SynthesiSer ICs and the 3340 VCO Chip

In the later half of the 1970s, synthesisers began employing integrated circuits (ICs/chips) as a replacement for circuits employing a larger number of discrete components. As well as offering cost savings, these chips allowed for better stability and improved calibration and control. However, while some only rate a synth using fully discrete circuitry, these early ICs have become revered in their own right.

One great example of this is the CEM3340. Originally produced by Curtis Electromusic, they are back in production today. To complicate things further, there are a number of modern clones that take advantage of the fact that the original Doug Curtis design is out of copyright. Music Group, Behringer’s parent company, has been making ICs through its Coolaudio subsidiary for more than 15 years, with a customer base that includes Dave Smith Instruments and Elektron. On their site you’ll find the V3340 (oscillator) and 3320 (filter) among others (including bucket brigade delay ICs). These synth chips were also used in the Oberheim OB-Xa, a clone/ tribute of which Behringer have touted as one of their future products.