EMS Synthi 100 number 016 has a remarkable and unlikely history. The story goes… 

It was discovered sawn in half in a skip at Aberdeen University in the late 1990s, it passed through several hands before being acquired by Analogue Solutions, who undertook a significant restoration. Eventually, it was purchased by R10 Studios with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, whose backing was instrumental in keeping this rare and historically significant feat of engineering in the UK. More recently, HLF has extended its support, allowing the team to work with YouTuber Hack Modular to carry out a condition survey for a detailed breakdown of a full restoration, ensuring this iconic instrument can return to a fully working condition.

The Leicester Synthi 100 is significant in the history of electronic music as the original user and leading expert of the Synthi 100 was Malcolm Clarke, who was born in Leicester and became a member of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop just as the Synthi 100 was delivered. His best known work on the Synthi 100 is his version of the Dr Who theme that ran in 1972.