EML SynKey

Imagine dialing in a fat analog tone and punching it onto a plastic card for instant recall—back in 1978, this was revolutionary tech from EML, predating digital presets by years and earning props from Herbie Hancock.

Its subtractive heart pumps through 13 square-wave oscillators—one master plus 12 for semitones you toggle via simple on/off buttons, no retuning needed—delivering paraphonic thickness from a single voice. A 3.5-octave keyboard with second-touch sensitivity adds expressive filter sweeps, vibrato, wah-wah, or pitch bends just by pressing harder, while dedicated knobs shape filter and amp envelopes, plus a modulation oscillator. Programmable via a rare punch-card reader (only about 47 units made), it shipped with 25 blank and 25 factory cards storing full patches; one mono out anchors its 29.5" x 17" x 8", 29 lb frame for organ-top duty.

Vintage players love its raw, unique growl and tactile workflow, though the card system's fragility draws occasional gripes from collectors chasing service parts.[web:2][web:6]