Schmidt-Synthesizer, makers of the high-end Schmidt Eight Analog Synthesizer, have announced that they are now taking orders on a third batch of 25 synths, in both black and white finishes.
Originally introduced at Musikmesse in 2011, a ‘final’ run of the Schmidt Synthesizer was announced in 2016.
Schmidt-Synthesizer Product Manager Axel Fischer had this to say about the change in plans:
“Last year, we assumed that the second batch would also be the last. The Schmidt Eightvoice Analog Synthesizer’s sound engine electronics are mainly of ‘old school’ stock, with through-hole mounting technology, and pricing for those components have been rising steadily for years. Yet since the second batch of 25 units — ultimately, we ordered some extra components, so there were actually 27 — sold out within 14 months, those component prices are acceptable.”
“So, since the Schmidt Eightvoice Analog Synthesizer still enjoys serious support, we’re happy to announce that additional units of this wonderful instrument will be available in 2018. At the moment, we’re still finishing fulfilling orders for the second batch, but orders for the third batch can be placed as of now.”
Specifications:
- eight-voice polyphonic, true analog synthesizer with digital control and preset memories
- discrete sound generation circuitry (no integrated oscillator / filter circuits on one single chip)
- eight-part multimode – select the desired preset sound, voice allocation, keyboard mapping, MIDI channel, controller-assignment, tuning, volume, panning, and output routing for each multimode part.
- separate audio outputs for each voice, plus summing outputs and headphone out
- 1,028 single sound presets
- 256 multi sound presets
- 61 keys, semi-weighted, with velocity and aftertouch
- sophisticated glide/portamento capabilities
- several realtime modifiers fully programmable per preset (modwheel, stick controller, keyboard-aftertouch, four foot switches, four expression pedals)
- complete MIDI implementation, MIDI via USB port and DIN sockets
- all sound programming functions with dedicated front panel controls and switches
- precise information on parameter names and current values via large LC-display
- multi-color LEDs
- control panel with adjustable angle
- internal universal power supply
- flightcase included
Audio Demos:
Pricing and Availability
The Schmidt Eightvoice Analog Synthesizer is available for 19,900 EUR in black or 20,900 EUR in white. (Prices including German VAT.) See the Schmidt site for details.
1000 euros more for a white painted faceplate. Gosh.
I expect to spend that much on a (realistically priced) synth itself.
That price is just plain reticulus.
Twenty thousand bucks.
Says it has a “complete MIDI implementation” but has no support for the MIDI Tuning Standard. Marketers stated that the instrument had a complete MIDI implementation. The lie detector determined that was … a lie.
Stuck in a backwards obsolete totally ridiculous and highly inexpressive 20th century european 12 tone equal paradigm … forever.
Fetishizes unreliable low quality integrated circuit technology from 40 years ago … that has long been obsolete and contributes nothing to the sound.
What a bargain!
The MB33 Retro designed by the same Schmidt you mean? http://www.mam-germany.de/mb33-manual/
And yet again…. comments by those that have never seen one, never mind played one….
sigh..
I’ve heard the demos. And I’ve built far more expressive, nuanced, genius synths myself, from scratch.
Where’s the surround sound? Where’s the support for world tunings? Where’s the support for expressive playing?
This is for old farts who made a killing shafting the poor and who enjoy farting around in their home studio. You’ll not hear this instrument used in any legitimate music or by any real players.
Notice they keep talking about Jarre. Used to be a god. What has he done since he got the Schmidt? Nothing.
But hey maybe I am wrong. Maybe the dude Ty who I’m responding to will write some incredible music with this boat anchor. Maybe it’ll even be featured here and I’ll have to retract my comments!
Haha.. believe me I’ve nothing to prove here. I’m just fed up of reading about comments made and judgements passed based on (what I agree) are incredibly average demos. But anyone that has ANY proper knowledge of synths knows that you can only make such sweeping comments if you’ve lived with, used extensively and experimented with such a machine. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now, and believe me this is unlike any other synth… and I’ve had many MANY synths and still have a few (60+)
If I had a desert island synth this would be it (only the Solaris would give it a run for its money)… this is a synth that you have to live with to appreciate just WHAT it can do
As for writing “legitimate” music, this is used daily producing TV and film music as well as big label productions…..
Yeah, maybe.
The official demos they have sound indistinguishable from late 80s Amiga MOD files.
You’d think that with the supporters claims that it is an incredible sounding synth they’d have managed to put together some evidence of that.
Hey Ty, I’m quite the fan, I always like it when you show up in sonictalk. Even though I’m an amateur musician, I always feel we have similar opinions.
Just remember that everyone is highly opinionated in the internet (which in itself has quite an interesting psychological explanation). Rabid bat is simply a regular person lashing out at something because of its extremely high price tag.
Personally, I do not think it is too expensive for an instrument. Sure it is expensive when compared to a VST or a Deepmind12. But compared to the price of high end acoustic instruments, it’s price tag is not out of this world. For example, this is about the same price as some of the cheaper grand pianos from Yamaha and Kawai.
So I think that the market of this synth is actually those who are capable of buying a grand piano. Granted, that is not everyone.
I would never buy this, though… Hard to justify to the wife spending so much in a hobby!
> This is for old farts who made a killing shafting the poor…
This is ridiculous, and quite frankly hateful, hyperbole.
Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t ever need to have played or even seen one of these to know that €25,000 isn’t a good price point at which to market a synth. Who are they making it for ? You know what… I don’t care who they’re making it for. It clearly isn’t me or 99.99 % of all other synth enthusiasts out there.
Gimme two! No, THREE! Two for my hands and one for my butt!
dammn my butt needs one as well sign me up for 3
I was so shocked seeing jmj playing it wiggling the filter saying uh, I can play the phaser
I’m pretty sure he knows what a combfilter does?
Don’t be afraid about the Prize. Uli’s Synthesizer will be available for $450 soon and of course it will have the same sound like the original one…
Discrete + through-hole + “pricing for those components have been rising steadily for years” -> redo the boards with modern methods, save a lot of money on components and smaller boards. No old magic chips to have to source. Reduce the price to something reasonable, produce a sensible amount, and it’ll have no problem selling well enough to cover the development costs.
This synth is not through hole it’s surfice mount i believe.
Thank god this is available again! I was about to buy a third car just to fill the inner void.
I’m sorry guys …. it’s like a lot of high end gear – you won’t really know the difference until you’ve actually used them in anger – it’s not just synths – I’d also add high fx processors Audio interfaces and monitors etc etc to this – I’ve tried the Schmidt at exhibitions and then in a studio setup – when you try one with other high end synths in a pro set up it started to make serious sense. I guess it depends if you appreciate high quality controls and a luxury and very functional control panel plus super sound – Although I can’t afford it – My opinion is yes – it is worth the money. You just need to get one in the right environment.
People are really worked up about the price, some musical instruments are really expensive, it is what it is. My wife’s cello is worth $25k and the bow itself is $5k.
Synths attract a lot of non-musicians, because you can make cool sounds immediately, unlike with traditional instruments.
Unfortunately, most of them have no idea why a synth should cost more than a Casio keyboard and they think that anyone that wants anything better is a poser with more money than brains.
No other type of musician – pianist, violinist, guitarist, whatever – thinks that you are not limited by cheap instruments.