RMI Keyboard Computer - Model KC-II - Clark Ferguson (1980) (1LP Vinyl)
Product details
- Label Rocky Mount Instruments, Inc.
- Artist Clark Ferguson
- Format 1LP
- Country United States
- Released Date 1980
- Genre Jazz
- Sealed Yes
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Condition: Sealed (New)
RMI Keyboard Computer - Model KC-II by Clark Ferguson.
Few records capture a moment of technological transition quite like this 1980 release from Rocky Mount Instruments, the Macungie, Pennsylvania subsidiary of the Allen Organ Company. It exists as much as a demonstration as an album: nearly every performance here was recorded live in real time, played by one person on the RMI Keyboard Computer Model KC-II, an early polyphonic instrument that generated its pitches, envelopes, and waveforms by exclusively digital means. That makes it a genuine artifact of the dawn of digital synthesis, a document of what a five-octave keyboard could do on its own in a single take.
Clark Ferguson handles the keyboards and wrote the original music, guiding the KC-II through its twelve factory presets and a range of memory and tone-card set-ups. Jerry Fillman adds drums, giving the electronic textures a human pulse and grounding the more elaborate configurations. Steve Cooper's sound design and Pete Helffrich's lacquer cut round out a production that clearly aimed to showcase the instrument's full range, from the simple to the genuinely complex.
Recorded through dual RMI amplifier systems with microphones placed to put you in the room, this is a warm, immersive listen rather than a dry technical exercise. For collectors drawn to early electronic music and the machines that made it, it's a rare and characterful piece of synthesizer history.
Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Strings 8'
A2. Strings 16'
A3. Electric Organ, Organ & Bells
A4. Organ & Guitar
A5. Horn
A6. Piano 8'
A7. Piano 16'
A8. Clav
A9. Jazz Flute & Clav
A10. Alto Recorder & Harpsichord
A11. Bells 8', 16'
A12. Pipe Organ
A13. Echo
B1. Reed
B2. Banjo
B3. Steel Drum
B4. Marimba
B5. Vibes
B6. Steam Calliope
B7. Choir & Bells
B8. Multi-Track
Credits:
Jerry Fillman - Drums
Clark Ferguson - Keyboards [RMI Keyboard Computer, Model KC-II], Music By [Original]
Pete Helffrich - Lacquer Cut By
Steve Cooper (9) - Sound Designer
Notes:
(c) 1977 Rocky Mount Instruments, Inc.
Macungie, Pa. 18062
(Subsidiary of Allen Organ Company)
When KC-II is played from its standard five-octave keyboard in real time it generates pitches, envelopes, and waveforms (a myriad from simple to complex) polyphonically by exclusively digital means.
KC-II is a highly versitile live performance Polyphonic instrument.
This entire album, with the exception of the last cut on Side Two (Multi-Track), was recorded live in real time on the RMI Keyboard Computer, Model KC-II, by one person.
Outputs from KC audio channels One and Two were fed to two RMI model 360K amplifier systems each emplying five-speaker three-way cabinets (a combination recomended for KC-II).
Microphones were used in addition to some direct feed in order to give the sensation of being in the room with the instruments.
Side One is essentially the 12 presets in order from right to left.
Side Two contains some popular set-ups employing both permanent memory and tone card waveforms, finishing with a Multi-Track cut to illustrate KC-II petential in a studio enviroment.
Artist: Clark Ferguson
Format: 1LP
Genre: Jazz
Label: Rocky Mount Instruments, Inc.
Catalog Number: RMI KC-II
Release Year: 1980
Country: United States
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