DIY Off Synth 

Chips in Synthesizers – CEM,SSM DSP Hardware

CHIPS in synths .. -> CEM,SSM DSP
what chips work in your Hardware Synthesizer?- more in the WIKI Section – Hardware Chips in Synths..
(add more to the list in the Wiki..)

digital

DSPs
Motorola
Analog Devices
TI

ANALOGUE
CEM + SSM

<<–
choose category (DSP or ANALOGUE)
microwave I

CEM + SSM + DSP – what chip is what?SSM – Solid State Microtechnologies by solid state music

CEM = Curtis Electromusic Specialities – s special analogue small scale chip.
by DOUG CURTIS
– USA : synthtech.com (motm..)
–> Paul Schreiber is the current stock-piler of all things CEM/SSM, and he has a list on his site about what’s where:
http://www.synthtech.com/cem/cemdata.html
–> Germany : Micon Chip Distribution, www.heinz-bacher-gmbh.de
Dave Smith has a special amount of CEMs for the Evolver series (new ones) but its unique and a special deal… so he will not sell them ;)
Curtis Chips List CEM
CEM3310 ENV ADSR
CEM3312 ADSR + VCA
CEM3318 ADSR but microprocessor controlled
CEM3320 24dB/Oct. Filter (multi)
CEM3328 same but LPF only
CEM3330 exp/lin VCA
CEM3335 exp VCA
CEM3340 VCO (Saw,Tri,Pulse)
CEM3345 VCO (Saw,Tri,Pulse) with comparator
CEM3350 12dB/oct Multimode Filter x2 (no notch)
CEM3360 VCA x2
CEM3365 DAC
CEM3371 Envelope x2
CEM3372 24dB/oct. Filter, Mix, VCA
CEM3374 VCO x2 (PWMable Pulse, Tri, Saw)
CEM3378 24dB/oct. Filter, Mix, VCA but microprocessor controlled
CEM3379 24dB/oct. Filter, Mix, VCA but microprocessor controlled
CEM3381 VCA x2 linear
CEM3382 VCA x2 log.
CEM3385 24dB/oct Filter (LoFi)
CEM3387 signal processor 3-4 pole cascade Filter, VC Pan/VCA
CEM3389 signal processor 4 pole Filter, VC resonance, VC Pan/VCA
CEM3391 Microprocessor Ctrld: VCF,VCA,Env (ADSR)
CEM3394 Microprocessor Ctrld: 1 Synth Voice: VCF,VCA,Env (ADSR),VCMix
CEM3396 Microprocessor Ctrld: Wave-Shaper x2 – VCF,VCA
PA381 VCA (low noise)
PA382 VCA (low noise)
PD508 S/H (8x)
5508 predecessor of PD508 same function
5530 30ch multiplex sample&hold (Prophet VS)
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DSPs – what DSP in what synthesizer?
welcher DSP in welchem synthesizer?

WALDORF

Waldorf Q — Motorola 56303
(3 of them in the Q KB and raQ, where 2 are for the synthesis and 1 is dedicated to FX only!
only 1 but faster DSP works in the micro Q/micro Q KB for all synthesis and FX!)

the Q plus board: / platine des Waldorf Q plus links/left: analogboard from xpole filters (custom)
q plus analgue board
the Q naked (non analogue version) BOARD – eine nackte nichtanaloge Kuh PLATINE ;-) (thanks to midicase.com! for the pic of the board!)

waldorf q board

Waldorf MW2/XT — Motorola 56303
waldorf microwave xt
KORG
Radias..
TI TMS320VC5502 16bit, fixed-point digital signal processor – based on the TMS320C55x DSP core – src.

CLAVIA
Clavia Nord Lead-1 — Motorola 56002 (4-voices from a Turtle beach Fiji chip)
Clavia Micro Modular — Motorola 56303
Clavia Nord Modular — Motorola 56303 (4 of)
The Nord Lead 3 has 6 Motorola 56362 DSPs,
The Nord Lead 2 has 4 Motorola 56002 DSPs
The Nord Modular has 4 (expandable to 8) Motorola 56303 DSPs.
nord modular

Novation
Novation Supernova — Motorola 56303 (8x)
Novation Nova uses 5 Motorola 56362 (synth engine), and 1 Motorola 56303 (fx unit)

RADIKAL
Spectralis – Texas Instruments TMS320C6713BPYP200
Floating Point DSPs. one DSP for the Sampling Engine + Effects
the other DSP for Hybrid-Synth + Filterbank.
Renesas M16C Controller (Processor)

Creamware

Pulsar/Scope, ASB Series (Pro12,Minimax,Prodessey,etc.)
– SHARC by Analog Devices

ACCESS
Access Virus A — Motorola 56303
Access Virus B — Motorola 56311
virus c – unknown motorola (1x DSP !)
virus caccess virus C

Quasimidi
Quasimidi Polymorph — Dream SAM9707
Symbolic Sound
Symbolic Sound – Kyma — Motorola 56309
Korg
Korg Oasys (Synthesis/Effects/IO on a PCI card):
DSP Processing MIPS: 480
One 80MHz Motorola 56301, with 384k SRAM
Four 100MHz Motorola 56303’s, each with 384k of SRAM and 6 MB of DRAM

Alesis
Alesis Andromeda / A6: Coldfire processor 90MHz for LFos and ENVs,mods, ASICs (real analog custom)
same:
alesis andromeda

EMU
EMU Coldfire 33Mhz for the Audity2000 and 40Mhz for the Proteus2000
btw: please keep in mind that the only cool 303 is the 56303 ;-)

the Curtis or SSM question.. the real analogue synths (& hybrid ones..):
find CEM and SSM chips in some classic synthesizers here –
welcher analoge chip von curtis (CEM) oder SSM befindet sich in welchem synthesizer:
Akai

MPC2000 (and 3k)
286’s running at 16MHz. Simultaneously
(they deliver 32 audio tracks, 4 busses of effects and 32 channels of midi)
AX-80
6 CEM3372 uP Signal Processor -CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA

AX-60
6 CEM3394 uP Voice
Akai AX-60 uses 2xMN3101 and 2xMN3009 for it’s chorus.


Banana

Poly Synth
12 CEM3310 EG
12 CEM3340 VCO
12 CEM3360 Dual VCA

6 SSM2044 VCF – data sheet – http://www.maxmidi.com/diy/ssm/ssm2044.pdf

Cheetah

Cheetah MS6
6 CEM3396 VC Waveshaper


CMI

Fairlight II
8 CEM3320 VCF in earlier versions
8 SSM2044 VCF in later versions – data sheet – http://www.maxmidi.com/diy/ssm/ssm2044.pdf

fairlight cmi

Crumar

Spirit
2 CEM3340 VCO
2 CEM3350 Dual VCF
3 CEM3360 Dual VCA

Bit 01
6 CEM3328 VCF Late Models
6 SSM2044 VCF Early Models – data sheet – http://www.maxmidi.com/diy/ssm/ssm2044.pdf

Trilogy
6 CEM3310 EG
6 CEM3320 VCF
6 CEM3330 Dual VCA
1 SSM2020 VCA

DS2: is digitally controlled, not necessarly digitally generated (means: DCOs..) filters: don’t know so far.


DSI /SCI see SCI/Sequential


Elka

Synthex
8 CEM3320 VCF


Ensoniq

ESQ1
8 CEM3379 VC Signal Processor Filter/Mix/VCA
1 CEM3360 Dual VCA
4 x SSM2300

Mirage
8 CEM3328 VCF

SQ-80
8 CEM3379 VC Signal Processor – Filter/Mix/VCA
1 CEM3360 Dual VCA
4 SSM2300 Analog Processor

ensoniq sq80

KeyTek

CTS-2000
1 CEM5530 30ch S/H
8 CEM3389 VC Signal Processor


Kawai K3

SSM 2044 as in the K3m: – data sheet – http://www.maxmidi.com/diy/ssm/ssm2044.pdf
Kawaii SX-240
uses 8xSSM2044 for filter and 1xNM3009 for chorus


Korg

MonoPoly
4 SSM2033 VCO
1 SSM2044 VCF – data sheet – http://www.maxmidi.com/diy/ssm/ssm2044.pdf

Korg Poly6
6 SSM2056 EG
6 SSM2044 VCF – data sheet – http://www.maxmidi.com/diy/ssm/ssm2044.pdf

Poly 61
6 SSM2056 EG

Korg Oasys (Synthesis/Effects/IO on a PCI card):
DSP Processing MIPS: 480
One 80MHz Motorola 56301, with 384k SRAM

Four 100MHz Motorola 56303’s, each with 384k of SRAM and 6 MB of DRAM

Linn

Linndrum
2 CEM3320 VCF
1 CEM3360 Dual VCA


MOOG

MemoryMoog
19 CEM3340 VCO
26 CEM3360 Dual VCA
12 CEM3310 EG
moog memorymoog

Voyager
find an opened v’ger here
it has a pumped up Z80A abord called Z180, remember ZX81? same, but more power with 1MB memory address capability, Z is for Zilog
an AMD am29F010B ambit flash memory.
a real biiig board with lots of chips (I mean huuuge, biig monster masses of chips..)
the filters are CA3086-based.

more v’ger see my moog page..

Oberheim

ob-x and SEM modules (synthesizer expander module)
is dicrete electronics

OB8 & OBX-a // oberheim OB-Xpander (not Xpander!! see below!!)
2 CEM3360 Dual VCA
16 CEM3340 VCO
16 CEM3310 EG
16 CEM3320 VCF
oberheim ob-Xa

OB-SX
2 CEM3340 VCO
1 CEM3320 VCF
2 CEM3310 EG
1 CEM3360 Dual VCA

Matrix 6 & 6R /// Matrix 1000
Both Matrix use six CEM3396 ‚Synth on a Chip‘, M6 has wide body version (600mils), M1000 the small (300mils) one. Both Matrix synths have DCOs. Master clock is derived from a quartz on the Matrix 1000 and from three free running, software calibrated (voltage controlled) oscillators on the Matrix 6.
M6 has a 4 to 2 split mode, the M1000 lacks this hardware, otherwise the voices are (nearly) the same.
6 CEM3396 Dual Wave Processor (Wide body?)
old definitiion: Matrix 6 and Matrix 1000 differed in the way that the M6 had a couple of Curtis chips to generate a voice while the M1000 used a „synth-in-a-box“ chip from Curtis that had the whole voice in one IC. Even the „Wave“ selection feature was packed in there. I only don’t know if Curtis developed this chip because Oberheim wanted them to do so. So, if someone wants to build his own analog synth, he might start with that chip. It’s not the best sounding chip but very easy to build control circuitries around it. On the web, you might find interesting information about SSM and CEM chips.
(D) Beide Matrix verwenden sechs CEM3396 ‚Synth on a Chip‘, der Matrix 6 im breiten, der Matrix 1000 im schmalen Gehäuse. Beide Matrixe haben DCOs. Der ‚Masterclock‘ beim Matrix 1000 kommt aus einem Quarz, beim Matrix 6 werden drei softwareabgleichbare (spannungsgesteuerte) freilaufende Masteroszilatoren verwendet. Der Matrix 6 kennt einen 4 zu 2 Split-Mode, dem 1000er fehlt die Hardware dafür, ansonsten sind die Stimmschaltungen (fast) gleich.
6 CEM3396 Dual Wave Processor

Xpander
6 3372 Signal Processor – CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA
6 3374 Dual VCO
2x 6809 processors
Curtis 3320 VCF or equivalent cem3372 – afaik Xpander only ever used the CEM3372 not 3320
filters made with an extra ciruitry in the servical manual a one percent resistor array. this chip provides LPF 4pole filter only!
2 processors running at 16mhz.
there is also the noise gen on the processor board!
the first is responsible for the display and encoders, the other is for env and lfo generation..
see the Xpander opened (1.3MB)
Xpander more info..
oberheim xpander
OB-1 (ame as OBI or OB-I)
2 CEM3310 EG

Prommer
1 CEM3328 VCF


PAiA

Proteus
2 CEM3340 VCO
1 CEM3320 VCF
1 CEM3310 EG
1 CEM3330 Dual VCA


PPG

Wave 2.2 / 2.3
4 CEM3320 VCF
4 CEM3310 EG

Wave 2.0
8 SM2044 VCF – info: – ssm2044.pdf
4 CEM3360 Dual VCA
The PPG Wave (2.0) series used the SSM filter.


Fender / Rhodes

Chroma
8 CEM3350 Dual VCF
8 CEM3360 Dual VCA (some versions have 9)

Polaris
6 CEM3374 Dual VCO
6 CEM3372 uP Signal Processor – CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA


Roland

Roland SH101 and MC202
1 CEM3340 VCO
roland sh101
MKS-20
5 CEM3360 Dual VCA

Jupiter 6
12 CEM3340 VCO
6 CEM3360 Dual VCA

Jupiter 8 / MKS-80
Filter? Curtis? Roland? Thats a common mistake. But there is NO CEM filters in any of the MKS revisions. The CEM rev. has only CEM VCO and VCA
even the ju8 has no curtis filters.. same for the ju6..
Both revisions uses 2 CEM3360 DUAL VCA per voiceboard for Crossmodulation-
The older revision usesr IR309 filter like in JP4, JP8, Juno60 etc.
The newer MKS uses IR305 which is both VCF and VCA. like in Juno1/2, JX-10 etc.
So it is right as follows (I will remove the wrong ones soon):
MKS-80 (racked jupiter8)
MKS80 used 8 x IR3RO5
..to Serial <#511800
WRONG (called the curtis / roland myth:):
8 CEM3340 VCO
4 CEM3360 DUal VCA
Should be:
16 CEM3340 VCO
8 CEM3360 Dual VCA
12 IR-3R09 VCF
MKS80 serial >511800
WRONG (called the curtis / roland myth:):
MKS-80 Serial #511800 up (later models)
8 IR-3R03 Roland VCO
4 CEM3360 Dual VCA
4 IR-3R05 Roland VCF/VCA
Should be:
16 IR-3R03 Roland VCO
4 CEM3360 Dual VCA
8 IR-3R05 VCF/VCA

The JX8P / JX10 used a Roland custom filter

MKS70 (racked JX10 / double jx8p)
used 12 x IR3R05 vcf/vca never CEMs


RSF

Kobol Expander I
2 SSM2050 VCO
1 SSM2040 VCF


Sequential Circuits / DSI
link: DSI..

Evolver Series
Curtis for Filters (no Idea which one, but seems they produced another Number of them for DSI .. possibly 3320
the DSPs are Analog Devices, and there is a Custom Chip „DSI 120 PA397 (015 E26)“
VS
1 CEM5510 Fast Sample/Hold
1 CEM5530 30ch S/H
8 CEM3382 Dual Low Noise VCA
8 CEM3378 VC Signal Processor – CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA
UPDATE: VS used 2 x CEM5530,4 X CEM 5510 (8chan s/h),2 X CEM3365(dual vca for vector mix)
PROPHET 5 – the first Prophet 5 series used the SSM filter, laterthey were changed to CEM
Prophet 5 Rev 3
11 CEM3340 VCO
10 CEM3310 EG
5 CEM3320 VCF

Prophet 5 Rev 1 & 2
11 SSM 2030 VCO
5 SSM 2040 VCF
10 SSM 2050 EG
21 SSM 2020 VCA

Prophet 10
22 CEM3340 VCO
20 CEM3310 EG
10 CEM3320 VCF

Prophet 600
12 CEM3340 VCO
6 CEM3372 VCF/VCA
4 CEM3360 Dual VCA

PRO-1 (PRO ONE)
3 CEM3340 VCO
2 CEM3310 EG
1 CEM3320 VCF

T8
16 CEM3340 VCO
8 CEM3372 Signal Processor – CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA
UPDATE: T8 used 5 x CEM3360(4 for polymod 1 for volume)

Six-Trax
6 CEM3394 uP Voice
CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA

MAX
6 CEM3394 uP Voice

Studio 440
8 CEM3389 VC Signal Processor
1 CEM3360 Dual VCA
1 CEM5530 30ch Sample/Hold
samplers
prophet 2000
CEM3379 VCF/VCA

prophet 3000

CEM3387 (same as the waldorf wave)

Siel

DK600
3 SSM2020 VCA
6 SSM2024
6 SSM2044 VCF – data sheet – http://www.maxmidi.com/diy/ssm/ssm2044.pdf
6 SSM2056 EG

Opera 6
6 SSM2024
2 SSM2031
6 SSM2044 VCF – data sheet – http://www.maxmidi.com/diy/ssm/ssm2044.pdf
6 SSM2056 EG


Simmons Drums

SDS9, SDS1000
3 CEM3394 VC Synth

SDS8
5 CEM3372 VC Signal Generator –>CEM3372 Filter/Mix/VCA
sds5 ssm2044 – 1x je/per module

sds800 2x cem3394 (thx to „klangmaschine“ DIY site www.midi-cv.de)


Solton

solton sm100 analogue synthesizer
Each voice in the
Solton SM100 (6 voices) uses 2xSSM2056 (ADSR) and 1xSMM2045 (VCA+VCF)
more on the sm100 here Solton


Steiner

EVI (?) CEM3340 VCO – (?) SSM2040 VCF


Synton

Synrix
2 CEM3310 EG
2 CEM3340 VCO
2 CEM3350 Dual VCF
1 CEM3360 Dual VCA


Waldorf

Wave
waldorf wave
Inside a 16 voice WAVE:
16 x AD 7545 D/A converter
16 x CEM PD508 Multiplexer/S&H
16 x CEM 3387 VCA / VCF (analog! 24 db lowpass & 12db highpass filter and panning) also in the prophet3000
16 x SSM 2024 Quad current controlled Class A amplifier with S/N 82dB
2 x Motorola 68000 16 MHz CPU (1 x mainboard, 1 x per 16 voice slaveboard)
2 x Waldorf custom ASICs.

Microwave
microwave 1
8 CEM3387 VCF,VCA,VCP (later models)
8 CEM3389 VCF,VCA,VCP (early models)
the revision was app. at the same time as waldorf changed to the
Nextel-Housing
–> „old“ eloxiertes Gehäuse (housing) = 3389 – Nextel-Gehäuse (housing) = 3387
it’s know exactly know if there are also a small amount of old/new CEMs in the vice versa housings, but it is most likely the same date.. ;)
microwave 1 opened
pulse / afb / Q+ filterboard: custom waldorf chips

Waldorf Q — Motorola 56303
(3 of them in the Q KB and raQ, where 2 are for the synthesis and 1 is dedicated to FX only!
only 1 but faster DSP works in the micro Q/micro Q KB for all synthesis and FX!)

the Q plus board: / platine des Waldorf Q plus links/left: analogboard from xpole filters (custom)
the Q+ analgue board
the Q naked (non analogue version) BOARD – eine nackte nichtanaloge Kuh PLATINE ;-) (thanks to midicase.com! for the pic of the board!)

waldorf q boardwaldorf q+

Waldorf MW2/XT — Motorola 56303
microwave xt


Yamaha

CS80
used 219!! vca most of them for the velocity/aftertouch


a lot of info came from:Philip Pilgrim The Lab
5 Evan’s Drive Synth Mods/Repair
Hammond’s Plains Software
N.S. Canada http://www.robotnik.com/the_lab
B4B 1M8
mailto:thelab AT sprint DOOOT ca (has moved to ireland, and possibly back?)

also thanks to Than Muir for add. help /corrections!

more and more… Xtended by Moogulator / Consequence ;-)) (DSPs, Film etc..)


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