Synthesizer

digitization of analog synthesizers

The origin of the "digital synthesizer" project

Image: Google Arts & Culture

Image: Google Arts & Culture

Google Arts & Culture (GAC) has been making art, culture, and science accessible online for over 10 years.

Using technical innovations GAC brings also cultural heritage to life in new ways! GAC works with over 2,000 cultural institutions from 80 countries.

The latest project “Music, Makers & Machines” focuses on the fascinating history of electronic music and curates an extensive online exhibition staged with state-of-the-art technologies!

Aus 15 Ländern haben sich mehr als 50 Archive, Museen, Sammlungen, Musiklabels, Festivals, Expert*Innen und Pioniere der Musikindustrie zusammengeschlossen, um “Music, Makers & Machines” ins Leben zu rufen.

The new online project tells the story of electronic music ... with augmented reality, 3D models and 360-degree tours that immerse users directly into this virtual world.

Die ArcTron 3D GmbH wurde dabei von Google 2020 beauftragt, einige der herausragenden Synthesizer im smem, im “Schweizer Museum für elektronische Musikinstrumente” in Fribourg zu digitalisieren.

The team of 3D engineers and 3D designers combined various technologies for a high-quality digitization, in particular structured light scanning with high-resolution hand-held scanners and with close-range photogrammetry.

ArcTron 3D gives a glimps “behind the scene” with some short making-of videos. And finally viewers can check out the 3D models as a final result of the digitization and 3D modeling work.

Besuchen Sie die faszinierende Online-Ausstellung “Music, Makers & Machines” von Google Arts & Culture, um mehr zu diesen Synthesizern zu erfahren!

Oder komponieren Sie doch einfach selbst einen kleinen Track, in dem Sie sich direkt per Augmented Reality einen Synthesizer aus dem smem ins Wohnzimmer holen – wie etwa den Arp Odyssey, mit dem zum Beispiel der kühle Basslauf in “Fade To Grey” (Visage) eingespielt wurde.

https://experiments.withgoogle.com/ar-synth

Das Team von ArcTron 3D – übrigens auch mit einigen “altgedienten” Hobby-Synthesizer-Musikern – freut sich außerordentlich, zu diesem tollen Projekt von GAC einen kleinen Beitrag geleistet zu haben!

Movies:

Digitization, Data Processing, Modeling (german)

Movie: ArcTron 3D GmbH

"The construction of the digital synthesizers"

Movie: ArcTron 3D GmbH

Digitization, Data Processing, Modeling (english)

Movie: ArcTron 3D GmbH

Overview of the synthesizers

Moog Memorymoog

Manufacturer: Akai

Published: 1982–85

Known users:

Moog Memorymoog

Manufacturer: Akai

Published: 1982–85

Known users:

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Elka Synthex

Manufacturer: Generalmusic S.p.A. (GEM,LEM,Elka)

Published: 1981

Known users: Depeche Mode; Duran Duran

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Roland Jupiter-6

Manufacturer: Roland

Published: 1983

Known users: Chemical Brothers; Pet Shop Boys;

Greg Ham of Men at Work

Roland Jupiter-6

Manufacturer: Roland

Published: 1983

Known users: Chemical Brothers; Pet Shop Boys;

Greg Ham of Men at Work

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Beauftragt von: Google Arts & Culture – more

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Roland SH-101

Manufacturer: Roland

Published: 1982

Known users: The Prodigy; Apollo 440;

The Chemical Brothers; The Knife

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Roland TR-808

Manufacturer: Roland

Published: 1980

Known users: Kanye West; Deichkind; 808 State;

Ricardo Villalobos; Ufo361

Roland TR-808

Manufacturer: Roland

Published: 1980

Known users: Kanye West; Deichkind; 808 State;

Ricardo Villalobos; Ufo361

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

ARP Odyssey (2015 Version)

Manufacturer: ARP Instruments, Inc. Korg Inc. (2015)

Published: 2015 (original 1972)

Known users:

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Roland TR-909

Manufacturer: Roland

Published: 1983

Known users: Inner City (“Good Life”); Frankie Knuckles

(„The Whistle Song“); Jeff Mills („The Bells“);

Technotronic („Pump Up The Jam“); Daft Punk

(„Revolution 909“),  Madonna („Vogue“); Phil Collins

(„Take Me Home“) 

Roland TR-909

Manufacturer: Roland

Published: 1983

Known users: Inner City (“Good Life”); Frankie Knuckles

(„The Whistle Song“); Jeff Mills („The Bells“);

Technotronic („Pump Up The Jam“); Daft Punk

(„Revolution 909“),  Madonna („Vogue“); Phil Collins

(„Take Me Home“) 

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Roland CR-78

Manufacturer: Roland

Published: 1978

Known users: Blondie (Heart of Glass);

Phil Collins (In the Air Tonight)

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Akai MPC-60

Manufacturer: Akai und Roger Linn

Published: 1988

Known users:  DJ Shadow, Dr. Dre; DJ Premier.

Akai MPC-60

Manufacturer: Akai und Roger Linn

Published: 1988

Known users:  DJ Shadow, Dr. Dre; DJ Premier.

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Akai S900

Manufacturer: Akai

Published: 1989

Known users: Juan Atkins; Beatmasters;

Black Box; Ian Boddy; Enya; Fatboy Slim

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Casio VL-1

Manufacturer: Akai

Published: 1979

Known users: Bloodhound Gang; Lady Gaga

(Born This Way); Trio (Da Da Da)

Casio VL-1

Manufacturer: Akai

Published: 1979

Known users: Bloodhound Gang; Lady Gaga

(Born This Way); Trio (Da Da Da)

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Ensoniq EPS

Manufacturer: Ensoniq

Published: 1988

Known users:

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-1

Manufacturer:  Diode matrix

Published: 1965

Known users:

Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-1

Manufacturer:  Diode matrix

Published: 1965

Known users:

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Yamaha CS 80

Manufacturer: Yamaha

Published: 1977

Known users: Tony Banks (Genesis); Daft Punk;

Michael Jackson; Paul McCartney/Wings;

Kraftwerk; Toto; Stevie Wonder

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument​

Manufacturer:  Peter Vogel und Kim Ryrie

Published: 1979

Known users: Hans Zimmer; Stevie Wonder;

Duran Duran; Devo; Vince Clarke

Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument

Manufacturer:  Peter Vogel und Kim Ryrie

Published: 1979

Known users: Hans Zimmer; Stevie Wonder;

Duran Duran; Devo; Vince Clarke

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

E-mu_Emulator-II

Manufacturer: E-mu Systems

Published: 1987

Known users: ABC; David Bowie; Matthew Broderick;

Daft Punk; Depeche Mode; Genesis; Paul MCCartney;

Pet Shop Boys; Stevie Wonder; Yes

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

SC Prophet-10

Manufacturer:  Dave Smith Instruments

Published: 1980

Known users:

SC Prophet-10

Manufacturer:  Dave Smith Instruments

Published: 1980

Known users:

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Korg PS-3100

Manufacturer: KORG

Published: 1977

Known users:

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Millioniser 2000

Manufacturer:  Suzuki

Published:

Known users:

Millioniser 2000

Manufacturer:  Suzuki

Published:

Known users:

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Oberheim OB-8

Manufacturer: Oberheim

Published: 1985

Known users: Depeche Mode; Prince;

The Police; Pet Shop Boys; Van Halen

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Korg_MS-20

Manufacturer: KORG

Published: 1978

Known users: Alphaville; Daft Punk; Depeche Mode;

Gorillaz; The Prodigy; Scooter

Korg_MS-20

Manufacturer: KORG

Published: 1978

Known users: Alphaville; Daft Punk; Depeche Mode;

Gorillaz; The Prodigy; Scooter

Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)

Roland Jupiter-8

Manufacturer: Roland Corporation

Published: 1981

Known users: ABBA; Alphaville; Depeche Mode;

Jonathan Cain; Duran Duran; Michael Jackson (Thriller);

Queen (Radio Ga Ga)

Google Art & Culture
Google Art & Culture

Object digitized at:

smem – Swiss Museum & Center for Electronic Music Instruments (SMEM), Fribourg, Switzerland

Commisioned by: Google Arts & Culture

Online Exhibition: Google Arts & Culture: Music, Makers & Machines

3D Scan & Modeling: ArcTron 3D GmbH (2020)