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General Vintage Technology Discussions For general discussions about vintage radio and other vintage electronics etc. |
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7th Jan 2012, 5:32 pm | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.)
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"Oramix" synthesizer
Hi,
I've just watched an interesting item on the BBC news "Click" programme about the early synthesizer (for the want of a better word) designed in the 1950s by the late Daphne Oram of BBC Radiophonic Workshop fame. It was called the Oramix and it has just gone on display somewhere. The people in charge of it say that it's too fragile to restore. This seems a little odd to me as it was of good solid valve construction and looks enormous. I can't believe that it's unrestorable as it doesn't even have any printed circuits, and what under-chassis views I saw showed standard components of the day. It used marks painted on clear 35mm film that was fed past some kind of optical reader. Does anyone else have knowledge of this fascinating machine? Cheers, Pete
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7th Jan 2012, 5:47 pm | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: "Oramix" synthesizer
I believe the correct name is 'Oramics machine'. It's on display in the Science Museum (London) at present.
I suspect the restoration difficulties stem from the lack of any design documentation or even circuit diagrams. |
7th Jan 2012, 6:16 pm | #3 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 979
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Re: "Oramix" synthesizer
I was down in London a couple of months back, and happened to visit the Science Museum and have a look at the whole 'Oramics' display. Very definitely of the 'I'm the only one who's going anywhere near this' construction, with lots of exposed live parts, and bits held in place with tape and bent wire. She obviously altered bits all the time to get the effects she needed, and it's likely that it's only partially documented as it was in a constant state of change.
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8th Jan 2012, 11:29 am | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK.
Posts: 7,662
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Re: "Oramix" synthesizer
I find it strange that Daphne Oram designed a Synth. She was well known for her dislike of electronic music. Most of her music was done using tape machines-The Dr Who theme for instance. Andy.
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8th Jan 2012, 11:32 am | #5 |
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: "Oramix" synthesizer
Are you mixing her up with Delia Derbyshire?
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