Starkey HSL-1 (Hearing Science Laboratory) SN 8011001

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Some pics of the inside below.

“Starkey Hearing Science Laboratory. This would have been used for controlled hearing tests and was sourced from the speech and language therapy department of a university, my interest in this item was from the point of view of creating electronic music.”

“From the early 1970s until the mid-1980s, audiologists used this instrument to perform sophisticated hearing tests and experiments. It wasn’t intended for making music, but that didn’t stop experimental musicians from exploiting the HSL’s potential as a synthesizer. It has three sine-wave generators, one square-and-triangle-wave generator, pink and white noise, three resonant lowpass/highpass/bandpass filters, and mic and line inputs for processing external audio. It also has a frequency counter, a gate sequencer, distortion, a probability circuit, various utility functions, and audio outputs that include one labeled Bone Vibrator, but no inputs for external keyboards. Users connect circuits using patch cords with mini banana plugs and control pitch and other parameters by turning knobs and flipping switches. Like most medical devices, the HSL was built to last.”

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Starkey HSL II (Hearing Science Laboratory)

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"Starkey Labs HSL II, originally intended to be a laboratory for hearing sciences, but actually a patcheable synth with 4 oscillators + noise, 3 multimode filters, sequencer, etc. Great for drones and effects like the VCS3. Experiments book included!."

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STARKEY Hearing Science SN 8109004

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Note this was listed back in 2013 here. The new listing comes in directly via the seller.

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1978 Starkey Laboratories Hearing Science Laboratory HSL II Synthesizer SN 8011003

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"Up for auction is a used Starkey Laboratories Hearing Science Laboratory HSL II Synthesizer. This was originally designed to test hearing capabilities. This unit has been kept indoors in a climate controlled environment, and the inside components show no signs of corrosion. I was able to power the unit on and feed music through it. I do not have the proper equipment nor the knowledge to fully test this unit and say that it is in 100% working condition. The unit has some damage on the wood casing and a small dent in the face plate which I have highlighted in the pictures. The face plate could use a slight cleaning, as I do not know what cleaning product to use on it and do not want to ruin anything. Overall this unit is in good condition for being made in 1978."

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Starkey Hearing Science Laboratory

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“For sale is a rare vintage starkey hearing science laboratory programmer analog modular synthesizer. this was originally built for hear and speech sciences experimentation. Today some use this machine as synthesizer, gate, trig-processor or trig sequencer."

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Vintage Starkey HSL II Hearing Science Laboratory

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via this auction

See the Starkey channel below for more including videos.

Some info via the listing: "We have tested all basic audio modules besides the "programmer" portion which we do not understand. We can tell you that when "step" or "run" are pressed it scrolls through the different addresses changing "DATA" lights and clicking relays of some sort, so it seems to work. Sources, Filters, Phasing, Limiting, Clipping, Counter, Mixes, Gates, Probability, and Monitor modules have all been tested and work as they should. When testing the mic and line inputs it seemed to trigger the overload light easily, but it passed audio just fine so maybe that is normal. Some pots are a little scratchy."

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1985 STARKEY LABS Hearing Science Laboratory SN 9009005

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Close-ups of the control panel and pics of the inside below. More pics at the auction. See the Starkey label at the bottom of this post for more posts including video.

"For sale is this vintage 1985 Hearing Science Laboratory HSL analog modular synthesizer by Starkey Laboratories, Inc. This particular example, serial number 9009005, is in very excellent 100% original condition and has been recently serviced to be compliant with studio-ready standards. As the name suggests, the HSL was originally manufactured with the intent to exhaustively test the hearing capabilities and limits of the test subject, however, it is without a doubt one of the most interesting analog modular synthesizers ever designed. Production began sometime in the early-70's and seems to have continued uninterrupted through the mid-80's. With very high quality components and a beautiful build that is spectacularly refined, it certainly rivals the thoughtulness of an ARP. The chassis and printed circuit boards are impressively arranged, and there is no doubt that the sophisticated engineering required to design the HSL was successful in creating a simply awesome modular synth. While it is completely unique, features an accessible layout and sounds unlike any other comparable analog synthesizer, (not to mention it looks incredible), it is definitely an esoteric piece for the enthusiast that already has several standard synths. These synths have consistently sold for upward of $2,000.00 for the past 8 years in lesser condition, and taking into consideration the rather limited production when compared to other musical instrument totals, combined with the recent value increase in similar pieces, this is bound to become worth $5,000.00 soon.

As is the case with seemingly all of these units, this example was recently removed from South West Texas State University, where it appears to have been minimally used. A set of mini-banana jack patch cables are included, the original 2-prong power cable was upgraded to a grounded 3-prong, and the controls/pots/switches were meticulously cleaned from within.

The HSL has 3 sine wave generators, a square and saw wave fuzz generator, and a pink and white noise generator. The signal path flows from left to right and is patchable with mini-banana cables (included in the auction). There are 3 filters which allow patching through hi/lo/mid pass sections. There is a phase inverter, limiter, frequency counter (with a classic red LED display) , 4 attenuators (volume), 2 mixer sections, a VU meter, and a few other functions. There is also a gate sequencer, so you can basically set two different lengths of tones to trigger as you desire. The sequencer is intuitively simple, with obvious limitations, but functions perfectly. This pitch can not be manipulated by an external controller, however the frequency can be controlled manually, whereby the frequency can be changed which affects the perceived pitch. I have seen examples with an added c/v control, allowing external triggers and sound sources.

The cabinet certainly draws it's inspiration from the EMS VCS3, with a veneered walnut cabinet showcasing a silver and black control panel."

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STARKEY HEARING SCIENCE Lab SN 8109004

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"The Starkey Hearing Science was originally built in 1977 for hear and speech sciences experimentation, today some use this machine as synthesizer, gate, trig-processor or trig sequencer. This is very desirable and are rare. This one come from the Northern Illinois University.

It's a sort of modular synthesizer with a special look like an EMS VCS3, it can make very strange sounds thru the many combinations between 4 vco's, noise, 3 filters, inverter, phase control, clipper (for distortion), output limiting, attenuators, AR gates, gate sequencer, mixers, probability analog switches and external input where you can process any type of mic or line signal and more other particular modules... In this auction are included some 2mm Pomona connectors. Respect other Starkey models that I have seen around, this unit has a built in frequencymeter. There are some demos on the web, for example: [link]"

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IDOW & MATRIXSYNTH Modular Pic of the Week - Week 24 Contest Winner!

"Our twenty-fourth winner of the Modular Pic of the Week contest goes to Luigi Leo 'modular' Learchi, for his 'Starkey.'

Luigi's band was called Delia, performing with EMS synthesizers. More than 50-thousand downloads were made of the international compilation dedicated to EMS synth.

For more info on the EMS Synth comp, please login to: http://forum.thesynthi.de

We'd like to give a big thanks and congratulations to Luigi Leo 'modular' Learchi for his submission!

This is the 24rd week of a 30-week contest, and we are looking forward to many more modular photo submissions, so please keep 'em coming! For details on how to submit and what you can win, see this post.

For more info on the upcoming 'I Dream of Wires' documentary, be sure to see the trailer and IndieGoGo fund raising campaign here.

See the IDOW label for all posts pertaining to the film including the weekly contest winners."

Vintage Starkey Hearing Lab

via this auction
"this was originally built in 1977 for hear and speech sciences experimentation. Today some use this machine as synthesizer, gate, trig-processor or trig sequencer. This is very desirable and are rare. This one is from indiana state university, it was in the lab."

see the Starkey label below for more.

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Comdyna GP-6 Analog Computer

images via this auction

Not a synth, but definitely fun too look at.

"Comdyna GP-6 Analog Computer + Microhybrid I. Everything pictured is included. These are no longer made anymore. Complete info is available here: http://www.comdyna.com"

via the Comdyna site:
"The GP-6 carries on the general purpose analog computer as an old technology that stays forever young. Although the analog computer rarely computes in a manner that gave it its name, analog computing continues to thrive in the form of linear circuits. Analog computing fundamentals are the roots of linear circuits. The analog computer patch panel remains the only means of programming linear circuits, i.e. operational amplifiers into the endless number of analog circuit devices. With a GP-6 in the laboratory, stable, trouble- free signal conditioning, simulation, control, intrumentation, etc. circuits can be up an running in minutes.

Control laboratories are the primary installations. The GP-6 is the ideal starting point for teaching classic control system design. Working first with the GP-6, the student experiences not only the basic challenge of the control problem, but a hands-on development of the system physics into its math model, the patch panel programming of linear devices into interface and controller circuits, scaling analog variables and the use of simulation as a tool for both inductive and deductive analysis.

The GP-6 is also used in classroom demonstrations and advanced design projects where programmable simulations serve as linear and non-linear plants to be controlled. GP-6 simulations are high speed, continuous, and realistic stand-ins for testing analog and digital controllers and control systems.

Other than teaching, the GP-6 finds application as a handy, portable, general purpose instrument, the GP-6 patch panel a means to quickly program, as opposed to breadboarding, linear circuits.

Each GP-6 is a self-contained unit capable of simulating linear and non-linear systems of up to four state variables. Over 2000 GP-6 analog computers have been installed in over 400 university, government and commercial research laboratories.

USING THE COMDYNA GP-6 ANALOG COMPUTER, by Professor Ian Petersen, Department of Electrical Engineering, Australian Defense Force Academy, is an excellent presentation of programming and operating the GP-6.

The GP-6 Panel page offers a destailed description of the patch and operating panel functions."

For an analog computer with audio, see the Starkey Hearing Lab by clicking on the Starkey label below.

Starkey Hearing Science modular synthesizer (video 5)

YouTube via scienceforce

"This is another Starkey modular synthesizer release, upgraded with 3x Lfo, 3 vco cv in, 3 vcf vc in with 3 amount controls, 3 vco waveform shapers (sine to square) and two gate in. The sequencers is totally working."

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STARKEY HEARING SCIENCE LAB

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"STARKEY HEARING SCIENCE rare modular analog laboratory system, Built in 1977. It is not a common synthesizer, not a classic, but a test synth laboratory where you can make very strange sounds and many combinations between his particular features: 3 VCO's with CV (not standard control voltage), 1 buzzer LFO, 3 FIlters, 4 attenuators, 1 output limiting, 1 inverter, 1 phase control, 1 wavefor clipper, 2 mixers, 2 gates control with rise fall adsr and 2 Gate IN, 1 white / pink noise, 1 EXTERNAL input where you can process any type of mic or line signal and more other particular modules...1 gate programmer. This Starkey release has 3 VCO CV Inputs but the voltage is not standard, you can make anyway awesome modulations! It has also 3 enhanced killer filters that the normal Starkey release hasn't and 2 GATE inputs modification (the two jacks of the external switch) so you can trig the two Gates rise fall adsr..nice! Look very nice, similar to EMS VCS3, see the 15 auctions pics. In this auction are included also some patch cords and his Original manual!! I have released some demos on youtube: <previously posted here>"

Starkey Hearing Science modular synthesizer (video 4)

YouTube via scienceforce.

You can find the previous 3 vids here.

"Starkey Hearing Science analog modular synthesizer laboratory. It is a scientific instrument, with many particular synthesis features... with this gear you can also process any external signal inputs between filters, vco's and more... The Starkey laboratory is absolutely not common & classic instrument ;-)This one model has standard jacks connectors and 3 vco cv in and 2 gate in located on the external switch"

STARKEY HEARING SCIENCE

images via this auction
"a rare opportunity to bid for a STARKEY HEARING SCIENCE rare modular analog laboratory system, Built in 1977. It is not a common synthesizer, not a classic, but a test synth laboratory where you can make very strange sounds and many combinations between 4 vco's, 3 filters, 1 inverter, 1 phase control, 1 clipper (for distortion), 1 output limiting, 4 nice attenuators, 1 EXTERNAL input where you can process any type of mic or line signal and more other particular modules... In this auction are included also 8 POMONA Banana connectors. I have released 3 demos on youtube where I process also a little casio VL-1 on demo 3: Demos. More info: link1 link2" Don't miss this video.

Starkey Hearing Science modular synthesizer

YouTube via scienceforce

"Starkey Hearing Science analog modular synthesizer laboratory. It is a scientific instrument, with many particular synthesis features... with this gear you can also process any external signal inputs between filters, vco's and more... The Starkey laboratory is absolutely not common & classic instrument ;-)"

Starkey Hearing Laboratory Analog Modular Synthesizer

Title link takes you to more shots via this auction. Be sure to check them out. There are some great shots including a drawing of one, and a University of Illinois face plate.

Details:
"This machine was manufactured in 1972. The HSL-II has 3 sine wave generators, a square and saw wave fuzz generator (awesome!), and a pink and white noise generator. These can be seen clearly on the far left of the HSL-II. The signal path flows from left to right and is patchable with mini-banana cables (included in the auction). There are 3 filters which allow patching through hi/lo/mid pass sections. There is a phase inverter, limiter, frequency counter (with a classic red LED display) , 4 attenuators (volume), 2 mixer sections, a VU meter, and a few mystery functions that affect the sound but that I am not qualified to describe. there is also a gate sequencer, so you can basically set two different lengths of tones to trigger as you desire. The sequencer is weird and rudimentary, but functions perfectly.

Below are some long recordings of the HSL-II into a Deltalab Effectron Jr. digital delay. I ran this into a decent DJ mixer and into apple's Garageband. I clipped up the audio to make it a little shorter and give you an idea of a portion of the range that you can achieve with the HSL-II.

HSL-II sample one

Sound plays at beginning and towards the end - dead air in the middle

HSL-II sample two - plays fine

You cannot control the pitch from an external controller as of now. They were not designed for that. You can control the frequency manually, which in turn affects the perceived pitch, and believe me, with all 4 or 5 sound sources going through some delay and reverb, you have a wicked modular synth, sample source, drone machine....Silver Apples meets Aphex meets Eno.

I spoke with a synthe technologiste who thought that there would likely be a way to add c/v control to the sound source circuits...I have included a close up of a single sine sound source...it is the one circuit photo that has had the color altered and sharpened to give someone some idea what they are dealing with if they are so inclined to pursue the c/v route. Alas, there are no schematics and I have searched high and low on the internets.

The cabinet is absolutely VCS3-esque. There are a few areas of flaky veneer about the edges, as can be seen in the photos.

Also...you can run audio through the filters and even do some sort of weird sonic destruction by patching the fuzz output into the same input as the audio source. There are many many routing capabilities. These machines have provided me with plenty of inspiration. I will be moving soon, so please look out for all sorts of audio related stuff."

MP3s backed up here.

The one via Must! who is the seller.

Starkey HSL-II Hearing Scientific Laboratory Sound Lab

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Some details from a previous post (see the post for more):
"Four oscillators, three multimode filters, two A/R envelope generators, digital gate sequencer, noise generator, phase shifter, external audio input...but no CV control. Uses mini-banana jacks. Built in 1977."

via adam

Starkey Hearing Science Laboratory - New Flickr Shot

flickr by zonkout.

"Four oscillators, three multimode filters, two A/R envelope generators, digital gate sequencer, noise generator, phase shifter, external audio input...but no CV control. Uses mini-banana jacks. Built in 1977."

Trip. Never seen one of these before.

Update via the comments: "Tres cool. This thing originally came with a set of speakers (follow the link and chech top left on the record cover). Although it isnt a real synt (it has no cv input) you can use it as a really cool gate/trig-processor and a trig sequencer. You can also make some strange noices 'manually' on it. Check this link."

Update via gerald in the comments: link to more shots pulled from this auction. Looks like it went for $541.