A Potted History of Drum Synthesizers

video upload by Alex Ball and Nathan Curran Tugg the Drummer (Tugg)

"A look at a niche within a niche, the drum synthesizer; a story that begins in the late 60s and continues to this very day."

0:00 Intro
0:25 Definition of a "Drum Synthesizer"
2:24 Precursors, DIY and Impakt
4:03 Star Instruments Synare
5:09 How these Instruments Worked
6:13 Syndrum: The First Famous Drum Synth
8:45 Ult-Sound: Japan's First Drum Synth
10:10 Pearl & Tama: Here Come The Drum Companies
13:20 Simmons: The Zeitgeist
19:21 The Flood Gates & Mega-Montage
24:48 Soviet Offerings
25:17 Decline and the Splitting Point
27:05 Vermona: A New Era
29:28 Elektron: Blurred Lines
30:58 A Plethora of Machines
32:24 Clavia/Nord: Simply Red
33:39 Modern Day: The Culmination
34:44 Summary & Thanks
35:23 Patron Outro Jam

Update:

1/14/26 Simmons SDS6 + TAMA DS200 + Alesis MIDIVERB II + CXM 1978

video upload by Cfpp0

"This is one of two videos I recorded for the great Alex Ball (‪@AlexBallMusic‬) to use in his video about the history of drum synthesizers. I’m using the Simmons SDS7 to trigger the two halves of the TAMA DS200, with reverbs from the Alesis MIDIVERB II and the CXM 1978. The DS200 is running hot through the MIDIVERB II, overloading the preamp. The CXM 1978 has a long predelay in lo-fi mode to create a grainy pitchy echo."

STAR INSTRUMENTS SYNARE 3 Drum Synthesizer SN 17401

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via this eBay listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"We paid our tech for the 6.5 hours of skilled labor required to make this Synare work, feel, and sound like new again.

We replaced all potentiometers with new ones for crackle free operation.
Replaced the rubber pad
Replaced transistors 2N3904 x2
Replaced electrolytic capacitors (8)
Cleaned unit inside and out.
Cleaned and lubed switches.
Replaced knobs with a new set.
Replaced the battery snaps.
Cleaned the jack.

In summary, we invested the time and money required to properly refurbish this unit and, as a result, it's functionally the best you’ll find anywhere, and justifiably priced higher than the rest because you won't have to make excuses for a lesser example or pay someone else to do this work and wait who knows how long. The selling commissions we are charged here are added into our prices here."

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Star Instruments Synare PS-1

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via this listing

"Extremely rare late 70s Star Instruments Percussion Synthesizer. Complete and in working condition. Tested all functions and it's all working. Foam pads however have hardened due to age and are cracked - need replacement. In its current state I was able to trigger all 12 pad zones and can confirm it's working. LFO and ring modulator sections working. White noise and pink noise working. Resonance slider is missing will need to be replaced. All other sliders operating. Not many of these around - amazing and unique filters and effects. Restore this rare beauty for optimal performance! No reserve."

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Star Instruments Synare 3 Drum Pad

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via this listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

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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."

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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?!"

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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)."

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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."

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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."

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

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via this auction

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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."

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

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via this auction

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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)."

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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.

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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

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."

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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."

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Star Instruments Synare3

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via this auction Perfect Circuit Audio

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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."

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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]