U can't see it in the video, but there is a very thin nylon string with one end connected to the S2R's data wheel, and the other end to my by right foot's big toe. I push my big toe down, and the patch changes. Sometimes I use MIDI out from the M1 to the S2R's MIDI in, too.
OMG how had I missed this demo? Superb job as usual, but this time the S2R has surprised me in a good way. Thank you Paolo for these great demos. It's something magical when a real musician plays a real synth.
I have a S3 bought in '93. Had to clean 2 years ago the "bed" of the keys because a couple weren't connecting properly. Still my fav Master, one of the best semi-weighted not to mention poly-after touch and Attack and RELEASE velocity among many features not so easy to find even in recent keyboards. Sturdy and built like a tank, so underrated it stinks. ...much better than the M1 as a master in my opinion ;P
MrRefurbishedBrain a well engineered keyboard that got lost as an unknown brand in a sea of workstations at the time. I just bought a used S3 for use as a master keyboard but am now programming sounds. Lack of RAM (other than 3.5" Disk is a real disadvantage). Well engineered though and quite expressive.
I know an older video, but I am impressed to find a Generalmusic synth on your channel! I recall back in the 90's I was interested in the synths made by GEM as they were so rare and hard to find info on. Back then the internet wasn't as resource rich as it is now. I figured now i can hear demos of it and checked your channel first...bingo! What a lovely sounding synth :)
Yes, I remember that back when the S2 came out, it was marketed as a competitor to the Kurzweil K2000 - it had really good sounds in rom, good effects, great synthesis engine, but ultimately the brand "Generalmusic" just wasn't well known enough to compete, as much as people liked the magazine ad (a dude on a haystack with a seminaked model and the synth, lol :D Those were the days. Before these days of crazy PCness).
These buggers are pretty damn hard to find, hopefully can get one sometime to compliment my other racks. The timbres and patches are out of the box outstanding compared to other early 90s keyboards imo, sound like they fit any purpose like the M1 does.
I have one of those, but unfortunately it's not working anymore. when I power it up, the screen backlight turns on but nothing else seems to work. Nothing else appears on screen, no sound or whatsoever. I Wonder if you had a similar problem? Is it possible to have something to do with the internal battery? if so, is it replaceable? Any help would be welcome. I love this module, and I'll do anything to bring it back to life. .. :( Thanks
I had one of these about 20 years ago and it was one of my favorite romplers. Right up there with Kurzweil. Now that I’m collecting relatively oddball synths I’m in the market for another. I have a technics wsa1, Alesis Fusion, and on the list is a Kawai k5000r, S2r, VZ10m, K5, FS1r, Prophecy,
Hi Paolo! What a great classic synth (that most just past by ... Because it has a GEM badge=home keyboard, right? 😕 have this and the holy grail S3 Turbo POLY AT keybed board. As you are based in it's home country and since their demise c.2007 😢 could you help me find source for keys as one broken and few have weights missing - probably rare design with this AT feature and can't find UK/US source to date. Help!! Grazie 😎
This was recorded straight to DAW through an SSL Alpha-Link MADI AX interface. But again, you can use any interface, the S2R sounds like that. It used state of the art technology and quality components, and back in its day it was considered one of best workstations on the market. It was a high-end piece of equipment.
The first GEM synth I heard was the Equinox, and the demos for it were stunning. Not a well known brand, maybe, but at least from what I heard, easily on par with the best.
Nice video... I was wondering if you have an OS floppy disk for the S2R? My S2R doesn't boot up (maybe a problem with the battery or so), and I try to find an OS floppy disk... If you have any idea that could help ;) Thanks
U can't see it in the video, but there is a very thin nylon string with one end connected to the S2R's data wheel, and the other end to my by right foot's big toe. I push my big toe down, and the patch changes. Sometimes I use MIDI out from the M1 to the S2R's MIDI in, too.
Here is a massively hidden gem! This and the K5R! Awesome vid!
It sounds really nostalgic and ''analog'' despite being fully digital. Truly an awesome hidden GEM, like Boulderdash 💎💎💎.
A very underrated machine.
OMG how had I missed this demo? Superb job as usual, but this time the S2R has surprised me in a good way. Thank you Paolo for these great demos. It's something magical when a real musician plays a real synth.
Many thanks!
I have a S3 bought in '93. Had to clean 2 years ago the "bed" of the keys because a couple weren't connecting properly. Still my fav Master, one of the best semi-weighted not to mention poly-after touch and Attack and RELEASE velocity among many features not so easy to find even in recent keyboards.
Sturdy and built like a tank, so underrated it stinks.
...much better than the M1 as a master in my opinion ;P
MrRefurbishedBrain a well engineered keyboard that got lost as an unknown brand in a sea of workstations at the time.
I just bought a used S3 for use as a master keyboard but am now programming sounds. Lack of RAM (other than 3.5" Disk is a real disadvantage). Well engineered though and quite expressive.
beautiful demo Paolo, I just got one of these and no floppies - I need to pull up the manual 🙂
I have a S2 turbo that I would like to explore. Could you perhaps make one of your wonderful Italo Disco videos using only the S2R??
Dónde consigo esos sonidos
Grande anchio controllo i rack tramite la korg M1
I have a GEM S2 Turbo. It's a great synth. The keyboard is very good as well.
I know an older video, but I am impressed to find a Generalmusic synth on your channel! I recall back in the 90's I was interested in the synths made by GEM as they were so rare and hard to find info on. Back then the internet wasn't as resource rich as it is now. I figured now i can hear demos of it and checked your channel first...bingo! What a lovely sounding synth :)
Yes, I remember that back when the S2 came out, it was marketed as a competitor to the Kurzweil K2000 - it had really good sounds in rom, good effects, great synthesis engine, but ultimately the brand "Generalmusic" just wasn't well known enough to compete, as much as people liked the magazine ad (a dude on a haystack with a seminaked model and the synth, lol :D Those were the days. Before these days of crazy PCness).
@@SynthManiaDotCom LOL, you hit the nail on the head, as I am 100% sure it was that exact ad that drew my attention to the Generalmusic brand :D
These buggers are pretty damn hard to find, hopefully can get one sometime to compliment my other racks. The timbres and patches are out of the box outstanding compared to other early 90s keyboards imo, sound like they fit any purpose like the M1 does.
I have one of those, but unfortunately it's not working anymore. when I power it up, the screen backlight turns on but nothing else seems to work. Nothing else appears on screen, no sound or whatsoever.
I Wonder if you had a similar problem?
Is it possible to have something to do with the internal battery? if so, is it replaceable?
Any help would be welcome. I love this module, and I'll do anything to bring it back to life. .. :(
Thanks
What great sounds!
wow i like that really nice sounding unit :)
ottimo video, quanto può essere valutato il GEM s3R?
I recently picked up an s2 turbo at the thrift shop
The last one is the most beatiful, anyone knows a closer sound on Juno-Di?
The patch named 2more" should be called "vangelis"
This GEM S2 is built on the hardware of the Kurzweil K2000r series.
Sorry, completely wrong, the GEM uses custom Generalmusic designed VLSI chips
Internals are totally different, though the layout is similar. One could argue that it was designed on the SY77 and be just as wrong.
I had one of these about 20 years ago and it was one of my favorite romplers. Right up there with Kurzweil. Now that I’m collecting relatively oddball synths I’m in the market for another. I have a technics wsa1, Alesis Fusion, and on the list is a Kawai k5000r, S2r, VZ10m, K5, FS1r, Prophecy,
How do u change the patches from the m1's keyboard w/out touching the module?(Like u did)
Hi Paolo! What a great classic synth (that most just past by ... Because it has a GEM badge=home keyboard, right? 😕 have this and the holy grail S3 Turbo POLY AT keybed board. As you are based in it's home country and since their demise c.2007 😢 could you help me find source for keys as one broken and few have weights missing - probably rare design with this AT feature and can't find UK/US source to date. Help!! Grazie 😎
Epic!
How can you obtain a sound so warm and so clear?
Have you used some additive effect?
+max gib No, no additional effects. The S2R sounds like that.
But with recorder type?
This was recorded straight to DAW through an SSL Alpha-Link MADI AX interface. But again, you can use any interface, the S2R sounds like that. It used state of the art technology and quality components, and back in its day it was considered one of best workstations on the market. It was a high-end piece of equipment.
The first GEM synth I heard was the Equinox, and the demos for it were stunning. Not a well known brand, maybe, but at least from what I heard, easily on par with the best.
I used to own one and yes: it just sounds that good.
Nice video... I was wondering if you have an OS floppy disk for the S2R?
My S2R doesn't boot up (maybe a problem with the battery or so), and I try to find an OS floppy disk... If you have any idea that could help ;)
Thanks