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Average Price: $8,855
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Description
Step into the world of vintage synthesis with the EML ElectroComp 101, a classic synthesizer celebrated for its unique sound and modular flexibility. This semi-modular analog synth, originally crafted in the 1970s, has made a remarkable comeback, appealing to both nostalgic musicians and modern sound designers. Known for its distinctive patchable design, the ElectroComp 101 allows users to explore an expansive sonic landscape with a variety of modulation options.
Featuring an array of oscillators, filters, and amplifiers, the ElectroComp 101 offers a wide tonal palette, from rich, warm basses to shimmering, ethereal leads. The synth's robust construction and intuitive interface make it an excellent choice for live performance, studio recording, or any creative setting where sound exploration is key. The versatile signal routing capabilities empower musicians to experiment with unconventional sound paths, enabling the creation of truly unique audio experiences.
Whether you’re diving into the past to capture classic sounds or pushing boundaries to discover new ones, the EML ElectroComp 101 stands as an inspiring tool for artistic expression.
Key Features:
- Semi-modular design with extensive patching options
- Dual oscillators for a rich, layered sound
- Multi-mode filter for versatile tonal shaping
- Built-in amplifiers and envelope generators
- Compatible with other modular and semi-modular synths
- Ideal for both live performance and studio use
Product specs
| Brand | Electronic Music Laboratories |
| Model | Electrocomp EML-101 |
| Finish | Silver |
| Year | 1970s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Desktop Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Polyphony | 2 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the EML ElectroComp 101 a polyphonic or monophonic synthesizer?
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The EML ElectroComp 101 is a duophonic synthesizer, meaning it can play two notes simultaneously, allowing for simple chord or interval playing.
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What type of synthesis does the EML ElectroComp 101 use?
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The EML ElectroComp 101 utilizes analog synthesis, which is known for its warm, rich sound characteristic of vintage synths from the 1970s.
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What are the standout features of the EML ElectroComp 101's sound engine?
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The EML ElectroComp 101 features robust modulation options and a flexible signal path, making it capable of producing a wide range of sounds from classic leads to experimental textures.
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How portable is the EML ElectroComp 101 for live performances?
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The EML ElectroComp 101 is a desktop synthesizer, which makes it relatively portable compared to larger keyboard synths, though it may require careful handling due to its vintage nature.
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Does the EML ElectroComp 101 require any special maintenance due to its vintage status?
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As a vintage analog synthesizer, regular maintenance like cleaning contacts and checking for component wear is recommended to keep it in optimal working condition.
Videos
Telekom Electronic Beats TV
ELECTROCOMP EML 101 PRESENTED BY THOMAS P. HECKMANN
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EML ElectroComp 101.
Features and functionality
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The EML ElectroComp 101 was an early ARP competitor, known for its unique analog sounds and American-made quality.
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Allows alteration of key intervals, a unique feature that some find impractical without a standard interval detent.
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The EML ElectroComp 101 has an unusual scaling of 1.4 V/octave with a 4.6 V DC offset, which can be challenging for standard sequencer compatibility.
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Use cases and applications
Build quality
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The metal chassis contributes to its durability, though other materials like plastic parts may be less robust.
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Comparisons
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Owners suggest replacing it with multiple Moog Grandmothers for a better synthesis base point if selling for educational purposes.
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User experience
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Discovering and using the ElectroComp 101 in unexpected places, like university storage, adds to its mystique and rare find appeal.
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Recording audio through a cell phone mic can significantly diminish sound quality, highlighting the importance of proper audio capture methods for showcasing mods.
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Setup and maintenance
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Tuning stability issues are noted, with difficulty achieving consistent tuning across the keyboard's range.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist"In late 1994, Rivers purchased a vintage Electrocomp 101 monophonic synthesizer from a pawn shop in rural Connecticut. He paid a fraction of what these things are currently valued at by collectors. It saw use on several "Black Hole" demos, and finally appeared on Pinkerton's "Tired Of Sex" , "Getchoo", and B-side "I Just Threw Out The Love of My Dreams". He still has it today."
"Basically everything we’ve used we practically still have here. So it’s a list too long to go into. There is a wall alone that is the orginal setup of Skinny Puppy, based around a pair of Roland TR-808’s, Roland TR-909 with trigs going to many differnat devices including Sequential Circuits Pro One, Roland System 100m, ElectroComp Eml 101, Korg SQ-10, Korg MS-20, Korg MS-10, ARP 2500 and ARP 2600."
Pictured is Mark playing around with his EML 101 (connected to an EML PolyBox), sometime around 1978. I'm not sure if this made it onto any Devo recordings.
Peter Wolf is confirmed to have used the EML ElectroComp 101 synthesizer in his work with Frank Zappa, as detailed in the article titled "Little Band We Used To Play In" from the June 1980 issue of Keyboard magazine.
Info fom the 1993 Album Cover . air liquide - air liquide . (1993 blue 006) cd
Arp 2600 EML Electro comp 101/EML 400 EMS VCS 3/ Vocoder 3000/ Hifli E-mu Emulator 1/ Modular/ SP 1200 Korg MSM/ PS 3100/ PS 3300 Moog 55/ adv. Memory Moog/ Prodigy Oberheim SEM/ SEM 4 Voice/ DMX/ Matrix12 OSCar Rhodes Chroma RMI Keyboard Computer II Roland System 700/ System 100M/ SH101/ JD800/ TR909/ TR808/ TR727/ TR606/TB303 (3x)/ SH09/ SH5/ MKS7/ MKS30/ MKS50/ MKS80/ S750/ SVC350/ SPV350/ JX3P/ Jupiter 8 RSF Kobol Exp.II SCi Prophet10/ P600/ Pro One/ DrumTraks Steiner Parker Modular/ Synthecon Synthanorma Octavfilter Synergy II+ Synton Syrinx Yamaha CS 30L/ CS 15/ CS 80
Interview with Tommy Mars TM: Well it’s just amazing, when I did my audition and Frank said “You brought some gear with you?” I brought my Rhodes, and I brought my Electrocomp, and my Taurus bass pedals, and he said “what’s this?” and I undid it and I played something, and of course my signature sound was a French horn kind of brass sound that it did, it was my kind of signature, and his jaw dropped . I don’t think he’d had ever heard a synth kind of do that kind of sound in that kind of expression that it was able to have.
And I said “this E-mu you that you have?”, and he was just like so proud of his E-mu, this is so funny man!), and the only sound that he had on it , which is the easiest sound in the world to make, was a little pipe organ sound, an eight foot and a four foot, no envelope, no nothing, I said “you mean with all this that’s all you got?”(laughs), and he says “Yeah?” and I said “Well I don’t think you noticed that the Electrocomp is very similar, I could set this sound up exactly for you on the E-mu, and then you’d have five voices, you’d have complete polyphony”. And in those days that was like, you know, going to the emerald city, like follow the yellow brick road!”
In an interview titled "All Bass Players Are Failed Ukulele Players: The Arthur Barrow Interview" from October 1992, Arthur Barrow mentions using an "Electricomp" for his work on The Doors' An American Prayer, specifically on the track "The Movie". This was clarified by Zappa writer Charles Ulrich as referring to the EML ElectroComp 101.
Album Usage
The EML ElectroComp 101 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 EML ElectroComp 101, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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