Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

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stikygum
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Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by stikygum » Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:07 am

I always enjoyed the look of all those Ensoniq, Roland MKS70, Novation Nova and other synths with that type of Fluorescent screens on them. Something about those that really attracts me. Anyone else?
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boreg
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by boreg » Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:41 am

Me too :)
Also the classic Lexicon units and the new Bricasti have such screens.. Sexy!
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by Virgule » Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:07 am

:)
Last edited by Virgule on Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by Stab Frenzy » Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:48 pm

I prefer displays that are able to convey more information, like the LCD on the H8000 and similar.
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by Synthaholic » Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:30 pm

Virgule wrote:The displays were always blue though. Any clue why that was?
The color of the display depends on the phosphor used. The light bluish color is easy to read, but I've seen VFDs with red, yellow or other colors too. They aren't usually as bright as the blue ones. VFDs are still common on audio/video gear, look at almost any receiver, preamp or DVD player and you'll see them.

As for why you don't see them on many synths, probably because of cost, and the fact that LCDs are more versatile and cheaper. There may be environmental factors as well, as they are similar to CRTs.
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by Jabberwalky » Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:59 pm

Doesn't the Akai Ax80 have multiple colors in it's displays?
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by rhino » Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:23 pm

yeh. theirs were blue and orange. Classic example of "use what ya got": the displays (5) were already in use in their stereo reciever line.

Also the Roland JX-8 and JX-10 had VFDs

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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by gordwiebe » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:11 pm

SU700 has a great display!
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by Jack Spider » Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:07 am

I completely agree - I much prefer those old displays over backlit LCDs any day. The Ensoniq ESQ-1 interface was a delight because of the huge lit up display and surrounding buttons.
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by Christopher Winkels » Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:12 am

The great part about VFDs is their relatively slow refresh rate. The flicker always looked cool when filmed.

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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by stikygum » Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:36 am

gordwiebe wrote:SU700 has a great display!
Strongly agree! Probably one of my favorite with the color in it. I wonder if any synth company will venture towards these displays again?
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by StepLogik » Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:02 pm

stikygum wrote:
gordwiebe wrote:SU700 has a great display!
Strongly agree! Probably one of my favorite with the color in it. I wonder if any synth company will venture towards these displays again?
I doubt you will be seeing them much again. VFD's cost more to manufacture and (I think) use more power than LCD's. Someone might want to verify me on that point...
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by masyst » Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:43 pm

I would rather see a synth with display of Nixie tubes...
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When I was in the electro class about a year ago, we had one of those ancient multimeters with Nixie tubes :)
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by otto » Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:01 am

You might like this clock:
http://www.ladyada.net/make/icetube/
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Re: Bring back the Vacuum Fluorescent Screens on Synths!

Post by OriginalJambo » Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:52 am

I agree - VFDs are also very forgiving when it comes to viewing angles. :)
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