Iconic Keyboards & Synths

A continuation of the line of popular synthesizer projects that began with "Minimoog Synthesizers" (https://ideas.lego.com/projects/120340) and continued with "Moog Modular 55 Synthesizer" (https://ideas.lego.com/projects/121474) comes a selection of four iconic keyboards spanning several decades.  The Korg MS-20, Yamaha DX7, Roland Jupiter-8, and Nord Stage in LEGO form!

The stubby black Korg MS-20 (1978) was a small monophonic synthesizer that included several patchable modular components.  Known initially as a budget-friendly instrument, it eventually acquired loyal fans over the decades, enough to prompt Korg to rerelease the MS-20 in 2013 as a reduced-size instrument known as MS-20 Mini.

The brown-and-teal Yamaha DX7 (1983) was an digital synthesizer manufactured by the Yamaha Corporation. Utilizing a groundbreaking digital technology known as FM (Frequency Modulation) Synthesis, it became the first successful digital synth, and its distinctive sound can be heard prominently on tracks like Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone" and a-ha's "Take On Me".

The colorful Jupiter-8 (1981) was a polyphonic analog synthesizer manufactured by the Roland Corporation.  It quickly became one of Roland's most successful models and became a mainstay for stage and studio keyboardists throughout the 80's. The Jupiter-8 can be heard all over pop tracks like Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" and in the opening chords of Michael Jackson's "Thriller".

The sleek red Nord Stage (2005) is a digital keyboard manufactured by the Swedish company Clavia Digital.  While not by definition a synthesizer, it and its subsequent model revisions have become a favorite of onstage performers due to the instrument's remarkable versatility.  The Stage combines high-quality emulations of a number of keyboard instruments and tonewheel organs with the ability to play back sample-based libraries.

This project contains builds of all four of these keyboards as well as stands for each.  The models generally average around four inches in height, including the stand height. They vary in width from 3.5 inches (Korg) to 6.5 inches (Roland and Nord).

This project makes a great companion project to "Minimoog Synthesizers" and will appeal to a wide range of music-makers, keyboard players, and technology buffs. They're all going to want these sitting at their computers or music workstations!