar with synths, but have never heard of this one. Here's a link to info about it: http://www.vintagesynth.com/index2.html I've always liked Stevie's music and had a lot of respect for him but it's increased since seeing him in action on this show. The man is amazing - he's an awesome drummer too! Edit:(I just tried the above link and it doesn't take you directly to the page - you have to click on Yamaha on the left side and then on GX-1) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChasIII Posted September 27, 2007 Members Share Posted September 27, 2007 That was used by Led Zeppelin on tour and used on "In Through The Outdoor" Keith Emerson also used one. I remember "Fanfare For The Common Man" at Montreal Stadium with all the snow on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChasIII Posted September 27, 2007 Members Share Posted September 27, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChasIII Posted September 27, 2007 Members Share Posted September 27, 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoEhWnTTKLM&mode=related&search= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomkeen Posted September 27, 2007 Members Share Posted September 27, 2007 There was also an EX-1, I believe it was the presetversion of the GX-1... And that guy from ABBA used the GX-1, there is a clip on youtube somewhere with him using the GX-1. Incredible machine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tusks Posted September 27, 2007 Members Share Posted September 27, 2007 A great synth ... for it's time ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members arctic88 Posted September 27, 2007 Members Share Posted September 27, 2007 They have the one Stevie Wonder played at Tussaud's wax museum in Las Vegas. I couldn't find a salesman with any headphones so I didn't get to check it out. The GX1 is big. I'm six five and there was plenty of room on that bench for me AND the eerily lifelike Stevie Wonder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Real MC Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Brute force approach to polyphony that is worthy of the moniker "dream machine" because the only way you are going to own one is in your dreams. The console alone weighs over 800lbs, requires four weightlifting buddies to move one, will not fit through most residential doors, and requires reinforcing the floor so that they didn't collapse under the weight of the things. You needed the optional programmer to store patches. The "programmer" required that each parameter be carefully set using a knob with two LEDs that indicated if you were off in either direction. When the two LEDs were lit, you could store the parameter. Note I said PARAMETER. You had to do this for EACH PARAMETER in a patch. Wonder if "pinball idiot" is still trying to sell his GX-1? It's been up for auction since 2003 and has never gotten a single bid on it. Wouldn't have anything to do with the $140,000 opening bid? Naaaaahhhh..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members idiotboy Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Check out the Electone Museum site. Electone made the GX-1, the EX-1 amd FX-1 for Yamaha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members idiotboy Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Here's a shot of the aforementioned programmer. User interface of the dammned... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bruto Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Throughout most of the 80s, Yamaha had a GS-1 in their showroom store in the Tokyo Ginza. They would do a live demo daily. I saw the demo a few times, and it was pretty impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Meatball Fulton Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Electone made the GX-1, the EX-1 amd FX-1 for Yamaha. ROTFL Electone is just Yamaha's name for their organ line. Yeah, the GX-1 was envisioned as part of the organ line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members idiotboy Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Well then, consider me spanked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Marzzz Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Wonder if "pinball idiot" is still trying to sell his GX-1? It's been up for auction since 2003 and has never gotten a single bid on it. Wouldn't have anything to do with the $140,000 opening bid? Naaaaahhhh.....Well, at least he came down from $250,000! Seriously, how much could one be worth these days? $25,000? $50,000? It may be primitive analog, but it still sounded amazing.....but yeah, where would you put it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Peake Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 The best thing about the GX-1 is that it's really, really fun to play. The mini solo keyboard wiggles side to side for vibrato, IIRC; the knee controller is a blast; it's just fun. The best thing about it sonically is the ring modulator. Just transistors, no chips. Overall the instrument is awfully tweazy for something of its size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gilwe Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 And that guy from ABBA used the GX-1, there is a clip on youtube somewhere with him using the GX-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChipCurtis Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Less expensive (and more available) GX1: Buy two CS-80, MIDI retrofit both, MIDI together: instant GX1 (sans knee controller, solo board, pedals). More affordable yet (by far): Two instances of CS-80V in your DAW, layer. Use SQ80/A80/MIDIboard for poly AT. 3rd instance of CS-80V MIDI'd to a cheaper controller, for solo-board. (Not the same experience by a long shot, but can get sonically close for some types of sounds). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikael488 Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 I'm surprised that no one has mentioned keyboard whiz Rick Van Der Linden (RIP). He used the GX-1 prominently on at least three albums: GX-1 (1977), "Night Of Doom" (soundtrack, 1978) and "Wild Connections (1979). If you haven't heard these I highly recommend you to check 'em out, especially "GX-1" which is very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikael488 Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 More ABBA footage featuring the mighty GX-1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLWHWhA2vxU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Diametro Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 More ABBA footage featuring the mighty GX-1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLWHWhA2vxU it's a dream, it's out of reach, scattered dreeftwood on the beach ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members morten'J Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 Hans Zimmer also own one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mook Posted September 28, 2007 Members Share Posted September 28, 2007 A funny story... http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb00/articles/yamahagx1.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Real MC Posted September 29, 2007 Members Share Posted September 29, 2007 Hans Zimmer also own one. Not anymore. He sold it after he got the Arturia CS80V softsynth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChromaLord Posted September 29, 2007 Members Share Posted September 29, 2007 I saw one ebay about two years ago- but I didnt follow the sale.Phenomenal synth- CS80 on barry bond steroids, and thats saying something cause the CS80 is awesome by most standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members greggybud Posted September 29, 2007 Members Share Posted September 29, 2007 A good example of the wonderful lush unique sounds the GX-1 can produce is heard on the very last studio song Abba recorded. Listen to Abba's "The Day Before You Came." Almost everything (except percussion) was done with the GX-1. I have yet to hear anyone recreate those background strings generated by the GX-1. I read in Engineer Producer 20 years ago an interview with Michael Tretow, Abbas engineer, that often the synth strings would be sent out monitors at Polar Music Studios, and then mic'ed for that room ambience. Anyone up for a VST eumlation for the GX-1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.