Multivox

Multivox was an American-based synthesizer company since the mid-1970s until the 1980s. Originally it was founded in the mid-1940s as the guitar and amplifier manufacturing subsidiary of Peter Sorkin Music Company (Sorkin Music), a New York-based retailer/wholesaler. Then eventually it established separate corporate identity, and after the close of Sorkin Music in the mid-1970s, it continued in existence for fourteen years, according to the Blue Book of Guitar Values.[1] They specialized in delivering Japanese-designed and built equipment to the American market. They were criticized as having design and circuitry extremely similar to but inferior to designs by Roland. Multivox ceased trading in the early 1980s having "faded into synth history", according to the Synthmuseum.[2] In addition to synthesizers, the company marketed several Effects pedals. These included the Big Jam series guitar effects line.

MULTIVOX MX-75 dual voice synthesizer

Re-branding

As a result of the old criticism of Multivox synthesizer technology and their comparisons with Roland hardware, several hoax/fraudulent cases have occurred. The main hoax was based around a Multivox MX-3000 synthesizer (the flagship of the Multivox range). These machines are quite rare although not particularly sought for by collectors and musicians. Hence when a Roland MX-3000 was offered for sale much controversy surrounding the original Multivox design was stirred up. Eventually the seller admitted that the synthesizer was in fact Multivox, but he had re-badged it in an attempt to generate interest. [3]

The Multivox range

Synthesizers

Multivox produced over 15 different types of synthesizers, almost all with names beginning with "MX-" (except for SQ-01).

SQ-01 (1981), a forerunner of TB-303

Digital sequencers

Effect processors

Big Jam series - guitar effect pedals

BigJam SE-9 Biphase Phaser

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Multivox.

References

  1. "MULTIVOX Electric Guitars". Blue Book of Guitar Values. Blue Book Publications, Inc. 2012. Source: Michael Wright, Guitar Stories, Volume One.
  2. Multivox, Synthmuseum
  3. rüediger lorenz_synthesizer collection, a sample of re-badged MX-3000.
  4. Nabble - Electronic Music » Analogue Heaven, "FS: Multivox MX-20"
  5. Multivox MX-30, Synthmuseum
  6. Multivox MX-57/ELECTRO-SNARE (photo)
  7. Multivox MX-150/Basky II (photo)
  8. Multivox MX-202, Hollowsun
  9. Multivox MX-440 #1-4, Transanalog - Front panel of  re-badged MX-440 said "MX-440".
  10. Multivox MX-440 #1-11, Transanalog - Manufacture's plate of  re-badged MX-440 said "Model MX-202".
  11. MX-450 Bass Pedal Synthesizer Demo (movie), MATRIXSYNTH
  12. MX-880, MATRIXSYNTH
  13. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Jul02/articles/retrozone0702.asp?print=yes
  14. Multivox MX-2000, Roland SH-2000, Roland SH-1000, MATRIXSYNTH - Comparison report of 3 models.
  15. Multivox International, SYNRISE (in Deutsche)
  16. Hammond Leslie FAQ - Hammond and Leslie Clones, TheatreOrgans.com