Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $90
Budget/Beginner
$500
$1501+
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Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Crumar Performer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 25, 2026.
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Description
Step back in time with a modern twist—the Crumar Performer. This vintage-inspired virtual synthesizer channels the spirit of its 1979 hardware predecessor, delivering authentic sound and unmatched versatility. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a synth enthusiast, this instrument offers a unique journey through soundscapes that combine nostalgia with cutting-edge technology.
The Crumar Performer boasts a 49-voice polyphony, ensuring each note is as rich and full-bodied as the last. Its intuitive control panel mirrors the original design with a brass section on the left, strings in the center, and a modulation section with volume control on the right. This thoughtful layout provides not only ease of use but also an immersive experience that invites creativity.
For those who crave customization, the Performer offers a choice between Rev.A and Rev.B filters, alongside a "Sustain Modification" feature that allows for further sound sculpting. With built-in reverb and chorus effects, along with pedal effect simulations such as graphic EQ, phaser, flanger, and analog delay, your sonic possibilities are nearly limitless.
Seamless integration into any setup is a breeze with its MIDI-Learn feature and MIDI map import/export capabilities, making it a versatile addition to both live and studio environments. The Crumar Performer doesn’t just replicate the past—it reshapes it, offering a timeless sound that’s ready for today's music landscape.
Key Features:
- Replica of the full polyphonic hardware synthesizer from 1979
- 49-voice polyphony
- Authentic simulation of the original hardware circuit
- Control panel with sections for brass, strings, and modulation
- Options for Rev.A and Rev.B filters with "Sustain Modification"
- Internal adjustable reverb and chorus effects
- Pedal effect simulations: graphic EQ, phaser, flanger, and analog delay
- MIDI-Learn and MIDI map import/export features
- Bank and program import/export options
Product specs
| Available since | June 2021 |
| Single/Bundle article | Los artikel |
| Akustik Keys/Pianos | No |
| Beat production / Drum machines | No |
| Wind Instruments | No |
| Cinematic / Effects | No |
| Chorus / Vocals | No |
| Drums / Percussion | No |
| E-Pianos | No |
| Ethno / Folk | No |
| Guitars/plucked instruments | No |
| Loops/Construction-Kits | No |
| Orchestra Instruments | No |
| Organs | No |
| String Bass | No |
| Sampler | No |
| String Instruments | No |
| Synthesizer | Yes |
| Vintage Instrument | Yes |
| Hardware Controller | No |
| Download | 1 |
FAQs
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Is the Crumar Performer synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?
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The Crumar Performer is a polyphonic synthesizer, allowing you to play multiple notes simultaneously, which is ideal for creating rich, layered sounds.
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What standout features does the Crumar Performer offer?
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The Crumar Performer is known for its vintage analog sound, particularly excelling in string and brass synthesis. It features a simple interface that makes it easy to dial in classic tones.
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Does the Crumar Performer integrate easily with modern DAWs?
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While the Crumar Performer is a vintage-style synthesizer, it can be integrated into modern setups using MIDI interfaces, but it does not have built-in USB or DAW-specific integration.
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What kind of sounds can I expect from the Crumar Performer?
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The Crumar Performer specializes in lush string and brass sounds, offering a warm, classic analog tone that's ideal for vintage and retro music styles.
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Is the Crumar Performer suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Crumar Performer is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build and straightforward controls, making it easy to adjust settings on the fly.
Videos
AnalogAudio1
CRUMAR PERFORMER String Machine 1979 | HD DEMO
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Crumar Performer.
Build quality
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Some Crumar Performer units suffer from broken potentiometer shafts, though they are generally reported as functional besides scratchy pots.
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User experience
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It's noted that finding vintage synths like the Crumar Performer in dumps or recycling centers is surprisingly common, despite potential minor damages.
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Owners describe the high strings as transformative, elevating tracks into "magical territory," highlighting the Performer's impact on music production.
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Setup and maintenance
Mods and upgrades
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Replacing socketed 4558 op amp chips can resolve issues like volume dropouts and malfunctioning brass sections, offering a straightforward fix without soldering.
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Features and functionality
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Brass section issues could be due to dirty interconnects, a common problem noted by owners.
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The Performer lacks a CV input, but its gate output can trigger effects like LFO reset on analog rack flangers, enhancing its versatility in vintage setups.
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It's noted that the gate output is labeled with a negative sign, sparking discussions about its compatibility with CV systems and triggering setups.
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Use cases and applications
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The audio output can connect to a Moog Model D's External Input, allowing polyphonic sounds to be processed through Moog's superior filter and envelopes.
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Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 11 Ratings
141
Provides Useful Perspective on the Heritage of Polysynths
Many of my favorite analog synth sounds are some combination of sounds that were originally intended to emulate brass or string instruments. While early synth-using piano players who wanted to compose brass or string parts might have been disappointed in the accuracy of these emulations but I'm grateful for the result of these inaccuracies. I play with the Performer as an homage to that history, but also because on the Performer, there's nothing in the way of achieving a simple resonant-filtered mishmash of inaccurate brass and string sounds, which is essentially what we all mean when we say "lush pad". Bonuses on this machine: it's easy to open up and work on, and there's a separate output for the brass sound.
Artist usage
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Nick Rhodes used it to good effect in Duran Duran and described the sound as "plasticky".
He uses Crumar Performer on this video clip. One can tell that the strings in the song Montreal are coming from this vintage guy.
In this live L'impératrice performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sELxgrgaQUk you can see the beign used by Charles de Boisseguin
Detroit Swindle showcases their Crumar Performer synthesizer in an Instagram post by damswindle, captioned, "Slowly but surely we're expanding the HQ... What will be the next addition?" This highlights the duo's ongoing commitment to enhancing their studio setup.
At 1:55 in the interview Max says: "I mostly work with the Crumar" plus it's visible throughout the video, most notably at 2:00.
At 4 minutes and 38 seconds into the YouTube documentary titled "The Secret Keyboardist of Robert Plant & Black Sabbath: Jezz Woodroffe" by JCM - Led Zeppelin Stories and more, it is shown that Gerald Woodruffe used a Crumar Performer on his solo album "Opposite Directions," confirming his use of this specific music gear.
Album Usage
The Crumar Performer has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Crumar Performer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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