Electronic Music Laboratories Modular Restoration Project

via George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular: "This is my Electronic Music Laboratories sequencer. It is actually a compilation of assorted EML synthesizers I own that I stuffed into a common case.

In 1978, I was tired of trying to stack all of these and decided to compile them into one unit. At the time, I owned: The Electrocomp 400 sequencer with the 2x16 sequencer panel, The EML 200 "Modular" And, the EML 300 controller. I also own an EML 101 and an EML Poly-Box but, they didn't stack. I built the case out of 1/2" plywood with wood mounting rails and stapled black vinyl around the case. The case measures 4' wide x 3.5' high x 1' deep. Since I had a couple of extra holes, I ordered another 2x16 sequencer panel and another EML 300 without a case to fill it up. After 32 years, I've decided to refurbish this compilation and give it a new house.

The plan: Besides the panels in the case, I also have the EML circuit modules that I had purchased from EML in order to build a 'proof of concept' Syntar in 1979 [Update: see this post]. I also have a few left over 3-octave Pratt-Read keyboards from my old Syntar stock along with some old Syntar circuit boards. I want to determine what I have that is still working or, easy to fix. Once I have an inventory, I'm going to design a modular panel to fit between the 300's and the top portion and incorporate the working modules into the system. I'm also going to add the two 3-octave keyboards. Below those, I will put my 88-key M-audio MIDI controller keyboard and add a couple of MMM MIDI/CV controllers. Anything that I feel I need to fill out the signal paths and patching structure I'll just pull from my DIY module stock.

After the "modular" section is defined, I'll refurbish, re-cap the existing EML panels, calibrate them and clean/lube all of the panel controls that aren't sealed. Any sealed pots that are noticeably bad in an audio path will be replaced with something newer.

It should be a fun refurbishing project.

To be continued…."

George Mattson"