This really is a hidden Gem. I rarely play get to mine, which is a shame. You have convinced me to give mine a new lease of life. I have hung on to it mainly due to the rare polyphonic aftertouch feature, but some of those sounds are great (the playing is good too!).
Thanks! Yeah, I like the poly aftertouch (one of the reasons I picked it up second-hand in the first place), but I had to let it go on the grounds of space! Recently bought the ASM Hydrasynth, which also has the poly AT and a pitch ribbon too!
@@jscan Overall, yes. The polyphonic aftertouch is one of the best I've played - not too heavy, not too light - and the ribbon is great (there's another short on my channel which briefly demonstrates these): ua-cam.com/video/XRccf8tMN-A/v-deo.html The only two downsides are that (a) It's quite a solid, heavy keyboard and (b) there are, in my opinion, quite a lot of rather average sounds. Having said that, it is very tweakable and would, I feel sure, reward a period of time studying the architecture in greater detail than I have so far. I just love making the Vangelis sounds! I got a Korg Wavestate around the same time, and that is much more portable (you can take it anywhere) and has a load of really great sounds direct out of the box (no aftertouch or ribbon though - although I see they're releasing the 61 SE version of this, which does have channel aftertouch). If you're after that poly AT and ribbon though, the Hydra is great - I certainly have no intention of parting with it, and usually end up playing around on it for hours once I get it plugged in!
I've had mine for 3 days the turbo, great condition the sound is therapeutic I listened to you all before buying it 250€ (I already had a D50 D20) I play with two 2x12 speakers and high-pitched compressor in an old farm extraordinary sound 🙃
Had mine since first release S2 turbo upgrade. Due for repair as psu dead and a few other issues. I was always amazed by the warm analogue style sound i got from it for a s&s synth. Filters are good. I think i went a bit mad programming with the sequencer before cubase arrived but again did lots of music with just its internal sequencer. Aftertouch too.! Looking forwards to having it back working without a dodgy scroll wheel which will be amazing. Mine had a battery leak but hopefully not serious...heed the warnings. A very enjoyable synth to play with some hidden Gems. 😁
Me too!, in fact 3x S2 Turbos (one of these being Bill's actual old workhorse, as per this video - hope all's well Bill BTW 😁👍 !), S3 Turbo (my master 'controller') and the rack version S2R, phew !!!! Looked at later Equinox but it seems a 'watered down' version of this original classic TBH!!! 😎🎹🎶🍻
@@theaudioeng I did like a lot of the S2 sounds, it was just a bit big to hang onto as well as the Equinox! Overall, they're both pretty good, but my Equinox (second one as the first one died) has one or two "killer sounds" that I didn't want to be without! :-)
@@billyruss Good to hear from you Bill!! and thanks for your reply - they both sound great (Equinox on YT as never owned). Hope you are enjoying the Hydrasynth still 👍🎹🎶🍻
That thing is beautiful. I'm definitely going to buy all of the top early 90's keyboards. My grandfather bought me a Korg 01/WFD & i just believe all of her peers deserve to join her in my Studio... Unless Arturia creates VST versions first. LOL.
Yes! Me too! This and the Equinox. Both great keyboards, but both fairly heavy and difficult to find space for, but both unique. Nothing else sounds quite like them.
@@billyruss I remember an interview about the ambient album Woob 1194 and the artist told it was his main synths for pads. This album is full of GEM S2 sounds and it's awesome. Thanks for the video!
Questo Synth tutto italiano, potentissimo non è stato capito ed è sparito in fretta. Ma ritengo che andrebbe rivalutato, perchè le sue potenzialità sono davvero notevoli. Non ha nulla da invidiare a K2600 Kurzweil o altri synth.
Had to look that up in Google translate 🙂 This all-Italian synth, very powerful, was not understood and disappeared quickly. But I think it should be re-evaluated, because its potential is truly remarkable. It has nothing to envy to K2600 Kurzweil or other synths.
Hi. These were the sounds it came with when I bought it - and I've just checked the manual (page XXII of the appendix) and they do seem to be the original factory sounds. Apparently they are stored in ROM so, if yours have been overwritten, you should be able to get them back somehow - though I've had a quick look online and can't seem to find any instructions for doing this, sorry. I haven't listened to this for a while and I must admit, I do like a lot of the sounds. Unfortunately, I had to let my S2 go - it was just too big and bulky - but now I have a nostalgia for some of these sounds!
I have a S3 and unfortunately , may be because of lack of use, the should is not coming out. It is very week and since there are no technicians left for this instrument I don't know where to go . Any help would be appreciated. The unit has never been abused. everything was working . Is there any adjustments etc.? Thanks for any help!
Not really clear what the problem is; "the should is not coming out" ? I don't believe there are any mysterious technologies going on in there, so any competent synth service should be able to handle it - you can even provide them with the service manual! www.synthxl.com/gem-general-music-s2/ Best of luck - it's certainly worth fixing - or if you want to sell it - PM me!
@@billyruss Thanks I plan on making lots of videos of me playing keys very poorly 😆 As soon as I get home (Houston tx) today I also have a few Hammonds, Korgs, Roland's and Zoom beat machines that I'm going to demo this weekend also Thanks for the great content friend
Important: If you own a GEM S2 then make sure you replace the original battery as soon as possible. The original one will be leaking for sure and destroying the pcb boards with its acid. Have a look at the caps in the power supply as well while you're at it. You can thank me later. I bought a broken one at the second hand store 2 years ago, it had 2 or 3 busted capacitors in the power supply (if these caps are bad, the keyboard smells like someone urinated in it). Fixed it for a few bucks and removed the old battery and was amazed! Rich sounds, decent dsp effects, and the keyboard itself feels amazing. I tried my old Roland D5 after that and just gave that one away for free without hesitating. The only downside of it is the user interface. Kudos for those who actually can use the sequencer in it without going mad. Next thing I will do is exchange the floppydrive for an hxc emulator drive. Search the internet and you will find a thousand floppy images for the s2/s3. Also support for Akai sample disks :) Good luck with it.
I had heard about the battery issue before and, since this was in storage for a while, I was concerned that it might have affected it (had a similar problem with an Equinox). But no - it worked fine and seemed in good condition (apart from the floppy drive, of course!). I've sold it now (to a chap who already had one and wanted this for spares). I agree with you on the sounds and effects - great for a synth of its age. But yes, also agree that the sequencer (and much of the editing architecture all round) is pretty abstruse.
4:42 wacky workbench?
Dark Quack is probably the craziest preset name I've ever heard. Sounds Bladerunner esq. Nice stuff!
This really is a hidden Gem. I rarely play get to mine, which is a shame. You have convinced me to give mine a new lease of life. I have hung on to it mainly due to the rare polyphonic aftertouch feature, but some of those sounds are great (the playing is good too!).
Thanks! Yeah, I like the poly aftertouch (one of the reasons I picked it up second-hand in the first place), but I had to let it go on the grounds of space! Recently bought the ASM Hydrasynth, which also has the poly AT and a pitch ribbon too!
@@billyruss the Hydrasynth is really tempting me too - are you pleased with it?
@@jscan Overall, yes. The polyphonic aftertouch is one of the best I've played - not too heavy, not too light - and the ribbon is great (there's another short on my channel which briefly demonstrates these):
ua-cam.com/video/XRccf8tMN-A/v-deo.html
The only two downsides are that (a) It's quite a solid, heavy keyboard and (b) there are, in my opinion, quite a lot of rather average sounds. Having said that, it is very tweakable and would, I feel sure, reward a period of time studying the architecture in greater detail than I have so far. I just love making the Vangelis sounds!
I got a Korg Wavestate around the same time, and that is much more portable (you can take it anywhere) and has a load of really great sounds direct out of the box (no aftertouch or ribbon though - although I see they're releasing the 61 SE version of this, which does have channel aftertouch).
If you're after that poly AT and ribbon though, the Hydra is great - I certainly have no intention of parting with it, and usually end up playing around on it for hours once I get it plugged in!
Does this play like hydrasynth regarding MPE?
Until now GEM the best arranger menu infrastructure, al are be much in orogres compared with today.I miss GEM !
GEM DESTROY POLITICIAN REMEMBER !
I've had mine for 3 days the turbo, great condition
the sound is therapeutic
I listened to you all before buying it 250€
(I already had a D50 D20)
I play with two 2x12 speakers and high-pitched compressor in an old farm
extraordinary sound 🙃
Had mine since first release S2 turbo upgrade. Due for repair as psu dead and a few other issues. I was always amazed by the warm analogue style sound i got from it for a s&s synth. Filters are good. I think i went a bit mad programming with the sequencer before cubase arrived but again did lots of music with just its internal sequencer. Aftertouch too.! Looking forwards to having it back working without a dodgy scroll wheel which will be amazing. Mine had a battery leak but hopefully not serious...heed the warnings. A very enjoyable synth to play with some hidden Gems. 😁
You showed how great this synth is 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻thanks
I am a lucky owner of Gem S3 and Gem S2 Turbo. Wonderful musical instruments !!!
Me too!, in fact 3x S2 Turbos (one of these being Bill's actual old workhorse, as per this video - hope all's well Bill BTW 😁👍 !), S3 Turbo (my master 'controller') and the rack version S2R, phew !!!! Looked at later Equinox but it seems a 'watered down' version of this original classic TBH!!! 😎🎹🎶🍻
@@theaudioeng I did like a lot of the S2 sounds, it was just a bit big to hang onto as well as the Equinox! Overall, they're both pretty good, but my Equinox (second one as the first one died) has one or two "killer sounds" that I didn't want to be without! :-)
@@billyruss Good to hear from you Bill!! and thanks for your reply - they both sound great (Equinox on YT as never owned). Hope you are enjoying the Hydrasynth still 👍🎹🎶🍻
@@theaudioeng Yep, that and the Wavestate. Looking at the Modwave next maybe - and the updated Wavestate SE!
@@billyruss yes, larger keyboard ver is nice, sure. Look forward to your next upload!!😎👍🎹
That thing is beautiful. I'm definitely going to buy all of the top early 90's keyboards. My grandfather bought me a Korg 01/WFD & i just believe all of her peers deserve to join her in my Studio... Unless Arturia creates VST versions first. LOL.
and thanks again for the timecode :)
I wish Arturia or UVI make a VSTi version of this GEM!
Yes! Me too! This and the Equinox. Both great keyboards, but both fairly heavy and difficult to find space for, but both unique. Nothing else sounds quite like them.
@@billyruss I remember an interview about the ambient album Woob 1194 and the artist told it was his main synths for pads. This album is full of GEM S2 sounds and it's awesome. Thanks for the video!
Come on - someone to make this instrument on VST
This and the Equinox as VSTs would be great!
💋
Questo Synth tutto italiano, potentissimo non è stato capito ed è sparito in fretta. Ma ritengo che andrebbe rivalutato, perchè le sue potenzialità sono davvero notevoli. Non ha nulla da invidiare a K2600 Kurzweil o altri synth.
Had to look that up in Google translate 🙂
This all-Italian synth, very powerful, was not understood and disappeared quickly. But I think it should be re-evaluated, because its potential is truly remarkable. It has nothing to envy to K2600 Kurzweil or other synths.
These are great performances… They are definitely not the same ones that are in my S2 turbo. Did you programmed them yourself?
Hi. These were the sounds it came with when I bought it - and I've just checked the manual (page XXII of the appendix) and they do seem to be the original factory sounds. Apparently they are stored in ROM so, if yours have been overwritten, you should be able to get them back somehow - though I've had a quick look online and can't seem to find any instructions for doing this, sorry.
I haven't listened to this for a while and I must admit, I do like a lot of the sounds. Unfortunately, I had to let my S2 go - it was just too big and bulky - but now I have a nostalgia for some of these sounds!
I have a S3 and unfortunately , may be because of lack of use, the should is not coming out. It is very week and since there are no technicians left for this instrument I don't know where to go . Any help would be appreciated. The unit has never been abused. everything was working . Is there any adjustments etc.?
Thanks for any help!
My technical knowledge doesn't extend that far, I'm afraid; maybe someone seeing this post can help?
Not really clear what the problem is; "the should is not coming out" ?
I don't believe there are any mysterious technologies going on in there, so any competent synth service should be able to handle it - you can even provide them with the service manual!
www.synthxl.com/gem-general-music-s2/
Best of luck - it's certainly worth fixing - or if you want to sell it - PM me!
I'm going to pick up one of these today for $85 out here in Austin Texas
That's a big, bulky bargain you're getting there! Enjoy :-)
@@billyruss Thanks
I plan on making lots of videos of me playing keys very poorly 😆
As soon as I get home (Houston tx) today
I also have a few Hammonds, Korgs, Roland's and Zoom beat machines that I'm going to demo this weekend also
Thanks for the great content friend
Never heard of gem ...it does sound like a German or Italian company
Yep, Italian. Part of the General Music company, who also made ELKA products: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generalmusic
Important: If you own a GEM S2 then make sure you replace the original battery as soon as possible. The original one will be leaking for sure and destroying the pcb boards with its acid. Have a look at the caps in the power supply as well while you're at it. You can thank me later.
I bought a broken one at the second hand store 2 years ago, it had 2 or 3 busted capacitors in the power supply (if these caps are bad, the keyboard smells like someone urinated in it). Fixed it for a few bucks and removed the old battery and was amazed! Rich sounds, decent dsp effects, and the keyboard itself feels amazing. I tried my old Roland D5 after that and just gave that one away for free without hesitating. The only downside of it is the user interface. Kudos for those who actually can use the sequencer in it without going mad. Next thing I will do is exchange the floppydrive for an hxc emulator drive. Search the internet and you will find a thousand floppy images for the s2/s3. Also support for Akai sample disks :) Good luck with it.
I had heard about the battery issue before and, since this was in storage for a while, I was concerned that it might have affected it (had a similar problem with an Equinox). But no - it worked fine and seemed in good condition (apart from the floppy drive, of course!). I've sold it now (to a chap who already had one and wanted this for spares). I agree with you on the sounds and effects - great for a synth of its age. But yes, also agree that the sequencer (and much of the editing architecture all round) is pretty abstruse.
only in the turbo version
@@billyruss .... you certainly did Bill... and I've still got it!! Cheers! 😁👍🎹🎶🍻 [in fact see my reply to FezCuraDo67 😮!!]
@@theaudioeng Excellent!