Rocky Mount Instruments
Encyclopedia
Rocky Mount Instruments or RMI was a subsidiary of the Allen Organ Company, established in about 1966. It was based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
. It is most famous for the RMI Electra Piano
, a keyboard instrument that created piano
and harpsichord
-like sounds without the use of strings, tines, or reeds, instead using transistors, much like the combo organs of the day.
" in 1967. Retailing for $4695, it contained only 2 sounds (string and lute) but was later updated as the "Model 100A" which contained 5 sounds (harpsichord, cembalo, lute, Guitar A, and Guitar B). The "Model 200 Rock-Si-Chord" produced in 1968 was similar the first "Model 100", but featured an accenter option that shortened the decay of the sound. The "Model 200A" however featured twice as many sounds as the "Model 100A".
(who used the instrument extensively from 1974 to 1977), Yes
and Deep Purple
. The original 300A and B models had 61 keys. Eventually seven more keys were added to create the 368 model (but not touch-sensitivity). The 368x was essentially a 368 housed in a new molded plastic case instead of the previously used vinyl covered plywood. In 1973, RMI came out with the Model 400 which was a 300 with a self-contained sound system aimed more at the home-user market, and the 600 series, which was a stereo version of the 300 with two tone generators per key, but also included some newer sounds.
, Chamberlin
, and Birotron
created their sounds).
From 1974-76 RMI produced its only true synthesizer, the $3000 RMI Harmonic Synthesizer, an instrument that was years ahead of its time (Yamaha's DX-7 was released in 1983, nine years later) but not widely used or understood. The 48-key dual mono, analog/digital hybrid synth featured two digital harmonic generators (16 harmonics each, with two sets of harmonic sliders), five presets, an LFO, arpeggiator, a VCF with mixable LP,BP and HP outputs, and AM and FM capability.
In 1979 RMI introduced the DK-20 (Digital Keyboard) as a replacement for the old analog 300 Series. This model was produced until 1982.
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
. It is most famous for the RMI Electra Piano
RMI Electra Piano
The RMI Electra Piano is a model of electronic piano, manufactured by RMI. Several models with varying features were produced from 1967 until 1980....
, a keyboard instrument that created piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
-like sounds without the use of strings, tines, or reeds, instead using transistors, much like the combo organs of the day.
Combo organs
In fact, the first models produced were combo organs, including the four-octave "Explorer" (using a dedicated oscillator for each key), the "Lark", the "Band Organ" (a three-octave electrical imitation of a calliope) and the "Calliope" and "Calliope B" around 1968 or early 1969. The first electric piano model was the "Model 100 Rock-Si-ChordRocksichord
The Rock-Si-Chord is an electronic keyboard invented in 1967 to approximate the sound of the harpsichord...
" in 1967. Retailing for $4695, it contained only 2 sounds (string and lute) but was later updated as the "Model 100A" which contained 5 sounds (harpsichord, cembalo, lute, Guitar A, and Guitar B). The "Model 200 Rock-Si-Chord" produced in 1968 was similar the first "Model 100", but featured an accenter option that shortened the decay of the sound. The "Model 200A" however featured twice as many sounds as the "Model 100A".
Electra-pianos
Beginning in 1970, RMI began producing the 300 Series Electra-piano, the sound of which became very familiar to fans of bands such as GenesisGenesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
(who used the instrument extensively from 1974 to 1977), Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
and Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. The original 300A and B models had 61 keys. Eventually seven more keys were added to create the 368 model (but not touch-sensitivity). The 368x was essentially a 368 housed in a new molded plastic case instead of the previously used vinyl covered plywood. In 1973, RMI came out with the Model 400 which was a 300 with a self-contained sound system aimed more at the home-user market, and the 600 series, which was a stereo version of the 300 with two tone generators per key, but also included some newer sounds.
Other products
In 1974, RMI produced the pioneering "Keyboard Computer" model keyboard instrument, the first portable digital sample player. It produced sounds from waveform model punch cards which were input and digitized into volatile memory, and used no magnetic tapes (in contrast to how MellotronMellotron
The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
, Chamberlin
Chamberlin
The Chamberlin is an electro-mechanical keyboard instrument that was a precursor to the Mellotron. It was developed and patented by Iowa, Wisconsin inventor Harry Chamberlin from 1949 to 1956, when the first model was introduced. Various models and versions of these Chamberlin music instruments...
, and Birotron
Birotron
The Birotron is a tape replay keyboard conceived by Dave Biro of Yalesville, Connecticut, USA, and funded by Rick Wakeman of the progressive-rock group Yes, and Campbell Soup Company-Pepperidge Farm Foods in the mid-late 1970s....
created their sounds).
From 1974-76 RMI produced its only true synthesizer, the $3000 RMI Harmonic Synthesizer, an instrument that was years ahead of its time (Yamaha's DX-7 was released in 1983, nine years later) but not widely used or understood. The 48-key dual mono, analog/digital hybrid synth featured two digital harmonic generators (16 harmonics each, with two sets of harmonic sliders), five presets, an LFO, arpeggiator, a VCF with mixable LP,BP and HP outputs, and AM and FM capability.
In 1979 RMI introduced the DK-20 (Digital Keyboard) as a replacement for the old analog 300 Series. This model was produced until 1982.