Synths in miniature: The extraordinary work of Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira Rolt
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Miniature synths · Source: RLT Rolt
ARP 2500 · Source: RLT Rolt
EMS Synthi · Source: RLT Rolt
Voyetra Octave · Source: RLT Rolt
Jupiter-6 · Source: RLT Rolt
Yamaha CS80 · Source: RLT Rolt
Kawai SX-240 · Source: RLT Rolt
Ronaldo is a graphic designer and maquette (model) maker who produces exquisitely hand-made models of classic synthesizers. We asked him to tell us about it.
Ronaldo Lopes Teixeria Rolt
Well, I’m an Illustrator and graphic designer, but I always loved making maquettes as a hobby, I have made houses, Star wars spaceships…and 3 years ago I started making a series of montages about the great prog musicians like this one:
Prog rock montage · Source: RLT Rolt
…and after making a lot of these, I noticed that I put a mini-Minimoog in Wakeman’s hands, and then I have the idea to make a real one in miniature. I liked the result and started making all famous vintages keyboards used by the great prog bands and keyboardists.
Ronaldo has been showing them at exhibitions in his home country of Brazil but since the pandemic he’s branched out online. Earlier in the year his creations were featured in a trailer for the UVI Vintage Vault 3 collection of virtual synths and they look magnificent.
https://youtu.be/kbzmKriuzOA
The synths are made mostly from balsa wood to 1/6 scale and can take anything from a couple of days to a couple of weeks to make depending on the complexity.
He’s made synths for people all over the world including the likes of Michel Geiss, Jordan Rudess, Dina Pearlman, JJ Abrams and Colin Fraser.
His latest creation is the Kawai SX-240.
Kawai SX-240 · Source: RLT Rolt
Ronaldo regularly posts images and videos of new creations to his Facebook and YouTube channels and it’s well worth a browse. If you’d like something made for you just get in touch via the socials. Prices range from $50 to $450 but usually come in around the $150 mark.
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2 responses to “Synths in miniature: The extraordinary work of Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira Rolt”
What an original hobby, looks like nice quality work.
they’re not working!