Con Brio, Inc.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Synthesizer manufacturing |
| Founded | January 1, 1978 in Pasadena, California, United States |
| Founders | Tim Ryan, Alan Danziger, Don Lieberman |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Pasadena, California , United States |
| Products | ADS 100, ADS 200, ADS 200-R synthesizers |
Con Brio, Inc. (also seen as Conbrio or ConBrio) was a short-lived yet impactful synthesizer company that operated between 1978 and 1982, best known for its premier product, the ADS (Advanced Digital Synthesizer).
Origins and the ADS 100
Established around 1979 in Pasadena, California, by Caltech alumni Tim Ryan, Alan Danziger, and Don Lieberman, Con Brio's initial creation was the ADS 100, a modular digital synthesizer. Initially intended to serve as a tone generator for auditory experiments, the ADS 100 stood among the pioneering digital synthesizers capable of additive, phase modulation, and frequency modulation synthesis techniques. This instrument employed three MOS Technology 6502 microprocessors—the same chips used in early personal computers like the Apple II and Commodore 64—and included a video display to visualize sequences and envelopes. It allowed expansion through common peripherals such as an 8-inch floppy disk drive and was operated via a vibrant control panel paired with two 61-note keyboards.
The ADS 100 earned acclaim for its contribution to sound effects in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982). Despite this recognition, pricing details were never publicized, and the ADS 100 was generally regarded as unavailable for commercial purchase.
Development of the ADS 200
Building upon the ADS 100, Con Brio introduced the ADS 200—an integrated unit weighing approximately 175 pounds encased in a substantial wooden cabinet. This model featured enhancements such as musical notation display, split keyboard functionality, and a sequencer capable of synchronizing four tracks concurrently. The processing capabilities were expanded to five 6502 processors, and it included CV/gate interfacing standard before MIDI became widespread.
Constructed with hand wiring over seven months, only two units of the ADS 200 were produced; one was sold for roughly $30,000 (~£17,000) to composer David Campbell, noted for collaborations with artists like Beck, Tori Amos, and Elton John. This particular unit was reportedly stored in Chick Corea’s studio before being acquired by vintage synthesizer specialist Brian Kehew.
Legal challenges and introduction of the ADS 200-R
By 1981, Yamaha identified Con Brio’s utilization of FM synthesis, a technology covered by Yamaha’s disputed patent. Since FM synthesis was central to the ADS 200’s design, Yamaha notified Con Brio that royalty payments would be necessary for further sales. Con Brio contended that their system was fully programmable and they could not regulate how FM synthesis was employed. Although patent issues persisted, Yamaha refrained from initiating legal proceedings—likely because Con Brio posed minimal competitive threat. Subsequently, Yamaha successfully leveraged FM synthesis with their DX7 synthesizer.
In 1982, Con Brio released the ADS 200-R—a three-component system with dual keyboards targeted at touring musicians seeking a "road-ready" instrument. It incorporated a 16-track polyphonic sequencer capable of storing up to 80,000 notes. Priced at US$20,500 (approximately GBP£11,500) with optional add-ons costing up to US$25,000 (GBP£14,200), it was more accessible than its predecessor. Despite this, only one unit was ever made and it did not sell. Plans to develop a sampling workstation similar to the Fairlight CMI were ultimately abandoned due to high production costs and stiff competition from less expensive synthesizers produced by larger companies, culminating in Con Brio’s closure later that year.
Aftermath
After Con Brio ceased operations, its founders Danziger and Lieberman achieved success within the semiconductor industry. Meanwhile, Tim Ryan remained active in the music technology sector by cofounding The Sonus corporation, which later transformed into M-Audio, a leading manufacturer of computer audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, and studio monitors.
The only sold ADS 200 is currently in the possession of Brian Kehew from The Moog Cookbook, who explains that it was initially an ADS 100 before being upgraded to the 200 version. Some features have since malfunctioned, including the floppy drive, which is presently being repaired. Additionally, Kehew obtained the final Con Brio unit produced—the ADS 200-R—and had it restored to near full functionality by February 2009.