MATRIXSYNTH: Star Instruments


Showing posts with label Star Instruments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Star Instruments. Show all posts

Friday, September 29, 2023

Star Instruments Synare Drum Synth

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via this auction

Tone Tweakers eBay | Reverb

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"This unit was fully rebuilt by professionals with the highest standards and is in perfect working order. We replaced all the pots, the battery snaps, all electrolytic capacitors, most IC chips, power regulators, and the neoprene layer, so this fully refurbished and functionally the best you’ll find anywhere."

Thursday, October 13, 2022

STAR INSTRUMENTS SYNARE 3 Drum Synthesizer

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via this auction

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings, also on Reverb

"This unit came to us in relatively poor cosmetic condition, so our tech removed the original paint and applied a clear coat. He also fully restored the insides to make this unit work perfectly and hopefully be more reliable than other Synares out there.

We sold one other silver Synare 3 in the past and it didn't have any labels on it. Our customer asked us if we had a way for him to label the parameters, so we gave a local graphic artist the originals and had him make us a couple sets of stickers. The sticker material is different from the original, but they do the trick. We applied stickers to this unit, though we think it looks better (and more mysterious) without them. We put a lot of time, love and money into this synare and the result is a perfectly working example that's justifiably priced higher than other lesser examples. Plus, who else is selling a silver synare?!"

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Vintage 1977 Star Instruments Synare 3 PS-3 Drum Synth SN 4727

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via this auction

Pics of the inside below.

"Rare vintage 1977 Star Instruments Model PS-3 "Synare 3" analog percussion synthesizer drum. I have owned this drum since 1985. I used it on tour from 1998 to 2004. I hate to sell it, but I no longer play and it's time to sell off my gear for someone else to enjoy. Everything works as it should on this unit. Two brand new 9V batteries are included in this auction. Cosmetically, the drum has typical scratches and wear but still looks good for a 45 year old drum (see pictures). The rubber playing surface has some wear but still has plenty of life left in it (see pictures)."

Wednesday, February 09, 2022

Star Instruments Synare 3 PS-3 Synth / Electronic Drum SN 4568

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via this auction

"Star Instruments Synare 3 PS-3 Synth / Electronic Drum. Famously used by Joy Division as snare sound on "she's lost control." Simple oscillators thru nice unique sounding filter with fm and vcf + vca decay envelopes.Can be played with drum sticks or has an unusual trigger input (functions more like vca input, best with positive triggers / voltages you can attenuate).Works fine."

Friday, November 26, 2021

STAR INSTRUMENTS SYNARE S3X Electronic Drum SN 100732

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via this auction

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings, also on Reverb

"This unit was fully refurbished and is in excellent working order / better than others you may find. Everything was removed and it was cleaned inside and out. The pots in these are usually in bad shape and crackly or with other defects, so we replaced them all with new ones, as usual. Electrolytic capacitors were replaced with new ones, not by necessity, but because we want this unit to hopefully outlast others. The original pad surface was removed and replaced with a brand new one. A complete set of vintage knobs was installed. Everything was tested and is in perfect working order. We paid our tech for 5.5 hours of skilled labor to refurbish this unit, and this work is reflected in its higher than usual price, because it's a much better purchase than others you may find."

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

STAR INSTRUMENTS SYNARE 3 Analog Drum Synthesizer PS-3 SN 4416

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via this auction

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Stack of Star Instruments Synare Drum Synths

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via this auction

"Synare drum synth modules in non-working condition. Low Tom, High Tom, Bass Drum and Tympany. Also included is a Synare AC adapter. They output some noise but not much else."

Monday, September 21, 2020

Vintage 1970’s Star Instruments Synare PS-1 Percussion Drum Synthesizer SN 0104

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via this auction

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Vintage Star Instruments Synare PS-3X Analogue Drum Snare Synth

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via this auction

"Synare S3X analogue drum synth. This Synare is in excellent shape. No scratchy pots, everything works perfectly.
Includes a power supply AND Ludwig drum mount (not shown)."

Sunday, December 02, 2018

Star Instrument Synare PS Electronic Drum 1976 Catalog Percussion Synthesizer

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via this auction

Vintage, 1976, Synare P.S. Electronic Drums, Print Catalog.

Item: Print Catalog

Brand: Star Instrument Synare P.S.

Age: 1976

Condition: Excellent. Very Clean.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

PHENOL jam - April 26, 2017


Published on Apr 26, 2017 SynthMania

All synths: Kilpatrick Audio PHENOL
Drums: TAMA Swingstar
Synth Percussion: Star Instruments Synare 3
Bass: Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Star Instruments Synare S3X demonstration, drum module, analog synthesizer

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Published on Jan 13, 2016 Carl Wiedemann

"A demonstration of some of the sound capabilities of the Star Instruments Synare S3X drum module, analog synthesizer. Issued from 1977 to 1982. This unit has five presets, which are moderately adjustable. I assume this was to make it more practical for live performance use. The “0” setting allows full adjustability for making one’s own sounds, although the range is less expansive than the standard Synare 3, which had the drawback of having no presets. The S3X has two AC power inputs to supply 18 volts. However it does work with one twelve volt input (positive tip plug). I'm selling this particular unit on Ebay (January 2016)."


via this auction

"Star Instruments Synare S3X drum module, analog synthesizer, with clamp mount hardware. Issued from 1977 to 1982. All the controls (knobs and switches) seem to be operating properly. This unit has five presets, which are moderately adjustable. I assume this was to make it more practical for live performance use. The “0” setting allows full adjustability for making one’s own sounds, although the range is less expansive than the standard Synare 3, which had the drawback of having no presets. I have posted a video on YouTube to demonstrate that this unit in functioning properly. The S3X has two AC power inputs to supply 18 volts. However it does work with one twelve volt input (positive tip plug), which is included in this auction. I’ve posted a video on YouTube which demonstrates the array of sounds this unit can generate."

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Star Instruments Synare 3 PS-3 Analog Drum Synthesizer SN 4571

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via this auction

"This Synare 3 Analog Drum Synthesizer was manufactured by Star Instruments sometime between 1977 - 1982."

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Star Instruments Synare3

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via this auction Perfect Circuit Audio

Monday, September 17, 2012

Analog Synare S3X SN 101873 with Original Box & Documentation

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"Up for auction here is a rare vintage Synare S3X drum synthesizer, made somewhere around 1980 by Star Instruments of Stafford Springs, CT. It's an update of the somewhat more common Synare PS3 drum synth, which turns up from time to time in New Wave and, especially, disco records of the era. Nowadays, these Synare drums are more often used as a nice portable impact-activated analog synth, rather like hitting a Moog with a stick. It's got two oscillators and a ton of sonic possibilities, you can get real dubsteppy real quick with this thing, it's got a sound that matches up well with its UFO-like shape. (Check out "Synare" on youtube for an idea of some of the possibilities.)

The differences between this S3X and the earlier PS3 are several:

The S3X allows you to have 5 preset sounds, available by turning the rightmost knob on the unit. These are adjustable, to some degree, by opening up the case and turning one of the five trim pots on the circuit board. The preset sounds can be modified in real time by adjusting the knobs on the front of the drum, e.g., increasing or decreasing the Decay time. Selecting Preset 0 puts the drum in full realtime control without any preset sound source.

The sensitivity of the drum can be adjusted by turning another trim pot on the circuit board.

The S3X can be used with a Synare Sequencer without modification, whereas a PS3 requires retro-fitting to work with the Sequencer.

The S3X uses a wall wart power supply rather than two 9-volt batteries, so you don't run out of juice during a show. Also, each S3X has two 1/8" input/output jacks for DC power, which allows you to chain multiple drums to one power supply simply by running a 1/8" cable between your drums.

The condition of this unit isn't mint but it's not at all bad for a 30-year-old piece. The white drumhead is marked from playing but still perfectly responsive, not rotted and flaking like some you see. There's minor scratches and scrapes on the surface but no dents or rust. I've never gotten much of a sound from presets 1 and 2 but otherwise the controls function as they should.

I'm also including an interesting pile of documentation that came with the drum.

A folded one-sheet with a diagram of the drum interior on one side and a description of the internal preset, etc., controls on the other.
A (rather faded) second sheet with a diagram of the exterior controls on one side and some suggested configurations on the the other, and
Four pages of hand-written diagrams and notes, dated 2/11/80, describing the operation of the drum. I don't know if this came from the factory or what, but it's interesting.

Finally, this drum comes with an after-market (Radio Shack) wall wart adapter that works well with the drum. It has the requisite 1/8" male tip, which can be rather difficult to find.

And, finally, finally, I'll even enclose the original box, though that and everything else will be well-packed and protected in a larger container."

Saturday, June 02, 2012

Synare Sequencer by Star Instruments

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via this auction

"As far as I'm aware, these things control Synare 3X drums, or plain-old Synare 3 drums that have been modified for use with this machine. I once saw an auction on here for one of these units that was new in the box (that one sold for over $300, btw), and the manual in that box contained instructions for how to perform that mod. Fortunately, the Matrixsynth blog archived a picture from that auction of that page of the manual -- here it is:" [below]


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Synare PS-1 Analog Drum Percussion Synthesizer w/Trig In & Noise Mods

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via this auction

via the listing: "About a year ago the noise section went out on it, so I sent it to Switched-On Music Electronics in Austin, TX for repairs. While it was in I decided to have it modded with trigger inputs to bypass the pads, so it could be sequenced with an analog sequencer, or by a modular synth. The tech doing the mods also talked me into modding the noise section with a pot that lowers the bit rate of the noise (think NES video game explosions at low rates). The repairs and mods cost $400, so think of that as something you shouldn't have to do anytime soon if you decide to buy this.

Another notable thing about this unit is the amazing condition of the pads. I've never seen one with pads in this good of condition and is one of the main reason I originally picked this up. The pads work great, although some areas on the outside of the pads take a slightly harder hit to respond. That's another good reason for the trigger input mods.

For anyone who hasn't heard one of these, the closest things I can think of that it sounds like is an ARP Odyssey, or an MS-20. Everything is more geared for percussion though, so think weird metallic pings, and massive pink and white noise gongs. The pads can be tuned so that each of the 4 pads have 3 sections and therefor 12 notes. Not particularly easy to play melodic things that way but it might help you come up with things you wouldn't normally play on a regular synth with keys. I find it more useful for percussive clangs and booms. Sounds amazing when mixed and triggered with another analog drum machine like a Korg Rhythm 55."

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

STAR INSTRUMENTS PS-1 SYNARE PERCUSSION SYNTHESIZER

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via this auction

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Star Instruments Synare 2 Analog Percussion Synthesizer

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via this auction


Sunday, April 15, 2012

Star Instruments Synare S3X

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. Synare S3X Presets 1-5 Analog Synth Drum

YouTube Uploaded by elmadave on Oct 25, 2009

Synare S3X Preset 0 Analog Synth Drum

Uploaded by elmadave on Oct 25, 2009



via this auction

"The S3X shares nearly all functions and circuitry with its Synare 3 brother, so the crazy and deep sounds that you can get out of a 3 can be produced with the S3X. In addition to the Synare 3 sounds the S3X includes several key features. The first and most important is the use of an external power supply, so no batteries needed. The unit works with a 12v or 18v 1/8" plug wall adapter and finding one is easy (I can help you locate one if needed). The second feature is a set of presets that allow you to quickly switch to 5 preconfigured sounds (adjustable) with a turn of a knob.

Check out some of my videos of other Synares including an S3X (not the one in the auction but exactly the same model and sounds):" [above]

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