Doing complete tracks using only one synth - (2)
2009-08-19 by Hal BerstramBenge- 1973: Roland SH2000
For the second instalment of this series we turn to Ben Edwards, aka Benge, the founder of experimental electronic label Expanding Records.
Last year Benge released “Twenty Systems”, a CD packaged in a minature book sleeve with an accompanying 64-page booklet. I was lucky enough to find it while browsing in the Rough Trade shop near Brick Lane – one of the reasons I still enjoy the physical experience of browsing in shops like Rough Trade is because you sometimes find a real classic like this.
“Twenty systems” is an album consisting of 20 tracks, each recorded using just one synthesiser. For each year from 1968 to 1987, a synth which was launched that year is used – running from the Moog Modular in 1968 to the Kawai K5M in 1987.
Many of the synths used are well-acknowledged classics – the aforementioned Moog, the EMS VCS3 (‘69), the ARP 2600 (‘71), the Yamaha CS80 (‘76) and the Oberheim Xpander (‘84). Intriguingly, there are also some weird choices. The long-forgotten Yamaha CX5M music computer (running the MSX operating system – any of you kids out there remember that one?!) is the choice for 1985, while there are a few machines in there that are normally seen as first-order turkeys – the Yamaha CS70M (‘81) and the Moog Polymoog (‘75), for instance.
But remarkably, the tracks with synths that are generally seen as duffers are as good as the ones that use classic synths. One is left with the feeling that Benge could make a classic track with a dustbin lid and chicken McNuggets, such is his level of ability.
The track featured here is a superb ambient soundscape with a definite Aphex Twin influence. I’ll quote from Benge’s sleevenotes to tell you more about 1973’s Roland SH2000, a weird little beastie indeed:
The Roland SH-200 brought the “new sound” within reach of a whole new generation of musicians… it features pre-programmed, un-editable voices or ‘presets’ which the user can alter in real time with a few well-chosen performance controls. In some ways the SH-2000 was the blueprint for all subsequent popular synths… By recording many layers of sound, this track demonstrates some of the preset sounds of the instrument, and utilising the synthesiser’s repeat function juxtaposing rhythms were able to be built up.”
Amen to that. A great album and a valuable historical research project all in one!
Download MP3 (0:00min / 0MB)
- Buy it here
- from Rough Trade
- More info
- on the rare, ageing and strange beast that is the Roland SH2000
Comments 
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A very belated thanks for letting me discover this – bought the disc a few weeks ago – I know a purist who will love this – and the sleeve notes!