Multivox was an American-based synthesizer company since the mid-1970s until the 1980s. Originally it was founded in the mid-1940s as the guitar and amplifier manufacturing subsidiary of Peter Sorkin Music Company (Sorkin Music), a New York-based retailer/wholesaler. Then eventually it established separate corporate identity, and after the close of Sorkin Music in the mid-1970s, it continued in existence for fourteen years, according to the ''Blue Book of Guitar Values''. In addition to synthesizers, the company marketed several

effects pedals An effects unit or effects pedal is an electronic device that alters the sound of a musical instrument or other audio source through audio signal processing. Common effects include distortion/overdrive, often used with electric guitar in ele ...

. These included the Big Jam series guitar effects line. They specialized in delivering Japanese-designed and built equipment to the American market. They usually licensed from lesser-known Japanese companies, such as Hillwood, also known as Firstman, founded in 1972 by Kazuo Morioka, who later worked for

Akai Akai ( ja, 赤井, ) is a Hong Kong manufacturer of consumer electronics. It was founded as Akai Electric Company Ltd in Tokyo, Japan, in 1946. Grande Holdings in Hong Kong purchased the Akai brand, and now distributes various electronic produ ...

in the early 1980s. Multivox were criticized as having design and circuitry extremely similar to but inferior to designs by Roland. Multivox ceased trading in the early 1980s having "faded into synth history", according to the ''Synthmuseum''.Multivox
Synthmuseum

Re-branding

As a result of the old criticism of Multivox synthesizer technology and their comparisons with Roland hardware, several hoax/fraudulent cases have occurred. The main hoax was based around a Multivox MX-3000 synthesizer (the flagship of the Multivox range). These machines are quite rare although not particularly sought for by collectors and musicians. Hence when a Roland MX-3000 was offered for sale much controversy surrounding the original Multivox design was stirred up. Eventually the seller admitted that the synthesizer was in fact Multivox, but he had re-badged it in an attempt to generate interest.
a sample of re-badged MX-3000.

The Multivox range

Synthesizers

Multivox produced over 15 different types of synthesizers, almost all with names beginning with "MX-" (except for SQ-01). *MX-20 - An electric piano produced from 1977 to 1978.Nabble - Electronic Music » Analogue Heaven,

Had five presets (high/low piano and clavichord and 'honky tonk') and a bass split with independent volume control. 61 key keyboard. Tune, Sustain and vibrato controls. *MX-28 - The MX-28's literature says (C)1981. It is very similar to MX20 except that it uses sliders instead of rotary knobs and has a Phaser instead of vibrato. It also has a built in speaker on the right side. The 'high/low' variations of the voices is omitted, but on this machine you can actually blend the voices together. *MX-30 - This model is a slight expansion on the MX-20 having a 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard.
Synthmuseum *MX-51 - Another piano-based model. *MX-57/Electro-Snare - A drum synthesizer with 2VCO/VCF/VCA/SWEEP.Multivox MX-57/ELECTRO-SNARE
(photo) The design is similar to the Star Instruments SYNARE 3. *MX-65 - Polyphonic Keyboard with 6 string sounds. Envelope, LFO and Ensemble controls. *MX-75 - Duophonic preset synthesizer with aftertouch effect. Also known as Pulser M75. Developed by Hillwood. *MX-99 - Mini Echo - An analog delay with volume tone repeat and delay controls *MX-150/Basky II - An organ-style bass pedal.Multivox MX-150/Basky II
(photo) *MX-202 - String & Bass ensemble. Very similar to the Roland RS-202 synthesizer.
, Hollowsun *MX-440 - Same as above. Some MX-440 might be re-badged MX-202.Multivox MX-440 #1-4
Transanalog - Front panel of re-badged MX-440 said "MX-440".Multivox MX-440 #1-11
Transanalog - Manufacture's plate of re-badged MX-440 said "Model MX-202". *MX-450 - Very rare Bass Pedal.
(movie), MATRIXSYNTH Little is known. More sources needed. *MX-880 DUO - Same as below.
MATRIXSYNTH *MX-2000 DUO - Duophonic preset synthesizer with aftertouch effect. It has similarities with the Roland SH-2000 design,A TALE OF TWO STRING SYNTHS
''

Sound on Sound ''Sound on Sound'' is an independently owned monthly music technology magazine published by SOS Publications Group, based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The magazine includes product tests of electronic musical performance and recording devices, ...

'', July 2002 but are different instruments.Multivox MX-2000, Roland SH-2000, Roland SH-1000
MATRIXSYNTH - Comparison report of 3 models. Developed by Hillwood. *MX-3000 - The largest and most feature-laden synthesizer of the range. Includes an individual bass synth, preset synth, preset edit synth, and monophonic lead synth. And a blend control for all 4 synths. Also known as Pulser M85. Developed by Hillwood.

Digital sequencers

*SQ-01 - A combination of synthesizer and sequencer. Performs bass synth functions similar to the later

Roland TB-303 The Roland TB-303 Bass Line (also known as the 303) is a bass synthesizer released by Roland Corporation in 1981. Designed to simulate bass guitars, it was a commercial failure and was discontinued in 1984. However, cheap second-hand units were ...

. Originally released in 1980 by Hillwood under Firstman brand, before Multivox released it in 1981. Mark Jenkins (2009)
''Analog Synthesizers'', pages 107-108
CRC Press *MX-8100 Sequencer - Digital keyboard sequencer with up to 4 patterns depending on how much memory you use for the patterns. The MX-8100 has separate outputs for V/Oct and Hz/V control voltages. Developed by Hillwood. *''MX-S100'' - Misreference- no such model exists.

Drum machines

*Rhythm Ace FR-3S () - Multivox version of Rhythm Ace analog drum machine. It seems released after the Multivox/Sorkin Music stopped the engage with former OEM manufacturers, Ace Tone by Ace Electronics and Roland Corporation. AnalogAudio1 on YouTube pointed out the similarity with Korg Mini-Pops hardware.

Effect processors

*LD-2/Little David - One of the world first Leslie speaker simulator.Hammond Leslie FAQ - Hammond and Leslie Clones
TheatreOrgans.com

Big Jam series - guitar effect pedals

*SE-1 Phaser - Phaser *SE-2 Spit Wah - Auto Wah - It is a close clone to the Mutron III filter. For this reason and because it is a rare pedal it is becoming increasingly sought after since the 2010s. *SE-3 Compressor - Compressor *SE-4 Octave - Octaver *SE-5 Flanjam Flanger - Flanger *SE-6 Graphic Equalizer - 6 band analog EQ band sliders for 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 400 Hz, 800 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3.2 kHz *SE-7 Delay Machine - Delay/Reverb with Mode switch for Delay/(Rev)erb, Delay, Repeat, (Bal)ance *SE-8 Distortion - Distortion *SE-9 Biphase Phaser - Dual Phaser with Width, Rate, and (Reso)nance sliders *SE-10 Quartz Guitar Tuner - Tuner *SE-11 Jazz Flanger - Flanger *SE-12 Chorus - Chorus with Warp, Speed, Depth sliders *SE-13 Space Driver - Boost/Overdrive with Expand, Drive, and Level sliders *SE-14 Stop Noise - Noise Gate with Sensitivity and Decay slider controls *SE-15 "Unknown" - *SE-16 "Unknown" - *SE-17 "Unknown" - *SE-18 Parametric EQ - Parametric Eq *SE-XP Pulse Regulator Power Supply - A Power supply that powered up to 5 Big Jam Effects units via 9 volt dc supply and cables. *SE-PB Pedal Board - Self-enclosed pedal board that included the SE-XP Pulse Power Supply and room for up to 5 Big Jam Effects in a flight case design with power cables and linking audio jacks connections.

External links

Synthmusem.com: Multivox
- List of Multivox instruments.
Sonic State: Multibox
- Reviews of Multivox instruments.

- Another product list including fairly unknown models (in Deutsche. ''Internet Archive cache at 2005-02-21'').

References

{{reflist Synthesizer manufacturing companies of the United States