Vintage Synthesizers: Groundbreaking Instruments and Pioneering Designers of Electronic Music Synthesizers

by Mark Vail

This new edition is the ultimate exploration of the upstart instruments – and their unique analog growls and screams – that paved the way over the last four decades for today's fast-paced electronic music world. Explores the development of the modern synthesizer from 1962 on, with in-depth interviews with pioneering designers Bob Moog and Alan R. Pearlman of Moog Music and ARP Instruments fame. These and other designers reveal their initial ideas, reflect on their hits and misses, and discuss how star performers have used their creations. Histories of groundbreaking instruments examine modular, analog & digital synths and samplers, plus more unusual instruments like the Mellotron. Noted synthesist Keith Emerson and composer Wendy Carlos (“Switched-On Bach”) offer musical insights and performance techniques. Includes fully updated pricing and production info, and more than 200 photos.

Genres: Music

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2000

Reviews

[BeerDiablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synth porn with some solid history. Good tips for those that want to get ito vintage gear. Analog synths aren't always cool as they seem. High maintenance and hard to find and deal with techs are part of the story and it's all laid out here.

[Pierre Zarokian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the early version of this from the early 2000's. I read it when the internet was not so prominent and you could not find much info about synthesizers online. It helped a lot and introduced me to new synths I had never heard of. Based on this book I ended up buying certain synths and there were many others that I wanted to buy but could never afford to.

[Austin Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this at a Half-Price Books in March 2020.

It was the Friday before the first lockdown.

I’ve been working through it off-and-on since then.

21 months later, this encyclopedia is finally read. But the pandemic remains.

[Andre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this back in 1993, when it was first published, and then again in 2000, when it was updated. Either way, it’s a good starting point for those interested in analog synthesis and its history. Bob Moog and numerous other illustrious synth-world personalities offer interesting bits of history, anecdotes and technological discussions about the milestones in synth design, the companies, and the people behind it all.

[Andre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first bought back in 1993 (when first published), and then again in 2000, when it was updated. Either way, it’s a good starting point for those interested in analog synthesis and its history. Bob Moog and numerous other illustrious synth-world personalities offer interesting bits of history, anecdotes and technological discussions about the milestones in synth design, the companies, and the people behind it all.

[St-Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aye, the book that helped pave the way for my latest love, vintage synths. Mark Vail depicts an intuitive look into the world of the electronic behemoths from the 70's and 80's with finesse and detail. To look through this book still makes me drool with every turn of the page. Oh, to just lay hands on half of these monsters within.

[Nicholas Why · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive book on vintage synths apparently published in 1993. I wished there were more color pix but this has write ups both anecdotal & technical on every synth brand in existence then. For those keen to know more abt synths.

[David]

I remember getting this when it first came out in 1993. Amazing at the time. Such a wealth of knowledge and for synth nutters, really informative. Still recommended.

[Ian Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start for those looking to get into analog synths. It'll build up an addiction that becomes very hard to control :)