Synth Wizards Episode 7: Syntars, Keytars & Orphicas

Published on Jun 1, 2019 Syntaur

"Keyboardists have wanted to go portable for way longer than you might have thought! Come along with Syntaur’s Sam Mims as he chases the fascinating history of the keytar, or strap-on synthesizer, and talks to some of the people who made these inventions happen. And watch the Syntaur crew bring a smashed Roland keytar back to life!"

Synth Wizards 7 Behind the Scenes: Strawberry Fields on Tubon/Mellotron

Published on Jun 1, 2019 Syntaur

"Sam and Eddie show you how the Strawberry Fields Forever audio for Synth Wizards Episode 7 was created."

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Note the Moog Liberation contains the guts of the Realistic MG-1 made by Moog for Radio Shack.

New Images of the Performance Music Systems S.W.A.N.

A few new images of the one and only Performance Music Systems S.W.A.N., aka Syntar Without A Neck! If you are not familiar with this synth, see here. You can find additional posts on Performance Music Systems here, including an interview with the creator of the S.W.A.N, George Mattson. Mattson of course, is the man behind Mattson Mini Modular and the M in Synthrotek's MST line of eurorack modules. The S.W.A.N was his second synth, after the Syntar, the world's first stand-alone synthesizer keytar.

Note this is the one and only S.W.A.N. in existence.

The bottom image further below was taken in celebration of the Syntar's 38th birthday on October 4th of last year!

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George Mattson History of Analog & Modular Synthesis & MST Synthrotek Modules

Published on Feb 17, 2015 synthrotek

http://www.synthrotek.com/products/ms...

"Synth pioneer George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular and the Syntar takes sits down with Synthrotek to share his history in audio synthesis, the fall of Analog and his thoughts on the new MST line of of Eurorack modules. He also gives his insight into the future of modular synthesis."

George Mattson & Synthrotek will be showing their new MST Synthrotek modules at the upcoming Denver Synth Meet on March 14 (just announced below).

See the channel labels below for additional posts on the Syntar, Mattson and the monster Mattson EML.

Pics of the One of a Kind Performance Music Systems S.W.A.N.

S.W.A.N.  stands for Syntar Without a Neck.  As most of you know, the Syntar was the first  synthesizer keytar and was developed by George Mattson, the man currently behind Mattson Mini Modular.  It is an all analog monophonic synth that dates back to 1981. You'll find some additional details on the S.W.A.N. previously posted here.

Only one SWAN was ever produced and you are looking at it. And no, I am not the lucky owner.

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Vintage Synth Brochures Including The Syntar

via this auction

- TEXTURE software by Roger Powell (Utopia)
- 3) OBERHEIM MATRIX-1000 flyers - color - small smudge
- SYNTAR series I 'KEYTAR brochure & price list (George Mattson)
- FREEDOM I - Poly Keyboard Interface Controller (rare)
- STUDIO ELECTRONICS 'SE-1' MIDIMOOG flyer
- STRIDER SYSTEMS 'DCS II' pioneering digital synthesizer brochure & price list
- SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS 'PROPHET T8' analog synth 6 page color brochure!!
(small split on last page seam - not torn)
- SIEL 'DK 80' hybrid synth 8 page color brochure
- SIEL Expander 80/DK600/EXPANDER/PX JR/MIDI INTERFACE

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Custom EML Spotted in IDOW Pere Ubu Interview

To the far right. EML was known for doing custom work for people including for George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular and his PMS Syntar back in the day. See this post for the video and update.

1980 PMS Syntar Synthesizer #7 Up for Auction

via this auction

"Working vintage 1980 PMS Syntar Synthesizer #7 of about 13 units made. Synthesizer is in working condition and had its power supply rebuilt and other electronics serviced within the last 4 years. Some modifications have been made to the standard routings have been made and are labeled on the power/base box. The red LEDs were replaced with blue and the range trimmers for pitch up/down were replaced with pots and knobs.

The Syntar has some very unique routings and includes a Sample and Hold section, a multi-mode SSM2040 filter (Prophet-5) which can be swept through LP, HP and BP, an ADSR and AR. The left hand controller features routing to pitch up/down, sustain, filter cutoff up/down, amplitude modulation and white noise.

Items included in this auction

# Two unused patch pad (50 sheets)
# Original manual
# 10 foot and 25+ foot cable
# Prototype vinyl carrying case and strap (only 1 made)
# Padded hardshell flight case
# Original glossy promo and sticker"

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Introducing new old ladies

via Jean Michelle Jarre
(click for one more shot)

Pictured here:
PMS Syntar
ARP Quadra

JMJ Blog Tokyo

YouTube via jeanmicheljarre. See the full write-up here.
Synth content: "I've been very busy choosing and finding new analog instruments, and we'll attach some photos of them. Through the internet, through different people in Europe and America, I found very rare and special analog synthesizers and I'm going to use them for my next musical project, which I'm going to start actually this very afternoon. It's composed of an ARP Quadra, a Solina, a very rare portable keyboard called the Syntar, developed more or less at the same time as the Moog Liberation, a Crumar, an Italian string and brass, and also a Roland CR-8000 drum machine. I was looking for this drum machine for quite a while and I finally found it in Amsterdam. So all these instruments are gathered at home, and I'm about to start a new project based on those, plus some other existing instruments I have in the studio as well."

Syntar Cake

A Syntar Family Shot

The Syntar, SWAN and Mattson Mini Modular Pheonix Series. All three were designed by George Mattson.

The Syntar was the first keytar ever produced. It had a unique extended controller on the neck that essentially consisted of nine small wood blocks you could increasingly press for varying degrees of modulation. It's like having nine assignable pitch bends not limited to pitch.

The SWAN is the Syntar Without A Neck (the only one in existence).

The Pheonix is the new Mattson Mini Modular risen from the ashes of the Syntar.

If you've been following the site, you will know that the SWAN and a Syntar are up for auction on VEMIA. Click on the links for each to get to the posts.

If you have seen the posts already, check out the updates. Someone actually listed the SWAN on Ebay! It was of course a scam as the only one in existence is available on VEMIA. There was some heated discussion on AH.

Also, if you haven't already, be sure to check out the history of the Syntar on Carbon111. There are some fascinating bits concerning MOOG and NAMM. You can also find an interview and some history here. Finally you can click here for all posts featuring the Syntar. If you appreciate synths you will appreciate this unique, rare bit of synth history. It really is a fascinating story. A bit of MATRIXSYNTH trivia: I remember the first time I saw the SWAN. It was at George Mattson's place and Carbon111 was going to borrow it for bit. We drove it back to his place and when doing so, I thought how crazy it was that the only SWAN in existence was floating up the I-5 in the back of my CRX. It was a surreal moment for me. And yes, we took extremely good care of it. We all love synths.

Performance Music Systems SWAN via VEMIA

"[VEMIA note: If you thought the Syntar was rare, how about this unique instrument?] S.W.A.N Vintage One-of-a-kind very rare monosynth with flight case. The S.W.A.N. is a vintage monosynth built by Syntar inventor George Mattson [of the Mattson Mini Modular]. The S.W.A.N. is literally a Syntar-Without-A-Neck or, a desktop version of the Syntar without the left-hand controller system. This system is owned by George Mattson and it is labeled 'Prototype 1' even though the electronics are stock Syntar circuits. George built it because dealers were inquiring if they made a 'desktop' version. So, he made one. This is the only S.W.A.N. in existence and is a fully functioning system. George has recently replaced all of the caps and tuned up the system. Information and a better picture can be found at Carbon111 The weight is in its flightcase; outside it is 8.2kg. NB Like all of the lots so far in this particular auction, it is being sold as a non-VAT registered item. But if you import anything from outside the EC into the EC, you may be liable to VAT as a form of import tax." You can find it listed on VEMIA - click on Auctions, Search, and then search for 5881.

Update via Stephen Jones in the comments:
"I've played this very synth about a year ago. It has features unlike any mono synth ever made. I really hope this goes to a good home. I'd estimate that its auction value will be about $7400 and even that would be a steal.

It has a Pratt-Reed gold double buss bar keyboard with a good solid feel. (not J-Wire or membrane carbon contacts like everyone else was using)

Its got two oscillators, a ring mod second, noise, an LFO that does audio rates and the same SSM filter that makes the Prophet-5 Rev 2 sound so good.

Good luck and I hope it goes to a good home."

I played this one as well. Amazing synth, amazing piece of synth history. This was a hard one to put up.

Update: someone actually had the gall to list this on Ebay. The auction was quickly pulled.

Rare Performance Music Systems Syntar via VEMIA

"Vintage rare Performance Music Systems Syntar [Update: this predated the MOOG Liberation - see Carbon111's page linked below for some interesting and controversial history regarding the two] with documentation and flight case. The original “Keytar” is being offered for auction from original owner/inventor George Mattson [of the Mattson Mini Modular]. The package includes a Syntar Series I analog monosynth with power supply, connector cable, owners manual, a pad of patching charts and service documentation. The package also includes a flight case with a royal blue crushed velour interior. The Syntar has been in the possession of the owner since manufacture in 1981 but never been in circulation. George has recently replaced the capacitors and tuned up the system. The condition is very good with some minor signs of wear and age. The mylar graphics have stressed over the years and wrinkled as shown in the pictures. Overall, the system operates 100%. Information about the Syntar can be found at Carbon111 - including a nice picture of Bob Moog playing it. [VEMIA note: this has to be one of the rarest well-known synths ever entered into VEMIA, and to have it serviced and sold by the original designer is pretty nice too.] NB Like all of the lots so far in this particular auction, it is being sold as a non-VAT registered item. But if you import anything from outside the EC into the EC, you may be liable to VAT as a form of import tax."

You can find it listed on VEMIA - click on Auctions, Search, and then search for 5880.

Wall of Phoenix - Mattson Mini Modular

What you are looking at is the first eight Phoenix Edition Mattson Mini Modulars. Each base system consists of two cabinets that fold together into a little suitcase with a handle on each cabinet. This makes it simple to carry either each cabinet individually, or together latched and closed. This entire system is actually latched together. For each individual system, the left cabinet holds ten modules with a power supply and MIDI-CV converter, and the right has space for twelve additional modules which you can order individually at any time. You can latch as many systems together as you like in whatever configuration as you like.

The system pictured here would consist of roughly 16 cabinets x 12 modules for a total of 192 modules, or 176 modules not including the power supplies and MIDI-CV (the Ms are blank panels). Note that with this setup you would be able to run eight individual MIDI channels into the system - think 8 tracks of modular mayhem.

This image is of course of the reflective logos on back of each cabinet. Note the hardboard backs referred to in this previous post. The contrast with the logo looks very nice. You can see the custom wood back of Serial #1 on the bottom left. The non-reflective one is mine, Production Prototype #1. All other systems will have the reflective logos and hardboard backs.

BTW, be sure to click the images for the full size shots. You can find a few more in this flickr set. Click an image followed by the All Sizes link when you get there.

Update: They actually do lock together vertically. I updated the post above to reflect this. Via George Mattson: "They lock together vertically also so the entire structure is latched solidly together. If you look at the unfinished pix of the cabinets (from the front), you’ll notice four squares mounted to the inside of the backs about 1” from each edge. Those are the support spacers for the 8-32 T-Nuts that are epoxied to the back.

On the back, you can see the heads of those 8-32X3/8 screws waiting quietly in the corners screwed into the T-Nuts.

I supply two-3” straps made out of 13ga steel with slotted holes on each end. One of the straps locks the cabinets together when the system is closed. Both straps can be used for structural support by mounting them between cabinets (horizontally or vertically) using those 8-32 screws screwed into the T-nuts in the corners."

The New Look of the Mattson Mini Modular

You are looking at Production Prototype 1 of the Mattson Mini Modular, owned by none other than me. It is not in my possession yet, but it is coming soon. Be sure to click on the image for a full size shot.

The base system is on the left. I opted for a few extra modules you see on the right. The M panels are blank panels, so the base system would normally have all blanks on the right. The whole thing folds into a very nice carrying case. Note you do get the full case with the base model. You can interlock multiple cases with the latches. If you blow up the picture and look closely you can see how the two are connected; you can just keep connecting and stacking.

I was going to hold off on putting up the new design for a bit, but it looks like Stretta beat me to it. Click here for another system and a good post on the relative price of modulars.

The back of the case will have the very sharp Mattson M as a reflective logo. This is actually the back of serial number 1. There are two Production Prototypes followed by the main production line starting with of course, 1. Mine was done before the reflective design so it will be flat. It looks like I'll have to get an additional one now... That sneaky Mattson...

Update: The problem with the images not loading should be fixed. If you still can't see the images, post a comment. Also note the missing knobs and leds in the Prototype 1 image above as it is not yet complete. George also let me know that the back pictured here is a custom wood back. The standard systems will be hardboard with the M. I forgot about that. I've seen them and the contrast between the logo and the solid dark back looks really nice.

Sonic State: Inside Synthesis 003 - Modular Basics

Inside Synthesis 003 - Modular Basics
Introduction to Modular Synthesis
via Sonic State where you can find more info on this video.
This video features the prototype Mattson Mini Modular.

MOOG Liberation Funds Syntar

images via this auction.
Here's an interesting auction. A MOOG Liberation being sold to fund a Syntar. Note the Syntar actually predated the MOOG Liberation as the first keytar ever, a interesting bit of synth history. The Syntar featured an amazingly expressive control interface on the neck that has yet to be reproduced and it did sound quite nice. You can read more about the Syntar on Carbon111's excellent Syntar Page as well as this interview here on MATRIXSYNTH.

It's worth noting that the person behind the Syntar was George Mattson who is currently the man behind the new Mattson Mini Modular.

As for this Liberation, here are the details from the auction:
"# This auction is only for a complete MOOG Liberation Analogue Synthesizer
# In good physical and playing condition with checking and dents in the wood
# Please click on the images below to see larger photos to inspect physical condition
# NEW chipforbrains slider caps
# NEW chipforbrains sliders installed by analogsynthservice.com
# Foam sheet over PCB has been removed and PCB has been cleaned!
# Rackmountable power/CV unit
# Control Cable has not nicks or cuts
# Hardshell carrying case
# Print outs of the owners and service manuals
# Shipping is $50 in the USA, $150 elsewhere
# Interested? All offers will be considered. The chipforbrains sliders are meant to be drop in replacements. However CY has stated that some Liberations will behave slightly differently in the Envelope Generators. If you're familiar with the Rogue or the Liberation, you will notice a difference in the behavior.

I am selling my Moog Liberation because I asked George Mattson to build me one of his unfinished SYNTARs that has sat idle nearly 30 years. As you can imagine it took quite a bit of money to convince him to dust off the SYNTAR and continue working on it. Subsequent interest in the SYNTAR has brought along his latest project: the Mattson Mini Modular .. I order two populated cabinets, so you can see, I need to LIBERATE myself of this Moog to pay Mr. Mattson."

Modular Formats

In case you missed the update to this post, Click the pic to the left for a super sized shot of the image. It was sent my way via John Loffink, author of the article linked to in the prior post and host of The Microtonal Synthesis and The Wavemakers Synthesizer web sites. He also mentioned there was a typo in the article. Via John: "Article has a typo, mentions Analogue Solutions as having Bode FS and Putney tribute modules, should be Analogue Systems. That will be corrected in an errata." Modular formats chart.

SEAMUS Goes Retro & Modular Format Chart

The October 2007 SEAMUS newsletter goes retro. click here for the pdf. It includes a full analog modular round up written by John Loffink of The Microtonal Synthesis and The Wavemakers Synthesizer web sites. Pictured in the article: Modular formats, left to right: Mattson Mini Modular, Eurorack (Plan B), FracRack (Blacet), Serge, Buchla 200e, MOTM, Moog (Synthesizers.com), Modcan A, CMS, Wiard 300. Be sure to click the image for the full size shot.

From the Editor, Kurt Stallmann:
"As we celebrate 50 years of musical computing we can’t help but notice that the analog technology that many predicted would be outmoded and replaced still hasn’t died! Not only that, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in analog instruments in popular music and among many young instrument builders. New designs of analog modular synths have been released, some of which hybrid sophisticated digital control with analog sound engines (like Buchla’s recent release of the 200e). It is along these lines that we asked Chapman Welch to conduct an interview with German improviser/composer, Thomas Lehn, whose sole setup consists of a classic analog Synthi. We also asked the Austin-based Wavemaker specialist and analog enthusiast John Loffink to give us a quick overview of a few current analog synth makers. Going even farther back, and in response to our July interview with Max Mathews, David Mooney contributes an article tracing the history and influence of Henry Cowell’s Rhythmicon on a current generation."

via Grant Richter of Wiard on the Wiard list.
Update via John Loffink: "Article has a typo, mentions Analogue Solutions as having Bode FS and Putney tribute modules, should be Analogue Systems. That will be corrected in an errata."

Mattson Mini Modular Perched on a Synthesizers.com Modular

The MMM Phoenix series on top of a Synthesizers.com modular at this year's PNW Synth Gathering. Image via Carbon111 in this VSE thread. Be sure to check out Carbon111's updated Syntar page now with the MMM. The modules on the MMM are all the same size whereas the synthesizers.com varies based on the modules. The dotcom uses 1/4" jacks and is based on the MOOG modular. The MMM uses 1/8" jacks and is based on the Syntar (more info on Carbon111's site).

click the image for the full size shot.

Note the MMM pictured is the base system at 12 modules. You can add an aditional 12 modules on the right for 24 modules total. The PSU and MIDI to CV take up two spaces in the default system and are used for the additional 12 modules. You can latch on additional cabinets and each system can be folded into a closed and protected modular suitcase for on the go.

You can find more info on the Mattson Mini Modular here and synthesizers.com here.