RMI Harmonic Synthesizer

4.0 (1)

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using RMI Harmonic Synthesizer

1 wishlisted

1 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

RMI introduced it's first and only synthesizer, the RMI Harmonic Synthesizer, in 1974. Although it was housed in the familiar RMI case, it was totally different than any previous RMI keyboard. The instrument was monophonic, with two independent digital harmonic generators. Each generator's waveform could be modified independently, effectively like having two synthesizers by depressing one key.

Videos

Add video

Vykaar Tones

RMI Harmonic Synthesizer quick test

Vykaar Tones

ARCADIA - RMI Harmonic Synthesizer

MOS-LAB

DinosaurierTreffen 2018 Synthesizer Demos, RMI Harmonic Demo

Moogulator

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about RMI Harmonic Synthesizer.

Features and functionality

0 0

The RMI Harmonic Synthesizer uses 16-band harmonic controls for sound modulation, a unique method compared to traditional filter sweeps.
Source
0 0

The synthesizer's harmonics can be manually adjusted, creating static waveforms, unlike traditional LFOs and EGs that allow dynamic sound evolution.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The RMI's harmonic control approach is likened to Hammond organs' drawbars, offering a similar additive synthesis experience.
Source
0 0

Synclavier II, with its additive and FM synthesis, is noted as a more advanced counterpart to explore evolving sound designs compared to the RMI.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners find the task of adjusting individual harmonics cumbersome, highlighting the challenge of achieving significant sound changes with each knob.
Source

Add review

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

firak

6782

over 10 years ago

SOS Jean Michel Jarre Page

At SOS Jean Michel Jarre Page, photo note: "One of the most unusual synths in Jarre’s collection is the RMI Harmonic Synthesizer, an early additive synth. On top of it is an even rarer device: the Digisequencer matrix sequencer custom–built by Michel Geiss to Jarre’s specification."

Roles:

Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic

Artist usage

Add artist

Aphex Twin

Music Producer

Universal Indicator

Verified via Photo

Appears on the equipment list used to make Syro.

Jean Michel Jarre

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Dustbins

Verified via Soundonsound

In this picture of Jean Michel Jarre's studio, you can see a RMI Harmonic Synthesizer.

Guy Berryman

Bassist, Music Producer

Coldplay

Verified via YouTube

Person who uploaded this video actually played Berryman's RMI Harmonic Synthesizer. This very synth came to the person for servicing, but he also took a video of playing the very synth. The person confirms this in the comments' section.

Jean Michel Andrè Jarre

Verified via Free

Albums which use RMI Harmonic Synthesizer : • Oxygene > Oxygene Part 4

Oxygene Part 5

• Equinoxe

• Rendez-vous > Troisième Rendez-vous / Third Rendez-vous

• Oxygene 7-13 > Oxygene 11

Emperor Machine (Andy Meecham)

Verified via YouTube

In a studio tour video by MusicRadar Tech, Andy Meecham of Emperor Machine showcases the RMI Harmonic Synthesizer, highlighting its role in his music production.