Introducing The Synthesizer Academy

"If you're looking for a good synthesis tutorial or two, the folks over at the MMTA are putting together a new site called The Synthesizer Academy. Each Monday a new lesson will be posted. Topics will cover everything from what a synthesizer is, to making fancy patches, to building your own system. You can subscribe to the RSS feed if you want to be notified when new lessons are posted."

The site is spearheaded and hosted by Scott Rise of Division 6. You might recognize the modular in the pic. It's George Mattson's monster custom EML modular. See the Mattson EML label below for more posts. George, of course, is the man behind Mattson Mini Modular. Other members of the MMTA include Eardrill, flight of harmony, The Harvestman, Malekko, Synthwerks, 4ms Pedals, and yours truly.

I Dream of Wires, Extended Interview Series: Allen Ravenstine and Robert Wheeler of Pere Ubu

Vimeo by I Dream Of Wires

"In February 2012, Pere Ubu synthesists Allen Ravenstine ('75 to '89) and Robert Wheeler ('94 to present), two legendary figures of Cleveland's punk rock scene, met at Grant Avenue Studio to discuss and demonstrate the EML modular synthesizers that have been an integral part of the Pere Ubu sound for almost 40 years. The interviews were conducted for inclusion in "I Dream of Wires: the Modular Synthesizer Documentary." The impromptu jam session that followed marked the first time the two have ever played together.

I DREAM OF WIRES is a forthcoming documentary film about the history and resurgence of modular synthesizers. The film is currently in production. This is the 2nd in a series of extended interviews, which will be produced and released in various formats throughout the production, and following the release, of the film. I DREAM OF WIRES extended interview segments are sponsored by MATRIXSYNTH (m.matrixsynth.com).

Note: An extended, 23-minute cut of this piece is available to watch on YouTube, with additional performance footage and further discussions on the early days of Pere Ubu. A must for Pere Ubu fans!
youtube.com/watch?v=fSBYPHWka_E

For more info on Pere Ubu, visit: ubuprojex.net/

For info on the film: idreamofwires.org"

Update: at the end of the video spot the custom EML modular to the right of the sequencer with what looks like chrome knobs. It's a one off custom EML. EML was known to make custom systems including the PMS Syntar and components of the custom EML for George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. See the Matton EML and Syntar labels below for more.

PNW Synthfest 2011 Pics by v8media

flickr By v8media

Click through for more.

PNW SynthFest Pics by Greg Bowman

via Facebook where you'll find more pics.

Monster Mattson EML Modular to be Featured at the PNW Synthfest

Click the pic for the super size shot. See the Mattson EML label for more. Details on the Pacific Northwest Synthfest can be found on the MMTA (Mostly Modular Trade Association) website: http://www.mostlymodular.com/.

Note the two Mattson Mini Modulars stacked to the right of the EML. For those not familiar with George Mattson, he is the man behind Mattson Mini Modular, and previously the Performance Music Systems Syntar, the first self contained synthesizer keytar. The circuits were built by EML for Performance Music Systems. You can read about the Syntar here on Carbon111's site and in this interview from 2006 - there is a great pic of George and Bob Moog checking out the Syntar. And of course see the Syntar label for more. Many of the circuits George designed for the Syntar made their way into his current Mattson Mini Modular. Many of his new designs made it into his new custom EML modular. It's fascinating to see this come full circle in a sense, with EML to Syntar to MMM to the Mattson EML refurbishment project.

One Monster Modular

George Mattson's monster EML modular near completion.

You can see two stacked Mattson Mini Modulars to the right of it. The MMM is based on the same circuits of the Performance Music Systems Syntar, which in turn was based on EML circuits built by EML according to George Mattson's specifications. The Syntar was the first keytar with a built in synthesizer produced by George in 1979. See The Syntar on Carbon111.com for some history as well as this post for an interview with George back in April of 2006.

See the Mattson EML label for more.


Flickr slideshow below. You can click on any image to get to the larger version on Flickr.

Mattson EML Refurbishment First Test

via George Mattson

"Jason came over last night just as I was doing the functional checks on the EML.

It's probably 95% functional as it stands. I have to calibrate some things. I still have a lot more to do on the system; add MIDI to some of the sequencer and build a case for it.

But, the biggest drawback I have is my severe shortage of 1/4" patch cables :(

I had to recruit some guitar cords in the checkout process."

See the Mattson EML label below for more.

EML Refurbishment Progress by George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular

via George Mattson:

"My EML refurbishment project is moving along slowly.

I now have all of the panel components and PC boards mounted. All panels are wired except for the right half of the middle.

I completed the sub structure and tacked the panels to it to give everybody a concept of the form factor.

I still have to make a base that will span an 88-key MIDI keyboard, add at top cap, make the cosmetic housing, install the two analog keyboards in a "drawer" configuration, install the power supplies then, go through and tweak everything in as well as build the inter-cabinet cables and I/O.

It's going to take a while :)"

http://mattsonminimodular.com/
See the Mattson EML label for more.

George Mattson's EML Sequencer Refurbishment Pics

Some pics I took while at George Mattson's.

Mattson Mini Modular and the EML custom synth panel.

"Dimension Shift"

Left joystick panel

See this post for general info on the project.

EML sequencer refurbishment update

via George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. This is a follow-up to the EML Modular Restoration Project.

"The first pic is a repeat of the left module panel I'm making to add to the Sequencer compilation. The second pic is the cosmetically completed left module panel.

I had to take the 16" x 24" aluminum panel, lay out the module arrangement and find a point where I could gracefully cut the panel into two pieces. My oven isn't big enough to hold a 24" long panel. That makes the left panel two parts 'A' and 'B'.

The left ('A') side has two Syntar board PMS1's, a Syntar PMS4 and an MMM VC Filter.

The right ('B') side has another Syntar PMS1 board, two EML exponential amplifier modules, two EML VCO modules, an EML VCF module, an MMM 4x Mixer module, an MMM noise module and two MMM Buffered multiple modules.

The graphics were laser printed in reverse image onto Lasertran and applied to the panel. After baking for about 3 hours, I drilled the component holes then, applied 2 coats of satin spray-on polyurethane. After a day of curing, I added the panel components. I didn't melt off the decal this time with IPA. It was a PITA last time and I rubbed off large sections of graphics. The decal adds another layer of protection and totally disappears under the polyurethane.

Most of the circuit boards are attached. I ran out of mounting hardware and am waiting for their arrival.

The Syntar PMS1 boards consist of a Pratt-Read keyboard driver circuit, a gate generation circuit, a glide circuit, an exponential amplifier, a VCO and a slave VCO.

I made provisions for interrupting the keyboard driver and gate circuitry to allow patching of external 1V/O signals and external gates. I also provide 1V/O outputs pre and post glide simultaneously.

The Syntar PMS4 board contains a VC LFO and a sample and hold. The board will be mounted on panel 2-A and the LFO signals routed to Panel 1-A.

Once I have all of the boards mounted, I'll start wiring up the panel controls. Then, get started on the right panel.

G "

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"