Prince fans take note, for two iconic pieces of recording history associated with the late legend are set to go under the hammer.

An Oberheim OB-8 synthesizer, famously used during recording sessions for Purple Rain, and an Amek mixing board that played a prominent role in crafting the sound of Dirty Mind are both poised to find new homes.

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According to auction house Propstore, the OB-8 in question was used by Prince and legendary keyboardist Matt ‘Dr.’ Fink to record tracks on several albums including Around the World in a Day, Parade and Sign o’ the Times. The instrument was also used occasionally as a backup synth on tour.

The last model in the original OB series to be produced, this OB-8 (serial number C25024) features a 61-note keyboard, 8-voice polyphony, and a range of sliders, knobs and controls for various functionalities, including modulation, oscillators, filter, and envelopes. It comes from the personal collection of Fink himself and is expected to fetch between £50,000 – £100,000.

Also up for grabs is an Amex mixing board used by Prince in 1980 and 1981 in his home studio on the North Arm of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, to record his third studio album, Dirty Mind.

“Prince used this mixing board to record and track raw recordings and create rough mixes for songs on Dirty Mind,” the listing states. “These rough recordings would then be mixed into a final version, usually on a board in Hollywood Sound Recorders studio in Los Angeles.”

Like the OB-8, the Amex console comes from Fink’s personal collection: “Often, Prince would retire gear and his band members would ask permission to take it; this is how Fink acquired this mixing board.”

Built circa 1979, the mixing board was created by AMEK and comprises an extensive number of different coloured controls and switches, housed within a dark-stained wooden frame. It has 16 channels including some aux channels added to allow for FX returns. Propstore estimates that the Amek board could sell for between £30,000 – £60,000.

The Propstore Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction is set to take place in London from 14 to 17 November, with all music-related items, including Prince’s Oberheim OB-8 and the Amek mixing board, scheduled for sale on 15 November.

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