Vladimir Kuzmin, the Russian engineer and synthesizer designer best known for creating the Formanta Polivoks synthesizer, has died.
Elta Music, which had collaborated with Kuzmin on several Polivoks-inspired designs, announced the news:
“Greetings to the entire synth enthusiast community. We have some bad news for you.
Vladimir Kuzmin, creator of the iconic POLIVOKS synthesizer, passed away on June 12th.
Rest and peace our dear friend. Our collaboration was wonderful. Condolences to the family.”
Developed in 1980 and manufactured during the Soviet era, the Polivoks became one of the best-known electronic instruments produced in the Soviet Union. It remains sought out by musicians and sound designers, and many instruments and modules have taken inspiration from its design.
The Polivoks was engineered by Kuzmin, while his wive Olimpiada Kuzmin handled the industrial design of the instrument.
Kuzmin’s design lives on in instruments from Elta Music, Erica Synths and others.
Polivoks image by OriginalJambo
How very sad. Kuzmin (really) should be remembered as the designer of one of the (synthesizer) greats. He’s right up there with Dave Smith IMO, (baring in mind his life circumstance(s))….
One can only imagine what the two of them might have been responsible for had they had access to Western manufacturing processes throughout their lifetime. (Quite a bit more, I suspect).
I always wanted a Polivoks, long before they reached the popularity they currently enjoy. I think they sound fantastic,
sad news. I wonder how this affects the one Behringer was developing since they mentioned to have hired Kuzmin.
https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2023/08/25/behringer-announces-polivoks-synthesizer-created-in-collaboration-with-original-designer/
The article didn’t mention his age, so I tried to search for it.. apperantly he was born in 1955 – so he died at an age of 71… which is not that old. I also found a russian rock artist with the same name, also born in 1955. I got a tad confused there. If that’s not enough there was also a Vladimir Kuzmin who is/was a thief and a serial killer (!). Both of the other Kuzmins have Wikipedia-articles, but not our Vladimir. Someone with experience with writing Wikipedia-articles should do that.
I found a Russian website that claims that he was born, on October 13, 1953, in Vladivostok. Which means he was 72. Cause of death were “complications from a stroke”.
The actual name seems to be, Vladimir Mikhailovich Kuzmin.
Thanks for clearing that up Jim. Interesting. 🙂
Another synth legend lost, it breaks my heart every single time. Thank you for the amazing circuits Vladimir and RIP.
Really sad news… I had an email interaction with him a few years ago, regarding the naming of a polivoks filter module I make; super friendly and forthcoming, although I made a mistake that could have upset him. No, just a friendly email from him, followed by a nice discussion. The filter has a special place in my heart! His work and legacy lives on!
“during the Soviet era, the Polivoks became one of the best-known electronic instruments produced in the Soviet Union”
are there any others? ^^
East German Vermona is the only other thing I remember coming from behind the iron curtain.
http://www.ruskeys.net/eng/synths.php
The loss of a legend.