All of the following recordings were captured directly from the stereo output of an original Music 5000 Synthesizer (1984) for the BBC Micro with part of the anti-aliasing filter circuit bypassed to improve the HF response.

Now relatively hard to find, Hybrid Technology's Music 5000 synthesiser was designed by Chris Jordan and initially marketed by Acorn Computers in 1984 as the Music 500 and connected to the 1MHz bus. The instrument was programmed in its own language called AMPLE which was quite powerful for its time for a home computer based music production system.

Implemented entirely in discrete logic, the Music 5000 was a surprisingly powerful multi-timbral digital wavetable synthesizer module considering its low cost. 

Up to 16 voices could be played simultaneously from a pool of 14 different 128-byte wavetables. Pairs of oscillators could be phase or ring modulated or sync'd.  Each voice had its own volume, envelope and stereo pan control which could be automated.

8 bit u-law companded audio (comparable to 12-bit linear digital audio) was produced at a 47kHz sampling rate using a form of Direct Digital Synthesis using the 'phase-accumulator' technique with 24-bit frequency/phase control accuracy.

Moments in Time by The Noige, aka Nigel Scott was released in 1989 and distributed by Panda Discs as a demonstration of the Hybrid Music 5000

1984 Music 5000: Digital Synth Module for the Acorn BBC Micro...

Testing various prototype custom midi interfaces designed by D.A.Wilson at Hideaway Studio for the control all manner of old kit...

Player Robots: Prototypes In Action...

Various test recordings of a number of custom and low volume studio equipment designs over the years by D.A.Wilson (Hideaway Studio) including a number of tube hybrid rackmount audio processors originally conceived and built for Jean-Michel Jarre...

Studio Equipment by Hideaway Studio in Action...

NEWS UPDATE: The second batch of 25 pre-production units are nearing completion and am now taking pre-orders for delivery in June. A new Patch Editor/Librarian App & VST/AU plugin with full automation has also been developed complete with a new library of over 250 sound patches for Win/Mac/Linux and will be free to all Elfin-04 and 01 owners.

Introducing Elfin-04, Hideaway Studio's Compact New 4-Voice Polysynth Expander...
 
I have been working round the clock for weeks now on my dinky little 8-bit 4-Voice (4 x [2osc+1sub+LFO]) VA Poly Expander with 1960's style transformer-mixed output voicing and finally No's.000 thru 010 are born to the world and receiving very positive feedback from their new owners....... this 4-voice polysynth measuring just 16x12x3cm has full real-time control over her 32 parameters via simple midi ccs and 16 built-in patches. 

Based on an expanded form of a customized software synth-core design by ISGK in Japan, I think the Elfin-04's unique voice ouput/mixing transformers do add something for sure - they are driven full-swing with 60KHz PWM resulting in a lot of additional harmonics/mirror frequencies and some saturation that all gets trapped within the transformers which adds a richness/darkness to the sound (no-doubt inspired in part by my beloved DK Synergy). In the Elfin-04, the 4 voices are passively mixed but, unusually, by the topology of the output-transformers themselves which is a trick that used to be found in some more exotic 1960s valve test equipment where multiple signal outputs were mixed on isolated outputs (eg. my huge old Panoramic TTG-2 tube Dual Sinewave Generator). Also, each voice CPU is independently clocked so everything is genuinely free-wheeling across the voices so even the noise phases slowly when played on multiple notes and unison which is pretty cool.

Any questions, please PM me here on S/C or to EF86 on GearSpace.

All Sound Design & Recordings Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio 2025.

Hideaway's New Elfin-04 Polysynth: Detuned Unison Mode Montage 01

NEWS UPDATE: The second batch of 25 pre-production units are nearing completion and am now taking pre-orders for delivery in June. A new Patch Editor/Librarian App & VST/AU plugin with full automation has also been developed complete with a new library of over 250 sound patches for Win/Mac/Linux and will be free to all Elfin-04 and 01 owners.

Any questions, please PM me here on S/C or to EF86 on GearSpace.

Introducing Elfin-04, Hideaway Studio's Compact New 4-Voice Polysynth...
 
I have been working round the clock for weeks now on my dinky little 8-bit 4-Voice (4 x [2osc+1sub+LFO]) VA Poly Expander with 1960's style transformer-mixed output voicing and finally No's.000 thru 010 are born to the world and receiving very positive feedback from their new owners...... this 4-voice polysynth measuring just 16x12x3cm has full real-time control over her 32 parameters via simple midi ccs and 16 built-in patches. 

Based on an expanded form of a customized software synth-core design by ISGK in Japan, I think the Elfin-04's unique voice ouput/mixing transformers do add something for sure - they are driven full-swing with 60KHz PWM resulting in a lot of additional harmonics/mirror frequencies and some saturation that all gets trapped within the transformers which adds a richness/darkness to the sound (no-doubt inspired in part by my beloved DK Synergy). In the Elfin-04, the 4 voices are passively mixed but, unusually, by the topology of the output-transformers themselves which is a trick that used to be found in some more exotic 1960s valve test equipment where multiple signal outputs were mixed on isolated outputs (eg. my huge old Panoramic TTG-2 tube Dual Sinewave Generator). Also, each voice CPU is independently clocked so everything is genuinely free-wheeling across the voices so even the noise phases slowly when played on multiple notes and unison which is pretty cool.

All Sound Design & Recordings Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio 2025.

Hideaway's New Elfin-04 Polysynth: Polyphonic Patch Montage 01

Elfin-08 No. 000 (basically two stock Hideaway Elfin-04 Poly Expanders bolted together running modified firmware with a stereo output) fires up for the first time on all 10 of its 8-bit processors and 8 output transformers!....

The allocation of the 8 voices has been distributed between the left and right audio outputs with even voices on one channel and odd voices on the other giving a rather pleasing stereo effect. The Detuned Unison Mode on the 8-voice is just massive!

All of the sounds in the test recording are factory Elfin-04 patches loaded up from the new Elfin Controller VST/AU/Standalone (win/mac/linux) patch editor which currently has around 260 patches built in.
 
NB: I am building these 8-Voice proof of concept variants in very limited numbers for those who can't wait for the official Elfin-08 otherwise the current Elfin-04 offers the very same sound but with less polyphony.

Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio 2025

Hideaway Elfin-08: 8-Voice Functional Prototype Awakens...

Hideaway Studio's ultra rare Dual Tube Hybrid Filter in Action - Originally designed and built for Jean-Michel Jarre in 2011 by D.A.Wilson as a live performance filter the unit features a complex and unusual union of a diode ladder with multi-mode input mixer and a resonant tube based band-pass filter tube buffered and mixed in parallel with a phase reversal option.  

The filter can be used in live performances via its 9 CV control channels using a modulation matrix and a hand controller.

The demo shows when used in this way various aspects of the filter can be sequenced as the filter is opened and closed.

Only two examples of this beast were ever built.

Composition & Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio 2011.

The Dual Tube Hybrid Filter In Action...

A rare demonstration of what is perhaps one of the most complex and exotic analog phasers ever devised.   The Triple Tube Hybrid Phaser was originally designed for Jean-Michel Jarre by Dani Wilson at Hideaway Studio and is one of only a very small handful ever built.

On a huge custom pcb it comprises of three 4-stage phaser blocks similar to the Small Stone with tube (ECC83) pre-amp and post amps and tube buffers between each phaser.  The OTA based phasers are combined in an unusual series/parallel arrangement with their own regen paths each modulated by one phase of a triple phase LFO generator thus allowing the phase spread to be set between each phaser block from  all three on top of one another for a huge plunging effect to being 120 degrees out for a swirly effect.   There are variable controls for the LFO offset, depth, rate and spread as well as a variable regeneration level (heard being turned up in the first minute of the demo).

The stuttering effect heard later in the demo is where the spread control is being set to a new position thus allowing the phasers to realign and commence on new phase spread angles.

Please note the phaser was recorded into delay to generate some stereo spread.

Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio

Triple Tube Hybrid Phaser: An Uber Rare Beast In Action!

Movement 2 from Mexico Suite by Nigel Sixsmith released in 1985 as a demonstration of the Hybrid Music 5000 Synthesizer for the BBC Micro home computer which was initially released as the Music 500 in 1984...

The recording was captured via reverb from the stereo output of an original Music 5000 system.  Note that the delays and panning effects are programmed into the original sequence.

Now relatively hard to find, Hybrid Technology's Music 5000 synthesiser was designed by Chris Jordan and initially marketed by Acorn Computers in 1984 as the Music 500 and connected to the 1MHz bus. The instrument was programmed in its own language called AMPLE which was quite powerful for its time for a home computer based music production system.

Implemented entirely in discrete logic, the Music 5000 was a surprisingly powerful multi-timbral digital wavetable synthesizer module considering its low cost.

Up to 16 voices could be played simultaneously from a pool of 14 different 128-byte wavetables. Pairs of oscillators could be phase or ring modulated or sync'd. Each voice had its own volume, envelope and stereo pan control which could be automated.

8 bit u-law companded audio (comparable to 12-bit linear digital audio) was produced at a 47kHz sampling rate using a form of Direct Digital Synthesis using the 'phase-accumulator' technique with 24-bit frequency/phase control accuracy.

Composed and Arranged by Nigel Sixsmith.

Music 5000 (Acorn BBC Micro): Mexico Suite Pt.2 (Nigel Sixsmith, 1985)

MUSIC 5000: Einsamer Wanderer (original composition by Klaus Wunderlich) programmed in the AMPLE music production language by David Reed.  Originally released circa 1988 as a demonstration of the Hybrid Music 5000 Synthesizer for the BBC Micro home computer which was initially released as the Music 500 in 1984...

The recording was captured a spot of tube overdrive into reverb from the output of an original Music 5000 system. Note that the delays and panning effects are programmed into the original sequence.

Now relatively hard to find, Hybrid Technology's Music 5000 synthesiser was designed by Chris Jordan and initially marketed by Acorn Computers in 1984 as the Music 500 and connected to the 1MHz bus. The instrument was programmed in its own language called AMPLE which was quite powerful for its time for a home computer based music production system.

Implemented entirely in discrete logic, the Music 5000 was a surprisingly powerful multi-timbral digital wavetable synthesizer module considering its low cost.

Up to 16 voices could be played simultaneously from a pool of 14 different 128-byte wavetables. Pairs of oscillators could be phase or ring modulated or sync'd. Each voice had its own volume, envelope and stereo pan control which could be automated.

8 bit u-law companded audio (comparable to 12-bit linear digital audio) was produced at a 47kHz sampling rate using a form of Direct Digital Synthesis using the 'phase-accumulator' technique with 24-bit frequency/phase control accuracy.

Originally distributed on the AMPLE Bytes Back music disk.

Music 5000 (Acorn BBC Micro): Einsamer Wanderer

I decided to have a go building my own Music 4000 keyboard controller for the Hybrid Music 5000 (built 1984) from an old keybed rescued from a Korg Poly 6 and a circuit I built from what turned out to be a circuit diagram I found on the net containing a number of silly errors!...  

With the errors found and the circuit tweaked the keyboard sprung into life and for the first time I got to play the Music 5000 live - my expectations were admittedly quite low but I have to say I have been left rather impressed considering how inexpensive these modules were when new and doubly cool that I get to press the old BBC Micro into doing something a little more constructive than just playing old games! :-]

This recording was made in 4 overdubs using stock sound patches from the Music 5000 system disk.

Original Composition & Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio 2019.

Music 5000 (Acorn BBC Micro): DIY MUSIC 4000 Keyboard Test

It works!!!!   The prototype MIDI Input Interface (M5KMIDI) for the Music 5000 system bursts into life playing an excerpt from Mozart's Piano Sonata No.1  

The interface is connected and powered by the User Port on the BBC Micro and emulates a standard Music 4000 keyboard controller including the sustain pedal from a midi source.

This just may be the first time a Music 5000 synthesizer has been played via midi as the system never offered a midi input facility!...

Several of the Hideaway M5KMIDI interfaces were built for Music 5000 owners but I'm sadly now out of pcb stock.

Music 5000 (Acorn BBC Micro): Prototype MIDI Input Interface Test..

Checking out the midi timing of the prototype Music 5000 MIDI Input Interface with a quick set of overdubs via Cubase...

The interface is connected and powered by the User Port on the BBC Micro and emulates a standard Music 4000 keyboard controller including the sustain pedal from a midi source.

Several of the Hideaway M5KMIDI interfaces were built for Music 5000 owners but I'm sadly now out of pcb stock.

Original Composition & Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson 2019.

Music 5000 (Acorn BBC Micro): Prototype MIDI Input Interface Test II..

Using some of Chopin's more finger blurring moments as a test bed whilst ironing out some of the remaining tweaks to the firmware (which has proven a little tricky to say the least!) for the prototype external MIDI2SIA Interface which allows pre model II+ models to be driven from MIDI.

In the form of a small external interface box the MIDI2SIA should run with any DK Synergy as long as it is equipped with a 25 pin SIA port and running V2.45 firmware or later.

Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio 2018

1982 DK Synergy: Prototype External MIDI2SIA Test (Chopin Op. 23. In Gmin)

The first successful test of Hideaway's new Dual Channel MIDI2CV interface pcb playing a somewhat down-tempo rendition of the harpsichord solo from the first movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (Allegro)

In this case one channel from the Dual MIDI2CV is driving three oscillators in unison on a classic Moog Modular System 55.. each of the two parts were overdubbed.

NB: In this quick test no VCAs were used so the oscillators are heard throughout the recording. 

Designed as both a small external interface box or in internally installed applications as a MIDI retrofit the interface supports two CV output channels spanning 4 octaves in 12-bit accuracy and two gates which are link selectable at 5 or 9 volts or Moog S-Trig.  

The interface supportings a number of modes such as pitch + velocity on two CV channels, a Duophonic Mode and two pitch channels assigned to separate MIDI channels as well as a variable delay mode between CV1/2 and Gate 1/2 which is ratiometric to the MIDI clock...

Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio 2018

1977 Moog Modular System 55: Prototype Dual MIDI2CV Test

Another test of Hideaway's prototype Dual Channel MIDI2CV interface driving a 1977 Minimoog playing part Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in unison with the Music 5000 on the BBC Micro via Hideaway's new M5KMIDI interface. 

Designed as both a small external interface box or in internally installed applications as a MIDI retrofit the interface supports two CV output channels spanning 4 octaves in 12-bit accuracy and two gates which are link selectable at 5 or 9 volts or Moog S-Trig.

Prototype Dual MIDI2CV Minimoog & Music 5000 M5KMIDI play Bach!

My first go at writing Korg Hz-V CV control firmware for the new Dual CV2MIDI Interface and retrofitted the prototype to a 1977 Korg Micropreset M-500 as a test bed.   The floating point exponential maths proved a little tricky and the calibration is not quite there yet but its getting close!..

Update:  The interface is now also driving the filter cutoff via MIDI Note_On velocity which adds a whole new dimension to the little M-500 - a quick test appended to the end of this recording...

Wind instruments - Korg Micropreset / Harpsichord - Alesis Micron

Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio, 2019

1977 KORG Micropreset: Prototype Dual MIDI2CV Hz/Volt Interface

Having another bash at improving the exponential pitch control calibration in the new Hz-V control firmware for the new Dual MIDI2CV interface.  The prototype has been retrofitted in a 1977 Korg Micro-preset M-500.

Here is the Micro-preset playing oboe and the Matrix 1000 playing Harpsichord.... (last movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No.5)

Recording Copyright D.A.Wilson, Hideaway Studio 2019

1977 KORG Micropreset M-500 & Matrix 1000: Lets Play Bach..

D.A.Wilson is an Electronic Engineer, Sound Designer & Vintage Synth Specialist with a particular interest in combining vintage tube, classic analog and modern digital technologies working as a synth engineer looking after a very considerable amount of vintage studio equipment for Will Gregory (Goldfrapp / Moog Ensemble) and a number of other internationally celebrated electronic musicians and producers.  Having undertaken several major restorations and produced custom electronic designs for a number of major artists including Jean-Michel Jarre, Dani is also known for fully restoring two out of the world's four remaining 1979 Crumar GDS and partially restoring 1938 Novachord 346 (the only known operational Novachord in the UK) to playable order along with developing and producing the new Elfin family of 8-bit polysynths and the popular MIDI Front Panel Animator (FPA), Filter Defeat Module (FDM) and XD-280 Drive Emulator upgrades for the AKAI S612 sampler.

Demos of the S612 Upgrades in Action: 

https://soundcloud.com/hideaway-studio/sets/hideaway-studios-s612-front


Hideaway Studio Kontakt Sound libraries may be purchased directly from: 
https://www.lootaudio.com/category/kontakt-instruments/hideaway-studios
 

..and a nice introduction by Cory Pelizzari to the Hideaway Studio Kontakt Libraries:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-C7a3ChC9U&feature=emb_title


For more on releases from Hideaway Studio for Kontakt please visit the blog at:  www.hideawaystudio.net