Vintage Analog Synthesizer MAPLIN 3800

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"It is a true analog monophonic synthesizer. The roots of the english MAPLIN models base on the ETI DIY Synthesizers from Australia.
This MAPLIN 3800 "Synthesiser" (look at the photos) was manufactured in England.

It has great sound capabilities because of the internal routing, the two VCOs (syncable), the noise generator, the S&H circuit (three different sources), three modulation sources, the ring modulator, the LFO, the VCF, the reverberation, the equalizer and the unique Transient circuit. The Transient is a kind of envelope that can be used to modulate several other components of the synthesizer. Like the Trapezoid circuit inside the EMS VCS3 and Synthi A synthesizers. The Transient circuit has got seven different pots for setting up and can also retrigger the synthesizer. Also there is a flexible kind of envelope for the VCA (ADDSR).

This offered synthesizer has got some issues: the two VCO input rotary switches for setting up the VCOs (the blue and the green very left ones) can not be turned without tongs! The switches have to be exchanged. The pot for setting up the noise color does not affect the noise color. The LED of the power supply is lose and needs to be fixed. Thats all. Technical everything works fine excepting the noise color pot. But noise is present and can be leveled from 0 to 100 percent. Even the VCO input rotary switches work normal excepting the strong torque they need to be switched. The installed knobs on them can't hold this strong torque and so they turn without any effect.

Sounds great without any noise on the audio path.

At the back you find several connector sockets. As there are: Foot switches for Trigger and for Glide, external audio input (can be routed through the filter and be used to synchronise the Envelope and the Transient to other sound sources) Here for there is at the front panel the section "EXTERNAL I/P". With this the external audio can be setup in sensitivity and trigger level. Also there is a separate output socket for the trigger and the retrigger, and for the audio output. At least there is a multi connector called "COMPUTER". But i don't know anything about it. I think it corresponds to the section "COMPUTER" at the front panel.

Unit works on 220 - 240 Volt. You will probably need an voltage converter to use this synthesizer or you replace the mains transformer inside."