120 Years of Electronic Music

The Electronic Dream Plant "Wasp" (1978)

The EDP Wasp was released in the UK in 1978 as a budget monosynth: "One of the biggest advances in synthesiser design - an ultra low cost, high performance instrument" and was one of the most unusual looking modern synthesisers. The Wasp was built in garish black and yellow plastic with a flat yellow laminated carboard 'keyless' two octave keyboard. The instrument weighed no more than a couple of pounds. The sound from the instrument came from two digital VCO running through an analogue VCF which gave the instrument a distinctive and powerful sound belying its awkward appearance. The Wasp was designed by the british designer Chris Hugget who was also responsible for the "Oscar" Synthesiser.

Other products from the Electronic Dream Plant were:

• Deluxe Wasp: an upgraded Wasp with a sturdier body and real keyboard.

• Spider Digital Sequencer: a 252 note step or 84 note real time sequencer

• The Caterpillar: a 3 octave master keyboard for controlling Wasp synthesisers, 8 Wasps could be connected and played polyphonically.

• The Gnat: An even smaller, cheaper single VCO version of the Wasp.

The EDP Wasp c1979

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© 120 Years Of Electronic Music 2005

© 120 Years Of Electronic Music 2005