AJHSynth has announced that it has been specially commissioned by Academy Award-winning film-scoring supremo Hans Zimmer to custom-build The RadioPhonic, a one-of-a-kind synthesizer designed from the ground up as an analog modular system beyond compare.
The RadioPhonic System was specially commissioned to take pride of place in the new Radiophonic workshop which Hans will be recreating soon, back at its original site in the Maida Vale Studio, London. We are calling this amazing system “The RadioPhonic” in honour of this accolade.
From its inception in 1958 the BBC Radiophonic Workshop has played a huge part in the history of electronic music. In the early days audio tape would be cut and spliced into sound effects and theme music which was used in BBC television and radio programs. In the 1960’s synthesisers were added to the arsenal of instruments, and the EMS VCS 3 and Synthi 100 were two of the earliest synthesisers used there. The VCS 3 holds a very special place in Hans Zimmer’s heart, as it was the very first synthesiser that he ever owned and the beautiful American Walnut and Cherry wood case of the RadioPhonic deliberately channels the VCS3 “Putney” case design, however the range of modules included takes the sonic possibilities way beyond that of the larger EMS Synthi 100 “Delaware” system which also saw so much use at the Radiophonic Workshop.
The RadioPhonic features two 3U racks in both the top and bottom sections, which are separated with an ebonised hardwood strip, while The RadioPhonic’s enclosure employs very low noise power supply and noise filtering distribution boards with auto voltage selection allowing it to be used with mains voltages between 100 to 240V AC, 50 or 60 Hz.
Hans Zimmer approves, adding:
“One of the things I think is very important when you put together a modular system is that the individual components actually match, and that the compatibility of the voltages and signals match, which is something that Allan [J Hall] is very aware of when he builds these things.”
AJHSynth will produce a limited number of exact recreations of The RadioPhonic, each of which will be individually numbered. System Number One is to be launched at Superbooth 24 in Berlin (Booth B030).
More information: AJHSynth