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Usually referred to by the the acronym '''SSM''' which can mean '''Solid State Micro Technolgy for Music''', Solid State Music Technology or Solid State Microelectronics depending on which documentation one looks at.<ref name="emwssm">Electronic Music wiki:[http://electronicmusic.wikia.com/wiki/SSM SSM]</ref>
[[File:Solid State Micro Technology for Music logo.png|right|150px]]Usually referred to by the the acronym '''SSM''' which can mean '''Solid State Micro Technolgy''', '''Solid State Micro Technolgy for Music''', '''Solid State Music Technology''' or '''Solid State Microelectronics''' depending on which documentation one looks at.<ref name="emwssm">Electronic Music wiki:[http://electronicmusic.wikia.com/wiki/SSM SSM]</ref>


== The company ==
== The company ==
Founded in 1975<ref name="ss">[http://gyraf.dk/schematics/VCAs_Ben_Duncan.pdf ''VCAs Invesigated part two''] by Ben Duncan, Studio Sound, p.60, Jul. 1989</ref> by John Robert Burgoon,<ref name="hae">{{Cite web |url=http://www.anchor-electronics.com/about_us/about_us.html |title=History of Anchor-Electronics |accessdate=2012-12-18 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103111420/http://www.anchor-electronics.com/about_us/about_us.html |archivedate=2013-01-03 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> Solid State Music Technology (SSM) originated out the [[Wikipedia:Homebrew Computer Club|Homebrew Computer Club]], an early 1970s Silicon Valley computer hobbyist group.<ref name="emwssm" /> It was one of two companies that in the mid-1970s designed and sold [[analog]] [[integrated circuit]]s used in [[synthesizer]]s, the other was [[OnChip Systems|Curtis Electromusic Specialties]].
Founded in 1975<ref name="ss">[http://gyraf.dk/schematics/VCAs_Ben_Duncan.pdf ''VCAs Invesigated part two''] by Ben Duncan, Studio Sound, p.60, Jul. 1989</ref> by John Robert Burgoon,<ref name="hae">[https://web.archive.org/web/20130103111420/http://www.anchor-electronics.com/about_us/about_us.html History of Anchor-Electronics] (archived)</ref> Solid State Music Technology (SSM) originated out the [[Wikipedia:Homebrew Computer Club|Homebrew Computer Club]], an early 1970s Silicon Valley computer hobbyist group.<ref name="emwssm" /> It was one of two companies that in the mid-1970s designed and sold [[analog]] [[integrated circuit]]s used in [[synthesizer]]s, the other was [[OnChip Systems|Curtis Electromusic Specialties]].


SSMs first products were computer boards for the now-obsolete [[S-100 bus]] standard, including some boards intended for music applications. As [[Dave Rossum]] told the story in a 1981 interview with [[Polyphony (magazine)|Polyphony magazine]], an engineer named [[Ron Dow]] had come to [[E-mu Systems]] looking for funding to develop a [[voltage controlled amplifier]] on a chip. However, the proposed design would not have been compatible with the [[modular synthesizer]]s that E-mu was selling at the time, so they turned Dow down. Dow then went to SSM and they agreed to fund the project and market it. The result was the first synthesizer-specific integrated circuit, the SSM2000 VCA. The following year, Dow came back with an idea for an improved design that was compatible with E-mu's systems and E-mu became involved with SSM in the design, the result was the SSM2010.<ref name="emwssm" /><ref name="dri">[http://www.siliconbreakdown.com/rossum_interview.htm Interview of Dave Rossum] by Jay Lee in Polyphony Magazine Nov/Dec 1981</ref>
SSMs first products were computer boards for the now-obsolete [[S-100 bus]] standard, including some boards intended for music applications. As [[Dave Rossum]] told the story in a 1981 interview with [[Polyphony (magazine)|Polyphony magazine]], an engineer named [[Ron Dow]] had come to [[E-mu Systems]] looking for funding to develop a [[voltage controlled amplifier]] on a chip. However, the proposed design would not have been compatible with the [[modular synthesizer]]s that E-mu was selling at the time, so they turned Dow down. Dow then went to SSM and they agreed to fund the project and market it. The result was the first synthesizer-specific integrated circuit, the SSM2000 VCA. The following year, Dow came back with an idea for an improved design that was compatible with E-mu's systems and E-mu became involved with SSM in the design, the result was the SSM2010.<ref name="emwssm" /><ref name="dri">[http://www.siliconbreakdown.com/rossum_interview.htm Interview of Dave Rossum] by Jay Lee in Polyphony Magazine Nov/Dec 1981</ref>
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SSM was bought out by PMI, which in turn was acquired by [[Analog Devices]], the current owner.<ref>[http://www.chipdocs.com/manufacturers/SSMTM.html ChipDocs]</ref> Most of the classic SSM synth-specific designs are long out of production, but AD does still produce some of the [[VCA]] circuits and [[matched transistor|matched transistor arrays]].<ref name="emwssm" />
SSM was bought out by PMI, which in turn was acquired by [[Analog Devices]], the current owner.<ref>[http://www.chipdocs.com/manufacturers/SSMTM.html ChipDocs]</ref> Most of the classic SSM synth-specific designs are long out of production, but AD does still produce some of the [[VCA]] circuits and [[matched transistor|matched transistor arrays]].<ref name="emwssm" />


== Reissues ==
== Equivalents ==
Functionally equivalent ICs have been produced by [[Alfa Rpar AS]], [[Coolaudio International Ltd.]] and [[Sound Semiconductor Inc]].
[[Sound Semiconductor Inc]] has reprised the SSM2044 and SSM2164 as SSI2144 and SSI2164.


== SSM ICs ==
== SSM ICs ==
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* [[SSM2014]] – Operational voltage controlled element
* [[SSM2014]] – Operational voltage controlled element
* [[SSM2015]] – Microphone preamplifier
* [[SSM2015]] – Microphone preamplifier
* [[SSM2020]] – Monolithic /log/antilog amplifier
* [[SSM2020]] – Monolithic /log/antilog amplifier, also as XR5101
* [[SSM2022]] – Dual linear-antilog VCA
* [[SSM2022]] – Dual linear-antilog VCA
* [[SSM2024]] – Quad [[current controlled amplifier]] (quad VCA)
* [[SSM2024]] – Quad [[current controlled amplifier]] (quad VCA)
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* [[SSM2036]] – VCO
* [[SSM2036]] – VCO
* [[SSM2038]] – VCO
* [[SSM2038]] – VCO
* [[SSM2040]] – [[Voltage controlled filter]] (VCF)
* [[SSM2040]] – [[Voltage controlled filter]] (VCF), also as XR5099
* [[SSM2044]] – four pole voltage controlled filter
* [[SSM2044]] – four pole voltage controlled filter
* [[SSM2045]] – Music Voicing System (2-Pole and 4-Pole Low Pass VCF and Mixer/VCA)
* [[SSM2045]] – Music Voicing System (2-Pole and 4-Pole Low Pass VCF and Mixer/VCA)
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* [[SSM2164]] – Low Cost Quad Voltage Controlled Amplifier
* [[SSM2164]] – Low Cost Quad Voltage Controlled Amplifier
* [[SSM2300]] – 8 channel [[Multiplex|multiplexed]] [[sample and hold]]
* [[SSM2300]] – 8 channel [[Multiplex|multiplexed]] [[sample and hold]]
<ref name="cem">{{Cite web |url=http://curtiselectromusic.com/Customers_and_Instruments.html |title=Curtis Electromusic |accessdate=2012-12-18 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502132536/http://curtiselectromusic.com/Customers_and_Instruments.html |archivedate=2013-05-02 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref><ref name="sd">[http://www.sequencer.de/specials/synthesizer_chip.html Synthesizer Database] by Moogulator</ref><ref name="ssmds">SSM data sheets</ref>
<ref name="cem">[https://web.archive.org/web/20130502132536/http://curtiselectromusic.com/Customers_and_Instruments.html Customers and Instruments], Curtis Electromusic (archived)</ref><ref name="sd">[http://www.sequencer.de/specials/synthesizer_chip.html Synthesizer Database] by Moogulator</ref><ref name="ssmds">SSM data sheets</ref>


== Synthesizers using SSM ICs ==
== Synthesizers using x SSM ICs ==
=== Prebuilt ===
=== Prebuilt ===
* [[Akai VX600]] - 9 SSM2300
* Akai VX600 - 9 x SSM2300
* [[Buchla 296e]] – 8 SSM2020
* Buchla 296e – 8 x SSM2020
* [[Crumar Bit 01]] – 6 SSM2044 in early models
* Crumar Bit One – 6 x SSM2044 in early models
* [[Crumar Performer B]] – SSM2040, SSM2050 <!-- amounts? -->
* Crumar Performer B – x SSM2040, x SSM2050 <!-- amounts? -->
* [[Stratus]] – 1 SSM2020, 1 SSM2055
* Stratus – 1 x SSM2020, 1 x SSM2055
* [[Crumar Trilogy]] – 1 SSM2020
* Crumar Trilogy – 1 x SSM2020
* [[Division 6 Filtare SEIII]] - <!--?-->
* Division 6 Filtare SEIII - <!--?-->
* [[Doepfer A-105 24db SSM Low Pass Filter]] - 1 SSM2044
* Doepfer A-105 24db x SSM Low Pass Filter - 1 x SSM2044
* [[E-mu Systems Drumulator]] – 2 SSM2044
* E-mu Systems Drumulator – 2 x SSM2044
* [[E-mu Systems SP-12]] – 2 SSM2044
* E-mu Systems SP-12 – 2 x SSM2044
* [[E-mu Systems SP-1200]] – 2 SSM2044
* E-mu Systems SP-1200 – 2 x SSM2044
* [[E-mu Systems Emulator]] – 4 SSM2044
* E-mu Systems Emulator – 4 x SSM2044
* [[E-mu Systems Emulator II]] – 8 SSM2045
* E-mu Systems Emulator II – 8 x SSM2045
* [[E-mu Systems Emax]] – 4 SSM2300, 8 SSM2047
* E-mu Systems Emax – 4 x SSM2300, 8 x SSM2047
* [[Ensoniq SDP-1]] – 6 SSM2044
* Ensoniq SDP-1 – 6 x SSM2044
* [[Ensoniq ESQ1]] – 4 SSM2300
* Ensoniq ESQ1 – 4 x SSM2300
* [[Ensoniq SQ-80]] – 4 SSM2300
* Ensoniq SQ-80 – 4 x SSM2300
* [[Fairlight CMI II]] – 8 SSM2045 in later versions
* Fairlight CMI II – 8 x SSM2045 in later versions
* [[Hohner P120N]] - 2 SSM2044
* Hohner P120N - 2 x SSM2044
* [[Hohner PK250]] - 2 SSM2024
* Hohner PK250 - 2 x SSM2024
* [[Kawai/Teisco K3]] & K3m – 6 SSM2044
* Kawai/Teisco K3 & K3m – 6 x SSM2044
* [[Kawai/Teisco SX-210]] – 8 SSM2044
* Kawai/Teisco SX-210 – 8 x SSM2044
* [[Kawai/Teisco SX-240]] – 8 SSM2044
* Kawai/Teisco SX-240 – 8 x SSM2044
* [[Korg Monopoly]] – 4 SSM2033, 1 SSM2044
* Korg Monopoly – 4 x SSM2033, 1 x SSM2044
* [[Korg Poly 61]] – 6 SSM2056
* Korg Poly 61 – 6 x SSM2056
* [[Korg Poly 6]] – 6 SSM2044, 6 SSM2056
* Korg Poly 6 – 6 x SSM2044, 6 x SSM2056
* [[Korg Trident]] – 9 SSM2044
* Korg Trident – 9 x SSM2044
* Oberheim DPX-1 - 1 x SSM2013, 8 x SSM2045, 5 x SSM2300
⚫
* [[Octave Plateau Voyetra 8]] – 8 SSM2024, 8 SSM2044
* [[Octave The Cat SRM]] – 1 SSM2040
* Octave Plateau Voyetra 8 – 8 x SSM2024, 8 x SSM2044
* [[PPG EVU]] – 8 SSM2044
* Octave The Cat SRM – 1 x SSM2040
* [[PPG Wave|PPG Wave 2.2 & 2.3]] – 8 SSM2044
* PPG EVU – 8 x SSM2044
* [[RSF Kobol Expander I]] – 1 SSM2040, 2 SSM2050
* [[PPG Wave|PPG Wave 2.2 & 2.3]] – 8 x SSM2044
* [[Sequential Circuits Prophet 5]], Rev 1 & 2 – 10 SSM2020, 11 SSM2030, 5 SSM2040, 10 SSM2050
* RSF Kobol Expander I – 1 x SSM2040, 2 x SSM2050
* Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Rev 1 & 2 – 10 x SSM2020, 11 x SSM2030, 5 x SSM2040, 10 x SSM2050
* [[SIEL DK600]] – 6 SSM2024, 2 SSM2031, 6 SSM2044, 6 SSM2056
* SIEL DK600 – 6 x SSM2024, 2 x SSM2031, 6 x SSM2044, 6 x SSM2056
* [[SIEL DK-80]] – 2 SSM2045
* [[SIEL EX-80]] – 1 SSM2045
* SIEL DK-80 – 2 x SSM2045
* [[SIEL Kiwi]] – 6 SSM2024, 2 SSM2031, 6 SSM2044, 6 SSM2056
* SIEL EX-80 – 1 x SSM2045
* [[SIEL Opera 6]] – 6 SSM2024, 2 SSM2031, 6 SSM2044, 6 SSM2056
* SIEL Kiwi – 6 x SSM2024, 2 x SSM2031, 6 x SSM2044, 6 x SSM2056
* [[Simmons SDS5]] – 1 SSM2044 per module
* SIEL Opera 6 – 6 x SSM2024, 2 x SSM2031, 6 x SSM2044, 6 x SSM2056
* [[Simmons MTX9]] – 1 SSM2300
* Simmons SDS5 – 1 x SSM2044 per module
* [[Solton SM100]] – 6 SSM2045, 12 SSM2056
* Simmons MTX9 – 1 x SSM2300
* [[Solton Programmer 24]] 1 SSM2044
* Solton Programmer 24 - 1 x SSM2044
* Solton SM100 – 6 x SSM2045, 12 x SSM2056
⚫
* [[SRM Synthesizer Octave Cat]] - <!--?-->
* Solton TS3 - 2 x SSM2300
* [[Steiner EVI]] – SSM2040?
* Solton TS4 - 2 x SSM2300
⚫
* [[Syntec Banana]] – 6 SSM2044
⚫
* SRM Synthesizer Octave Cat - <!--?-->
* [[Voyetra 8]] - 8 SSM2024, 8 SSM2044
* [[Waldorf Wave]] – 16 SSM2024
* Steiner EVI – x SSM2040?
⚫
* Syntec Banana – 6 x SSM2044
⚫
* Voyetra 8 - 8 x SSM2024, 8 x SSM2044
* Waldorf Wave – 16 x SSM2024

=== DIY projects ===
=== DIY projects ===
* [[Aries System 300]] – 1 SSM2030 in the AR-338, 2 SSM2030 in the AR-341
* [[Aries System 300]] – 1 x SSM2030 in the AR-338, 2 x SSM2030 in the AR-341
* [[Digisound 80-11]] – 1 SSM2020
* Digisound 80-11 – 1 x SSM2020
* [[Digisound 80-7]] – 1 SSM2040
* Digisound 80-7 – 1 x SSM2040
* [[Digisound 80-8]] – 1 SSM2050
* Digisound 80-8 – 1 x SSM2050
* [[Fonitronik SSM2044 VCF]] - 1 SSM2044
* Fonitronik x SSM2044 VCF - 1 x SSM2044
* [https://wiki.theretrowagon.com/wiki/Solid_State_Music_SB1 x SSM SB-1] - 1 x SSM2000
* [[Synthesis Technology MOTM 440]] – 4 SSM2210, 5 SSM2220
* Synthesis Technology MOTM 440 – 4 x SSM2210, 5 x SSM2220
* [[Thomas Henry]]: A four-pole lowpass VCF – SSM2040<ref name="th">Build a better music synthesiser by Thomas Henry, Tab Books Inc, 1987, {{ISBN|0830627553}}</ref>
* Thomas Henry: A one-chip ADSR – SSM2056<ref name="th" />
* Thomas Henry four-pole lowpass VCF – x SSM2040<ref name="th">Build a better music synthesiser by Thomas Henry, Tab Books Inc, 1987, {{ISBN|0830627553}}</ref>
* Thomas Henry one-chip ADSR – x SSM2056<ref name="th" />
* [[Timo Rozendal 2044 VCF]]
* Timo Rozendal 2044 VCF
<ref name="cem">{{Cite web |url=http://curtiselectromusic.com/Customers_and_Instruments.html |title=Curtis Electromusic |accessdate=2012-12-18 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502132536/http://curtiselectromusic.com/Customers_and_Instruments.html |archivedate=2013-05-02 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref><ref name="sd">[http://www.sequencer.de/specials/synthesizer_chip.html Synthesizer Database] by Moogulator</ref><ref name="sch">Various schematics</ref>
<ref name="cem"/><ref name="sd">[http://www.sequencer.de/specials/synthesizer_chip.html Synthesizer Database] by Moogulator</ref><ref name="sch">Various schematics</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 113: Line 118:
== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.rossum-electro.com/ Rossum Electro-Music]
* [http://www.rossum-electro.com/ Rossum Electro-Music]
* [http://www.synthark.org/Archive/EmulatorArchive/SSM.html SSM], SynthArk Museum
* [http://www.siliconbreakdown.com/rossum_interview.htm Interview of Dave Rossum] by Jay Lee in Polyphony Magazine Nov/Dec 1981
* [http://www.siliconbreakdown.com/rossum_interview.htm Interview of Dave Rossum] by Jay Lee in Polyphony Magazine Nov/Dec 1981
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130103111420/http://www.anchor-electronics.com/about_us/about_us.html History of Anchor-Electronics]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130103111420/http://www.anchor-electronics.com/about_us/about_us.html History of Anchor-Electronics]
* [http://www.s100computers.com/Hardware%20Folder/SSM/History/History.htm Solid State Music history]
* [http://www.s100computers.com/Hardware%20Folder/SSM/History/History.htm Solid State Music history]
* [http://www.vintagecomputermusic.com/solid_state_music_system.php Solid State Music System]
* [http://www.vintagecomputermusic.com/solid_state_music_system.php Solid State Music System]
* [http://ssmcurtis.com/ SSM & Curtis Chips – Inside out]
* [http://ssmcurtis.com/ Synth's Inside Out]
* [http://www.soundsemiconductor.com/ Sound Semiconductor Inc], reissuing SSM ICs
* [http://www.soundsemiconductor.com/ Sound Semiconductor Inc], reissuing SSM ICs

=== Data sheets ===
=== Data sheets ===
* [https://archive.org/details/solid-state-micro-technology-for-music-databook-1979 Solid State Micro Technology For Music Databook 1979]
⚫
[http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM_Catalog.pdf SSM Catalog], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2010_datasheet.pdf SSM2010], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2012_datasheet.pdf SSM2012], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2013_datasheet.pdf SSM2013], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2014_datasheet.pdf SSM2014], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2015_datasheet.pdf SSM2015], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2020_datasheet.pdf SSM2020], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2022_datasheet.pdf SSM2022], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2024_datasheet.pdf SSM2024], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2030_datasheet.pdf SSM2030], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2031_datasheet.pdf SSM2031], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2033_datasheet.pdf SSM2033], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2038_datasheet.pdf SSM2038], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2040_datasheet.pdf SSM2040], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2044_datasheet.pdf SSM2044], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2045_datasheet.pdf SSM2045], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2047_datasheet.pdf SSM2047], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2050_datasheet.pdf SSM2050], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2056_datasheet.pdf SSM2056], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2100_datasheet.pdf SSM2100], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2120_datasheet.pdf SSM2120], [http://www.sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2164_datasheet.pdf SSM2164]
* [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM_Catalog.pdf SSM Catalog, 1986/87]
⚫
* [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2000_datasheet.pdf SSM2000], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2010_datasheet.pdf SSM2010], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2012_datasheet.pdf SSM2012], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2013_datasheet.pdf SSM2013], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2014_datasheet.pdf SSM2014], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2015_datasheet.pdf SSM2015], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2020_datasheet.pdf SSM2020], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2022_datasheet.pdf SSM2022], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2024_datasheet.pdf SSM2024], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2030_datasheet.pdf SSM2030], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2031_datasheet.pdf SSM2031], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2033_datasheet.pdf SSM2033], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2038_datasheet.pdf SSM2038], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2040_datasheet.pdf SSM2040], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2044_datasheet.pdf SSM2044], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2045_datasheet.pdf SSM2045], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2047_datasheet.pdf SSM2047], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2050_datasheet.pdf SSM2050], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2056_datasheet.pdf SSM2056], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2100_datasheet.pdf SSM2100], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2120_datasheet.pdf SSM2120], [https://sdiy.info/wiki/File:SSM2164_datasheet.pdf SSM2164]


Some are also freely available from:
Some are also freely available from:

Latest revision as of 22:24, 27 June 2024

Usually referred to by the the acronym SSM which can mean Solid State Micro Technolgy, Solid State Micro Technolgy for Music, Solid State Music Technology or Solid State Microelectronics depending on which documentation one looks at.[1]

The company

Founded in 1975[2] by John Robert Burgoon,[3] Solid State Music Technology (SSM) originated out the Homebrew Computer Club, an early 1970s Silicon Valley computer hobbyist group.[1] It was one of two companies that in the mid-1970s designed and sold analog integrated circuits used in synthesizers, the other was Curtis Electromusic Specialties.

SSMs first products were computer boards for the now-obsolete S-100 bus standard, including some boards intended for music applications. As Dave Rossum told the story in a 1981 interview with Polyphony magazine, an engineer named Ron Dow had come to E-mu Systems looking for funding to develop a voltage controlled amplifier on a chip. However, the proposed design would not have been compatible with the modular synthesizers that E-mu was selling at the time, so they turned Dow down. Dow then went to SSM and they agreed to fund the project and market it. The result was the first synthesizer-specific integrated circuit, the SSM2000 VCA. The following year, Dow came back with an idea for an improved design that was compatible with E-mu's systems and E-mu became involved with SSM in the design, the result was the SSM2010.[1][4]

E-mu became both a co-creator and a customer for SSMs circuits, incorporating the ICs into their modulars; Rossum consulted with Dow and SSM on the designs. Shortly after, E-mu consulted with Oberheim on their first non-SEM polyphonic synth designs using the SSM ICs. SSM chips were used in many late-1970s and early-1980s polyphonic analog synths, including the Oberheim models of the day, the Voyetra 8, and the rev 1 and 2 Prophet-5s. Connoisseurs of such things consider the SSM chips to produce a "thicker" and "ballsier" sound than the Curtis design, but the SSMs had some reliability problems and by 1985 most designers that were still specifying these types of ICs had switched to Curtis.

SSM was bought out by PMI, which in turn was acquired by Analog Devices, the current owner.[5] Most of the classic SSM synth-specific designs are long out of production, but AD does still produce some of the VCA circuits and matched transistor arrays.[1]

Equivalents

Functionally equivalent ICs have been produced by Alfa Rpar AS, Coolaudio International Ltd. and Sound Semiconductor Inc.

SSM ICs

[6][7][8]

Synthesizers using x SSM ICs

Prebuilt

  • Akai VX600 - 9 x SSM2300
  • Buchla 296e – 8 x SSM2020
  • Crumar Bit One – 6 x SSM2044 in early models
  • Crumar Performer B – x SSM2040, x SSM2050
  • Stratus – 1 x SSM2020, 1 x SSM2055
  • Crumar Trilogy – 1 x SSM2020
  • Division 6 Filtare SEIII -
  • Doepfer A-105 24db x SSM Low Pass Filter - 1 x SSM2044
  • E-mu Systems Drumulator – 2 x SSM2044
  • E-mu Systems SP-12 – 2 x SSM2044
  • E-mu Systems SP-1200 – 2 x SSM2044
  • E-mu Systems Emulator – 4 x SSM2044
  • E-mu Systems Emulator II – 8 x SSM2045
  • E-mu Systems Emax – 4 x SSM2300, 8 x SSM2047
  • Ensoniq SDP-1 – 6 x SSM2044
  • Ensoniq ESQ1 – 4 x SSM2300
  • Ensoniq SQ-80 – 4 x SSM2300
  • Fairlight CMI II – 8 x SSM2045 in later versions
  • Hohner P120N - 2 x SSM2044
  • Hohner PK250 - 2 x SSM2024
  • Kawai/Teisco K3 & K3m – 6 x SSM2044
  • Kawai/Teisco SX-210 – 8 x SSM2044
  • Kawai/Teisco SX-240 – 8 x SSM2044
  • Korg Monopoly – 4 x SSM2033, 1 x SSM2044
  • Korg Poly 61 – 6 x SSM2056
  • Korg Poly 6 – 6 x SSM2044, 6 x SSM2056
  • Korg Trident – 9 x SSM2044
  • Oberheim DPX-1 - 1 x SSM2013, 8 x SSM2045, 5 x SSM2300
  • Octave Plateau Voyetra 8 – 8 x SSM2024, 8 x SSM2044
  • Octave The Cat SRM – 1 x SSM2040
  • PPG EVU – 8 x SSM2044
  • PPG Wave 2.2 & 2.3 – 8 x SSM2044
  • RSF Kobol Expander I – 1 x SSM2040, 2 x SSM2050
  • Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Rev 1 & 2 – 10 x SSM2020, 11 x SSM2030, 5 x SSM2040, 10 x SSM2050
  • SIEL DK600 – 6 x SSM2024, 2 x SSM2031, 6 x SSM2044, 6 x SSM2056
  • SIEL DK-80 – 2 x SSM2045
  • SIEL EX-80 – 1 x SSM2045
  • SIEL Kiwi – 6 x SSM2024, 2 x SSM2031, 6 x SSM2044, 6 x SSM2056
  • SIEL Opera 6 – 6 x SSM2024, 2 x SSM2031, 6 x SSM2044, 6 x SSM2056
  • Simmons SDS5 – 1 x SSM2044 per module
  • Simmons MTX9 – 1 x SSM2300
  • Solton Programmer 24 - 1 x SSM2044
  • Solton SM100 – 6 x SSM2045, 12 x SSM2056
  • Solton TS3 - 2 x SSM2300
  • Solton TS4 - 2 x SSM2300
  • SRM Synthesizer Octave Cat -
  • Steiner EVI – x SSM2040?
  • Syntec Banana – 6 x SSM2044
  • Voyetra 8 - 8 x SSM2024, 8 x SSM2044
  • Waldorf Wave – 16 x SSM2024

DIY projects

  • Aries System 300 – 1 x SSM2030 in the AR-338, 2 x SSM2030 in the AR-341
  • Digisound 80-11 – 1 x SSM2020
  • Digisound 80-7 – 1 x SSM2040
  • Digisound 80-8 – 1 x SSM2050
  • Fonitronik x SSM2044 VCF - 1 x SSM2044
  • x SSM SB-1 - 1 x SSM2000
  • Synthesis Technology MOTM 440 – 4 x SSM2210, 5 x SSM2220
  • Thomas Henry four-pole lowpass VCF – x SSM2040[9]
  • Thomas Henry one-chip ADSR – x SSM2056[9]
  • Timo Rozendal 2044 VCF

[6][7][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Electronic Music wiki:SSM
  2. ^ VCAs Invesigated part two by Ben Duncan, Studio Sound, p.60, Jul. 1989
  3. ^ History of Anchor-Electronics (archived)
  4. ^ Interview of Dave Rossum by Jay Lee in Polyphony Magazine Nov/Dec 1981
  5. ^ ChipDocs
  6. ^ a b Customers and Instruments, Curtis Electromusic (archived)
  7. ^ a b Synthesizer Database by Moogulator
  8. ^ SSM data sheets
  9. ^ a b Build a better music synthesiser by Thomas Henry, Tab Books Inc, 1987, ISBN 0830627553
  10. ^ Various schematics

External links

Data sheets

Some are also freely available from:

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