Vintage Synth Explorer

Ensoniq • Fizmo

The Fizmo is a 48-voice synthesizer which uses 2nd-generation Transwave technology to create very organic sounds unlike any other synth available. Every programming function has its own dedicated knob or button, and there is a limited but useful 4-character LCD display. The Fizmo features an Arpeggiator and 24-bit VLSI effects with 41 algorithms, including a Vocoder and the ability to process incoming audio through the Vocoder and effects.

Transwave synthesis uses wavetables of sound data with layered variations in harmonic structures such that their timbres progress naturally from one end to the other. This allows for sounds to modulate over time, or by velocity, wheel, pressure, or any number of other options.

There are 2 oscillators available for each of the 4 presets allowing for 8 unique oscillators at the same time, not to mention individual LFO and Noise generators for each Osc. Another wonderful feature is the ability to stack up to four individual presets together into one sound and map them across the keyboard. This synth is very capable of some very complex sounds.

The built-in Arpeggiator has 118 presets which can be easily edited to your liking, and 26 real-time control/editing knobs make mutating your sound a pleasure. All controls may be recorded in real-time to an external sequencer. There are current operating systems and patches available over the internet from Emu/Ensoniq's Web site.

The Fizmo Rack is 5U rack-mount version of the Fizmo with more patches. The Fizmo will appeal to anyone who creates electronic music, particularly those into techno, trance, ambient or industrial. Sound designers and film composers would also enjoy this synth. The evolving motion and rhythmic patterns of its sounds created by the Transwave technology set this synth apart from the others. The Fizmo has been used by Eat Static.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Strat

Posted Yesterday

Good luck finding a rack, or even a key'd version these days. There are a few that pop up on Ebay now and then from people who don't know what they've bought, but as collectors scoop them up, this is getting more rare.

Don't expect any sounds that are playable in a normal sense (pianos, organs, workstation-style PCM rom banks) this one's for the Vangelis-inspired neveau techno crowd.

Yann (Iszoloscope)

Posted 8 days ago

Dan, I am curious about the figures that you mentioned.
500 keyboard versions and 50 racks?

Could you or anyone find a citation to back this up?

DJM23

Posted 35 days ago

Its funny seeing Joie Hinton comment below - the reason I fell in love with this beast was watching the Ozrics a few times and Eat Static once, and it seemed that every time he touched the Fizmo it kinda went supernova. Impossible to get hold of one of these though, which is a shame...am still hoping it will become uncool and people will dump theirs on ebay for not many notes...

cody bailey

Posted 40 days ago

i have a fizmo rack.ive considered selling it, not sure what to ask for it....if anyone is even interested, email me at southpaw@droptest.org put FIZMO RACK in the subject. i may sell it, who knows.... peace.

dan

Posted 111 days ago

this thing is bonkers - one came my way so i took it on...

about 500 key versions were made, and 50 rack units!

I can see the appeal of the rack as this synth basically plays itself so no need for a keyboard :) Someone on the yahoo fizmo group has butchered a keyboard to make a rack version

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