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[[File:Doug Curtis.jpg|right|200px]]'''Doug Curtis''' (died 2007) founder of Curtis Electromusic Specialties, now known as [[OnChip Systems]]. One of the most important and least known synthesizer pioneers of the 20th century.<ref>Keyboard magazine [http://www.gearslutz.com/board/2157011-post13.html April, 2007]</ref> The designer of many original [[analogue]] [[Integrated circuit|ICs]], widely used in [[electronic music instrument]]s.
'''Doug Curtis''' (? - 2007) founder of [[Curtis Electromusic Specialties]] and OnChip Systems.


In high school with an interest in sound and music [[electronics]], he designed and built a [[synthesizer]]. He majored from [[Northwestern University (disambiguation)|Northwestern University]], with radio-TV-film. While here he perfected several more synthesizers. Upon graduation, he qualified for a post as junior engineer by showing circuit boards of his designs. He entered a competition to design a semicustom chip and as a result was offered a job at [[Interdesign]], where he worked for four years.<ref name="cem">[http://curtiselectromusic.com/Doug_Curtis.html Doug Curtis] at curtiselectromusic.com</ref>
In high school with an interest in sound and music [[electronics]], he designed and built a [[synthesizer]]. He majored from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_University Northwestern University], with radio-TV-film. While here he perfected several more synthesizers. Upon graduation, he qualified for a post as junior engineer by showing circuit boards of his designs. He entered a competition to design a semicustom chip and as a result was offered a job at [[Interdesign, Inc.|Interdesign]], where he worked for four years.<ref name="cem">[https://web.archive.org/web/20130429124424/http://curtiselectromusic.com/Doug_Curtis.html Doug Curtis] at curtiselectromusic.com</ref>


He founded Curtis Electromusic Specialties, which produced the [[integrated circuit]]s that were used in a [[CEM and SSM chips in synthesizers|variety]] of [[analog synthesizer]]s for decades. There are several patents in his name. in 2006 he was inducted into the [http://www.sanjoserocks.org/ San Jose Rocks] Hall of Fame for technical contributions to music. With the advent of digital technology, Doug formed the company OnChip Systems.<ref name="cem"/>
He founded Curtis Electromusic Specialties, which produced the integrated circuits that were used in a [[OnChip Systems#CEM ICs used in|variety]] of [[analog synthesizer]]s for decades. There are several patents in his name. in 2006 he was inducted into the [http://www.sanjoserocks.org/ San Jose Rocks] Hall of Fame for technical contributions to music. In 1988<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170912072208/http://www.sanjoserocks.org/i_doug_curtis.htm San Jose Rocks]</ref> with the advent of digital technology, Doug formed the company OnChip Systems.<ref name="cem" />


Musical instruments with CEM ICs are said to have ''that Curtis sound'', described as "fantastically saturated, brash and powerful".<ref>Description at [http://turkusynth.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/sci-p600-sounds/ Sequential Circuits Prophet-600 sounds]</ref>
==External links==
*[http://curtiselectromusic.com/ Curtis Electromusic] website
*[http://www.sanjoserocks.org/i_doug_curtis.htm San Jose Rocks] page on Doug Curtis


==References==
== See also ==
* [[OnChip Systems]]

== References ==
{{From Wikipedia|Doug_Curtis}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
{{stub}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080124170117/http://curtiselectromusic.com/ Curtis Electromusic] website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170912072208/http://www.sanjoserocks.org/i_doug_curtis.htm San Jose Rocks] page on Doug Curtis
* [http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mercurynews/obituary.aspx?pid=85954939#fbLoggedOut Obituary] in ''San Jose Mercury News'' 14 Jan 2007
* [https://medium.com/@brandwisdom/flight-to-the-future-1de562b861c3 Flight To The Future] by Mary Pacifico Curtis, 22 Oct 2019





{{DEFAULTSORT:Curtis, Doug}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Curtis, Doug}}
[[Category:Analog synthesizers]]
[[Category:Designers]]
[[Category:Computer hardware engineers]]
[[Category:American inventors|Curtis, Doug]]
[[Category:Audio engineers]]
[[Category:Synthesizer manufacturing companies]]

Latest revision as of 14:10, 24 January 2023

Doug Curtis (died 2007) founder of Curtis Electromusic Specialties, now known as OnChip Systems. One of the most important and least known synthesizer pioneers of the 20th century.[1] The designer of many original analogue ICs, widely used in electronic music instruments.

In high school with an interest in sound and music electronics, he designed and built a synthesizer. He majored from Northwestern University, with radio-TV-film. While here he perfected several more synthesizers. Upon graduation, he qualified for a post as junior engineer by showing circuit boards of his designs. He entered a competition to design a semicustom chip and as a result was offered a job at Interdesign, where he worked for four years.[2]

He founded Curtis Electromusic Specialties, which produced the integrated circuits that were used in a variety of analog synthesizers for decades. There are several patents in his name. in 2006 he was inducted into the San Jose Rocks Hall of Fame for technical contributions to music. In 1988[3] with the advent of digital technology, Doug formed the company OnChip Systems.[2]

Musical instruments with CEM ICs are said to have that Curtis sound, described as "fantastically saturated, brash and powerful".[4]

See also

References

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia:Doug_Curtis (view authors).

  1. ^ Keyboard magazine April, 2007
  2. ^ a b Doug Curtis at curtiselectromusic.com
  3. ^ San Jose Rocks
  4. ^ Description at Sequential Circuits Prophet-600 sounds

External links