RSF Kobol
{{short description|Synthesizer}}
{{Infobox synthesizer
| synth_name = RSF Kobol
| synth_manufacturer = RSF
|dates = RSF Kobol 1978, Kobol Rack (Expander): 1979{{cite web | url=http://www.polynominal.com/site/studio/gear/synth/Rsf-Kobol/Rsf-Kobol.html | title=RSF Kobol | accessdate=22 May 2018}}
| image =
| image_caption =
| polyphony = Monophonic
| timbrality = 1 Part
| lfo = 1 LFO, triangle, square waveforms
| synthesis_type subtractive synthesis
| oscillator = 2 VCO's; triangle, square, saw, pulse; variable sweep
| filter = 1 VCF, 24db low pass
| fx = Decay
| memory = 16 Memory slots
| keyboard = 44 Full Size keys
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| split =
| left_control =
| ext_control = CV for VCO, CV for VCF, gate control, clock trigger input, external audio process line input}}
The RSF Kobol is a French monophonic synthesizer released in 1978, described by some as "the French Minimoog".{{Cite web|url=http://aerozonejmj.fr/rsf-kobol-1978/|title=RSF Kobol (1978) {{!}} Aerozone JMJ|website=aerozonejmj.fr|language=fr-FR|access-date=2018-06-12}} It could process external sounds through the envelope and filter section. It was created by Ruben and Serge Fernandez. Fewer than 200{{Cite web|url=https://encyclotronic.com/synthesizers/rsf-kobol/kobol-expander-ii-r1639/|title=RSF Kobol Expander II|website=Encyclotronic|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-12}} were made as they were not mass-produced. The Kobol is a very versatile instrument, offering many sought-after features of other analogue synthesizers of its time.{{Cite web|url=https://encyclotronic.com/synthesizers/rsf-kobol/kobol-r1636/|title=RSF Kobol|website=Encyclotronic|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-12}}
Rack Mount
A rack-mount system was released in 1979.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/rsf_kobol.php|title=RSF Kobol Expander {{!}} Vintage Synth Explorer|website=www.vintagesynth.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-30}} There were four different types: The Kobol Rack (Expander I) was only the VCO/VCF/VCA/LFO sections of the Kobol in a rack module. The Expander 2 was an add-on to the Kobol that added new processing modules such as ring modulation, sample-hold, and envelope followers as well as extra VCA and LFO modules.
Best Known for Sounds
Notable users
- Jean-Michel Jarre
- Hans Zimmer
- Vince Clarke
- Vangelis
- Peter Gabriel
- Depeche Mode
- Nitzer Ebb{{Cite web|last=|date=2016-05-03|title=Bon Harris (Nitzer Ebb) On Synthesizers|url=https://www.voltagecontrollab.com/2016/05/03/bon-harris-nitzer-ebb-gets-first-synth/|access-date=2021-11-25|website=Voltage Control Lab|language=en-US}}