FARFISA COMBO DELUXE COMPACT

Introduction

The Farfisa Combo Deluxe Compact is an enhanced version of the standard Compact model, produced by the Italian company Farfisa. It’s a single-manual electronic organ that became famous for its distinctive sound in rock and pop music of the 1960s and 1970s.

Key Specifications

• Manufacturer: Farfisa
• Model: CC / 26 – COMPACT deLUXE
• Type: Transistor-based electronic organ
• Keyboard: Single manual with 61 notes
• Sound Generation: 12 Top-Octave Oscillators + Frequency Dividers

Versions

The Compact Deluxe came in three versions, all sharing the same model name/number[1]:

1. First version
2. Second version (most common)
3. Combo Deluxe I Compact (1968, with additional features)

Sound and Controls

• Voices: Various combinations including Bass 16′, Strings 16′, Flute 8′, Oboe 8′, Trumpet 8′, Strings 8′, Flute 4′, Piccolo 4′, Strings 4′[1]
• Additional Voices: 2-2/3′ voices for both White tabs and Green Booster tabs (in some versions)[1]
• Effects: Vibrato (adjustable speed and depth), Reverb[1][4]
• Multi-Tone Booster: 16′, 8′, 4′, All Booster Off/On[1]
• Brilliant Tab: Affects the 2-2/3′ voice (in some versions)[1]
• Percussion Effects: Brush Cymbal and Drum (in Deluxe I Compact version)[1]

Physical Characteristics

• Design: Portable combo organ design
• Colors: Available in various colors, including red and grey[1]
• Features: Removable lid, attachable pedal, fold-down knee lever[1]

Sound Characteristics

The Farfisa Combo Deluxe Compact is known for its distinctive, bright, and sometimes “cheesy” sound that became iconic in 1960s pop and rock music. Its transistor-based circuitry gives it a unique tonal quality different from traditional pipe organs[4].

Legacy and Impact

The Farfisa Combo Deluxe Compact, along with other Farfisa models, had a significant impact on popular music. Its unique sound can be heard on numerous hit records from the 1960s and 1970s. Today, it’s still sought after by musicians and producers for its vintage tone[4].

Modern Emulations

Due to its enduring popularity, software emulations of the Farfisa Combo Deluxe Compact have been developed. For example, the GSi Compact DeLuxe is a virtual instrument that replicates the sound and features of the original hardware, available for various platforms including macOS, Windows, and iOS[4].

Conclusion

The Farfisa Combo Deluxe Compact represents an important piece of music technology history. Its unique sound and portable design made it a favorite among musicians of its era, and its influence continues to be felt in modern music production through both original instruments and software emulations.